Yoga isn’t just about flexibility and inner peace. It’s about good health! In fact, this ancient method of meditation and stretching has been known to relieve stress, help with back pain and sleep problems, and ease the symptoms of asthma and multiple sclerosis; it can even lower your risk of heart disease. But don’t just take our word for it. Hundreds of yoga enthusiasts and Health magazine readers recently came together for our second annual Here Comes the Sun Yoga Festival in September. See what they had to say!
Watch yoga experts Sara Ivanhoe and Chrissy Carter go through their best yoga moves at the festival—plus, find other great poses you can try at home. Get started below!
Yoga for a Beautiful You With Sara Ivanhoe
Sara Ivanhoe is a world-renowned yoga instructor. A best-selling DVD star and Fit TV instructor, she teaches at YogaWorks in Santa Monica, Calif. Watch the video
Vinyasa Flow With Chrissy Carter
Chrissy Carter is a senior teacher and teacher trainer at YogaWorks in New York City. Her teaching style blends the precision and alignment of Vinyasa yoga with the teachings of Krishnamacharya. Watch the video
A Yoga Stretch That Flattens Your Tummy
Tighten your abs by doing my “Jaguar” move three to four times a week. It targets those hard-to-tone lower ab muscles that are crucial for a firmer belly. Read more
Want a Shapely Butt? Try This Simple Pose
The Warrior 2 pose is the best way to tone your rear. Because you hold the pose for several breaths, the muscles in your butt, hips, and thighs work even harder than they would in a typical lunge, so you’ll see results in just three weeks. Read more
A Yoga Move to End Arm Jiggle
Tone your arms with the Dolphin, an easy yoga pose that firms your problem arm areas by simultaneously toning the biceps, triceps, and shoulders. Read more
Pilates: The Secret to an Amazing Body
Ever caught yourself staring enviously at the toned abs and tight butt of the woman next to you in the produce section? Chances are, she’s getting help from Pilates. Read more
All About Yoga: Yoga’s Healing Power
Researchers have learned recently that, besides relieving problem backs, yoga can provide help for people suffering from serious medical conditions—asthma and multiple sclerosis among them. Read more
Yoga for Great Sex
No wonder yoga devotees always seem so blissed out. Yoga increases your flexibility and circulation—and therefore your sensation, says the author of a book on sex and yoga. Read more
Yoga Mat Cleaning 101
Has your yoga mat seen one too many Downward Dogs? It may be time to clean it. Here’s how. Read more
Fitness Ball: Everything You Need to Know to Get Rolling
Stability balls are a serious training tool and their wobble factor can spice up a tired routine. Read more
