Featured Pose: Reclined Leg Stretch (Supta Padangusthasana)

by Baxter

This classic stretch  pose is both a hip opener and a leg stretch, as it stretches your hips in several different directions while also stretching the backs of your legs and lengthening your lower back. It releases muscle tension in your legs and hips from sitting, standing, or walking. And because it releases physical stress from your lower body, it can be relaxing during stressful times or if you just tend to store stress in your body. Because the four versions get your hips moving through much of their range of motion, they are excellent for starting a longer practice or even just doing on their own as a mini practice.

Baxter prescribes this for:

• tightness in the backs of the thighs, the hips and the lower back
• chronic back pain
• releases tight muscles pulling on knees, and strengthens those that straighten the knees
• warming up for standing or seated forward bends, or for twists
• stress relief

Timing: If you are an experienced practitioner, hold the pose for 1-2 minutes. If you are new to the practice, start by holding this pose for 30 seconds, working up to 1-2 minutes over time. Rest for a few breaths afterwards in Relaxation pose before moving on to your next pose. To make the series into a mini practice, do the variations in order on one side, and then repeat on the second side.

Cautions: If you experience low back pain when you practice version 1 or 2, try bending your bottom leg and placing the sole of the feet on the floor. And if low back pain is an ongoing problem for you, we recommend that you skip version 4 entirely. For any version, if the pose causes hip or back pain, try backing off a bit to see if the pain resolves. If not, skip that version.

1. Leg Straight Up

This version stretches the back of your hip and hamstring muscles of your top leg (the back of your thigh) and to a lesser degree your calf, releasing tightness in these areas and providing relief from low back pain.

To come into the pose, start in Constructive Rest position, lying on your back with your knees bent and feet on the floor. With a strap in hand, bend your right knee into your chest, place the strap over the arch of the right foot and straighten the right knee, stretching your foot towards the ceiling, keeping some tension on the 2 sides of the strap, walking each hand up the sides of the strap until the arms are straight. Slide the bottom leg long on the floor, straightening the left knee and pressing out through the left heel. Adjust the angle of the right leg forward or back until you can easily keep the right knees straight and still have a feeling of stretch in the hamstring and calf of the right leg. Relax your shoulders, and make sure your lower spine is either softly touching the floor or slightly arched away from it (and is not jammed into floor or over-arched). After you have aligned yourself, bring your attention to the sensations in your body or follow your breath.

To come out of the pose, bend your right knee, slip the strap off your foot, and lower your right leg to the floor. Then strap aside and shake out both hands for a moment. Repeat on the second side. When you’ve finished both sides, bend both knees and come into Constructive Rest pose for a few breaths.

2. Leg to the Side  

This version focuses the stretch on the inner thigh muscles of your raised leg, releasing tight hip muscles. It also strengthens your core muscles, which helps relieve low back pain by improving spinal stability.

To come into the pose, start in version 1. Next, take both sides of the strap into your right hand and stretch your left arm out to your left side in a “T” position. Continue stretching out through your left leg as you slowly bring your right leg out to your right side and down towards the floor, stopping when your foot is one to two feet from the floor, according to your flexibility. Your hips will tip slightly to your right.

Bring your right elbow to the floor as you keep tension on the strap and press your right foot into it. To create more stretch around your hip, turn your right leg so your heel spins up and toes spin down. If holding your leg out to the side is painful or too much effort, place a block or folded blanket under your right thigh to support it. When you’re aligned, follow the instructions for the classic pose for finding a focus.

To come out of the pose, return to version 1 by lifting your leg back to vertical. Then follow the instructions for coming out of version 1. Repeat on the second side.  

3. Scissor Legs  

This variation stretches your outer hip and leg, which is particularly helpful walkers, hikers, runners and cyclists, who tend to be tight in these areas. Unlike version 4, this version doesn’t require twisting your spine, so it is safer for some with lower back pain.

To come into the pose, start in version 1. Next, take both sides of the strap into your left hand and extend your right arm out to the side in a “T” position. Keeping your lower back and pelvis on the floor, bring your right leg toward your left, about 6-12 inches across the mid-line of your body. Keep some tension on the strap and press your right foot into it.

To create more stretch around your hip, roll your outer right hip away from your waist so your right heel spins to the left and right toes spin to the right. When you’re aligned, follow the instructions for the classic pose for finding a focus.

