Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II) Virabhadra = name of a warrior who is an incarnation of Shiva  About the pose: This is a strong standing posture with emphasis on alignment and symmetry: both heels are in one line, the front knee is in line with the ankle of the back leg, the arms are perpendicular extended […]

Eka Pada Raja Kapotasana (King Pigeon Pose) eka = one pada = foot raja = king kapota = pigeon or dove About the pose: The full posture is suitable for intermediate students; however, even the modified pose (picture) has great benefits as it  opens the hip flexors and hip rotating muscles. This modified pose is […]

Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined Bound Angle) supta = reclining baddha = bound kona = angle   About the pose: In this pose the knees are open to the side, the base of the feet are touching and the shoulders and arms are relaxed.  This pose is a great preparation for class, as it gently opens […]

Vrksasana (Tree pose) vrksa = tree About the pose: This is a standing balance pose which requires good coordination, concentration and core strength.  But any balance is a good balance and as such, even by only lifting the foot to the height of the ankle or calf of the standing leg achieves a lot of […]

Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose) ardha = half; chandra = shining About the pose: This is a standing balance posture, which can be done with a block and against a wall to assist in holding the pose .  It opens the entire front body and because of the stretch crossing from one side to the […]

Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend) ut = intense; tan = stretch About the pose: As the Sanskrit name says, Uttanasana is an ‘intense’ stretch and as such, caution should be used by accentuating that the majority of the forward bend comes from the hips rather from the back.  The misconception that it is ‘good’ or ‘admirable’ […]

Ustrasana (Camel Pose) ustra = camel About the pose: Ustrasana is a kneeling backbend that also lengthens the hip-flexors.  The importance of this pose, like with all backbends, is to avoid limiting the bending to the lumbar region (the most easy to extend part of the spine) and instead simultaneously open the chest and shoulders […]

Navasana (Boat Pose) nava = boat About the pose Navasana is a seated balance posture which concentrates on building internal focus and strength.  The point of balance is on the tripod between the sitting bones and tailbone.  If the abdominal muscles are weak, the back will round.  This needs to be avoided to prevent injury; […]