Yoga Nidra: An Outside In and Inside Out Practice
I spent January sinking deep into the study and practice of Yoga Nidra with Julie Lusk. I started practicing Yoga Nidra almost daily in 2020 during the COVID pandemic. Over time Yoga Nidra became a respite from all that swirled around me. As we emerged from the pandemic and life began to open, my routines shifted and Yoga Nidra got lost in the re-awakening of life. It became a reaction to the stressors in life instead of a proactive foundation. Yoga Nidra training presented me with an opportunity to come back to this dear friend and to deepen my practice. I’ve always been drawn to the concept of the koshas but I never truly understood the connection between Yoga Nidra and the koshas until diving deeper in this training. The koshas, known as energetic layers, sheaths, or coverings, are what shield us from the truth of who we really are: the truth that we are joy and love. Yes, my sankalpa (intention) for the last 3 years has been “Be, in love.” Be.Live.From love.Always. Yoga Nidra...
The Best Comfort is Inside You
This above all: to thine own self be true. And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.—William Shakespeare If you have a poor opinion about yourself certainly it will affect your heart, your mind, your personality. What...
Give Sorrow Words: Creative Writing for Grief and Loss
Giving your sorrow words through creative writing. In grief, loss, and trauma writing helps us express and release feelings that otherwise have no outlet.
More Recent Articles
Go with the Flow
“Go with the flow!” We hear this phrase often as advice when we are struggling under pressure or we are experiencing something uncomfortable. Its intention is to shift us out of trying to control the outcome so that we accept what is happening and relax into the...
Stress Management at Its Best
Integral Yoga brings a deep wisdom to our experience of stress and suffering. Through Yoga, we understand that stress begins in the mind with how we interpret events. For example, one person may see a difficult situation as a real threat, while another person sees...
Yoga—The Fountain of Youth
Barbara Prema Brown has been practicing Yoga for the past 30 years. After being diagnosed with a fibroid tumor, she sought Yoga as an alternative therapy to help her recover. An accountant by trade, she pursued Yoga teacher training at Yogaville in 2009 and has been...
Yoga for Better Bone Health: 12 Poses to Counter Osteoporosis
Yoga is touted as having numerous health benefits, ranging from increased flexibility and strength to reduced stress and anxiety. But have you ever wondered if Yoga has any effect on the very foundation of your body—your bones? Dr. Loren Fishman, M.D., is the medical...
The Power of Sanskrit: A Vlog with Gita Zember
As a Yoga student and practitioner, you may have heard about kirtan, mantras, and the Sanskrit language. But you may still be wondering, “What’s it all about, really?” Kirtan artist and dedicated Bhakti yogini Gita Zember has guided many students into spiritual bliss...
Treating Cancer Patients with Yoga Therapy
Sandra Susheela Gilbert has certainly found her life's work. Dedicated to Jnani Chapman and her teachings of Yoga Therapy for Cancer and Chronic Illness (YCat), Susheela began to share the healing practices of Yoga with cancer patients. After Jnani's recent and...
Social Eating: A Challenge on the Weight Loss Journey
Whether or not you've ever been on a weight loss journey, you are probably aware of the connection between food and social life. In many cultures, eating a meal is a social activity. Anna Neiman Passalacqua, a teacher of Peaceful Weight Loss and co-author of At Home...
Sound Healing: The Restorative Effects of Acoustics
If you examine the beliefs of all the major traditions on our planet, they have a commonality in their awareness of sound as being the basic creative source, whether it’s called “The Word” or “Om.” Our modern scientists have finally caught up with this awareness and...
Crying on the Mat: An Emotional Release
When I begin a workshop, I often ask how many people have cried on their Yoga mat. Just about everyone raises their hand! Crying is a natural release, and often makes us feel better. This happens, according to Michael Trimble, author of Why Humans Like to Cry,...
Prison Yoga: Helping Inmates Find Freedom
Swami Satchidananda taught that freedom is a state of mind, no matter your outside circumstances. That teaching may carry even deeper meaning for students of prison Yoga classes. Inspired by the example and teachings of Sri Swami Satchidananda and other teachers, many...
Heels Over Head(stand): A Step-by-Step Tutorial
Ever wanted to get a little topsy-turvy during your Hatha Yoga practice but weren't sure how? Now's your chance! Inversions might look daunting, but with thorough instructions, a little practice, and a lot of patience, you'll be upside down in no time. Below you'll...
A Journey into Yoga: Destiny of Divine Grace
An Interview with Nalanie Chellaram There are some Yoga teachers who are so inspired, so motivated, and so dedicated that their lives warrant some study and reflection. That's just one of the reasons that we sat down with Nalanie Chellaram, a powerhouse of selfless...