Yoga Bright Side

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If you’ve heard of goat yoga, it’s time to level up and try horseback yoga

Yoga’s cool and all, but imagine doing it on top of a horse. If you’re thinking, ‘Huh?’ rest assured that horseback yoga is indeed a thing (as it goat yoga and puppy yoga, ICYMI). Think of it as a mix between the two wellness modalities of yoga and equine therapy (aka hanging with horses), joined together to create a truly otherworldly mind-body experience. And Ella Dove, our director of creative development, is trying it out in Well+Good’s latest episode of What the Wellness, a series in which we investigate all of the most out-there wellness treatments. During a visit with Shakti Ranch in Malibu, California, Dove gets bendy right on top of Sophie, a (very cute) horse. “Horses have this really beautiful way of energetically showing the inner psyche of someone,” says Natalie Riggs, equine therapist at the ranch. So, sure—horses are grounding creatures, but Dove has to actually practice yoga on the horse’s back… which requires a lot of balance (ahem: this one goes out to anyone w...

Experts review evidence yoga is good for the brain

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Scientists have known for decades that aerobic exercise strengthens the brain and contributes to the growth of new neurons, but few studies have examined how yoga affects the brain. A review of the science finds evidence that yoga enhances many of the same brain structures and functions that benefit from aerobic exercise. The review, published in the journal Brain Plasticity, focused on 11 studies of the relationship between yoga practice and brain health. Five of the studies engaged individuals with no background in yoga practice in one or more yoga sessions per week over a period of 10-24 weeks, comparing brain health at the beginning and end of the intervention. The other studies measured brain differences between individuals who regularly practice yoga and those who don't. Each of the studies used brain-imaging techniques such as MRI, functional MRI or single-photon emission computerized tomography. All involved Hatha yoga, which includes body moveme...

It’s been 5,000 years, but yoga just can’t be stopped

And clearly, there’s something to this golden rule that resonates with yogis, because it’s been 5,000 years since the practice’s inception, and it has a larger following than ever before. The number of American yogis rose by 50 percent between 2012 and 2016, and in 2019, the Global Wellness Institute crowned yoga the world’s most popular workout. Take a quick glance at a chart showing the climb of Google searches for “yoga near me” over the past decade, and you’ll notice it looks more like a handstand than a plank pose. The versatility of the practice is a major contributor to its spike in popularity. After all, yoga isn’t one thing—and there’s a style for everyone. Hatha-style classes focus on breath work, meditation, and foundational poses, while hot vinyasa classes raise your heart rate and offer the sweaty satisfaction of a HIIT workout. As we enter a new decade, and yoga tacks another 10 years onto its five-century track record, The history of yoga—and why it just keeps growing ...

How To Heal A Yoga Butt Injury, According To A Physical Therapist

Picture this yogi: You're in your flow, moving through asanas with ease, and having an om-azing time on your mat. Then, just as the Zen starts to really kick in, you pull your hips up into your umpteenth downward-facing dog, and suddenly you feel one of the telltale symptoms of (dramatic sound effect): yoga butt. “This is most likely a burning, discomfort, cramping, or pinching high up in the hamstrings, close to the pelvis,” says Ariele Foster, DPT, a physical therapist and yoga teacher based in Washington, DC. Fear not peaceful warrior. You're about to learn exactly what yoga butt is, what causes it, plus how to fix it because even if the name sounds a little silly, a yoga butt injury is actually no laughing matter. On the contrary, it can be a real pain in the you know what, especially if left untreated, which is why it's important to understand how to recognize and recover from a yoga butt injury if you have a regular yoga practice—or dance or martial arts, for that...

Ashtanga Yoga - Is it right for you?

Ashtanga Yoga is the kind of yoga which was urbanized and established by K. Pattabhi Jois. This sort of yoga is known as the Eight Limb Yoga which has spun in Pattanjali's huge thought. It exhibited that the way of cleaning is comprised of the eight profound practices. The initial four appendages that speak to Ashtanga Yoga are - yama, niyama, Asana and the Pranayama. These are viewed as purifying practices which are remotely correctable. The other arrangement of appendages which are the - pratyahara, dhyana, dharana are the interior practices. These appendages must be redressed by the proper use of the Ashtanga Yoga technique. This sort of yoga technique is very risky to the brain. K. Pattabhi Jois said that rehearsing these Eight Limbs and furthermore its sub-appendages of the outside practices which incorporate the niyama and yama is beyond the realm of imagination. In doing as such, the body ought to be sufficient so it can play out the practices. In the even...

Ardha Kurmasana - Half Tortoise Pose

Ardha Kurmasana is otherwise called Half Tortoise Yoga Asana. Because of its likeness to a tortoise it is known as the tortoise present. This yoga asana can demonstrate to be extremely useful to your body every which way. By playing out this asana consistently and appropriately our bodies can be revived. The organs get extended to its most extreme with each development of this asana. The shoulder development gets improved thus does the muscles in the comparing territories. The stomach muscles gets conditioned and become progressively adaptable. The asana extends the lower some portion of the lungs which is useful for your relaxing. It additionally expands the lung limit which demonstrates to be vital in the event that you have breathing issues like asthma. The weight put on your neck and head improves headache issues. It very well may be expressed as a pressure buster because of its pressure easing limit. Stomach related issues are understood as well. In the event that you experi...