Hot Yoga How-Tos
How To: Do a yoga arm balance crow pose
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to do a arm balance crow yoga pose. Begin by twisting your wrist back to face your fingers to your knees. Feel a deep stretch and take about 5-8 deep breathes. Then go into an easy forward bend, with your hip-width apart and your knees bent. Place your hands flat onto the floor and tuck your chin into your chest. In that position, move forward by looking up and going onto the balls of your feet. Then return to the starting position. This video will be...
How To: Do a yoga handstand with variations for beginners
In this tutorial, Dina Prioste shows us how to do deep handstands. You will need a yoga strap and a wall to do this. Start off by getting on all fours and then gently raising your legs onto the wall one at a time. Raise one leg directly up from the wall and then raise the other to make an "L" shape with your legs. If you have trouble doing this, grab a yoga strap and secure it around your triceps. Now, face towards the wall and practice kicking up until your legs are raised against the wall. ...
How To: Do a yoga 'dedicated to the sage' arm balance pose
In this video, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a yoga arm balance pose. Warm up before you do this pose, to avoid muscle pull. Start in a wide lunge stance and work on getting your elbows down to the floor. If you can't do that, stack some blocks or books to where your elbows can stretch to. Now, sit back and stretch your foot, then go back to the same pose and get your shoulders down as low as you can. You can spread your arms out while doing this, and focus on relaxing and staying in balanc...
How To: Perform an effective hip stretch
In this video, Dina Prioste shows us how to do an effective hip stretch with yoga. First, sit in front of a pillow and tie a yoga strap around your waist and feet. From here, tighten the strap as much as you can to bring the heels in so you are held into this position. Now, lie down comfortably onto your pillows and remain in this position for several minutes while deep breathing. Close your eyes and try to clear your mind as much as you can. The more you let go, the more your hips and chest ...
How To: Reverse yoga poses to open up shoulders
In this tutorial, we learn how to do reverse yoga poses to open up the shoulders with Dina Prioste. You will want to start off in a reverse table top position, which will give your shoulders a nice deep stretch. To come into this position, sit with your knees bent and take your hands behind you, so your fingers point towards your feet. Now, inhale and lift your hips up and keep pressing your feet into the floor. Keep your chin touching to your chest. A regular tabletop position just includes ...
How To: Do a yoga flying crow pose arm balance
In this video, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a flying crow pose arm balance in yoga. After you are warmed up, start in a semi squat position with your right angle over your left thigh. Now, bring your hands together in front of your heart and bring your elbows to the front of your shins. Now bring your hands to the floor and hook the right foot outside the left arm. Next, lean forward and engage the left back leg while lifting it up. Keep this pose for as long as you can, then do it again o...
How To: Do a yoga dancer's pose with and without a yoga strap
In this tutorial, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a yoga dancers pose. Start standing with your weight on your left leg. Now, bend your right leg and grab it behind you. Now, lift your left arm up and keep raising your right leg. Open up into your back bend and lean forward. As you lean forward, you will create balance on your left leg, so focus on a spot that is in front of you. If you can't reach your foot behind your body, use a yoga strap or belt to help you reach. Doing this will help in...
How To: Do a revitalizing yoga workout in your hotel room
When we think of yoga, the image of a lanky hippie toting a sticky mat in one hand and POM juice in the other usually comes to mind. But in reality, everyone can do yoga and a sticky mat is not always required.
How To: Eat healthy when traveling and staying at hotels
Eating well at home is actually rather easy if you pre-plan what you're going to eat, prepare your own food, and control where you get that food. But once you start traveling the food available to you becomes much more limited, mostly to vending machine gummi bears and chips.
How To: Go into a yoga handstand from a split pose
Please don't try this complex yoga move at home unless you are a mid to advanced level yoga practitioner. Yoga is all about flow and one movement melding into another seamlessly, and in this tutorial you'll learn how to do a headstand (with your elbows resting on the floor) from a split pose, then relaxing into a meditation pose.
How To: Do a serotonin-releasing belly roll yoga move
Most people don't commit to an exercise program because it seems too strenuous to do either before work (which means in the wee hours of the morning) or after work (when you've had a dull pain gnawing at the back of your head the entire day and had a shitty day at work and commute home).
