Poses

Contraindications for Neck Injury

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  Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose)

  Calms the brain and rejuvenates tired legs.

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  Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose)

  Can't see the cow face? Notice that the crossed legs look like the lips. The bent-elbow arms, one up and one down, are the ears.

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  Dolphin Pose

  A nice shoulder-opening. Also strengthens the core, arms, and legs.

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  Pincha Mayurasana (Feathered Peacock Pose)

  This pose is also commonly called Forearm or Elbow Balance.

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  Ardha Bhekasana (Half Frog Pose)

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

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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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  High Lunge

  There's no agreed-upon Sanskrit name for this pose, though some schools of yoga call it the Ashva Sanchalanasana, or Horse Rider's Pose.

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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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  Jalandhara Bandha (Net-Bearer Bond)

  Jalandhara Bandha is one of three important "bonds" for pranayama breath retention, the other two being Mula and Uddiyana.

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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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  Dolphin Plank Pose

  A modification of Plank Pose, Dolphin Plank Pose strengthens and tones the core, thighs, and arms.

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  Utthita Trikonasana (Extended Triangle Pose)

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

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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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  Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose)

  Highly effective strengthener for the legs and ankles.

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  Ananda Balasana (Happy Baby Pose)

  This pose gently brings a greater awareness to the hip joints.

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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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  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.