Real men do Yoga

“Real Men Do Yoga is one of the few yoga books specifically directed at men. There’s little if any ‘OOOHHMMING.’ It’s a non-new-agey book that will convince you there is a lot more to yoga than just a bunch of folks all tied up in pretzel poses.Yoga can make you a better athlete and a healthier person, conquer back pain, build muscle and increase flexibility. It can even improve your sexual performance. And I’ve been told it has fewer side effects than Viagra.” Read more

Fit after 50: Staying flexible with yoga

For senior citizens and those over 50, yoga can be the perfect way to stay fit and healthy! Just ask Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (considered by many fans and sportswriters to be the greatest basketball player of all time.)

“Yoga scares some people. They imagine a white-robed cult of New Age zombies sipping herbal green tea and smiling vacantly. For some, the problem is the word itself: yoga. Funny-looking, foreign and too exotic. Okay, for you we’ll call it “power-stretching” or “ultimate breathing” or “hot-bod sculpting.” Is that better? Because the truth is that yoga is an excellent means of creating a more flexible and healthy body that will be less prone to injuries. And the most important part of staying fit after 50 is avoiding workout injuries that can disrupt your exercise program for weeks or even months.” Read more

Applying Yoga to Your Money Management

How can a yoga philosophy be applied to your money matters? Well Kimberly Wilson, author of Hip Tranquil Chick: A Guide to Life On and Off the Yoga Mat talks about how her yogic philosophy applies to money.

“Successful money management isn’t necessarily about pinching pennies, she says, but about making sure spending habits are aligned with one’s values.” Read more

Honoring the yoga in everything

“The older I get, the more I discover that it’s all yoga to me.

I’ve taken yoga classes that are nothing more than a prop-obsessed laze-fest: They’re fantastic. I’ve taken classes that are a frenzied rush of the same six poses for an hour and a half. And they’re fantastic, too. I’ve chanted for an hour; I’ve done no chanting at all. I’ve sat still and breathed in seven different fashions, and I’ve gone to classes where the breath is barely mentioned. I’ve done classes where only one pose is worked, and worked … and worked. It’s all yoga to me.” Read more

Yoga has a global impact when it comes to wellness

“One organization that makes this possible is known as the Art of Living Foundation (AOLF). The founder is Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a man who is making a positive impact on the world community.

The mission of this foundation is to serve society by strengthening the individual. They do this by offering programs that eliminate stress, create a sense of belonging, restore human values and encourage people from all religious backgrounds, religions and cultural traditions to come together in celebration and service.

The AOLF has been operating since 1982 as an educational and humanitarian Non-Governmental Organization that works with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations on a special consulting basis. The AOLF has benefited the lives of more than 25 million people in over 140 countries. ” Read more

Yoga classes come with a laugh track

“Usually, yoga studios are calm retreats from the world, places of quiet reflection and meditation.

Lately, however, some have started to sound more like a comedy club.

Laughter yoga — part exercise, part amateur theater and part mental therapy — is sweeping the nation. In Central Florida, ‘laughter clubs’ and laughter yoga classes have appeared on the scene during the past few years.” Read more

10 Minute yoga
It’s not always easy to find the time to exercise, but there are simple exercises that can be performed quickly and easily every day.

“we are doing an exercise known as The Cat, which mimics the satisfied stretch of a cat at ease. It is simple and builds strength and suppleness in the spine. I recommend that you repeat it four times a day”

Yoga guru calls for natural food
“Go vegetarian,” Baba Ramdev told the 7,000-odd enthusiasts on the first day of the yoga camp at Gopal Maidan in Bistupur this morning.

Attributing the majority of diseases to faulty eating habits, Baba Ramdev came down harshly on soft drinks, which he believes is the root for many a serious ailment.

“Turn instead to gourd juice and lots of unadulterated water, as there is no substitute to that,” he said in his characteristic style of lifting both his hands in the direction of the Almighty.

Yoga in a pub

You normally do not associate the pub/bar with yoga, but in the UK (Ripon), the Golden Lion pub offered free yoga sessions as teachers from the british wheel of yoga were on hand to offer relaxation techniques.

Regional officer Laura Bissell said: “We want all people to experience the joy of yoga and experience the benefits of relaxation.”

Double gate pose

“If you love opening your hips and hamstrings, then you must love Gate pose. You can get an even deeper stretch in your spine and the sides of your body when you do it with a partner though.”

Live in Rensselaer,IN,USA? Want free yoga classes?

