Earth-related Yoga Poses!

My best friend Steph and I love yoga. Yoga is amazing for stress relief and relaxation, and what better way to lead the path to peace on Earth than through yoga?! We need peace and open hearts within ourselves first.

Steph and I are determined to eventually do yoga in a number of places:
1) beach (CHECK!)
2) mountain (not nearly as easy to achieve, but what gives off a better sense of serenity and tranquility?)
3) Esther's house in Holland. (Esther Ekhart is our favorite online yoga instructor. You can check out her amazing videos on Youtube! Find her at http://www.youtube.com/user/yogatic?blend=1&ob=4. The channel name is Yogatic.)
4) Still pending...

In any case. Here are a number of nature-inspired poses you can do, if you so choose.

1) MOUNTAIN POSE/TADASANA
focus: strong, calm, rooted mind and body



(that girl looks oh so enthusiastic...)

PICTURE: http://www.ehealthyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/mountain-pose1.jpg
In-depth explanation here: http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/492

2) TREE POSE/VRKSASANA (2 variations)
focus: balance





***OH MY GOD THAT'S ESTHER! WE LOVE YOU ESTHER!***

VARIATION 1 PICTURE: http://www.chopra.com/files/images/tree_pose_XSmall.jpg
VARIATION 2 PICTURE: http://www.yogatic.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/tree-pose.jpg

In-depth explanation here: http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/496
plus, a word of advice: Never, evereverever place the bottom of your foot on your knee in this pose...putting pressure on the knee can injure it and that would be contradictory to the purpose of yoga!

3) SWAYING PALM TREE POSE/TRIYAKA TADASANA
focus: flexible spine



PICTURE: http://www.freetolove.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/swaying-palm-pose.jpg
In-depth explanation here: http://www.divinewellness.com/Video/164/triyaka-tadasana-%28swaying-palm-tree-pose%29.htm

4) SKY TO EARTH POSE
focus: flexibility, balance



PICTURE: http://www.freetolove.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/sky-to-earth-pose.jpg
In-depth explanation here (as well as a few others): http://www.freetolove.com/blog/?p=321

5) CORPSE POSE/SAVASANA
focus: calm mind, ultimate relaxation
A reminder that we shall all return to the Earth someday! Not to end with a Debbie Downer, of course, but this pose is an essential to end all yoga practice. I tend to fall asleep I'm so relaxed, but technically that's opposite the point...


(a cartoon image so as not to deeply frighten anyone...)

PICTURE: http://www.yoga-made-ez.com/corpse-pose.jpg
In-depth explanation here: http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/482


Have fun, and be safe!