YogaPaws Blog for Beginner Poses and Postures
The Best Cities for Yoga in the US
Posted on October 28 2021
Whether you’re practicing yoga inside the home, outdoors, or at your local spa or fitness center, you can reap the benefits of yoga in any location. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best cities for yoga below so that you can contemplate where to go for your next retreat or even decide on the next city to call home.
Can Yoga Be Meditation?
Posted on May 11 2021
When most people think of the word meditation, it’s often associated with images of monks in Thailand sitting in a circle and chanting. However, meditation is so much more than that.
Can Yoga Help Reduce Anxiety?
Posted on February 22 2021
It has been estimated that over 40 million adults in the United States alone suffer from anxiety. With the heaviness of the pandemic, people are experiencing higher levels of stress and anxiety than ever before. Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress, and usually appears as a feeling of fear or uneasiness about what is going to happen.
Can Yoga Help You Lose Weight?
Posted on February 15 2021
Most seasoned yogis will tell you that yoga is so much more than just a workout. Yoga is 5,000-year-old practice that combines mindful movement, meditation & breathwork to support you in cultivating mind & body connection. But can yoga actually help you lose weight?
The World’s Smallest Yoga Mat!
Posted on January 10 2021
If you’ve ever tried practicing yoga on a slippery mat - or even without a mat - you probably know how uncomfortable it can be. Whether you are traveling, practicing in a studio or just flowing at home, practicing without something to help grip your hands and feet to the ground can be not only difficult, but downright dangerous.
10 Benefits of Practicing Yoga at Home
Posted on January 04 2021
As we head into the new year, yogis are continuing to turn to online and virtual yoga classes to flow on their mats - now more than ever before!
5 Ways to Create A Home Yoga Practice
Posted on December 15 2020
With the pandemic still in full swing and yoga studios across the country closed or at limited capacity, many yogis are moving their practice from the studio into their homes.
Your (Quick) Guide to Yoga Mats
Posted on May 19 2020
With a wide range of mats on the market it’s tough to know exactly what to look for. Prior to investing in a mat ask yourself these helpful questions.
Relax: Five Yoga Poses to Ease Anxiety
Posted on April 14 2020
In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, anxiety “happens” to everybody. You’re stressing out about 10 things at once, or you’re running late for your Zoom meeting and can’t catch up. Maybe, you’re in a difficult place in your relationships, work or financial circumstances. You might feel overwhelmed. It’s normal, but it’s not necessary. You can use your yoga practice to help quiet your mind and stop the spiral before anxiety takes over.
Feed Your Yoga: What to Eat (and Not Eat) Before You Practice
Posted on October 15 2019
Whatever your body clock, figuring out how to fuel your practice comes down to knowing what works for your body and your classes.
Declare Your Independence: Five Yoga Poses to Free Your Practice
Posted on September 25 2019
What happens on your mat can be a powerful tool for freeing yourself up to grow and explore your full capabilities. The flow of inversions and stretches encourages you to think outside the box of your perceived limitations.
Anti-Aging Yoga: Tips for a Vital Practice
Posted on September 05 2019
It’s not just the rich and famous who are finding their personal fountain of youth on the mat. The optimism and energy of a youthful mind, body, and spirit are available to everyone who comes to the mat
Moksha: The Liberation of Yoga
Posted on September 03 2019
In terms of your practice, finding your Moksha could simply mean leaving behind the dialog in your head that constantly reminds you of past struggles.
Taking Charge: Setting Your Intentions
Posted on August 29 2019
When you set an intention, you are not committing to achieving a certain thing. What you are committing to is your experience of the present moment.
Help – I'm having a Yogic Identity Crisis!
Posted on August 21 2019
For me, it was really hard becoming this new version of myself. I lost friends. I lost lovers. I lost my social life. I lost respect. I lost my identity. I lost touch with who I really was….. But then I started to realize what I had gained.
Detoxify with Anywhere, Anytime Yoga Poses
Posted on August 21 2019
Daily classes may be on your wish list, but until then, you can make yoga’s detoxifying benefits part of your every day routine. Start with stress-relieving poses like these that can be integrated into your routine at home, at work, and at play.
Smooth Moves: Easy Fixes for Mastering Transitions
Posted on August 21 2019
Getting into any pose—from beginner to advanced—requires the right setup. The transitions that help you flow from one asana to the next may not be as glamorous as the pose itself, but they are the foundations of a practice that can continue to expand safely and confidently.
