Alligator Yoga · Asanas (Poses) · beginners yoga stress relief · History and Philosophy · Meditation Lake City FL · Pranayama (Breathing Techniques) · Yoga Lake City Florida

What is Yoga Nidra?

    YOGA NIDRA is a beautiful relaxation and meditation method that helps you deeply relax, rejuvenate, and therefore energize.  It also increases your awareness and thus your ability to be truly present and calm.  Taught at AHA! Yoga in the Himalayan Tradition, this approach to Yoga Nidra leads you to a wakeful awareness that allows your MIND as well as… Continue reading What is Yoga Nidra?

Alligator Yoga · Anatomy · Asanas (Poses) · beginners yoga stress relief · History and Philosophy · Meditation Lake City FL · Pranayama (Breathing Techniques) · Yoga Lake City Florida · Yoga Modifications · Yoga Pain Relief · Yoga Props

What is Yin Yoga, and Why Do It?

  What is Yin Yoga, and Why Do It? Yin yoga is a slower, more visibly passive form of yoga, yet it leads to very deep opening.  The focus is upon gradually stretching to release even connective tissue around the joints, particularly the knees, pelvis, sacrum, and spine.  Because this approach requires us to slow… Continue reading What is Yin Yoga, and Why Do It?

Alligator Yoga · Asanas (Poses) · beginners yoga stress relief · Pranayama (Breathing Techniques) · Restorative Yoga · Yoga Lake City Florida · Yoga Props

What is Restorative Yoga?

  What is RESTORATIVE YOGA? Restorative yoga is just what the name implies:  the purpose is to help you rest and revitalize.  Restorative yoga provides relief and recovery from stress, exhaustion, and injury. The origins of restorative yoga are often linked back to the yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar, a student of Krishnamacharya and one of… Continue reading What is Restorative Yoga?

Alligator Yoga · Anatomy · Art History & Yoga · Asanas (Poses) · beginners yoga stress relief · History and Philosophy · Yoga Balance Poses · Yoga Lake City Florida

Recline & Balance Pose: Anantasana

This posture is a little known sleeping beauty waiting to be discovered, as it is one of the only yoga poses that has you lie down on your side.  It is also a subtle balance asana (posture), sometimes easier for those who find standing or arm balance poses frustrating or painful. ANANTASANA: Pronounced:  /Ahh—Nahn—TAH—sah—nah/ ANANTASANA… Continue reading Recline & Balance Pose: Anantasana

Alligator Yoga · Anatomy · Asanas (Poses) · Meditation Lake City FL · Pranayama (Breathing Techniques) · Yoga Lake City Florida

Sitz Bones & the Art of Sitting

In almost any yoga class, at some point in seated positions, you will be asked to sit up on your Sitz Bones.  For most new yoga students, this creates a raised eyebrow:  What the heck are those, and why do we need such precise directions just to sit, anyway? Your Sitz Bones (also commonly referred… Continue reading Sitz Bones & the Art of Sitting

Alligator Yoga · Anatomy · Asanas (Poses) · Pranayama (Breathing Techniques) · Yoga Lake City Florida

Yoga & Happy Heart Health

According to both the American Heart Association and the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, practicing yoga benefits your heart.  Remarkably, traditional yoga asana (like  those of Kripalu and Iyengar styles of yoga) includes slow or moderate movements, so they are not part of the vigorous 150 minutes of aerobic exercise recommended by the American Heart Association.  How,… Continue reading Yoga & Happy Heart Health

Alligator Yoga · Anatomy · Asanas (Poses) · beginners yoga stress relief · Yoga Lake City Florida

New to Yoga? No worries!

“Eeek!  I am new to yoga.  What can I expect at my first class or private session?” We do gentle yoga, which focuses on stretching, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques.  Most of the class time is spent stretching; these are the specific yoga postures (or “asanas,” pronounced “AHH—sah—nahs”) that most people imagine when they hear… Continue reading New to Yoga? No worries!

Alligator Yoga · Anatomy · Asanas (Poses) · Yoga Lake City Florida · Yoga Pain Relief · yoga rotator cuff injury

Yoga for Shoulder Pain Relief

Shoulders are strong yet vulnerable parts of our bodies.  Pain at the outer top tip of the shoulders is prevalent and often happens through minor injuries or overuse from everyday movements, such as bracing a fall or moving things on high shelves.  Incorrect alignment in yoga poses can also aggravate such problems.  Though shoulder anatomy is built… Continue reading Yoga for Shoulder Pain Relief

Alligator Yoga · Anatomy · Art History & Yoga · Asanas (Poses) · beginners yoga stress relief · History and Philosophy · Restorative Yoga · Yoga Lake City Florida · Yoga Props

Why Use a Yoga Strap?

In AHA! Yoga sessions, we often use yoga straps.  No, it is not a strange torture device, nor is it meant to stick you in difficult yoga poses.  A yoga strap can help you get all the benefits from specific postures, while maintaining comfort and ease.  It allows you to practice proper alignment without strain, making… Continue reading Why Use a Yoga Strap?

Alligator Yoga · Anatomy · Asanas (Poses) · Yoga Lake City Florida

Your Knees are Precious

A safe, beneficial yoga practice must take great care of your precious knees. Misalignment of the knee often happens over time, and through hyperextension or overexertion.  Our bodies are prone to this misalignment because our hip joints are wider than our knee joints.  As we age, this natural shape creates uneven contraction of the quadriceps,… Continue reading Your Knees are Precious