Wish you were better able to accept hot and cold, noisy and silent, joy and sorrow? Cyndi Lee shows us how. by CYNDI LEE On a hot day last summer, I was teaching in an old brewery turned yoga studio in Berlin, Germany. It was sweltering outside, and there were no ...

Half Lord of the Fishes pose energizes the spine and stimulates the digestive fire. by YJ Editors Ardha Matsyendrasana (ARE-dah MOT-see-en-DRAHS-anna) ardha = half · Matsyendra = king of the fish (matsya = fish indra = ruler), a legendary teacher of yoga Half Lord of the Fishes Pose: Step-by-Step Instructions Step 1 Sit on the floor with your legs ...

Do you feel stuck? Yoga teacher Laura Riley shares three stages of svadhyaya practice to help you live life as who you truly are. When our spiritual lives and day-to-day actions are out of sync, we lose the ability to intuit. Yes, intuit as a verb. (As Deepak Chopra said, ...

Half Frog pose is more than a backbend; it opens the shoulders, chest, and thighs all at once. BY YJ EDITORS Half Frog Pose: Step-by-Step Instructions Step 1 Lie on your belly. Press your forearms against the floor and lift your head and upper torso. Step 2 Bend your right knee and bring the heel toward ...

Self-reflection is the first step in breaking patterns and tendencies that no longer serve you. BY KATE HOLCOMBE Samskara saksat karanat purvajati jnanam Through sustained focus and meditation on our patterns, habits, and conditioning, we gain knowledge and understanding of our past and of how we can change the patterns that aren't serving ...

Extend some love to your often neglected side body in Parighasana or Gate Pose. By YJ EDITORS (par-ee-GOSS-anna) parigha = an iron bar or beam used for locking or shutting a gate The pose described immediately below is a simplified variation of the full pose. Then we describe the full pose afterward. Gate Pose: Step-by-Step ...

The garland pose stretches the ankles, groins, and back. If your heels don't reach the floor, rest them on a folded blanket. BY YJ EDITORS Garland Pose: Step-by-Step Instructions Step 1 Squat with your feet as close together as possible. (Keep your heels on the floor if you can; otherwise, support them on a ...

Chaturanga Dandasana Learn four-limbed staff pose because it is frequently practiced as part of the traditional Sun Salutation sequence. Paul Miller (chaht-tour-ANG-ah don-DAHS-anna) chaturanga = four limbs (chatur = four anga = limb) danda = staff (refers to the spine, the central "staff" or support of the body) Four-Limbed Staff Pose: Step-by-Step Instructions Step 1 Perform Adho Mukha Svanasana, then Plank Pose. Firm your shoulder ...

Discover the physical and mental signs of blocked energy in pit of your stomach and how you may benefit from aligning it. By Stephanie Snyder The third chakra, called manipura, is located at the navel. “Manipura” means lustrous gem of the city. 3rd Chakra’s Natural Element: Fire Manipura is associated with the natural element fire ...

Yoga Journal influencer and expert yoga teacher Laura Burkhart pens down 10 questions for every yoga practitioner. Meet Laura in Singapore on April 29 and discuss your answers, and also get fine tips about arm balancing poses. 1. Does your practice balance the rest of your life? If you are already performing high-intensity activities ...

Searching for a meaningful mantra to use in your practice? Here are four powerful pieces to get you started. By Eldad Carin/Stocksy, Yelena Moroz Alpert 1. The mantra: Om Pronunciation: a-u-m Translation: The primordial sacred sound Why chant it: Om is said to be the first sound heard at the creation of the universe. When each syllable is pronounced ...

Don't let the name fool you. If you're used to sitting on chairs all your life, Easy Pose or Sukhasana can be quite challenging. By David Martinez Easy Pose: Step-by-Step Instructions Step 1 Fold a thick blanket or two into a firm support about six inches high. Sit close to one edge of this ...