Have you ever been in such deep concentration that you lose track of time? Dharana is the practice of focus which leads the mind to rest and serves as a prelude towards meditation. Model: Sherriann Melwani, Photo Credit: Esther Tay This is the sixth part in a series of eight articles about ...

Viparita Karani (Legs-up-the-Wall Pose) Lie down as shown in the picture. Inhale first into the belly, then the rib cage, then the collarbones, and then exhale from the collarbones, then the rib cage, then the belly. Do this for 1o–2o breaths, then allow all effort to fade away. Feel the core ...

Take your spine through its five different motions—spinal flexion, spinal extension, lateral flexion and extension, and spinal rotation—with these poses. For spinal flexion, try... Sasangasana, Rabbit Pose This simple pose places you into a static somersault position, helping you experience spinal flexion (rolling forward), particularly in the thoracic spine. How to Come to Balasana (Child’s Pose), ...

Your To-do list There’s a lot that goes into creating a smooth yoga retreat, both for a teacher and a student. Michelle Fliegauf, the founder of International Yoga, a retreat management and logistics service, spells out the check list for every yoga teacher planning a retreat. Andrea Marcum enjoying her practice during ...

Water-loving yogis play with balance, focus, and core strength by taking their practice offshore. Professional paddleboarder Gillian Gibree in Baja, Mexico Photo Credits: David Martinez This article was written by Lauren Ladoceour, a former editor at Yoga Journal U.S. It’s early in her morning practice when Gillian Gibree takes a familiar asana: ...

Pratyahara focuses on the conscious withdrawal of energy from each of our senses. It is an intense meditative practice of turning inward and connecting with the inner body.  Photo Credits: Esther Tay, Model: Sherriann Melwani  This is the fifth part in a series of eight articles about what "Ashtanga" really means, ...