The “7Day” Cleanse
This Cleanse program is not for pregnant, or nursing women. Not for people with a serious life threating condition. his seven day cleanse is not a crash diet, or liquid fast…
Tantric Sex
We usually consider a spiritual person someone who exhibits exemplary behavior that lacks the influence of strong negative emotions, such as anger deep sadness, fury, doubt, and insecurity…
Thanksgiving
When this time of year rolls around, I get very excited for eating a lot of food and sitting around the table with my family. It is not often enough that we are grateful for the sake of being grateful…
Yoga is Dope
I recently had the experience of teaching yoga to the youth of inner city Boston. Like most wonderful things in life, it happened through an unexplainable and nonsensical chain of events…
Boosting Your Body and Your Practice with Props
There are many yoga practitioners out there who feel that they have moved beyond props. You may know them or you may have seen them before, stretching to the point of strain…
Feed Your Brain: Sirsasana
Headstand, or Sirsasana, is at times referred to as the King of the Asanas because it needs to be approached with a great deal of physical awareness. It requires that many different elements be present as it is practiced…
Uddiyana Bandha
Part of the joy of being a beginner yogi is listening to the rolling prattle of Sanskrit fluidly undulating off of the tongue of the instructor. For some time, these words can seem meaningless yet their smooth sound has a soothing effect…
Asanas and Spirituality
I first exercised my interest in meditation practice at a Buddhist Center housed in the basement of the Social Security building…
From the Ground Up
Being so far away from our mind and our face, it can be quite easy to forget about our feet. Feet are perhaps the least loved of all body parts. Many people don’t like the way they look, and as a result wind up covering them…
Looking Through The Eyes Of A Teacher
When I realized that I wanted to teach yoga, it was partly because I needed a complete lifestyle change. I always loved the way I would feel after practicing, and I had some experience guiding friends and teens through informal yoga classes…
Alignment
We all go to yoga for different reasons, but there are many results that come which are not always expected. Did you know that asana practice can make you taller? I am sure some of you have been going to yoga for years…
The Ascent of Kundalini Energy
Kundalini is a word with many meanings and interpretations. In ancient traditions, it was a type of yoga that was verbally passed down to the student by a Master, Teacher, or Guru. Kundalini Energy is often described…
The Real Meaning of Surrender
When I first started taking yoga classes I was somewhat baffled by the consistent reminder to ‘let go’ or ‘surrender’ into postures, especially in the more challenging asanas. In these moments I would find myself becoming increasingly…
A New Beginning
Regardless of culture, religion, or creed, many walks of life encourage a point of transition, rite of passage, or commitment to growth. Aboriginals are known for taking the walkabout, where a young person goes into the outback alone to survive…
Giving Back
Karma Yoga, or yoga in action, is a practice that many people adopt to share their own talents and skills for a greater good. It is not simply the act of doing good, it is the intention of putting work out into the world selflessly for the benefit…
Natural PMS Treatments
The female menstrual cycle is an occurrence of the female anatomy that no man could ever fully understand. The first period a young woman experiences signifies…
How to open a Yoga Studio
As a yoga practitioner, you may have dreamt about opening a Yoga Studio. It sounds exciting, but it can be a nightmare for people who have never owned their own business …
Airplane Yoga
Everyday, more people spend more time on airplanes and at airports, experiencing long lines, flight delays, noises, jet lag, connections, uncomfortable seats, bad food, and the like. …
Mandala
Mandala is a concentric diagram with spiritual and ritual significance. The word is of Hindu Sanskrit origin and means “essence”, “having” or “containing”. It can also be translated as “circle-circumference” or “completion”…
Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati
Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati is an American-born spiritual teacher who is widely known for her work serving the homeless, the poor, and people living with AIDS. She is also a gay activist and a forerunner in the struggle for human rights and religious freedom…
Yantra
Yantra are sacred symbols traditionally used in Eastern mysticism as instruments for focusing and balancing the mind on a spiritual concept…
Yoga Month
We all already know about the important growth of Yoga worldwide, which is considered a national phenomenon with more than twenty million people practicing yoga in the U.S. alone…
