Tara Lindqvist
RYT-500 Yoga Instructor
Tara Lindqvist is an international yoga instructor specializing in alignment-based Vinyasa and restorative yoga.
Q: Why do my wrists hurt during Downward-Facing Dog?
A: Most students dump all their body weight into the heels of their hands. Make sure you press actively through your knuckles and fingertips, especially the thumb and index finger. This engages your forearms and lifts weight off the delicate carpal bones in your wrists.
Q: Are blocks and straps considered 'cheating'?
A: Absolutely not. Props are not a sign of weakness; they are tools of intelligence. They bring the floor closer to you, allowing you to maintain correct spinal alignment and expand your chest instead of rounding your back to reach your toes.
Q: How should I structure my breathing during practice?
A: Focus on Ujjayi pranayama (ocean breath)—deep, slow inhalations and exhalations through the nose with a slight constriction at the back of the throat. Try to match the duration of your breath with the duration of your physical transitions.
Alignment is the key to a safe and sustainable yoga practice. Tara Lindqvist addresses alignment details for beginners.
