About Yoga and Feminism
On the surface, Yoga and feminism go together like bread and butter. As an inclusive form of holistic exercise that incorporates self…
Symbolism in Yoga Practice
Asana is a step towards bringing deeper spirituality to your Yoga practice. There is no “right answer” about what a pose means. It can…
Yoga in the Movies – Lights, Camera, Action
We all look forward to Yoga in the movies. Enjoy these films and the many others available, including documentaries available from…
Laughing Yoga is Back!
So, here I am looking at the latest Yoga gadgets and somebody created a “chakra opener.” I’ve seen some fancy wine bottle openers, but let’s be honest – Do you really think it works? I would have called it, Sanjeev’s EZ-Open Chakra Opener, but I’d make no guarantees as to what it would do to anybody.
Yoga: Will It Still Be Popular in the 21st Century?
As with any type of physical exercise, Yoga has numerous health benefits. Increased flexibility and muscle, cardio endurance, and circulatory health are among the few benefits of this practice. Enhance metabolism and improved respiration are also beneficial. Interestingly, the practice of Yoga requires individuals to concentrate deeply on correcting poses and positions. As a result, most individuals do not feel as though they are working out and increases the likelihood of continued physical activity.
Why Is Yoga So Popular?
Since it does not involve lifting free weights or running for extended periods of time, some do not think of Yoga as a substantial physical activity. However, the most impressive aspect of this practice is that it can be altered to meet the needs of any aspiring Yogi. From the simple cat pose to the most difficult forearm-stand scorpion, yoga evolves to each individual’s fitness level.
Yoga as an Art of Living
“Mudras, or hand positions, work with the natural energy vortices located in the palms of the hands and fingers. When we place the fingers together to create certain shapes, we redirect this energy back into the body. Think of it as creating antennae with your hands. Mudras can bring focus and attention to certain areas of the body through breath awareness, they can also have an immediate effect on the emotions. They and may not be felt as strongly as the asanas. However, the practice is very valuable and can bring us more in tune with the inner workings of our mind, body, and emotions.”
White Sugar – Nectar or Poison
Sugar originated from India. When Alexander the Great invaded India in 325 BC, he found a crude, dark brown substance called jaggery, (gur), which is still used today. Jaggery spread to Japan and China; then to the Middle East. From there, European crusaders took it to the Canary Islands, and it was from here that Christopher Columbus took sugarcane to Europe. Europeans processed all the goodness out of natural sugar, leaving only the super-sweet, artificially white crystals, which have since become popular throughout the world. Currently, Brazil has the highest per capita production of sugar.
Beginner Yoga – Studio Etiquette
While many students attend class after work, the perfumes and lotions that remain on their skin are often distracting during class. Some students have allergic reactions, headaches, or other sensitivities as a result of strong smells, and the best practice is to just skip the scents on the days when you attend yoga class. For the benefit of all, students who do not believe in bathing should not be admitted to a yoga class.
Running a Yoga Studio
As previously mentioned, hard work is a critical factor in a yoga studio’s success. If you want your yoga studio to survive, you will have to be open long hours to give your students as many opportunities as possible to attend class. This means that you need to open early in the morning so students can come in before work.