New on Yoga Basics
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
by Kelly Golden
A Summer of Yoga Festivals
From entire festivals dedicated to yoga to the classic summer music celebrations incorporating asana and meditation, the summer festival and yoga are becoming inseparable. This year announces the Wanderlust Music and Yoga Festival as one of the headliners of the list, as well as the second annual Telluride Yoga Festival, the Flagstaff Yoga Festival and others. Yoga is also making appearances at music festivals across the country like Bonaroo in Tennessee, LEAF festival in North Carolina, Floyd Fest in Virginia, and many others.
 
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
by Golden & Sullivan
Pose of the Month: Parvritta Janu Sirsasana
Yoga Pose of the MonthWhat defines you? How do we limit ourselves to a definition of the way things should be, or judgments of the way things are? We find so often that our mat is a mirror, a place to reflect how we experience the practice of living. Asana is a great tool of discovery and reflection. When we are pushed to the edge of what is comfortable in our bodies, we have a human tendency to define our experience. Good or bad, hard or easy, intense or gentle, these dichotomies by definition limit us. In yoga, we seek to move beyond definition to a place where we can experience the good and the bad, the difficult and the easeful simultaneously. After all, yoga essentially means “union,” right? In Pavritta Janu Sirsasana (revolved head to knee pose), we stretch ourselves to the limit of how we define ourselves physically. At the same time, we work to maintain a powerful connection to our root and core. As we practice this pose, we often find that the limits we had placed on ourselves dissolve, and we are able to move beyond physical and mental definitions.
 
Friday, June 26, 2009
by Kelly Golden
The Yogathon is Catching On
You’ve probably seen the concept before, a walk-a-thon to raise money for a local shelter, a dance-a-thon to sponsor local high school kids on their senior trip, maybe even a rock-a-thon where participants rock in rocking chairs all night long for a good cause. Now the yoga community is taking on the “a-thon” for good causes all over the country. From small local fundraising to large national projects, the yoga-thon idea is growing.
 
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
by Timothy Burgin
Yogabody Book Giveaway
We have 5 copies of Yogabody by Judith Lasater to give to our lucky readers! To enter this contest, simply leave a comment to this post and we will randomly select 5 comment authors in two weeks time.
 
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
by Timothy Burgin
Yogabody by Judith Hanson Lasater
Master yoga teacher Judith Lasater draws upon her training and experience as a physical therapist in her latest book on yogic anatomy. Yogabody is organized into five sections (the locomotor system, the vertebral column, the lower extremity, the trunk, and the upper extremity) and is filled with detailed and thorough writing, beautiful color anatomical drawings, black-and-white asana illustrations, and helpful charts.
 
Thursday, June 18, 2009
by Kelly Golden
Should Yoga Schools be Regulated?
If you search the web for Yoga Teacher Training schools, you will be inundated with hundreds of styles and approaches in almost every corner of the globe. All of these programs promise to graduate exceptional, knowledgeable teachers with a penchant for presenting the practice of yoga in a safe and accessible way. But as the number of Yoga schools explodes, are the thousands of new teachers they are producing every year really credible and safe?
 
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
by Timothy Burgin
Emergence 2012 by Alex Theory
Yoga MusicThis inspiring and peaceful Cd is a collaboration between ambient-sound technician Alex Theory and philosopher-journalist Daniel Pinchbeck. The intention behind these compositions is to express a positive vision of the Mayan 2012 prophecy, and to prepare the listener to enter into a new realization of time, space and being. But buying into this prophecy is not required to enjoy and appreciate this finely crafted South American ambient soundtrack.
 
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
by Kelly Golden
Pay What You Can Yoga
Donation based yoga classes are on the rise in this economic downturn. As more and more people are becoming frugal about spending, yoga studios and classes are responding to this need by increasing the number of donation based classes in their schedules. Often called Karma Yoga class or community yoga, these are usually all-level classes that encourage students to participate and pay whatever they can. Some studios are even adopting this philosophy as a business model and applying it to all classes.
 
Friday, June 05, 2009
by Timothy Burgin
Thunder Love by Jai Uttal
Yoga MusicAfter focusing on traditional Kirtan (chanting) music for the last several years, Jai Uttal returns to his signature blend of world-music, American roots music, and devotional Bengali chanting. This recording is exceptionally well crafted and produced, and Jai does an amazing job of incorporating sultry Brazilian rhythms with ancient Sanskrit mantras. The spectrum of instruments used on this Cd is just astounding, and I especially enjoyed the documentation and use of “toy instruments, cookware, and pots and pans.”
 
