yoga
News
Self Adjustments in Revolved Poses
We all have our nemesis poses, and for me revolved triangle and revolved half moon have been duking it out for the top spot for the past few years. It seems that my body just doesn't want to revolve. I've learned a few helpful strategies along the way that I want to share with you.
...about.com | 21-May-2012 01:01
John Friend Announces His Return
In a letter posted on the Anusara Facebook page yesterday, John Friend announced his intention to return to teaching in September, 2012, although he will refrain from using the Anusara name until he is cleared by an ethics board, which he expects to happen post haste. The letter, which also lays out the resumption of Anusara's teaching certification process, continues the injured and not particularly repentant tone reported recently in New York magazine. It seems pretty obvious that Friend is anxious to resume his two major revenue generating activities. Anusara's interim Leadership Committee quickly responded with a letter explaining that they do not support Friend's intentions, indicating yet another schism in the high ranks of Anusara. As has been pointed out in the copious comments on Facebook, Anusara is owned by Friend, so he is really in sole control of its direction forward. Those not liking the direction, it seems, are free to step out of the way.
about.com | 18-May-2012 11:11
Yoga in Austin
Should you find yourself in the capital of the Lone Star State, there are plenty of choices when it comes to yoga. Find out about the [hot, cool, sweaty, relaxed, donation, Buddhist, family] yoga options in Austin, Texas. Read more...
about.com | 18-May-2012 01:44
Yoga FAQ
My yoga FAQs are based on actual frequently asked questions that I get in my email, plus things I wish someone had told me when I first started yoga. You'll find basic info like "what is yoga?" to weight loss to what to do about a slippery mat. If you don't see your question here, check the Ask Aunt Yoga archives. And if you still don't see it, find out how you can drop Aunt Yoga a line here.
about.com | 16-May-2012 02:23
King Dancer - Natarajasana Is the Yoga Pose of the Week
I learned a cool transition last week: king dancer to sugarcane pose. Basically, you just tip forward in king dancer until your hand reaches the floor, et voila, you're in sugarcane. For extra credit, try coming back up.
about.com | 14-May-2012 02:14
Arthur Boorman's Yoga Transformation
The latest yoga video to go viral (over three million hits!) is this inspirational YouTube clip featuring Gulf War veteran Arthur Boorman, a former paratrooper who was severely overweight and could not walk unassisted. Boorman started doing a yoga program created by pro wrestler "Diamond" Dallas Page and, within a year, had dramatically transformed both his body and his outlook on life. For those wanted to know more, Boorman was featured on Good Morning America today. I'm curious about the cardio portion of the program mentioned in the GMA clip and the "eating guidelines" referred to on the DDP Yoga website, both of which are essential for weight loss. Anyone tried any DDP Yoga?
about.com | 11-May-2012 01:28
Prenatal Yoga Dos and Don'ts
Prenatal yoga is a popular way to forge a mind-body connection, plus get in some stretching, for expectant moms. If you take a prenatal class, your teacher should be trained ...
about.com | 09-May-2012 00:45
Working Through Handstand-phobia
I've been a little bit obsessed with handstand lately. It seems like every teacher I have has been obsessed with it too, because it's come up in class after class. I think this prevalence has something to do with teachers looking for an alternative to headstand, which got a bad rap during the recent yoga injuries brouhaha. Whatever it is, every time we were told to bring our mats to the wall, I felt that rush of fear and began to grit my teeth. Handstand and I were not getting along.
