Articles About Alignment


  • Explore Urdhva Dhanurasana: Upward Facing Bow Pose
    Explore Urdhva Dhanurasana: Upward Facing Bow Pose

    Author Ray Long, MD, FRCSC

    Ray Long dissects Upward Facing Bow Pose, a classic back arching yoga pose.  In Urdhva Dhanurasana, the direction of the shoulders shifts to a position of forward or frontal flexion (compared with poses that extend the shoulders away from the back). Thus the shoulder stretch changes here: the muscles that extend the arms are now lengthening. 
  • Adho Mukha Svanasana: Downward Facing Dog Pose Exploration
    Adho Mukha Svanasana: Downward Facing Dog Pose Exploration

    Author Ray Long, MD, FRCSC

    Adho Mukha Svanasana is both an inversion and an arm balance. It is the resting point in the Vinyasa sequence and serves as a barometer for the stretch at the backs of the legs as well as the shoulders. Flexing the hips and straightening the knees focuses the stretch on the hamstrings.
  • Could Poor Head Posture Affect Your Sleep?
    Could Poor Head Posture Affect Your Sleep?

    Author Kreg Weiss, B HKin

    Many people experience problems with acquiring proper, restful sleep.  We often associate this with direct causes like stress, anxiety, or diet.  Have you ever thought about your posture and, in particular, your head position being part of the reason for poor sleep habits?
  • Inner Knee Pain - Lotus Pose Not Blooming
    Inner Knee Pain - Lotus Pose Not Blooming

    Author David Keil

    Pain on the inside of the knee seems to be the most popular and is almost always associated with the leg being in a half or full lotus position.
  • Just Blame Chaturanga
    Just Blame Chaturanga

    Author David Keil

    An anatomical perspective of chaturanga dandasana and how to improve biomechanical function of this yoga pose to protect the shoulder joint from injury.
  • Why Are Yoga Pushups (Chaturanga) So Difficult?
    Why Are Yoga Pushups (Chaturanga) So Difficult?

    Author Kreg Weiss, B HKin

    Chaturanga is a highly delicate pose to perform.  Without proper strength and alignment, chronic injuries can easily develop.  The sense of struggle with inadequate form also generates a negative energy feedback causing your overall practice to be lacking in benefits.
  • How Breath Leads To Bandha
    How Breath Leads To Bandha

    Author David Keil

    There is plenty of debate about what the "right" type of breathing is in yoga. The more classical yoga practices such as Sivananda use a belly breath; those of us doing a more vigorous ashtanga type practice keep the belly in during breathing.