To come out of the pose, return to the version 1 by bringing your leg back to vertical. Then follow the instructions for coming out of version 1. Repeat on the second side.

4. Twisting  

Like version 3, this version stretches your outer hip and leg along with your deep buttock muscles. But because this version is also a twist, it also opens your chest and releases tight back muscles.

To come into the pose, start by coming into version 1. Next, take both sides of the strap into your left hand and extend your right arm out to the side in a “T” position. Roll your hips and legs to the left, coming onto your outer left leg so your right hip is stacked on top of the left. Then swing your right leg directly out to the left so it is parallel to the floor, with your toes pointing to the wall behind you.

As you continue to reach your right arm out the side, try to keep both shoulder blades on the floor. If you can’t keep the right one on the floor due to tightness in your chest, allow it to remain a bit lifted. Keep some tension on the strap and press the right foot into it. To create more stretch for your right hip, leg, and buttock muscles, roll your right hip down toward your left foot and away from the right side of your waist. If holding your leg out to the side is painful or too much effort, place a block or folded blanket under your right foot to support it. When you’re aligned, follow the instructions for the classic pose for finding a focus.

To come out of the pose, return to version 1 by bringing your leg back to vertical. Then follow the instructions for coming out of version 1. Repeat on the second side.

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Contentment, Happiness, and My Family

by Nina 

“I know what house my house will be. It will be just right for me. And a house just right for me must have a fireplace inside, daisies in the yard, cows in the pasture, and, most important, a friend near by.” —from Boats Finds a House by Mary Chalmers 

When my brother was a kid, his very favorite book “Boats Finds a House” was about cat that embarks on a search for his perfect home. The cat, Boats, has a very specific list what is needed to make him happy. And it takes a long while for Boats to find his house. He looks at many, many houses and can’t find one that’s just right, which makes him feel discouraged and sad. Of course, in the end, with some help from various friends, he does find the perfect house. 

“It really was just the right house for Boats and he lived happily ever after.” 

I’m not sure whether this book spoke so strongly to brother because of who he already was or whether he was actually inspired by the book, but my brother’s life ended up being a lot like Boat’s life. He, too, had a very specific idea of what the perfect house and life would be for him, and he has spent his whole life searching for it, even traveling to many different parts of the world in his search. But, unlike Boats, though he looked and looked, he still hasn’t found his perfect house and life, and now he’s in his early sixties and at a very low point indeed. 

When I was telling a close friend of our family about this, she said, “He’s so much your father.” And I knew immediately what she was talking about, even though my brother would be quite surprised by this comparison. Because even though my father had a very different kind of list of what it would take to make him happy, he, too, became discouraged and sad when his life didn’t turn out the way he’d hoped.

Later on I was musing to myself about how I’d managed to escape all that. You see, while my life didn’t exactly turn out the way I once dreamed it would—whose does?—I am content with and even grateful for how things have unfolded. Did I manage to escape the curse of being weighed down with a list of what it would take to make me happy because I was a girl and my father didn’t burden me with the ambitions and expectations a father has for a son? (In those days, girls were mainly supposed to just “marry well.”) Or, was it simply because my nature was just more like my mother’s than my dad’s?

All I do know is that when I first encountered yoga philosophy, it spoke powerfully to me. I remember one of the first things I read was Desikachar’s translation of the Yoga Sutras and how struck I was by his definition of santosha (one of the niyamas that a serious yoga practitioner should cultivate) and his translation of sutra 2.42.

“Contentment or the ability to be comfortable with what we have and what we do not have.” —TKV Desikachar 

“2.42 From contentment and benevolence of consciousness come supreme happiness.” –Yoga Sutras, trans. by TKV Desikachar 

In Edwin Bryant’s commentary on sutra 2.42, he explains it this way.  

“This sattvic happiness does not depend on external objects, which are vulnerable and fleeting, but is inherent in the mind when it is tranquil and content.”_Edwin Bryant 

And later on, when I carefully read the Bhagavad Gita, its basic message that it is equanimity that leads to happiness became a guiding light to me ever since.  

“For the pleasures that come from the world bear in them sorrows to come. They come and they go, they are transient: not in them do the wise find joy. 

But he who on this earth, before his departure, can endure the storms of desire and wrath, this man is a Yogi, this man has joy.
 
