New on Yoga Basics
Monday, May 05, 2008
by Timothy Burgin
Eighty Four Asanas in Yoga
This fascinating and scholarly exploration of the history of hatha yoga and it’s asanas (postures) explores the modern belief that the poses derive from an ancient and original set of eighty-four asanas. Buhnemann traces and documents the traditional sets of 84 classical yoga postures by examining original materials, including drawings, descriptions in older Indic texts and modern publications and finds conflicting lists of poses with the oldest dating from the 17th century.
 
Monday, April 28, 2008
by Timothy Burgin
Gathering In The Light
Yoga Inc.This heavenly combination of chant-master Krishna Das’s deep soulful singing with the haunting and enchanting overtone singing of Baird Hersey and Prana is a must have for all Krishna Das fans. This is also a wonderful chant CD to play during a yoga class or practice, with its slow to medium tempos and atmospheric drones of overtone singing.
 
Friday, April 25, 2008
by Kelly Golden
Is it Yoga?
I don’t think it’s a big secret that my passion is yoga. The asana, the pranayama, the meditation, the focus, the self discovery, the divine connection, I eat it up. My view of what yoga actually is comes from study and practice, and it’s mostly a classical one. So when I was checking out the latest yoga news, I ran across a rather different approach to yoga that intrigued me. YogaSlackers are a group of yoga practitioners who practice their asanas not on a mat, but suspended on a piece of 1” flat, stretchy tubular webbing (like rock climbers use) tensioned between two anchor points above the ground.
 
Monday, April 21, 2008
by Kelly Golden
Green Yoga is Growing
In an effort to bridge the gap between yoga and the environment, the Telluride Yoga Festival is committing to eco-consciousness, and leading by example of how to bring the teachings of yoga and the principles of sustainability together. The festival is inspired by a desire to redefine the relationship between the yogic community and the environment, and the creators are committed to honoring the principles that guide the practice and applying them to the relationship with the world. Telluride Yoga Festival aspires to be a zero waste event by eliminating the generation of excess waste and reusing, recycling and composting at every opportunity.
 
Thursday, April 17, 2008
by Timothy Burgin
Yoga Lesson: Contentment
One of the five niyamas (internal observances) of Patanjali's yoga sutras, contentment is considered an essential and fundamental yogic practice. Samtosha (contentment) can be practiced while holding yoga poses by letting go of the desire to attain the perfect looking pose, and to accept the experience of the pose as it is without wanting to change it.
 
Monday, April 14, 2008
by Timothy Burgin
What’s Your Yoga Love Story?
Yogini and author Anne Cushman is running a contest on her website to tie in with her new book Enlightenment of Idiots.  In a nutshell, her book tells the classic quest for enlightenment through a fun, adventurous and dysfunctional yoga romance, and she is now inviting others to tell their own yoga romance story.  All stories will be posted anonymously and be eligible to win a $100 gift certificate and anyone who submits a story will receive a free downloadable PDF of Enlightenment for Idiots.  Check out the contest page to submit or just read the submitted stories and vote for your favorite.
 
Sunday, April 06, 2008
by Timothy Burgin
Yoga for Arthritis
This excellent book covers the therapeutic applications of yoga for all types of arthritic conditions.  The excellent overview of the pathology of arthritis, and the brief introduction to the therapeutic benefits of yoga, sets the foundation for the rest of the book, which is organized primarily by the effected joint.  Each joint is addressed in detail with a list of poses that activate and benefit the joint, and each chapter ends with a table summarizing the poses intensity and actions on the joint.  Many of the yoga poses utilize modifications with props (primarily chairs and straps) and have two stages to work with to suit all levels of ability. 
 
Friday, March 28, 2008
by Kelly Golden
Yoga Helps Breast Cancer Survivors
For those women who have battled and survived breast cancer, the path of recovery is far from over. Breast cancer survivors can experience ongoing effects from the treatments as well as the time they spent with the disease. Treatments can cause menopausal symptoms, infertility, osteoporosis, and ongoing issues with body image, anxiety, and depression. Now there is new evidence available that shows a sustained practice of yoga can ease hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors.
 
Sunday, March 23, 2008
by Timothy Burgin
Power to the Peaceful Yoga
Musician, activist and filmmaker Michael Franti shares his love for yoga with the intention of cultivating inner peace and spiritual activism. Jivamukti founders David Life and Sharon Gannon instruct this intermediate/advanced class with Michael as their student against a backdrop of band instruments and a soundtrack of Michael’s music. The most inspiring sections of this DVD are Michael’s introduction and testimonial and the 20 minute group discussion on how yoga philosophy and practice lead to creating peace in the world.
 
