The following pranayama and asana form the basis of our yoga practice:
Kapalabhatti (kriya): Energizes the body and mind, cleanses the respiratory system, optimizes lung capacity.
Anuloma-viloma (alternate nostril breathing): Balances and harmonizes the breath, bringing calm and peace, and working on the stress and anxiety we have.
Suryanamaskar (sun salutation): Comprehensive cardio workout and full body stretch, energizes and gets the body ready for the asana practice.
Shirshasana (headstand): Inversion posture that aids blood circulation and purification, with the added mental benefit of working on fighting fear and building a sense of inward focus when you’re going about life right side up.
Sarvangasana (shoulder stand): Works on stimulating thyroid glands, and therefore metabolism, body weight, fights varicose veins and fluid retention in the lower part of the body.
Halasana (plough pose): Stretch for the entire posterior body, right from the base of the neck to the toes. Mental benefit: releases tension stored in the shoulders and back.
Matsyasana (fish pose): Helps optimize use of lung capacity, aids deep breath on and off the mat, builds intercostal muscles, releases tensions from shoulder blades, helps regulate moods and emotions.
Paschimottanasana (forward bend pose): Surrendering posture that calms the brain, helps shush all the noise in your head. Stretches spine, shoulders, hamstrings, improves digestion, stimulates all the digestive and reproductory organs.
Purvottanasana (inclined plane pose): Stretches the anterior region of the body (chest, shoulders, biceps, front of your ankles), strengthens the arms, legs, core and back. Therapeutic for fatigue.
Bhujangasana (cobra pose): Strengthens the lower back, tones the buttocks, soothes sciatica. Also improves the posture which helps build self confidence and sense of overall wellbeing.
Salabhasana (locust pose): Strengthens the upper back, improves posture, stimulates abdominal organs. Helps relieve stress, while helping to build endurance towards stressful situations.
Dhanurasana (bow pose): Stretches the entire front including the ankles, groin, abdomen, chest, stimulates the middle back. Builds confidence, builds conscious response.
Ardhamatsyendra asana (half spinal twist pose): Stretches and keeps the spine supple, increases the elasticity of the spine, tones spinal nerves, removes backpain and stiffness from between the vertebrae. By keeping the spine young, it helps calm your mind, detoxify the body, works on the overall skin health.
Kakasana (crow pose): Strengthens arms and core, builds balance, helps with concentration and focus, builds confidence and courage and helps fight fear of failure. Helps build strength in the wrists and the forearms.
Padahastasana (forward bend): Improves digestive function, spinal nerves are stimulated, optimizes metabolism and vitality, and helps improve concentration.
Trikonasana (triangle pose): Lateral stretch that works on and tones the side of the entire body. Increases stability, reduces pain.