He has inner joy, he has inner gladness, and he has found inner Light.” —Bhagavad Gita 

How I wish my brother could switch from his “Boats Finds a House” philosophy to this one. But I’m afraid the patterns of his belief system (samskaras?) that only having everything right can make you happy is so strong that there is nothing I can do to make it shift. (Ssshh, I’m going to try, though.)

It is too late for my father. But in the last couple of years of his life, after my mother died and he was living in a retirement community, he did seem to reach some measure of peace. One day I drove him by the old house in Berkeley where he had lived with my mother for 15 years after he retired, and said, “I had a pretty good life, didn’t I? I had an interesting career, and a wonderful wife, and I built a beautiful house in Los Angeles…” 

“Yes,” I said. “You did.” 

For more information, see Yoga and the Pursuit of Happiness and Yoga Philosophy: Contentment

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What Really Causes GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) and How Should It Be Treated?

by Ram

Damage by Melina Meza

GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a digestive disorder characterized by recurrent reflux of acid from the stomach into the esophagus triggering heartburn or acid indigestion. The esophagus is a muscular, tube-like structure that connects the throat to the stomach, which is lined by a moist, pink, gel-like tissue called mucosa. The food that you eat moves from your throat down to the esophagus. Two valve-like muscular structures exist in the esophagus to regulate the flow of the nutrients to the correct destination (from the esophagus to stomach to the small intestine). The upper esophageal sphincter (UES) at the top of the esophagus prevents food and other secretions from entering the windpipe by opening or closing at the appropriate time. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) present at the esophagus-stomach junction prevents the stomach acids from traveling into the esophagus through its appropriate open-close function. 

Gastroesophageal refers to the stomach and esophagus. Reflux means return or flow back. Thus, gastroesophageal reflux is the reverse flow of stomach acids back up into the esophagus, either due to weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter muscles or due to inappropriate closure of the lower esophageal sphincter valve. Certain foods, fermented or fizz drinks, acidic fruits, cigarette smoke, and chronic stress can all cause the lower esophageal sphincter valve to relax, resulting in acid reflux into the esophagus. If this situation happens as a one-time event or acutely it is termed as a heartburn/acid reflux. If it is long lasting and a more serious form or a chronic issue, it is termed as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).  

The most common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is heartburn. If the condition persists, additional symptoms may also appear, including a sour taste in mouth, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, dry cough, sore throat, and spewing of sour solids or liquids. Most people can manage the discomfort of GERD with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. Over-the-counter treatments that may help control heartburn include:

1. Antacids that neutralize stomach acid
2. Acid production blockers, also called as H-2-receptor blockers, which provide longer relief and may decrease acid production from the stomach for up to 12 hours
3. Proton pump inhibitors, which are even stronger than H-2-receptor blockers of acid production

However, prolonged use of any of the above-mentioned medications can produce side effects, such as diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, confusion, or bone loss. If the heartburn and other symptoms don’t improve with lifestyle changes and medications, surgery may be the ultimate option. And while the symptoms of the heartburn may temporarily cease through the use of the above-mentioned medications, blocking the acid production is not a good remedy. There is a reason for the presence of acid in the stomach: it is necessary for proper digestion of food. The enzymes that digest the food completely work efficiently in the acidic environment. It is this combination of the acid and the enzymes in the stomach that facilitate efficient digestion of food to a form that can be easily delivered to the small intestine for further digestion and absorption. While the strength of the stomach acid is strong enough to burn a hole through a piece of wood, the stomach itself is well protected from its own acids. However, unlike the stomach, the esophagus does not possess any protective inner lining, resulting in its damage by the acids that shows up as a burning heartburn. This has been the premise so far. 

But now a new research study is changing this long-held paradigm (see Association of Acute Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease With Esophageal Histologic Changes). According to this new study, the stomach acid backing up into the esophagus does not cause chemical burns and damage to the lining of the esophagus as thought earlier. Instead, the researchers from UT Southwestern-Dallas VA hospital suggest that the damage in patients with GERD actually occurs owing to an inflammatory response prompted by the secretion of inflammatory proteins called cytokines. The research work done in mice demonstrates that it takes several weeks for the stomach acid to initiate any damage in the esophagus. So it is unlikely that acids are the cause of the chemical burn since burns develop immediately. In follow-up studies on humans, the researchers followed 12 patients who suffered from chronic GERD. The patients who were taking proton pump inhibitors to control the acid reflux were asked to stop taking the medication. The researchers thought that GERD might redevelop if the medication were to be stopped, providing an opportunity to observe the early changes of GERD. Nearly all of the patients showed damages to the esophagus after stopping the medications. More importantly, the damages that reoccurred were not consistent with acid-triggered burns. Rather, the changes revealed all the tell-tale signs of an inflammatory response, suggesting that the stomach acid in the esophagus actually triggered a pro-inflammatory response by stimulating the production of small molecules called cytokines that trigger’s the body’s own defense system to go awry (see Chronic Inflammation and Yoga: Combating the Fiery Killer).

