yoga postures chart

YOGA POSTURES and what they do for you

(images taken from Christianne's Yoga video/dvd- to purchase click here)

The Bow or Dhanurasana tones your back muscles and maintains the elasticity of your spine, improves posture and increasing vitality reduces abdominal fat and keeps the Digestive and Reproductive Systems healthy.	Mountain - Tadasana Improves posture, balance and self-awareness	Upward Facing Dog -Urdvha Mukha Svanasana invigorates the whole body. Blood moves into the pelvic region, increasing health and vitality. People with back problems can gain relief be practicing it.
Inclined plane- purvottanasana tones and strengthens the whole body (especially core body strength) and opens the chest.	Downward Facing Dog - Adho Mukha Svanasana Builds strength, flexibility and awareness; stretches the spine and hamstrings; rests the heart.	The Hero Yoga Pose- virasana is excellent for meditation- it loosens the hips, knees and ankles
Seated side flank -parsvakonasana Strengthens and stretches the legs, knees, and ankles Stretches the groins, spine, chest and lungs, and shoulders Stimulates abdominal organs Improves digestion and aids elimination	Sit/Easy Position - Sukhasana A starting position that helps focus awareness on breathing and the body; helps strengthen lower back and open the groin and hips	Supine hand to toe pose - hasta padangustasana deeply stretches the back of the leg, opens the hips and realigns the spine.
Tree pose- vrikshasana increases balance, focus, memory and concentration and strengthens the ankles and knees.	The dancer- natarajasana improves balance, focus and concentration. Dancer deeply stretches the hip, leg, back and shoulder.	The Bridge - Sethu Bandhasa Increases flexibility and suppleness; strengthens the lower back and abdominal muscles; opens the chest.