Camel Pose

This pose stretches the front of the body, ankles, thighs and groins. This pose can also help with strengthening the back and improving posture. 

Mega Yoga Flash Mob Planned

Wed August 24 between 6 and 7 Storm Yoga is hosting a massive yoga flash mob at NYC Grand Central Station.

Event page

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=217223261663730

Yoga Flash Mob NYC

10 Tips To Yoga Success At Home

1) The best time to do yoga is in the morning before breakfast, when your stomach is empty.

2) Empty your bowls before you start.

3) Have a space that is cleared of all furniture that could cause injury. A pace that is clean, clear of clutter and well ventilated is best.

4) Wear comfortable cloths.

5) Get the gear. Sticky yoga mats can be found in any style for any budget. Yoga belts and blocks to assist in poses are also extremely useful.

6) Always warm up, start with a variety of beginner poses to wake up the muscles and get the blood flowing.

7) Remember to breath deep and always through the nose.

8) Take relaxation breaks. This will allow you to practice longer and give you more strength for your poses

9) Don't push hard. Forcing a pose or stretching to far can lead to injury. The key to success in all posses is to be relaxed, but still engaged.

10) Avoid overeating before practice and drink lots of water. Yoga is also greatly enhanced by a healthy and  balanced diet.

Revolved Head-to-Knee Pose/Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana

The pose stretches the spine, shoulders, glutes, and hamstrings, as well as openning the back and hips. It can help with high blood pressure, mild backache, anxiety, fatigue, headache, stress and insomnia.

Incredible yoga girl

This is a video of an extremely talented young girl doing yoga. It is 10 min long but you only have to watch a little bit to be amazed.

Extended Triangle Pose/Utthita Trikonasana

Extended triangle pose stretches and strengthens the thighs, knees and ankles as well as the hips groins, hamstrings, calves, shoulders, chest and spine. It also improves digestion and relieves back pain, neck pain and stress. This pose also helps manage the effects of osteoporosis, flat foot, menopause and pregnancy.   

Paddle Board Yoga

I know some of you might think that this is a completely crazy idea, but paddle board yoga is a rising trend among coastal resorts. It literary consist of what the name says, doing yoga on a paddle board. The lack of stability of doing yoga on a paddle board gives you a core workout comparable to what you would get at the gym. It turns out that paddle boards function very well as non slip yoga mats and the extra strength that is needed to keep balance will improve your yoga routine faster then the traditional way. This is something anyone can try, the trick is finding the sweet spot on the board. Start on trying simple things, even just standing comfortably, then try shifting your weight around and progress from there. Anyone who has tried skateboarding/snowboarding or windsurfing/surfing before, this could come naturally to you. So if any of you are up at the cottage this summer and have an old paddle board kicking around, give it a try!

Lunge Pose

Lunge pose is good for strengthening the thighs, calves and core muscles. It also helps with indigestion, constipation and sciatica. An easier variation of this pose is to keep your hands on the ground in front of you and look straight ahead or at the floor.

Yoga and the Olympics?

Yoga competitions are a constantly increasing worldwide activity. In India yoga has been a traditional sport for over 1200 years. The World Yoga council has recently been pushing to get yoga entered as an Olympic event. Many people are very supportive of this idea, however a lot of controversy has been raised. Will making yoga more competitive destroy the spiritual and lifestyle components of it? Below is a link to an article that got me interested in this idea.

http://yogamagazine.discover-yoga-online.com/yoga-competition.html

Sun Salutation/Surya Namaskar

Sun Salutation is a warm up exercise that consists of 12 poses.It is usually done at the beginning of a yoga to warm up the body. Sun salutation improves your strength and flexibility while toning your muscles and is great for every age and level of flexibility.

This is a you tube video that will take you through all the steps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P5PSqmnu88

The Bending Enthusiast is also now on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bending-Enthusiast/190084014388317

Bikram/Hot Yoga

So I have shown you some different yoga poses. This is a post about a type of yoga, hot yoga. Hot yoga is usually done in a room heated to about 40 degrees celsius or 105 fahrenheit. Doing yoga at this temperature causes the body to sweat and essentially detoxify. The heat also allows for capillaries to dilate, which allows for increased absorption of oxygen. More oxygen allows better blood circulation and cardiovascular activity by creating more lung capacity. It is great for those aiming for weight loss as well as curing many health problems by strengthening the immune system. I started hot yoga just over a year ago, it is intense but will leave you feeling great after. A tip from personal experience, don't ware cotton clothing to class.

Paripurna Navasana/Full Boat Pose

This pose strengthens your abdomen, legs and lower back. It is good for stimulating the kidneys, thyroid and prostate glands Remember to push out your chest and keep your arms and legs strong and your stomach soft.

Hala-asana/Plow Pose

This pose stretches your calves and thighs as well as lengthening the spine. It also is good for relieving gas and stimulating the digestive system.  A more advanced version of this pose is to bring your knees all the way to the ground

Bakasana/Crane Pose

This is a pose that greatly helps to increase your strength and balance by working your abdominal muscles. It is a foundation in arm balancing poses. Remember not to let your elbows splay or raise your hips too high.

Agnistambhasana/Fire Log Pose/Double Pigeon Pose

This is a hip stretching pose. Another version of this pose is to lean forward with your legs foldeded. Remember to always bend from your lower back.

Balasana/Childs Pose

This is a beginner pose that is ideal for resting in. It stretches your ankles hips and thighs. There are two variations to this pose, one with your arms at your sides (see picture below) and the other with your arms out in front of  you.