What Happens During Savasana in Your Class?


Updated 09/05/10 8:44 AM · Posted by Fit Community · 7 comments

Especially Relaxing Massage in Savasana in Yoga Class

The final resting pose in a yoga class known as Savasana is so relaxing, but FitSugar reader bigestivediscuit shared an especially relaxing experience in the Yoga Stretch and Tell community group. Last night I had a nearly orgasmic moment on the train ride home when the breeze coming through the hot subway carriage's window made the China gel my yoga instructor had massaged into my neck during Read more

Choose a Yoga Class That Fits Your Personality


Updated 07/28/10 12:27 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 12 comments

Types of Yoga Explained

When I tell people I teach yoga, I hear things like, "I always wanted to take yoga but it's way too hot," or, "I could never do yoga because it's way too slow." The thing is, there are so many different types of yoga that whatever your personality, one style will be right for you. If you've always wanted to try a yoga class, check out the chart below to see which kind of class you should Read more

Yoga Video: Jump Through With Blocks


Posted by FitSugar · 3 comments

Yoga Video:  Jump Through With Blocks

The jump through vinyasa is one of the toughest moves to master in Yoga, but it's an important move to learn since it brings an amazing sense of fluidity to your practice. If you've tried it a million times, and are constantly kicking your hands or crashing your booty into the ground, then you are probably frustrated. Here's a trick to make your attempts successful and to strengthen your core Read more

Yoga Video: Vinyasa to Cobra


Updated 09/19/07 7:45 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 0 comments

When it comes to yoga, I'm a huge fan of the kinds that use vinyasas, like Ashtanga and Jivamukti, since the vinyasa keeps you moving. Vinyasas are movement transitions that link poses together making your practice like a continuous fluid dance. I've already shown you how to do a vinyasa between seated postures. Now here's a video to show you how to do a vinyasa to get from a standing pose Read more

Are You Slipping on Your Mat? Try a Rug


Updated 03/01/11 8:19 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 7 comments

Are You Slipping on Your Mat? Try a Rug

Saying that Ashtanga, Bikram, and Vinyasa yoga classes are sweaty is a bit of an understatement. The room is heated (in Bikram can be over 100°F), and you're moving vigorously, so your body sweats profusely to cool you down. In the first 15 minutes, my entire outfit is soaking wet and little beads of sweat start dripping from my chin. The worst part is that my palms get really sweaty Read more

Strike a Yoga Pose: Beginner's Sage


Updated 04/24/09 7:34 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 8 comments

Strike a Yoga Pose:  Beginner's Sage

I'm sure you all have your favorite yoga poses. We love ones that help you stretch out and increase your flexibility. Or the ones that help us heal or rehabilitate injured muscles. We also love the ones that relieve tension and stress. Then there are the poses are all about strength. They're challenging to do, so when you finally get into them, you feel confident, safe, and stable. Sage is one Read more

A Little Sanskrit Lesson: Animal Names


Updated 08/17/07 5:45 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 2 comments

A Little Sanskrit Lesson:  Animal Names

When you take a yoga class (especially Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Jivamukti classes), sometimes the instructor will call out the names of the poses in their original language, Sanskrit. Here's a list of some animals in Sanskrit and the poses they're named after. Knowing these Sanskrit words really helped me to remember the names of certain yoga poses. Baka - crow, crane or wading bird, as in Read more

Vinyasa: The Link Between Poses


Updated 06/25/08 9:52 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 7 comments

Yoga is all about connecting your breath with your body, and vinyasas help that happen. Vinyasas link static yoga poses together, so your practice becomes more of a deliberate, fluid dance instead of just a bunch of random poses thrown together. Vinyasa is a series of 5 movements, kind of like a shortened Sun Salutation. You do a vinyasa between different poses and between the right and left Read more

A Little Sanskrit Lesson: Basics


Updated 07/08/09 2:22 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 3 comments

A Little Sanskrit Lesson:  Basics

When I go to certain yoga classes (especially Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Jivamukti classes), sometimes the instructors don't demonstrate the postures. They walk around assisting students, and call out the names of the poses - in SANSKRIT! Here's a little lesson so the next time you go to a yoga class like this, you can have more of an idea of what poses you're supposed to be doing. Asana - "pose," Read more