What is the difference between regular (Yang) yoga, Yin yoga, and Restorative? The poses are mostly the same; the difference is the intent behind the practice. What follows is a comparison of six yoga poses: Paschimottanasana, Prasarita Padottanasana, Baddha Konasana, Virasana, and Upavistha Konasana expressed as Yang, Yin, and Restorative versions.
Read MoreUjjayi Pranayama is called the victorious breath because of the expansion in the belly and chest. Practicing this type of breath perks up one’s confidence in a way that is reminiscent of a victorious warrior. It can also mean to gain mastery. On a deeper or more spiritual level, Ujjayi Pranayama is about achieving freedom from bondage.
Read MoreSitali Pranayama, often called “the cooling breath,” is a breath practice that cools the body and has a calming effect on the nervous system. This breath is going to be particularly helpful for those of us in California and the West effected by the deteriorating air quality from the current wildfires.
Read MoreKapalabhati is a rigorous practice of the breath and body; it is intended to build heat in the deep core and radiant heat out the skull. Game to give it a try? Have a sense of humor with this one and keep at it.
Read MoreThe lion represents courage, and the root word of courage is heart. Practicing this pranayama can help you stay open when you want to close, when you want to shut down, when your default reaction is to shrink and hide. Lion’s breath is for anyone who could benefit from clearing out some space, stepping into it, and owning it.
Read MoreMetta’s blog is moving into explorations of pranayama (breathing practices). There’s really no better time to practice various breathing exercises than right now. Particularly in this time of global pandemic, as the world around us at times feels crazy, scary and unpredictable, using the breath to center and ground ourselves is especially powerful.
Read MoreThis month we move from the heat of the sun and our sun salutes (Surya Namaskar), to the cooler, softer, more nurturing side of our cycle, the moon. I’ve shared with you my favorite variation of Chandra Namaskar. I find it helpful in calming my nervous system and returning to my center, particularly useful right now.
Read MoreSurya Namaskar B (or Sun B) is a Vinyasa sequence that builds on Sun A, featured in our February blog. In the Ashtanga Primary Series, Sun B is repeated five times, right after opening with five cycles of Sun A. The Surya (sun) Namaskar (greeting someone with deep respect) B continues to warm up the body and soften the mind by keeping the movements in sync with the breath.
Read MoreThe Sun Salutation to invoke warmth, integrity, and breath. Surya Namaskar A is the backbone of many yogic practices. Traditionally practiced to greet the sun (Surya in Sanskrit), this dynamic, breath-driven practice invites us to bow to the light within while finding connection to the natural world around us.
Read MoreAs we celebrate and embrace the fresh, new year of 2020, we launch our blog into its next phase of exploring yoga and philosophy both on and off our mats. The first two limbs along the path are the Yamas and Niyamas, which we covered over the last 10 months. So this brings us to the third limb of Asana. As Ram Dass said, “The ordering of these eight steps is not random. The first things necessarily precede the last things, and you move through the sequence in order. You can’t jump the line.” (Paths to God, Ram Dass)
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