Take a Risk
In our lives, we need to do everything possible to reach our goals, to make a good decision, keeping in mind that we may not always be right. But commitment takes courage…
Heal your heart with Yoga
It has been demonstrated that when we begin to heal our lives, our hearts begin to heal as well. The determining factor of improvement in heart patients was not how old or how sick they were…
Natural Anti-Depressant Treatments
Each year the number of patients with clinical depression increases, even though not each case is diagnosed. Antidepressant drugs are the most common treatment for depression, but here are three alternative …
Natural Treatments for Infertility
Doctors treat infertility with medications and treatments that can be very effective, but the results can take a long period of time and, above all, the road can be emotionally exhausting…
Learn to Love your Body
The image of our body, the way that we see ourselves and how we feel about how others see us, has to do with our present body. Studies suggest that many women of normal weight often see themselves as heavier than what they really…
Advice for Good Nutrition
A balanced diet and correct eating can increase our chances of being healthier as we age. A diet that focuses on anti-inflammatory foods is essential for a long life. Inflammation that is in an excessive form in various layers of the body can create many chronic diseases…
How Yoga Can Help Improve Your Physical Balance
The improved stability and balance that can be achieved through the practice of yoga can help us as well as our parents and grandparents as this can help to prevent falls…
Handstand – Adho Mukha Vrksasana
Its time to relax and rejuvenate the body. You close your eyes and feel the calmness of your inner self. You slowly work your way to your knees and begin working toward handstand…
Free Yoga Online Classes
Chances are you know how wonderful a steady regimen of yoga is to your health, but the question is, can a beginner really feel comfortable in a class full of experts?…
Yoga DVDs
Many people search for effective ways to exercise and maintain their physical health and well being every day. As a person becomes older the body may not respond well to the physical…
Yoga Mat
Yoga is an effective, popular, and easy to learn form of exercise. People love yoga for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that yoga requires very little equipment…
Yoga Clothes
Health and well being is a concern for many and choosing the right type of exercise that benefits your needs can be difficult. Many people choose yoga as a form of exercise and therefore need the right…
Yoga Pants
Yoga is a form of exercise that has been in existence for centuries. When you decide to start doing yoga, you should be sure you have the equipment you need and this includes the proper clothing…
Bikram Yoga
Bikram Yoga is an increasingly popular, intense form of yoga which is particularly well-known for the high temperatures in which it is practiced. Also known as Hot Yoga, …
Yoga Ballet
If you want a fun, easy workout, Yoga Booty Ballet may be just right for you. Combining easy yoga poses, hip-hop moves, and ballet stretches and positions, Yoga Booty Ballet aims to use variety to keep…
Yoga Poses
Yoga is a made up of a serious of poses that are beneficial to the body in their own unique way. Whether you refer to them as poses, postures or asanas, there is something there for everyone,…
Naked Yoga
Naked yoga is the practice of doing yoga without clothing. It has gained popularity in regions that encourage social nudity. Advocates of naked yoga claim that the nude version is easier to perform…
Experience-Complete-Serenity-By-Practicing-Nude-Yoga
Yoga is a deep and cultural fitness practice that has been used for centuries. Yoga positions are designed to unite your body to your soul, and vice versa. It is a modern workout…
Gunas
Guna is a Sanskrit word that signifies “rope”. In an abstract use of the word, it can signify “subdivision”, “species”, “type” and generally “uality”. According…
Zazen Meditation
Zen is one of the most renowned schools of Buddhism and can be defined as a method that seeks to strengthen the relationship between mind and body, where the biggest goal…
Food that Prevents Breast Cancer
One of the best defenses against breast cancer is having a balanced and healthy diet. Various studies have demonstrated that what you eat and drink can help protect against this disease…
Women and Their Heart
While the chances of having cardiovascular disease in women is much lower than in men, this type of condition rises in women after the age of 60. In fact, after 65 years of age, women tend to have more heart…
Tips for a Better relationship
Yogi Bhajan taught his male students a very important tool in life and relationships. He used to say, “Act, dont react”. It can be very difficult at first to understand what it means to “not react” and how…
The Four Noble Truths
