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Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana)

Pronunciation: Pose Type: The Happy Baby Pose, or Ananda Balasana, invokes images of a happy baby lying on their back with their toes in their hands. This pose is an excellent way to release stress and fatigue while gently stretching the inner groin and the lower back. It is highly effective for relaxing the busy

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Goddess Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana)

Pronunciation: SOUP-tah BAH-dah cone-NAHS-anna Pose Type: Standing, Reclining Poses Goddess Pose has two variations – both reclining and standing. The ‘Supta’ version of Baddha Konasana is the reclining bound angle pose that is considered highly restorative. A good beginner’s tip for this pose is to keep some towels, blankets, or bolsters handy, especially if practicing

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Easy Pose (Sukhasana)

Pronunciation: Suk-ah-sana Pose Type: Seated Easy Pose may look easy, but for many people it simply isn’t. The Sukhasana pose shows us how accustomed we’ve become to sitting in chairs and sinking back into them. Our abdominal and back muscles become weak and we become prone to tight hips and lower-back pain. Approaching Easy Pose

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Corpse Pose (Savasana)

Pronunciation: shah-VAH-sah-nah Pose Type: Reclining Usually Corpse Pose is the concluding posture of an asana or pranayama practice. Savasana is the last pose because it gently resets the body and relaxes it after the work of the yoga practice. The pose can be performed with the legs long along the floor away from the body,

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Cobra Pose – Bhujangasana

Pronunciation: boo-jang-GAHS-anna Pose Type: Seated, Back Bend Poses Cobra pose, or Bhujangasana, is a back bend performed on the floor. It simulates the strength and poise of a cobra rising up to examine their environment. It warms up the torso and is often part of the Sun Salutation sequence at the beginning of a yoga

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Cobbler Pose (Baddha Konasana)

Pronunciation: BAH-dah cone-AHS-anna Pose Type: Seated The Cobbler Pose, or Baddha Konasana, is a seated pose also known as ‘butterfly’ pose. It is a simple pose that has a list of diverse benefits, but it is also difficult for beginners. Beginners with tight hips or upper leg muscles should grab a block, a towel or

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Child’s Pose (Balasana)

Pronunciation: bah-LAHS-anna Pose Type: Seated Child’s pose, or Balasana, is one of the most calming yoga poses. It is a resting seated pose that invokes the fetal position and so it is a full-body healing pose. The anatomical focus is on the thighs, but the pose releases tension in the shoulders, neck, back, and hips

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Cat-Cow Stretch (Chakravakasana)

Pronunciation: Pose Type: The cat pose (it looks like a startled cat with its back arched high) is often paired with the cow pose (which creates a low belly and a high tailbone) and uses the breath to create fluid movement in the spine. It is a highly popular pose and recommended for yogis who

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Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)

Pronunciation: SAY-too BAHN-duh shar-vahn-GAHS-uh-nuh Pose Type: Seated Bridge pose, or Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, is commonly used to stretch and strengthen the back and abdominal muscles as well as opening the lungs and chest. The Sanskrit name translates literally as ‘construction of a bridge’ and that’s exactly how the pose is performed. Initially, this pose requires

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Seated Twist Pose (Ardha Matsyendrasana)

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

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Tree Pose (Vrksasana)

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

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Extended Triangle Pose (Utthita Trikonasana)

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.

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Staff Pose (Dandasana)

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

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Pyramid Pose (Parsvottonasana)

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.

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Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana)

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.

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Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II)

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

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