Unstillness
by Shakti Mhi
When you look at people around, rarely do you see human beings in stillness. People are endlessly in motion and this endless motion seems to gain speed every year. We cannot be still. We are on the... (read more)

New Study Shows Yoga Can Ease Back Pain
by Jessica Cox
If you are practicing yoga, you may not know what you are missing in terms of back pain, stress and anxiety. However thousands of Americans suffer from back pain every day. If you happen to know one... (read more)

Your Highest Potential with Yoga
By Jen Blackert
Are you living your divine potential? I mean that person inside of you? Are you fully expressing your inner being? No? Why do you think that is? Is it some other event,... (read more)

Yoga eases the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome

A simple yoga program -- no drugs, no expensive equipment and no surgery -- was better than conventional treatment at reducing pain and improving the hand strength of patients with Carpal Tunnel... (read more)

Of Yoga and Sharks
by Rob Stewart
My name is Rob Stewart. I’ve recently completed a feature film entitled Sharkwater, a documentary about man’s relationship with sharks that was filmed in 15 countries over a period of 4 years. It is... (read more)

Calm Comes Full Circle: Using Meditation to Enhance Yoga
by Laurie Desjardins
Meditation and yoga are natural compliments to each other. Yoga is an active, physical way to prepare the mind for meditation. Meditation relaxes the mind and body, preparing them for the physical... (read more)

Reflections on the Recent Holiday
by Burton Ritchie
In a time when our nation is celebrating freedom from oppression, I am compelled to think about the ways in which I remain imprisoned as an individual. Just as the seeds of the Revolutionary War were... (read more)

Cultivating Equanimity, Vitality and Spinal Stability through Breath
by Bill Gallagher, PT, CMT, CYT
Over the last decade, interest in Tai Chi Chuan, Qigong, Yoga and other disciplines that address breathing pattern disorders has grown among health professionals and consumers of rehab therapy.... (read more)

Spending the Weekend with Bryan Kest
by Angie Kielar
I have just dropped Bryan Kest off at the Detroit Metro Airport yet still feel his presence with me. He is a very charismatic person, eager to share his love and knowledge of yoga with anyone and... (read more)

When Sadness Becomes Depression
by Amy Weintraub, MFA and E-RYT 500
Sadness is like the flow of water. Our tears can cleanse us, emptying out old, held-in pain. On the other hand, when sadness continues too long, that watery flow of cleansing emotion can harden... (read more)

The Zen of Yoga
by Aaron Hoopes
What is Zen? Well, Zen is… Sorry, it’s not that easy. As anyone who has looked into Zen knows, attempting to define Zen is like trying to catch a fish with your bare hands. It immediately wriggles... (read more)

Yoga Clothing
by Sarah Pomaro
By Sarah Pomaro “What!” you’re thinking, “How can my yoga outfit have an effect on someone else’s practice?” Let’s take a look at different aspects of yoga clothing and how they can affect... (read more)

Letting Go of the Fight
by Marsha T Metzger, M.ed, RYT, KYTA
The sun was streaming through the glass window. There was a circle of love standing around my bed--parents, grandparents, priests, a nun. I ate the tiny wafer of bread that the priest gave to me,... (read more)

Let Us Evolve
by Taialofa
From many years of yoga practice, I have come to see that we are either in a state of evolution, stagnancy or regression. Our soul craves to evolve but often we stagnate with old habits and regress... (read more)

Not All "Yoga" is the Same
by Sam Dworkis
I smile when people say, "I tried yoga, but didn't like it." This is like saying, "I dated once, but he/she wasn't my type, so I stopped dating.” I'm less amused when people say, "I stopped because... (read more)

Meditation
by Darlene Bink
Preparations & Guidance By Darlene Bink www.yogafromthegroundup.com Move into a position that your body can easily relax in for several Minutes.... (read more)

Levels of Stillness
by Erich Schiffman
There are two levels of stillness. The first level involves learning to relax, become centered, and meditate. The technique involves sitting or lying down and being absolutely still - without... (read more)

Sports, Women, Yoga
by Beryl Bender Birch
It is incredibly interesting to follow the evolution of the relationship between yoga and women over the past 20 to 30 years. Western women were apparently first drawn to yoga because it was gentle... (read more)

Yoga of Surrender
by Marsha T Metzger, M.ed, RYT, KYTA
This past summer, on one of many rainy weekends, my husband and I decided to take a little vacation to the White Mountains, in spite of what the weather was saying. We packed raincoats,... (read more)