So what’s in this for the doctors and pharmacists? Since the study challenges a long-held belief about the role of the acid in damaging the esophagus, it is important for medical personnel to have the correct understanding of the mechanisms underlying GERD in order to facilitate novel GERD in order to facilitate novel GERD treatments. 

And what does it mean for people who have the condition and are desperate to jump off the antacid/PPI bandwagon? Good eating habits and good lifestyle practices that include a regular yoga practice go a long way in strengthening the gut. A balanced yoga practice includes asanas, resting poses, pranayama and meditation, all of which support the best possible digestion via our conscious mind and the autonomic nervous system (see The Digestion System and Yoga). As I mentioned in the beginning, chronic stress—which can over-activate the sympathetic nervous system (your Fight or Flight response)—is the single most common trigger of GERD (Our Hyper-Competitive, Stressful World), so consider meditation and restorative yoga practices when you know you are under lots of stress (see How to Practice If You Have Digestive Problems). All of the above practices together with healthy food choices and timely meals will promote a healthy digestion that is required to maintain a long health-span (Why You Should Care About Your Digestive System). So one alternative to consider working your way to healthy aging is by closely listening to your gut!

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Video of the Week: Dynamic Extended Side Angle Pose Version 3

This version of dynamic of Extended Side Angle pose will improve your whole body strength more than versions 1 and 2, as well as improving your balance more effectively. If it is too challenging, please try versions 1 and 2, and work you way back to this version over time. Special thanks to Melina Meza for introducing this version to Baxter!

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5 Tips For Women To Develop Lean Muscle Tone

Many women want to improve their fitness levels, partially for health reasons and partially for their overall look. For women who want to look more toned you can do it by building muscle tone and making those muscles much leaner.

Here are the top 5 ways that women can achieve good muscle tone and improve their over-all appearance.

How Build Lean Muscle Tone

Muscle tone improves when the muscle fibers become larger. This is achieved with regular training with weights. Women are often concerned about building muscles mainly because they think that they will develop a bulky male body-builder shape. But men's bodies only develop that way due to the testosterone hormone that has very minimal amounts in women.

1. More Repetitions When Weight Training

When you are training with weights you need to increase the number of repetitions that you are doing to stretch your muscles even more. A good workout routine would be to lift a reasonable weight for six to twelve repetition sessions.

2. Eat More Protein

Women can also get good body tone by eating a healthy and balanced diet. This includes eating a good amount of protein regardless of whether you are exercising or not. Protein is basically the building blocks for muscles. The more you have the more you can build your muscles. Protein is also fills you up so you'll feel fuller for longer and help you snack less between meals.

3. Reduce Carbohydrates

Even though carbohydrates are a necessary part of a healthy diet, you want to cut down the amount you eat if you are trying to build lean muscle tone. This is not saying to cut them out completely as they help your body release insulin, which is needed for energy and to help with muscle repair.

4. Eat More Vegetables

Eating vegetables are part of a healthy diet. Vegetables are typically low in calories and take a lot of energy to eat and digest. This helps with building muscle tone, particularly if they are eaten raw or just slightly cooked.

5. Limit Your Cardio Exercises

If you're concentrating on building a lean body tone then you need to limit the amount of cardio exercise you do. For example, long distance running actually encourages muscle wastage. Instead of stopping all cardio workouts, you can still build muscle tone by including very short bursts of high intensity runs or cycle workouts.

                                                        Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9449187

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Chest Barbell Training Routines For Men

A man's confidence is boosted up in various endowments-nice sports car, abundant savings, towering height, six-pack abs, muscled body and firm chest. Call it the essence of masculinity but firm chest and muscled physique allow a man to become a head-turner. Amusingly, it adds up to his popularity.