Finally, I decided to do what has worked for me in the past when confronted with a difficult pose: workshop it at home. This meant handstand every day on the wall in my living room, with my kids giving me pointers from the couch. I looked at handstand videos, I tried to really break down what my teachers were doing when they demoed the pose in class. Were my hands too far from the wall? What was the correct position of the shoulders? Was my fear the only thing holding me back? I had this feeling like I didn't know what to do with my second leg after the first one hit the wall. Finally, after about a week of struggle, a break though came. As I assumed the position to kick up, I suddenly remembered someone describing the action of the second leg as "little hops." I tried it and, lo and behold, up flew that recalcitrant leg and I was fully inverted. Of course I thought it was a fluke but it has worked over and over again. I realized that the second leg needed to do something, it wasn't just going to come along for the ride. So if your handstand is stalled out, try the little hops method. I swear by it.
about.com | 08-May-2012 00:32
Teaching Yoga as a Labor of Love
If you are thinking of scrapping your 9-to-5 gig to pursue a lucrative career as a yoga teacher, you might want to think again. At least go read this thread on the real economics at stake over on yogadork, which was inspired by a recent article on the website GOOD. In "Making It As a Yoga Teacher: Not As Zen As You Think," writer Sue Smith details her attempt to escape the drudgery of a service industry job by becoming a yoga teacher. Ultimately, she decides to go back to waiting tables. While the dollars and cents in Smith's story accurately reflect the difficulty of earning a decent living teaching yoga, her story is a bit skewed by the fact that she approached her teaching as a way to support herself while she struggled to make it as a comedian. Which is not to say that you shouldn't be able to support yourself on a yoga teacher's income, but it will certainly improve your outlook if you also love what you are doing as a teacher. Still wondering whether to quit your day job? Check out these stories from people who did just that. Read more...
about.com | 04-May-2012 00:51
Top U.S. Yoga Retreat Centers
Going on a yoga retreat abroad sounds great, but if you don't have the time or money for that, there are some great retreat options right here in the U.S. of A. They seem to be clustered on the east coast and in California, making them particularly convenient for residents of those areas. Some of these centers allow you to really focus in on one yoga style, while others bring in the country's top teachers for workshops. Since the accommodations and amenities vary, take a look at this guide to the top U.S. yoga retreat centers to see what to expect if you plan a trip.
about.com | 30-Apr-2012 12:04
Pyramid Pose - Parsvottonasana Is the Yoga Pose of the Week
When you do pyramid pose, make sure to notice that the feet are not as far apart here as they are in some other standing poses. Taking a shorter stance allows you to work on really squaring the hips to the front. This becomes even more of an issue when you forward bend, since that has a tendency to cause the back hip to cock up.
about.com | 30-Apr-2012 00:54
Ashtanga Vocabulary
Ashtanga yoga has a lot of it's own specialized vocabulary to describe techniques and conventions of the practice. Take a look at the list below so you'll understand what's going on at the shala.
...about.com | 27-Apr-2012 12:41
What Make Your Home Practice Work?
I love these home practice tips from readers on how they stay motivated and consistent when doing yoga on their own. Setting aside a designated yoga space, even if it's just a corner of the room is great advice. (Though if you've got your own yoga room, by all means tell us about that too.) I also like the idea of setting small goals and keeping expectations realistic. There are a lot of great online classes these days for those who'd rather follow a video. I get inspired by working on poses that I've struggled with in class or indulging in a favorite pose that I haven't done in awhile. Be sure to share what works for you too!
about.com | 25-Apr-2012 01:26
Forearm Stand - Pincha Mayurasana Is the Yoga Pose (And the Life Lesson) of the Week
Last week, my teacher went around the class and asked us each to pick two poses to work on: one pose you love and one that is challenging (we don't say "hate" in yoga class, but that was the jist). I've been loving the arm balances lately, but my inversions have felt like lead, so I picked firefly for my love pose and forearm stand for my challenge. Well, you can see where this is going, can't you? My firefly could barely get airborne but I flew up into that forearm stand as if supported by clouds. Lesson learned: it just doesn't do to get attached to what we can or can't do or what is easy and what is hard, both in yoga and in life. Realizing this helps loosen the tight grip we have on our expectations, which, in turn, can lead us to a less stressful existence.
about.com | 23-Apr-2012 01:31
The Proper Use of Props
When I walk into a yoga class, the first thing I do is grab a block and two blankets from the stash of props provided. I use the blankets almost immediately to elevate my hips as I do a few warm-up poses while I wait for class to start. They often come in handy throughout the class, as padding for the knees and hips or to cover-up in savasana. I like to keep the block nearby, just in case the floor seems a little too far away that day. Props are intended to make your practice more comfortable and improve your alignment.
