yoga poses
Four Unconventional Backbend Preparations to Add to Your Practice and Teaching
Why should you read my advice on backbend preparations? Simple: because my backbends are average at best. This means that, A) my backbends are...
Yoga Pose Notebook: Astavakrasana
Long before photos of Handstand ruled the social media kingdom, Astavakrasana was king of the hill. Teachers would get one or two photos of...
Yoga Pose Notebook: Natarajasana (King Dancer Pose)
If you’ve spent time practicing with me, you know that I like to organize postures into categories. Sorry, I’m a Virgo. I’m also from the Midwest...
Yoga Pose Notebook: Ustrasana (Camel Pose)
I wanted to like Ustrasana, or Camel Pose, for years, but everything kept getting in my way. Everything, meaning, my lower back, my neck, and the...
Yoga Pose Notebook: Eka Pada Urdhva Dhanurasana
{illustration by MCKIBILLO} I think I’m pretty good at teaching yoga. But, I also think I get lazy once in a while and I don’t expose students to...
Yoga Pose Notebook: Lizard Pose
{illustration by MCKIBILLO}One Thing to Learn About Lizard PoseI’ve been easier, softer and lighter on my hips for the last couple of years. I used...
Yoga Pose Notebook: Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana (Revolved Head-to-Knee Pose)
{illustrations by MCKIBILLO} One Thing to Learn About Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana You don’t have to press the sitting bone that you’re leaning away...
Backbends: When and Why to Engage your Glutes
QUESTION Some teachers tell students not to “squeeze” or “grip” their gluteal muscles (or glutes) in backbends because this will compress the sacrum...
A Balanced Yoga Sequence to Lotus Pose
QUESTIONI struggle with tight hips and I want to learn Lotus Posture (Padmasana). Can you suggest a yoga sequence that will help me open my hips and...
My 5 Favorite Yoga Postures (And Why I Love Them)
Common wisdom tells you to work daily on the yoga poses that bring up resistance and challenge you. Personally, I’m okay with this sentiment—after...
Pranayama Ninja
Hey everyone! I have been so busy working on the Yogaland Podcast in the past year that I haven't had much time to blog. I miss it and I miss you! I...
The Expert’s Guide to Chaturanga, Part V
Teaching Chaturanga: Why Chaturanga is Tough to Teach -- and What to Do About It Doing Chaturanga is no picnic. But neither is teaching it. In fact,...
The Expert’s Guide To Chaturanga, Part IV
How to Do Chaturanga Transitions Safely OK, now onto the regularly scheduled program. Since writing the Expert’s Guide to Chaturanga Parts I,...
Support Yourself in Eka Pada Rajakapotasana I
{illustrations by MCKIBILLO} One Quick Tip for Practicing Pigeon Pose Hands down, Pigeon Pose is my favorite backbend. I love the combination of...
Yoga Pose Notebook: Visvamitrasana
{illustrations by MCKIBILLO} If you want to learn more, join me live at my 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification Program or join me online...
A New Take on Twists
Spring has sprung and all throughout yogaland, studios are hosting “detox flow” workshops that emphasize deep twists and side bends. And, no doubt,...
The Expert’s Guide to Chaturanga, Part III
The Best (and Worst) Chaturanga Modifications and Alternatives Yoga is for everybody. But, not every yoga posture is for everybody—including...
The Expert’s Guide to Chaturanga, Part II
Chaturanga Pose for Beginners: 5 Poses to Make Your Chaturanga Strong and Steady Chaturanga is an inextricable component of vinyasa yoga --but it’s...