Ardha-Ushtrasana, or Half Camel Pose, is a Yoga pose designed to help strengthen your neck, back, pelvis and abdominal muscles while also helping you to relax. It's great for relieving back ache, rounded back, and drooping shoulders. In this video you will get a quick tutorial on how to perform the pose.
Yoga is a priceless treasure now available to all. It is a form of exercise that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It is widely recognized as a scientific method to stretch, tone, strengthen, and relax the entire body, inside and out, rewarding the practitioner with glowing health. Yogasanas are safe and effective for people of all ages. Yoga is an exercise regimen that anyone can practice, no matter how old or young. Yoga is an ancient practice that benefits every age and body...
Ayurveda talks about the three subtle energies, called doshas, which play an important role in human health. These energies are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Each dosha is a combination of two natural elements: Vata dosha is made of space and air, Pitta dosha is made of fire and water, and Kapha dosha is made of water and earth. These doshas play an important role in defining an individual’s natural constitution or prakriti.
Studies have shown the beneficial effects of meditation on our health and our brain. There are many types of meditation and invariably all of them have positive effects. Understanding how meditation affects the brain, and, by extension, human behavior, also gives insight into the potency of this timeless yogic practice. There have been groundbreaking researches showing that, when people meditate, they alter the biochemistry of their brains, and this could be at the heart of claims that...
Yoga is a spiritual science discovered by Indian yogis to attain higher states of consciousness. The starting steps of yoga are asanas (body postures) and Pranayam (breathing technique). These practices help one to set up his mind to achieve supreme consciousness. Yogic practices work on a holistic level and lead to physical and psychological (mental) development. Yoga brings peace to body and mind and it is only possible when it is done with complete awareness. This specialty of yoga...
The human body is made for movement and activity, and suffers when deprived of it. Joints maintain their mobility, and muscles their elasticity, only if they are used. All body systems--respiratory, circulatory, digestive, etc.--need movement if they are to function efficiently. Movement is natural and necessary, but unfortunately most of us lead a sedentary lifestyle, which is taking a toll on our neck and shoulders.
Unfortunately, thunder thighs won't just get rid of themselves. And women tend to accumulate fat in the lower body regions, including the belly, hips, and thighs (mostly for childbirth reasons), which makes losing flab in the thigh region even more challenging.
This vinyasa yoga move is quite possibly the simplist yoga move out there, but that doesn't mean it isn't effective. In fact, the belly roll is one of the most effective exercises you can do to reduce stress, relieve menstrual cramps, get rid of insomnia, or just recover from a long and grueling workday glued to your chair.
Most ab workouts target your upper abdominals only. Sit ups and crunches, for instance, only work on that upper part of your abs without even touching the lower portion, where most of us have muffin tops and really need the work.
The Down Dog yoga pose is so popular that people who have never done yoga before generally know what it entails. But despite how classic the move is and its practice in every yoga studio, lots of people still get the move wrong, over extending the shoulders backward.
Yoga is centered on centering you, both physically and emotionally. If you're a yoga practitioner then you know how relaxed and rejuvenated you feel after a vinyasa yoga class.
Most people don't realize this, but yoga is a form of strength training. If you've never done yoga before then you probably think it's nothing but a series of New Age-y stretches that get you in tune with your inner Zen, but yoga is a lot more intensive than that.
We can't overstate the importance of stretching in yoga. Yes, you may think that yoga itself is just a bunch of stretches flowing one right into the other, which is true, but there are certain yoga poses aimed strategically at increasing your flexibility so you can do other yoga poses better.
Tara Stiles teaches us how to do the splits in this tutorial. Remember not to do this all at once, stretch out your body first. To start, come into a downward dog position while bending the knees and straightening them and deep breathing. Now, bring a foot to the front and keep in this position until flexing the foot while sitting back near the other foot. Lean forward over your front leg, then repeat on the other side of the body. Come back into a downward dog, then do lunges to open up the...
In this video, we learn how to strengthen buns, abs, & thighs with Tara Stiles yoga. First, stretch out your body on a yoga mat, then come into a downward dog position, raising your back legs in the air. After this, come into a warrior pose, except have both of your hands straight in the air while bending the knees. From here, come into the normal warrior pose, then stretch out both sides of the body by lifting opposite hands up in the air. Next, stretch out your legs as wide as they will go,...
Tara Stiles teaches us how to reduce anxiety using yoga in this video. You can do this any time of the day, and it will help you relax and have some time for yourself. Start by sitting up against a flat surface, and rest your hands on your knees. Close your eyes for a few minutes, following your breath. The thoughts will still happen in your head, but try to focus on your breathe as much as you can. After you do this, take your body to the side and bring your arm around your head while looking...