“Jasper County Community Services is pleased to host the first opportunity for people to attend a free one hour session of YOGA beginning at 1 p.m. March 7. There have been many requests in the area for Yoga classes. “

Have you thought about becoming a yoga instructor?
Read how Meyer chose to start teaching by running her own practice.

“It’s probably safe to say that there are a number of yogis out there who have thought about teaching yoga. What better way to maintain your own practice, right?”

Trying to get kids interested in yoga? Well yoga bugs is proving a popluar choice in the uk:

“The YogaBugs craze that is proving so popular with children started out at St Peter’s School in Dunston. Yoga teacher Penny Cowling decided to start a YogaBugs class after the great response her own children had from learning yoga techniques.”

Have you tried yoga with a friend?

“Kimberlee Jensen Stedl and Todd Stedl demonstrate one of the yoga positions from their book, ‘Yoga With A Friend.’ The Stedls’ book features about 30 yoga poses designed to develop trust and communication with a partner.”

Read more here and check out the video here!

Young and old gathered for the Bali-India Foundation in Renon, Denpasar to celebrate Yoga Day.
“We want to show that yoga can be treated as a competitive activity,” director of the foundation, Somvir, told the audience.

Somvir said that as an Indian who had lived in Bali for years, he wanted to develop the island through yoga.

“Yoga is no longer limited to resi (Hindu sage). Whoever wishes to be healthy can do yoga,” he said.

Some of the students who attended explained the reasons why they took up yoga and practice yoga:

“Actually I joined the yoga class because I have lots of free time after work. Besides I read that yoga is good not only for physical health but also spiritual health. Every time I feel angry, I can just practice the yoga breathing techniques to control it.”

Ratu Bagus, a spiritual leader from a nearby village believes yoga can improve a person’s character, not only their physcial/mental health wellbeing.

“I believe that disease comes from the soul; a soul that cannot see and be grateful for what it has. Yoga can help us see everything better.”

According to a survey done recently by a sporting goods manufacturers association, an estimated 9.7 million Americans practice yoga, up from 5.7 million in 1998.

In this age of treadmills and sweaty workout regimes, many stars practice and even release yoga dvds. One of India’s most famous celebs (Shilpa Shetty), has released a dvd for the UK/US market, promoting her yoga techniques.

I learnt power yoga in New York two years ago. With gymming, your body becomes muscular so power yoga keeps the body supple and helps in losing weight.

Andy Murray has also turned to yoga to improve his tennis.

Andy Murray has admitted that yoga gave him the strength to beat world
number one Roger Federer at the Barclays Dubai Open. Not just any yoga though the 20-year-old tennis star has been practicing Bikram or “hot” yoga. “I started in December to try and improve my flexibility in preparation for the Australian Open.”

So instead of turning to the gym for physical exercise, follow what many stars themselves have found, and explore yoga as a means to stay in shape!

How do you choose the right yoga teacher for you? There is no one international/global yoga certification program, which is the benchmark for good/qualified yoga teaching. But there are recognised governing bodies and organisations, such as Yoga Alliance and the British wheel of yoga that offer a qualified level of teaching which gives a high level of confidence to students wishing to learn from a qualified yoga teacher.

There are other accredited organisations, which are also highly regarded, all of which a teacher can specify when they join yoganearby, so you can view their qualifications or you can contact a teacher and ask them about their qualifications or experience before deciding to go along to their class, workshop or holiday.

Here is the current list of yoga qualifications/accreditations, teachers can specify when they join yoganearby.com

Yoga Alliance (RYT - 200)
Yoga Alliance (E-RYT - 200)
Yoga Alliance (RYT - 500)
Yoga Alliance (E-RYT - 500)
BWY (Diploma Course Tutor)
BWY (Diploma Holder - Qualified Teachers)
BWY (Accredited Diplomas)
BWY (Recognised Teaching Certificate)
Other recognized yoga teaching qualification
IYA (UK) Introductory
IYA (UK) Intermediate Junior
IYA (UK) Intermediate Senior
IYA (UK) Advanced Junior
IYA (UK) Advanced Senior
IYR (UK) Yoga Register - 200hr
IYR (UK) Yoga Register - 500hr
IYR (UK) Yoga Register - Yoga Elder
Yoga Scotland - Teaching Membership
Irish Yoga Association

Remember you can contact all the teachers on yoganearby, so feel free to contact them if you have any questions, before deciding to go along.