Are you ready to become a yoga teacher, but you want to be sure your training experience will truly knock your socks off? Becoming a yoga teacher is an experience that should change your life, so it’s important to choose … Read More
Pandiculation – Cat-like Movements
The act of yawing and stretching – or pandiculation – is not just a luxurious pastime but as important to our health and wellbeing as good nutrition and regular exercise. Have you ever had the glorious opportunity to wake-up and … Read More
The Importance of the Psoas Muscle
Some years ago, at the end of an intense Vinyasa yoga class I’d taught, something remarkable happened. I prepared my students for relaxation, moving them into reclined hip release poses. As the energy slowed down and they began letting go … Read More
Lean into your practice
Many people I spoke to for this story had a yoga practice before their divorce but generally only considered it part of a physical health regimen. Alice Schlegel—mother, researcher, yoga teacher, and director of student activities at a community college … Read More
Practice Being in the Now
Mini-meditation Divorce coach Lisa Gabardi, PhD, uses this exercise to help her patients acknowledge the here and now. 1. Notice when you’re obsessing, lost in a rage, swamped with sorrow, or in a fear loop. 2. Close your eyes and … Read More
5 Questions Before Going Deeper
You may have heard the saying that before you speak, ask yourself: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? I’ve always felt this is a great guideline that helps me practice compassionate communication in line with the yogic … Read More
5 Poses for Extra Energy
Backbends. Backbends are the most obvious poses for energizing—even gentle backbends can be stimulating. Since it’s cooler, darker weather, I’ve been playing a lot with the “backbend” in forward-bending poses. For example, Parsvottanasana (Intense Side Stretch Pose) with my hands in prayer behind … Read More
Yoga in the Face of Chronic Illness
We asked our college-age readers to share stories of how yoga has impacted their lives. As a child, Emily Kurc, spent her time at doctors’ appointments instead of running and playing with friends. She explains how yoga helped her find … Read More
Should I Stick to One Style of Yoga?
There are certainly benefits to sticking with one style of yoga—digging a single deep hole rather than several shallower ones. The practice even within a single system is not necessarily uniform. In Ashtanga, the set sequence of postures can function … Read More
Practice Breathing
We know that breath is the foundation. We’re taught to send nourishing breath into clenched spaces to allow the light in, recenter, and get present and calm. Many meditations coach us through the pathways of the breath, from the solar … Read More