In this video, we learn how to raise your metabolism with yoga power poses. The style and level that you do while doing yoga poses can help you burn a lot of calories and sweat. You will work the larger muscles of your body, which will speed up your metabolism and help you burn calories all day long. You can start off with a downward facing dog position, then raising your back foot into the air and bringing it into the chest, switching between each leg. Doing these different yoga exercises can...
Sadie teaches us how to double down breath to stop smoking, de-stress, and detox. A great place to go is to your bathroom, people won't bother you for at least five minutes while you're in here, allowing you to calm down. This will help bring yourself back to center and cleanse your mind, calming down your brain waves. Start by breathing in for four counts through the notes, allowing the ribs to flair wide. Hold this for a moment, then exhale on eight counts from your mouth. Squeeze the belly...
In this video, we learn how to get started using strala yoga with Tara Stiles. This type of yoga combines different poses to help you achieve better health. Start off in the plank position on a flat surface, keeping here for several minutes while breathing deep. Keep your belly lifted, lift through the top of your head to the rest of your body. Doing these exercises can keep you healthy and motivated to do workouts and eat healthy during the week and weekend. This will help you relax and feel...
In this video, we learn how to build body core strength with yoga. Start out seated on your yoga mat with legs crossed, then gently roll the body back and then to the front again. Remember to use your core strength during this, not your arms to help push and pull you. Hold your abs in to create resistance and strength in them. Continue this sequence by raising your body up and stretching out the different areas of your body. Use control and make sure not to strain your muscles while stretching....
In this video, we learn how to improve your yoga with the hara breath. Start by sitting down on your yoga mat and become centered in your body. You will start to breathe in different poses by placing your hands underneath your navel. Close your eyes and envision the center of energy that's in your body. Close your eyes and deep breathe, inhaling and screening energy into your body. Feel your body fueling up with energy and block out all the negative thoughts from your mind. As you do this, feel...
Yoga is a lot more intense and difficult than those who have not done it before believe. Don't believe us? Whip out a sticky mat and try this five minute yoga flow for yourself to discover how much muscular intensity goes into flowing and holding each position.
Even if you're a seasoned yoga veteran, you know how hard it can be to roll out of bed at six A.M. in the morning and do that first down dog. Stiff joints, hamstrings that haven't been stretched out, and groginess probably don't help to wak you up pleasantly.
Vinyasa yoga, also known as power yoga, is a strength-building form of yoga that alternates between traditional yoga poses quickly so that yoga becomes a moderate intensity cardio workout as well.
Have you ever wanted to be your own means of transportation? No, we're not talking about walking, but rather contorting your body into a wheel. Sound painful? It is, to be sure, but it looks pretty darn cool!
In this tutorial, we learn how to lose weight using yoga with Tara Stiles. Start off by stretching out your body, then go into a downward facing dog position. Now position yourself so that your hands are on the floor and your are bringing your leg in and out, while stretching it into the air and up against your body> do this again wit the other leg when you're done. Next, go into a warrior position and stretch your body on both sides. After this, stretch out your legs and bring them into...
In this free video yoga lesson, you'll learn an exercise to strengthen and straighten your spine. With yoga, as with any physical fitness system, a basic mastery of proper technique is essential for both maximizing the effectiveness of your workouts and avoiding accidental injury. For more information, and to get started using this yoga exercise yourself, watch this handy home-fitness how-to..
In this free video yoga lesson, you'll learn an exercise to improve your upper back and shoulder mobility. With yoga, as with any physical fitness system, a basic mastery of proper technique is essential for both maximizing the effectiveness of your workouts and avoiding accidental injury. For more information, and to get started using this yoga exercise yourself, watch this handy home-fitness how-to.
In this free video yoga lesson, you'll learn a popular variant on the downward-facing dog pose exercise. With yoga, as with any physical fitness system, a basic mastery of proper technique is essential for both maximizing the effectiveness of your workouts and avoiding accidental injury. For more information, and to get started using this yoga exercise yourself, watch this handy home-fitness how-to.
In this free video yoga lesson, you'll learn an exercise to do a downward-facing dog pose yoga exercise. With yoga, as with any physical fitness system, a basic mastery of proper technique is essential for both maximizing the effectiveness of your workouts and avoiding accidental injury. For more information, and to get started using this yoga exercise yourself, watch this handy home-fitness how-to.
In this free video yoga lesson, you'll learn an exercise to relieve built-up neck and shoulder tension. With yoga, as with any physical fitness system, a basic mastery of proper technique is essential for both maximizing the effectiveness of your workouts and avoiding accidental injury. For more information, and to get started using this yoga exercise yourself, watch this handy home-fitness how-to.
In this free video yoga lesson, you'll learn an exercise to improve the rotational mobility of your spine. With yoga, as with any physical fitness system, a basic mastery of proper technique is essential for both maximizing the effectiveness of your workouts and avoiding accidental injury. For more information, and to get started using this yoga exercise yourself, watch this handy home-fitness how-to.
