Unwind and Recharge With These Hatha Yoga Poses

At Heal and Soul yoga studio in Encino, the emphasis is on releasing stress and lifting the spirit.

Along with teaching various types of yoga, the studio at 16545 Ventura Blvd., which also calls itself a "wellness center," offers acupuncture, Chinese medicine and classes in tai chi and qigong. Its hatha yoga sessions, in particular, focus on proper body alignment while incorporating mindfulness and breathing.

"It relaxes you, it sort of detoxes you from your day," said Encino resident Kat Brooks. "Especially living somewhere like Los Angeles, where people tend to get so bunched up within themselves, it really releases a lot of that tension."

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, yoga instructor Marie Besso dims the lights and applies a type of aromatic oil to enhance her students' hatha yoga experience. Besso has taught yoga for nearly 10 years.

"Yoga is an invitation to lifting your spirit, making your body feel good, and it's also a chance to pause away from your life," said Besso.

Watch the video above for a step-by-step guide to yoga poses for beginners.

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