How To: Do a Yoga Twist to Release the Lower Back
Doing a low back relief exercise can make your body feel more relaxed, and stretch out your muscles. First, lay down on your back with your arms at a T, and cross your right leg over your left. Deep inhale and when you exhale, let your knees drop to your right. As you are doing this, turn your left pinky finger to the wall behind you. When you inhale, go back to your regular position. The left shoulder should stay down and the outer edge of the left foot should go up to the ceiling. Keep repe...
How To: Do chakra purification with mantra
In this tutorial, Dina Prioste shows us how to purify chakras with yoga. First, go into a gentle back bend while chanting a mantra. Then, lie on your back with your feet flat on the ground. Next, lift up your hips and place your fingers under your thighs and look up at the ceiling. When you do the chant, feel the vibrations through your body and remember to deep breathe while focusing intently. When finished chanting, lower your back down to the floor and relax the body. This will open up you...
How To: Do a yoga boat pose with a twist
In this tutorial, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a yoga boat pose with a twist. First, start off with your knees bent and take your knees up so your shins are parallel to the floor. Now, interlace your fingers and push your arms straight out in the air. As you inhale, twist your body to the side while pushing the legs into your body. Keep doing this on both sides as you inhale and exhale as many times as possible. For more of a challenge, twist farther down on the ground, remembering to keep...
How To: Do a yoga boat pose with a twist for power
In this tutorial, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a yoga boat pose with a twist for power. First, begin in a boat pose raising your legs up and facing forward. Interlace your hands together and inhale. Exhale and twist to the left and right side while pushing your legs forward and back. Next, place your hands on the floor and fall into a reverse tabletop position. Inhale and exhale several times in this position, then return to the boat twists and do quicker for twelve times each side. Rememb...
How To: Do a yoga bharadvajasana twist pose
In this video tutorial, we learn how to do a classic feel good twist with Dina Priost. Begin seated with your knee bent and your feet over to the left side. Your right hand should be just behind you on the floor. Next, turn your torso to the right side and then turn your neck to over the left shoulder. Stay in this pose for around eight deep breathes. This is a great exercise for people with stiff backs or arthritis. You can change this and do it the opposite way if you are interested in stre...
How To: Do a yoga bind to stretch shoulders
In this tutorial, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a yoga bind shoulder stretch. Binds are when the hands are clasped together in any pose while you are doing yoga. Start in a side angle pose and take your top arm and place it behind your back while grabbing the other hand. If you have a lower side angle pose you can use a strap to help you stretch out, but not hold the other hand just yet. This is a great way for beginners to learn how to bind. You can also reach your hands under your thigh i...
How To: Perform a yoga pigeon pose safely
To perform the pigeon pose in yoga safely, you will need the following: a mat, a small pillow or folded blanket, and a strap.
How To: Do a yoga forearm stand to open up the chest
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to do a yoga forearm stand. Begin by placing a block against the wall. Then create an L shape with both hands and old them against the block. Now look forward at the block and stand on the toes of your feet. Keep the elbows on the floor and aligned with your shoulders. Move your feet as close to the block as you can and start to lightly hop on each foot Then press both feet up and let the wall support your feet. This video will benefit those viewers w...
How To: Improve yoga step-throughs with pendulum exercises
Pendulum exercises will help you to perform step-throughs in yoga practice. When you are in tabletop position, on the floor, extend your right leg back. Bend you knee and bring your leg in to your chest. Tuck your head down and attempt to bring your knee to your nose. Then, extend it back again. Flex your foot, when you extend your leg back, and point your toe, when you bring your leg in to your chest. Repeat this ten times, before you switch to the other leg.
How To: Perform a 5 minute daily morning yoga routine
If you only have 5 minutes to practice in the mornings, string together the four warrior poses. Begin in the Downward Facing Dog position. Push into Plank pose. Transition into Cobra pose. Then, push back into Downward Facing Dog. Lift right leg up, swing it through into a lunge. Transition into Warrior I pose. Open from Warrior I to Warrior II. Then, transition into Reverse Warrior pose. Then, Open up into side angle pose.