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
by Timothy Burgin
Trouble in Tibet
A week of violence and protest has erupted in Chinese occupied Tibet when Buddhist monks peacefully demonstrated to mark the anniversary of a failed 1959 uprising against China. The Dalai Lama has said he would step down as leader of Tibet's government-in-exile if his supporters do not stop the protests that have left up to 100 dead in Tibet. European leaders have been quick to condemn the Chinese government's violent reaction to the protests, even threatening to boycott the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games - but so far, the U.S. Government has been silent. Click here to send a message to your representative and senators to speak up for Tibetan human rights.
 
Monday, March 17, 2008
by Kelly Golden
Man Saved by Meditation
Chinese construction worker, Wang Jianxin, used a Buddhist meditation technique to  survive after being buried under six feet of mud. The 52 year old man was trapped for two hours with only 5 minutes worth of air.
 
Monday, March 17, 2008
by Timothy Burgin
Breath Awareness
The breath is our link from the external to the internal, from the unconscious to the conscious. When we connect, control and regulate the breath we can consciously effect the body, mind and spirit. Our goal in this yoga lesson is to cultivate greater awareness of breath in the yoga poses, as well as in our daily life.
 
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
by Timothy Burgin
Yoga Sequences completed
Just a quick update on our continuing work to transfer the premium yoga content to the new site. We have completed the transfer of the entire Yoga Sequences section and have made some improvements and refinements while transferring the contents over.
 
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
by Timothy Burgin
Taranga by Prem Joshua
Multi-instrumentalist Prem Joshua has created an evocative yet high energy Cd in the essence of the Sanskrit word Taranga: colorful waves of joy and enthusiasm. Moving away from his more recent electronica-world fusion recordings, Prem Joshua’s focus is on natural, acoustic soundscapes using traditional Indian instruments and vocals.
 
Monday, March 10, 2008
by Kelly Golden
Yoga Gives Professional Athletes a Boost
Yoga has long been sought after for physical benefits.  It increases flexibility, strength and overall health.  It also supports mental focus and fortitude.  So, it’s no surprise that a number of athletes are using the practice to support and maintain their performance. But what is surprising is how many athletes are crediting yoga to their success and triumph in professional sports.
 
Monday, March 03, 2008
by Timothy Burgin
Yoga as Medicine
Yoga as MedicineWhile several books have been written on the subject of yoga therapy, this is the first that attempts to explain how and why yoga works as a therapeutic tool to heal disease. Western-trained internist and medical editor of Yoga Journal, Timothy McCall M.D., provides an excellent overview of the use of yoga as medicine and the practice of yoga in the first 2 parts of this in-depth book. The book’s third part, Yoga Therapy in Action, contains the most important content to the reader, with twenty chapters devoted to a large array of common medical conditions.
 
Thursday, February 28, 2008
by Kelly Golden
Yoga in 2008 and Beyond
Yoga Journal has just released the results from their latest market study on yoga in America. The study includes numerous components from consumer spending to why people are practicing yoga, and provides some insight on the trends in yoga today.
 
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
by Kelly Golden
The Practice of Yoga in Action
YogaHope photoKarma Yoga is the premise of the Bhagavad Gita: action without thought or need of reward. Many yogis today are finding that their practice of Yoga is being pulled off the mat and into the world, and for most, it’s manifesting as selfless service to others. Bringing yoga to those who need it most is a dream for most of us who love the practice, and now many are putting that Karma Yoga dream into action.
 
Thursday, February 21, 2008
by Timothy Burgin
Element: Yoga for Beginners
Yoga for Beginners is a great DVD for those who are looking to start a yoga practice while being challenged and engaged. This DVD practice starts out slow and gentle with a pranayama (breathing) practice and an excellent series of warm-up movements. Once the body is warmed and energized, the practice moves into more challenging standing poses, and then ends with a good mix of floor poses and a final relaxation.
 
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
by Kelly Golden
Keen on Getting Close
Only weeks before I’m scheduled to co-teach a partner yoga workshop, I receive a link entitled, Why I hate partner yoga. The irony did not go unnoticed.

To be honest, I haven’t practiced that much partner yoga, and taught even less. But, when my friend approached me about teaming up for a workshop, I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn more. First, I do not have an aversion to sweat. I am a vinyasa teacher and practitioner, and sweat is part of the process. For the most part, I like people, and I love to share yoga, so we were off to a great start. And the stroke of luck that sealed the deal was that my partner for the workshop was well versed in the workings of this practice.
 
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
by Kelly Golden
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Dies
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi has died in his home in Vlodrop, Holland his advisors announced Wednesday.  Last week, the founder and leader of the Transcendental Meditation movement announced his retirement and retreat into silence, which was unexpected by many of his followers. 
 
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