Yoga Contents Archive

Getting to know people through yoga?

I (M/24) moved into a new city almost two years ago and haven’t really gotten in touch with people. I started doing yoga about 3 Months ago. I‘m going to the studio at least one time a week but I try to go 2-4 times. I‘m already known by the teachers in my studio and get greeted with my name when entering. I however haven’t gotten in touch with any other students there, as we aren’t a fix group and can book the classes to our liking. I‘d really like to get to know someone or a group to do yoga with and meet to do other stuff together. Is that just something that doesn’t come out of doing yoga like that because it isn’t a team sport or do you have any tips on what to look for? To be clear. Getting in touch with people isn’t why I started yoga or why I keep with it. Practicing together and being able to speak about the sport would be something really great though.

Yoga for inflexible people

First day

It’s my first day of going to a yoga class it was really fun. I had a great time and we had a part of mediation and it was amazing!

What type of meditation is shavasana?

I've done different Buddhist meditations for years but I'm never sure what to do in shavasana. It always confuses me when the teacher says come back to your body or become aware of your breathing. I'm more us to mindfulness of the breath or shikantaza.

Abhaya Hridaya Mudra Tattoo?

Hello, I don't know Sanskrit but my yoga teacher talked about Abhaya Hridaya Mudra in class today and I loved the meaning. According to her, it meant do not fear to follow your heart. I really resonate with that statement and wanted to get a tattoo of it. Does it make sense to get the word "Abhaya Hridaya" or does it make more sense to get the word with "Mundra" at the end? Or would it make sense to get it in the Sanskrit letters instead of English? I speak Thai and saw someone with a Thai word tattoo that made sense in English but was kind of strange in Thai, so I wanted to consult someone who knows Sanskrit well before I do it :)

Unguided breath meditation

Which stretches will help with getting my hips over my hands?

I’m working on puppy press, and am decently flexible, but can’t help noticing how the women I see do it already start with their hips over their hands. I’m stuck way back there and am wondering which stretches will help bridge this gap.

Why do some men still feel embarrassed if you suggest to them to practice yoga?

I thought we were past that, but there are still many who consider yoga more girly than otherwise.

yoga and breath

Hi all! I've been experiencing something, and I don't know if this is a thing but I'm hoping if it is someone can give me more information about it! Basically, I have been depressed for quite some time. I have terrible posture and I understand that as a result that has closed off my heart space. I'm also known to breathe very shallowly/hold my breath a lot. For the last month or so I have been stretching my back, shoulders, focusing on heart openers, and when I am doing this, I can feel my breath in my chest in a way I haven't been able to before. I can like feel and hear it in the space between my breasts and I know this is a good thing because I am feeling better than ever, feeling less anxious, etc. But is this a thing? Is there a term for it? Anyone else realize they haven't really been breathing properly until they began yoga and how has your life changed since you've been doing this? I feel more open and receptive to love.

I'm addicted

I've been doing yoga off and on for a little over 6 years. But it wasn't until this year that it became a regular practice for me. I found a beautiful studio and community, and have been attending classes almost every day. There is just no feeling that compares to what you feel when you become fully present in your body and mind throughout class. I'm just posting to share in the joy with those who truly get it. Namaste friends ❤️

Inspirational/ favorite yoga quotes

Does anybody have a meaningful or profound quote about yoga that really keeps them inspired/ motivated?

Side plank advice for weak ankles please!

Hi Yogis! Long time reader, first time poster. I had a look through previous posts about side-plank issues but they seem to focus on wrist and arm strength. My arms aren't the strongest, but my main issue with side-plank is foot position. I can't understand how to place so much weight on the side of the foot without painfully rolling my ankle in this pose! I have hypermobile joints and weak ankles because of this so I don't want to cause a sprain. I usually give it a go and then resort to the bent-knee modification, but I feel like I'd be strong enough to do the full pose if not for the foot positioning! Any advice for how to place feet safely during side-plank would be much appreciated :)

Standing forward bend triggers the need for vomiting

Hello. I'm one month into yoga, and for the most part it's been going well. That said, this past week, I get an intense feeling of needing to vomit when doing the standing forward bend, which causes me to stop the session. I haven't changed anything to trigger this (that I know of). Any suggestions or pose modification would be welcome. Thank you.

How do you maintain your own physical and mental health as a Yin Yoga teacher?

Can sitting on a yoga block in a butterfly pose, help unlock stiff hips as a passive stretch when eating or chilling out?

Anyone know if this is a good idea, I plan to Yogi squat and Sit like this when just watching TV are there any benefits?