Yoga is seeing a big surge in popularity today and for good reason. It not only serves as a great form of exercise, but it can do a great deal to relieve stress as well. Yoga could even be used as pain relief in some circumstances Whoever you are, there is probably a good reason why introducing these ten yoga poses into your exercise routine would be beneficial.If you would like to give it a try, here are ten common yoga poses.
Read moreThe Yogipreneur's Guide to Happy, Successful Yoga Teachers
Running a successful yoga studio can be a dream come true, but like all dreams it requires work. One of the major components of owning a studio is hiring yoga teachers. The teachers, in a large part, create the ambiance of the studio. They are the ones who interact with students and whose energy infuses a room. The goal of many studio owners is to hire responsible, knowledgeable, and dedicated teachers who create an atmosphere in line with the studio vision.
Read moreThe Importance of Breathing in Yoga
To the uninitiated, yoga may seem like little more than a way to contort the body into unnatural poses. But in actuality, the poses are just a very small aspect of what is essentially a full-spectrum spiritual practice. Breathing is the key component, and asana, or poses, represent only a single fraction of the whole piece that is yoga. Breath awareness is called pranayama.
Read moreThe Realistic Sadhana
We have all been told starting the morning with exercise or eating right will benefit your health and increase your energy levels throughout your day. Yet, for many of us, getting out of bed is hard and getting out of bed to exercise, do yoga, or meditate is even harder. Before I was a mother, I was able to do two things without much thought: 1) wake-up early and be active and 2) go workout later in the day (if necessary).
Read moreThe Asana of Our Physical Nature
n our physical body we experience the world. In our body we make love, hug a friend, fidget, get mad, anxious or stressed. In our body we feel a breeze, swim in the ocean, sing, laugh, dance and cry. In our body we repress emotions, hold tension, hate ourselves and love others. Although our body is the vehicle in which our spirit experiences the world, there continues to be ongoing discussion regarding Western yoga as a purely physical practice, or posture (asana) focused. I feel we need the physical practice to build the strength and flexibility to be able to withstand the nuances and complexities that are life.
Read moreThe Dissonant Journey Towards A Sustainable Yoga Practice
As diverse as the multi-brand yoga community likes to think it is, the general conception of yoga practice is still pretty homogenous. It's based on the idea of the hour/hour-and-a-half long practice of stretching and strengthening your body as it goes through various complementary poses with the goal of doing some twisting, inverting and side bending, and concluding with a yogic nap. There has been a general trend towards sweaty vinyasa and Bikram-style classes, I suspect, both because of the amount of endorphins released (natural high!) and because of the street-cred that these yang-type classes tend to garner. The Lilias Folan style hatha yoga of yore just doesn’t have that same edge. While there is definitely an increasing market for restorative and yin classes these days, that's a part of the point too: people like extremes.
Read moreThe In and Out of Breathing
lungs 1
Mindful breathing brings attention to the strength necessary to maintain spinal stability: when we inhale our spine flexes, as we exhale our spine contracts. Maintaining aware of the relationship between our spine, our pelvic floor, and our diaphragm enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of all our bodily movements, especially breathing.
Read moreSavasana: A Journey into Shame, Surrender, and Spirit
There is a Hindu myth where Ganesha attends a lavish dinner party hosted by Kubera, the Lord of Wealth. In this story Kubera throws extravagant parties to display his riches. The elephant-headed Ganesha eats the meal and is unsatisfied. Ganesha asks for more, then more and more until Kubera is out of food. Ganesha proceeds to eat the tableware, linens, furniture, and walls. Kubera panics and summons Shiva for help.
Read moreBumping Against Ourselves
Bridge of the Gods by Prairiekittin
Many of us dream of theeasy life: a life in which opportunities arise without complications and we move effortlessly through our day in a happy state of bliss. In search for this idyllic state of living, we dread obstacles and disdain struggle and conflict. Yet, we need the resistance of opposing ideas, the clash of contrasting expectation, and the work of climbing the metaphorical career ladder, in order to for us to grow.
Read moreThe Cosmic Dance
Nataraja
In the natural world circles are abundant: earth, sun, tree rings, your eye pupils. Almost every ancient culture uses the circle as a symbol to represent a myriad of meanings including the cycle of life, spiritual growth, completeness, and unity. In Hindu mythology, every time you take the shape ofNatarajasana, dancer’s pose, you embrace the cycle of birth, life, and death.
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