Warrior’s Edge Archive

Where will your practice lead you today?

Yoga Practice, Practice, Wrist Health Andrew J. Stillman Yoga Practice, Practice, Wrist Health Andrew J. Stillman

Why Do My Wrists Hurt During Yoga?

Wrist pain is one of the most common concerns I hear from yoga students, regardless of how long they’ve been on the mat. In fact, the longer they’ve practiced with incorrect form or with their attention displaced to their wrists, the more they might complain about how much they hurt.

Instead of asking, "What's wrong with my wrists?" a better question might be whether you’ve prepared them for what you want them to do. 

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Practice, Yoga Practice Andrew J. Stillman Practice, Yoga Practice Andrew J. Stillman

Why We Move Side to Side in Yoga

Consider this plus sign: +

Now imagine living your entire life moving only along the vertical line. Forward. Backward. Forward. Backward. That's how most of us move.

Yoga, especially in practices like vinyasa, reminds us that movement isn't just about going forward. Your body deserves to explore every direction.

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Practice, Yoga Practice, Wrist Health Andrew J. Stillman Practice, Yoga Practice, Wrist Health Andrew J. Stillman

How to Prepare Your Wrists for Yoga

Whether you’re new to yoga or not, it’s unlikely your wrists work harder anywhere else. Often, that feels confronting, especially if you spend a lot of your time at a computer or not giving your wrists any release. 

It might not feel like it, but your wrists aren’t as weak as you think. They’re just being asked to do something they almost never do. 

The goal isn't to make your wrists tougher, but rather to prepare them for the work they’re about to do.

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Practice, Yoga Sequences Andrew J. Stillman Practice, Yoga Sequences Andrew J. Stillman

Yoga for lower back pain that actually helps

I’m a 6-foot-6 yogi, and as strong as my core is from Boat Pose, as many Chaturangas as I do, and even as often as I strength train, I’m liable to throw out my back at any given moment.

Lower back pain is rarely just “one thing.” It’s usually a combination of habits, mechanics, strength imbalances, and sometimes plain bad luck. Let’s take a look at some of the most common complaints behind lower back issues.

Here are a few poses and exercises to help during your next flare-up.

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Yoga Styles, Practice Andrew J. Stillman Yoga Styles, Practice Andrew J. Stillman

From Hatha to Kundalini: A Complete Guide to Every Type of Yoga

Over the centuries, various styles of yoga have developed, each with its unique characteristics and approaches. It can be a little intimidating trying to figure out what’s what and what works best for you, so let’s talk a little about the types of yoga, how long they’ve been around, who’s to credit, and how their popularity compares to the others.

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