Poses by Benefit

Check out Sarah Powers's author page.

Sarah Powers advises yogis with sciatica which poses to avoid and which to favor.

Salabhasana or Locust Pose effectively preps beginners for deeper backbends, strengthening the back of the torso, legs, and arms.

Lay Virasana back and to take the stretch in the thighs and ankles up a notch.

Boost the body's energy and fight fatigue with Fish Pose, or Matsyasana in Sanskrit, while building confidence with a loving stretch in the shoulders. It is said that if you perform Matsyasana in water, you will be able to float like a fish.

Say hello to leg and ankle strength as you seek stability and extend into this balancing pose, Half Moon Pose.

Learn why you should vocalize your mantras instead of silently thinking them to benefit the heart and the central nervous system.

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.

Upavistha Konasana is good preparation for most of the seated forward bends, twists, and the wide-leg standing poses.

A classic restorative posture, Supta Baddha Konasana or Reclining Bound Angle Pose can be modified for any level of hip and groin resistance.

Learn how yoga can help you prevent slouching—and the depression, shallow breathing, tension, and headaches that often go with it.

Understanding the mechanics of your feet in yoga and the patterns in your foot health is the first step to establishing a solid foundation in your practice.

In 1990 River Huston was a kick-ass fitness trainer in New York City. Her workouts were about pain, tight buns, and thousands of stomach crunches. Pushing herself beyond physical limits was her modus operandi.

Virasana is a balm for tired legs at the end of the day, as well as an alternative to Lotus for seated meditation.

Also called Seated Twist Pose or Ardha Matsyendrasana in Sanskrit, this pose energizes the spine and stimulate proper digestion while improving postural and body awareness.

Bharadvaja's Twist, or Bharadvajasana in Sanskrit, is a gentle and loving twist that inspires postural and body awareness.

Practicing Anjali Mudra is an excellent way to induce a meditative state of awareness.

Oh, your aching back? Or maybe you can't crack those tight hamstrings. Supta Padangusthasana I or Reclining Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose I is for you.

This version of Shoulderstand is performed with blanket support under the shoulders.

Janu Sirsasana, or Head-to-Knee Pose, is appropriate for students of any level and melds a forward bend with a spinal twist.

Need an energy boost? Urdhva Dhanurasana can help—and strengthen your arms, legs, abdomen, and spine in the process.

By providing a conscious opening in the chest and stretch in the shoulders, Cobra Pose, called Bhujangasana in Sanskrit, fights fatigue and relieves lower back pain, boosting both the energetic and the physical body.

If your headaches happen often, body awareness can help predict the onset of a headache. Try practicing yoga for headaches to ease the pain.

Mary Pullig Schatz talks about yoga for sciatica and different ways you can ease the source of pain.

Head-of-the-Knee Pose fosters flexibility in the hamstrings and spine while calming the nervous system.

Learn how to do Downward-Facing Dog Pose properly for the ultimate full-body stretch.

Not just for beginners, Extended Triangle Pose can unlock tension in your legs, hips, and spine.

Mastering the actions of Urdhva Hastasana can help you move into more advanced poses.

Reclining Big Toe Pose provides a safe stretch for tight hamstrings —and opens the door to a host of other asanas.

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.

Yoga is being used help children who have apraxia, a condition that affects their speech and fine motor skills. Patients don't just do asanas, they also make sounds in coordination with their breathing. Yoga has also been used to help...

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