Cooling breath – aka as “Shitali Pranayama” is a 5000 year old technique for cooling one’s body temperature down. Typically performed at the end of a yoga session, it acts as a natural alternative to consuming too much liquid on a warm day.

Cooling breath – aka as “Shitali Pranayama” is a 5000 year old technique for cooling one’s body temperature down. Typically performed at the end of a yoga session, it acts as a natural alternative to consuming too much liquid on a warm day.

Mukha Bastrika – aka the “Cleansing Breath”, helps to remove old, stagnant air from the lungs and cleanses the bloodstream of excess carbon dioxide, which is associated with mental fatigue, altered nerve sensations and physical weakness. The Cleansing Breath, as its name indicates, cleans and ventilates the lungs; it also tones up the entire respiratory system.

Anuloma Viloma - aka the “Alternate Nostril Breathing Method”, is balancing, relaxing, and calming…and can alleviate the symptoms of stress as well as migraine headaches. The exercise produces optimum function to both sides of the brain: that is optimum creativity and optimum logical cerebral activity. This will lead to a balance between a person’s creative and logical thinking. Yogis consider this to be the best technique to calm the mind and the Nervous System.

The “Spider” develops equal strength and endurance in both our left and right sides. Arm and Leg positions aided by pressure acceleration/deceleration equate overall balance. Make sure to keep the chin tucked tightly to the collarbone, looking back thru the legs towards the heavens.

The “Frog” improves hip/knee rotational flexibility, while providing a deep stretch to the complete shoulder area. Move slowly into the position, take your time, and use the breath to extend the kneecap towards the earth. Do not force it.

The “Standing Eagle” promotes balance and flexibility for the hips, shoulders, and hands. It is one of the only poses that you should start with bended knees, but as you accelerate upwards, of course the legs should be straightened. Keep the eyes and breath steady. Do not let the position steal your breath.

The “Bridge/Wheel” are both inversion positions. With the heart upside down, the breath should be longer and deeper. Relax the neck and shoulders; push the weight forward into the quadriceps/knees feet, while simultaneously dropping the tailbone towards the earth. Go slow!

The “Noose” will improve balance, while emphasizing flexibility for the Achilles Tendons. Again one finger is all it takes to make the bind. A strap is a good idea for beginners, and you may also use the wall to support yourself, if balance is an issue.

Learn the feet-over-head yoga inversion pose in this free fitness video from our professional yoga instructor. Published on 6/24/2008

The yoga bridge lift and hold is a great cool down exercise after doing more intense yoga poses. Learn how to do the bridge lift and hold in this free yoga video. Published on 6/20/2008