These 12 Exercises Will Feel So Good on Your Feet
It takes more than a pedicure to truly care for your feet. Here’s how to find more stability in yoga—and in life—by giving your feet some TLC.
Explore yoga poses by type, from arm balances to backbends, inversions, twists and more. Plus, find sequences and step-by-step pose instructions for each to enhance your practice.
It takes more than a pedicure to truly care for your feet. Here’s how to find more stability in yoga—and in life—by giving your feet some TLC.
Boat Pose, or Paripurna Navasana, requires you to balance on the tripod of your sitting bones and tailbone to build mental and physical focus, inspiring a full-body awareness.
As a counterpose to Utthita Trikonasana and preparation for seated forward bends and twists, this pose is key to a skilled practice.
One of the most basic yoga poses can remind you that handling the stress and anxiety of everyday life doesn't have to require effort.
Savasana is a pose of total relaxation—making it one of the most challenging.
It seems so simple as to hardly be a pose. But this basic posture contains the secrets of how to hold yourself in countless other poses.
Learn how to properly stretch your hamstrings, hips, and side body in other poses before you try this demanding (yet totally doable) pose.
If you still cross your legs when you sneeze or situate your mat at the back of class "just in case," you can do more than just Kegels to recover.
You’re not the only one to quietly curse when the teacher cues this pose. Here’s how to strengthen your body so you no longer dread Navasana. We swear.
Working on arm balances? This quick practice is for you.
Being upside down can shift how we view the world—literally and figuratively.
Nervous about twisting? The movement can actually benefit your spine and back. Here's why.
If you’ve found yourself lying on the floor often over the past year-plus, this practice is for you.
And they take less than 15 minutes.
Bend back into the shape of a bow to feel energetically locked, loaded, and ready to take aim.
This revolved variation of Utthita Parsvakonasana requires a lot of flexibility to twist so deeply and ground the back heel.
Here's how to set yourself up for success in this arm balance—a mashup of Side Plank and Compass Pose.
Feeling unmotivated, frustrated, or all-around blasé? It’s time for some rest and recovery.
Want to fly? Fire up your core. Firefly pose is an arm balance pose that requires more core strength than arm strength.
Those days when you seem to have no time for yoga are actually when you need it most. These poses will bring you back to yourself—and in less time than it takes to check your IG.
Folding into Marichyasana I or Pose Dedicated to the Sage Marichi I calms your mind, extends your spine, and gives your internal organs a healthy squeeze.
Want all the benefits of a big, heart-opening backbend without the big backbend part? These poses bring the same perks with less strain on your shoulders and low back.
Check out Sarah Ezrin's author page.
Practicing yoga with tight hamstrings isn't about stretching past your known limits. It's about finding a way to practice within them.
This series of yoga postures will keep your pectoral and upper back muscles loose, while gradually opening the chest and shoulders.
A simple sequence of stretches that all but ensure a proper night's rest.
Terrified of arm balances? Here are four reasons why you should be practicing them at home (pillows included).
These variations of Firefly can help you work up to the full expression of the pose—or just enjoy them on their own.
Learn which muscles activate as you hold Firefly Pose.
Strength is the secret to a safe backbend. Learn how to activate your abs for support in Cobra Pose.
Build balance and strength to fly fearlessly in Eka Pada Galavasana.
Natarajasana is a posture you can choose to "perform" or do with curiosity. And the best way to better observe your movements in this pose is by adding props.
Got back pain? Tight hip flexors could be to blame. Open them up with these four yoga poses that counterbalance the prolonged hip flexion of sitting for hours.
From Hurdler’s Pose to Albatross to Flying Splits to Pose Dedicated to the Sage Koundinya II—no matter what you call it, these prop variations of Eka Pada Koundinyasana II show there's no one way to do this posture.
Nurture your love-hate relationship with Plank Pose. A beginner's best friend, it's the perfect precursor to more challenging arm balances.
Check out Liz Koch's author page.
And what you can do to nourish your core instead.
No. 1: Lunges won't stretch this tissue.
Try this accessible chair yoga sequence designed to reduce joint strain and boost your concentration, mobility, and strength.