Stretch and De-stress with these 5 Hip Openers
Posted on August 13 2019
If a yoga class worked like request radio, hip openers would be a chart topper. Tight hips are a major roadblock for many students who want to deepen their yoga practice and master a wider range of poses.
Surf’s Up: Yoga for the Beach
Posted on July 16 2019
Swimming works your body in asymmetrical ways, which can lead to muscle soreness, overuse, and even injury. However, your yoga practice can be fantastic for counteracting those tendencies and helping you jump in the water with trouble-free.
Five Yoga Asanas to Ease Your Aching Back
Posted on July 15 2019
Before you pop some pain pills or invest in some pricey stretching equipment, grab your yoga mat or YogaPaws. A regular yoga practice not only may help to ease many of the physical aspects of lower back pain, but to increase the strength, flexibility and overall health of your back and spine.
Yoga and Meditation
Posted on June 27 2019
Yoga is the perfect practice in preparing the body and mind for meditation, the breath, however, is the bridge which links the body to the spirit. The joining or "yoking" of these attributes is a recipe for something wonderful.
Three Yoga Asanas to Create Energy and Calm in Your Second Chakra
Posted on June 16 2019
Yoga and pranayama, along with freeing this chakra is essential on every level. Water moves, ebbing and flowing, as it finds its own course around all of the obstacles in its way. Keeping balance in the second chakra will bring that flexibility, ease of mind, body and spirit and creativity into everyday life.
Yoga, YogaPaws, and Weight Loss
Posted on June 12 2019
When you regularly do yoga your body benefits by becoming stronger, flexible, toned, and cleansed. Your mind benefits from the stress reduction, healthy happy endorphins, and an overall sense of well being.
Five Yoga Tips for Healthy Wrists
Posted on June 10 2019
You might not think about the demands you place on hands until pain or injury reminds you. Despite its importance and delicacy, it’s often overlooked. You stretch your calves after a workout, but you might not stretch your wrists after a long day at the computer.
Four Morning Yoga Poses for a Calmer Day
Posted on May 21 2019
Yoga is a great way to take advantage of that “free” time. The stretching and relaxation can help you cope with the chaos that life can bring. And, morning exercise can boost your focus and metabolism.
Five Arm Balances to Help You Raise Your Own Yoga Bar
Posted on May 17 2019
Learning and trying are the true opposites of failure. In the process of facing down your fears and exploring new things, you open up new ways of looking at yourself. Just taking the first step toward mastering a new pose or breaking out of your own box is a vote of confidence in yourself.
Five Yoga Poses to Energize Your Day
Posted on May 08 2019
Sometimes, you need your yoga before class time, or even before you can get back to your own mat. Think about how you feel after another pointless meeting, or when your body gets too tight in the middle of a run in the warm weather. Your yoga practice doesn’t have to be a full series to help you enjoy its full benefits. Just one or two poses can give you the mental and physical release you need.
Support Mindful Eating with These Five Yoga Poses
Posted on May 01 2019
Feeling good is an easy habit to maintain. It allows you to enjoy your food, enjoy your body and grow toward your full potential. That’s something no diet, pills or surgery can ever do. So strike a pose and celebrate a healthier you!
Using Crystals in Your Yoga Practice
Posted on April 26 2019
Want to give your yoga practice a boost? Crystals and gemstones are common tools in the yoga world to help bring high energy, positive intentions and good vibes into your practice.
Lighten up! Five Poses to Help You Let Go and Fly.
Posted on April 18 2019
Learning to be free enough to fly high starts with letting go. You can’t soar if you’re toting a backpack with a ton of useless stuff, unhealthy life hacks and decades of negativity. You have to lighten up to liberate yourself from limitations and then go explore all the possibilities of becoming your best self
Practice Makes Progress, not Perfection
Posted on April 17 2019
Born out of a fear of doing it wrong, desperate for others not to look down on me. I not only do this in my everyday life, but I bring it to the mat with me. Often the behavior that we display on the mat is exactly the same as the behavior we display elsewhere (we just may not be aware of it yet).
5 Tips to Market Yourself as a Yoga Teacher on Social Media
Posted on April 15 2019
Marketing yourself as a yoga teacher can definitely be a daunting task. There are a fast-growing number of yogis looking to build their following and customer base on Instagram and social media. Here some easy tips to help you separate yourself from the pack, gain a bigger following and grow your customer base.
