Each month, a different Chagrin Yoga instructor picks a pose of the month to focus on during classes throughout the month. Below you will find descriptions, benefits, tips and techniques about this month's pose, as well as previous poses. We hope the Pose of the Month program at Chagrin Yoga helps you gain a better understanding of these beneficial poses!
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OCTOBER 2011
Pose: Purvottanasana (Upward Plank Pose) Picked by: Sasha Chusid Purvottanasana, meaning intense eastward facing stretch, is a challenging posture that helps strengthen the arms, abdomen, wrists and back while opening the chest. This pose is a counter pose of Paschimottanasana or forward fold and stimulates the energy pathways in the body. The heart opening aspect of Purvottanasana is said to help keep you open to new possibilities. Read more about Purvottanasana (Upward Plank Pose) |
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SEPTEMBER 2011
Pose: Salamba Sirsasana (Tripod Headstand) Picked by: Deanna Lee This calming, inverted posture is a variation of Headstand where the weight is borne mostly by the head, with the hands used for balance. Alignment of the head with the spine is very important. This pose is often used as an entry posture for some arm balances such as Crow pose. This inversion strengthens the core, arms & back, and can help relieve fatigue and improve balance. Read more about Salamba Sirsasana (Tripod Headstand) |
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AUGUST 2011
Pose: Sirsasana (Headstand) Picked by: Dawn Holst This inverted balancing posture is often referred to as the king of all poses because its benefits are innumerable. Sirsasana, calms the nervous system, nourishes the brain cells, stimulates the heart and circulation, balances the hormonal and digestive systems and strengthens the spirit. Come to Chagrin Yoga this month and balance with us in Headstand – against a wall or out in the middle of the room! Read more about Sirsasana (Headstand) |
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JULY 2011
Pose: Padmasana (Lotus Pose) Picked by: Shaun Sterling This calming and meditative pose in which the feet are placed on the opposing thighs is the most classic of yoga postures and commonly used for meditation and pranayama. This pose, picked by Shaun Sterling, helps to open the hips and create flexibility in the ankles and knees. Lotus is an advanced posture which allows you to sit perfectly straight and be absolutely still, relaxed, comfortable, and alert - perfect for meditation. Read more about Padmasana (Lotus Pose) |
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JUNE 2011
Pose: Chaturanga Dandasana (Four Limbed Staff Pose) Picked by: Erin Pickus This energizing and strengthening posture, picked by Erin Pickus puts the weight of the body on the hands and feet. It works the arms, wrists and shoulders and tones the abdomen. This pose is an important part of the Sun Salutation sequences popular in many of our Vinyasa classes and often follows high plank. Read more about Chaturanga Dandasana (Four Limbed Staff Pose) |
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MAY 2011
Pose: Supta Virasana (Reclining Hero Pose) Picked by: Sarah Rawlins This advanced opening posture gives the thighs and hip flexors an intense stretch, opens the pelvic abdomen and increases circulation to the abdominal organs. Regular practice of Supta Virasana contributes to a healthier back and has a remarkable effect on digestion. Eventually, Supta Virasana can become a resting pose rather than a stretching pose, but it takes some time to get there. Come to Chagrin Yoga this month to try it out! Read more about Supta Virasana (Reclining Hero Pose) |
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APRIL 2011
Pose: Camatkarasana (Wild Thing or Fallen Triangle) Picked by: Melissa Nicolo An energizing backbend, Wild Thing opens up the chest, lungs and shoulders, builds strength in the upper back and improves spinal flexibility. This pose, which can help treat fatigue and minor depression, also provides a deep stretch in the front of the legs and hip flexors. Come to Chagrin Yoga this month to try out this fun twist on backbending! Read more about Camatkarasana (Wild Thing or Fallen Triangle) |
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MARCH 2011
Pose: Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose) Picked by: David Kampinski This strength building standing balance posture requires perfect mental focus. In addition to opening the hips, it strengthens the ankles, knees, abdominals and lower body. Regular practice of this pose will help improve your overall coordination, balance and concentration. Come to Chagrin Yoga this month and balance with us in Half Moon! Read more about Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose) |
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FEBRUARY 2011
Pose: Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel Pose) Picked by: Maribeth Will This energizing backbend engages every muscle in the body. It opens the front of the body strongly while giving the spine a maximum stretch. To lift into it requires good shoulder flexibility and, once up, strength in the arms to hold you in place. Come to Chagrin Yoga this month and boost your energy in Wheel! Read more about Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel Pose) |
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JANUARY 2011
Pose: Bakasana (Crow Pose) Picked by: Patty Jackson Also known as Crane Pose, Bakasana (Crow Pose) is a posture where the whole weight of the body rests on the hands. This compact arm balance strengthens the wrists, arms, shoulders and abdominal muscles. Bakasana also requires concentration and helps us conquer the fear of falling forward. Read more about Bakasana (Crow Pose) |
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DECEMBER 2010
Pose: Tadasana (Mountain Pose) Picked by: Kathy Hammonds Tadasana (Mountian Pose) is the starting position for most standing poses in Yoga. During Tadasana, you pay attention to your position, your concentration and your breathing. The proper execution and continual practice of Tadasana will strengthen the thighs and improve posture. This pose helps re-train the body to stand correctly and reverse the negative effects of poor posture. Tadasana promotes stillness, strength, relaxed power and the stability of a mountain. Read more about Tadasana (Mountain Pose) |
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NOVEMBER 2010
Pose: Ananda Balasana (Happy Baby) Picked by: Darcy Providente Chagrin Yoga’s pose for November is Ananda Balasana (Happy Baby Pose) and was picked in honor of our upcoming Happy Baby Party to celebrate the Chagrin Yoga’s first birthday! Happy Baby is a hip opener that helps release the lower back and gently stretches the groin area and hamstrings. The pose requires arm strength as you use your biceps to guide your knees to the floor. Happy Baby is a supine pose that is calming and relieves stress and fatigue. Read more about Ananda Balasana (Happy Baby) |
