Hatha Yoga (Hip Opening)
Yoga Poses in this Sequence
Camel Pose
CAMEL POSE Ustrasana (oost-RAHS-anna) https://vimeo.com/video/395085639 BENEFITS OF CAMEL POSE Improves posture Stretches front of the body Stretches deep hip flexors Strengthens back SUMMARY OF CAMEL POSE Camel Pose, or Ustrasana, is a floor-based backbend supported on the knees. It’s a great way for those with balance issues to work with backbends. There are a number …
Chair Pose
CHAIR POSE Utkatasana (OOT-kahTAHS-anna) https://vimeo.com/video/395197395 BENEFITS OF CHAIR POSE Enlivens the heart, diaphragm, and abdominal area Tones the butt and hips Strengthens the spine, thighs, calves, and ankles Helps counter flat feet and strengthen arches Stretches the shoulders and chest SUMMARY OF CHAIR POSE Chair Pose, or Utkatasana, is a fairly challenging standing yoga pose …
Eagle Pose
EAGLE POSE Garudasana (gah-ruh-DAHS-anna) https://vimeo.com/video/395087966 BENEFITS OF EAGLE POSE Improves balance Stretches thighs through upper back Increases concentration Strengthens calves SUMMARY OF EAGLE POSE Eagle Pose, or Garudasana, is a standing twisting pose which tests both your flexibility and your sense of balance. It’s good to practice first with Tree Pose for standing balance as …
Happy Baby Pose
HAPPY BABY POSE Ananda Balasana (ah-NAHN-duh bah-LAHS-anna) https://vimeo.com/video/395201628 BENEFITS OF HAPPY BABY POSE Stretches the muscles of the legs, the hips and the hamstrings Lengthens the spine and the tailbone Opens the chest Relieves lower back pain Lowers blood pressure, creates calm SUMMARY OF HAPPY BABY POSE The Happy Baby Pose, or Ananda Balasana is …
Tortoise Pose
TORTOISE POSE Kurmasana (koor-MAHS-uh-nuh) https://vimeo.com/video/395197227 BENEFITS OF TORTOISE POSE Strengthens the back Tones abdominal muscles Stretches through inner thighs and groin Calms the mind SUMMARY OF TORTOISE POSE Tortoise Pose, or Kurmasana, is an advanced yoga pose which involves a deep forward fold and an intense stretch through the hips and groin. As we round …
Tree Pose
TREE POSE Vrksasana (vrik-SHAH-suh-nuh) https://vimeo.com/video/395086767 BENEFITS OF TREE POSE Stabilizing through ankles Improved sense of balance Strengthens legs and core Opens hips, while stretching groin and thigh SUMMARY OF TREE POSE Tree Pose, or Vrikshasana, is a one-legged standing balance. It’s suitable for practitioners of all levels due to its many available variations, and is …
Triangle Pose
TRIANGLE POSE Utthita Trikonasana (UT-ti-tuh tri-ko-NAHS-uh-nuh) https://vimeo.com/video/395193245 BENEFITS OF TRIANGLE POSE Intensely stretches hamstrings Strengthens thighs and groin Tones side core muscles (obliques) Opens through shoulders and chest Improves focus SUMMARY OF TRIANGLE POSE Extended Triangle Pose (“Utthita” meaning extended, “tri” meaning three, “kon” meaning angle and “asana” meaning pose), often shortened to Triangle, is …
Warrior II
WARRIOR II Virabhadrasana II (vee-ruh-buh-DRAHS-uh-nuh) https://vimeo.com/video/395090252 BENEFITS OF WARRIOR II Strengthens legs and glutes Helps to improve posture Stretches psoas Builds strength in arms and shoulders Allows for broadening through shoulder blades and collarbones Opens through thighs and groin SUMMARY OF WARRIOR II Warrior II, or Virabhadrasana II, is a natural continuation in the Warrior …
Mika Nishimura
Mika Nishimura is originally from Japan residing in Los Angeles. She started practicing yoga in 2006. In her first yoga class, she fell in love with it and decided to become a yoga teacher. Although she initially started practicing yoga to get in shape, she loves the fact that yoga is much more than fitness. …