Small Friends and Constructive Habits
by Donna Amrita Davidge
Twenty million Americans are doing yoga. Recently (December 4, 2005), the New York Times had an article entitled “The Socialization of Yoga,” describing how yoga has become a social event for some.... (read more)

Studio Profile: Zen Yoga

Zen yoga is a unique art that blends together the graceful flowing movements of Tai Chi, the peaceful stretching of Shanti yoga and the energy breathing exercises of Qigong. Zen yoga is... (read more)

Stillness
by Erich Schiffman
Stillness The Peace WithinYou imagine a spinning top. Stillness is like a perfectly centered top, spinning so fast it appears motionless. It appears this way not because it isn't... (read more)

Furry and Four Legged for our Yoga Practice?
by Donna Amrita Davidge
Animals are so important in yoga practice that many poses are named after them: frog, cat (more than one pose is named for these super stretching beasts!), tortoise, pigeon, rabbit, camel and... (read more)

Sun Salutations on the Ocean of Bliss
by Linda Kramer - Sudevi
Normally, teaching at 7:00 a.m. is not one of my favorite things to do. That changed last September when I walked onto the foredeck of a schooner sailing in the Caribbean. All the gateways of my... (read more)

Flow Yoga
by Stephanie Keach
I am frequently asked "What is flow yoga?" "How is it different from hatha yoga?" I have been teaching flow yoga for 18 years, so my answer will vary from someone else’s answer. Yoga is a path of... (read more)

My Little Toe and the Journey to Self Acceptance
by Marsha T Metzger, RYT 500, KYTA, M.ed
Sometimes when I open a yoga magazine and see someone in a pose with each of their five toes on each foot spread like budding flowers, I feel both intimidated and a slight bit jealous. How do they... (read more)

A State of Mind: Vibrational Yoga
by Charles Lightwalker
Vibrational Yoga, or any yoga, is accessible to everyone. In fact, it is so very accessible because those who manage to release their habitual drive to succeed and excel, and reach a level of... (read more)

Restorative Yoga
by Bill Gallagher PT, CMT, CYT
“That was joyful; I haven’t felt this good in a long time.” “This is the first time I’ve been pain free in a month.” “My breath feels so full and easy.”... (read more)

Yoga for People at Midlife and Older - Tips for Teachers
by Suza Francina
When I began learning yoga in 1970, I was working as a home health care provider for convalescents and the elderly, something I had done since my teens. I befriended and cared for many of the same... (read more)

What is Patanjalis Ashtanga Yoga?- Part(I)

The Sanskrit word 'Yoga' has two meaning, because it is derived from two roots - one is 'yujir yoge' and other is 'yuj samadhou'. The root 'yujir yoge' means to join or to unite. Religious leaders... (read more)

Christian Yoga?
by Paul Jerard
There is an interesting article in the September 5th issue of Time magazine. This particular article covers a spectrum of opinions about mixing Christianity with Yoga. Even, if you don’t agree... (read more)

Yoga is Self Improvement
by Paul Jerard
After five thousand years of written documentation, Yoga may well be the oldest self-improvement system that ever existed. We don’t know what Yoga knowledge may have been lost before man started... (read more)

Om Yoga Meditation: Why Yoga?
by Swami Nirmalananda Giri
The following is an excerpt from the book "Om Yoga: Its Theory and Practice." Om is the Supreme Brahman. (Svetasvatara Upanishad 1:7)He who utters Om with the intention ‘I shall... (read more)

Discover How Yoga Will Help You Reach Your Goals – Part 2
by Paul Jerard
At this point, let’s break down the major components of a typical Hatha Yoga session, and see how each one will enable you to reach your goals. There are nine main styles of Yoga in India, but... (read more)

Discover How Yoga Will Help You Reach Your Goals – Part 1
by Paul Jerard
Time is valuable and there are a number of successful methods for goal realization. Yoga will cross train your mind and body for maximum potential. Imagine being able to optimize your attitude in... (read more)

What is Self Mastery? – Part 3
by Paul Jerard
The next large component of self-mastery is mental health, and this is much trickier than physical health, due to many pitfalls that affect the mind along the way. The list of reasons why people... (read more)

What is Self Mastery? - Part 2
by Paul Jerard
To continue with our overview of the physical component of self mastery, it goes without saying that walking is a valuable aerobic exercise - but you have options. You can use a bicycle for nice... (read more)

What is Self Mastery? - Part 1
by Paul Jerard
Self Mastery, alone, sounds like a selfish term; but if you cannot help yourself, you will have limited ability to help others. Self mastery is the ability to make the most out of your physical,... (read more)

