To use yoga exercises to wake up and stay awake at work, begin by doing breathing stretches: i.e. cow to cat stretches. Inhale, expanding your chest out for the cow stretch, and exhale concaving your chest into the cat stretch. Next, do side stretches from left to right. Repeat these. Next, add 4 punches: left jab, right jab, undercut, and undercut. Extend your arms fully. Repeat all of the steps together.
In this video, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a yoga crane pose for arm and core strength. First, start off with your knees bent and your arms out in front of you. Now bend your elbows and place your back legs into your arms. Now, balance on your arms and push your legs into the air while still pushing them into the arms. You may want to practice this with a blanket in front of you just in case you fall forward. Remember as you try doing this to wedge your knees into the armpit as far as you...
Dina Prioste shows us how to do a yoga eight angle or astavakrasana pose in this video. To do this, make sure your arms are strong and you are stretched out. Now, get into a push up position placing your elbows at a 90 degree angle. Next, lay back down and sit in a position where you can rock your right knee. Then place your right knee over your right shoulder and place your hands on the floor to lift your butt up off the floor. Next, hook your feet and lean forward so it feels like you are f...
In this video, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a yoga deep hip and groin stretch. Begin in a wide straddle position with your knees slightly bent and your feet turned out. Now, bend over the right knee and stretch out your left leg, keeping it extended and active. Breathe for several seconds while in this position. You can put your hands in a prayer position here if you are comfortable. Once finished, go over to the other side of the body and continue to deep breathe. You can add this into yo...
In this video, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a yoga l-shaped hand stand. Come into a long plank pose and lift your hips up to come into downward dog. Work on getting your back nice and long in this position. Next, sit away from the wall with your feet flat up against the wall. From here, take your hands and flip over into a tabletop position. Now, lift your hips up and come into a short downward dog with your heels against the wall. Now take both feet to the wall to come into the l-shape. R...
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to do a mind centering yoga sequence. Begin by sitting back on your heels and brings your hands together in front of your chest. Inhale as you bring the arms out and above your head. Exhale as you place the right hand on the floor and extend the left foot out. Then as you inhale, reach upward with your left hand. Now exhale and return to the starting position. Do this on the opposite side as well. This video will benefit those viewers who are interest...
In this video, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a yoga arm balance pose. Warm up before you do this pose, to avoid muscle pull. Start in a wide lunge stance and work on getting your elbows down to the floor. If you can't do that, stack some blocks or books to where your elbows can stretch to. Now, sit back and stretch your foot, then go back to the same pose and get your shoulders down as low as you can. You can spread your arms out while doing this, and focus on relaxing and staying in balanc...
In this tutorial, we learn how to do reverse yoga poses to open up the shoulders with Dina Prioste. You will want to start off in a reverse table top position, which will give your shoulders a nice deep stretch. To come into this position, sit with your knees bent and take your hands behind you, so your fingers point towards your feet. Now, inhale and lift your hips up and keep pressing your feet into the floor. Keep your chin touching to your chest. A regular tabletop position just includes ...
In this video, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a flying crow pose arm balance in yoga. After you are warmed up, start in a semi squat position with your right angle over your left thigh. Now, bring your hands together in front of your heart and bring your elbows to the front of your shins. Now bring your hands to the floor and hook the right foot outside the left arm. Next, lean forward and engage the left back leg while lifting it up. Keep this pose for as long as you can, then do it again o...
In this tutorial, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a yoga boat pose with a twist. First, start off with your knees bent and take your knees up so your shins are parallel to the floor. Now, interlace your fingers and push your arms straight out in the air. As you inhale, twist your body to the side while pushing the legs into your body. Keep doing this on both sides as you inhale and exhale as many times as possible. For more of a challenge, twist farther down on the ground, remembering to keep...
In this tutorial, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a yoga boat pose with a twist for power. First, begin in a boat pose raising your legs up and facing forward. Interlace your hands together and inhale. Exhale and twist to the left and right side while pushing your legs forward and back. Next, place your hands on the floor and fall into a reverse tabletop position. Inhale and exhale several times in this position, then return to the boat twists and do quicker for twelve times each side. Rememb...
To perform the pigeon pose in yoga safely, you will need the following: a mat, a small pillow or folded blanket, and a strap.
