Dear Willow

The lower core muscles attach at the pelvis and pubic bone. Touch them. If you want to be able to control and strengthen these muscles you first need to build your awareness of them.

I’ve been an athlete for years and have problems gaining strength in my right leg. What poses or exercises would you recommend to strengthen and balance between the two sides?

Whether it be a career choice or something like choosing a new gym, there are pressures in our lives that can keep us from following our true desires. Willow offers tips on navigating these waters.

This week a reader asks Willow how to write a personal mantra to help her stay focused and positive following a relationship breakup.

I currently eat meat and have been thinking about turning vegetarian or vegan. What are your thoughts? What is the right way to eat in this regard?

Dear Willow: I’m relatively new to the yoga scene and I read in many of your articles about your experience with a style called Forrest Yoga. What exactly is this and how do I learn more?

I feel that I am moving into a new level of life and it’s full of wonder and peace. However, on the other side there is this crazy pull back into my old thoughts of anger and fear. Help!

Do you get back pain while sitting in meditation or certain yoga positions? This week Willow walks us through the reasons for this pain and how to develop a strategy to work with it.

Crow pose can be strangely and frustratingly challenging. This week in the Dear Willow column, Willow shares a video filled with tips on finding success in Crow pose.

What is that shaking that happens in yoga? Is it good to hold a pose for so long you shake? Willow gives us the answer this week, on a psychological and physical level.

This week a reader asks how yoga can help his back pain. Willow gives her recommendations on the best types of yoga, how to choose an instructor, and some self-assessment tools.