What do paintings on a wall, car tires, and promising horoscopes have in common? They all require proper alignment. It's not the easiest skill to acquire, but the Extended Triangle Pose will help hone it.
The Warrior III Pose recreates the moment that the fierce Virabhadra chopped off the head of his master's enemy. If you could do battle balanced on one leg, maybe you'd have a pose named after you.
You could become a flight attendant and cram luggage into those overhead storage bins to get a good torso stretch. But we think the Extended Side Angle Pose is a little more practical.
A single banyan, India's national tree, can cover up to an acre or more. In other words, they're stable—which is what you should keep in mind when you're balancing on one leg in the Tree Pose.
This pose refers to the "Eight Limbs of Yoga," the guiding principles for achieving a healthy and fulfilling life. Also, you're touching eight parts of your body to the mat.
You know those claims that eating fish will make you smarter and healthier? Well, the Fish Pose ups the ante: Traditional yoga texts call this pose "the destroyer of all diseases."
The Wind Relieving Pose stretches the lower back, sure, but as its delicate name suggests, it has one main goal. . . meaning you might want to think twice about practicing this one in the office.
The Crescent Moon Pose is a basic move that can help you stretch and relax almost anywhere.
The Warrior poses are named for a fierce demon, Virabhadra, created by the Hindu god Shiva to avenge his wife's death. The demon sprang up from the ground with a sword raised overhead—striking the very first Warrior I Pose.
Worried that something called the "bridge pose" will leave parts of you trussed up, arched over, and suspended in midair? Well, yes it will—but eventually you'll love every second of it.
This is a great beginner pose that helps stretch the hips and legs — which feels especially good if you've been "couped up" all day.
The Lion's Pose gives the muscles of the jaw, throat, eyes, and face a stretch that can ease problems like teeth grinding and clenched jaws. It's also excellent preparation for a KISS concert.
The Plow Pose is essentially a Noble Pose turned on its head—or rather, turned on your head.
This pose is exactly as it sounds—you'll be drawing back an imaginary arrow. We don't want to spoil the surprise, but you already have all the equipment built-in.
According to Hindu mythology, this pose was originated by a yogi who spent 12 years in the belly of a fish, eavesdropping on Shiva's secret yoga instructions in an ocean cave. All you have to do is sit on a…
Remember how there was always one joker in school who pretended to sit on an invisible chair? That joker might just make an excellent yoga practitioner.
Cobras are known for achieving a menacing pose by expanding their hoods when threatened. You don't need a hood—or a threat—to strike a cobra pose. Just expand your chest.
Learn how to do the headstand pose correctly with these instructions.
The Lunge Pose will have you looking like a sprinter in the blocks, ready to take off. And after practicing it to build your lower body strength and stamina, you will be.
Eventually, your calm and peaceful mind will relish the challenge that this pose presents your wrists and abdominal muscles. Until then, just be thankful it's not a one-limbed pose.
You won't actually be able to fly in this pose, but you will improve your balance, strengthen your legs, and stretch your hips and shoulders.
This relatively simple pose might make you feel like a kid stretching before gym class, but that's not necessarily a bad thing—the more you do it, the better you can gauge your maturing yoga skills.
You might recognize the Noble Pose as the dreaded "sit-and-reach" from your childhood gym class. But while that was an exercise in pre-pubescent humiliation, this is a time-honored and well-respected yoga posture. See the difference?
This is a variation of the Wide Legged Seated Forward Bend, but since you're standing for this one, you have a helpful partner — gravity.
Hamstrung by your hamstrings? Unbalanced by your imbalance? This is a great pose to improve both.
A Sun Salutation is a series of poses performed in a graceful flow and linked by breath—a method called vinyasa. It's a great way to greet the sun any time of the day.
This basic standing pose brings new meaning to the phrase "reach for the sky."
Done correctly, this meditation pose allows you to sit without thinking about your body for as long as you like—or at least until you start to smell dinner in the air.
Doing something called the Plank pose only sounds like you'll be imitating a log lying on the ground. In fact, you'll be imitating a log propping itself up on two twigs—also known as your arms.
No, the Cat-Cow is not a mythological creature: This pose bows the spine like an old cow and then arches it like a frightened cat. Whether you choose to meow or moo is up to you.
The Dancer Pose takes its name and inspiration from the Hindu god Shiva's divine jig. Master it and you'll feel like performing your own dance of joy.
Although this position is commonly called the Crow pose, its Sanskrit name literally translates as Crane. Any fowl will do: the point is that you'll be perched like a bird on a wire.
The Hero Pose looks simple enough—and is a common position for seated meditation—but don't be fooled: The stretch it requires of your knees is, well, nothing short of heroic.
It's no surprise that this pose derives its Sanskrit name from Sarva, which means "all parts"—all yours will be challenged.
The Scorpion Pose is a favorite of Cirque de Soleil performers and contortionists of all stripes, which is to say it's a very advanced position not for the faint of heart—or weak of back.
The Lotus Pose is one of the classic seated meditative postures, fostering a calm, serene sense of internal connection. Eventually it'll feel like heaven—we mean, Nirvana.
Commonly the final posture in any yoga routine, the Corpse Pose only sounds creepy. A few minutes of "playing dead" will make you feel more energized and focused—and ready to come back to life.
Ever watch a dog stretch? Then you already have a good idea of what this pose looks like—and how handy it can be for digging up bones.
If you're a little wary of imitating an insect best known for "plagues," we understand. But the Locust Pose is great for strengthening your back and abdominals muscles—quietly.
Something called the Wheel Pose may sound too circular for your straight body to recreate, but with a little practice you'll become a much more "well-rounded" individual.
The Sanskrit word for this pose means both thunderbolt and diamond, each symbolic of eternal strength—a quality this meditative pose can help you achieve.
Shiva is said to have created his personal warrior Virabhadra in a fit of anger by pulling a flaming lock from his head. But tearing your hair out is so clich
Also known as the Prepare Pose, this stretch is often recommended for relieving headaches and pains in the neck. Yes, we mean that literally.
The Balancing Half Moon Pose can help hone your physical grace, leaving you looking—and feeling—downright radiant.
We know you're not a child, but doesn't it feel good to act like one every so often?
The Mountain Pose is a great way to learn proper posture, alignment, and balance, and to develop strength in all the muscles needed for upright yoga positions. But we'll admit: it kind of just looks like standing.
Camels—well known for their grumpy temperaments—would benefit greatly from this pose. But good luck getting one to do it.
The Standing Forward Bend stretches the entire backside of your body—and then makes you smarter. You heard us right: the pose increases the blood flow to your brain, supposedly stimulating intelligence.
This series is a more physically challenging version of the Sun Salutation as practiced in Ashtanga yoga. It incorporates the Chair Pose, which sounds relaxing—until you realize you're the chair.
This pose, which turns you into a human archery bow, expands your chest and ribcage, and gives your entire back and spine a full backward bend. No arrows required.
Don't take the name of this position personally—it's called the Cow Face pose because, when seen from the front, the outline of the body is thought to resemble the broad mouth and narrow head of a cow. Honest.