Pendulum exercises will help you to perform step-throughs in yoga practice. When you are in tabletop position, on the floor, extend your right leg back. Bend you knee and bring your leg in to your chest. Tuck your head down and attempt to bring your knee to your nose. Then, extend it back again. Flex your foot, when you extend your leg back, and point your toe, when you bring your leg in to your chest. Repeat this ten times, before you switch to the other leg.
In this tutorial, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a beautiful peaceful reverse yoga pose. Begin in a strong warrior pose and bring your right palm facing up, then bring your back hand to the back of your leg so it's just lightly touching it. Lift into a back bend and gaze up into the air. Make sure to lift and don't straighten your front leg. Draw your navel in to lengthen your spine and remember to control your breathing. This is a great way to strengthen the legs and a gentle way to prepare...
In this video tutorial, we learn how to do a yoga legs up the wall pose with Dina. First, grab some blankets and place them folded up against the wall. You can just simply roll onto the blankets, to make it easier to get onto them. You should roll onto the blankets on your back, with your legs up against the wall. Take the palms of your hands and place them up towards the ceiling. You can also squeeze your legs into a butterfly pose as well as open them to stretch out the legs. This is great ...
In this video, we learn how to do a yoga upward facing two foot staff pose with Dina Prioste. You will need two large blocks and make sure your body is warmed up. Now, line your head up with the blocks and take the palms of your hands onto the floor pointing towards your feet. Your shoulders should stay in line with your hips. Now, lift your hips up and keep your elbows in, don't let them go wide. Practice keeping them in as you deep breathe. Release back down, then get into the same position...
In this tutorial, we learn how to do a yoga revolved side angle pose with Dina Prioste. First, come to a low lung with your right leg forward. Put your hips down so your left thigh gets closer to the floor. Deep inhale and exhale while twisting to the right. You can stay upright or lean down with your elbow on your knee. Keep breathing deeply and find your center while concentrating and relaxing. You can come to a full lunge if you are confident in your strength, or stay in the pose you are i...
In this tutorial, Dina Prioste shows us how to increase our flexibility with yoga. First, sit on the ground with your right leg straight out. Inhale and bring your left ribs toward your right leg. While exhaling, lean down until your arm reaches or foot, or as far as you can comfortably go. It's not a big deal to reach your foot. This will stretch our the hamstrings and the back. Focus on inhaling and breathing into the ribs and relaxing into the stretch while exhaling. Don't worry about wher...
In this tutorial, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a stretchy pigeon yoga pose. Make sure you properly warm up your body before attempting to do this pose. First, start off in a pigeon pose with your front foot as far forward as you can place it. Keep your back toes tucked under and lean forward with your elbows and forearms to the front on the ground. Inhale while sending the back heel back. Do this three times, and exhale while you go back in. Do this on both sides, then place the foot on th...
In this fitness video tutorial you will learn how to do the "shoulder stretch" on the yoga trapeze. Sit on the strap and lower back slowly while holding on to the straps. While doing this, wrap your feet around the straps and bring them together. Then get hold of the longest of the straps, rotate around, get your hands side by side so that the handles are in a straight line. Keep your head straight down and hang in this upside down position for about 50 seconds. Then try out a little variatio...
In this video, we learn how to do a bird of paradise yoga move with Dina Priost. This move is an intense pose, so make sure you are properly warmed up before you go into this move. First, start in an extended side angle pose then go into a bind. Make sure your top shoulder is on top of the other with your chest opened up. Now, straighten your left leg so you are in a triangle pose. Look up or look straight out front taking deep breaths. Now, bend both your legs so they are straight and bend d...
In this video, we learn how to do hip flexes with Dina Prioste. First, bring your right foot up and get into the downward facing dog position. Your right toe should be pointing towards the front and your left leg should be facing toward the back. Now, raise your arms high into the air so they are raised above you. To feel the stretch more deeply, lift up and stretch down further than before. You can also press into the top of the left foot and bring the right foot up if you are a more advance...
In this tutorial, we learn how to do a firefly yoga pose with Dina Priost. Place a folded up blanket under your hands to provide support if you have tight wrists. Begin with arm pressure pose, squat on your blanket so it's behind your feet. Take your arms through your legs and place the hands down on the blanket so they are on the edge. Move your thighs up as high as you can and lean back while bringing the fee forward. Now, pick your feet up off the floor while deep breathing. Now, bring the...
Splits are easy when you're a little kid and flexibility is your friend. But joints and muscles naturally stiffen as you get older, making extreme stretching - including splits - increasingly difficult. You also get jipped of that wonderful hyperactive playtime called recess, when such physical tricks usually take place.
