Author: Andrea Stern

The fifth and final element, Aether, or ‘Akasha’ in Sanskrit, meaning ‘space’ or ‘ether,’ is the most subtle and expansive of the five elements in yogic philosophy. It signifies space, the vastness that contains and connects everything. Aether embodies the qualities of emptiness and infinite potential, serving as the foundation for all other elements to…

Air represents freedom and vital energy in both our bodies and the natural world. In Sanskrit, “Vayu” is one of the five elements in yogic philosophy, symbolizing lightness, expansiveness, and prana, the life force sustaining all living beings. Yoga: Yoga: Moving with the breath fosters freedom and openness, especially with backbends like Camel Pose. Practicing…

The element of fire symbolizes transformation, energy, and the vibrant essence that fire provides both within our bodies and the natural world. Fire, or “Agni” in Sanskrit, represents the qualities of heat, power, and dynamic change in yogic philosophy. Yoga: Practicing the Sun Salutations, Boat Pose and Twists focus on building heat and reflecting fire’s…

The element of Water emphasizing fluidity, adaptability, and the nurturing essence that water provides both within our bodies and the natural world. Water, or “Apas ” in Sanskrit, is one of the five great elements in yogic philosophy, representing qualities of movement, change, and emotional depth. Yoga: The Vinyasa Yoga  integrates breath and movement seamlessly. Poses…

Dear Yogis, Welcome to our upcoming yoga series: “Elemental Yoga Journey” Over the coming weeks, we will dedicate our practice to the five essential elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Aether. This week, we embark on our journey with clarity and simplicity. We’ll briefly explore all five elements before delving deeper into each in the…

In this last class of Yoga Basics, we reflect on what we’ve learned.  By understanding the alignment of asana gives you the power of selfceare during your practice. Within this essence you can tap into its transformative power to cultivate balance, peace, and well-being in your live. Even yoga teachers like me are still students…

After exploring the basic principles of alignment in various asanas and breath work, today, in this 10th lesson, we focus on the Yoga Philosophy, specifically the eight limbs the Yoga Sutras. Patanjali, often regarded as the father of yoga, documented this ancient wisdom in 195 aphorisms. These profound principles are just the tip of the…

In yoga, an inversion is any pose where your heart is higher than your head. This includes challenging poses like Handstand and Dolphin Pose (Ardha Pincha Mayurasana), as well as relaxing poses like Child’s Pose (Balasana) and Legs Up the Wall Pose (Viparita Karani). Turning the world upside down, children love to do it in…

One of the primary benefits of backbends is their ability to strengthen the muscles of the back and help you become more flexible at the same time. In backbend postures such as cobra or locust, you train the muscles along your spine, enhancing their endurance and resilience. Backbends have a remarkable energizing effect on your…

These gentle movements carry a profound calming effect on the nervous system, inviting you to surrender and cultivate humility with each breath. The essence of forward bends lies in their ability to gently stretch the entire back of the body, while also providing a subtle massage to your internal organs. As you fold forward gracefully,…

Twists offer you a rejuvenating effects and a range of physical and mental benefits. Particularly effective after sequences involving forward or backward bends, twists serve as balancing asanas. During your practice, it is necessary to maintain spine length, and initiating rotation from the core is the key to their effectiveness. Incorporating twists into your practice…