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Benefits of Viparita Karani – Legs up the Wall
Viparita Karani or legs up the wall is by far one of my all-time favorite yoga poses! If I don’t make it to my mat one day, for whatever reason, as long as I practice this pose I feel grounded and accomplished. Legs up the wall is incredibly rejuvenating and relaxing. This pose is extremely accessible, so whether you’re a seasoned practitioner, or you’re just starting out, this pose is for you! Physical Benefits of Viparita Karani physically, this pose gently works our hamstrings and creates space in our low back. By elevating our legs, it increases circulation and drains any excess fluid. People who suffer from edema or sciatica can benefit greatly…
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10 Yoga Poses to Help Release Aches and Pains in Your Lower Back
Low back pain is one of the most common complaints I hear from students in Yoga. Not necessarily from the yoga practice, that’s a whole different conversation, more so from everyday life. Luckily, yoga can help relieve some of those aches and pains, as well as build strength in key muscles to avoid aches and pains in the first place! Ragdoll Ragdoll is a more passive posture that can feel really good on our low back when we add a gentle bend to our knees. It’s a great pose for relieving stress and tension not only in your low back but your neck and shoulders as well. How To From standing, heel-toe your…
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Five yoga poses to relieve period pains and bloat
If I’m being honest, the last thing I want to do when I’m on my period is any type of physical activity. That’s why I chose restorative postures to help relieve period pains and bloating. A little movement, coupled with lots of water, and a heating pad can go a long way. Here are five yoga poses to relieve period pains and bloating. 1. Restorative childs pose Using a bolster or pillow underneath your abdomen allows the muscles in your neck, shoulders and back to be passive. A lot of tension builds in the back side of our body. By disengaging these areas, and sinking into the support of a bolster, we create…
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Yin and Restorative: Types of Yoga Part 3
Six styles of practice in the books! Are you taking notes…? We have four more styles to go, and from here on out, I will group them in pairs. Of course, there are many, many more styles of Yoga than just the ones I’m talking about. However, I chose these styles out of all the rest because of their increasing popularity in the West. So today, we’re talking about Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga. Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga are often confused for the same style of practice. While there are similarities, such as the use of props and longer holds, Yin and Restorative are vastly different. While they are two separate practices, the asana…
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Five Restorative Yoga Poses and Their Benefits
When I first started practicing yoga I was all about a vigorous, strength-based flow. Now that I’ve got a few years of experience behind me, I have grown to appreciate the softer, sweeter side of the practice. Recently, I’ve absolutely loved a good restorative yoga practice! Regardless of what style of yoga I am flowing through, I always throw a restorative pose into my routine. They really do just feel good and can aid in energizing the body after a tough practice. Restorative yoga is a way to rejuvenate and heal the body. By utilizing yoga props such as blocks, straps, and bolsters, we are able to hold the body in yoga poses…