Flexibility is generally defined as the range of motion of the joints. It is the ability to bend and stretch easily without too much effort. Flexibility depends upon various factors like the state of the joints, muscles, length and looseness of muscles, shape of bones, age etc. Some medical conditions like arthritis can affect flexibility.
Commonly the final posture in any yoga routine, the Corpse Pose only sounds creepy. A few minutes of "playing dead" will make you feel more energized and focused—and ready to come back to life. To put it very basically, the position involves lying down on the floor in a very specific position that facilitates the body recharging properly after it's strenuous yoga workout. While this may seem unnecessary to be told how to lie down, these instructions will really help you to do so more effectiv...
While the best way to practice dog yoga, or, “Doga,” is by attending a class, you can get a head start at home with these simple instructions.
Watch as Sarah from Pink of Perfection demonstrates how to carry your yoga mat in style with this easy to make, budget friendly bag.
There are tons of yoga mats out there dying to be reincarnated. This tutorial video from Threadbanger will teach you how to make your own flip flop sandals from yoga mats. This is a great project because you're recycling yoga mats and you get shoes!
The cat stretch pose, also known as Marjari Asana, is a pose designed to help improve the flexibility of the neck, shoulders and your spine. This position also gives you intense relief from symptoms such as menstrual cramps and leucorrhea. In this video you will get a quick tutorial on how to perform this pose.
We all know that at thend of a looooonng workday, there's nothing better than faceplanting your bed and blocking it all out until it starts all over again tomorrow.
In this video Kumiko and Patrick show you why it's so important to stretch from your hips. You'll see an immediate difference in the quality of your stretches by getting these basics down cold.
In this video, we learn how to do a variation of a yoga supine spinal twist with Dina Prioste. Start by laying down and your knees bent up with your feet as wide as the mat. Let your knees drop over to the right side and cross the bottom foot on the top of the top knee and bring your left arm out. Now, look over the left shoulder and deep breathe. Do this for several seconds and then continue to do on the other side of the body. Remember to focus on your breathing and relax while you're doing...
In this video, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a yoga headstand. There are two different ways to do headstands, so choose which one is easiest for you. Get down on your elbows and put the crown of your head on the floor, similar to if you were doing a downward dog. Now, walk your feet and slowly straighten your legs until they are straight up in the air. The second way to do this, is to get in the same position, except tip toe your feet in until your legs are straight up in the air. Hold this...
In this video, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a yoga half boat and boat pose. Make sure you are warmed up before going into this. First, lie down on your stomach and bring your right arm out and lift your left leg up with your left arm. Try to lift your thigh and leg up while lifting the right arm up as well. Deep breathe while doing this, then hold the position for several seconds. Now, do this on the other side of your body for the same amount of time. For a harder exercise, grab both legs...
In this video, Dina Prioste shows us how to do a yoga grasshopper and peacock pose. First, get into a grasshopper pose with your elbows close together. Place your chin on the floor and pick your knees up into the air. Remember to focus on breathing while you are doing this, because it will be challenging. This is a really deep shoulder opener, so it will be difficult if you have no tried it before. Make sure you stretch out well before you do this, or you run the risk of pulling a muscle. You...
In order to stretch your quads and feet through yoga poses, begin by sitting on the floor with your right leg in front of you. Your left leg should be folded back behind you. Your foot should be just outside your hip. Your foot should be pointed behind you. You can use props to help you. Pillows or folded blankets can help. Lean forward over your forward leg. If you have difficulty reaching your foot, you can use a stretch to help you. Remember to exhale, as you lean into a stretch and inhale...
This fitness how to video discusses a few standing poses that might work for tight hamstrings and hips. Ask any non-yogi office worker to sit down on the floor and cross his legs, and 9 out of 10 times, his knees will be way off the floor and his back will be hunched up like Quasimodo. If your hips are really tight, your average yoga class will only help you make small gains. In order to double or even triple your progress, keep going to class, but take ten minutes each day and practice the p...
This video shows you a few stretches you can use that focus on your abdominal muscles. These practices will also help strengthen this area of your body. Make sure that you are breathing properly while performing these exercises, and be aware of where your feet are!
You may not think yoga, calisthenics (jumping), and dynamic flexibility are related to swimming (given that those former exercises occur on land and swimming occurs in water), but all three types of exercises strengthen your ability to swim with ease and strength.
