Quiz Yourself On Yoga Pose Names

If you practice yoga or take yoga classes, you've heard your teacher give the yoga pose names, sometimes in English, and maybe sometimes in Sanskrit.

How well do YOU know the yoga pose names?

I've created three very short quizzes (just 8 questions each) on yoga pose names. 

If you'd like to test yourself, go to
Quiz Yourself On Yoga Pose Names

If there's interest, I'll create a few more.   If you're a teacher and happen by this page, most likely these quizzes are a piece of cake for you.  If you're a student....well, maybe the names are familiar, but maybe not.

I'd love to hear what you think about these mini-quizzes!

More on Yoga for Arthritis

I've heard from a number of my students that they've seen the excellent PBS programs "Yoga For the Rest of Us" by Peggy Cappy, including her newest program, Easy Yoga for Arthritis. I've also received emails and phone calls from people who have watched this program, and are now searching for Yoga for Arthritis classes in Ann Arbor.

See below for more information on this product

I've written an online article, Yoga for Arthritis,  that many of you have already seen that describes how the mindful practice of yoga poses can help people with arthritis.   

The practice of yoga helps to increase mobility in joints, while stretching and strengthening the muscles and connective tissues around the joints.   A regular yoga practice also reduces arthritic pain.

If you don't have time to read my full online article, then just read the short section How Yoga Helps to Relieve Arthritis Symptoms.



UPDATE -- When I first wrote this post, I didn't have a Yoga for Arthritis class on my schedule.  I've since decided that I WILL offer a Yoga for Arthritis class on a trial basis.   It'll be an hour-long class and it will last for four weeks.  The class will be geared toward people who are new to yoga and who want to come to a gentle, slow-paced class to help them develop more mobility and strength.

My students with arthritis all agree that yoga has helped to increase their flexibility and strength, while reducing their arthritis pain.  They notice that if they take a break from practicing yoga, they experience more stiffness and pain.

If you're new to yoga, or have been away from the practice of yoga for some time, you may want to try a Gentle yoga class to start with.   In the Gentle Yoga Class and the 4 week Yoga for Arthritis class at Harmony Yoga of Ann Arbor, you'll learn to safely stretch and strengthen your body with yoga poses, within a friendly, non-judgmental atmosphere.   If you're already relatively active, but starting to notice arthritic stiffness and pain, a general Beginning Yoga class may be a good place to start.

If the class you try just does not work for you, try another class.   "Gentle Yoga" or "Beginning Yoga"  can mean different things at different studios.  Some styles of yoga are more active than others, while some are very quiet and slow-moving.  Don't give up if your first class doesn't suit you!  Search around and ask for recommendations from friends.  Talk to different yoga teachers.

With the assistance of a competent yoga teacher, all of the yoga poses can be modified as needed to help with stiffness, weakness, and lack of balance.

If you'd like to see if a yoga class at Harmony Yoga of Ann Arbor is suitable for you, take a look at our Yoga Class Schedule and Yoga Class Descriptions, and contact me if you have questions!  I'm happy to talk to you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

May you all have a lovely day whether it be with family and friends, or if you choose to have a quiet day to yourself.

Here's Allison Krauss and Yo-Yo Ma in a beautiful rendition of "Simple Gifts"

Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right.





Simple Gifts was written by Shaker Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr. in 1848.

Happiness and Inner Peace Quote

Just a nice quote from The Inner Peace Project at Yoga.com

"Is there a difference between happiness and inner peace?  Yes.  Happiness depends on conditions being perceived as positive; inner peace does not."

— Eckhart Tolle

 The Inner Peace Project is a little reminder to take a moment to breathe; to connect with a feeling of inner peace.

Lotus Blossom #1 by loveinvented

Snowflakes and Music

From SnowCrystals.com

Not yoga-related, really, but oh so beautiful!

Yoga and Arthritis -- Keep Moving Your Body

Image from iStockphoto.com

Yoga can relieve arthritis pain by creating more mobility and flexibility in the joints, while stretching and strengthening the muscles around the affected joints. 

A problem with arthritis pain is that the person suffering the pain may not feel up to doing much of any physical activity, because it hurts to move.

But sedentary people suffer more from arthritis pain than physically active.   When joints and muscles aren't used, they become weaker and less stable, with more chance of injury.  More degeneration and pain of the joints occur.

Regular gentle movement helps to regain some mobility in the joints, and it reduces pain.  With regular exercise, blood circulation if better, which helps to reduce swelling and pain.

Read Yoga for Arthritis for an explanation of the causes of arthritis and how yoga can help to alleviate arthritis symptoms.   This article also includes a list of resources for further reading, and suggestions for finding a yoga class that is appropriate for the fitness level of the arthritis sufferer. 

If you have arthritis and have continued to be physically active,  a regular beginning level yoga class may work out well for you.   If you've been sedentary, or if you're older or have greater mobility issues, a "Gentle Yoga" class or something similar will probably be more appropriate.

Good time of year to take a yoga class.

This is a good time of year to take a yoga class.   If you don't currently take a yoga class, this is a good time to start or to return to classes if you've been away for awhile.

Many of us will be gearing up for the holidays soon, and even though we may love much of the busy-ness that surrounds the holidays, we may also get stressed out about all of the preparations we do to get ready.  

I know I'm prone to stress during the holidays if I don't do my yoga practice regularly.

The practice of yoga helps us to maintain our equanimity in times of stress.   It helps us to stay physically healthy and energized, and mentally more alert, and more capable of coping with any irritants, worries and problems that may be thrown our way.

We've just started our Late Fall session at Harmony Yoga of Ann Arbor.  If you're in the area and interested in an Iyengar yoga class, come join us -- we'd love to see you!

See our Class Schedule and Yoga Class Descriptions to figure out what class suits you best.   If you have any questions, please feel free to Contact Me.