...about.com | 20-Apr-2012 01:43
Anusara Updates from Texas Monthly, New York Magazine, and The Daily Beast
Just when it seemed as if the media coverage of Anusaragate had slacked off, the production cycle of print magazines caught up to the scandal, bringing several newly published long articles of note. Mimi Swartz, who wrote The New York Times Magazine cover story on John Friend in 2010 ("The Yoga Mogul") and has been on Friend's blacklist ever since, has an excellent overview in Texas Monthly, which takes us back to the early days of Anusara and then right on up to the present. Even if you've maxed out on reading about Anusara, this piece includes some interesting insights into what went wrong along the way. Vanessa Grigoriadis' article in New York Magazine is significant for its post-scandal access to John Friend. Grigoriadis met with Friend at his home in The Woodlands, Texas, and discovered, not surprisingly, that he feels betrayed. Notable revelations include that Anusara is out of money and Friend may attempt a comeback as early as this summer; you decide how the two are related. An online article in The Daily Beast provides more details on the sexual shenanigans in which Friend engaged in the name of Wicca, directly from a former member of the coven. Though the future of Anusara remains as uncertain as ever, this story has proven too salacious to die down just yet.
about.com | 18-Apr-2012 01:20
Hero Pose - Virasana Is the Yoga Pose of the Week
Choosing the right posture for meditation is an important first step in making your sit as comfortable as possible. Though cross-legged variations on lotus are popular, I favor hero pose with a block under the sit bones. It may take awhile for your feet to become accustomed to this position, but it tends to be easier on the back.
about.com | 16-Apr-2012 00:58
Wanderlust LIVE : First Impressions
The first brick-and-mortar outlet of the wildly successful Wanderlust Yoga and Music Festival has opened in Austin, Texas. I was able to head down for the inaugural class with visiting teacher Schuyler Grant, who is one of Wanderlust's founders, the director of the Kula Yoga Project studios in New York City, and, by way of Google, once had a role on All My Children. Grant really brought the NYC to laid-back Austin, which felt appropriate for the loft-like space. It's definitely the most ambitious thing to hit Austin's yoga scene in awhile, both in size and scope. This marriage of yoga classes and music events (and retail and acai bowls) may prove successful among Austin's healthy-living and music-obsessed population, though this is also a community steeped in old-school hippie values, which like things a little worn in and funky. The opening of Wanderlust LIVE has been heralded as a national event, but it's really the local folks that will make or break it. We'll be keeping an eye on this space...
about.com | 13-Apr-2012 13:28
Practicing Ujjayi in Your Poses
Once upon a time, I didn't realize that you could "feel the burn" while doing yoga. Then I experienced extended side angle over the course of ten breaths or so, and wow, was I feeling that burn. When I get in to those longer hold times, it's tempting to start focusing on getting the heck out of that position (and inwardly cursing the teacher who is keeping you there), but instead of fixating on the inevitable release, you can choose to abide in the present moment. Strangely enough, this actually makes the pain burning up your thigh more manageable. You're going to need some help in this endeavor though, and it's going to come from your old friend ujjayi pranayama...
about.com | 11-Apr-2012 01:10
Half Lotus Pose - Ardha Padmasana Is the Yoga Pose of the Week
If you struggle with full lotus position, you should try sitting in half lotus instead. Full lotus can be pretty intense on the knees and hips, so taking half lotus is a good alternative, especially if you are going to be seated for a long time.
