Yoga: Chair Pose

Series Summary

Yoga poses have become increasingly popular as a form of exercise and meditation. The focus of yoga is a holistic one, employing a broad range of practices which focus on a new way of living, thinking and being in the world. Aimed to unite the mind, the body, and the spirit, the health benefits of yoga are also great and varied. From relieving stress to strengthening and toning muscle, integrating yoga positions and exercises into your daily routine can be beneficial on many levels. In this free video series on yoga exercises, yoga instructor, Linda Black, demonstrates several yoga exercises. Black begins by revealing the technique for several stress relieving exercises, such as: the chair pose, pigeon pose, dancer's pose, the half moon pose, tree pose and even the eagle pose. These stretches are great for strengthening key muscles and improving stability. Black then discusses balance, hand placement, headstand and handstand techniques to help align the body. She then finishes the segment by teaching the crow pose, boat pose, forward bend, twisting crow pose and corpse pose. Watch these videos and learn several yoga exercises today.

Video Transcript

"We're here to do Surya Namaskara B with the eyes closed. We're going to start in Utkatasana position. So, bending the knees deeply; weight back in the heels, inhale; sweep the arms down and then lifting em' overhead. Now, Julie and Valerie are going to keep their eyes closed during this first Surya Namaskara B. You at home can keep your eyes open so you can see visually what happens this first, and then on the second one, I'd like you to close your eyes with them. Exhale; dive forward, stretching the back side of the legs, the hamstrings, hands to the floor, inhale, float the sternum forward; drawing the spine in towards your core, and then step or jump back on an exhale; lowering down into Chataranga. Inhale, upward facing dog. Smooth transition; I like the flow, the stance. Exhale, downward facing dog. Remember, balance comes from ballare, the Latin word meaning to dance. Right leg to your right hand. Stepping forward, placing the back heel on the floor, inhale to warrior I. I'm going to take a breath here, while you position the knee directly over the ankle and get a strong alignment; reaching through the outer back foot. Exhale, hands to the floor, very nice. Stepping back into your high plank position, lower down, Chataranga. Inhale, upward facing dog; exhale, downward facing dog; beautiful. Left foot to your left hand; inhale, stepping forward. Place the back hand on the floor. Inhale to warrior I; holding for a breath here as you exhale. Press through the outer edge of that back leg. Remember, we're trying to create a nice balance of cessation through both feet, and the weight equally weighted. Exhale; both hands to the floor. That completes our Surya Namaskara B. With the Chataranga, upward facing dog, exhale to downward facing dog. Now, you viewers at home can repeat this twice more with the eyes closed by stepping or jumping your feet to your hands, and then starting in Utkatasana position. They're going to start or show you that starting position again. Inhaling to a flat back, exhale; round it down and in, and then come into Utkatasana; ready to begin your second Surya Namaskara B."