During pregnancy the natural curves of the spine become exaggerated causing the lower back to sway as well as the upper back and shoulders to round. This rolling forward of the shoulders causes the ribcage to collapse down compressing the lungs and diaphragm which results in a breathless feeling along with feeling like there is very little space left for the baby. Another unfortunate result of the ribcage compressing the stomach area is the stomach acid gets pushed up the esophagus resulting ...
This yoga how-to video tutorial demonstrates prenatal yoga poses to help open the hips. Prenatal yoga hip opening poses help to facilitate the opening of the pelvis to prepare for the baby to descend through the birth canal. They increase flexibility in the muscles that attach to the pelvis that will need to be elastic during labor and delivery. When the hips are more open it allows for the sacrum and pelvic to be better aligned. This will make daily activities like walking, sitting, standing...
If you are looking for a low impact exercise with tremendous benefits, consider exploring yoga. This pose, called Janu Sirasanasa, or Head to Knee pose, will stretch and strengthen your back, legs, core and internal organs. Practicing yoga can also bring calm and clarity to the mind.
This simple, yet powerful yoga pranayama (breathing exercise), is great for deep breathing, opening up energy pathways and improving your respiratory systems. It is a perfect pranayama for starting out your yoga set with.
You know those New Age-y yoga folks who look like human pretzels? As flexible as those contortionist veterans are, they had to start somewhere. And for most yogis, it starts with the downward dog.
With this free two-part video yoga lesson from Manhattan yogi extraordinaire Sadie Nardini, you'll learn how to get into a simple crow pose while minimizing fear and maximizing success. The key, it seems, is to focus on your foundation and then squeeze into your core.
On Valentine's Day it is completely unacceptable to look anything less than drop dead gorgeous. While sleek pin-straight hair is great as a go-to hairstyle and a ponytail is wonderful for keeping the hair out of your face during your hot yoga class, we think it's time to amp it up a little for Cupid's holiday.
Leave your schlubby ponytails to your hot yoga class. Ponytails are great for getting hair out of your face for times when you're doing things more active than clicking a computer mouse, but braids add that extra chic touch that looks like you've actually put some effort into your hairstyle.
Yoga Body Naturals shows you how to use yoga to improve your balance! This video shows you the proper way to do leg extensions, which will also help strengthen your body core in addition to helping you with your balance.
This quick video by Yoga Body Naturals shows you how to correctly assume the Eagle pose, a pose that not only helps improve your balance but will also help to demonstrate the importance of proper breathing when you're practicing yoga.
In this video, expert yoga teacher Kay Bray shows you how to correctly assume what's called a dancer's pose when practicing yoga. This pose will not only help improve your balance, it will also help focus, strengthen and extend your body.
Yoga has been found to provide a wealth of benefits to those who practice it. This video shows you how to assume one of the poses in yoga, the crow pose. Using this pose will help improve your balance, especially as this pose makes use of your arms.
When it comes to yoga, none other than Gumby himself should be your flexi hero. Unlike the rest of us, who suffer from stiff joints, lack of flexibility, and aches in our muscles, Gumby is like a human (or toy?) pretzel, able to contort his way out of any stressful situation.
This video explains how to release built up tension using De-stress styled Yoga. This type of Yoga requires you sit on your legs while sitting up straight. Taking deep breaths is the first step to begin releasing tension using Yoga. While taking deep breaths you must turn your torso very slowly from left to right. While keeping your legs planted on the ground, stretch your arms forward until the tips of your fingers are touching the ground. Taking frequent deep breaths in between these two Yo...
There are a plethora of reasons why you should practice yoga, from easier breathing to increased flexibility to clearing your mind. But there's another super important reason you should take up the art of the pretzel-limbed: It helps build strength all throughout your body, which means you'll be less likely to pull a muscle or throw out your back in real life.
Yoga consists of a variety of intermediate to advanced stretches, but it is unknown to many that you must stretch before yoga to prevent injury. Practice a shoulder opener by watching this video.
Splits on the ground challenge your lower body strength, working your hamstrings, thighs, calves, and glutes all at once. But do a split in the air and you add your core and upper body to the grab bag of muscles you're working out.
Want to increase your height? Well watch this fitness instructional video and learn how through some simple yoga stretching exercises you will seem taller. Having the right posture is key to how tall or short you seem and you will learn all this by watching this yoga stretching instructional video. Seem taller and improve your posture by simply doing some easy yoga stretching a couple of days a week. So if you want to seem taller watch this instructional video.
The Shoulder Stand Posture stretches the shoulders and neck. Learn how to do the Shoulder Stand Posture in this yoga video. To do the Shoulder Stand pose you will lie on back, extend legs toward sky, lift back off floor, and breathe properly. With this how to video you will be able to incorporate the Shoulder Stand pose into your yoga routine.
Strengthen arms, wrists and abs with the Upward Facing Dog Pose. Learn how to do the Upward Facing Dog in this yoga video. To practice the Upward Facing Dog you will increase flexibility in spine, work abs, pull shoulder blades together, avoid compression in lower back and breathe properly. With this how to video you will be able to incorporate the Upward Facing Dog pose into your yoga routine.
