...In theory you practice yoga by yourself. Somewhere at the back of every yoga practice is a faded archetype, a jaundiced photograph of an Indian sage with huge eyes and a loincloth, some South Asian trees, a long-lost sky and a handful of mysterious buildings.

And that man alone in India is the idealized yogi. Then, of course, there is the contemporary Western yoga studio. Some of them very beautiful; loft or warehouse styled spaces with high ceilings, brilliant skylights and expensive wooden floors. And these beautiful studios tend to attract beautiful people which is kind of good but may, I think, scare off some people who might otherwise really benefit from the yoga.

Anyway despite the fact I quite like the beautiful studios I tend to practice by myself. Or by myself with the two Donnas; Holleman and Farhi whose books, Dancing The Body of Light and Yoga, Mind, Body and Spirit, respectively, are the best books I have found to work from.

So yes I practice by myself. And I go and see teachers from time to time but as one of my teachers (at one of those beautiful metropolitan studios) said, Oh yes, its so much more spiritual if you practice by yourself..

But what I never realized ...more

teaching Peace in Yoga Class

... cultivated in the body.

Consider the types of poses that you are teaching. Restorative poses such as legs up the wall can be fantastic for calming the central nervous system and bringing peace to the body. Balancing postures such as tree pose help the students to center themselves and come into the present moment.

teaching peace in yoga class may simply mean adjusting the way you instruct your students. Move slowly, speak in a calm manner, create limitless space and time. Slow down your sun salutations taking extra time and breath. Remember in yoga we have infinite time and no ambition.

teaching peace in yoga class may seem elusive or even unfeasible. However, if we return to the core premise of yoga described by Patanjali as a means to chitta-vrtti-nirohdah or cease the turnings of the mind we are reminded that we are teaching peace every time we teach a yoga class. As yoga teachers we simply must return our intention and single pointed focus to this goal.

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Yoga Can Help Purge Addictions

.../p>When we are not in charge of our mind, it is easy to become addicted to something. We no longer see moderation as a reality. The mindset of an addict has lost any sense of moderation. The vice, or substance abuse, may also stem from a lack of ability to cope with a challenging situation. Life is full of challenges, but the death of a loved one, job loss, financial hardship, or divorce, can potentially cause anyone to have difficulty coping with the situation.

Yoga sessions offer many solutions for those who need coping skills. Beyond the ability of focusing one's mind, a good habit can easily take the place of a ...more

teaching Yoga for Stress Management - The Demand for Teen Stress Solutions

...There is a huge demand for teen stress management services, and Yoga teachers are sitting on a multitude of solutions for teens and their families. The reason is simple: teens are at risk because of internal and external pressure.

This may seem like it is nothing new to most parents, but according to a survey conducted by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), at Columbia University, teens are more likely to resort to illegal drugs or alcohol, due to high levels of stress.

Again, this should come as no surprise to adults, as the adult behavior is identical. Many adults use illegal drugs or alcohol, due to excessive stress. teens will naturally copy f...more

Pilates Vs Yoga Men