Supine Spinal Twist (Supta Matsyendrasana)
Benefits: Releases tension from chest, shoulders and back May realign spine Relaxes nervous system Strengthens the lungs Cautions: Spinal problems including herniated discs and osteoporosis of the spine …
Yoga Exercise
Learn more about yoga asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), the effects they have on the body and mind and the many health benefits that can be experienced with regular practice.
Should I Close My Eyes During Yoga Exercise?
If you ever close your eyes while in a yoga pose you might feel one of two things: either wobbly and a bit unbalanced, or centered and enjoying …
Complete your Core Support with Breathing
In a previous article I have talked about using the bandhas for core support. The bandhas provide great internal support for the core during our yoga poses and …
Ujjayi Breathing
Having trouble sleeping? Try some ujjayi breathing from the comfort of your bed. This soft throat breath calms the nervous system not only at night but when ever …
What Style of Yoga Asana is Right For You?
Choosing your yoga routine, whether it’s in a class situation or at home, is like choosing what to eat from a table full of many varieties of food. …
3 Yoga Tips to Keep You Cool This Summer
Summer is a time of heat and humidity especially here in Queensland. Although many people find the heat unbearable, it is actually a great time to get a …
Sheetali (Rolled Tongue Breathing)
This simple breathing practice has been clinically proven to lower blood pressure. It also calms the mind and nervous system. It is renowned for cooling the body and …
Standing Wide Leg Forward Fold (Prasarita Padottanasana)
This relaxing version of the standing forward fold releases spinal tension and takes the head down below the heart into a gentle, soothing inversion. In this pose we …
3 Tips for Improving Your Balance
Often, I have people ask me how they can get better at balancing poses. I think many people will find their balance unexplainedly changes from day to day. …
Should I Be Tucking My Tailbone?
So often in a yoga session we hear the cue ‘tuck the tailbone’ The cue is sometimes given as a general instruction but usually is given when someone …
Tolasana (Scales Pose)
This pose builds strength in the core, shoulders, upper back and arms. It is also a wonderful way to release tension from the back. The full pose requires …
5 Yoga Tips to See You Through Your Work Day
Another day at work. Those of us who have a full time job will know how little time there is for everything else. Full timers spend at least …
Grow your Core with Yoga
Broadly speaking the core of the body is the torso and all its working parts – organs, bones, muscles etc. When we talk about core strength however, we …
Balancing Table Top (Bird/Dog Pose)
Commonly called Bird/Dog Pose, this is a beginner’s core strengthening pose which also tones the lower and upper back, the hamstrings, glutes and the arm muscles. It gives …
Nurture your Heart with Yoga
Many people come along to yoga to relax and get rid of tension. After all, life can get so complicated, full of turmoil and even sometimes out of …
Yoga & Gratitude
So here we are in May. Every month has something special about it, something we can feel especially grateful for. This month is special because of Mother’s Day. …
Headstand Modifications
Let’s look at Headstand, Salamba Sirsasana, a pose which we all might like to do but which for many, is totally out of range. If we already have …
Yoga Adds Years to Your Life & Life to Your Years
Who amongst does not want a long and healthy life? A life that’s rich and fulfilling. Days spent pursuing our passions. According to some researchers this pursuit of …
New Beginnings: 2020 Here We Come!
January is a time of new beginnings. It is the month we make our resolutions, when we try new things, and when we reflect on and evaluate the …
Investigating Warrior 2 (Virabhasana 2)
Sometimes when I am instructing the class how to move into the Warrior 2 pose I look around the yoga room dotted with yogis of varying flexibility and …
Warrior 2 (Virabhasana 2)
Benefits Strengthens the legs, hips, back and shoulders Increases flexibility in the hips and shoulders Calms the nervous system if held with deep slow breathing Cautions Balance – …
Exultant Warrior
This is an energizing pose which expands our side ribs helping to open spaces in our lungs that might not have been reached for a long time. You …
Make the Most of Spring
Spring and the weather is warming up! I love it when there is a warmth to the atmosphere and the breeze is gentle and caressing, a little delicate …
Defy Gravity with Yoga
In our everyday language we talk about being, ‘depressed’, ‘weighed down’ and ‘carrying the load of the world on our shoulders’ – all terms we use to describe …
A Yoga Guide to Winter Wellness
In our plans about how to keep well for winter how many of us consider the lymphatic system? Many of us don’t really know what it does! Well …
5 Tips for Becoming More Flexible
You may have noticed that some people are naturally very flexible. They swoop into their lunges with effortless ease, their forward bends are deep folds and their back …
Hamstring PNF Stretching
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is a way of stretching, which involves both the stretching and contracting of the muscle group being targeted. It is said to be one of …
Dynamic Extended Mountain
This exercise is great to do out in the fresh air first thing in the morning or it can be used as an energy recharge throughout the day. …
Subtleties in Yoga Breathing
This week I made the discovery that simply blocking the ears during a particular breathing pose had an almost opposite result to the same breathing pose done without …
Five Tibetan Rites Part 2
Find Part 1 here! 5 Tibetan Rites Full Version Traditionally attributed to ancient monks living in the harsh conditions of the cold rocky Tibetan mountains, these five …
The Act of Breathing
The respiratory system is a collection of passageways thats function is to filter and carry air into the lungs via the unconscious and instinctive act of breathing. It …
Five Tibetan Rites – Yoga Asanas for Clarity
Tradition has it that these 5 poses were adopted by Tibetan monks to keep them strong and living long. Whether that’s true or not they certainly are a …
How to Ensure a Happy New Year The Yoga Way
What’s on your happiness bucket list this year? I bet its not hard to make one! But what is hard is to find is a way of keeping …
3 Tips for a Sustainable Holiday Practice
Yoga at Christmas time, is there a place for it? Here in Australia Christmas time brings hot, hot summer days and nights, full tummies and days filled with …
Salute to the Moon
Sustain your yoga habit with this easy flow to free up your energy pathways and start or end your day with a soft radiance. Find the video here! …
Can Yoga Help Fight Depression?
All it takes is an hour or so on your mat on a regular basis to feel uplifted! In fact many studies using written questions to assess the …
Lion Pose – Simhasana
Lion Pose invokes a feeling of light-hearted playfulness. This silly looking pose is also said to strengthen the voice, reduce wrinkles of the face and neck, benefit the …
Brahmari Breathing
Studies have found that Brahmari breathing increases the release of nitric oxide in the sinuses, helping to reduce painful inflammation of the sinuses. Other studies have concluded that …
How to Balance Your Spring Energy with Breath
Spring is here, awakening within it sparkling new beginnings. A time to grow, to renew and to discover. A time also that needs balance, steadiness and nurturing, because …
Extended Side Angle Pose
This is a heating pose that has multiple benefits. It is very strengthening for the legs, hips, back and shoulder muscles and strengthens the core as well. Importantly …