Yoga Basics
Yoga Poses in this Sequence
Bound Angle Pose
BOUND ANGLE POSE Baddha Konasana (BAD-ha ko-NAS-anna) https://vimeo.com/video/395085587 BENEFITS OF BOUND ANGLE POSE Eases menstrual pain Builds inner thigh and groin flexibility Lowers blood pressure Reduces anxiety SUMMARY OF BOUND ANGLE POSE Bound Angle Pose, or Baddha Konasana, is a seated asana which nurtures relaxation and serenity. It stretches the inner thighs, hips and legs. …
Bridge Pose
BRIDGE POSE Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (SAY-tu BAHN-duh sar-vahn-GAHS-anna) https://vimeo.com/video/395088086 BENEFITS OF BRIDGE POSE Stretches the spine, chest, and neck Improves digestion Reduces backache Lowers stress and anxiety Helps symptoms of asthma Useful for those with high blood pressure SUMMARY OF BRIDGE POSE Bridge Pose, or Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, is a standard part of many yoga …
Cat Pose
CAT POSE Marjaryasana (mar-jar-YAHS-anna) https://vimeo.com/video/395193891 BENEFITS OF CAT POSE Releases anxiety Stretches the back Massages the abdomen Opens the chest SUMMARY OF CAT POSE Cat Pose, or Marjaryasana, is one of the most commonly recognized yoga poses. The shape of the body resembles a stretching, arching cat. This pose is usually done as a partner …
Child’s Pose
CHILD’S POSE Balasana (bah-LAHS-anna) https://vimeo.com/video/395193293 BENEFITS OF CHILD’S POSE Stretches hip and thighs Relieves back pain Reduces stress and anxiety SUMMARY OF CHILD’S POSE Child’s Pose, or Balasana, is a wonderfully relaxing pose which is part of most yoga routines as a moment to pause. Child’s Pose is about releasing yourself to the world and …
Cobra Pose
COBRA POSE Bhujangasana (bhu-jahn-GAHS-anna) https://vimeo.com/video/395085582 BENEFITS OF COBRA POSE Stretches the abdomen, chest, and shoulders Eases anxiety and stress Strengthens the spine Helps with asthma Relieves constipation SUMMARY OF COBRA POSE Cobra Pose, or Bhujangasana, is a floor pose which gently stretches and flexes the body. Its head-up position is reminiscent of a cobra rising …
Corpse Pose
CORPSE POSE Savasana (sah-VAHS-anna) https://vimeo.com/video/395197503 BENEFITS OF CORPSE POSE Lowers blood pressure Releases anxiety and tension Reduces headaches Helps with insomnia SUMMARY OF CORPSE POSE Corpse Pose, or Savasana, is one of the simplest poses in the entire yoga repertoire. You simply lie on your back. But within that is a wealth of power. Interestingly, …
Cow Pose
COW POSE Bitilasana (biht-LAHS-anna) https://vimeo.com/video/395193924 BENEFITS OF COW POSE Releases stress, anxiety and tension Stretches back Helps digestion Builds arm strength SUMMARY OF COW POSE Cow Pose, or Bitlasana, is a floor pose which is traditionally paired with Cat Pose. They are the mirrors of each other. Cow Pose shouldn’t be confused with Cow Face …
Downward Facing Dog
DOWNWARD FACING DOG Adho Mukha Svanasana (AHD-ho MUH-kha sva-NAHS-anna) https://vimeo.com/video/395087003 BENEFITS OF DOWNWARD FACING DOG Stretches shoulders and hamstrings Strengthens arms and legs Relieves stress and anxiety Helps with high blood pressure and asthma SUMMARY OF DOWNWARD FACING DOG Downward Facing Dog, or Adho Mukha Svanasana, is one of the most recognizable yoga positions out …
Extended Side Angle
EXTENDED SIDE ANGLE Utthita Parsvakonasana (oo-TEE-tah parsh-vah-cone-AHS-anna) https://vimeo.com/video/395193717 BENEFITS OF EXTENDED SIDE ANGLE Strengthens, flexes and stabilizes the leg muscles Strengthens the abdominal muscles Reduces back pain and helps with the posture Ignites clear, imaginative thinking SUMMARY OF EXTENDED SIDE ANGLE The Extended Side Angle Pose, or Utthita Parsvakonasana, is a position which does not …
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 …
Legs Up the Wall Pose
LEGS UP THE WALL POSE Viparita Karani (VIP-uh-REE-tuh kah-RAH-nee) https://vimeo.com/video/395201845 BENEFITS OF LEGS UP THE WALL POSE Stretches the quadriceps muscles Relaxes and lengthens the lower back Relaxes the neck and the shoulders Soothes the nervous system Prevents varicose veins SUMMARY OF LEGS UP THE WALL POSE Legs Up The Wall Pose, or Viparita Krani, …
Low Lunge Pose
LOW LUNGE POSE Anjaneyasana (AHN-jah-nay-AHS-uh-nuh) https://vimeo.com/video/395192599 BENEFITS OF LOW LUNGE POSE Opens the hips Stretches the quadriceps and the hamstrings Increases the flexibility of the spine Prevents back pain Lengthens the arm muscles Opens the chest Improves balance and awareness Motivates SUMMARY OF LOW LUNGE POSE The Low Lunge Pose, or Anjaneyasana, is a backbend …
Plank Pose
PLANK POSE Phalakasana (fal-ack-ahs-anna) https://vimeo.com/video/395197336 BENEFITS OF PLANK POSE Strengthens the arms Stretches the spine Tones the abdomen SUMMARY OF PLANK POSE The Plank Pose is perhaps one of the most common poses outside of the yoga field. It is practiced by many people regardless of the type of sports they do. Phalakasana focuses on …
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 …
Alyssa Macon
Alyssa Macon is a mom (and dog mom) in Nashville, TN who started practicing yoga in 2013. Like a lot of people, she came to yoga for the physical aspects simply wanting to stay in shape. Over time, she realized that the asana may bring us to yoga but it’s usually not what keeps us …