The four noble truths are some of the first teachings from Shakyamuni Buddha. He began his teachings after reaching enlightenment in Bodhgaya, India. The four noble truths are the heart on the path to Buddhism…
Yoga and Holidays
While the holiday season can be filled with joy, it can also be a stressful time of year. You may be worried about traveling, money, buying gifts, or even dealing with uncomfortable family situations…
Yoga and Economy
Todays economic crisis is a reality, one that is causing significant stress for individuals and their families. Some may fear the loss of their home, their car or even their job. These unstable financial times…
Yoga Sky and Snoeboard
In order to prepare for the upcoming ski and snowboard season, its important that you get your mind and body ready, and a yoga class can be very beneficial in this regard…
Ramana Maharshi
Of all the thoughts that rise in the mind, the thought ‘I’ is the first thought. Sri Ramana Maharshi was an Indian sage born on December 30, 1879 in the southernmost region of India…
Indra Devi
Indra Devi was born on May 12, 1899 in Riga, Livonia. She is best known as an early disciple of Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya and as a renowned yoga teacher…
Wise reflections to keep in mind
Our intentions are most important: The act of trying is a force that mediates all aspects of time and space. To utilize this force we must be irreproachable in our behavior…
The five Vayu and three Dosha
Each of the seven chakras belong to the elemental forces of the body and nature. These elemental regions of the body are called Vayu, literally meaning air, and they relate to the airy vital forces of the body…
Dosha
According to Ayurvedic philosophy, there are three main principles which comprise the human physiology. These three energies are referred to as doshas and they include Vata, Pitta and Kapha….
100% Yoga
Most yoga practiced in the U.S. is comprised of some form of Hatha yoga. Hatha yoga generally relies on the body to create a wholeness of the self and, perhaps for this reason, most Americans mainly associate yoga with the postures…
Panchakarma
Panchakarma is Ayurvedas main treatment for purification, detoxification and cleansing. The literal definition of Panchakarma is five therapies which refers to the treatments five basic procedures for eliminating toxins from the body…
Long Hair Improves Vitality & Meditation
Hair is an amazing gift of nature, and even much religious literature suggests that God created humans with a great interest, enthusiasm and conscious effort, and nothing was added, including hair, that might be deemed superfluous…
Putting Service Before Sadhana
In order to prepare the body and mind for accomplishing sadhana, the Hindu term for a spiritual practice, one must first explore three other regions of yoga. Seva, or service is the first important principle…
Caring for Earth-Friendly Garments
Many people view their clothes as functional, fashionable or both but pay no mind to the means and materials employed to produce their attire. By purchasing clothes and shoes made from natural materials such as cotton…
Becoming a Great Yoga Student
Some yoga practitioners place too much emphasis on their yoga instructor. Positive studio sessions should not be based on any particular teacher, because all instructors have information and guidance to present to their students…
Laughter Yoga
Youve no doubt heard the term Laughter is the best medicine. Well, combine that with the health benefits of yoga and youve got one very powerful form of yoga laughter yoga…
Yoga for Veterans
Practicing yoga can greatly benefit us both physically and mentally. Yoga can help to condition and heal our bodies, and also promote a sense of calm and peace. Because of this, yoga can prove very beneficial for veterans…
Ginger And Yoga
For many yogis, ginger is a commonly used spice. Combined with cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and peppercorns, it is often used to make Yogi Tea. When used in Yogi Tea or on its own, ginger can benefit your yoga practice…
Being vs. Doing
Multitasking is a great technique that allows us to achieve numerous goals in any given day, and technologies such as the computer and cell phone are available almost anywhere we go…
Kundalini Shakti
In the series of published documents titled Tantra, there are many underlying meanings attributed to the images found within its pages. The outward appearance of Shakti does not represent a look…
Yoga Suplies
Patanjali, author of the Yoga Sutra, presented in the second chapter of his book five ethical precepts called yamas. The yamas were designed as a basic guideline for living a life of personal fulfillment that also benefits society….
Ahimsa
Patanjali, author of the Yoga Sutra, presented in the second chapter of his book five ethical precepts called yamas. The yamas were designed as a basic guideline for living a life of personal fulfillment that also benefits society….
