Maybe the first thing you think of is the infamous black and white circle representing yin and yang. And you are not wrong. Yoga pulls on the ancient Chinese and Taoist philosophies, where Yin and Yang represent the concept of dualism. The Nature of Dualism The idea of something being dual, means that there are…

Vata Season: Ayurvedic Tips for Fall
It is officially fall, which means, in the world of Ayurveda, Vata season is here. Ayurveda is an alternative medicine system with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. The sister science and medicine of yoga allows us how to live within the laws and rhythms of nature. The qualities that characterize this time of year…

5 Restorative Yoga Poses You Can Practice from Bed
If you’re having trouble falling asleep, try these 5 restorative yoga poses to calm your mind, relax your body, and establish a bedtime routine. Namast(ay) in bed. This is not a joke. Repeat: This is not a joke. Have you ever had the kind of day that leaves you feeling a little extra tired and…

Yoga and Herbs: Tools for Resiliency and Self-Care
Guest blogger Ingrid Bauer MD, certified physician and owner of 5 Flavors online herbal shop, explains how the use of herbs combined with the regular practice of yoga can affect your overall health and wellness. The year 2020 has left most people worldwide facing social, financial, ecological, physical, and emotional stressors at every turn. As…

5 Ways Meditation Reduces Stress
You’ve probably heard before that mindfulness and meditation reduces stress. But how exactly does it do so? Countless scientific evidence from hundreds of universities—including centers dedicated to promoting yoga and meditation research at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and the University of Oxford—strongly suggests that consistent meditation practice has a positive effect on the…

The Snooze Epidemic: Why Your Morning Routine is so Important
Setting a morning routine– especially one that includes yoga, breathing, or mindfulness– can help stimulate your digestion, energize you for the day ahead, clear the body of toxins, and decrease overall daily stress. As you lay in bed, entranced from a fanciful dream, a loud alarm is yelling at you from across the room. You…

Yoga at Home: Reach Beyond the Physical Practice
Doing yoga at home provides many physical benefits. But when it becomes a lifestyle, your yoga practice becomes so much more. Take the time to go deeper into your practice, and yoga will provide community, alleviate stress, provide healing, and even take you to new places. When your yoga at home routine moves beyond a…

5 Yoga Poses to Heal Your Lower Back Pain
If you have occasional or chronic pain in your lower back, you’re not alone. Back pain is a prevalent complaint, especially in people who lead less active lifestyles. Having a job where you sit most of the day exacerbates the problem. Taking the time to establish a regular yoga practice can help calm the mind…

7 Ways to Incorporate Yoga Blocks Into Your Practice
Yoga blocks are useful for both beginners and people who are advanced in their yoga practice. They help beginners maintain stability and overcome the limits of their inflexibility. And for advanced users, yoga blocks act as a support to assist with deeper stretches. What are yoga blocks? The yoga block is a prop you can…

How Does Your Body Respond to Stress?
The feeling of stress is one of the most universal feelings around. From continent to continent, individuals feel and react to stress daily in their workplaces, in their home environments and-most recently-in the wake of an unknown enemy that takes shape as a virus. When does this stress become anxiety? What are the physical signs…