This pose is a highly effective strengthener for the legs and ankles. You have to sort of squint to see the half moon; try drawing a half-circle from the raised top hand through the lifted foot to the standing foot and supporting hand. The moon has a rich symbolic significance in yoga mythology. In hatha yoga, for example, the sun and the moon represent the two polar energies of the human body. In fact, the word hatha itself is often divided into its two constituent syllables, "ha" and "tha", which are then esoterically interpreted as signifying the solar and lunar energies respectively.

Literally translated as "intense stretch of the west," Paschimottanasana can help a distracted mind unwind.
Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression
Stretches the spine, shoulders, hamstrings
Stimulates the liver, kidneys, ovaries, and uterus Improves digestion
Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause and menstrual discomfort Soothes headache and anxiety and reduces fatigue
Therapeutic for high blood pressure, infertility, insomnia, and sinusitis
Traditional texts say that Paschimottanasana increases appetite, reduces obesity, and cures diseases.

A yoga instructor performing an asana

new delhi -- heard of naked yoga? kosher yoga? yoga for carpal tunnel syndrome? yoga - religion and spirituality - teachers and centers - united states - canada

it seems like every time i visit my family out of state, i’m packing a new yoga mat. i have two sticky mats tucked in the guest bedroom closet. but since i use them so infrequently, they’re not broken in. invariably, they’re so slippery that...

university of alberta research fellow amy speed-andrews has examined how a specialized iyengar yoga program for women currently in treatment for breast cancer, and who have completed treatment, makes a difference in their recovery. for two years groups of study participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire about their physical and mental health at the [...]

a new study shows that regularly practicing yoga has several health benefits.

kim dwyer has been teaching yoga for about six years, and as an instructor, she started noticing something that intrigued her, something "powerful."

a yoga class will begin soon at harwich community center. the eight-week program, called mindful yoga, will be held fridays from 9 to 10:15 a.m. from sept. 10 to oct. 29 and costs $64. instructor is kathie marin. sign up by calling 508-430-8623.

find out what yoga can do for you by attending a class. september is national yoga month, and i am a yoga teacher that loves yoga and teaching it. for many years now i have witnessed first-hand how yoga can change a person from the inside out.

with the many varieties and approaches to the art of yoga, one might say the process involves everything but the kitchen sink. peggy gardiner’s view of yoga involves that as well.

people who practice yoga regularly have lower levels of inflammation in their bodies registered yoga teacher nicole payseur takes her students through familiar poses at uptown yoga in dallas.

boston, aug. 21 (upi) -- yoga may positively affect mood and decrease anxiety -- and may be therapeutically beneficial for some mental disorders, u.s. researchers said. anxiety - yoga - mental disorder - mental health - health