Prone Poses

Benefits: strengthens upper and lower back. Massages abdomen and reproductive organs. Contraindications: serious back injury, be careful to support neck or keep neck in neutral position if there is a neck injury.

Benefits: Stretches ankles, thighs and groins, abdomen and chest, throat, and hips. Strengthens back muscles. Stimulates abdominal organs
Contraindications: High or low blood pressure, migraine headaches, low back or neck injury

Begin prone on belly with  bring legs together, toes pointed. Place elbows under shoulders. Lift head and upper torso. Bent right knee. Reach back with right hand, grasp right foot. Gently rotate your elbow upward, sliding your fingers over the top of the foot, over the toes. Base of the palm presses the top of the foot. Draw foot down  outside of the hip. Lift chest, keep back of neck long. Hold for several breaths, release, and then continue on opposite side.

Modification: Press foot toward seat, without turning hand. Benefits: Stretches the entire front of the body, ankles, thighs and groins, abdomen and chest, and throat, and deep hip flexors (psoas). Strengthens back muscles. Improves posture. Stimulates the organs of the abdomen. Contraindications: Injury to lower back, knee, rotator cuff 

Begin prone on belly with bring legs together, toes pointed. Place elbows under shoulders. Lift head and upper torso. Bent both knees. Reach back and grasp both feet. Gently rotate your elbows upward, sliding your fingers over the tops of the feet, over the toes. Base of the palm presses the top of each foot. Draw feet down outside of the hips. Lift chest, keep back of neck long. 

Modification: Press feet toward seat, without turning hands. Benefits: Stretches the entire front of the body, ankles, thighs and groins, abdomen and chest, and throat, and deep hip flexors (psoas). Strengthens back muscles. Improves posture. Stimulates the organs of the abdomen. Contraindications: Injury to lower back, knee, rotator cuff  

Lie on the belly with legs are stretched back, feet together, tops of feet on floor. Place the chin on mat, hands flat on mat underneath shoulders, elbows in. Inhale, straightening arms, bringing chest up and hold for 15-30 seconds. Release to mat with exhale. Keep movement slow with long, deep breaths.

Benefits: stretches the spine, massages the abdomin, reproductive organs, kidneys. Increases circulation. Opens heart and lungs.
Contraindications: back injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, pregnancy 

Begin in downward facing dog pose, arms straight, hands stable, fingers wide. On the exhale, bring your body forward, lowering the hips and tailbone, making the back straight. Arms are straight, head and neck in line. Push firmly away from the mat, not allowing shoulders, chest, or abdomen sink-keep them firm and in-line.

Benefits: Strengthens arms, wrists, chest, spine and abdomen
Contraindications: Carpal tunnel syndrome, arm or wrist injury

The Sanskrit name translates as ‘Eight-Limbed Salutation’. The ‘eight limbs’ refers to the parts of the body that touch the ground: chin, chest, both hands, both knees, and both sets of toes. This pose is an element of Sun Salutations, and an alternative to the more difficult Chaturanga pose (below).From Plank position, drop the knees to the floor, toes tucked under, elbows hugging the ribcage, and shoulders just above the wrists. Keep hips lifted upward and palms flat as you bring chest to mat between your hands and chin to floor. Hold, breathing smoothly for several breaths, and then lower all the way to the mat to rest. If this pose is part of a Sun Salutation sequence, push forward and come up into cobra.

Benefits: Increases the flexibility of spine. Strengthens arms, shoulders, legs, abdomen, and back. Builds strength to prepare for more advanced arm-balancing and weight-bearing poses.
Contraindications: Carpal tunnel syndrome. Recent neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist injury, and pregnancy.

Benefits: Strengthens arms and wrists and abdominal muscles
Contraindications: Carpal tunnel syndrome or other wrist injury, pregnancy

Begin in Downward Facing Dog Pose. Exhale, step right foot up outside of the right hand. Both hands are left of the right foot. Right knee is bent and  right thigh is parallel to the floor. Lower down onto elbows and gaze forward and slightly down, keeping the neck in line with the spine. Press the left heel back, and keep the hips square. Hold pose for 5-10 breaths. Release by pressing palms down and straightening arms and step back to Downward Facing Dog. Repeat om opposite side.

Modifications: Lower left knee to the mat if needed or keep the arms straight to lessen intensity. Place padding (blanket or folded mat) under knee to ease discomfort. Benefits: Hip opener, stretches the hamstrings and quads. Strengthens leg and gluteal muscles. Relieves tension and anxiety. Contraindications: Recent or chronic injury to the knees, hips, legs, or ankles.

Begin in table pose. Slowly widen your knees out to the sides until you feel a stretch in your inner thighs. Draw the ankles directly behind the knees with the feet turned outward. Keep the inside of each calf and foot in contact with the floor and ankles in line with your knees. Bring the elbows and forearms on to the floor with the palms flat on the floor or with the palms pressed together. Exhale pressing the hips back until you feel a deep stretch in the hips and inner thighs. Hold the pose for several breaths. Release by easing hips forward and press back to Table Pose.  

Modifications: Place folded blankets under the knees or elbows.                              Benefits:  Opens the hips, groin and inner thighs. Opens chest and shoulders, calming. Therapeutic for menstrual cramps                                          Contraindications: Recent or chronic injury to the knees, hips, legs, or ankles.