Iyengar
Created by B.K.S. Iyengar, Iyengar Yoga is a softer style of yoga which focuses on bodily alignment. Like many other yoga styles, Iyengar has its roots in Hatha yoga. It is ideal for individuals who are just beginning yoga or for those who haven’t exercised…
Quieting A Wandering Mind
One-pointedness of the mind and senses, a superior practice as described by Sri Shankaracharya, is not easy to attain. Distractions are common during meditation and often difficult to manage despite our best efforts…
Bhakti Yoga
The word bhakti means devotion, and Bhakti yoga may be defined as devotional yoga. It is considered to be the most natural path for those who are seeking emotional well-being and fulfillment…
Combating Stress With Yoga
Everyone encounters stress at some point in their lives, whether it is related to work, money, relationships or anything else. Stress can take a toll on you both mentally and physically. In fact, science has shown that stress can contribute…
Impermanence
Change is inevitable and, yet, we may react to change in a variety of ways. For some, change can be frightening, scary or sad. For others, change can be exciting or joyous. Sometimes we welcome change, other times we may resist it…
The importance of our Spiritual Name
When we are born, we all receive a name, one generally chosen by our parents. It is our “civil name” which identifies us in our documents and with our peers and, though in some cases it doesnt please us…
Healing Crystals
Although many people view alternative healing methods as New Age practices, this is often not the case. Yoga, acupuncture, and crystal healing are all ancient practices that have been perfected over thousands of years…
The Common Ground Between Yoga and Ayurveda
If you practice yoga, you have probably noticed how certain asanas affect your mind and body. Some poses may be easy to obtain and put your mind at ease, while other yoga poses are difficult and cause you frustration…
Kripalu Yoga
In 1966, a man by the name of Amrit Desai founded Kripalu Yoga as well as the Yoga Society of Pennsylvania. The Society later became the Kripalu Yoga Fellowship. Kripalu Yoga is…
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is the practice of hypnosis, or manipulating a persons behavior by means of hypnotizing them to portray a certain behavior, discontinue a habit, or learn to think in a different way…
A Glance at Acupuncture
The word acupuncture is a rough translation combining the Latin words for prick and needle, which is precisely what acupuncture…
A Deeper Look Into Cobra Pose
In order for one to control their mind and body, they must fuse these two parts of the being together to make effective changes. There is a state of being called the disembodied state in which the mind is separated from the body, and this unnatural state can manifest itself in a number of negative ways…
At Home Yoga Relaxation
Many people assume that in order to relax, one must be in a completely relaxed position, like sitting or lying down. Although we intend to relax when we come home after a long day, often times the TV is turned on and Couch Potato Syndrome sets in…
The Effects of Yoga on the Nervous System
There are many factors in a persons life that combine to equate to good health. Exercise, proper eating habits, and positive mental health all benefit ones body and mind…
A History Lesson in Yoga
Everybody has their own idea of what yoga is; some believe it to be an Eastern religion while others view it as a strenuous workout. Neither perception is entirely true because yoga is many things…
Vegetarianism
When yoga was first created, it was not intended to be an exercise regimen but rather an all-inclusive way of life. The techniques learned through yoga can serve as life lessons that apply to all kinds of situations…
Men, Meditation, and Other Yoga-Related Practices
Throughout their lives, men tend to engage in more arduous labors than women. Construction jobs are generally held by men, as are heavy lifting jobs…
The Needs of the Female Body Attended Through Yoga
A womans body requires different care than a mans due to many genetic factors. The biological purpose of the womans body is to reproduce, and while this idea is invalid to our society today, the female body is still composed this way…
Children and Yoga
Children of this era seem to have a different experience growing up than youngsters have had in previous years. There is more violence in schools with bullying taken to…
Yogasanas May Relieve Symptoms of Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a medical condition that affects the curvature of the spine causing the bones to form shapes that resemble an S or C rather than forming a relatively straight alignment…
The Other Side of Nude Yoga
Nude Yoga, also referred to as Nude Aerobics Yoga is not for the faint-hearted. This new form of yoga follows the main principles of all yoga: a peaceful meditation period, the allotted time spent in yoga postures, and a comfortable, natural environment in which…
Basic Yogasanas
Sit on the floor or a yoga mat with your left foot under the right cheek of your buttocks. Rotate your right hip so your right leg is bent in a triangular position over your left leg. The back of the right ankle should connect with…
The Yogic Diet
People of all nationalities, social classes, and age know what constitutes healthy eating habits. We are taught from a young age what foods to eat regularly and what to eat in moderation so we can achieve a balanced diet. School cafeterias plastered with posters of the food pyramid, along with…
Yoga Tips for Beginners