Confessions of a Yoga Teacher
by Paul Jerard
The following are questions that Yoga teachers still need to answer, despite overwhelming evidence that Yoga is “the mother of all health maintenance systems.” Mainstream thought is finally... (read more)

Total Concentration(samadhi) of Mind
by Premansu Chand
A true Yogi(practitioner) is one who has acquired self-knowledge and through continuous practice and detachment has been able to rest in true self, so firmly that he seldom slips down from it.... (read more)

What is Self Mastery? - Part 4
by Paul Jerard
Now, let’s cover the last component of self-mastery, which is spiritual health. Sometimes, the discussion of spiritual health is considered “politically incorrect.” This is a shame, because we... (read more)

Yoga: A Beneficial Exercising Regimen

Yoga is an ancient proven tradition that exists for thousands of years and also one of the most ancient cultural heritages in India. The word yoga means, "to unite". But it does not only mean... (read more)

Understanding the Different Types of Yoga

Yoga is becoming a more and more popular activity in the Western world today. The number of places holding Yoga classes is on the increase and there is a plethora of different types of Yoga. With a... (read more)

Yoga for PMS
by Anastasia Dorohova
Most women experience PMS symptoms at different points of their lives. PMS (premenstrual symptom) is usually characterized by anxiety, irritability, depression, craving sugary foods and feeling... (read more)

Yoga and Pregnancy
by Anastasia Dorohova
Every woman wants to have a healthy baby. Yogic practices, when done with care, can make a woman's body stronger and more flexible. Yoga poses tone your muscles, improving the overall balance and... (read more)

How to Find the Right Yoga Class For You
by Anastasia Dorohova
There are many types of yoga, some with more emphasis on the physical part of the practice and some with a more spiritual approach, some that will make you sweat and some where you’d spend half a... (read more)

Yoga in the Office
by Anastasia Dorohova
Spending eight or more hours a day in an office chair, staring at the computer screen can cause backaches, hunched shoulders and painful neck. Try these yogic stretches a few times throughout the... (read more)

Yogic Way of Controlling of Thoughts
by Premansu Chand
As described in my earlier article... thoughts in the mind generate because we have five senses. So broadly there are five kinds of thoughts. Again each thought may either be of pleasure or of... (read more)

Yoga - The Solution for Insomnia
by Paul Jerard
At one time, or another, all of us have experienced insomnia for any type of reason. There are times when lack of sleep just can’t be helped, such as: the loss a loved one, going through a... (read more)

Yoga Mats – Are They All Created Equal?
by Della Menechella
Yoga mats are a basic part of every practice. What you might not realize is that there are several types of yoga mats that you can choose... (read more)

How to Use Yoga DVDs and Videos to Round Out Your Practice
by Della Menechella
I absolutely love using yoga DVDs and yoga videos during my practices. As a matter of fact, I use one of them almost every time I do... (read more)

Which Type of Yoga is the Right Choice for You?
by Della Menechella
You finally made the decision to practice yoga, but which style of yoga is the best one for you? There are many types of yoga, and while they usually have common elements, their focus is often... (read more)

Child Yoga – What is All the Fun About?
by Della Menechella
Many adults have taken up yoga, but yoga has not gained as the same popularity with children. Child yoga can offer many of the same benefits to kids as it does to adults.What can yoga... (read more)

Yoga is a Safe Solution to Weight Control
by Paul Jerard
One more study tells the world, that Yoga can help with weight control and weight loss. The latest study was held by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington.The... (read more)

Mind and Thoughts

Yoga is controlling of thoughts arising in the mind. When thoughts are controlled or prevented through practice, the seer or practitioner(yogi) rests in his true self or soul(atman). Either you... (read more)

Hatha Yoga
by Rachel Dayer
One of the many subsets of the 5000 year old system used to increase the well being of the mind, body and spirit, is known as Hatha Yoga.In Hatha Yoga participants combine a series of... (read more)

Basic Yoga Poses (Asanas)
by Rachel Dayer
In most forms of Yoga there are three components to the practice; breathing, concentration and physical poses also known as asanas. The two poses below are the most common asanas used in Western... (read more)

A World of Infinite Opportunities
by Paul Jerard
Many people feel that there is a limited amount of abundance, wealth, or chances to succeed in life. Furthermore, there is a solid belief that if one person succeeds, another must fail.This... (read more)