Try a new, surprisingly intimate way to connect with your partner this Valentine's Day. This simple sequence can inspire loving touch and closeness with your sweetheart—or even a dear friend.
Try these side body-centric poses to refine your asana practice and deepen your core connection
Soothe tired eyes and a stressed out mind with these grounding poses
Here are 10 yoga poses to help you recharge and strengthen your resolve.
Tone and strengthen your whole body with this grounding pose.
Feeling scattered? Get grounded with a practice that combines mantra, movement, and breathing.
Ease back pain and refresh your energy with this sequence to help you feel more spacious and breathe deeper.
This foundational shape lengthens your hip flexors and engages your core, preparing you for more demanding poses.
Pranayama can be a simple way to find balance and beat the summer heat.
When we push too hard, we're prone to stress, anxiety, and exhaustion. But when we fail to apply ourselves, we may never realize our potential. In his new book, The Practice is the Path, yoga teacher Tias Little describes how to find middle ground. Plus, a pranayama practice to embody balance.
Mudras are ancient symbolic seals that may hold the key to deepening your connection to your yoga practice. Yoga mudra has a deep history within the practice.
Support your body in early pregnancy with these soothing shapes.
Try these easy pranayama practices to access mental clarity and release tension and stress.
Find joint pain relief with these hand gestures—perfect if you are at a keyboard all day or working with arthritis.
All you need is a pillow.
This advanced pranayama can help you and a friend or family member share feedback in a constructive way. Who doesn't need help with that?
Bogged down by the headlines or the way Marriage Story ended with that awkward, sad song? Here's an easy way to get an energetic jolt of joy so you can reset your day.
Up your creativity and flexibility by practicing with a 6-foot-tall bendable stick from a company called Stick Mobility.
You can still receive the physical and mental benefits of beloved Sun Salutation from a chair. If standing is painful, difficult, or impossible, try this variation of Sun Salutation to feel more you more grounded, balanced, and at home in your body. Bonus: you can do it at your desk for a rejuvenating midday break.
Our on-the-go culture places value on striving, but if you don’t accept who you are, you’re cheating yourself out of health, happiness, and feeling whole. Here, learn how to find refuge from judgment. (Hint: It’s closer than you think.)
Let these yoga bolsters set you up for your most peaceful state.
Yoga therapist and psychologist Gail Parker, PhD, applies restorative practices in an innovative way to help people heal from racial wounds.
Try Sama Vritti Pranayama (Box Breathing) when you’re stressed, anxious, or upset.
Maintain a healthy equilibrium with a 5-minute restorative meditation you can return to throughout the day.
Stay in the moment during periods of change with this short mindfulness technique.
Having one of *those* days? Loosen up without leaving your seat with Jillian Pransky's deskbound practice.
Soothe your mind and body with this five-minute practice—all you need is a seat.
Cultivate balance in a way that allows for freedom and forward-movement.
Count down to more calmness—anytime, anywhere—with this short breathing practice.
When you’re time-crunched, it can be tempting to sneak out of yoga class before this final resting pose. Here’s why you should reconsider.
This prep pose expands your lungs so each in breath increases blood flow.
New to pranayama? This is a good place to start connecting to your breath and subtle body.
There’s a good reason alternate-nostril breathing is commonly sequenced in yoga classes (and beyond).
No bolsters, blankets, or blocks? No problem. Here’s how to set yourself up for a supremely relaxing practice, minus the props.
Looking to cultivate more connection with yourself—and with others? Want to experience the oneness versus otherness so many yoga teachers talk about? This sequence will show you how.
Try this yoga sequence to prepare your body for the pistol squat.
Have you been wanting to try Headstand and Handstand—but too nervous to start practicing these inversions? This sequence can help.
In this hectic technological age, restorative yoga is a bountiful vehicle for easing tension and bringing forth a profound sense of calm. Try this deeply relaxing sequence, paired with introspective journaling, to get present and comfortable on and off your mat.
Shift your perspective as you move step by step into Salamba Sirsasana II.
Teacher and model Jenny Brill describes the 6 steps to successfully complete Prasarita Padottanasana, or Wide-Legged Standing Forward Bend
No bolsters, blankets, and blocks? No problem. This simple restorative yoga practice uses just one strap to help you drop into bliss.