about.com | 09-Apr-2012 00:47
Work Your Arms Out
I always like to break out this series of yoga poses for arm strength in the spring. Nothing like shedding the sweaters and jackets of winter in favor of tank tops to make you want to tone up a bit!
about.com | 06-Apr-2012 01:43
10 Things That Will Improve Your Health
My article on 10 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself in Yoga Class, which I featured here last week, is part of a group of articles by About.com health guides on ways to stop negative behaviors and improve mental and physical health. Check out the full selection of over 35 articles on subjects including stress, weight loss, addiction and many more. Read more...
about.com | 04-Apr-2012 00:29
Eight Angle Pose - Astavakrasana Is the Yoga Pose of the Week
If you want to get in to eight angle pose (astavakrasana), you're going to have to go through elephant's trunk pose (eka hasta bhujasana). If the former seems a bit out of reach, work on the latter, which helps to open the hips and develop the necessary core strength.
about.com | 02-Apr-2012 00:10
Don't Get Your Yoga Panties in a Twist
On this site, I try cover all the shocking yoga scandals, controversial articles, and latest books, but every so often I like nothing more than to get down in the trenches and do some real investigative reporting. Important reporting on issues that affect so many of us, like visible panty lines. Read more...
about.com | 29-Mar-2012 00:12
Crow Pose - Bakasana Is the Yoga Pose of the Week
Do you love arm balances? Do you think you could love them, if you could just figure out how to get your feet off the floor? Well, crow pose is kind of the gateway pose to arm balancing for many. Get this one, and a whole new world opens up. I recently read a post by yoga teacher Kathryn Budig on Yoga Journal recommending learning this pose with your feet perched up on a block, which I thought was an interesting technique. Let us know of it works for you!
about.com | 26-Mar-2012 00:54
10 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself in Yoga Class
Just making it to yoga class regularly can feel like a big accomplishment and go a long way to improving your sense of well being. Make sure you get the most out of your classes by avoiding negative self-talk and behaviors while you are there. Here are ten ways to have a happier, healthier yoga practice. Read more...
about.com | 22-Mar-2012 10:35
Standing Split - Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana Is the Yoga Pose of the Week
Have you ever tried standing split with your lifted leg going up the wall? It's a fun way to really open up the extension of the pose, and can even lead you in the direction of hanumanasana. If that doesn't sound pleasant to you, playing with your balance by bringing your hands to your standing leg's ankle is another way to go.
about.com | 19-Mar-2012 00:03
John Friend Will Not Wanderlust This Summer
Anusara founder John Friend has been a part of the annual Wanderlust Yoga and Music Festival since the early days, and was scheduled to appear at three of Wanderlust's events in the summer of 2012. Although Friend had stated his plans to take a leave of absence from public appearances and teaching in the wake of the Anusara scandal, he remained on the Wanderlust bill, prompting many to wonder if his intentions were sincere. Today, however, Wanderlust announced that Friend would indeed be replaced in the summer line-up. (Read the full statement here.) While this may disappoint those hoping to see Friend this summer, it does lend credibility to his self-imposed period of retreat.
about.com | 15-Mar-2012 19:29
Contest So Nice, They Did It Twice
Last year's Yoga Journal talent search contest caused so much conversation and, undoubtedly, website traffic, that they have decided to bring it all back for a second go-round. In case you missed it, over 2500 hopefuls clamored for the chance to be featured in Yoga Journal's pages (not, as was often misstated, on the cover), while many others debated the rights and wrongs of the whole contest premise. In the end, the result was rather anticlimactic, though not for the winner, I'm sure. I had hoped for an unconventional choice...
about.com | 14-Mar-2012 00:24
Scale Pose - Tolasana Is the Yoga Pose of the Week
Ever feel like your arms aren't long enough to lift up in scale pose? As you can see from the photo, having the shoulder slide away from the ears is key to getting that extra length. Most of the lifting then comes from the abdominal muscles engaging to move the legs off the floor, but if you are having trouble getting a feel for it, try the pose with a block under each hand.
about.com | 11-Mar-2012 22:26
Poll: Yoga as an Olympic Sport?