How To: Do a seated yoga shoulder and chest opening sequence
Stretching on rainy days on rainy days is a means of transforming your mood, in to a more positive one. To begin, sit on the floor. With your right leg extended and your left leg bent, with your legs creating the shape of a number 4, hold your right toe with your right hand. If you are unable to reach your right toe, you can use a strap to help you. Open you chest, by extending your left arm, looking left with your head, making a T with your upper body. You can modify the stretch, while you a...
How To: Do a yoga peaceful or reverse warrior pose
In this tutorial, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a beautiful peaceful reverse yoga pose. Begin in a strong warrior pose and bring your right palm facing up, then bring your back hand to the back of your leg so it's just lightly touching it. Lift into a back bend and gaze up into the air. Make sure to lift and don't straighten your front leg. Draw your navel in to lengthen your spine and remember to control your breathing. This is a great way to strengthen the legs and a gentle way to prepare...
How To: Do the "hangman for shoulders" on the yoga trapeze
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to do the "hangman for shoulders" exercise using the yoga trapeze. Begin by lying on your stomach with a mat underneath your stomach. With both hands, hold onto the handles of the trapeze and drop your head down. Slightly use some strength to hold on, but try to use little as possible. Slightly bend the arms and keep the body soft as possible while in the hanging position. If you feel comfortable, wiggle your body for a deeper stretch. This video will...
Do an anti-aging yoga move: downward facing dog
In this tutorial, Jessica Cassity from Prevention Magazine guides us through how to do the downward-facing dog yoga position. This is a great anti-aging yoga move that also strengthens bones. This is a great move for anyone that is just beginning to do yoga. To get into position, get on all fours on a yoga mat on a flat and hard surface. Curl your toes under, and bend up pushing your head down and raising your stomach into the air. Firm your shoulder blades against your back and keep your hea...
How To: Do a yoga legs up the wall pose
In this video tutorial, we learn how to do a yoga legs up the wall pose with Dina. First, grab some blankets and place them folded up against the wall. You can just simply roll onto the blankets, to make it easier to get onto them. You should roll onto the blankets on your back, with your legs up against the wall. Take the palms of your hands and place them up towards the ceiling. You can also squeeze your legs into a butterfly pose as well as open them to stretch out the legs. This is great ...
How To: Do a yoga extended puppy pose for an easy stretch
For the first version of the yoga extended puppy pose, kneel down on the floor while extending your arms towards a chair or a sofa placed in front of you. Stretch out your arms gently. Keep your back straight and then gently lift it up. Repeat these steps over and over yet gently. Take deep breaths as you do so.
How To: Do a yoga upward facing two foot staff pose
In this video, we learn how to do a yoga upward facing two foot staff pose with Dina Prioste. You will need two large blocks and make sure your body is warmed up. Now, line your head up with the blocks and take the palms of your hands onto the floor pointing towards your feet. Your shoulders should stay in line with your hips. Now, lift your hips up and keep your elbows in, don't let them go wide. Practice keeping them in as you deep breathe. Release back down, then get into the same position...
How To: Do a yoga revolved side angle pose
In this tutorial, we learn how to do a yoga revolved side angle pose with Dina Prioste. First, come to a low lung with your right leg forward. Put your hips down so your left thigh gets closer to the floor. Deep inhale and exhale while twisting to the right. You can stay upright or lean down with your elbow on your knee. Keep breathing deeply and find your center while concentrating and relaxing. You can come to a full lunge if you are confident in your strength, or stay in the pose you are i...
How To: Clear your mind using a yoga mantra meditation
Dina Prioste wants you to clear your mind by using simple mantra meditation, and show us how to in this video tutorial. This is a great exercise to use if you have creative block and need help relaxing and clearing your mind. First, begin sitting comfortably on a pillow or folded blankets. Bring your left hand inside your right hand with your palms facing up and your thumbs gently touching. Now close your eyes and sit up tall while breathing through the nose. Begin to observe the sound of you...
How To: Do a yoga seated forward bend to increase flexibility
In this tutorial, Dina Prioste shows us how to increase our flexibility with yoga. First, sit on the ground with your right leg straight out. Inhale and bring your left ribs toward your right leg. While exhaling, lean down until your arm reaches or foot, or as far as you can comfortably go. It's not a big deal to reach your foot. This will stretch our the hamstrings and the back. Focus on inhaling and breathing into the ribs and relaxing into the stretch while exhaling. Don't worry about wher...