Monday, June 01, 2009
by Kelly Golden
Remembering "Guruji"
Regardless of tradition, style, or commitment, yogis all over the world are mourning the loss of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, the father of Ashtanga Yoga. “Guruji,” as he was affectionately known by his students, was a force in popularizing yoga in the West through the strenuous system of practice that is the keystone to modern Vinyasa Yoga. In its traditional forms, Ashtanga Yoga remains one of the most popular yoga styles today. Ashtanga (or “eight limbed path”) has become synonymous with the vigorous style of Hatha yoga that follows a prescribed sequence of movement and breath, advancing students only after commitment and work from series to series.
 
Thursday, May 28, 2009
by Kelly Golden
Meditation Linked to Bigger Brains
A study recently published by researchers at UCLA deduced that meditation increases the amount of gray matter in certain areas of the brain, mainly emotional control centers. In essence, your brain can get pumped up on meditation and increase its volume. That is pretty darn cool, if you ask me. But maybe the coolest part is that the space that is growing is the one that we humans often struggle with the most, the space of emotion.
 
Monday, May 25, 2009
by Kelly Golden
Taking Yoga Outdoors
The sun is finally out after what has seemed like a long dark winter, and humanity is heading outdoors in droves. In my neck of the woods hiking trails are crowded and creeks are overrun with fisherman. In my neighborhood, everyone, and I mean everyone, is outside soaking in the beautiful spring at any available opportunity. So reluctantly, I drag myself inside to expound upon the joys of yoga asana which at the moment is identifying with the natural instinct to ditch four walls and get out of doors for practice as teachers, students, and studios across the country find a space in nature for their asana classes.
 
Friday, May 22, 2009
by Timothy Burgin
Chakra Balancing Yoga with Sharon Gannon
I absolutely love the artistic production of the DVDs from Acacia, and the latest yoga video with Sharon Gannon is no exception. I turned on the music only option and spent several joyful minutes just watching and listening to the beautiful filming of Sharon doing her practice with the musicians playing harmonium, violin and tamboura. As with other Acacia DVDs, the bonus features are great. The 11-minute Secret teachings of Yoga lecture is incredibly well done and reveals Sharon’s passion for yoga and her sweet inner radiance.
 
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
by Golden & Sullivan
Pose of the Month: Bakasana
Yoga Pose of the Month Traditionally birds like the crane and the crow were thought to be messengers from the gods. When the first Dalai Lama was born, it was said that he was visited by black crows. And through the ability to fly, these birds transcend the heaviness of a mortal existence and live in the expanse between this finite world and the next. Cranes are symbols of loyalty and communication, and in many traditions are thought to bridge the gap between the earth and the heavens.

Whether you know Bakasana as the crane or the crow, its effect is one of transcendence. Rising above our perceived limitations and taking off in flight. Bakasana is a pose that requires strength and focus and the ability to trust. The initial approach to this asana is often one of trepidation. Just like a baby bird that has all of the tools for flight, but doubts their strength and ability, Bakasana can often bring up doubts and fears. “What if I fall flat on my face? What if I’m not strong enough to hold myself?”
 
Monday, May 18, 2009
by Timothy Burgin
Sri K Pattabhi Jois Passes Away
Photo by www.ashtanganews.comWith great sadness we have learned that Sri K Pattabhi Jois has left his body today. At the age of 94, Pattabhi Jois had spent his lifetime practicing and teaching yoga, and was the founder of Astanga Vinyasa Yoga. Details are scarce at this time, but apparently Pattabhi Jois’s health had been suffering for some time and he was admitted to the intensive care unit at the hospital in Mysore on May 5, 2009. Our prayers are with Pattabhi Jois’s family, friends and students during this difficult time.
 
Saturday, May 16, 2009
by Kelly Golden
Bigger Body Yoga
As much as we would like to deny it, it is not uncommon to walk into a yoga class filled with slender, flexible bodies moving gracefully from asana to asana. Not a welcoming site to those whose physiques don’t fit into this category. As beneficial as a yoga class can and would be for larger bodies, many shy away from classes feeling out of place and underrepresented. To address this shortage, yoga classes just for bigger bodies are popping up all over the country.
 
