When I first discovered yoga, I loved practicing Surya Namaskar, commonly known in English as Sun Salutations. Numerous teachers, including some famous ones, said that the sequence was ancient and was performed by monks in caves thousands of years ago. It wasn’t until years later, while reading history books, that I discovered this was a yoga myth. I still love practicing Surya Namaskar, but I now know that the sequence was not part of early yoga systems and was fused with yoga asana in the 1930s by the famous teacher Tirumalai Krishnamacharya. If this information is new to you, then no worries, the sequence is still very special and healing in many ways. In this post, I’ll review the history of Surya Namaskar, how the sequence became incorporated into modern yoga practice, and provide some references for further study.

If you are looking for a list of all the possible benefits of Trikonasana, you are in the right place! In this post, I will also cover basic alignment, modifications, and teaching tips.

Although some people try to differentiate between the names Triangle and Extended Triangle, I don’t differentiate this way. I use Extended Triangle as the pose name and label the different versions as modifications, options, or variations. Most teachers refer to this pose as Triangle, but all variations traditionally fall under the name Extended Triangle (Uttihita Trikonasana).

Explore the benefits of Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog) in this detailed guide. Learn variations, modifications, and essential cues to make this vital yoga pose accessible and beneficial for all skill levels. Enhance your practice with expert tips.

One of the most common complaints from new yoga students is wrist pain and soreness. Many have not done weight-bearing exercises on their hands before, and it takes time to build up strength. It is important to address wrist pain early to avoid it becoming worse and to prevent long-term issues. In this article, I’ll cover why yoga wrist pain occurs, how to prevent it, and modifications to common poses that place less pressure on the wrists. Those experiencing wrist pain can still practice yoga if they adapt their practice for awhile, allowing their hands and wrists to heal.

There has always been some controversy around how to teach Pigeon pose, with some teachers focused on specific alignment cues. In my classes, it is clear that everyone cannot place their shin parallel to the front of the mat, and many people cannot square their hips to the front of the mat either. Everyone’s body is unique, and the way that works for one person may be completely wrong for another person.

Given that our students often encounter images of the traditional Dancer pose on social media, there's a common misconception that the pose is entirely out of their reach. In many of the photos, a young person is reaching over their heads and holding their foot, sometimes even cradling their head in the sole of their foot! It’s true, that most of us cannot do this intense version, however there are many modified variations of Dancer Pose that are quite accessible and fun to practice. The benefits of Natarajasana, even for beginners practicing the modified variations, are huge!