35 Yoga Poses No One Ever Told You Are Core Work
You've been strengthening your core all along.
Author
Rachel Land
Rachel Land is a Yoga Medicine instructor offering group and one-on-one yoga sessions in Queenstown New Zealand, as well as on-demand at Practice.YogaMedicine.com. Passionate about the real-world application of her studies in anatomy and alignment, Rachel uses yoga to help her students create strength, stability, and clarity of mind. Rachel also co-hosts the new Yoga Medicine Podcast.
My Stories
3 Common Misconceptions About Core Strength
No, flat abs are not a true indicator of how strong you are.
How Long Should You Hold a Yoga Pose?
The answer, as with so many things in yoga and in life, depends.
Is it Safe to Transition From Warrior 3 to Half Moon?
There’s a lot of controversy in yoga around whether you can safely move from “closed hip” to “open hip” transitions. The answer? It’s complicated.
The Surprising Reason Why You Have a Hard Time Coming Into Handstand (And No, It Has Nothing to Do With Core Strength)
Here's what you can do to overcome it.
The Hidden Benefits of Stretching (That You’ve Definitely Never Heard of Before)
Not stretching as much as you know you should? What's revealed by this research will change that.
How to Create Better Balance
3 ways to train your body for steadiness—in yoga and in life
The One Cue That Can Transform Your Downward-Facing Dog
Your wrists will thank you.
This Is the Secret to Preventing Low Back Pain
Your lower back does enough. Here's how to move more efficiently in your practice—and in life.
Yoga Teachers, Are You Making This Common Mistake With Your Cues?
This language misstep can have a tremendous effect on your students' practice.
What Does It Mean When Your Teacher Cues “Breathe Into Your Belly”?
An exploration of the intention behind an anatomically incorrect instruction.
When Yoga Doesn’t “Work”
Four reasons you might not be seeing the results you expected—and why that might not be such a bad thing.
4 Underrated Yoga Poses You’re Overlooking In Your Practice
Because there's more to life than hip openers.
How a Wall Can Revolutionize Your Revolved Half Moon
This is the prop you didn't know you needed.
4 Common Postural Patterns That Cause Yoga Injuries
Plus, how to fix each to stay safe when you practice.
4 Surprising Ways to Use a Yoga Bolster
Want to challenge your stability and coordination? Grab a yoga bolster and try these four surprising moves.
10 Ways to Use Blocks to Advance Your Yoga Practice
Props aren’t just for beginners; they can be used to develop and even deepen dimensions of asana practice. The humble yoga block, for example, gives us countless ways to vary our practice—highlighting sensations that help us experience a pose in a new way. Here are 10 to try.
Yoga for Beginners: 10 Easy Poses That Help at Any Age
These poses and practices offer huge benefits for your body and mind—no matter your age or stage.
“Why I Don’t ‘Stretch’ Anymore”
Senior Yoga Medicine teacher Rachel Land created our Yoga for Flexibility Challenge but explains why it’s not all about about “stretching.”
Yoga for Flexibility Challenge Week 5: Strength Work
There’s a myth that a strong muscle is a tight one, and a flexible muscle is weak. It seems counterintuitive, but identifying and strengthening weak areas can actually help tight areas release their grip. Your challenge for this week is to address one or two of your dormant areas with targeted strength work. Share your progress on social media with #YJflexichallenge for a chance to be featured on our @YogaJournal Instagram page!
The Anatomy of Fascia—& What It Can Tell Us About How to Practice
Senior Yoga Medicine teacher Rachel Land breaks down the anatomy of fascia and four effective ways to keep it fit through yoga practice.
How “Fit” Is Your Fascia?
Senior Yoga Medicine teacher Rachel Land says don’t worry if you’ve never considered the health of your fascia before. As a yogi, you may already be taking good care of it anyway. Here, she outlines what it takes.