The Closing Sequence of Ashtanga Yoga is a powerful and grounding way to end a vigorous class. These particular poses are not limited to just Ashatanga; you can find many of them in other styles of yoga as well. So if you practice yoga, it's good to be familiar with this popular sequence. Plus if you ever experiment with Ashtanga you will be in the know. The poses are listed in sequence as they Read more

I have been showing you all the poses of the Closing Sequence of Ashtanga Yoga, and here is the second to last pose. This is the last of the seated postures and it really works your abs. It's called Lifted Lotus for obvious reasons; your legs are in lotus and you're lifting your entire lower body off the ground. It takes a lot of abdominal strength to do this pose, but after you practice it for Read more

Lotus is the next pose in the closing sequence of Ashtanga Yoga after Bound Lotus. This is the pose I'm sure everyone thinks of when they think of yoga. It's a calming pose that many people choose to meditate in, and many yoga classes often begin or end in this pose. Sanskrit Name: Padmasana English Translation: Lotus Also Called: Pretzel If you are following the closing sequence, Read more

We're up to the last three poses in the closing sequence of Ashtanga Yoga. They're all poses that involve having your legs in full lotus. This pose not only stretches your hips, but it also opens your chest and stretches your shoulders and lower back. Sanskrit Name: Baddha Padmasana English Translation: Bound Lotus Pose How do you get into it? To find out read more Read more

Inversions are some of my favorite types of Yoga poses because I love how energized I feel getting blood circulating to my head. Plus overcoming the challenge of putting your head where your feet should be is quite satisfying. Talk about an ego boost. It should come as no surprise that inversions give you a new and interesting perspective on life. Since I have shown you all Bound Headstand A, Read more

After doing Shoulderstand, it feels great to open up your throat and stretch through the front of your body in Fish pose. Here's a variation called Extended Fish. Not only does it stretch out your throat and chest, but it also works your abs and increases flexibility in your spine. Sanskrit Name: Uttana Padasana English Translation: Extended Legs Pose Also Called: Extended Fish Want Read more

I love poses that really stretch out your spine, and this pose called Embryo will give you an amazing stretch from your neck to your tailbone. It's one the postures of the Ashtanga closing sequence, but you'll find it in other yoga classes as well. Sanskrit Name: Pindasana English Translation: Embryo Pose Also Called: Baby Pose Want to see how to get into it? Then read more Read more

There are some yoga poses that just about everyone has heard of or done. Down Dog, Tree, Seated Forward Bend — these are pretty standard poses that anyone can practice, so they tend to be included in many yoga classes. Fish pose is another pretty popular pose, and it's a counter-pose for Shoulderstand since it stretches out the throat, chest and shoulders in the opposite direction. It feels Read more

If you're loving stretching out your upper back and neck doing Shoulderstand and Ear Pressure pose, you're going to love doing Balancing Lotus. This pose also works your back and core muscles, and it's fun to practice staying up. Sanskrit Name: Urdhva Padmasana English Translation: Upward Lotus Pose Also Called: Balancing Lotus Want to know the secret for staying balanced without Read more

I love how Shoulderstand pose stretches out the back of my neck, and I love to do the Ear Pressure pose to deepen the stretch. It stretches your entire spine brilliantly, and because your knees are pressed against your ears, you drown out all outside sounds and can really bring your awareness inward. Sanskrit Name: Karnapidasana English Translation: Ear Pressure Pose Also Called: Read more