In this free video yoga lesson, you'll learn an exercise to improve your lumbar spine mobility. With yoga, as with any physical fitness system, a basic mastery of proper technique is essential for both maximizing the effectiveness of your workouts and avoiding accidental injury. For more information, and to get started using this yoga exercise yourself, watch this handy home-fitness how-to.
In this free video yoga lesson, you'll learn how to integrate a headstand exercise into your yoga routine. With yoga, as with any physical fitness system, a basic mastery of proper technique is essential for both maximizing the effectiveness of your workouts and avoiding accidental injury. For more information, and to get started using this yoga exercise yourself, watch this handy home-fitness how-to.
In this tutorial, we learn how to properly perform the triangle pose. Start off on your hands and knees, then place your knees further back behind your hips. Next, bring your shoulders back and go into a downward facing dog position. From here, lift your arms away from the floor, then take a step forward with your right leg between your hands. Then, drop your left heel to the floor and place your right hand next to your right foot. Bring your right hip back and straighten the leg. The left hip...
In this tutorial, we learn how to understand Full Wheel alignment. This is a very difficult move to do, so make sure you set up properly before you do this. Your body needs to be warmed up before you attempt to do this. Prepare for the post by laying down on a mat, then placing a couple blocks underneath your rear end. This will help stretch your body out. When you're done, curl your tailbone up and now your body will want to curve into the wheel. From here, push the hands down by the shoulders...
The Dolphin Plank yoga exercise is a test of endurance and strength, focusing on your shoulders and upper back and challenging your balance. The Dolphin Plank is a great move to lead you into the Wheel pose, a deep back bend that requires you to open the hip flexors and shoulders.
In this tutorial, we learn how to do the Bakasana pose in yoga. First, take a deep breath and crouch down on your feet. Now, keep deep breathing and bring your arms out in front of you. Lean forward, and place all of your weight on your hands. After this, lift your feet up off the floor while they are still crouched inwards towards the abdomen. Take several deep breaths while you are in this position. Make sure you aren't placing your weight on your feet, or you won't be able to lift them up...
In this Fitness video tutorial you will learn how to do a yoga handstand correctly. Bend forward and place both your hands on the ground. The fingers should be pointing forward and the palms should be flat on the ground. The shoulders should be naturally in to the body. They must not be stretched. Keep both the legs bent at the knees. Now lift one leg and practice kicking slowly with the other leg and pulling the navel in towards the spine. And eventually the full body will lift up and go...
In order to create your own personal yoga sequence and to personalize your yoga routine, you will need to remember to ask yourself about your needs. Remember that you shouldn't just do it as a routine. Having a routine is important, because it will encourage you to do your exercises everyday. However, you have to remember to be in the moment and to give your body what it is asking for and demanding.
When you are beginning to bring together your personal exercise, start with simple sun...
Unlike Popeye arms, which bulge in all the wrong places, yoga arms don't really bulge at all, but rather undulate smoothely like the way a chataranga melds into a down dog.
As women, we're naturally prone to complaining about our bodies. Either our pores are too big or our boobs are too small or our abs are not small enough. There's really no limit to what we bash ourselves about, and it varies from day to day (thanks, societal beauty standards).
We love yoga: it prepares us for the day ahead and stretches out any residual tension in our shoulders and back. But waking up at 6 AM in the morning and doing that first down dog can be...rough. That's why it's so important to stretch before you start your morning yoga routine.
As a yoga practitioner you must be unafraid to bend your body like a German pretzel into all matter of formations, forgoing that bitter mistress named gravity and find your own center of balance instead. Once you're an advanced yogi you can do such crazy poses as balancing your entire body at a 45 degree incline on just your two hands.
In this tutorial, we learn how to master the downward facing dog pose. When you do this pose, you will be opening up your entire body. Start by centering yourself for a few moments and center yourself. Place your hands on your stomach and feel yourself deep breathe. Start to clear your mind and stop thinking about your problems and issues for the day. Stay in this seated position for several minutes before you come into downward facing dog. When you get into this position, feel yourself breathe...
We'rea already in the thick of beach season, so you've probably already hit the surf and sand at least a few times now (especially if you live near the coast) and have relished in the pretty waves, warm sun, and hot lifeguards.
Whether you like 'em or not, down dogs are like the bread and butter of any yoga practice, from vinyasa to ashtanga. Which is why it is so important to do them correctly (gut pulled in, looking at your hamstrings). It is also crucial to flow into the down dog with ease.
Core strength is often associated with the practice of pilates, but having a strong midsection is just as important in pilates' sister practice, yoga. With all the flow between down dogs and vinyasas, it's important to keep your body steady and your core engaged.