Yoga and True Self
by Premansu Chand
The great sage Patanjali in his work Yogasutra codified all yogic knowledge and practices which prevailed in ancient India in the form of aphorisms. He defined Yoga in a simple way as - controlling... (read more)

Maybe Bikram is Right?
by Paul Jerard
For some reason, I had the time to sit down and watch a little television, and as luck would have it, Bikram Choudhury was being interviewed on 60 Minutes Wednesday.My wife, Marie and I... (read more)

Yoga and Christianity a Conflict?
by Paul Jerard
Being a practicing Christian myself, there are very few things in Yoga that conflict with Christianity. Some critics argue that Yoga and Christianity cannot co-exist, and yet we know that Yoga is... (read more)

This is Not Your Grandma’s Rocking Chair
by Paul Jerard
Senior Yoga / Chair YogaIs it possible that grandparents are working out more than any other members of the family? Absolutely - I see energetic Chair Yoga classes with as many as 50 people... (read more)

Nine Things You Should Know About Yoga for Children
by Paul Jerard
Here are some guidelines and realistic expectations for parents, who are considering Yoga for their children. For your child, Yoga is much more than a kid's fitness class. Just like adults - kids... (read more)

Eight Amazing Benefits of Teaching Yoga
by Paul Jerard
Every challenging occupation yields some sort of satisfaction, but the fitness professionals industry had an amazing 85% job satisfaction rate according to an Idea Health & Fitness... (read more)

Don’t Focus on Failure
by Paul Jerard
Internal defeat is a state of mind, where you begin to believe that most new ideas will fail. You might think -”After all, what I tried in last week's Yoga class, failed.”You will always... (read more)

How to Find the Right Yoga Teacher?
by Paul Jerard
I am often asked by beginners about how to evaluate a Yoga Teacher?The following is the “CALM check list.” These factors are basic criteria that your Yoga Instructor should meet before you... (read more)

True Essence of Yoga
by Datta Swami
Yoga is the most prestigious field of spiritualism. People think about 6 wheels (Chakras) or lotus flowers present in the spinal card, which are not seen by the eyes. They are imaginary and so they... (read more)

Paths of Yoga I
by Alma De la Cruz
With dozens of Hollywood celebrities following in their Guru’s lotus footsteps and the sick Western commercial behaviour exploding Yogas popularity to a system that simply enhances people’s health,... (read more)

Yoga Your Way To A Happy Vacation
by Roy Thomsitt
Yoga Your Way To A Happy VacationThere have been many studies into holiday stress. Sadly, those studies show that such stress does exist; that summer vacation can actually prove more... (read more)

Yoga and Weight Training – Never the Twain Shall Meet?
by Siva
Yoga has become part of Western fitness training techniques. However, there are some who have never tried it, relegating it as a hippie trend from the 60’s. Those individuals would rather look at... (read more)

Stress - How To Manage Effectively
by V. Anantha Krishnan
Stress is very common in all walks of life and in all occupations. There are different kinds of stress, such as acute, episodic and chronic. Each one has its own list of symptoms and triggers that... (read more)

Yoga For a Beginner
by Della Menechella
Yoga for a beginner is an exciting time when you start to discover all of the wonderful benefits that yoga has to offer. When you first begin yoga, there are several things you can do to make your... (read more)

Yoga for Every BODY
by Jenny Ward
We all want to feel loved, open, free and peaceful. We all desire to let go of the ideals and expectations of the “world” and be simply still. What if you had permission to be anything your heart... (read more)

Muscle Fitness – Can Yoga Make You Stronger?
by Della Menechella
Many people wonder if yoga can improve their muscle fitness. They recognize that yoga can help reduce stress and increase flexibility, but when it comes to increasing muscle fitness, they think it... (read more)

The Benefit of Yoga
by Della Menechella
The benefit of yoga practice goes far beyond the actual time you spend in the poses. One of the most common reasons why people begin practicing yoga is to improve their health and well-being. ... (read more)

The History of Yoga
by Della Menechella
The history of yoga is long and steeped in tradition. Contrary to what some people may believe, yoga was not developed as the newest way to slim down so they could fit into a smaller pants... (read more)

Yoga Accessories– Getting What You Really Need
by Della Menechella
Unlike some other sports, you don’t need a lot of yoga accessories when you practice. With yoga, your body is really the most important ‘equipment’ that you need. There are some items that are... (read more)

Yoga Position – What Does Each Type Do?
by Della Menechella
I often wondered what the value of each type of yoga position is, so I did some research to find out. All yoga positions help to develop strength and flexibility. Yet the type of yoga position... (read more)

