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…
6 Stress Relieving Strategies for Moms (or Anyone Feeling Overwhelmed!)
How many moms out there have experienced overwhelm? As a yoga teacher and mom of three, I can say with relative certainty that at some point or another any mother reaches a tipping point. I often feel it rise in my body, starting slowly at my feet. If I leave it unchecked, it feels like…
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…
Top Ten Reasons to Practice Pilates
If you’ve ever wondered the reasons to practice Pilates, even if you already have a yoga practice or exercise routine, you may be surprised to find out its many benefits. Pilates is a form of full-body, low-impact exercise that strengthens muscles while improving both postural alignment and flexibility. Pilates typically focuses largely on the core,…
How To Control Thoughts During Meditation
Ever wondered how to control thoughts during meditation, but not sure where to begin? Imagine: you gather your meditation cushion and a couple of blankets, ready to begin a guided meditation. You’re in a quiet room, or maybe even outside in the garden, seemingly free from unwanted distractions. You light some incense, close your eyes…
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…