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OCTOBER 2010
Pose: Salamba Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand) Picked by: Kristen Shick Sometimes called the candle pose or Queen pose, the shoulder stand translated from the Sanskrit name means “all limbed” or “whole body.” Done consistently and properly, shoulder stand has a wide range of benefits. It increases blood flow to the brain helping relieve stress headaches and migraines, regulates metabolism by stimulating the thyroid, helps to relieve varicose veins and provides a deep stretch to the shoulders and neck. Read more about Salamba Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand) |
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SEPTEMBER 2010
Pose: Vrksasana (Tree Pose) Picked by: Shaun Sterling Vrksasana or Tree Pose was picked by substitute instructor, Shaun Sterling and is Chagrin Yoga's pose for September. The challenge of Tree Pose is maintaining balance on one leg. Regular practice of this posture will help improve concentration, balance and coordination. Because the weight of the entire body is balanced on one foot, Tree Pose helps strengthen your thighs, calves, ankles and back. It can also increase the flexibility of your hips and groin. Read more about Vrksasana (Tree Pose) |
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AUGUST 2010
Pose: Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend) Picked by: Jennette Zimmerman Chagrin Yoga's pose for August is Uttanasana (standing forward bend) and consists of standing with your feet together and hinging forward from the hips, letting the head hang, with palms placed flat on the floor near the feet. This pose provides a complete stretch to the entire back of the body, particularly the hamstrings, and brings about intense extension to your legs and spine. Your hamstrings will wake up and your mind will be soothed. Uttanasana is a critical piece of Surya Namaskar, sun salutation sequences done in vinyasa yoga. Come to the studio this month and increase your flexibility with Uttanasana! Read more about Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend) |
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JULY 2010
Pose: Utkatasana (Chair Pose) Picked by: Melanie Tessmer Chagrin Yoga’s pose for July is Utkatasana (Chair Pose), one of the most powerful yoga postures for improving leg strength. Utkatasana is a deep and intense squat that immediately engages the strength of your legs, back and ankles. Chair Pose works the core muscles, stretches the chest, shoulder and arms, and strengthens the lower back. It helps relieve tension and stress, and stimulates the heart, diaphragm and abdominal organs. The pose may look like you're sitting in an imaginary chair, but it's anything but relaxing, it's important to use your breath to maintain the pose. Come to Chagrin Yoga this month and try out Utkatasana during a Sun Salutation B or with an abdominal twist! Read more about Utkatasana (Chair Pose) |
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JUNE 2010
Pose: Savasana (Corpse Pose) Picked by: Shakthi Paramasivam Chagrin Yoga's pose for June is Savasana (Corpse Pose), a relaxing and rejuvenating posture that concludes every yoga practice. This final resting pose gives the body time to understand and absorb the new information it just learned during yoga practice. This pose requires complete stillness in both mind and body, and the focus is simply relaxing every body part and letting go completely. Savasana calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression. It reduces headache, fatique, and nervousness and improves concentration. Come to any Chagrin Yoga class and we'll guide you through proper preparation to ensure a relaxing and peaceful Savasana! Read more about Savasana (Corpse Pose) |
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MAY 2010
Pose: Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Handstand) Picked by: Darcy Providente Chagrin Yoga's pose for May is Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Handstand), an inversion that strengthens the shoulders, arms and wrists. Handstand also stretches the abdomen, improves your sense of balance and calms the brain - helping to relieve stress and mild depression. For many yoga students, a major obstacle to Handstand is the natural fear of falling. We're focusing this month on several strength- and confidence-building exercises that will help you face your fears and conquer Handstand! Once you're balancing upside down, your vital organs will enjoy a much-needed rest, your circulation and respiration will improve and you'll experience heightened mental clarity. Read more about Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Handstand) |
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APRIL 2010
Pose: Vasisthasana (Side Plank) Picked by: Maribeth Will Chagrin Yoga's pose for April is Vasisthasana (Side Plank Pose), a strength-building, one-arm balance that targets core muscles (abs, back, hips) and engages the shoulders and wrists. Side Plank opens the chest and heart which expands the rib cage and enables increased lung capacity. This pose is an excellent abdominal strengthener, it improves balance, and it stretches and strengthens the wrists, arms, and legs. Read more about Vasisthasana (Side Plank) |
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MARCH 2010
Pose: Salabhasana (Locust Pose) Picked by: Brian Paquette Salabhasana (Locust Pose) is one of the 26 postures of Hot Hot Yoga and is said to be the best way to maintain the body in perfect condition. It increases spinal strength and flexibility, helps prevent lower backache, and helps cure gout, lumbago, rheumatism, slipped disc, sciatica and arthritis of the spine. It also relieves menstrual problems, cures loss of appetite, helps correct bad posture, and improves the functioning of the liver and spleen. |
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FEBRUARY 2010
Pose: Ustrasana (Camel) Picked by: Deanna Lee Chagrin Yoga's pose for February is Camel, a heart opening pose that helps respiration. Camel is a deep backward bend performed in a kneeling position. As a stretch, it opens the whole front of the body and works the chest, hips, thighs, biceps, ankles and shoulders in the process. Come to Chagrin Yoga this month and you'll surely find yourself in Camel Pose! Click the link below for more information on Camel including preparation, benefits and modifications. Read more about Ustrasana (Camel) |
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