Sanskrit: Parivrtta Upavistha Konasana

Don’t get mixed up with ‘revolved’ and the non-revolved version of this asana. Basically, with Side Seated Angle Pose, one just stretches the upper body and lean forward down as far as possible towards one leg. With the Revolved Side Seated Angle Pose, from a seated position regardless if you bend one of the knee or not, lean your body side way towards the outstretched leg. It gives you a different type of stretches. With the ‘revolved’ version, one have to be very flexible on the shoulder and the other stretches more on the hip. Try both the asana and you will know which category you are from. Basically, I am more flexible on the shoulder than the hip. From this, I would prefer the Revolved side seated angle pose than the other one.

Namaste, everyone.

Sanskrit: Dhanurasana

If you tilt your head to your left and put a little imagination, this asana looks like an archer’s bow. That is how the name comes by. While in the Bow position, pull your leg more towards the back to get a better arch on the back. The more you pushed your leg, you will find yourself being lifted away from the mat. You may rock yourself back and forth or get an assistance like the children’s wooden swing sets toy. That always add some chuckle in me.

There’s always some good benefits in every asana. When you rock yourself back and forth, you are giving your abdominal muscle some massage at the same time, reducing the abdominal fats, reliving of constipation and gastrointestinal disorders. If you want that slim tummy, go rock yourself now.

Namaste, everyone!

Sanskrit:  Malasana

Garland posture or better known Malasana is believe to help relieve menstrual pain.  However, you should practise the asana before or after your period as Yoga is rarely practice during a menstrual cycle.  Other than relieving menstrual pain, it is believe to help regulate menstruation flow.

As you exhale, bent forward between your legs, bring your arms back and around your leg and hold your heels from behind.  You bend lower down and rest your forehead on the mat.  Remember not to lift your heel up and keep them together.

Namaste, everyone!

This is yet another version of crescent moon posture.

For beginner, you may rest the back knee on the mat.  If you want a challenge, you may come up to this posture from Warrior 1.  This posture helps you to strengthen your back, arm and shoulder at the same time opening up the chest and hips thus improving balancing.  Look up to the sky instead of dropping your head to the back which may hurt your neck.

Namaste, everyone!

This post somehow completed the warrior version of asana. Remember when I posted the pose on Warrior I, II & III? From Warrior II place the rear hand down the back of your tight. I would prefer to bend my arm a bit for back support. You should feel the stretches on your side oblique and lateral muscle. Practise this asana in a slow and graceful manners. I always feel like I’m swaying.

Namaste, everyone!

Sanskrit: Virabhadrasana I, II & III

Warrior pose is named after a mystic sage called Virabhadra.  This pose help strengthen the legs and back muscle at the same time opens the chest and shoulder while toning the abdominal muscle.

Whenever I am in this pose (warrior I & II), I will never forget to check out my toes.  Yea, you should bend your knee at 90 degree (only!) and should be able to see all your 5 toes. Oh, and also not forgetting, “TUCK IN YOUR TAILBONE!!!”  There you go.  So many reminders. lol.

Namaste, everyone!

Sanskrit:  Prapadasana

Tiptoe pose is a challenging balance pose that develop and strengthens your knees and ankles.  It also promotes overall balance, stability and confidence.

For beginner, you may squat down and bring one leg up onto your tight.  Find a balancing point.  To come out from the pose, simply uncross your leg and sit down before stretching your leg out.

For intermediate practitioner, you may start standing tiptoe in Tree pose by placing the foot on your tight instead of inner tight and come down to the floor in a forward bending. Squating down still on tiptoe.  Find a focus point and once your body stabilized,  place your palm in prayer pose. To come out from the post, lift your body up making sure you are still tiptoeing.  Release leg onto the floor.

Namaste, everyone!

Before I left for Siem Reap, Cambodia, I told myself that I’m going to take lots of silly pictures of me in various Yoga Posture.  Sad to say, I’ve disappointed myself with only a small number of silly-me-pictures.  One of the main reason is my blocked mind.  Other than the famous Lotus Pose and Tree Pose, my mind goes totally blank.

Enjoy, Namaste!

Sanskrit: Vasisthasana

Lately I think my Pilates instructor a bit tau hong (crazy). I think he’s trying to kill us. In side plank, he make us reach out touching our toes for 8 times. I just touch my knee. Boh lat (no energy). He came over to me and whisper, “touch your toes!” Blueh…

Not only he kept us out of breath, last week, after all the panting and sweating, he concluded the class by saying, “today don’t have savasana.” OMG, I just wanna die.

This post is by special request of a fellow friend of mine. The differences of Pyramid and Traditional headstand.

Left: Traditional Headstand. Right: Pyramid Headstand

And yes! During the photoshoot, I fell backward to the ground numerous times. Surprisingly, I felt myself like a feather. Gently falling down, gliding my butt on the mat, lastly my legs touching the ground instead of falling down like a log *TIMBER!*. Nothing breaks except for a sore neck the next day.

All well, ends well. Namaste, everyone!