Downward Dog Has Your Back

Downward dog will forever be a yoga staple, but why? A lot of it has to do with the goodness it does for the back, activating what's known in acupuncture as the bladder channel. The bladder channel "run[s] from the inner eye, up and over the head, down the entire spine and posterior leg, along the side of the foot and ending at the pinky toe," and it has the most acupuncture points in the whole body. The pose is practically designed to make your body feel good! Check out more here in this article by Sara Calabro on Elephant Journal!

Yoga Gets Its First Reality TV Show

Yesterday, the Veria Network debuted the first ever yoga reality television show. The show, Rock Your Yoga, takes place in New York and involves a 30-40 minute yoga session followed by guest appearances, Q&A, and lifestyle tips. Is it something you would watch? Or have you watched it, and what did you think?

We Want to Side Plank Like That When We're 93, Too

At 93, Tao Porchon Lynch will be named the world's oldest living yoga teacher this Sunday by the Guinness Book of World Records. She was photographed recently by photographer Robert Sturman in Central Park. We find the photos utterly inspirational, and hope to be able to do the same at her age! Check them out here on Elephant Journal.

Lazy? You, too, can do yoga!

In today's post on Yoga Journal's "The Good Life" blog, yogi Erica Rodefer describes what she calls "The Lazy Gal's Guide to Yoga." Because, really, yoga is about mindfulness, be it reminding yourself to practice or taking the time to listen to what your body needs. Yes, sometimes we all need to skip practice in favor of taking a nap, but it's important not to chide ourselves for simply being human. If you find yourself being lazy, though, take a look at Erica's list and see what you can do to beat it!

Pose of the Month: Tittibhasana (Firefly)

By Rebecca Merritt

Symbolically fireflies stand for inspiration, illumination and energy. An ordinary bug by day, the firefly is a source of light and beauty by night; reminding us that what’s on the inside counts. The Yoga Sutras tell us: Once the obstacles and false identities have been temporarily set aside, the true Self, which has been there all along, naturally comes shining through (1.3). This May, be radiant in Firefly pose.

Benefits

• Stretches the back torso and inner groins.
• Strengthens the arms and wrists
• Tones and tightens the belly.
• Improves sense of balance
• Calms the mind by relieving from tension, stress and anxiety.

Instructions:

1. Standing at the top of your mat come into an Uttanasana, forward fold. Heel-toe feet a little wider than hips distance apart.

2. Exhale and fold torso forward between your legs, begin to squeeze the shoulders.

3. Reach hands back behind the feet, fingertips facing forward.

4. Begin to squat, bringing the full palm of the hand onto the floor. Start to shift the weight into the hands as you bend the elbows back as you would in Chaturanga Dandasana.

5. Shift your weight back to rest on your upper arms and slowly bring the feet off the floor.

6. Cross ankles in front of you, to help gain balance, and then work towards stretching the legs out to the sides as straight as you can. Keep the pelvis high to help the legs become parallel to the floor.

7. Begin to straighten the arms.

8. Without tensing your neck, lift your head and gaze forward. Breathe slowly as you hold the pose.

9. To release, bend the knees and return feet to the floor. Come to squat or stand.

NYY's Annelise "Lulu" Hagen on Live! With Kelly

New York Yoga's own Annelise "Lulu" Hagen is not just an instructor at our Hot Studio, she's also the author of The Yoga Face, dedicated to "eliminating wrinkles with the ultimate natural facelift." As such, she was just featured on Live! With Kelly Ripa!! We're so excited for Lulu, and you can check out the video from the show below. You can also find The Yoga Face on sale in our boutiques!

Yoga Confidence 101

In a blog post on Yoga Journal's Good Life blog, we're reminded of five reasons to be confident in yoga. Sure, it's difficult when the person next to you is doing the deepest expression of one-legged king pigeon you've ever seen, but it's important to remember there's no competition. Confidence in yoga comes from personal achievement. How do you stay confident in your yoga practice?