Beginning something new can often be unnerving, especially when you are alone for the experience. Unfortunately, many people do not join fitness classes because they feel intimidated by working out in front of other people, especially a room full of strangers…
Yoga and Feelings
Life is stressful and unfortunately, no one is immune to it. Work, home, and life in between put pressure on us each individually…
Practicing Yoga
In recent years, yoga has become a practice of many rather than few. The beginnings are traced back to ancient India, and the country is still the leading land for yogi, or the people that do yoga…
Contact Yoga
If yoga interests you, but you are uncomfortable with an impersonal group setting, contact yoga may be just the type of yoga for you. Contact yoga is a new concept, and is done with a partner…
Meditation
Meditation is the continual, uninterrupted conscious ability to hold your mind at its quietest and calmest state. This awareness can only be achieved through great discipline and the practice of getting past the shallow, busy thoughts that plague each and…
Using the Power of Meditation to Create a Better Life
Meditation is the continual, uninterrupted conscious ability to hold your mind at its quietest and calmest state. This awareness can only be achieved through great discipline and the practice of getting past the shallow, busy thoughts that plague each and…
Variations in Yoga
The original version of yoga was created by people of India who were very limber. The poses were probably less severe than a contortionists, but the average Westerner would not be suited for classical yoga. We have not trained our bodies for this type of exercise…
Yoga for the Young
Self-confidence is an essential life skill for children to develop, and parents can be a main source of this. A low self image can lead to many emotional issues in adulthood, including depression and anxiety…
Yoga During Pregnancy
In recent years, yoga has gained worldwide popularity of unprecedented proportion. Health benefits attributed to this practice are one major reason for the growth and following of yoga. Evidence supports that when performed properly, yoga can improve internal and external aspects of the body…
Bhakti Yoga
The word bhakti means devotion, and Bhakti yoga may be defined as devotional yoga. It is considered to be the most natural path for those who are seeking emotional well-being and fulfillment…
Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga is a term which means eight limbs and Ashtanga Yoga is a school of yoga which seeks to embody the traditional eight limbs of yoga. The sage Patanjali taught the eight limbs of classical…
Bikram Yoga
Bikram Yoga is also known as Hot Yoga because it is performed in a room heated to 95 to 105 degrees. Developed by Bikram Choudhury, this style of yoga focuses on twenty-six postures, or asanas, which are performed in a set series that…
Yoga: The Beginnings and the Basics
Thousands of years ago, a science involving many aspects of life began as a practice in India called yoga, which means union in Sanskrit. This union is the spirit, the mind, and the body working toward a…
Chakra
Chakrah is a word found in the Sanskrit language of India and other Asian regions, and means vortex or whirlpool. Chakrah refers to the continuous flow of our energy system, which is an abstract idea of…
Yoga Styles
The practice of yoga dates back centuries to ancient India. Although still very popular in Eastern cultures, yoga has become a world-wide practice, and gains new followers on a regular basis…
Appropriate Dress for Yoga Class
Yoga poses are intended to be relaxing and beneficial to the body, and these effects should not be hindered by clothing that makes the poses difficult. Yoga consists of stretching, breathing, balance, and…
Benefits of Yoga
Yoga has been practiced around the world for many years, and its followers have seen countless benefits. Yoga may begin as an activity to improve ones health, but it truly becomes a way of life for most…
Yoga on the Go
Traveling, vacations, or any plans that redirect you from your comfortable atmosphere to somewhere unknown can confuse your daily routine. Your sleep schedule is interrupted, you have to compact your belongings into a small bag and…
A Look Inside Siddha Yoga
Siddha Yoga is an approach to the common practice that integrates positive and accepting thoughts into a persons life. When people are more accepting of life situations and other people, planet earth becomes a more harmonious place to live…
Meditation for Mental Unrest
Lately, mental illnesses seem more evident than ever. Unfortunately, the physical health of affected people is in jeopardy because they are unable to take care of themselves…
Benefits of Asanas
People today have a greater knowledge of the many positive ways physical fitness can impact their health. Most people try to exercise their bodies with programs that appeal to them, but there are also a lot of fad programs that seem to disappear almost as quickly as they appeared to become…
The Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet
Chronic diseases kill two Americans every minute. Almost ten years ago the Surgeon General issued a warning stating that most of the diseases that plague our people are directly related to the foods that they consume…
Asanas in Yoga
There is a common misconception among many people about what they think yoga really is. Although by judging the movements from a distance, yoga looks like an age-old Eastern stretching technique, there is much more to the practice than that…
Yoga and Sleep
One-third of American adults are affected by a sleep disorder. Insomnia affects the majority of the sleep-deprived, and is not uncommon among the two-thirds of Americans that generally sleep well…
Try Soy!
During recent years, soybean consumption has grown exponentially. Tofu is no longer an unknown substance, and is now the feature of many restaurant menus and served in households around the world…
The Yamas of Yoga
Patanjali, who is commonly referred to as the father of yoga, put forth an eight-fold journey of how yoga should be practiced. In the very beginning of his teachings, he describes the five Yamas, or the basic fundamentals of the yoga practice. The Yamas are based around society, as well as morals a yogi – a person who practices yoga…
A Deeper Look into Yoga
Upon witnessing a person engaged in contorting yoga postures, one may wonder why someone would choose to practice such a demanding form of exercise. The truths of the matter is that yogi share their wisdom with one another and grow mentally from yoga, while staying physically fit in a…
Using the Power of Meditation to Create a Better Life
Meditation is the continual, uninterrupted conscious ability to hold your mind at its quietest and calmest state. This awareness can only be achieved through great discipline and the practice of getting past the shallow, busy thoughts that plague each and every…
Yoga for Menopause
Yoga does not promote post-menopausal convalescence because this phase in a womans life is not considered an illness, just a very normal part of an aging womans existence. During menopause, different women will experience unique symptoms for varied amounts of time and severity, and yoga is not tangible the way medicinal treatments are.
The Right Yoga Mat for You
You will not regret your decision to begin practicing yoga. The condition of your body, both interior and exterior, will improve and your mind will become sharper and more focused. The benefits of yoga are innumerable, with another positive bonus to this exercise…
Meditation
Meditation is a large portion of the practice of yoga. At first, those new to yoga often try to force meditation, which actually defeats its overall purpose. Sharpening the focus of the mind should be seen as a long term goal that may take years to achieve. If this thought is overwhelming, remember that each time you meditate, your mind, body, and soul benefit a great deal and you are one step closer to reaching full mental clarity.
Anusara Yoga
Anusara is a Sanskrit word that translates to the American phrase flowing with grace or following the heart. Anusara Yoga began in 1997 under the instruction of a man named John Friend. This spiritually connective form of yoga is similar to the more popular Hatha Yoga with poses that resemble Iyengar Yoga, but with an integration of Tantric…
Daily Yoga Inserations
Everything else you have been told so far is totally W-R-O-N-G! You are not a body, not a mind, not a soul, not God, and definitely not a devil. Every normal person thinks, imagines, and projects through the mind…
DEEPAK CHOPRA EXERCISE TO FEEL THE WORLD INSIDE YOU
Observe a flower. The color, the vibrancy, the smell. Touch it! Realize the color exists because of you, without you the flower wont have color or smell or texture, and its because of you that it does…
Beginner Yoga
Although many people are interested in practicing yoga, there seems to be a common reservation among most of these potential yogi. The question that is pondered time and again is: Am I right for yoga and is yoga right for me? The answer is simply, Yes. If you take an active interest in the practice of yoga, nothing else matters.
Recommended Reading for Yoga
Great books for yoga. Take a look and see what you find!
From Conflict to Oneness
The continuous practice of conflict is the source of all diseases inside and outside the body…
Sex and Spirituality
According to the yoga technology sex is the sacred act of two souls, merging, and blending into one, an experience out of ordinary, where the dance of polarities and the subtle bodies transcends, and merges into one, as in Tantra…
Vibration and Mantras
Vibration is a consistent, repeated, rhythmic pattern of movement. Vibration is the essence of all matter, energy and consciousness. Vibration is the basic emanation from which all matter, energy and consciousness…