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, ...

So, you’ve decided you want to host a yoga retreat? You think you’re ready. Well, almost. Here’s a do’s and don’ts guide by International yoga teacher Laura Burkhart, who travels around the world teaching at retreats. Yoga Teacher: Laura Burkhart, Photo Credits: Anna Liang By Laura  Burkhart Tips for Teachers Hosting retreats can be ...

Phtoto credits : Jeff Nelson Illustration: Michelle Graham Supta Padangusthasana Reclining Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose, variation This classic pose reveals the truth behind your current hamstring length. By lying on the floor with one foot against a wall, you can keep both your pelvic bones and spine in neutral positions as you explore the ...

Pranayama is the conscious practice of applying various techniques of breathing exercises to direct our prana, or life force, in the body. By directing our breath in certain ways, we channel our prana in the right way and learn to discipline and master our senses and emotions. Model: Sherriann Melwani. Photo ...

If you haven’t already experienced the soothing powers of yoga firsthand, there’s ample evidence to support adding the practice to your pain fighting arsenal. Here are eight types of pain and how they might benefit from enlisting your yoga mat or meditation cushion, all backed by science.   By Yj Editors NECK PAIN Meditation ...

Virabhadrasana III Warrior Pose III, with squats All of the gluteals must work to perform this movement—the “deep six” external rotators keep each side of the pelvis stable in spite of the different actions in each hip, and the larger gluteals add additional support for the hips. This move forces your buttock ...

When the topic of Yoga comes up, most people immediately think about the poses. However, this is really only the tip of the iceberg, as yoga is far more than elaborate poses. Model - Sherri Melwani, Photo Credits - Esther Tay Pictures,  This is the third part in a series of ...