When people become injured, a doctor often recommends physical therapy - it's Western medicine's traditional fix. What if there were a more effective way to treat injuries and illnesses, perhaps even preventing some of them? Most people know that practicing yoga results in a more flexible body and a

Props are not always used in a yoga class. Most of the time, experienced yogis rely on their own sense of balance and muscle memory to achieve the asanas assigned by the instructor throughout class. If you are new to yoga, or recovering from an injury, you may find the use of props helpful. Props can

Depending on the type of yoga classes you've attended, you may have been asked to incorporate a foam wedge into your exercise routine. These wedges serve a variety of purposes, from providing additional support and cushion to adding an extra level of challenge for advanced yoga students. The context

Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years on many different surfaces. You can practice on a hardwood floor, tile, stone, grass, your living room rug or even on the beach. But for beginners—and also those who have been doing yoga for years—a good yoga mat that fits your needs can become an essential

Yoga is a physical and spiritual practice that links breath with movement for important health benefits. Today, there are nearly as many different yoga athletic wear brands as there are styles of yoga. When selecting yoga clothing, it is important to choose clothing that is comfortable and fit for your

Mindful breathing is the foundation of yoga practice and Ujjayi (literally “victorious breath”) is just one of several breathing exercises that can help to clear the mind and improve your health. Ujjayi is often applied during the poses (asanas) of an Ashtanga or Vinyasa Yoga practice, or it can

Any experienced yogi can attest to the healing powers of breathing. While we breathe in and out each day with no thought, the act of controlled and conscious breathing lends itself to greater relaxation and a more meaningful meditation experience. As a part of the yogic tradition, pranayama (breathing)

Yoga teacher training is an immersive experience that guides yogis through the principles of yoga training to prepare them to become knowledgeable teachers. In the United States, teacher training programs that meet certain minimum accreditation standards are recognized by the Yoga Alliance, a national

Prenatal yoga is designed to meet the unique needs of the pregnant yogi.These yoga classes offer modifications to keep expecting mothers comfortable, while still allowing for a calorie burn and exercise experience. In addition to enjoying the peace of mind and serenity offered to all yoga practitioners,

Vinyasa yoga is often called “flow” yoga because the poses are synchronized to the breath in such a way that it looks like a flowing dance as you inhale and exhale through the various postures. It is a branch of Hatha yoga related to Ashtanga. Vinyasa focuses on unity between breath and movement

Extended triangle pose (utthita trikonasana) is a quintessential pose for any standing series. To practice extended triangle pose, begin by standing in tadasana. On your next exhalation, step the right foot back so your feet are now approximately four feet apart. Raise the arms parallel to the floor

The yoga sit/easy position is an effective and simple seated posture. Also known as Sukhasana, this asana (position) is perhaps the most practiced posture in all of yoga. It is relatively easy to accomplish and allows the practitioner to focus on breathing work (pranayama) or enter into a meditative

Yoga asanas, or poses, are the lifeblood of yogic tradition. It is through these poses that you activate various muscles and are able to bring about a meditative state. Some poses, such as the corpse pose and easy position, are designed for yogis of all skill sets -- including beginners. Other asanas,

Pilates is a strengthening and toning workout that was developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900's. In 1920 Joseph Pilates moved to New York City and began teaching Pilates and instructing teachers on his methods. Now Pilates is a widespread, popular form of exercise that strengthens, tones and tightens

Progress tends to occur rapidly when you first begin yoga classes. As you embrace yogic principles and become more flexible, you'll notice exciting changes in your body. Unfortunately, it's not unusual to feel that you aren't progressing as rapidly as you would like after you conquer basic poses. Fortunately,