Facing Challenges, On and Off the Mat
Posted on April 13 2019
Identify the work. The real work. The work that will bring about positive changes’, that will give you strength; that will give you a different outcome.
From Attention Getter, to Intention Setter
Posted on April 11 2019
Here's everything you need to know about setting Intentions in your yoga practice.
Yoga and Stress
Posted on April 05 2019
Our lesson is to understand the gift of keeping the mindset and emotional feel of how blessed we are, even when it’s not just raining but pouring.
5 Ways to Practice Mindfulness on Your Mat
Posted on April 05 2019
Mindfulness is a word we often hear in the yoga studio. But what does it really mean? Unfortunately, it’s something that’s easier said than done. Here are 5 tips you can use to help you stay on track.
Understanding the Different Types of Yoga
Posted on April 04 2019
One of the biggest challenges for new yogis is figuring out what style of yoga is the best for them! People are often surprised to find that there are MANY different styles of yoga out there.
YogaPaws: the Ultimate Travel Yoga Mat
Posted on April 04 2019
At the end of the day, many traveling employees wind down simply by watching television in their hotel rooms. Without space or facilities to work out in, it is no wonder these employees are less healthy than their counterparts.
Five Hatha Yoga Poses to Open Your Mind, Body and Spirit
Posted on April 03 2019
The beauty of Hatha is that even the simplest poses remain challenging and interesting as you learn to deepen, relax and explore the edge of the particular movement.
Transitioning Your Yoga Practice into Spring
Posted on March 25 2019
Spring has officially sprung! This season is usually known as a symbol of rebirth, growth and new beginnings. It offers us lots of changes including warmer weather, longer days, blooming flowers, etc. However, as we start to shift into a new season we must remember that our bodies and daily needs are shifting as well.
Increase Your Flexibility - Practice Yoga On the Go
Posted on March 17 2019
As we age, maintaining flexibility is one of the most important things we can do to keep fit and active. Strong bones and lean, flexible, muscles can do more to prevent injury than just about anything else.
Yoga For Relaxation, No Matter Where You Travel
Posted on March 15 2019
Unlike other exercises that are based on high intensity and quick movements, yoga is a more natural system focusing on slow movements, long stretches, and proper breathing. A quality yoga workout leaves you feeling energized, refreshed, and deeply relaxed.
Creating a Consistent Meditation Practice
Posted on March 14 2019
Meditation is the practice of clearing your mind and learning to observe your thoughts without judgment, in order to relax the body and bring your awareness inward. Although meditation is great for you and is a wonderful addition to your yoga practice, it can be difficult to remember practice regularly.
Yoga for Anxiety
Posted on March 12 2019
Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress and usually appears as a feeling of fear or uneasiness about what is going to happen. Whether you suffer from panic attacks or just have the occasional anxious response to stress, yoga has been scientifically proven to help lower anxiety and promote relaxation.
Nine Yoga Poses to Help De-Stress
Posted on March 11 2019
You don’t have to wait to be on the mat to fully realize the calming benefits of living yoga. The beauty of the yogic lifestyle is that it can be done anywhere, anytime. You don’t need a mat or a lot of space.
Bringing Your Yoga Practice Off Your Mat and Into Your Life
Posted on March 05 2019
It is often said that everything we learn in yoga class can be translated off your mat and into the real world. But what does that really mean? Yoga can be considered a metaphor for life. The lessons we learn during our asana practice can be applied to physical, mental, and emotional aspects of our everyday lives.
14 Yoga Poses for Novice to Advanced Yogis
Posted on February 12 2019
Sometimes, yoga is just about the pose... Here we share 14 poses for the beginner to novice Yogi. These poses will stretch and strengthen your muscles while helping you to relax and develop focus.
Yoga for Beginners - How to Prepare for Your First Class
Posted on February 06 2019
Interested in taking your first yoga class but aren’t really sure what to expect? Moving your practice out of your home and into the studio can be intimidating – especially for your first time. Here are some tips for making the transition a little easier.
Using Props to Deepen Your Yoga Practice
Posted on February 03 2019
If you’ve ever been to a yoga class, chances are your teacher has suggested the option to use props for your practice. If you’re one of the many yogis who refuse to grab a prop during class, here are a few reasons you may want to rethink your choice.
Five Hip Openers for the Office
Posted on January 27 2019
Sitting in your desk chair all day—even an ergonomic one—isn’t easy on your hips. While you probably can’t roll out your yoga mat in your office, you can bring hip opening asanas to work every day.