Hot Yoga
Calming Surrender in Seated Head to Knee Pose
When a pose like the Seated Head to Knee Pose encourages introspection and a calm mind, I connect to my yoga practice more than ever. Seated head to knee pose is one of the final poses in the 26 & 2 class. It definitely provides the expected physical benefits. The pose deeply stretches the hamstrings…
Read MoreThe Wonders of the Wind Removing Pose (Pavanamuktasana)
Raise your hand if you’ve ever struggled with digestive issues right before an important event. Perhaps you were going to meet your partner’s parents for the first time or getting ready to sit in another grueling meeting at work. We’ll be the first to say that holding in gas is uncomfortable. However, letting it out…
Read MoreCorpse Pose: Rest and Recover
In our busy, fast-paced lives, it’s easy to get swept away by our thoughts, feelings, and endless responsibilities. But what if we could find a way to slow down, turn down the volume, and just be still like you see when someone performs Corpse Pose in yoga class. You know, the pose where you lay…
Read MoreYoga for Your Menstrual Cycle
The final days of my menstrual cycle… I lay on the floor in Savasana, wiped out. The sweat rolled off my entire body. And yet I felt embraced by the weight of the heat and humidity. In that moment, I knew day 1 of my menstrual cycle would be the next day or possibly the…
Read MoreToe Stand: Embrace the Challenge
Remember playing hopscotch as a kid? One foot up, a quick hop, and a burst of laughter when we toppled over. The funny thing is, we didn’t realize it then, but those moments were our first introductions to Bikram yoga. Fast forward to now, and say hello to the adult version of that game! The…
Read MoreTree Pose: Standing Tall and Steady
Trees have a serene presence – something I think about when practicing the Tree Pose or Vrikshasana. Trees stand tall, staying balanced even when powerful winds try to knock them down. Likewise, when we face our own winds in life, there’s always a spot waiting for us on the mat where we can regain our…
Read MoreBend and Stretch: Standing Separate Head to Knee Pose
Dandayamana Bibhaktapada Janushirasana, or Standing Separate Head to Knee Pose, may feel like you’re in a spontaneous game of Twister on your yoga mat, but your body is actually working on stretching and strengthening. This posture, along with others, is about exploring your mind, body, and spirit. It’s perfectly okay if you can’t get the…
Read MoreTriangle Pose: Your Path to Stability and Mindfulness
Picture this – you’re standing at the edge of a cliff, arms wide open, with the sun kissing your face. The waves crash below, as the wind whispers secrets to the trees. This is what the triangle yoga pose, or Trikonasana, feels like: a moment of freedom, strength, and deep connection. Translated from Sanskrit, Trikonasana…
Read MoreBalancing Stick Pose: A Journey to Inner Balance
Ever watched a surfer riding the waves? Maybe it looks easy, but behind the gracefulness, is a whole lot of balance, patience, and practice. The Balancing Stick Pose, or Tuladandasana, is kind of like surfing your yoga mat. Translated from Sanskrit, Tuladandasana means “balancing on a stick.” It asks us to stand strong and steady…
Read MoreSpine Twisting Pose – The Ultimate Journey
Could Spine Twisting Pose be the pinnacle of the practice? Answering that question is certainly a matter of opinion. And my opinion is that yes, it could very well be the pinnacle of the hot yoga practice. Well, except perhaps for Corpse Pose. But I digress. Spine Twisting Pose is the only pose in the…
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