In this video, Dina Prioste shows us how to stretch to become more flexible. Start off laying down on your stomach with your forehead down and feet together. As you inhale lift your chest off the floor keeping your feet pressed against the floor. As you inhale take it up even higher and as you exhale take it back down. As a different variation, as you inhale take your feet and arms off the ground taking it as high as you can as you inhale. Exhale and bring the body back down. Hold the pose as...
Dina Prioste shows us how to do breath of fire with yoga in this video. Start off by sitting in a comfortable seated position on top of a blanket or pillow, with Kleenex close by. Begin by taking a deep breath and exhale, do this three times. Now, take a deep inhale in and do 15 exhalations. Do this 5 times, increasing your exhalations to 20 on the last round. Come back to your regular breathing when you are done and mucus will have been cleared from your head. You can increase your exhalations...
In this video, we learn how to do a variation of a yoga supine spinal twist with Dina Prioste. Start by laying down and your knees bent up with your feet as wide as the mat. Let your knees drop over to the right side and cross the bottom foot on the top of the top knee and bring your left arm out. Now, look over the left shoulder and deep breathe. Do this for several seconds and then continue to do on the other side of the body. Remember to focus on your breathing and relax while you're doing...
In this video, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a heart gate yoga pose. Make sure you are warmed up before you come into this exercise, so you won't pull a muscle. Begin in a basic side angle pose, starting in warrior 2. Now, take the right elbow onto the right thigh and sweep the left arm over to the left ear. Make sure your core is straight and your spine is long. Now, lean down into the right side of the body while keeping the left arm high. To take it into a deeper stretch, look over your...
Dina Prioste shows us how to do a triangle pose in this tutorial. Start in a wide stance, turn your back foot in and take your arms out wide with both legs straight. As you exhale reach towards the end of the mat on the right side and reach your arm down as far as you can. Now, take your left arm straight up and look up or look to the side. Remember it's not how far you are reaching, it's how open your chest is. Remember to deep breathe for several seconds while doing this, then do it on both...
In this video, we learn how to do a yoga camel and rabbit pose with Dina Prioste. Make sure you warm up before you start this, so you don't pull a muscle. First, start on your knees and your toes tucked under. Your hands should be on your lower back, then inhale and lift your chest up to the ceiling. Take a few breaths here, then get out of the post and sit back on your heels. Now, sit on your knees again and do the same exercise, except with putting your arms on the back of your thighs or...
In this tutorial, we learn how to do a yoga parsvottanasana to stretch the hamstrings with Dina Prioste. First, place your hands against the wall with your feet stretch out 3 feet apart. Press your hands to the wall and stretch your legs out, you should feel a stretch through your hamstrings when you are doing this. If you want a deeper stretch, bring blocks on either side of your front foot and push your hands onto the block as far as you can while folding your body into the leg. This is a...
In this video, Dina Prioste shows us how improve yoga back bends. Start by laying down on your stomach and have your legs into the air. Put socks on your feet and grab onto your socks that are on your feet. Now, lift your upper body and pull your feet towards your head. Push your elbows into the air and make sure they are pushed straight ahead of you. Using a tube sock with this exercise will work best. You can also try using the socks while doing a pigeon pose, just make sure to use a sock...
In this tutorial, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a quick morning yoga workout. Start in a tabletop position and inhale while looking up, then exhale while looking down. Make sure to raise and lower your back as you are doing these. These are also said to be the "cow" and "cat" poses, so you should look like these animals as you are doing these. Keep doing these exercises for several minutes, remembering to inhale and exhale and stretch out your body at the same time. When finished, sit and...
In this video, Dina Prioste shows us how to your booty with a yoga wall-sit chair pose. Start off by sitting flat against the wall with your feet hip width apart. Hold this position for a few breaths. You shouldn't be sitting on an actual chair, just an invisible one. Now, grab a book and place it between your thighs, then squeeze as hard as you can while still breathing and focusing as much as you can. When finished, take a break and get back into the position and do that same move once again,...
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to do a mom's yoga breathing exercise. Begin by sitting down on your knees and spread your fingers wide apart. Take a deep inhale, as you exhale open your mouth wide and stick out your tongue. When you exhale, roll your eyes up and look up to the ceiling. Continue inhaling and exhaling for this exercise. This video will benefit those viewers who are interested in health and fitness, and would like to learn a yoga exercise that will help improve the...
In this video, Dina Prioste shows us how to use a strap while stretching with yoga. Start off laying down with your feet against a wall and toes pointed to the ceiling. Now, take your strap and extend your right leg up. Keep your left foot pressed against the wall. Next, pull the strap and flex your leg closer towards you until you feel a stretch. Do this on both sides of the body and make sure to keep your body flat against the floor. For a harder exercise, lean your leg to the right hand...
