This blog post is the latest in a series on the endocrine system. Previous posts explore poses for the thyroid and the adrenal glands. The Pancreas The Pancreas, which sits right behind the stomach, helps the body make digestive juices as well as maintain healthy blood sugar levels. It is primarily responsible for producing the … [Read more…]
This is the second blog in a series about your hormones on yoga, in particular, the endocrine system. Last week’s post was about the thyroid gland. When your adrenaline kicks in, the heart rate and blood pressure increases, the pupils enlarge and the air passages of the lungs expand. It’s our adrenaline that gives us … [Read more…]
Your Hormones on Yoga This is the first in a series of Your Hormones on Yoga. The thyroid is located at the front of the neck where the collarbones meet. It is most known for controlling your metabolism. It also governs how the body will use energy, produces heat and consumes oxygen. Yoga may help … [Read more…]
Today, as I was cleaning out my blog archive, I realised I forgot to post this little blog on Krishna pose. A few months ago, I had written a series of blog posts on poses, or asanas, that are named after the Hindu gods. If you’d like to have a look at those posts, please … [Read more…]
Sanskrit is the ancient language of India. All of the ancient Indian texts were written in Sanskrit. You may recall a mention of the Vedas and the Upanishads in your high school history class; these texts are the foundation of Hindu philosophy and sacred treatises. The Yoga postures/poses are in Sanskrit as well as the … [Read more…]
You may recognise the above photo as the good ol’ Side Plank, or in Yoga it’s called, Vasisthasana. It’s a wobbly pose that tests your balance, shoulder stability and core strength. I feel like I was doing Side Plank at the gym and in traditional aerobics classes long before I started a Yoga practice. It … [Read more…]
This pose goes by many names: Ananthasana, Sleeping Vishnu Pose, or Pose of Infinity. I find it to be relaxing but also playful because it reminds me of my cheerleading days at school. Back then, I didn’t even realise I was doing Ananthasana; I thought I was just posing for the annual cheer team photo! … [Read more…]
The strong pose you see above is Deviasana, or Goddess Pose. This pose makes one feel strong and powerful as the deep squat can really get the thighs and buttocks burning. At the same time, this is a delicate pose as the arms are held up and hands are holding the soft Gyana mudra, which … [Read more…]
This is the second blog in a series of posts I’m doing about the Hindu gods and the Yoga poses dedicated to them. Last week, I wrote about Lalitha, a goddess full of love and power. This week’s ‘guest’ is Ganesha, the baby blue elephant you’ve probably seen on posters, t-shirts, towels and any other … [Read more…]
Hanuman is the god of knowledge and strength, and he is referred to as the lord of celibacy and victory. He is mentioned in various ancient texts and in later literature he became the patron saint for athletic pursuits such as wrestling, martial arts and acrobatics. Hanuman is a favoured god with the people of … [Read more…]