Featured Pose: Legs Up the Wall Pose (Viparita Karani)
by Baxter and Nina Viparita Karani, which is often called Legs Up the Wall pose (a more accurate name is Inverted Lake pose), is one of our very favorite poses. Because this pose is a supported inversion, it triggers the relaxation response (see The Relaxation Response and Yoga ). It is also comfortable for most people, and the support of the wall allows you to stay in the pose for a good long while, making it a perfect pose for stress reduction or pacifying an over-active nervous system. In fact, this is Nina�s go-to pose for challenging times. It can be practiced on it its own, as part of restorative or supported inversion sequence, or as an emotional counter-pose at the end of any other kind of sequence. This pose also stretches your leg muscles using gravity, so it�s a wonderful antidote to taking a long hike and, if you�re struggling with tight hamstrings, it�s a great way to passively let your leg muscles lengthen without engaging the front leg muscles. And it is a per...