this page now points to its custom url Download a guide to this pose. (PDF) Surya means sun, and namaskara is a greeting, so we are greeting the sun 🙂 The sun is the soul of the world. … Continue reading »

Padangusthasana/Padahastasana

Download a guide to this pose. (PDF) Padangusthasana/Padahastasana Pada means foot, angustha means thumb, hasta means hand, so the poses translates to thumb to foot pose and hand to foot pose. Standing forward bends combine the effects of an inverted … Continue reading »

Utthita Trikonasana & Parivritta Trikonasana

Download a guide to this pose. (PDF) Utthita Trikonasana Extended Triangle (Utthita = Extended, Tri = 3, Kona = angle) Parivritta Trikonasana (Parivritta = revolved or “turned around”) Revolved Triangle Utthita Trikonasana Inhaling jump or step open to the right, … Continue reading »

Utthita Parsvakonasana & Parivritta Parsvakonasana

Download a guide to this pose. (PDF) Utthita Parsvakonasana Extended Side Angle Parivritta Parsvakonasana Revolved Side Angle Utthita Parsvakonasana Inhaling jump or step open to the right, feet about 5’ apart, stretch the arms out wide at chest level, swelling … Continue reading »

PRASARITA PADATONNASANA A,B,C,D

Download a guide to this pose. (PDF) PRASARITA PADATONNASANA A,B,C,D Prasarita means “spread out” or “expanded” pada means “foot” uttana means “intense stretch”. This pose has four variations. Prasarita Padottanasana A Inhale step open wide, feet parallel, and hands on … Continue reading »

PARSVOTTANASANA

Download a guide to this pose. (PDF) PARSVOTTANASANA Sideways Stretching Pose Parsvottanasana is the final of the six fundamental asana. The six fundamental asana begin the process of purification in the body. Firstly they make the body flexible, enhanced flexibility … Continue reading »

UTTHITA HASTA PADANGUSTHASANA

Download a guide to this pose. (PDF) UTTHITA HASTA PADANGUSTHASANA Extended hand thumb to foot pose Balancing asanas develop the cerebellum, the brain center that controls how the body works in motion. These asana induce physical balance, stilling unconscious movement. … Continue reading »

ARDHA BADDHA PADMATONNASANA

Download a guide to this pose. (PDF) ARDHA BADDHA PADMATONNASANA Half Bound Lotus Intense Stretch Method Stand erect; as you inhale bring the right leg up to half lotus position trying to place the heel in the abdomen beside the … Continue reading »

Utkatasana

Download a guide to this pose. (PDF) Utkatasana (oot-ka-tasana) Utka=Uneven This asana is said to help reduce fat around the waist. It strengthens the muscles of the legs and back, realigns the spine and is particularly useful for those who … Continue reading »

Virabhadrasana I

Download a guide to this pose. (PDF) Virabhadrasana I (veera-bha-dra-sana) Warrior I Vira = Hero Virabhadra was a powerful mythical warrior created from a lock of Shiva’s hair. Shiva is the god of destruction in the Hindu Trinity, he is … Continue reading »

Virabhadrasana II

Download a guide to this pose. (PDF) Virabhadrasana II (veera-bha-dra-sana) Warrior II Vira = Hero Virabhadra was a powerful mythical warrior created from a lock of Shiva’s hair. Shiva is the god of destruction in the Hindu Trinity, he is … Continue reading »

Dandasana Danda

Download a guide to this pose. (PDF) Dandasana Danda = Stick or Staff “Stick Posture” Our spine is our danda, or stick, attention is given to proper alignment of the spine in this pose. Dandasana is the “Samasthiti” of the … Continue reading »

Paschimattanasana

Download a guide to this pose. (PDF) Paschimattanasana A, B, & C – Paschima means “west” or “hinder” and refers to the backside of the body, Uttana means “intense stretch” = Intense West Stretch. The seated poses of Primary Series … Continue reading »

Purvottanasana

Download a guide to this pose. (PDF) Purvottanasana — Intense East Stretch — Purva means “east” and refers to the front side of the body Uttana means “intense stretch” This pose is complementary to Paschimottanasana, the forwarding bending posture that … Continue reading »

Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana

downloadable pdf format (PDF) Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana – half bound lotus intense west stretch (Ardha means half, Baddha (similar to bandha) means bound, caught or restrained, padma means lotus, paschima means west, Uttana means intense.) Forward bending with the … Continue reading »

Triang Mukhaekapada Paschimattanasana

Download a guide to this pose. (PDF) Triang Mukhaekapada Paschimattanasana – One foot transversely facing back intense west stretch (Triang means transverse, Mukha means face, Eka means one, pada means leg or foot, paschima means west, Uttana means intense.) This … Continue reading »

Janu Sirsasana A

Download a guide to this pose. (PDF) Janu Sirsasana A – Head to knee pose, or head beyond the knee pose. Janu means knee, sirsa means head. This pose combines forward bending and hip rotation—two of the primary components of … Continue reading »

Janu Sirsasana B

Download a guide to this pose. (PDF) Janu Sirsasana B – Head to knee pose, or head beyond the knee pose. Janu means knee, sirsa means head. This pose goes a little further than Janu Sirsasana A, and Janu Sirsasana … Continue reading »

Janu Sirsasana C

Download a guide to this pose. (PDF) Janu Sirsasana C – Head to knee pose, or head beyond the knee pose. Janu means knee, sirsa means head. Janu C is the final of the head to knee sequence in the … Continue reading »

Marichyasana A

Download a guide to this pose. (PDF) Marichyasana A –This pose is named after the sage Marichi (meaning ray of light). In Hindu mythology Marichi is the son of Brahma, the Creator, and the grandfather of Surya, the Sun God. … Continue reading »

Marichyasana B

Download a guide to this pose. (PDF) Marichyasana B –This pose takes Marichyasana A a step further—you now go from working externally to open and prepare the body to working internally on the organs of the body. Marichyasana B requires … Continue reading »