Yoga Poses

Yoga's ascension into the realm of the hip-and-famous continues with its inclusion to the iconic Los Angeles fashion emporium Fred Segal.

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One poetic translation of Camatkarasana means "the ecstatic unfolding of the enraptured heart."

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.

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.

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

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.

Meditate on transforming unhealthy desires.

Decisions, decisions. Got a toughie? Try this time-tested process for discovering —the right action.

Quieting the mind doesn't have to mean shushing your many inner voices. By letting them have their say, you can discover the all-encompassing stillness of Big Mind.

This mantra meditation from the Kundalini tradition encourages a renewed sense of peace and balance.

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

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

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

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

Practice this pranayama technique for increased breath awareness and control.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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.

It's a twist! It's a standing pose! It's an arm balance! The super-pose Visvamitrasana is all of those things and more.

Strengthen your wrists, arms, and abs, hanging in the balance of Tolasana.

"Even an old person can become young when [Uddiyana Bandha] is done regularly" (Hatha-Yoga-Pradipika 3.58).

Blow off some steam, wake up your face, and lighten up your practice in silly Simhasana.

In this challenging version of a twist, your arms wrap around your legs so your hands can clasp behind the back, almost like a lasso or a snare.

Heron Pose is an intense hamstring stretch. You may need to give Krounchasana some time.

Iyengar Yoga instructor Lisa Walford makes suggestions for how you can make Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclining Bound Angle Pose) more comfortable.

Take a leap of faith into Hanumanasana or Monkey Pose, named for a figure in Hindu mythology who did just that. And when faith doesn't get you all the way there, practice will.

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.

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.

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

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

Usher in a meditative state of awareness.

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.

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.