Catch a scenario at the gym and you'll surely see men lifting barbells to firm every single muscle they are endowed with. What men want is a totally lean and firm body that every woman can fall in love with. But what it really does actually go beyond physical greatness. Great physique instills the value of self-respect and self-confidence among men. To enhance that most noticeable part of your upper body, here are 5 chest barbell training routines for men you can do for a few months:

1. Bench Press. As the name suggests, you are to situate yourself on a bench as you press the barbell. Recline the bench and sit on it. Hold on to the bar with your hands spreading a little beyond your shoulder's width. Lift the bar away from the racks and bring it in level with your chest. Without a halt, shove the bar again until your arms are straightened before replicating the routine.

2. Incline Bench Press. Tilt the bench to about 35 degrees and sit on it. Hold on to the bar on the racks and lift it up and away. Get it down to your upper chest level. Without a mere pause, push the bar back to arm's extent before redoing the routine again.

3. Cable Crossovers. Situate yourself at the center of two cables in a cable crossover tool. Your hands must be holding the cable handles and pull down together until they reach across your trunk and pass through your middle and lower chest. Go back to the initial position slowly and jolt your chest muscles to segue to the succeeding repetitions. Your chest will be mostly stimulated as your handles pass over.

4. Incline Crossover. Put a 35-degree tilted bench between the grips of cable crossover equipment. Take the lower grips with each of your hands holding them. Your elbows must be bent a little bit as you take the handles up until your arms pass over your upper torso. Get back to the stretching position gradually and stir your upper pectoral muscle to segue to the next repetition.

5. Decline Press and Crossover. You can execute these similarly to the bench press and incline crossover, respectively. The only difference is that you will be using a decline bench.

With proper and regular execution of these chest exercises, you will be able to bring forth a more masculine bearing of yourself. Give it a concentrated undertaking without a miss.

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Best Workout Routines for Men

Exercise is one of the most effective ways to obtain physically fit bodies. There are various fitness training programs that have been designed and developed to help individuals with the proper techniques and schedules of doing their workouts. To ensure good result and maximize the effectiveness of the workout program, one should also follow a proper and strict diet that would match the kind of workouts a person is doing and the amount of energy the body needs while doing the exercises. Consume food that are high in protein and helps burning of fats faster and have lower fat content.

Choosing the best workout routine for men can be achieved by consulting professional fitness trainers and by going to the gym. Although there are various workout programs that can be done at home, if you have the necessary resources like time and money, you might as well maximize the effectiveness of obtaining the perfect body you have been dreaming by going to the gym regularly.

Gym fitness trainers can help you choose the best workout routines for men since everyone have different body structures therefore there are different types of workout routines suitable and appropriate for every person. You can also be sure of your safety since there are fitness professionals that are ready to guide and help you with the proper and effective way to do the workouts.

Here is one of the best workout routines for men that can be done when you are in a gym. This type of workout routine is very simple and easy to follow and can be done three to four times weekly depending on the available schedule of the person. To do the workout routine effectively, one should prepare properly first like doing the proper warm-ups and exercises to avoid injuries, and other joint and muscle problems.

Ideal workout preparations and warm-ups would be cardiovascular activities like treadmill jogging for five to ten minutes and then followed by some stretching exercises for the body. Remember that this workout routine is done in a gym therefore proper guidance is needed from fitness trainers if not familiar with the type of workouts and the type of equipment needed for the workout to ensure safety and avoid injuries.

Day 1 - Chest and Abdomen Trainings

* For the chest improvement, you can try the Decline Close-Grip Bench Press and Cable Chest Press.

* For the abdomen, try Abdominal Reverse Curl, Bicycle Kick, Barbell, Inclined Reverse Crunch, Standing Oblique Crunch and Swiss Ball Oblique Crunch.

Day 2 - Shoulders and Arms Trainings

* For the shoulders, try Bar Military Press, Cable Rear and Side Lateral Raise and Machine Shoulder Press.

* For the Biceps, ideal workouts would be Standing Biceps Curl and Dumbbell Biceps Curl.

* And Seated Triceps Extension for the Triceps.

Day 3 - Muscle Back Improvement

* Lat Pull Down and Cable Seated Low Row.

Day 4 - Leg Strengthening

* Machine Leg Press, Dead Lift and Machine Leg Curl.

