...p>Is Asana the first step? Not exactly, and not according to the eight limbs of Yoga, as described by Maharishi Patanjali. Should we teach our students the values of Yama and Niyama first? Sorry, but that will not work in Western cultures.

Asana is part of the answer, but pranayama (Yogic breathing technique), is the key. It is pranayama, during Asana practice, which joins physical and mental awareness. Some students claim they had not reached this level of awareness since they were children. Better yet, some students have admitted that they were living on auto-pilot, until they discovered this level of mental and physical awareness.

At this point, some literature about the values of Yama and Niyama will benefit your students. Please consider that we have not yet discussed basic meditation or higher levels of meditation. Is a student ready for meditation, if he or she has not learned to be present f...more

Yoga And Depression? Yoga Teaches About Depression

...sit up straight for a while your depression would gradually ease. It's impossible to have a upright posture and be depressed at the same time. If you really want to be depressed hunch over and drop your head forward, this is depression. body is not separate from the mind. With yoga practice you don't only understand this concept you put it into action.

Depression is a serious condition that is capable of worsening over time. Get help and surround yourself with friends and family. You can do it! Remember you are not alone we are all here together. We are the same and what one of us goes through we all experience on some level. Remember breath deep, take a yoga class, go for a jog or go dancing. Take one step at a time you will make it through your depression.

...more

Beginning Yoga Guidelines

...p>Choose the right yoga space Practice yoga on a spacious, clean, airy, and bright area, away from much disturbances. And don't forget your yoga mat or other comfortable mat that you can use during postures that require lying down.

wear comfortable clothing Make sure your garments are loose and clean. Undergarments are necessary.

Pregnant or menstruating women should avoid practicing yoga This routine involves several body bends and pressures on the back, which could affect pregnancy and menstruation.

If you can, follow a vegetarian diet Most practitioners of yoga are also vegetarians since yoga slows down the me...more

Yoga - An Early History

...ich believe that yoga was a divine gift that was given to mankind to help realize it's divine nature.

In a future article we'll cover the various types of yoga which are broadly classified into 8 categories. They are Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Raja Yoga, mantra Yoga, laya Yoga, Tantra Yoga and Hatha Yoga, which by the way is the kind of yoga that was taught on those PBS shows mentioned earlier in this article. You may still be able to find them somewhere in syndication or possibly on video. Because of the amount of material involved in the 8 categories an in depth analysis of each will not be possible but hopefully after the next issue you'll have at least some idea of what is involved with each.

Stay tuned.<...more

Wai Lana Extra Thick Yoga Pilates Mat