Tag: spine
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Practice: Ustrasana & Finding Courage To Listen To The Heart
The heart is often spoken of as the seat of ‘love’ and ‘compassion’, which of course it is, but it’s also a place of truth and courage, and if we dare to venture there it can reveal hidden truths about ourselves. Physically, we know that the heart is an essential muscle that pumps blood, oxygen…
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Practice: Parivrtta Prasarita Padottanasana Variation
Parivrtta = ‘Revolved’ Prasarita = ‘Spread’, ‘Expanded’, or ‘Wide apart’ Pada = ‘Foot’ Ut = ‘Intense’ Tan = ‘To Stretch’ Asana = ‘Posture’, or ‘Seat’ This name literally translates as ‘spread out feet intense stretch’ so it does exactly what it says on the tin…. The practice…
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Practice: Anjaneyasana (Back-Bending Variation)
When it comes to backbends, there’s a lot more to it than just bending backwards…. In order to find the healthiest backbend for our own body, it’s important to open up, lengthen, strengthen and release all the other areas that might be restricting us from getting into a backbend that is truly beneficial for us.…
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Practice: Ardha Matsyendrasana / Half Lord Of The Fishes Pose
Ardha = ‘Half’ Matsya = ‘Fish’ Eendra = ‘King’ Asana = ‘Posture’ or ‘Seat’ This asana is named after the great Yogi Matsyendranath Ardha Matsyendrasana is a pretty deep spinal twist in its full expression, but it’s how we approach and prepare for the posture that really makes the difference in how…
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Practice: Preparation For Backbending
Although backbends may appear to be all about flexibility, they actually require a lot of strength in order to practice them in a way that is healthy and sustainable. The strength we need to cultivate before moving into backbends arises not only from the muscles of the back, but also a connection to the deep…
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Practice: Parivrtta Ashta Chandrasana Variation / Revolved High Lunge Variaton
Parivrtta = ‘turned’ or ‘revolved’ Ashta = ‘Eight’ Chandra = ‘Moon’ ‘Revolved Eight Point Crescent Moon Variation’ Ashta chandrasana (often referred to as ‘high lunge’) is a posture we’re likely to practice in many dyamic, flow-style classes, and is one that can become familiar and comfortable in a short amount of time when practiced consistently. Once we’ve…
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Practice: Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle Pose)
Parivrtta = “To Turn” / “To Revolve” Trikona = Three Angle or Triangle Asana = Posture The New year has probably seen a lot of Yoga classes practicing a series of twists, and there’s good reason for it…. Physically, twists promote detoxification and stimulation of the kidneys and liver (so if you’re hungover…
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Practice: Parivrtta Ashta Chandrasana / Revolved Eight Point Crescent Lunge / Revolved High Lunge
Parivrtta = ‘Revolved’ Ashta = ‘Eight’ Chandra = ‘Moon’ Asana = ‘Posture’ Physically, twists are thought to be ‘detoxifying’ – they help to ‘get things moving’ if you know what I mean … by stimulating the digestive process and improving circulation. At this time of year, the cold weather and change in…
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Practice: Parivrtta Hasta Padangusthasana (Revolved Hand To Big Toe Pose)
A balancing pose which requires deep focus in order to hold for a sustained amount of time, and encourages honesty when navigating your way to the fullest expression of the asana that your body will allow you to reach today. With a combination of balancing and twisting; Parivrtta Hasta Padangusthasana does a good job of quietening the…