You can try different combination of these workouts to form the best workout routine depending on the advice and recommendation of your fitness trainer that would be more appropriate and suitable for you.

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7 Excellent Food Sources For Your Muscle Building Diet

Bulking up largely depends on your muscle building diet. You may be working out all you want but if you're lacking in food nourishment and the right nutrition, you won't be able to build your dream physique. The foods and nutrition that you take in is actually the make or break factor in your muscle building endeavor. You'll want to create an environment that's conducive for muscle growth, and you do this with the aid of the nutrients that you consume from foods and supplements. You've probably come across long lists of muscle building foods, but here's a select -few of muscle building foods that constantly come up in the true bodybuilder's shopping list:

1. Egg whites is a source of pure protein. This muscle building diet food source has a fat to protein ratio of 60:1. Otherwise called as a magnificent muscle growth food, egg whites also has an extremely high biological value. Egg whites is a large source of protein that is readily utilized by the body for protein synthesis. This rich protein food contains carbohydrates and vitamins and minerals as well.


2. Chicken and turkey are lean meats for building serious muscle. These foods are staples in every bodybuilder's workout diet. Chicken and turkey breasts are excellent sources of high-quality protein. They contain extremely low amounts of saturated and trans fats.


3. Fish is a rich source of omega-3 essential fatty acids. Although it's normally recommended in a muscle building diet to eat less fat, fish is an exception to that. Oil from fish supports the muscle building process. Go for cold water fishes such as trout, tuna, salmon and sardines contain sufficient amounts of healthy protein and fats. Add canned fish packed in water in your shopping list. It's a quick protein source for munching especially when you're on the go.


4. Beans and legumes are delicious sources of fiber and protein. Serious muscle builder should not ignore the power of beans and legumes in building muscles. Eating fiber-rich foods supports normal bowel movement and regulates the secretion of insulin in your body. These nutrients aid in the proper absorption of nutrients taken in from foods and supplements. Eat plenty of kidney beans, too. One cup of kidney beans contains 14 grams of protein and fiber.


5. Lean red meat is an excellent protein source for hard gainers. Cuts of red meat and lean ground beef are excellent food sources for growing muscle mass. They contain ample amounts of zinc, iron, protein and B Vitamins. If you're a hard gainer, chomp up more red meats that contain plenty of calories per serving. Then again, limit your intake of red meats because it is high in saturated fats. Refrain from eating them on a daily basis. In your weekly diet, add red meat to turkey, chicken and fish. It'll add variety and flavor to your muscle building diet.


6. Low glycemic carbs fuel your muscles. These are slow burning carbs found in sweet potatoes and oatmeal are excellent pre-workout snacks. You build muscles not only with protein nourishment but with carbs, too. When you workout, you use carbs found in your muscles as fuel. So when bulking up your muscles with weights, fuel yourself with slow-digesting carbs, or else your intensity decreases.


7. Drink 10 liters of water daily to keep yourself hydrated. Doing so will keep your muscles looking full. Due to misinformation, some bodybuilders think that the most important element in building muscles is meat. However, the truth is, water should be the no. 1 item in your list of muscle growth requisites. Water transports nutrients to your muscle cells, and in turn making the nutrients and supplements that you take in more efficient.

There are actually more food sources that will support your muscle gaining goals, but the 7 mentioned edibles above are the basics. Build muscle mass and look good. Rev up your bodybuilding workouts with an efficient muscle building diet.

                                                                    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9451029

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Featured Pose: Hero Pose (Virasana)

by Baxter and Nina

Hero pose is a very stable, centering seated position. Many people prefer this pose to Easy Sitting pose for meditation and breath practices because it is more comfortable for those with back, hip, or knee pain. And, like Easy Sitting Pose, it teaches good sitting posture and strengthens the back muscles needed to support your spine in a healthy position. It also stretches the front of your thighs, shins, and ankles, and is a good antidote legs that are tight or tired from walking, cycling, running, and other sports. The three variations make the pose accessible to almost everyone. 

Baxter prescribes this for:

• Weak spine or poor posture
• Stretching the fronts of your thighs, shins, or ankles
• Breath practice pose
• Meditation pose
• Preparation for Child’s pose and backbends
• Alternative to Easy Sitting pose  

Timing: If you are an experienced practitioner, you can hold the pose as long as you’re reasonably comfortable in it, although many people find that they can only stay comfortable for 10-20 minutes even when using props. If you are new to the practice, start by holding this pose 1-2 minutes, working up to longer holds over time. 

