Sign up for our free yoga course.
The core of yoga practice is execution of asanas or yoga positions. You may hear "posture", "pose" or "asana", but which one is correct? These words all mean the same thing. It is personal preference as to which word you or someone else may use. Yoga positions sustain proper circulation in your body and channels energy where it needs it the most. Every position has some physical or mental benefit.
When performing yoga positions, especially beginners, you need patience because asanas are often deceivingly simple. Practicing yoga poses the wrong way is very risky to your health. But, with continued practice you can increase flexibility and balance which allows you to do positions almost effortlessly. Begin with simple poses and advance your way up to more difficult ones.
There are many variations to most postures so if you ever experience pain or discomfort stop and find an alternative. Yoga is meant to flow and connect the mind, body and spirit. When your body is in a painful place, this disrupts the benefits of your efforts. Therefore, it is important that you do not over exert yourself while holding yoga positions.
All poses come from these 4 basic starting positions:
This position begins by lying down in prone on the front side of your chest and abdomen with your chin on the floor. Both hands are lying beside your thighs and palms are on the floor.
This position starts by lying on your back with legs together, extended with toes erect and your hands straight with the palms on the floor.
While sitting, both legs should be together and stretched out with toes and spine erect. Both of your hands should be straight and palms resting on the floor.
This position helps with achieving stability of your pulse. It begins by standing erect with your feet close together and heels touching each other.
"I was in yoga the other day. I was in full lotus position. My chakras were all aligned. My mind is cleared of all clatter and I'm looking out of my third eye and everything that I'm supposed to be doing. It's amazing what comes up, when you sit in that silence. 'Mama keeps whites bright like the sunlight, Mama's got the magic of Clorox 2."
-Ellen DeGeneres