Yoga

Yoga

This pose offers the benefits of inversions, such as increased circulation to the upper body. Like the other classical inverted poses of Sirsasana (Headstand) and Sarvangasana ( Shoulderstand), it also teaches the student poise. The nervous system controls movement through learned patterns in which groups of muscles and joints act habitually to produce desired results. In turn, this movement produces feedback, which informs the nervous system where one is in space in relation to gravity.

The breath plays an important part here. If the breath is held, a hardness pervades the abdomen and disallows what Iyengar considers the full benefits to the internal organs. It is therefore important to keep the abdomen as relaxed as possible, and the breath moving and soft. Although it is difficult to breathe as deeply when in the pose as you might if you were just sitting, the breath nonetheless should be as relaxed as possible.

Over time, though, Chaturanga has become a great friend and teacher, helping me to develop the strength and stability that once seemed elusive and imprint actions and principles that serve throughout my practice. The pose is challenging for many students, but its payoffs are great: It strengthens the arms and legs, tones the abdominals, builds healthy shoulders, and prepares students for arm balances, inversions, and backbends.

As early as 2015, a conference at Harvard Medical School examined links between fascia, acupuncture and oncology; the lectures remain available online and underline how much more we need to understand about fascia's role in medicine. Manual therapists have long recognised the importance of working with fascia. Andrew Taylor Still, the founder of osteopathy, stressed its significance, and newer approaches such as the Bowen technique aim to improve hydration, proprioception and flexibility by engaging fascia gently but directly.

What's especially helpful about these is that you can incorporate them into your existing yoga practice or gym workout. They also bring a surprise factor in that they're not things that you might normally think to try on your mat. Even better, it's not an entire 30-minute strength conditioning workout. It's simple drills you can rely on every single day to strengthen your shoulders.

Even now, just the word "loneliness" can trigger the emotion-part melancholy and part loss-of those days. It was only after I had been doing spiritual practice for quite some time that I began to see that the emotion of loneliness is not just personal. Like anger and fear, loneliness is one of those universal, primal emotions, a groove in humanity's subconscious.

Venus is love, beauty, worth, abundance, magnetism, and balance. She is connection, art, value, and creativity. Each time Venus shifts into a new sign, we are brought a different experience of our worthiness. It's an invitation to embody it in a different way, to meet any spaces that question it, and explore renewed trust in our desires. Venus reminds us that life can be beautiful, that our body is art, our desires are maps, and our value is unquestionable.

On the second day of a workshop I'm teaching, called The Art of Letting Go, I've planned a discussion of the yogic practice of releasing our tendency to over-control situations. My intention is that people will recognize how much pain they create when they try to control every little thing in their lives-and that they learn how to let go.

A decade ago, it seemed as though the high-tech smart yoga mat revolution was poised to arrive. The TERA Mat, the Glow Mat, and the SmartMat were widely anticipated and rumored to change the game with embedded lights designed to indicate "proper" alignment. The same benefits one could get from a yoga teacher were purportedly reduced to pressure sensors and LEDs.

As defined by brands and advertisers, the holidays mean socializing, decorating, gift buying, cooking, traveling, and forced socializing. For many of us, that feels like barely contained chaos. Yes, it can be lovely to partake in the spirit of giving and gratitude and all that comes with it. But it's entirely too easy, amid the endless tasks and commitments, to lose yourself and forget about the things that keep you grounded.

The best part about reading? No matter what type of book you choose, it inevitably helps you escape life for a little while also bringing you a more sharpened understanding of your existence. Whether you're looking to lose or find yourself, books are typically the answer. And our best books of 2025 definitely deliver. Following are the titles that we found difficult to put down throughout the last 12 months. Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge, flip your perspective, enhance your awareness of self and others, or simply bust yourself out of a rut, the following are our recommendations, in no particular order.

Over the last decade, astrology has gone mainstream in a major way. It seems like every brand wants to offer you something-a coffee, a book recommendation, a t-shirt-based on your personal astrology. Because of this, whether you live in accordance with astrology or are only semi-aware of it, chances are you at least know your zodiac sign. ...or do you? Your birthday dictates your Sun sign. Adding birth location and time into the mix is enough to create an entire birth chart (a snapshot of the placement of the stars and planets the moment you came into the world and of your personality as a whole). But it turns out that different traditions assign these signs in different ways-meaning the zodiac symbol you identify with may not be your only (or even true) Sun sign.

A family's strength lies in how much they trust each other, but it depends on how that said trust is built. That's where the fun yet relaxing activity enters the household: family yoga poses! Yoga isn't just about perfect poses or fancy flexibility; it's about feeling connected. The moments shared as a family - that's the magic of family yoga poses!

From kit that makes you want to workout to tools that help tired muscles afterwards, read on for all the present inspiration you need. The best gifts for fitness fans Brain fuel More Fuel You by Renee McGregor 13.46 at the Guardian Bookshop 9.33 at Amazon Eryn Barber, a running, strength and conditioning coach, says: This book is a great way for recreational athletes to learn about nutrition for running and endurance. Renee has a lot of clinical experience working with endurance athletes.