Cautions: This is a generally a safe pose, but do come out if your feet or legs start feeling numb or tingle. If you have knee pain in the pose and you’ve tried all four versions, try sitting on an even higher prop or practice Easy Sitting pose instead. And if you can’t get comfortable sitting on the ground for meditation or breath practice, sit on a chair instead, either with your feet on the floor tucked back under the chair.  

1. Classic Version

This version is for flexible people who can sit in the pose without a prop and maintain the natural curve of their lower spine. 

To set up for the pose, place a folded blanket crosswise on your mat. To come into the pose, kneel on the blanket, with your knees near front of blanket and your ankles and feet hanging off the back edge, the tops of your feet on the floor, and your toes pointing straight back. Position your legs so your knees are hips-distance apart but your shins a bit wider apart in back (wide enough your hips can fit between them). Then slowly lower your pelvis and bring your sitting bones onto the floor between your feet. If there is any pain in your hips, knees, or ankles, come up again and try a supported version instead. 

If needed, adjust your pelvis until your lower back is in its natural curve. Place your fingertips on the floor outside your hips, and press your hands into the floor as you lengthen up from your sitting bones to the crown of your head, creating an “inner lift.” Now, using your back and core muscles to maintain your inner lift, rest your hands on your knees, relax your should blades down, widen your collarbones, and align your head with your spine. Once you have settled in, keep your awareness on maintaining your inner lift. If you are meditating or doing a breath practice, you can start now. If not, bring your awareness to your breath. 

To come out of the pose, lift your hips up out of the pose and reach your hands forward to come into an all-fours position. From there, stretch one leg out behind you to release tension from it, and then repeat with the other leg.

2. On a Block

This version is for those with tight knees and/or front thigh muscles or those who have a rounded lower back in the classic version. It also may be more comfortable for longer sitting sessions. 

To come into the pose, as you kneel on the blanket place a block on its lowest or middle height (or even a stack of two blocks) sideways between your feet, so you’ll be able to rest both sitting bones on it. Then slowly lower your pelvis and bring your sitting bones onto the block. If there is any pain in your hips, thighs, knees, ankles, come up again and try a higher prop. Follow the instructions for the classic pose to find your inner lift. Once you are comfortable, follow the instructions for the classic version for alignment and focus. 

To come out of the pose, lift your hips first, remove the prop between your feet, and then come into an all-fours position. Then follow the instructions for the classic version for stretching your legs. 

3. On a Bolster 

This variation is for those who need (or want) a more comfortable and slightly higher prop than version 2. This is particularly good variation for staying in the pose for longer amounts of time. 

To set up for the pose, place a bolster lengthwise on your mat with your folded blanket in front of it. To come into the pose, kneel in front of the end of the bolster, so the bolster is between your ankles. Then slowly lower your pelvis and bring your sitting bones onto the bolster. If there is any pain in your hips, thighs, knees, ankles, come up again and try placing a block on lowest height under the front of the bolster. Follow the instructions for the classic pose to find your inner lift. Once you are comfortable, follow the instructions for the classic version for alignment and focus.

To come out of the pose, lift your hips first, remove the bolster between your feet, and then come into an all-fours position. Then follow the instructions for the classic version for stretching your legs.

4. With Blanket Stack

This version is for those who have stiff, tight, or painful ankles or can’t get comfortable in versions 2 or 3. 

To set up for the pose, stack 2, 3 or even more blankets on your mat. If you like to (or need to) sit on a block or bolster, place that on top of the blanket stack near its back edge. Then kneel on the blanket stack with your ankles at the very back edge of the blanket and your feet hanging off. Then lower your pelvis either onto the blanket stack or the prop between your ankles. If you have any pain in your ankles, try adding yet another blanket to your stack. Follow the instructions for the classic pose to find your inner lift. Once you are comfortable, follow the instructions for the classic version for alignment and focus.

To come out of the pose, lift your hips up, place your hands on the floor and move off the props and blanket stack onto the floor. Move all your blankets and props asides, and follow the instructions for the classic version for stretching your legs in the all-fours position

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Featured Pose: Easy Sitting Pose

by Baxter and Nina

This extremely versatile pose allows you to sit comfortably on the ground for meditation, breath practices, and between other seated poses, and teaches you how to sit with good posture in your other seated yoga poses and in everyday life. In addition, the pose strengthens the back muscles needed to support your spine in a healthy position and stretches several of your hip muscles. The two variations of Easy Sitting pose with support make the pose accessible to almost everyone.

