What arises within you while on your mat?

What do you notice about yourself while on your mat today? What we witness on the mat about ourselves transfers off the mat and out into the world. Grab your journal and take a few moments to answer these questions.

self-studyMichelle CawleyMarch 1, 2022dance, yoga, yoga practice, self-awareness, ego, self acceptance, self reflection, self love, AsanaComment

The Asanas – Ardha Uttanasana Tutorial

Half Lift or Ardha Uttanasana stretches the hamstrings and is used to transition from standing to plank or downdog when moving through a vinyasa flow. Your inhale brings you into a flat back with the belly pressing towards the spine, long through the side seams, shoulder heads hug towards the pelvis and in towards the midline, long through the back of the neck.

6 Tips for Avoiding Wrist Pain in Yoga

You don’t have to suffer through wrist pain during or after a yoga practice. I’ve been there before — your wrists hurt after a yoga class and you’re not sure why. Lucky for you, there are a handful (pun intended, lol!) of ways to alleviate sore wrists and avoid a wrist injury. Let’s break it down.

The Asanas – Child’s Pose Tutorial

Child's pose or balasana is often used as a preparatory or restorative posture. In this video, I demonstrate three different variations of child's pose. Find child's pose anytime you need to rest or catch your breath.

What's the difference between standing splits and warrior three?

In this video, I give a quick overview and examples of open hip postures and closed hip postures, and I offer the key differences between warrior three (Virabhadrasana III in Sanskrit) and standing splits.

35-min Yoga Practice – Yoga for an Open Heart

In this 35-minute practice, I quickly go over the importance of arcing up and over in your backbends versus going straight back. Then, we get into the practice. You’ll want to have two blocks or two water bottles handy.

yogaMichelle CawleyFebruary 14, 2022yoga practice, open heart practice, michelle cawley yoga, yoga, camel pose, Ustrasana, backbendsComment

Day 7 of Yoga for Beginners – Vinyasa Flow to Restorative Yoga

This 32-min yoga practice combines vinyasa flow with restorative yoga. We’ll spend the first 12-minutes getting excess energy out before moving into longer holds in resting postures. Grab two bed pillows, two blocks or two decorative pillows, and 1-2 blankets from around the house. I’ll meet you at the top of your mat.

Day 6 of Yoga for Beginners – Guided Meditation

The purpose of today's class is two-fold:

Share with you a handful of ways to find a comfortable meditation seat
Then, sitting or meditating for 5 minutes with the goal of increasing to 10 minutes

Let's find a comfortable seat.

Day 5 of Yoga for Beginners – Twisting Vinyasa Flow

Today’s class starts with a quick overview of how to find core integration in your body. Then with the use of the breath, we explore twists. Twists are an integral component of a yoga practice. They can be seated or standing, and help maintain mobility of the spine. It's recommended that we twist one to two times per day to maintain a healthy range of motion. Closed twists (e.g., lord of the fishes or a revolved crescent) should be avoided when pregnant because they can reduce blood flow and limit the baby's space. You’ll need two blocks or two water bottles for this practice.