Chaturanga Dandasana or the Four-Limbed Staff Pose is also called Plank Position. Chaturanga Dandasana is itself not described as a backbend but is often used to prepare for backbends because it strengthens the spinal muscles.
When determining which yoga pose to highlight today, I could not help but ask our Co-Founder, Peter Agelasto, what pose is his favorite yoga pose. Why? Because Today is his Birthday. He has given so much time, effort and resources to this project. He is the ultimate Karma Yogi.
Open the heart and stretch the belly with Bhujangasana or Cobra Pose. Back bends stimulate the Kidney Energy and invigorate the heart. Back bends can counteract the effects of depression. During the winter, many people experience Seasonal Affective Disorder, SAD, because of the decrease in light.
It is wintertime. One of the best seasons to practice yoga simply because it is an excellent indoor activity. In the chinese tradition, wintertime is a time to focus on balancing the Kidney Energy (Qi). One way to access the Kidney Qi is to practice backbends. And since it is February, it is also nice to focus on poses that open the heart. One of the myriad backbending asanas to choose from isMatsyasana or Lord of the Fishes pose.
It is still cold here in Central Virginia. We have had an unusually precipitous Winter. Personally, I enjoy the change of seasons after several years living in a tropical climate in Southeast Asia. This Winter we have been challenged to slow down, go inside, reflect, meditate and truly hibernate. This can be difficult for those of us who prefer the growth of the Spring Season or the Fire of the Summer Season.
We are busy bees around here putting the final touches on the new iHanuman.com website. We will keep you posted with progress.
We wanted to share with you our latest podcast, a discussion of the Upanishads with Neil Bhatt. This lecture is brought to you live from the Charlottesville Yoga School.
The mission of the Africa Yoga Project is to empower youth, build a global community and increase well-being in East Africa. They have introduced hundreds of students in Kenya to the practice of yoga, as well provided educational scholarships, job training food stipends, temporary housing and health services.
Winter is here and it's even more important to eat well to keep our immune systems strong during these cold months. It is easy to fall into bad habits, filling up on stodgy comfort foods instead of the healthier options our bodies really need.
Winter is here and it's even more important to eat well to keep our immune systems strong during these cold months. It is easy to fall into bad habits, filling up on stodgy comfort foods instead of the healthier options our bodies really need.