Can a Yoga Prop Help Prop Up Your Practice?
by Della Menechella
Some people may wonder if using a yoga prop can help them get more out of their practice. My personal opinion is yes.B.K.S. Iyengar introduced the yoga prop as a means of supporting proper... (read more)

Yoga Instruction - How to Find the Right Yoga Teacher for You
by Della Menechella
In order to find a quality yoga instructor, you need to know what to look for. Since there is no universal certification program for yoga teachers, not all of them are created equal as you can see... (read more)

Yoga for Fun and Profit
by Siva
Stress levels around the world are on the rise. In order to deal with this, relaxation and stress reduction therapies have sprung up from everywhere. Yoga instruction is no longer just a fringe... (read more)

Ayurveda and Yoga, Ancient Sister Sciences
by Vishnu Dass, NTS, LMT, CAyu
Ayurveda and yoga are sister sciences that have been united for thousands of years for the sake of healing body, mind, and consciousness. Generally speaking, Ayurveda deals more with the health of... (read more)

Yoga for Relaxation
by Galina Pembroke
Discover the true meaning of yoga…In taking any modern yoga class, you will find parallels to ballet. Like ballet, the promise of poise, grace and flexibility encourages much interest. Yet... (read more)

Yoga and Low Carb Diets
by Carmela Cattuti
Yoga is an ancient system of movement designed to generate vibrant health and well being. Excellent health and well being are experienced in the results of a yoga practice such as: stress... (read more)

Using Yoga to Manage ADD
by Jennifer Koretsky
Exercise is a powerful tool for ADD management. Medical professionals recommend that adults get at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise (such as running or biking) 3-5 times per week to improve... (read more)

Are You Willing To Follow Eight Yoga Exercises For the Lower Back?
by Shelley Hitz
EXERCISES FOR BACK RELIEFMany people believe that rest is best for a painful back, but actually, what your back really needs when it’s hurt is exercise. Regular exercise relieves back pain... (read more)

Hot Yoga - Bikrams Twenty Six
by Carina Snowden
Even though the world population has shifted from mainly rural to mainly urban in the last decade, there are still lots of folks like me who live in the sticks. Doing things like taking a yoga... (read more)

Introduction to Meditation: How to Meditate
by Gabriel Zappia
There are many ways to meditate. They all seem to lead to the same place, so find one that suits you. Here I describe a classic meditation that is simple and easy. Mantras:... (read more)

Introduction to Yoga Styles

Ananda Ananda Yoga is a classical style of hatha yoga that uses asana and pranayama to awaken, experience and begin to control the subtle energies within oneself,... (read more)

Exercises for the Body, Mind and Spirit
by Aaron Hoopes
The rigors of everyday living fracture our attention and disrupt our awareness. Our body becomes tired and our breathing, shallow. Our mind is scattered and concentration is poor. Our spiritual... (read more)

The Essence of Quality
by Aaron Hoopes
The attitude we take towards any task or undertaking reflects on how we view the self. The completed task is the outward image of the self. A task done with quality and completeness corresponds to... (read more)

Yoga: To Do Or Not To Do
by Marsha T Metzger, M.ed, RYT, KYTA
My last yoga class in a large group setting was Friday, May 14. I know because I planned it that way. It did not come easily, without many tears, guilty feelings, fears about finances, and... (read more)

Yoga Therapy
by Marsha T Metzger, M.ed, RYT, KYTA
Yoga, which is such an ancient practice, is finding its way into all sorts of Western modes of healing. Not only is it great physical exercise, it can also have profound healing effects on the... (read more)

Yoga for the Whole Family
by Marsha T Metzger, M.ed, RYT, KYTA
Yoga, a physical and spiritual practice which is thousands of years old, has exploded on to the American scene. Every one is doing yoga... (read more)

Letting Go of the Fight
by Marsha T Metzger, M.ed, RYT, KYTA
The sun was streaming through the glass window. There was a circle of love standing around my bed-parents, grandparents, priests, a nun. I ate the tiny wafer of bread that the priest gave to me,... (read more)

Kundalini Yoga - The Art & Science of Spirit Rising by Ravi Singh and Ana Brett
by Ravi Singh and Ana Brett
After 40 years of combined teaching experience we have... (read more)

A Daily Practice….makes “Perfect” - Activate your secret weapon
by Melinda Lee
Nurture the Feminine Soul on a daily basis and see how the softness creates an essence that just may be your missing link ... (read more)