There are many different types of yoga that range from highly spiritual to fitness based yoga classes that focus mainly on the physical benefits of yoga. The choice of a yoga class is highly personal and depends on the needs and goals of the individual. Yoga Fit is yoga specifically designed for the fitness industry. Yoga fit was developed by a yoga teacher in Los Angeles in the mid 1990s and classes can be found in gyms and fitness centers around the country. Yoga Fit is yoga that is adapted to the health club environment. Do not expect the soft … Continue reading →

Critical Alignment Yoga has a strong focus on precise alignment in every asana. This type of yoga was founded by Gert van Leeuwen, who developed the Critical Alignment technique, which engages deeper muscles that surround the spine and joints of the body. A basic principal of Critical Alignment Yoga is that with proper alignment, your body can move freely without tension. The movements in the body are linked together like chains to build the asana with the correct alignment. Throughout daily activities, we tend to spend quite a bit of time hunched forward. Often, the surface movement muscles become tight … Continue reading →

Yoga is an ancient practice that offers significant physical, health, mental and spiritual benefits. While yoga is safe and effective for improving strength, flexibility, balance and overall health and wellness, there can be a risk of injury if an asana is not performed properly or you push your body too far. There are some tips to help you avoid injuries in your yoga practice, whether you take classes at a yoga studio or practice at home. Taking the time to learn the poses and follow some basic safety tips can help you prevent injuries that can derail your practice. Many … Continue reading →

Yoga can be practiced in many places. Some practice alone at home, others prefer the yoga studio, and some people want private yoga lessons. No longer just for celebrities and wealthy yogis, a growing number of teachers are offering private lessons in the comfort of your home. People take private lessons for several reasons. Busy professionals and working parents may choose to take a private lesson because the group lessons at the studio aren’t compatible with their schedules. People with specific health conditions, limitations or those requiring special attention and assistance may choose a private lesson to give them the … Continue reading →

At some point in your practice, you will grow tired of yoga on DVD and may decide to tray creating your own practice. With enough knowledge of yoga, some meditative music and a quiet space, you can easily create your own practice. Bear in mind that when you are creating your practice that you want to incorporate pranayama breathing, relaxation techniques, and techniques for the asanas. The first thing to consider when creating your yoga lesion is to begin with a bit of chanting, and come to your breath to let go of stress, fear or anxiety of any type. … Continue reading →

Mouna yoga is also known as the yoga of silence, since the world mouna is silence in Sanskrit. In mouna yoga, the goal is more than just the silence of not talking. It is to achieve an inner silence and greater control over expressions and reach an inner state of balance and peace. In many forms of yoga, the goal is to channel prana, which is the energy that sustains life. In mouna yoga, the goal is to conserve prana by preserving it in silence, rather than wasting prana through unnecessary talking. The student learns to become more introverted, introspective, … Continue reading →

Laughter yoga is a relatively new form of yoga that began in Mumbai, India in 1995. This form of yoga is designed to be a workout that focuses on the well-being of the whole person. Since its inception, it has grown to include groups located in more than 60 countries around the world. Laughter yoga is based on pranayama breathing and laughter. The focus on laughter and joy provide a wide range of physical and psychological benefits. The positive energy that is released through laughter has been shown to help people deal with stress, relieve depression and bring happiness and … Continue reading →

Restorative yoga offers significant benefits for people who are tired, stressed, over worked and having trouble with insomnia or another sleep disorder. The deep relaxation of a restorative yoga practice releases tension and calms the central nervous system, which can bring lasting relief. A restorative practice calms the body and mind and stops the overload of stress hormones released in the body as a result of stress, fatigue and lack of rest. Rather than a vigorous practice, restorative yoga allows you to rest and open the body and mind naturally without exerting the body. The key to effective relaxation is … Continue reading →

Yoga offers benefits to all dancers, including ballet, modern, tap, hip hop or any type of dance. In fact, a growing number of teachers, dance professionals, and choreographers are learning about these benefits and adding yoga to the routine of their dancers each week. Dancers need to be strong, flexible, balanced and graceful and yoga can help with all of these goals. The combination of stretching the muscles and strengthening the body make yoga a well rounded practice for anyone interested in improving strength, flexibility, balance and stability. Flexibility is essential for all dancers and yoga can help to increase … Continue reading →

Drishti yoga, or Drishti Vinyasa yoga, is a relatively new form of yoga, which was founded in 2009. This style of yoga incorporates a vinyasa style of movement with breath and the concept of drishti, which means insight, awareness or vision. The various types of yoga range from the physical exercise to more spiritual forms of yoga that combine breath and asana with meditation and spiritual awakening. Drishti is also the focal point where the gaze is fixed during specific asanas or during meditation. In Drishti yoga, this concept is taken a step father to use your inner vision, or … Continue reading →