Poses

Contraindications for Back Injury

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  Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose)

  Bound Angle Pose is an excellent groin and hip-opener.

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  Ustrasana (Camel Pose)

  For this pose you can pad your knees and shins with a thickly folded blanket.

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  Savasana (Corpse Pose)

  Savasana is a pose of total relaxation--making it one of the most challenging asanas.

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  Agnistambhasana (Fire Log Pose)

  Stretches the outer hips intensely, particularly the piriformis, which is often the main culprit of sciatic pain.

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  Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Handstand)

  The alignment in Handstand is exactly the same as it is in Mountain, the only difference being in the position of the arms.

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  Kapotasana (King Pigeon Pose)

  Invigorates your body and gives your spirits a lift. An extremely deep backbend appropriate for advanced practitioners only.

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  Salabhasana (Locust Pose)

  An effective means for strengthening the back of the torso, legs, and arms in preparation for the deeper backbends.

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  Pasasana (Noose Pose)

  In the full pose the arms are wrapped around the squatting legs and the hands are clasped behind the back, forming a "noose."

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  Eka Pada Rajakapotasana II (One-Legged King Pigeon Pose II)

  Nowadays we simply shoo pigeons away from our public gathering places. But in Vedic times, 3,000 years ago, the pigeon was a bird of ill omen, the messenger of the goddess Nirriti, a personification of misfortune, misery, and death.

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  Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)

  The torso and legs represent the body of the bow, and the arms the string.

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  Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

  This posture promotes flexibility in the spine and encourages the chest to open.

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  Pincha Mayurasana (Feathered Peacock Pose)

  This pose is also commonly called Forearm or Elbow Balance.

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  Matsyasana (Fish Pose)

  It is said that if you perform this pose in water, you will be able to float like a fish.

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  Parsvottanasana (Intense Side Stretch Pose)

  This beginner variation is done with the hands on the floor.

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  Viparita Karani (Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose)

  Modern yogis agree that Viparita Karani may have the power to cure whatever ails you.

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  Natarajasana (Lord of the Dance Pose)

  Nataraja is another name for Shiva. His dance symbolizes cosmic energy.

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  Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (One-Legged King Pigeon Pose)

  Deep backbend that puffs the chest, making a yogi resemble a pigeon.

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  Eka Pada Koundiyanasana II (Pose Dedicated to the Sage Koundinya II)

  Tones the belly and spine, strengthens the arms and wrists, and gives your self-confidence a big boost.