In AHA! Yoga sessions, we often use yoga straps. No, it is not a strange torture device, nor is it meant to stick you in difficult yoga poses. A yoga strap can help you get all the benefits from specific postures, while maintaining comfort and ease. It allows you to practice proper alignment without strain, making your overall yoga…
“Eeek! I am new to yoga. What can I expect at my first class or private session?” We do gentle yoga, which focuses on stretching, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques. Most of the class time is spent stretching; these are the specific yoga postures (or “asanas,” pronounced “AHH—sah—nahs”) that most people imagine when they hear the word “yoga.” We…
Yoga is more than just asana (physical poses) and stretching; pranayama (breathwork) is crucial for a well-rounded yoga practice. One of the best Pranayama methods to soothe the brain and calm the mind is also one of the easiest. And, it’s a lot of fun! “Bhramari” gets its name, “Bee’s Breath,” from the Sanskrit, “Bhramaraka.” “Bhramaraka” means “bee,” “honey,”…
This posture is a little known sleeping beauty waiting to be discovered, as it is one of the only yoga poses that has you lie down on your side. It is also a subtle balance asana (posture), sometimes easier for those who find standing or arm balance poses frustrating or painful. ANANTASANA: Pronounced: /Ahh—Nahn—TAH—sah—nah/ ANANTASANA = “Ananta” is the…
* * What is RESTORATIVE YOGA? Restorative yoga is just what the name implies: the purpose is to help you rest and revitalize. Restorative yoga provides relief and recovery from stress, exhaustion, and injury. The origins of restorative yoga are often linked back to the yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar, a student of Krishnamacharya and one of the most important…
Want to energize? Try this powerful breath. Imagine you could go inside your head and brush and floss all the old sensations, feelings, and thoughts that plague you. In fact, there is a yoga practice whose name implies just that. It is a delightfully refreshing and energizing practice when we need a boost of energy. It helps us shift…
* Yin yoga is a slower, more visibly passive form of yoga, yet it leads to very deep opening. The focus is upon gradually stretching to release even connective tissue around the joints, particularly the knees, pelvis, sacrum, and spine. Because this approach requires us to slow down, the mental component of Yin Yoga is also at the forefront,…
* YOGA NIDRA is a beautiful relaxation and meditation method that helps you deeply relax, rejuvenate, and therefore energize. It also increases your awareness and thus your ability to be truly present and calm. Taught at AHA! Yoga in the Himalayan Tradition, this approach to Yoga Nidra leads you to a wakeful awareness that allows your MIND as well as your body to deeply rest….
College is an exciting time, and a…
* “The greatest influence in your life,…