Poses by Anatomy

One of yoga's most versatile backbends, Bridge Pose can fire you up or cool you down depending on what you need.

Frustrating as it can be, Parsvottanasana is key for increasing hamstring and shoulder flexibility. Learn how to work it.

Use your breath to open your chest and backbend mindfully into Upward-Facing Dog Pose.

Try this simple Kundalini practice to maintain focus and improve memory.

Work the small muscles of your inner thighs—often overlooked in yoga—to find ease in all sorts of poses.

Forget destination and let Upavistha Konasana take you on an inner journey. Here are your directions, enjoy the ride.

Help even your stiffest students get the most from sidebends.

A toned backside is a beautiful thing, especially when you learn to relax your posterior hip muscles.

Learn how to work stiff hips from every angle in Pigeon Pose.

The perfect microcosm of yoga, Downward-Facing Dog Pose can change your entire practice—maybe even life.

Learn how mastering the subtle actions of the rotator cuff in a Down Dog each day can keep painful injuries at bay.

Learn the fundamentals of how to safely come into Marichyasana III.

Don't let tight quadriceps keep you from one of yoga's most relaxing poses: Supta Virasana.

This side-reclining pose stretches the backs of the legs, the sides of the torso, and tones the belly.

When you practice Standing Splits focus on the stretch in your quad and hamstring, not how high you can lift your leg.

This arm balance, Bhujapidasana, relies more on precise positioning than on strength, making it more accessible for students beginning an arm balancing practice.

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

According to Hindu lore, the Peacock symbolizes immortality, love, and patience. Peacock Pose, called Mayurasana in Sanskrit, works to lovingly strengthen the core while stretching the palm side of the wrists.

"Four-Limbed Staff Pose" says it all. This pose becomes much easier when the rest of your body pitches in. Learn how to get the most out of this challenging pose.

Low Lunge, or Anjaneyasana in Sanskrit, stretches the thighs and groins and opens the chest. It provides recovery post-workout, and boosts energy while consciously working to improve posture.

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana II allows you to stretch the entire front body and deep into the hip flexors to strengthen your back and improve posture.

Prasarita Padottanasana is not only the perfect prep for standing poses but for your cool-down, too.

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

While neck rolls and stretches can be great for calming stressed students, they're not safe for everyone. Here, discover the two things you should be wary about, and how to teach yoga exercises for the neck safely to your students.

Richard Rosen tells the story of Virabhadra and how you can use Warrior II to improve balance and build strength.

Find length in front body before forward folding in Ardha Uttanasana.

Urdhva Hastasana translates to "Raised Hands Pose," but it is also sometimes called Talasana, the Palm Tree Pose.

Counteract the effects of Modern-Day Sitting Syndrome by lengthening your hip flexors in High Lunge.

According to Reuters, recent studies conducted in Sweden and India show that yoga can reverse biochemical changes associated with high blood pressure, obesity, and high blood sugar. Waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar, and triglycerides were significantly lower, and "good"...

Help your students fully experience the benefits of Corpse Pose (Savasana), through the exploration of their anatomy.

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Forget crunche, have you met Urdhva Prasarita Padasana? It's a key yoga ab toner and back strengthener.

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Most yoga poses fall into the harder-than-it-looks category. Lolasana? Well, give it a try. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Shoulder injuries are common among yogis, but they don't have to be. Here's how to care for your shoulders, not tear them down.

Strong and flexible toes are key to improving your balance. But the toes can be stiff and clumsy, especially for beginner yogis. Here’s how yoga can help.

Bow Pose works against hunched shoulders by opening them from the front and strengthening them from the back.

Tune in to the infinite and tune up your body with this energizing Kundalini sequence for optimum health.

Heal your carpal tunnel syndrome for good with this innovative yogic approach.

Give your feet just a little attention, and your whole body will feel better.

Which type of scoliosis are you living with? These yoga poses will relieve and possibly reverse the symptoms.

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Yoga can be a source of knee pain or the ideal therapy. Here's a primer on keeping the joint healthy on and off the mat.

Yoga poses might help take the pressure off the abdominal wall.

Learn to relax and overcome neck tension with this specialized sequence.

This sequence creates balance in your pelvis and can unlock even the most stubborn hips.

Going upside down makes you stronger and more flexible. Plus it changes your perspective. Use this sequence to build a Forearm Balance and watch your body and mind transform.

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.

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

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.

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

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).

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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Check out Timothy McCall MD's author page.

Just as you can practice heart opening in your thoughts and emotions, you can also experience opening the heart space in your physical body.

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A footloose approach isn't always for the best. Teach your students to firm up their feet for strong balance poses.

Deep, seated twists have the power to transform your spine. Learn how to twist right into Ardha Matsyendrasana.

Yoga helps circulate the synovial fluid inside your joints, but too much fluid is a sign of inflammation. Here’s how your yoga practice can both prevent and heal inflamed joints.

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Check out Julie Gudmestad's author page.