The Heron Pose stretches the thighs and ankles and improves posture. Learn how to do the Heron Pose in this video clip about yoga positions and moves. To do the heron pose you should work hamstrings & abs, extend leg & spine, straighten leg, don't compromise spine, and breathe properly. With this how to video you will be able to incorporate the Heron pose into your yoga routine.
Stretch the shoulders and spine with the Plow Pose. Learn how to do the Plow Pose in this yoga video. To do the Plow pose you should lie on back, lift feet & legs into air overhead, touch toes to floor above head, and breathe properly. With this how to video you should be able to practice the plow yoga pose at home.
Stretch the spine with the Cat Pose. Learn how to do the Cat Pose in this yoga video clip. To practice Cat pose you should get into table top position, round back, and breathe properly. With this how to video you will be able to practice the Cat yoga pose at home.
Improve balance and strengthen legs with the Eagle Pose. Learn how to do the Eagle Pose in this video clip about yoga positions and moves. To do the Eagle pose you should stand up straight on one foot, bring right knee over left, extend & cross arms, place palms together, and breathe properly. With this how to video you will be able to practice the Eagle yoga pose at home.
High breathing in yoga refers to a style of breathing that takes place in the upper part of the chest and lungs. Learn how to do high breathing by raising the ribs in this exercise video. To practice high breathing you should take seated position, place hand on chest, inhale & exhale using only top of chest. With this how to video you will be able to do high breathing for yoga.
Watch this instructional yoga video to do the stoop pose. This yoga pose is also called the Hindi squat. The stoop pose is a simple and efficient exercise, but you should make sure you are doing it right. The squat pose opens up the hips and pelvis. Use a blanket or mat to protect your joints.
Sarvangasana, Halasana & Sarvasana are the third set of poses in a Hatha Yoga exercise series that is based on the organization of the chakras. These poses harominzes the third chakra. Watch this video yoga tutorial and learn how to practice sarvangasana, halasana & sarvasana poses.
Janu Sirshasana & Paschimotanasana are the second set of poses in a Hatha Yoga exercise series that is based on the organization of the chakras. This series of poses, harmonizes the second chakra. Watch this video yoga tutorial and learn how to practice janu sirshasana and paschimotanasana poses.
Siddhasana is the first set of poses in a Hatha Yoga exercise series that is based on the organization of the chakras. Siddha-asana, or the master's pose, harmonizes the first chakra. Watch this video yoga tutorial and learn how to practice siddhasana.
Yoga not only helps with body strength and flexibility but it can also help easy pre-menstral syndrome. In this fitness how to video SELF Magazine features yoga positions for PMS. Watch and learn how to decrease the bloating and cramps with seated twists, wind pose, cat pose, bow pose, reclining angle, crocodile pose, bridge, thunderbolt, half shoulder stand, rag doll, modified cobra pose and finally child's pose.
Yoga can be challenging, but with a lot of practice and concentration you can learn to master certain moves and poses. This yoga how to video will help you work on you headstand. Watch and learn the proper way to measure the positioning of your body and your arms to move into the headstand.
Yoga is for everyone, not just yoga lovers. It helps relieve stress and tension. This how-to video has a few inversion poses that will brighten up your mood. Watch and learn how how easy it is to invert your body with headstands, handstand, and forearm stand.
Forget the pills for your neck pain, try a little yoga. In this yoga how to video Esther shows you a routine to help keep the neck flexible. These neck exercises also help release tensions in your neck.
Don't get chained to the wall when you want to come out of a headstand. It is time to let go. Watch this yoga how to video to learn how to practice headstands off the wall. Face your yoga headstand fears and learn to fall with grace. Never be stuck on the wall again after practicing headstands.
In order to create your own personal yoga sequence and to personalize your yoga routine, you will need to remember to ask yourself about your needs. Remember that you shouldn't just do it as a routine. Having a routine is important, because it will encourage you to do your exercises everyday. However, you have to remember to be in the moment and to give your body what it is asking for and demanding.
Do you suffer from high blood pressure and hyper tension? Do you happen to suffer from low blood pressure? In this excellent video, you'll learn some breathing techniques and yoga moves to help stabilize your blood pressure. Improve you energy and feel all around more centered. This is a great video to help release all your tension and stress.
Yoga is centered on centering you, both physically and emotionally. If you're a yoga practitioner then you know how relaxed and rejuvenated you feel after a vinyasa yoga class.
This yoga how-to video is intended for level one and two yoga student who are proficient in breathing practices. Follow along with this yoga breathing lesson and learn how to do nadi shodan. Nadi shodan is more commonly known as alternate nostril breathing. This style of yoga breathing is used to relax the body and calm the mind. Try doing alternate nostril breathing at home.
Stiff? Learn how to get flexible quickly and safely using unconventional yoga poses. Flexibility is not hard if you know which poses to practice and how to practice. Many yoga teachers will tell you to take it easy, be safe, and take your time. Yoga can work miracles, but you have to work too.
Surya namaskara is a very common sequence in any yoga class. Surya namaskara is better known as a sun salutation. This instructional yoga-how to video demonstrates a sun salutation sequence that you can practice at home with a astangasana movement. Watch and follow along with the inhale and exhales that correlate to the various sun salutation movements. Proper breathing is an essential part of any yoga routine.