In Indian philosophy, few concepts are as profound and transformative as Maya. Often translated as "illusion," Maya is not merely a false reality but a complex force that shapes how we perceive the world. It influences our emotions, decisions, attachments, and spiritual journey. For seekers, yogis, and students at Nada Yoga School in Rishikesh, understanding Maya is essential for inner clarity and self-realization.

I will never forget my striking initial reactions to Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle Pose or Lateral Angle Pose), one of the most beautiful and strongest of the standing poses, developed by B.K.S. lyengar. The first time I tried the pose I could not believe the difficulty it presented. Holding the right angle of the front leg exactly at 90 degrees without bending the back leg, and keeping the front knee exactly over the foot, seemed impossible, and I was exhausted by the attempt.

This is a great online vinyasa yoga class sequence to build strength towards handstand. This class can be utilized as a 45-minute flow, incorporating Chaturanga to Upward Facing Dog, back to Downward Facing Dog as the vinyasa piece and can be placed in between sides. The warm-up for this class, known as "Puttering" by YogaRenew standards, focuses on finding length and straightening the arms and legs.

A yoga certification helps you deepen your practice, build confidence, and open the door to teaching. It's a chance to turn something you love into a rewarding path that inspires others. Take the first step today and begin your journey toward becoming a certified yoga teacher! Deepens Personal Practice Taking a yoga certification helps you connect with your practice on a deeper level.

Many people view meditation as a powerful tool for finding inner peace, awareness, and spiritual growth. Meditation has deep roots in ancient traditions. Modern science now supports its benefits. It provides techniques to quiet the mind, calm the body, and help you feel more present. Many people often link meditation to Eastern spiritual systems like Buddhism and Hinduism. However, it has crossed cultural boundaries. Now, psychologists, healthcare professionals, and people use it in psychology, healthcare, and daily life.

A soundbath is an experience that promotes relaxation and meditation. Participants are "bathed" by sound waves generated by instruments like crystal bowls, gongs and tuning forks. The purpose of a Sound Bath is not to entertain, but rather to promote vibrational health. These instruments emit frequencies which can help you relax deeper and achieve a dreamlike or meditative state. Your nervous system can be reset, stress levels reduced, and energy levels rebalanced.

For years, stretching has been the go-to solution for anyone seeking relief from muscle tension, pain, or stiffness. But what if this widely accepted practice is doing more harm than good? In this article, we'll explore my journey as a yoga practitioner and fitness enthusiast who discovered the surprising truth about stretching-and why Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT) may hold the key to true, lasting relief.

Nepali Farm rishikesh is a popular informal bus stop near Rishikesh, not an actual farm. It's located 11-12 km from Rishikesh and serves private buses traveling between major cities like Delhi, Haridwar, and Dehradun. The bus stop is situated under a notable flyover, where buses typically turn left when en route to Dehradun. Nepali farm offers more than a simple roadside junction. It's also a convenient and flexible way for bus travelers to arrive or leave Rishikesh. It is a convenient and useful meeting place, with its rental services and multiple transport options.

As a kids' yoga teacher, I know the magic of a special, just-for-kids yoga mat. Not only do they provide a non-slip surface for balancing and a cushy texture for the inevitable fall, just like adult mats, but they make a vivid visual marker of personal space. This lets small practitioners learn the power of having autonomy, boundaries, and a space all to themselves as they come to understand where their bodies can go in their practice. It denotes a personal world all their own.

The first time I tried Toe Squat was during an online yin yoga class. The instructor sat back on his heels in what I first thought was Thunderbolt (Vajrasana), but unlike that classic pose, his toes were curled under him so that his weight was on the balls of his feet and toes. He set a timer for three minutes, cautioning that it might be uncomfortable.

Sound is the invisible fabric of the universe, a living vibration that shapes energy and matter.Every rhythm, from the hum of a bee to the heartbeat within your chest, carries intelligence and resonance. Across ancient cultures, sound was revered not just as music, but as medicine for the soul. Among these sacred sonic tools are the Solfeggio Frequencies, a series of pure tones believed to awaken healing, balance, and higher consciousness.

In modern society, it's considered *super* normal to strive for things outside of yourself. Call it hustle culture or rise-and-grind-either way, you're told to constantly reach for a promotion, a new car, or a fancy espresso machine (to fuel all your ambitions, ofc). This isn't a bad thing. Setting goals and challenging yourself can teach you discipline and dedication-not to mention it feels really good when you achieve them.

In the sacred land of Rishikesh, where the Himalayas meet the Ganga, seekers have long journeyed to uncover the deeper truth of existence. Among the many paths to self-realization, Self-Enquiry Meditation, taught by the enlightened sage Sri Ramana Maharshi, stands out as the most direct and powerful method. This practice, known in Sanskrit as Ātma Vichāra, invites us to ask a single transformative question: