Yoga

Outdoor Yoga: Go On A Field Trip

It might be difficult to fathom, but at one time yoga was done sans mat. It was even done in varying temperatures. I know – your mind is blown, right? Yoga has definitely evolved over time, and new forms such as Bikram’s, Anusara and Yin are reshaping the way we practice. And while purists might disagree, allowing anything to change and be improved upon from the generation of new ideas is beneficial. Above sarcasm aside, mats reduce injury; and with the advent of temperature-controlled studios, one can further customize the degree to which a practice challenges the cardiovascular system. But let’s...

Yoga Detoxification: Cleansing the Body the Natural Way

Do you find yourself affected by “lifestyle” health issues caused by stress and nervous disorders? Your body reacts negatively to stressors, building up toxins and chemicals and causing illness. A critical step in turning around your physical health is through detoxification, or by removing the harmful elements from your system. You may have seen advertisements for “detox wraps” or “detox health drinks,” but in truth, the most natural and straightforward method of detoxifying yourself is to engage in a healthful yoga program. Yoga not only cleanses your system, purging it of toxins; it also enables you to de-stress and addresses...

Finding Your Edge in Yoga

Finding Your Edge in Yoga Disappointment is just unrealized expectations. We only experience disappointment with an outcome if our expectation is greater than the reality which manifests. Thus, satisfaction is not realized by accomplishing a goal because of the goal itself; but, rather, satisfaction is relative to an outcome as measured against the desired expectation. Each asana (or pose) you perform during your yoga practice is perfect if done with intention and focus, and takes you to your edge – regardless of where your edge is at that time. “Your edge” is the limit to which you are able to push yourself...

Which Yoga Practice fits You Best? Yoga for Different Needs

Although the positive effects of yoga on the human body can be significant, yoga should not be thought of as just another fitness program. Yoga is about uniting the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. It is not a competition, and yoga teachers are not like a typical fitness coach. Yoga teachers are also students, and they are always in the process of practicing and learning. Yoga is for people at any point on their journey to a healthier, happier, more productive lifestyle. Different styles of yoga are available for people with different needs. Within the various types of yoga,...

Can’t sleep? Yoga poses to get a good night’s rest

Yoga has so many benefits mentally, physically, and emotionally. Feeling stressed and overtired can be the inability to sleep soundly. At the end of the day we expect our bodies to shut down instantly and fall asleep. After a full day of energy-charging our bodies, it can be tough to wind down automatically. Television and computers do not help either with slowing down the nervous system. Many researchers claim that not getting enough sleep has many negative health consequences, such as raising your risk for cancer, heart disease, diabetes and even obesity. In addition to those, it also has an effect...

Yoga Cross-Training for Athletes: Integrate Yoga Practice into your Daily Training

When you watch your favorite athlete excelling on the playing field or court, you may actually be seeing the results of regular yoga practice. Athletes at the top of popular sports like baseball, basketball, football, surfing, and tennis often use yoga as part of their cross training regimen. Cross training helps athletes maintain overall athleticism and fitness. It can also alleviate any negative effects of constantly using the same muscle groups over and over. For example, in baseball, a pitcher uses a certain set of muscles repetitively while on the pitcher’s mound. Yoga, however, helps ensure that the entire body...

Yoga off the Mat: 5 Yoga Poses for Better Balance

Taking your yoga poses and practice off the mat to develop balance and awareness in all areas of life. Living a balanced life has become quite the buzz term these days, but what does living a balanced life really mean? In a culture that maintains such a hectic pace and has a hard time being still for even a short period of time, many of us often only become aware that our bodies and lives are not working because we have been literally stopped by illness or injury. Life has a wise way of resetting that which is not sustainable. So how...

OH, mmmmm: Bringing the Sexy Back Through Yoga

The relationship between yoga and sex runs much deeper than tiny moisture-wicking briefs and push-up bra tops. Yogis have long honoured sexual expression, pleasure and control within their practice. The Root Chakra (Muladhara) is one of the seven main energy channels as described in traditional Indian medicine and is located at our base between the genitals and anus. Women can bring sensation to this area performing Kegel exercises (the same muscle movement used to stop urination midstream), and men bring awareness to this area by way of the muscles responsible for controlling ejaculation. Energy flow through the Root Chakra is believed...

Yoga 101: New to the Practice?

Although the word Yoga is quite common around the world it does not mean that everyone knows exactly what it means. In this article I will try to explain what Yoga really is (although once you begin on your journey, it can mean different things personally), how it relates to your health and happiness, and what to expect if you go to a yoga class. The word Yoga originates from the ancient Sanskrit language spoken by a religious group in India called the Brahmins. Yoga means “yolk” or “union” and further describes a practice involving discipline, balance, strength and flexibility. In...

A Journey in Kundalini Yoga: DVD Review

Yogis can be so dogmatic, even completely inflexible when it comes to the style of yoga they practice.  I know this, because I was one of those die-hard, one-style-all-the-time practitioners for years.  It was Ashtanga and Ashtanga only for me - until I couldn’t do Ashtanga anymore. A hand injury that has forced me to keep weight off of my left hand for over a year now, powerfully nudged me to take a look outside my yoga box. There is truth in the statement that even in injury there is blessing. For some reason, Kundalini arrived on my radar and it was...