With the summer Olympic Games on the horizon and the recent completion of a high-profile national yoga competition in New York City, the idea of making yoga an Olympic sport has been buzzing around the internet lately. Competitive yoga in the U.S. has a distinctly Bikram flavor, which is not surprising considering that Bikram Choudhury and his wife Rajashree, both of whom were yoga champions in India, are the driving force in support of yoga's inclusion in the Olympics. Vote in our poll to voice your opinion on the subject:
...
about.com | 09-Mar-2012 01:09
Ashtanga's Star Turn in Vanity Fair
What with the Anusara scandal and ruminations on William J. Broad's New York Times pieces hogging the spotlight recently, I was beginning to feel more than a little burnt out on the public airing of yoga's dirty laundry. So it was a real pleasure to read an article about Ashtanga yoga that was interesting, relevant, and well-written on the Vanity Fair website. Naturally, there are elements of intrigue, hurt feelings, high society, and big money, or else VF wouldn't be covering it, but it's nonetheless a good read. Extra points are awarded for punny headlines like "Jois to the World" and "Downward Dog Fight." VF asks, Whose Yoga Is it, Anyway?
about.com | 07-Mar-2012 00:20
Goddess Pose - Supta Baddha Konasana Is the Yoga Pose of the Week
My favorite pose to do at home at the moment is supta baddha konasana with a Three Minute Egg (that's an oval yoga block) between the shoulder blades. It's the perfect antidote to my kid-toting, computer-sitting hunchy days.
about.com | 04-Mar-2012 23:27
Yoga for Pilates People
Marguerite Ogle, the About.com Guide to Pilates has put together a nice group of yoga poses for her Pilates readership. (See 7 Yoga Poses for Your Pilates Workout.) It's an interesting way to get a slightly different perspective on some familiar poses, or to begin to think about how you might incorporate both disciplines in your home practice. You can also read more about the relationship between yoga and Pilates in her article, The Pilates-Yoga Connection.
about.com | 02-Mar-2012 00:16
No Surprise Here
In an unsurprising confluence of recent yoga media maelstroms, "How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body" author William J. Broad takes Anusaragate on in The New York Times this morning, with, unsurprisingly, controversial results. An attempt to place John Friend's recent admission of philandering in context, "Yoga and Sex Scandals: No Surprise Here," offers up this less-than-satisfying conclusion: the yoga made him do it. Broad's argument, which relies heavily on an interpretation of hatha yoga's historical relationship with tantra, has already come under fire from blogger YogaDork...
about.com | 28-Feb-2012 16:05
Warrior Sequence
Warrior I, warrior II, warrior III. A pretty commonly-practiced sequence, but if you add in humble warrior and reverse warrior, you've got a well-rounded little series that includes hip opening, forward bending, and back bending, in addition to that familiar burning in the thighs. Check out the Warrior Sequence.
about.com | 28-Feb-2012 13:35
Staff Pose - Dandasana Is the Yoga Pose of the Week
The alignment points for staff pose are pretty straight-forward, as everything is stacking vertically, while allowing for the natural curves of the spine. If you're not sure how this feels, it helps to sway your upper body a little bit forward, then a little bit back in order to find out what it feels like to go too far in either direction. The position of the arms does sometimes cause confusion, but as long as your shoulders are away from the ears, you're doing fine.
about.com | 27-Feb-2012 00:07
Safety Tips for Yoga Class
We have a new video on the site that offers a few safety tips for yoga class. It includes some basic information for beginners, like what not to wear, but also some really nice video illustrations on how to use props to improve alignment and avoid over straining. Check it out!
about.com | 24-Feb-2012 00:15
Keeping to Your Yoga Resolutions and Your Budget
When you are paying market value for yoga classes, it doesn't take a math whiz to figure out that more classes means more money. If your intention to do more yoga in 2012 has run afoul of your bank account, you have to be realistic about what you can afford to spend and find creative solutions. Here are some practical tips for how to up your yoga intake without breaking the bank. Read more...