Thursday, May 14, 2009
by Timothy Burgin
Bowls by Oceanhouse Media
Use your fingertip on this iPhone/iTouch application to ring Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, bells, and tingsha cymbals. Most impressive is the ability to rub your finger over the edge of the bowl to make it ring with a highly resonate and authentic tone. There are seven pages in the app and each page includes a singing bowl (one for each chakra) plus one additional gong or chime.
 
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
by Timothy Burgin
Yoga on the iPhone
I would have never of guessed when I started this website that I would be reviewing computer programs that only work on a cell phone. But I’ve been checking out yoga related iPhone/iTouch apps and there are several ones that are impressive enough to review and share with you. Look for our first iPhone/iTouch app review to be posted in the next couple of days, and come back for regular reviews from us on this emerging new media.
 
Monday, May 11, 2009
by Kelly Golden
Waking: A Memoir of Trauma and Transcendence
My teacher says that it is almost always some type of pain that brings us to yoga. Whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional, it is pain that leads us to the path of self-discovery. Pain is the sign of disconnection and division between our bodies, our minds, and our hearts. Matthew Sanford’s case was no different in that respect. After a tragic car accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down at thirteen, Matthew spent years trying to heal the physical, mental, and emotional pain that stemmed from the accident. Waking is the story of how he coped with this life altering event and ultimately found peace in the practice of yoga.
 
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
by Timothy Burgin
16th Scholarship Awarded
The YogaBasics.com's yoga teacher training scholarship has been awarded to Rosalie Hamilton. Our next scholarship will be awarded in October 2009. View complete details on our Yoga Scholarship page.
 
Thursday, April 30, 2009
by Timothy Burgin
Maha Moha the Great Delusion
Yoga MusicFunky, upbeat and fun, this chanting CD is a fusion of rock/pop grooves with world instruments and ancient mantras. The most impressive element of this recording is Morissette’s blending of the sanskrit mantras with his English lyrics. This technique can easily come off as cheesy and distracting, yet Morissette’s English translated lyrics give the compositions additional depth, appeal and meaning.
 
Monday, April 27, 2009
by Kelly Golden
White House Yoga
This year’s annual White House Easter Egg roll encompassed much more than the century old tradition has before. Of the many events that were available at the “Let’s Go Play” event hosted by Mrs. Obama, yoga was top among them.
 
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
by Kelly Golden
The Growing Field of Yoga Therapy
As yoga increases in popularity and validity, its therapeutic applications are also growing. In addition to being a practice for the physical body, yoga is evolving as a way to address individual aspects of healing physically, emotionally, psychologically, and mentally. The field of Yoga Therapy has grown exponentially and is evolving to address all types of physical, mental and emotional imbalances.
 
Thursday, April 16, 2009
by Timothy Burgin
Yoga for Everyone by Hemalayaa
This fun and sweet DVD has two separate 20-minute programs that are suitable for beginning level students. Hemalayaa is a beautiful and lighthearted instructor who creates a harmonious mix of detailed instruction and encouragement to explore and create freedom in the yoga poses. The first yoga program is relaxing and heart opening and the second program is similar, but it is more engaging and core strengthening. Both yoga programs cover basic poses that incorporate many fluid and circular movements, and both programs end with a supine bound angle pose for relaxation.
 
Friday, April 10, 2009
by Kelly Golden
Yoga Therapy for the Hospital
The multitudes of practitioners who know what a powerful healing tool yoga can be have been working for decades to include it in health and healing modalities both mentally and physically. Now, fashion mogul Donna Karen is forging a path for yoga within traditional medical settings. Through an $850,000 grant to Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, the Urban Zen Initiative will incorporate yoga therapy into the healing regimens of cancer patients.
 
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
by Kelly Golden
Yoga for Wii
In the land of virtual fitness, no longer does yoga share the spotlight with other sports performed on the balance board in the land of the Nintendo Wii.  Now, yoga has a “game” of its own.  Like the earlier version of yoga on the Wii, but with the distinction of standing on its own feet, Yoga for Wii is storming the markets just in time for Mother’s Day.
 
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Ahimsa, the yogic practice of non violence must be adhered to when engaging in the practice of hatha yoga. Respect your body's limitations and inner wisdom, if something feels wrong or dangerous, please do not do it.
Please consult your health care practitioner before starting a yoga, pranayama or other exercise program.

All contents copyright 2001-2007 Timothy Burgin and Yogabasics.com. All rights reserved. Om shanti peace.
 
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