Balancing poses mostly require a tremendous amount of focus, but this one, which is a creative cross between Sage and Half Moon, requires strength in your upper body and core as well. As challenging as it is, it's also a really fun pose to try, because it makes you feel so open, adventurous, and bold. Sanskrit Name: Utthita Ardha Chandrasana English Translation: Extended Half Moon Pose Read more

In celebration of Arbor Day this Friday, I can't help but think about the peaceful and majestic Tree pose. If you've mastered the basic pose already, here are some ways to challenge your Tree. Arch: When doing the traditional Tree pose, balancing your torso straight over your standing leg allows you to stack your bones on top of each other to create a stable pose. Make balancing on one leg Read more

As beings who walk with their heads stacked over their feet, it's no surprise that going upside down in your yoga class scares the om out of you. Fear of falling, neck or other pains, and the sheer oddness of seeing the world from a whole new perspective can make inversions lowest on your list of faves. If you get upset whenever your teacher suggests headstands, forearm stands, or handstands, Read more

Practicing yoga is one of the best ways to relieve stress, but since you're holding yourself in challenging positions, it's also a killer workout for your upper body. Superstrong, sculpted arms not only look good in a strapless dress, but also enable you to do more advanced yoga poses. Here are some ways you can build a stronger upper body with yoga. Practice, practice, practice: Taking a class Read more

I've tried hundreds of yoga DVDs, and many of them I've only used once. Videos created by Shiva Rea are different though. Her calming energy, dynamic yoga sequences, creativity, and strength are inspirational. Her Creative Core + Upper Body video is my absolute favorite, but I also keep Fluid Power — Vinyasa Flow Yoga near my DVD player. I have another DVD to add to my pile of faves: Shiva's Read more

If wrist pain has you coming out of poses like Down Dog or arm balances like Crow and Sage, I'm not surprised. Our wrists rarely bear more weight than a plate of food or possibly a purse. Asking your wrists to take most of your body weight is a big request. I'm not saying your wrists can't handle the challenge, but aside from gradually working on the duration you hold postures and letting the Read more

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar. Hatha Yoga Origin: Introduced in 15th-century India by Hindu sage, Yogi Swatmarama, Hatha poses — Downward Facing Dog, Cobra, Eagle, and Wheel, for example — make up most yoga sequences practiced today. Philosophy: The goal of Hatha yoga is to bridge the body and mind with the breath in a series of physical poses Read more