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 and lower back. Others say that it’s essential to use the glutes in backbends. What do you recommend? ANSWER First,...
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 do Lotus Pose? ANSWERThere’s a common mistake many of us make when trying to grow a Lotus (Padmasana yoga pose):...
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 all, there’s plenty of value in exploring the edges of your comfort zone. As a practitioner and teacher, though, I tend...
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 have grand plans to get back to it and to create more content this year that will serve you. For today, I’m...
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, most of us don’t actually try to teach Chaturanga. We just say “Chaturanga” when it’s time for students to do the...