...at hasnt seemed to catch up with this tidal wave is the idea of a guru.

Many practitioners think that its not important. In truth, some think that guru is a bad word, and those who get over the stigma of what a guru tends to represent think a practitioner has to go to India to find one. This is simply not true. Yoga, as we know it, is largely a western phenomenon, and it is western yogis who have created it and helped it to evolve into the practice we know today. It is they who have crafted the practical application of yoga for modern day living, so why should we not turn to them to learn all we can of their designs? Whether it is ashtanga, Iyengar, kripalu, Jivamukti, Viniyoga, power yoga, or any of the other multitudinous options, all these practices have very strong roots in the west and truly adroit western yogis at their respective helms.

Yoga came into my life in a fairly traditional (American) way. I started going to classes during college simply for health reasons, which is the way most people enter into a yoga practice. Something very strong took hold, and Ive been an avid practitioner since. A nagging desire sent me to study with Sharon Gannon and David Life, and my whole world turned upside down. In their presence, I learned what the term guru meant. In short, I learned to surrender to another being who could show me my true light.

I know what youre thinking, Wow, thats some pretty esoteric, frou frou talk for a western girl! Believe me, I would have thought so myself before I stood in their presence, but something in me shifted as I listened to them talk at my teacher training. I felt that strong sense of individuality that Americans prize so highly start to slip away. Suddenly, l...more

Yoga Blankets For Comfort And Warmth

...hese are wide enough sheets to do all the required asanas.

These blankets can be used for the poses like Sirsansana (headstand), Sarvangasana (shoulderstand), Bikram Yoga, ashtanga and Savasana (corpse pose). These would provide the warmth needed by your body while doing the poses. The colors can be one or a blend of two or three colors for the people who require something more. You can also get bla...more

Yoga is a Journey, Not a Destination

...are sorry, even for bumping into them on the street - really feel it, do you mean it?

By answering questions like this - you will find out how you are doing in your practice. You may feel that you are not doing so well once you take a look at your yoga in your life - but this points out the areas that need practice. Just as it takes time to perfect a forward bend, bit by bit the spine becomes flexible and free, the same will happen with daily practice applied in other areas of your life. To be aware of what needs work is no bad thing.

The most powerful transformations are ones established over time...more

Yoga in Practice: Train Your Mind for Empowerment, Part 1

...must start. You must learn to eat, sleep, and drink positive energy every day.

To eat correctly, a diet should, for the most part, consist of sattvic foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. There is much more to this dieting aspect, but it is difficult to find these foods at a fast food restaurant. However, it is worth the effort to research the sattvic diet and make small changes to your current eating habits.

When you sleep, try to get to bed earlier and be in your best frame of mind. You can do this by meditating or by practicing a stage-by-stage relaxation before bedtime. There are also many good meditation, self-hypnosis, and relaxation C...more

Yoga For The Handicapped Dvd