Poses

Contraindications for High Blood Pressure

• 

  Bharadvajasana I (Bharadvaja's Twist)

  This gentle twist is a tonic for the spine and the abdominal organs.

• 

  Kumbhaka Pranayama (Breath Retention)

  Kumbhaka is the central practice of traditional Hatha pranayama; there are two types of retention: after an inhale (antara), and after an exhale (bahya)

• 

  Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle Pose)

  Stretch along the top side of the body, from the back heel through the raised arm.

• 

  Pincha Mayurasana (Feathered Peacock Pose)

  This pose is also commonly called Forearm or Elbow Balance.

• 

  Ardha Bhekasana (Half Frog Pose)

  This pose is more than a backbend; it opens the shoulders, chest, and thighs all at once.

• 

  High Lunge, Variation

  This variation of High Lunge is also a great preparation for the full version of Virabhadrasana I Pose (Warrior I Pose).

• 

  Kapotasana (King Pigeon Pose)

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

• 

  Marichyasana III (Marichi's Pose)

  Marichi's Pose is sometimes called the Sage's Pose.

• 

  Halasana (Plow Pose)

  Plow Pose reduces backache and can help you get to sleep.

• 

  Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)

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

• 

  Ustrasana (Camel Pose)

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

• 

  Utthita Trikonasana (Extended Triangle Pose)

  Triangle Pose is the quintessential standing pose in many styles of yoga.

• 

  Matsyasana (Fish Pose)

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

• 

  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.

• 

  Parsvottanasana (Intense Side Stretch Pose)

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

• 

  Natarajasana (Lord of the Dance Pose)

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

• 

  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.

• 

  Parivrtta Parsvakonasana (Revolved Side Angle Pose)

  One of three revolved variations of standing poses.