In November, our Posture of the Month is Garbha Pindasana, the Embryo in Womb Pose, sometimes also referred to as Garbhasana. In Sanskrit, it is composed of the three syllables Garbha (Womb), Pinda (Embryo or Foetus) and Asana (seat, pose or posture). As the name suggests, it resembles an embryo nestled into the mother’s womb. In terms of fitting into categories, it’s a posture from the Ashtanga tradition, classified as an advanced seated balancing pose and is said to promote focus and a balanced mind, often in order to go deeply into meditation afterwards. An embryo, as it grows, is flexible ..read more

In September, our Posture of the Month is Upavista Konasana, the Center Splits, sometimes also referred to as Middle Splits, Side Splits or Seated Straddle Splits. In Sanskrit, the ancient language of the yogis, it means 'Wide Angle Pose', from Upavistha (open or wide), Kona (angle) and Asana (seat, pose or posture). The Center Splits are all about opening up and relaxing into the tension felt as you increase the angle, trying to move your legs into a straight line. As an advanced hip opener, Upavista Konasana will likely be a major challenge for most students, but we will offer a variety of ..read more

Back to balance, with a twist… or two This month, our POM is Garudasana, a one-legged balance pose that will require a lot of focus while twisting both your arms and legs into a bit of a pretzel! In Sanskrit, the ancient language of the yogis, Garudasana means 'Eagle Pose', from Garuda (a legendary Demigod and king of all birds who would carry Lord Vishnu on his travels) and Asana (seat or posture). It requires intense focus and is said to boost energy in your body. In terms of chakras, Garudasana activates the Third Eye Chakra (Ajna Chakra) as well as the Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana). Read on ..read more

Come fly with me let’s fly… let’s fly away! Sounds familiar? It will forever be Frank Sinatra’s voice that will ring in our ears when reading these lines. He wasn’t quite a yogi and probably didn’t refer to handstands when he sung it… but here we are, for another round of ‘taking flight’ the yogi way! It’s handstand time this July folks, and we are excited to help you get there, if you haven’t already! In Sanskrit, the Handstand is called Adho Mukha Vrksasana, which means 'Downward Facing Tree' (from adho: downward, mukha: face, vrksa: tree and asana: posture), because in its basic form, it is ..read more

Time to get to the core friends! This month, our POM is focusing on chiseling our abdominals, to help you increase your strength when practicing advanced postures like inversions and arm balances. In Sanskrit, the ancient language of the yogis, Navasana means 'Boat Pose', from Nava (boat) and Asana (seat or posture). As a seated forward bend, practicing Navasana improves your balance and strengthens your abdominals and back muscles. In terms of chakras, Navasana activates the Solar Plexus (Manipura Chakra). Read on to find out more… Some of the health benefits you can expect from practicing N ..read more

In May, we will practice Svarga Dwijasana as our Posture of the Month. Svarga Dwijasana in English is referred to as ‘Bird of Paradise’ Pose' (from Svarga: heaven; Dwija: twice born and asana: posture). Why ‘twice born’ you ask? Because a bird, quite literally, is born twice: Once, as an egg, and a second time upon hatching. According to different sources, ‘Bird of Paradise’ can refer to the actual animal, native to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and our Australian East Coast. Or to the beautiful tropical flower of the same name. Either way, it evokes a sense of rare beauty and elegance. The ben ..read more

In April, our Posture of the Month is Kapotasana, the Pigeon Pose. It derives from the Sanskrit words kapota (pigeon) and asana (posture). Are you wondering why the name rings a bell? Pigeon? But it looks different? That's because you will have practiced postures from the same family many times in class: Rajakapotasana (the King Pigeon) and Eka Pada Rajakapotasana, the one-legged version of the same. They all invoke the same image: a pigeon puffing up its crop, hence the name. So now, it’s time to focus on the original, which looks much more like the Wheel Pose, but with your arms and legs on ..read more

In March, our Posture of the Month is Koundinyasana B, the Flying Splits. Koundinyasana is Sanskrit for 'Sage Koundinya's Pose' (from Koundinya: the sage's name and asana: posture). As an advanced arm balance and twist, it is also know as the ‘Flying Splits’. Are you wondering about the difference to Koundinyasana A, by the way? The difference is in the positioning of the leg that rests on the arm: In ‘A’ it is the top leg lifting back, and in ‘B’ the bottom leg.  Sage Kaundinya, after who the posture is named, was a learned scholar at the royal court in 6th century India. He had mastere ..read more

In March, our Posture of the Month is Koundinyasana B, the Flying Splits. Koundinyasana is Sanskrit for 'Sage Koundinya's Pose' (from Koundinya: the sage's name and asana: posture). As an advanced arm balance and twist, it is also know as the ‘Flying Splits’. Are you wondering about the difference to Koundinyasana A, by the way? The difference is in the positioning of the leg that rests on the arm: In ‘A’ it is the top leg lifting back, and in ‘B’ the bottom leg.  Sage Kaundinya, after who the posture is named, was a learned scholar at the royal court in 6th century India. He had mastere ..read more

The subjugation of ego In February, we are practicing Vrischikasana, the Scorpion Pose. The Sanskrit name is made up of Vrischika (scorpion) and Asana (seat / pose / posture). Contrary to most postures we practice, it’s not one of the classics, but was first mentioned by B.K.S. Iyengar in 1966 in his book ‘Lights On Yoga‘. It can be practiced resting on your forearms or - for an extra challenge - from a handstand. It is recommended to refrain from practicing Vrischikasana if you suffer from heart conditions, hip- or back pain. In this case, please consult your GP before practicing, as the inv ..read more