These posts are about yoga.
In this pose, the scapulae are adducted and slightly upwardly rotated; without the levering action of the arms, this calls on the muscles that move the scapulae action. If the scapulae are not maintained in adduction, the weight of the body falls into the spine; if the scapulae do not upwardly rotate, the arms are […]
Niralamba Sarvangasana – Unsupported (No-Arm) Shoulder Stand Read More »
The term salamba distinguishes this variation of the shoulder stand from the unsupported (niralamba) version.
Salamba Sarvangasana – Supported Shoulder Stand Read More »
In a shoulder stand, the erector muscles of the spine are more active than in viparita karani. In the “lifted” version of viparita karani, the abdominal muscles play a greater role than the spinal muscles to keep the pelvis from collapsing onto the hands. In viparita karani the abdominal muscles are strongly active in eccentric
Viparita Karani – Inverted Pose Read More »
Another simple, yet useful practice that directly links breath and body movement, apanasana is one of the key tools of therapeutic yoga. It stimulates the upward release of the diaphragm on the exhalation, as the knees are drawn into the body. Traditionally this is done by actively using the abdominal and hip flexor muscles without
Apanasana – Apana Pose Read More »
Except for the arm position, the muscular, spinal, and joint actions of this pose are virtually identical to those of setu bandhasana. The main difference between setu bandhasana and dwi pada pitham is that dwi pada pitham is a vinyasa, a dynamic movement that is coordinated with the inhalation and exhalation. This simple, yet versatile
Dwi Pada Pitham – Two-Legged Table Read More »
Occasionally, this pose is referred to as the death pose, or mrtasana (mrit-TAHS-ana. Mrta means death.
Savasana – Corpse Pose Read More »
Simhasana stimulates and releases a host of oft-overlooked muscles. The tongue and jaw can be thought of as the front of the neck, and cervical tension can frequently be related to tightness in these structures. Additionally, the platysma (the flat, thin, rectangular muscle that covers the front of the throat) can be tonified during simhasana.
Simhasana – Lion Pose Read More »
Rotation is automatic and side bending in the spine because of both the same of the articular facets in the vertebrae and the spiral pathways of the muscles. To keep the action “pure” lateral flexion, there needs to be a counterrotation in the rib cage. in this case, the upper ribs rotate posteriorly and the
Parighasana – Gate-Latch Pose Read More »
This variation intensifies the action in the hamstrings of the front leg because of deeper hip flexion and more bodyweight over the front leg. At the same time, it diminishes the action in the back hip and in the spine. By adducting the front leg, the piriformis is brought into the lengthening action. This is
Eka Pada Rajakapotasana Variation – Folded Forward One-Legged Royal Pigeon Pose Read More »
It is important not to collapse into this pose. The pelvic floor, hamstrings, and gluteals should act eccentrically to distribute the weight force of gravity through the whole base of the pose rather than drop right into the hamstring attachment or knee joint. As with all poses, and more so with complex ones, a wide
Eka Pada Rajakapotasana – One-Legged Royal Pigeon Pose Read More »