Many instructors agree: Yoga blankets are just about the most versatile yoga prop to aid you in your practice. They can be
folded to achieve various heights and are extremely comfortable to lie, sit, or kneel upon. Here are a few examples of how they can be used:
Fold a yoga blanket in half and place the edge just underneath your tail bone during seated forward bends. This will elevate your spine and give you a slight pitch forward. For Child’s pose, Camel, ..read moreThe weather has changed and thoughts of cozy things abound: soft fleece blankets, a crackling fire, a hot cup of tea. Tea is not just cozy— it’s healthy too. Tea’s ingredients actually protect you against some deadly diseases including heart disease and cancer. Scientists have also discovered that tea can boost your immune system, stave off cavities, strengthen bones and sharpen concentration.
Tea is the infusion of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis: a Southeast Asian evergreen shrub. Camellia sinensis leaves are ..read more
Yoga bolsters are firm, dense pillows used to support the head, neck, back and legs in restorative yoga poses. In supine positions, a yoga bolster stretches the spine, upper back, rib cage and lungs to facilitate deeper breathing. During seated forward bends, a bolster keeps the abdomen from clenching, supports the head and neck, and stretches the hamstrings.
Enjoy this? Please share it for good karma.SO I’ve moved on to the next session of Gaiam’s Online Yoga Club: Standing Poses. While I’m not that excited about watching it on my computer, the content is outstanding. I’ve learned so much about basic poses that I should have known all along; this new knowledge has dramatically improved my practice. (My summary of the Club can be found here.)
Enjoy this? Please share it for good karma.Ever try using shoe-boxes or books in place of yoga blocks? (Yeah, me too.) When you use an actual yoga block, you’ll quickly notice they’re far more effective than make-shift yoga props. Yoga blocks are designed with the ideal proportions, shape and weight to help extend your limbs and provide real stability. This 3-min. video (featuring yours-truly) demonstrates how to use them in 3 different standing poses. Enjoy!
Enjoy this? Please share it for good karma.One of the physical goals in yoga is to stretch your muscles as far as they can go. Some of us are naturally flexible– surely you know someone that can jump up and touch their toes after having not exercised for months (like my 63-year-old Mom!) But for those with limited flexibility (like me!) yoga props can be very effective in helping to maximize stretches and protect you from muscle strain, or possibly even a tear.
Enjoy this? Please share it ..read more“Cyber-Yoga?! You must be joking!”
That might have been my initial reaction 10, maybe even 5 years ago, but not so today. Considering our current lifestyles, it’s actually quite logical.
Enjoy this? Please share it for good karma.Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Grace, Power, Surf, and Sunset, Intermediate & Advanced is a well-produced, superbly organized yoga DVD for intermediate level yogins. The instructor, Maral Hadidi, leads a more traditional yoga session than say, Sadie Nardini. Maral moves at a slower pace; holds poses longer; and includes a few advanced traditional poses like headstand, bird of paradise and crow pose. However, all levels should be able to handle the remaining poses which ..read more
Earlier today, I came across a post on The Yoga Flavored Life which asked the question: When Did You Decide to Begin Your Yoga Practice – And Why?
The post’s author, Teresa, talked about repeatedly starting a yoga program only to peter out a short time later. The problem was mindset. Teresa’s enthusiasm and satisfaction with the results of her practice quickly faded once life’s distractions became overwhelming. Despite many attempts to maintain a regimen, she’s still trapped in ..read more
The newest yoga dvd in my collection, Yoga: Gentle Vinyasa Flow with Zyrka Landwijt, helps build flexibility, strength and stamina with a relatively small daily time commitment.
Here’s why I like it so much:
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