How To: Do chaturanga, pigeon and the supported fish yoga pose
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to chaturanga, pigeon and supported fish yoga poses. For the chaturange pose, go into a push-up position. Then raise your body up into an arch and back down. For the pigeon pose, bring one knee up directly behind the adjacent hand and bring the other leg back. Then bring the bent foot of the bent knee forward. For the supported fish pose, lie down on the floor with a block behind your shoulder blades and upper back. Lie down on top of it and let your ...
How To: Deepen your yoga pigeon pose
In this tutorial, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a stretchy pigeon yoga pose. Make sure you properly warm up your body before attempting to do this pose. First, start off in a pigeon pose with your front foot as far forward as you can place it. Keep your back toes tucked under and lean forward with your elbows and forearms to the front on the ground. Inhale while sending the back heel back. Do this three times, and exhale while you go back in. Do this on both sides, then place the foot on th...
How To: Do wide leg stretching to prep for advanced yoga poses
In his video tutorial, viewers learn how to do a wide leg stretch to prepare for advanced yoga poses. Begin in a simple wide leg, forward bend. Have the feet wide apart, with the heels slightly wider than the toes and place your hands on the floor. The fingers should be in length with the toes. Bend the elbows back and take 8-10 deep breathes in that stretch. If comfortable, grab the big toes. This video will benefit those viewers who are interested in health and fitness, and would like to le...
How To: Do the "shoulder stretch" on the yoga trapeze
In this fitness video tutorial you will learn how to do the "shoulder stretch" on the yoga trapeze. Sit on the strap and lower back slowly while holding on to the straps. While doing this, wrap your feet around the straps and bring them together. Then get hold of the longest of the straps, rotate around, get your hands side by side so that the handles are in a straight line. Keep your head straight down and hang in this upside down position for about 50 seconds. Then try out a little variatio...
How To: Do variations of the squat and crow yoga poses
In this tutorial, Dina Priost shows us how to do variations of the squat. Begin in a standard squatting position, and deep breathe 3 times. Now, place your hands on the ground and crouch down, placing one leg off the floor one after the other. The knees should be placing the arms around where your elbows are. The next move will start with a squat, and place the right arm on the ground with the left raised in the air. Do this with both arms while deep breathing. Place arms on the floor again w...
How To: Do a yoga bird of paradise standing balance pose
In this video, we learn how to do a bird of paradise yoga move with Dina Priost. This move is an intense pose, so make sure you are properly warmed up before you go into this move. First, start in an extended side angle pose then go into a bind. Make sure your top shoulder is on top of the other with your chest opened up. Now, straighten your left leg so you are in a triangle pose. Look up or look straight out front taking deep breaths. Now, bend both your legs so they are straight and bend d...
How To: Do a cow face pose
In this tutorial, we learn how to do a cow face yoga pose with Dina Prioste. This pose is great for hip and shoulder stretch. You will need a strap, belt , or next tie handy. First, cross your right leg over your left and put your feet by your hips. Now take your left arm up and put your right elbow behind you. If your hands can reach, grab your hands, or use your strap to help. Now, lean forward while you keep breathing and lean as far forward as you can. Do this on both sides so you stretch...
How To: Stretch hamstrings, quads and feet with a yoga pose
In order to stretch your quads and feet through yoga poses, begin by sitting on the floor with your right leg in front of you. Your left leg should be folded back behind you. Your foot should be just outside your hip. Your foot should be pointed behind you. You can use props to help you. Pillows or folded blankets can help. Lean forward over your forward leg. If you have difficulty reaching your foot, you can use a stretch to help you. Remember to exhale, as you lean into a stretch and inhale...
How To: Do a yoga durnit squat pose
In this video tutorial, we learn how to do a durnit squat with Dina Priost. This is a great hip opening pose, but it does put a strain on the hips, so avoid if you have hip problems. First, bring your feet a little wider than your hips and squat into the pose. You can also sit on a couple of blocks to make this pose easier. At first, place your toes facing out, which will make it easier to get into the pose at first if you haven't done it before. Let your elbows guide your movements and deep ...