Having a strong core is so, so important to keep your body healthy. A strong core helps you hold your body in the correct position as you're sitting, walking, or doing other activities, helping you reduce your injury risk. (Runners, your core really does a lot to help you run with proper form.) And, … [Read more...]
Gentle Relaxing Bedtime Yoga Sequence
Sometimes you need a bit of help to let go and relax after a hard day at work. I know I've certainly spent my fair share of time tossing and turning, trying to fall asleep when I can't because I'm thinking too much about the day I had or the day to come. I've found that it's really important for me … [Read more...]
Yoga Sequence for Feet and Ankles
So many of us walk on our feet all day, but we totally forget to take care of them. We'll do all the yoga poses to help stretch our hips or hamstrings (everyone's favorites), but we often totally forget to stretch our feet. Back when I was training for marathons, I was actually able to avoid a … [Read more...]
Yoga Poses for Stronger Glutes
Strong glutes are about so much more than having a nicely-toned butt. Strong glutes help you stabilize your hips, which can help you prevent injuries while doing activities like running. Weak glutes can cause problems up and down your kinetic chain, and they're often the cause of knee soreness and … [Read more...]
Gentle Yoga Sequence for Upper Back and Shoulders
Do you feel like your back, shoulders, and chest are all stiff and tight? Do you (like me) spend hours hunching over a computer, and you need some yoga to help you overcome all of that poor posture? Not only is all of that hunching over uncomfortable, but over time it can cause major issues in your … [Read more...]
Yoga Poses for Inner Hips
A lot of the time, when people do hip openers in yoga, they focus on the poses that help open the outer hips like pigeon pose. Don't get me wrong—those poses feel amazing, for desk jockeys and runners alike. But, if you only work to open the muscles in your outer hips and seat, you can wind up with … [Read more...]
Yoga Poses for Runners’ Hips
The hip muscles are notoriously tight and sore for runners. We use some of those muscles directly as we run, and the others work to help stabilize our hips and legs. In fact, when I teach yoga classes to runners, I'm always hearing requests for more hip openers. Today I wanted to share my favorite … [Read more...]
Stretching and Yoga: Let it Happen
Occasionally, when I'm teaching yoga I'll have a little epiphany, and that's what happened during my 6 AM class this morning. I often cue my students and my clients to find a comfortable stretch when practicing poses that open muscles, never straining. It's a fine line to walk, and it can be a … [Read more...]
Yoga at Work: Yoga Poses You Can Do at Your Desk
These days, many of us sit in front of the computer to work. However, hours of sitting in front of a computer can leave our bodies feeling stiff and tired. Your neck and shoulder ache after hunching over a keyboard, and your legs and back may feel funny from sitting all day, too. You may not be able … [Read more...]