about.com | 22-Feb-2012 00:23
Reverse Warrior Is the Yoga Pose of the Week
One of the pitfalls of reverse warrior is avoiding putting a lot of pressure in your back hand as it rests on your leg. Though doing so may allow you to deepen your backbend, keeping a lighter touch integrates the core muscles and is safer for your back knee. A nice variation is to wrap the back arm behind your back, reaching around for the opposite hip.
about.com | 19-Feb-2012 22:56
Anusaragate II
The plot has only continued to thicken for Anusara yoga since the accusations of wrong-doing against founder John Friend appeared via YogaDork on February 3rd. Senior teachers who stepped up to defend and work with Friend in the immediate aftermath of his admissions became disillusioned with the process of change when it became clear that Friend would not accept their recommendation that he absent himself from a planned weekend workshop in Miami, set to focus, ironically enough, on relationships. Friend did appear and more of his teachers resigned this week. Two long, interesting letters were posted on Elephant Journal today. The first, by former Anusara spiritual advisor Douglas Brooks...
about.com | 15-Feb-2012 23:36
Best Sites for Online Yoga Videos
Access to a online library of yoga videos is a pretty great resource for those times when you can't make it to a class. I particularly enjoy the newish breed of videos that are shot in yoga studios during real, live classes, but if you prefer your videos with Rodney Yee on the beach in Hawaii, you can get that online too. Here is a rundown of the best free and subscription-based websites, with the costs and offerings all laid out for you. Read more...
about.com | 15-Feb-2012 00:37
Side Crow - Parsva Bakasana Is the Yoga Pose of the Week
I've always liked doing the basic version of side crow where you are resting your body weight on both arms, but I've never quite been able to nail the alignment of the more advanced version where all your weight is on one arm. It had been a long time since I had tried it though, so when it came up in one of my classes last week, I went ahead and gave it a whirl. I was completely surprised when all of a sudden it made complete sense to my body and came together almost effortlessly. I just love that even after a decade of this practice, there is still ample room for growth and exploration. Yoga, you never get boring.
about.com | 12-Feb-2012 23:07
Prepare Yourself for Partner Yoga
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it seems like every studio in town is offering a partner yoga workshop this weekend. While these usually have you bringing your own partner, you may also find yourself partnered with a stranger occasionally in class, usually as a spotter or to help you deepen a stretch. Learn how to get the most out of a partner yoga situation and keep you and your partner safe. Read more...
about.com | 10-Feb-2012 00:27
Anusaragate
2012 is only a month old and already there's been more drama in the yoga world than we usually see all year. First, there was that yoga injuries article in The New York Times, which prompted responses from many of yoga's leading teachers and much discussion both inside and outside of the yoga community. Now, another story seems poised to make waves: the possible fall from grace of Anusara yoga founder John Friend. Last week, blogger YogaDork published information from an anonymous website, alleging personal and professional misconduct by Friend (for all the details, see here). A response of sorts has now been posted on both YogaDork and Elephant Journal, in the form of a letter Friend sent to members of the Anusara community, acknowledging that there is some truth to the accusations. An interview with Friend by Elephant Journal editor Waylon Lewis is expected to be published this afternoon, and hopefully will begin to elucidate the direction Anusara will take in face of this scandal. Stay tuned...
about.com | 08-Feb-2012 17:13
The Book Behind The Article
The New York Times article that created so much buzz a few weeks ago ("How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body") is back in the news, as the book, entitled The Science of Yoga, behind the article has just been published. In addition to my review (which I'm sure you have already read), now you can read The New York Times' own review, listen to author William Broad on NPR's Fresh Air, and/or head to your nearest bookstore and pick up a copy.
about.com | 08-Feb-2012 00:28