Mountain Pose

Mountain Pose

Yoga

SANSKRIT: Tadasana (tah-DAHS-anna)

DESCRIPTION: The body is in the standing position, with the feet together and rooted into the earth. The toes are actively lifted. The weight of the body is evenly distributed on the four corners of the feet. The pelvis is tucked. The ribcage is lifted. The neck is a natural extension of the spine and the chin is slightly tucked towards the sternum. The shoulders are relaxed as they rotate back and down. The hands can come together at the heart in prayer position. The gaze is forward.

BENEFITS: Improves posture. Strengthens thighs, knees, and ankles. Firms abdomen and buttocks. Relieves sciatica. Reduces flat feet.

Warrior II

Warrior II

Yoga

SANSKRIT: Virabhadrasana II (VEER-ah-bha-DRAS-anna)

DESCRIPTION: From a standing position, the legs are separated into a wide stance. The front knee is bent in a 90-degree angle directly above the ankle. The back leg is extended and straight with the outside edge of the back foot gripping the earth in a 60-degree angle towards the front. The inner thighs are externally rotated away from each other. The pelvis is tucked. The ribcage is lifted. The arms are extended out to the sides and are aligned with the shoulders in a straight line with the fingers reaching out as the shoulder blades squeeze together. The gaze is toward the front fingers.

BENEFITS: Strengthens and stretches the legs and ankles. Stretches the groin, chest, lungs, and shoulders. Stimulates abdominal organs. Increases stamina. Relieves backaches, especially through second trimester of pregnancy. Therapeutic for carpal tunnel syndrome, flat feet, infertility, osteoporosis, and sciatica.

Warrior I

Warrior I

Yoga

SANSKRIT: Virabhadrasana I (VEER-ah-bha-DRAS-anna one)

DESCRIPTION: From a standing position, the legs are in a wide stance with the feet aligned and flat on the earth. The back foot is in a 60-degree angle towards the front. The hips are squared. The inner thighs are rotated towards each other. The front knee is bent in a 90-degree angle directly above the ankle. The arms extend up to the sky with the biceps by the ears. The hands can be together or separated and facing each other with the fingers spread wide. The ribcage is lifted and the pelvis tucked. The gaze is forward.

BENEFITS: Stretches the chest, lungs, shoulders, neck, belly and groin (psoas). Strengthens the shoulders, arms and back muscles. Strengthens and stretches the thighs, calves and ankles.

Upward-Facing Dog

Upward-Facing Dog

Yoga

SANSKRIT: Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (OORD-vah MOO-kah shvon-AHS-anna)

DESCRIPTION: The body is in a prone position parallel to the earth. The weight of the body is supported equally by the straight arms and the tops of the feet which press firmly into the earth. The shoulders are rotated back and down. The ribcage is lifted and pulled thru to the front in a slight upper thoracic backbend. The joints are stacked with the wrists, elbows and shoulders in a straight-line. The neck is a natural extension of the spine and the chin is slightly tucked. The abdomen is pulled up towards the spine. The palms are flat and the elbows are close to the side body. The gaze is forward.

BENEFITS: Improves posture. Strengthens the spine, arms, and wrists. Stretches the chest, lungs, shoulders, and abdomen. Firms the buttocks. Stimulates abdominal organs. Helps relieve mild depression, fatigue, and sciatica. Therapeutic for asthma.

Firefly Pose

Firefly Pose

Yoga

SANSKRIT: Tittibhasana (ti-tee-BHAS-anna)

DESCRIPTION: The arms are straight and the palms are pressed into the earth. The body is supported on the straight arms with the eye of the elbows to the front. The legs are extended straight and forward from on the outside of the arms. The ribcage is lifted. The gaze is forward.

BENEFITS: Strengthens arms and wrists. Improves focus and concentration. Opens flexibility of lower body.