• Two YogaXoga DVD sets: YogaXoga Demystified Yoga, Volume 1 & Volume 2.
• Two 4-class passes good at ANY YogaXoga community class in the Kansas City Metro.

A Total of 4 winners receiving the GIFTS of YogaXoga!  

How to nominate:  

• Send an email to Heidi@YogaXoga.com  by March 31, 2011 that includes:   
• Your Name
• Name of the Person You are Nominating
• Their Email Address, Mailing Address and Phone Number 
• In 250 words or less, why they should win a YogaXoga GIFT.  
• Preference (if any) for 4 class pass or DVD prize.  

Contest Rules:   

• Only Kansas City area entrants are eligible to win the YogaXoga 4 class pass. 
• Only U.S. residents can win the YogaXoga DVD set.    
• Winners must be new to YogaXoga.  

 Winners will be announced in YogaXoga's April Newsletter.

Happy Nominating!     

Featured Pose: Pigeon  

I wasn't expecting to see so many pigeons in Arizona. They are everywhere. Charli (my furry girl)'s favorite past time is to run up on a group of pigeons and scatter them...and it gives my some interval jogging on our walk - not bad.  

Pigeon Pose is a great stretch for the hips, glutes and piriformis muscles.  It can be done in a variety of ways - some better than others - depending on your body's needs. Here are a couple of pigeon options (be sure to make sure your muscles are warm before trying these stretches):  

Recline Pigeon:  If you're new to yoga or have knee, hip or back concerns, this is a good version of Pigeon to start with. Lying on your back with legs bent and feet on the floor, cross your right ankle just beyond the left knee and keep the right foot flexed.  Gently press the right thigh away from you, or lift the left foot off the floor and bring the legs toward you. Be sure and engage your core muscles to protect your back.  Breathe slowly in the stretch for 6-8 breaths and switch sides.

1-leg Pigeon:  From all 4's, lift the right knee and slide it up to rest on the mat on the outside of your right wrist. Make sure the right foot and calf are angling towards the center of your body.  Gently straighten the left leg, keeping your hips square toward the mat.  You can keep your hands on the floor (as pictured) or ease down to forearms.  With each exhale, continue to relax into the pose and lengthen the body forward.  Hold for 6-8 breaths and switch sides. If you feel any discomfort in your knees or hips, ease back to Child's Pose to rest and try Recline Pigeon described above.