Virginia O'Connor

Pronunciation: ARE-dah MOT-see-en-DRAHS-anna Pose Type: Seated Seated Twist pose, or Ardha Matsyendrasana also called Half Lord of the Fishes pose, lengthens, nourishes, and realigns the spine. This pose stimulates the nervous, digestive, and reproductive systems of the body. Depending on your flexibility, you may be able to take the pose farther by reaching the arms […]

Pronunciation: vrik-SHAHS-anna Pose Type: Standing, Balance Pose If you have ever slipped in the mud or tripped over a rock, you know the value of a good sense of balance. Tree pose, or Vrksasana, is a standing balance pose that strengthens the legs, calms, the mind, and improves stability and balance. Practicing balancing poses like

Pronunciation: oo-TEE-tah trik-cone-AHS-anna Pose Type: Standing Extended Triangle Pose, or Utthita Trikonasana, is a standing yoga pose that is a building block for the balance and grace required in all areas of life. It creates symmetry throughout your entire body. Triangle pose is an excellent pose for strengthening the lower body while lengthening stiff muscles.

Pronunciation: dahn-DAHS-uh-nuh Pose Type: Seated Staff pose, or Dandasana, helps the body prepare for deeper poses while enhancing focus. While this seated pose looks easy – as if the yogi is merely sitting up straight on the floor – it is actually an intense shoulder-builder and the perfect foundational posture for all seated poses, including

Pronunciation: parsh-voh-tahn-AHS-anna Pose Type: Standing Pyramid pose positions the body in a pyramid (inverted V) shape with the torso revolving over the front leg while the hands are in reverse prayer position behind the back. Pyramid is a standing yoga posture that combines all of the benefits of two primary features: forward bending and balancing.

Pronunciation: ooh-tuhn-AHS-uh-nuh Pose Type: Forward bend In Sanskrit, ‘ut’ means ‘intense’ and the Standing Forward Bend can be just that. This incredibly therapeutic and revitalizing pose calms the mind while stretching the entire back body. This pose is an essential element of the Sun Salutations sequence and helps prepare the yogi for deeper forward bends.

Pronunciation: veer-ah-bah-DRAHS-anna Pose Type: Standing Pose The fiery power of Warrior I, or Virabhadrasana, is exemplified by this variation of the pose, Warrior II. This pose embodies the spirit of a warrior and conveys readiness, stability, and courage. Warrior II is included in a number of yoga sequences and often follows Warrior I to create

Pronunciation: veer-ah-bah-DRAHS-anna Pose Type: Standing Pose The meaning of Warrior I, or Virabhadrasana, is fierce warrior. The pose is an incarnation of Shiva, the Hindu god said to have a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, and a thousand feet. Shiva wields a thousand clubs and wears a tiger’s skin, so this is not a yoga

Pronunciation: tah-DAHS-uh-nuh Pose Type: Standing Pose Every yogi knows that while it looks like you’re just standing in place, Mountain Pose is actually a very active pose involving a great deal of muscle awareness and attention. Tadasana, when correctly executed, works every muscle in the body and when practiced regularly, it can help reduce back

Pronunciation: ARD-uh ooh-tuhn-AHS-uh-nuh Pose Type: Standing fold Half Forward Bend is a relaxing stretch when practiced correctly. It is included in the typical Sun Salutation sequence and there are many variations that can help yogis who are tight. Ardha Uttanasana is a great way to stretch out the spine and legs throughout the day or

Pronunciation: (AH-doh MOO-kah shvah-NAHS-anna) Other Names: Downward Dog, or just Down Dog Pose Type: Standing Downward Facing Dog, or Adho Mukha Svanasana, is one of the most innocent-looking poses but it exposes where a yogi has muscle without flexibility. Downward Dog is the perfect post to observe and correct your body’s imbalances. For some yogis,

Pronunciation: oo-TEE-tah parsh-vah-cone-AHS-anna Pose Type: Standing Extended Side Angle is a full-body wake up pose that gives the body an incredible dose of energy. The pose teaches the yogi how to stabilize their legs while opening and expanding the sides of the rib cage and training the muscles to support good breathing. It tones the

Pronunciation: cah-maht-kah-RAHS-anna Alternate Names: Flip Dog Pose Type: Back Bend Camatkarasana pose, also known as “wild thing”, is an enormous help with heart-opening. This pose is also referred to as “flipping the dog” and you’ll see why later. It is a fun, playful transition usually from downward-facing dog into a one-arm backbend. The pose is