There may be no better cure for whatever ails you than this pose: Viparita Karani, or Legs Up the Wall. This gentle inversion is amazing for reducing anxiety, low back pain, PMS symptoms, headache, or aching feet. Yogic scriptures also say it will reduce wrinkles, make you look younger, and calm the mind. Sign me […]
Ahhhh, we’ve made it! Day 29 of #MermaidYogis is the beautifully restorative reclined bound angle, or supta baddha konasana in sanskrit. This passive hip opener is an awesome way to relax and rest. If you have tight hips, grab two blocks or pillows to place under your knees for support. If you’d like to add […]
For the last active inversion of the #MermaidYogis challenge, we invite you to take any stag leg variation of your inversion of choice! You can explore this fun leg variation in headstand, forearm stand, or handstand. Stag legs refers to bending the knees while upside down. It’s fun to make pretty shapes, and can be […]
Oh handstand, you and I have a fickle relationship. Some days we get along, some days we don’t. I’m learning to accept it as it comes, and not try to force you to be here when you don’t want to be. If handstand is nowhere in sight for you, please feel free to modify with […]
Ready to work towards handstand? Yes? Great! Today’s pose, handstand prep with the wall, will help us build strength in the upper body and find the core engagement we need to stay up in a handstand. Not ready at all? That’s ok too! Feel free to flip this pose upside down, and take a seated […]
Don’t be intimidated by this inversion! We’ve got lots of options if getting all the way upside down isn’t in your practice yet. Day 25 of #MermaidYogis is forearm stand, but feel free to modify with headstand, headstand prep, dolphin pose or child’s pose depending on your body’s needs today. Forearm Stand If this […]
We are headed into the last week of the #MermaidYogis challenge, and it’s time to start getting upside down! One of the most important preparations for inversions is stretching the hamstrings, which can be done quite nicely with a wide leg forward fold, called Upavistha Konasana in Sanskrit. Wide Leg Seated Forward Fold Sit down […]
Hello, heart opener! Wheel pose is one of my very favorite postures, but it can be quite challenging for those with tight shoulders and less flexibility in the back. If this feels more intense than good, feel free to modify with bridge pose. Wheel Pose: Begin laying on your back, knees bent, heels close […]
Boat Pose, or Navasana in sanskrit, is a great counter pose for backbends. In Ashtanga primary series, five rounds of boat pose interspersed with mula bandha check ups, jump backs, and handstands are used to train the core and build strength before accessing the deep backbend that is full wheel (chakrasana or urdhva dhanurasana in […]
Camel Pose is one of my favorite backbends. When you’re first starting out, it can be quite intense, so read on below for a few ways to modify until you’re ready for the full expression. The most important things to remember in camel pose are to keep your hips over your knees and think […]