YOGA VIETNAM

It might be better, then, to think of Utthita Parsvakonasana as the "Extended Sides Angle Pose." (oo-TEE-tah parsh-vah-cone-AHS-anna) utthita  = extended parsva  = side, flank kona  = angle Step 1 Stand in Tadasana. On an exhalation, step or lightly jump your feet 3.5 to 4 feet apart. Raise your arms parallel to the floor and reach them actively out to the sides, shoulder blades wide, palms down. Turn your left foot in slightly to the right and your right foot out to the right 90 degrees. Align the right heel with the left heel. Firm your thighs and turn your right thigh outward, so that the center of the kneecap is in line with the center of the right ankle. Roll the left hip slightly forward, toward the right, but rotate your upper torso back to the left. Step 2 Anchor the left (back) heel to the floor by lifting the inner left groin deep into the pelvis. Then exhale and bend your right knee over the right ankle, so that the shin is perpendicular...

NetiPurification of the Nose Jala Neti Fill the specially made vessel, the Neti Pot, with warm, salty water. The temperature of the water should be 38-40° C, with about 1 teaspoon of salt per 1 litre of water*. Bend the head over a wash basin and gently insert the spout of the Neti Pot into the right nostril (which as a result, closes it). Bend the head slightly forward and at the same time tilt the head to the left so that the water may flow out of the left nostril. Breathing takes place through the opened mouth. Pour approximately half the contents of the pot through the right nostril. Now gently insert the spout of the Neti Pot into the left nostril and tilt the head to the right, so that the water may flow out through the right nostril. When finished, blow out all remaining water from both nostrils using the technique of Kapala Bhati Pranayama (see Hatha Yoga Kriyas 5). To complete the purification of the nose, strongly expel the breath a further 3-5 times through...

If you are brand new to yoga, there are certain postures that are essential for you to learn so you can feel comfortable in a class or practicing on your own at home. It’s not easy to narrow everything down since there are over 300 positions in the physical yoga practice(asana), but these poses can start you off on the right path. If you do each one of these for 5-10 breaths, it also creates a great beginner’s yoga program for you to do every day. Here are my picks for the 10 most important yoga poses for beginners.  Note:  You don't have to be able to do all these poses exactly as pictured — ALWAYS listen to your body and modify if needed. 1. Mountain Pose Mountain Pose is the base for all standing poses; it gives you a sense of how to ground in to your feet and feel the earth below you. Mountain pose may seem like "simply standing," but there is a ton going on. How to do it:  Start standing with your feet together. Press down through all...

Child’s Pose Every one needs a good resting pose and Child’s pose is an awesome one not just for beginners but for yoga practitioners of all levels. It’s good to learn child’s pose to use when you’re fatigued in Down Dog, before bed at night to work out the kinks, or anytime you need a mental break and stress/tension relief. How to do it:  Start on all fours then bring your knees and feet together as you sit your butt back to your heels and stretch your arms forward. Lower your forehead to the floor (or block or pillow or blanket) and let your entire body release. Hold for as long as you wish!

Bridge Pose A counter pose to a forward bend is a back bend. Bridge is a good beginner’s back bend that stretches the front body and strengthens the back body. How to do it:  Lie down on your back and place your feet hip width apart. Press firmly on to your feet and lift your butt up off the mat. Interlace your hands together and press the fists down to the floor as you open up your chest even more. Imagine dragging your heels on the mat towards your shoulders to engage your hamstrings. Hold for 8-10 breaths then lower your hips down and repeat two more times.

Seated Forward Bend It’s important to incorporate a forward bend in yoga practice to stretch the hamstrings, lower and upper back and sides. Seated forward bend is the perfect fold for everyone to start to open up the body and learn to breathe through uncomfortable positions. If you feel any sharp pain, you need to back off; but if you feel the tension when you fold forward and you can continue to breathe, you will slowly start to loosen up and let go. You can also keep your knees bent in the pose as long as the feet stay flexed and together. How to do it:  Start seated with your legs together, feet firmly flexed and not turning in or out, and your hands by your hips. Lift your chest and start to hinge forward from your waist. Engage your lower abdominals and imagine your belly button moving towards the top of your thighs. Once you hit your maximum, stop and breathe for 8-10 breaths. Make sure your shoulders, head and neck are all released.

Warrior 2 Warrior 2 is an external hip opener and opens up the inner thighs and groin. It's a good starting point for many side postures including triangle, extended angle and half moon balance. How to do it:  Stand with your feet one leg’s-length apart. Turn your right toes out 90 degrees and your left toes in 45 degrees. Bend your right knee until it is directly over your right ankle while keeping the torso even between the hips. Stretch your arms out to your sides and gaze over your right hand. Hold for 8-10 breaths before straightening the right leg and turning your feet to the other side to repeat on left side.