Yoga began as a mental practice to discover techniques and methods of using the mind to decrease suffering and to discover and create more contentment, joy, and peace. As yoga… Read More→
Visit our friends at Japa Mala Beads ➞
Our Most Loved Content
The Five Yamas of Yoga: Definition & Practice Tips
At the beginning of Patanjali’s eight-fold path of yoga lays the Yamas: the moral, ethical and societal guidelines for the practicing yogi. These guidelines are all expressed in the positive,… Read More→
The Meaning and Use of Common Yoga Symbols
Yoga and meditation are rich in mystical symbolism. Yet modern yoga has both commercialized and overlooked many of the deeper meanings of these ancient sacred symbols. Many practitioners use symbols as… Read More→
The 18 Best Yoga Poses for Beginners
If you are new to yoga, you might feel overwhelmed with how to safely and adequately perform all of the yoga poses. We have over 120 different yoga exercises listed… Read More→
Tantra Yoga – Defined and Demystified
Tantra Yoga is a relatively modern revamping of the ancient Vedic and yogic spiritual practices. The Tantrics developed innovative yet unorthodox techniques for allowing one to experience the reality of… Read More→
The Five Vayus
Through their exploration of the body and breath, the ancient yogis discovered that prana (life force energy) could be further subdivided into energetic components they called Vayus (winds). The five… Read More→
Emotional Release Through Yoga
Feeling stuck and inflexible in a yoga posture may be more than just tight hamstrings; it could be some old feelings holding you back. Unexpressed emotions become stored and held… Read More→
The 3 Gunas of Nature (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas)
In the philosophy of Yoga, all matter in the universe arises from the fundamental substrate called Prakriti. From this ethereal Prakriti the three primary gunas (qualities of energy) emerge creating… Read More→
What is a Yogi? And How Do You Become One?
Simply put, a yogi is someone who is committed to the practice of yoga. So, if you’ve done a few downward-facing dogs in your lifetime, does that make you a… Read More→
14 Fantastic Free Yoga Videos for Beginners
Most beginners will want to try out some yoga moves before joining a group class to get a better understanding of what is involved in yoga and to be prepared… Read More→
How to Live a Yogic Lifestyle
Each time we move into a yoga pose or practice some pranayama we deepen our ability to control our body, breath, and focus. Likewise, when we dig deeper into the… Read More→
What Is a Sattvic Diet?
Have you ever noticed the effects of the food you have eaten on your yoga practice? Obviously some foods create more internal commotion than others, with bloating and other digestive… Read More→
The Flow of Prana
The foundation of all life, of the whole universe, is the subtle life force energy that yogis call “prana.” This mystical energy flows through our bodies and generates our every… Read More→
Why Practice Yoga at Home?
Home yoga practice: we all know we should be doing it, but why bother, when we could just attend a class anyway? If you needed any further urging, a recent… Read More→
The Five Niyamas of Yoga
The second limb of Patanjali’s eight-limbed yoga system contains the five internal practices of Niyama (observance). These practices extend the ethical codes of conduct provided in his first limb, the… Read More→
Hatha Yoga: The Physical Path
What is commonly called yoga in the West is technically Hatha Yoga. Hatha Yoga (ha=”sun” tha=”moon”) attains the union of mind-body-spirit through a practice of asanas (yoga postures), pranayama (yoga… Read More→
How to Start a Yoga Practice (4 Steps)
While there is a lot to learn, discover, and explore in the tradition of yoga, it is best to start simply and not let yourself be overwhelmed. Our How to… Read More→
Bhakti Yoga: the Yoga of Devotion
Bhakti Yoga is one of the four main yogic paths to enlightenment. Bhakti means “devotion” or “love” and this path contains various practices to unite the bhakta (Bhakti Yoga practitioner)… Read More→
Antarayas: The 13 Obstacles of Yoga
The path of yoga can be long and hard, filled with obstacles, pitfalls, and detours. Luckily, yogic philosophy provides a roadside assistance program to aid you when you become stuck…. Read More→
Raja Yoga, Oneness through Meditation
Raja Yoga is viewed as the “royal path” to attaining the state of yoga or unity with mind-body-spirit. Raja Yoga is so highly revered because it attains enlightenment from direct… Read More→
Viewing ads supports YogaBasics. Remove ads with a membership. Thanks!