Yoga lingo can be intimidating to the beginner yogi: yoga seems like a whole new language at first. In a sense, it is. Many of the terms you’ll hear in yoga class come from Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language that is also the language of Hindu scriptures, and from which modern Indian languages are derived….
Category: yoga
Yoga Mat Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Mat for Your Practice
It’s time to buy a yoga mat when you’ve decided to show up consistently for your practice. Or, maybe you or one of your friends or family have been practicing on the same yoga mat for years, and it’s time for a new one. The options are endless. The price points can go way up…
5 Reasons Why Yoga Is So Good For College Students
Many college students find that their first year of college can carry high expectations and challenges. It’s rare to hear of anyone making a seamless transition – whether you find yourself struggling socially (and believe me, everyone is, at some level!), feeling overwhelmed with homework deadlines, or missing home, the first year of college is…
Yoga Props vs. Your Ego
Some say there are two generations of yoga: one before the widespread use of yoga props, and and one after. Before props hit the mainstream, yoga was less about perfecting asana and instead focused heavily on the spiritual and communal aspects of yoga. Then, therapeutic and restorative yoga became more popular and Iyengar invented some…
What is the True Meaning of Yoga?
What is the meaning of yoga, beyond its sometimes narrow presentation in today’s modern world? What is yoga really all about? Yoga is becoming increasingly mainstream (and we’re trying to make it that way!). Most people see yoga as yoga postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. While popular and powerful, these disciplines are only a few…
The Surprising Benefits of Good Posture
Stand up straight! We’ve all been on the receiving end of that comment (hi mom!). Yes, good posture helps us appear put together and confident, but does it offer more? The answer is yes. Good posture is important to balance: by standing up straight, you center your weight over your feet. This also helps you…
Is Chair Yoga Right For You?
Look around the room at one of YogaToday teacher Adi Amar’s chair yoga classes at her Jackson, Wyoming based studio, Teton Yoga Shala, and you’ll see yogis of all shapes, sizes, and abilities. There is a senior who chooses the class to strengthen his bones and improve his balance in a safe, non-weight-bearing way. There…
Hips Don’t Lie: How Hip Openers Release Old Emotions
Love ’em or hate ’em, hip openers are soooo good for you, physically, mentally and energetically. Most people love them because their hips are so tight and they need that release; and then again, most people dislike these hip openers for the same reason. So why are the hips filled with so much tension? Think…
Top Ten Essential Yoga Poses
Whether taking a yoga class, practicing on your own at home, or following along to one of our top yoga classes online at YogaToday, there are a few essential yoga poses poses that you are almost guaranteed to see. While there are over 300 positions in the physical yoga practice (asana), these ten basic yoga…
Yoga for Veterans: A Vet Explains the Healing Power of Yoga
Ann Richardson Stevens, a certified Adaptive Yoga teacher and member of the Exalted Warrior Foundation, provides adaptive yoga classes to veterans returning from combat. She began teaching yoga for veterans at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia and has since moved her yoga for veterans classes to her studio, Studio Bamboo Yoga. Alex was one…