All Content

Hidden dangers can lurk within even the most familiar pose. Here's how to play it smart and safe.

A mindful home practice is a healthy practice, because you're in charge: When you're feeling low, you can take it easy, and when you're energized, you can rev it up.

Turning your light inward and embarking on the path of self-inquiry is a simple but powerful method of meditation.

Practice this flowing sequence at home and let it remind you of your connection to things larger than yourself.

No matter how advanced your practice is, surely there are asanas you'd just as soon avoid. Here, five top teachers divulge their nemeses and what they've learned by practicing them.

Accepting our physical sensations—whether pleasant or not—is one of the most challenging and liberating of practices.

Twisting Poses will help restore your spine's natural range of motion, cleanse your organs, and stimulate circulation.

Growth of these qualities is a sure sign that your students are on the right path in their spiritual practice.

Check out Judith Hanson Lasater's author page.

Twists can be heaven for a bad back—if you don't push too hard. Learn how to do these 9 stretches for the spine to ease pain in your back.

Check out Annie Buckley's author page.

Check out Alan di Perna's author page.

Check out Sara Avant Stover's author page.

Check out Dan Charnas's author page.

Check out Samantha Mabry's author page.

Check out Erin Hull's author page.

Check out Joel Smith's author page.

Check out Peggy van Hulsteyn's author page.

Find the courage to face your biggest fears.

A journalist in Kabul surprises herself by sharing yoga with her local colleagues—and learning as much as she teaches.

If you want to make lasting change in your life, practice starting over.

Check out Kaitlin Quistgaard's author page.

Check out Andrea Ferretti's author page.

Check out YJ Editors's author page.

Check out Sage Rountree's author page.

Check out Andrea Kowalski's author page.

Check out YJ Editors's author page.

Check out YJ Editors's author page.

Ujjayi is the beginner-friendly springboard for all other formal pranayama.

While the asanas are a great place to start, adding other yogic tools may help deepen spiritual growth and well-being.

Learn one of three important "bonds," key for pranayama breath retention.

Using yoga props can help you find balance and alignment. We break down basic poses to reeducate and still the mind by awakening the body's intelligence.

Sometimes considered a preparation for pranayama, other times a formal practice in itself.

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.

The Fire Log Pose stretches the outer hips intensely, particularly the piriformis, which is often the main culprit of sciatic pain.

Learn the two versions of Single Nostril Pranayama: Surya Bhedana (Sun-Piercing Breath) and Chandra Bhedana (Moon-Piercing Breath).

A cross between Child's Pose and Downward-Facing Dog, Extended Puppy Pose lengthens the spine and calms the mind.

Practice this pranayama technique for increased breath awareness and control.

Can you practice Wheel with straight arms and Headstand without strain? Then, you're ready.

Eka Pada Koundinyasana I or Pose Dedicated to the Sage Koundinya I has a lot going on—the twist, the legs going their separate ways, oh, and the arm balance. Master it.

An excellent facilitator of good pelvic floor health, Garland Pose, called Malasana in Sanskrit, stretches the ankles, groins, and back while stimulating proper digestion. No worries if your heels don't reach the floor—simply rest them on a folded blanket.

In Extended Hand-to-big-toe Pose, maintaining solid grounding through the standing foot helps keep you steady.

Kapotasana invigorates your body and gives your spirits a lift. This extremely deep backbend is appropriate for advanced practitioners only.

This pose gently lengthens and strengthens even stubbornly tight hamstrings.

Ease up into Half Frog Pose, called Ardha Bhekasana in Sanskrit. This pose strengthens the back while gently opening up the shoulders, chest, and thighs—a loving treat for the entire body.

Sphinx Pose is the infant of backbends. It can be practiced with either an active or passive approach.

Learn how to guide your students to bear weight on their hands with mindfulness and hand positioning tips so they avoid injury and gain upper-body strength.

Dolphin Pose strengthens the core, arms, and legs, while also nicely opening the shoulders.

Check out Dan Charnas's author page.

Check out YJ Editors's author page.

Check out YJ Editors's author page.

Check out YJ Editors's author page.

Check out YJ Editors's author page.

Learn this traditional hand seal or gesture used for controlled pranayama.

Through the practice of yoga, you can learn to hear—and follow—your inner guidance.

Kapalabhati is a traditional internal cleansing technique (kriya), and can be used as a simple warm-up for formal pranayama

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

Do happiness and peace sound like worthy goals? You may be surprised how enlightened you'll feel if you just "pretend."

Quiet your racing mind and tune in to the stillness that resides inside you by practicing mantra meditation.

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

This four-part meditation clears the heart and quiets the mind.

Check out YJ Editors's author page.

Check out Timothy McCall MD's author page.

Check out Brenda K. Plakans's author page.

Check out Rachel Brahinsky's author page.

Check out Sara Avant Stover's author page.

Check out YJ Editors's author page.

Check out YJ Editors's author page.

Check out YJ Editors's author page.

Check out Timothy McCall MD's author page.

Tadasana (Mountain Pose) is the posture that invokes Samasthiti. These poses are not different. They are the same.

Check out YJ Editors's author page.

Check out YJ Editors's author page.

Count your blessings and you'll find that even a "bad" day is filled with precious gifts.

Check out Sara Avant Stover's author page.

Check out Judith Hanson Lasater's author page.

Check out Julie Gudmestad's author page.

Enjoy the stability of gravity's pull and the freedom of flying in Revolved Half Moon Pose.

Check out Hillari Dowdle with asana instruction by Tim Miller's author page.

Check out Hillari Dowdle, Asana Instruction by Tim Miller's author page.