How To
Strike a Yoga Pose: Camel
After hunching forward blogging all day my body craves backbends. Luckily for me, Camel pose is a staple in a yoga practice. Do this pose regularly to increase flexibility in your lower back, shoulders, and hip flexors but to also strengthen your quads and abs.
Strike a Yoga Pose: Arching Low Lunge
My hip flexors are one area of my body that could always use some extra attention. Here's a lunge variation, similar to Warrior 1, but with your back knee resting on the floor, you can really increase the stretch for the muscles on the front part of your back thigh. Arching your spine backward also offers a great stretch for the abs and shoulders; not to mention it strengthens your core and increases flexibility in your spine.
Open Your Heart
I can hear Madonna in my head singing "Open Your Heart" and in my mind's eye see her doing her yoga moves on stage. Why not celebrate V-Day with a little bit of yogic love? Physically stretching the muscles in your chest, shoulders, and belly allows for a deep emotional release, appreciation and honor of yourself and those you care about, and a feeling of lightness and contentment.
Strike a Yoga Pose: Bound Extended Side Angle
Although yoga poses vary between different types of yoga, Extended Side Angle is a basic standing posture you'll see in most any class you take. This pose strengthens your legs, and makes you feel bold, yet relaxed. We've already tried the variation of this pose known as Twisting Extended Side Angle, so here's another variation you can try.
Yoga Three Ways: Hamstrings
If you've taken a few yoga classes, you'll find that depending on the instructor and the style of yoga, some poses are easy and relaxing, and some are better saved for those with incredible strength and flexibility. That's part of the beauty of yoga — there's a pose fit for everyone's needs and abilities.
Since the backs of our legs are a common tight area, here are three ways you can stretch those hamstrings.
Strike a Yoga Pose: Foot to Hand
What's not to love about a forward bend? These poses feel so good after a run to lengthen the lower back and hamstrings — just the tight places that need a good stretch. If you liked the variation of the pose known as Big Toe Standing Forward Bend, since you hold your toes to pull yourself more deeply into the pose, then you're going to love this variation for the deeper stretch it provides while simultaneously giving your wrists a sweet release.
Strike a Yoga Pose: Standing Series For Skiers and Riders
When the snow falls, many people are psyched to hit the mountain. Whether you ski or snowboard, what you do off the trails can help you feel more confident in the snow, and help avoid injury. Strong quads and a core, open hips, and a sturdy sense of balance will make a huge difference when flying down the slopes, and doing yoga is a great way to make that happen.
Yoga Poses For Strength and Balance
I have shown you all many yoga poses throughout the year. Some have been simple and relaxing, but others can be seriously challenging. Let's review these poses that challenge both your strength and balance.
Strike a Yoga Pose: Head to Knee C
Here's the last of the three variations of the forward bend Janu Sirsasana. All three of these poses increase flexibility in your hamstrings, but this variation will also stretch out the muscles in your feet. Some instructors also believe this pose will massage your inner organs, which keeps them healthy, but I'm not sure I buy that one.
Strike a Yoga Pose: Head to Knee B
Runners and other athletes need to spend extra time stretching their hamstrings. If you like the Head to Knee A pose, you're going to love this variation that will stretch the part of your hamstring closest to your glutes. I always do this stretch after a run.
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