Kapotasana, or Pigeon pose, is one of my favourite poses. I love how it opens my hips, grounds my body, and calms my mind. Like other seated poses and forward bends, it is particularly useful at this time of year.…
Utkatasana, chair or powerful pose I am always drawn to bring utkatasana into my classes – so much so that some of my students once gave me a thank you card with a stick figure in chair and plank pose…
Ardha Chandrasana (are-dah chan-DRAHS-anna) – Half Moon Pose Ardha = half; Chandra = shining (translated as “moon”) I like to add this pose in the middle of a sun salutation or on its own followed by downward dog (adho mukha…
Vriksasana (Tree Pose) Vriksa means tree and asana means pose. Vriksasana, tree pose, builds balance and strength and is suitable for all levels. Practicing Vriksasana helps ground me, especially when I am feeling overly busy and disconnected. The pose reminds…
Gomukhasana (cow’s head pose) (go-moo-KAHS-anna) go = cow (Sanskrit “go” is a distant relative of the English word “cow”) mukha = face First off, I must admit that this is my least favourite yoga asana. Up until now, I have…
The pose I commonly find myself in is Child’s Pose (Balakasana) and the many variations of having my knees pulled in close to my chest. Physically it does many things; however, I notice these qualities: It lengthens the lower lumbar…
Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle – Butterfly) I find myself in this posture in almost every practice as I love the deep hip opening and the gentle elongation and release in the lower back and sacrum. I share it regularly with…
Viparita Karani (legs-up-the-wall pose) Viparita = inverted, reversed; Karani = doing, making Viparita Karani is a wonderful yoga posture and a favourite of mine, one that I share with students any time of the year. This asana is particularly refreshing in the…