Corpse Pose

Corpse Pose

Yoga

SANSKRIT: Matsyasana (mot-see-AHS-anna)

DESCRIPTION: The body rests on the earth in a supine position with the arms resting by the side body. The palms are relaxed and open toward the sky. The shoulder blades are pulled back, down and rolled under comfortably, resting evenly on the earth. The legs are extended down and splayed open. The heels are in and the toes flop out. The eyes are closed. Everything is relaxed. The gaze is inward.

BENEFITS: Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression. Relaxes the body. Reduces headache, fatigue, and insomnia. Helps to lower blood pressure.

Downward-Facing Dog

Downward-Facing Dog

Yoga

SANSKRIT: Adho Mukha Svanasana (AH-doh MOO-kah shva-NAH-sun-uh)

DESCRIPTION: The body is positioned in an inverted “V” with the palms and feet rooted into the earth and sits bones lifted up towards the sky. The arms and legs are straight. The weight of the body is equally distributed between the hands and the feet. The eye of the elbows face forward. The ribcage is lifted and the heart is open. Shoulders are squared to the earth and rotated back, down and inward. The neck is relaxed and the crown of the head is toward the earth. The gaze is down and slightly forward.

BENEFITS: Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression. Energizes the body. Stretches the shoulders, hamstrings, calves, arches, and hands. Strengthens the arms and legs. Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause. Relieves menstrual discomfort when done with the head supported. Helps prevent osteoporosis. Improves digestion. Relieves headache, insomnia, back pain, and fatigue. Therapeutic for high blood pressure, asthma, flat feet, sciatica, and sinusitis. Warms up the ankles and the toes.

Happy Baby Pose

Happy Baby Pose

Yoga

SANSKRIT: Ananda Balasana (ah-NAHN-dah bah-LAHS-anna)

DESCRIPTION: From a supine position, on your back, the knees are bent slightly wider than the hips. The ankles and shins track the knees in a 90-degree angle perpendicular to the earth. The hands grip the inside sole of the flexed feet (if you have difficulty holding the feet loop a strap over each sole) and push the knees down, coaxing the thighs in toward the torso, lengthening the spine, releasing the tailbone towards the earth and extending the base of the skull away from the back of the neck. The gaze is up towards the sky.

BENEFITS: Gently stretches the inner groins and the back spine. Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and fatigue.

Child’s Pose

Child’s Pose

Yoga

SANSKRIT: Balāsana (bah-LAHS-anna)

DESCRIPTION: From a kneeling position, the toes and knees are together with most of the weight of the body resting on the heels of the feet. The arms are by the side body and the fingers are relaxed. The forehead rest softly onto the earth. The gaze is down and inward.

BENEFITS: Gently stretches the hips, thighs, and ankles. Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and fatigue. Relieves back and neck pain when done with head and torso supported.