Baxter prescribes this for:

• Weak spine and poor posture
• Tight hips
• Stress reduction
• Breath practice position
• Meditation position
• Resting position between other seated poses

Timing: If you are an experienced practitioner, you can hold the pose as long as you’re reasonably comfortable in it (meditations sessions can last 20 minutes or much longer). If you are new to the practice, start by holding this pose 1-2 minutes to build up your back strength and stretch your hip muscles, working up to longer holds over time.

Cautions: This is a generally a safe pose. But if you have knee pain or hip pain in the pose and you’ve tried all four versions of it, try Hero pose instead. And if you can’t get comfortable sitting on the ground for meditation or breath practice, sit on a chair instead.

1. Classic Version 

To come into the pose, sit on your mat with your legs stretched out in front of you and fingertips on the floor by your hips. Now, fold your legs into crossed-legs position with your right shin in front of your left, and your shins parallel with the front edge of your mat. Press your hands into the floor as you lengthen up from your sitting bones to the crown of your head, creating an “inner lift, ” and tip your hips a bit forward to encourage the normal curve of your lower back. Now, using your back and core muscles to maintain your inner lift, rest your hands on your knees, relax your should blades down, widen your collarbones, and align your head with your spine. Release your knees toward the floor, ideally below your top hipbones.

Once you have settled in, keep your awareness on maintaining your inner lift. If you are meditating or doing a breath practice, you can start now. If not, bring your awareness to your breath.

To come out of the pose, place your fingertips on the floor by your hips for support, lean back slightly, and extend your legs out in front of you. If you have held the pose for 2 minutes or less, repeat the pose on the second side by changing the cross of your legs. Otherwise, alternate the cross of your legs from day to day.

2. Supported Hips and Knees 

This variation is for anyone who cannot sit with good alignment in the classic pose. This includes people who cannot sit flat on the floor with their knees below the waist and/or who cannot maintain good posture with an inner lift without support.

To come into the pose, sit with your sitting bones near the front edge of your prop. (Experiment with with the height of the prop or blanket stack for your hips to find the height that allows you to experience the inner lift and spinal alignment described for classic version). Then place the blocks under your outer thighs so they fully support your thighs, using the height that allows you to relax your hip muscles and avoid any knee or hip pain.

Once you are comfortable, follow the instructions for the classic version for alignment and focus. To come out of the pose, remove the props supporting your thighs, and then follow the instructions for coming out of the classic version.

3. Back to the Wall 

This variation provides support for anyone who has weak back muscles or is generally fatigued, especially newer practitioners, and is also an excellent option for long sessions of seated meditation where you might want extra support. You can either use props as in version 2 or sit flat on the floor.

To set up for the pose, if you are using a prop for your hips, place it against the wall. Now sit down on the floor or prop, with the back of your pelvis and shoulder blades against the wall, your lower back off the wall, and your legs out in front of you. Then follow the instructions for the classic pose for coming into and aligning yourself in the pose. As you create your inner lift, keep your pelvis and shoulder blades against the wall, your lower back slightly away from it, and your head over your spine.

Once you are comfortable, follow the instructions for the classic version for finding your focus. To come out of the pose, follow the instructions for the classic version or version 2, if you’re using props.

4. Forward Bend 

This version stretches the muscles and fascia around your hips and along the sides of your spine. Because it’s a forward bend, this version can be quieting and calming, helping reduce your stress levels. This version, however, is not suitable for meditation or breath practice.

To come into the pose, start in either version 1 or 2. Then, maintaining your straight back and inner lift, tip forward from your hips and place your hands or fingertips on the floor in front of you. When your hips stop rotating forward, you can allow your lower spine to round a bit. Come forward gradually until you feel a good stretch in your hips, along your spine, or both. If you feel any pain in your knees, hips, or lower back, try coming slightly out of the pose until the pain disappears. Once you are comfortable, bring your awareness to your breath.

Stay in the pose for 1-2 minutes or until your muscles begin to shake. To come out of the pose, walk your hands back as you lift your spine back into an upright position. Then change the cross of your legs and repeat the pose on the second side. 

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