Nāḍī Śodhana Prāṇāyāma -- Also known as Alternate Nostril Breathing -- is a popular breathing technique in modern yoga in the West. There are actually several alternate nostril breathing techniques. They differ in small ways, such as starting with the left or the right nostril, starting with an inhale or exhale, etc. Śodhana is pronounced Shod(h)na. Here is an excellent pronunciation resource. Nāḍī = Energy Channel Śodhana = Purifying or Cleansing Prāṇā = Energy / Vital F

I started this post to raise awareness about the risks of practicing Virasana, but it's evolving into a love letter to the Truly Awesome Human Knee. I have been hanging out with knee anatomy this week and I feel such awe and respect for the intricacy of this joint! In a nutshell, I do not think Virasana is a safe pose for most people to be doing. We may not realize the damage we are doing until we are older. Some people can do this pose safely, but genetics are a major fac

I've been teaching yoga for a very long time, and I've gone to lots of yoga classes. As far as I can recall, in NYC this pose has always been called "bakāsana," and defined as "crow pose." Occasionally I had seen references on the interwebs to a "Crane" pose-- and I just assumed that some yoga schools used different words. For example, in Yin Yoga, "Pigeon Pose" is called "Swan"-- or "Sleeping Swan," when in a forward bend. (Swans are just so much more poetic than pigeons

This Video was recorded in time lapse for amusement. The actual routine is done slowly with relaxed, even breathing. This routine decompresses and mobilizes the upper back, and stretches the chest. It is great for opening up, and reversing the effects of rounding forward over our work. I always feel energized afterwards, like I got "stuck" energy flowing again. This is also a great preparation for deeper back bends, like Ustrasana. I call this routine "flossing my backbon

The Holidays are upon us. Here are some simple everyday mindfulness techniques to help us take care of ourselves in the midst of what can be a hectic and emotional time. The Holidays can be joyful and they can also be stressful. It’s ok to have mixed feelings. The Holidays are a lot of extra work for many of us. In addition to the shopping, required parties, travel planning, cooking, organizing--there is more emotional labor. It can be overwhelming and exhausting. We may

“You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.” This is a powerful quote by Brené Brown, Researcher-Storyteller. It comes to me today from one of our teacher trainees who shared with the group Brené Brown's TED Talk on The Power of Vulnerability. (Thank you, IM!) In the talk, Brené Brown talks about the true meaning of courage--how courageous people are willing to be vulnerable to say "I love you" first. She also talks about how

Avidyā = spiritual misunderstanding, not knowing, ignorance Avidyā is regarding the impermanent as permanent, the impure as pure, the painful as pleasant and the non-Self as the Self. --Sutra 2.5 the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali This sutra is essentially saying the same thing in many ways. God as you see it, the energy of the universe---is a cosmic vibration of joy and love that creates all things. We are all made of that energy. According to this philosophy, heaven is just ano