I’m not quite sure of its popularity nor its prominence in any parts of the world, but I have seen a few recent mentions of Astro-Yoga. Yes, another modernized–and perhaps trivialized–arm of the 4,000 year old practice of yoga. As I understand it, Astro-Yoga combines the study of Astrology with specific asanas that aim to mend or ailments, life changes or unsavory events predisposed in…
Monthly Archives
May 2011
Study: Yoga Helps Cancer Patients
There’s more great news in the medical field about yoga’s capacity to heal, soothe and alleviate. Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, in collaboration with India’s largest yoga reasearch institute, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana in Bangalore, studied a controlled group of breast cancer patients undergoing raditation therapy and the specific affects of…
Yoga Meets Social Media
There’s a recent profile article that takes a look at one entrepreneurial yogi’s quest to spread her yoga love via social media. But rather than say namaste or tout ahimsa, peace and harmony, she’s promoting reduced prices on monthly passes, monthly drawings, contests, and free yoga packages. Like most every other business, this yogi’s intent is to market her new studio and brand herself as t…
Extending Pre-Natal Yoga to Fertility Treatment Patients
Adding to its already very success fertility-based programs, The Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut recently announced the addition of a prenatal yoga class. Designed especially for women who have gone through fertilitiy treatment before becoming pregnant, the class seeks to meet the meet the physical and emotional needs of those who attend.
It’s reported that women coming out of…
Naked Yoga!
Naked Yoga
A few years ago, the concept of practicing yoga in the nude started gaining traction in a few select cities and in online yoga communities. At the time, I was living in San Francisco, and not to my surprise, the concept was being embraced wholeheartedly. Of course, a lot of concepts that take shape in San Francisco don’t necessarily see the same welcome in other parts of the US,…
Ahimsa vs. Vegetarianism and Veganism
There’s a great article in the Washington Post about whether true yogis should be vegetarians or not. The debate, which has been around for quit some time, stems from one of yoga’s main principles: ahimsa. Ahimsa is a Sanskrit term essentially meaning “do no harm.” While the definition may seem simplistic, the concept is profound and more extensive. Doing no harm means exactly that: to a…
Yoga as Alternative Therapy for Substance Abuse
More good news on the yoga-as-a-healing-tool front: Plans for a new women’s substance abuse facility recently announced the addition of yoga to its holistic and cultural programs. In addition to tradition drug and alcohol abuse treatment, the facility will feature yoga, gardening, cooking and dance classes in order to bring a rich offering of both therapeutic and recreational activities. T…
Yoga Zones?
The recent news about free yoga to inmates in Morris County has stirred up quit a bit of discussion. There are two schools of thought: on the one hand, it’s a powerful demonstration of ahimsa (the practice of nonviolence and tolerance). It’s also, in my opinion, one of the best ways our inmates can receive much needed tools on finding peace, tranquility, and a means to control whichever sad,…
Yoga Poses
The yoga poses I choose on a given day vary on how I’m feeling. Most often, it’s a combination of my favorites (just because I like them) and poses that give me specific therapeutic benefits. Here are my top four yoga poses:
Downward-Facing Dog Yoga Pose (or also commonly called Downward Dog) – Adho Mukha Svanasana
Who doesn’t love downward dog? It’s one of the most widely recognized…
Doctors Recommending Yoga
Almost every single week, there’s a new report out about the health
benefits of yoga. A few weeks ago, it was about easing the symptoms of
multiple sclerosis. Before that, preventing heart disease with regular
yoga saturated news outlets. Alleviating allergies, chronic pain, and
a myriad of other benefits through the practice of regular yoga have
also been discovered (and scientifically proven!)…