5 Simple Exercises to Deepen Your Backbends

When we think of backbends, what may come to mind, is images of deep urdhva dhanurasana (wheel) poses, or heart-opening handstand hollowback poses, however, our spines can bend in 6 different directions, not just extension (backward bending). In order to maintain spinal health, and move deeper into backward bending shapes, it is necessary to stretch … Read more

Yoga Sequence to Boost Your Metabolism

What is metabolism, and why would you want to boost it? Simply put, metabolism is a mix of chemical processes that keep our bodies functioning, moving, and alive. According to Wikipedia, metabolism is “the set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms.” Its three main jobs are: turning food into energy for cell functions, converting food into building … Read more

Boost Your Confidence and Ease Into Challenging Yoga Poses with a Strong Core

The less effort you use, the faster and more powerful you’ll become – Bruce Lee. From Patanjali’s yoga sutras, we learn about sthira (effort) and sukha (surrender). Sutra 2.46, sthira sukham asanam, means “posture (asana) should be steady (sthira) and comfortable (sukha).” Though originally referring to seated meditation, this idea applies to all modern yoga poses. Simply put, the goal … Read more

10 Pose Sequence and How It Affects Your Emotions

In 2010, a research team—including Janice K. Kiecolt-Glaser, Ph.D., Lisa Christian, Ph.D., Heather Preston, B.A., Carrie R. Houts, M.S., William B. Malarkey, M.D., Charles F. Emery, Ph.D., and Ronald Glaser, Ph.D.—published a study titled Stress, Inflammation, and Yoga Practice in the medical journal Psychosomatic Medicine. They gathered 50 healthy women to take part in three separate sessions: yoga, … Read more