TaikoPeace is a movement started by renowned taiko drumming pioneer and community builder, PJ Hirabayashi, to spread the kinetic energy, spiritual vibration, and pure joy of Japanese taiko drumming for positive social change and a peaceful world. Dedicated to...
Hatha Yoga and Physics
While the study of physics may sound a million miles away from Yoga, they actually have a very close relationship. From energy to forces, physics plays a part in all areas of Yoga practice. When teaching classes, I like to bring in the idea that our actions are not...
Meditation Slokas
These Sanskrit slokas are led by Swami Satchidananda and are from the Vedas and other sacred texts. Swami Satchidananda recommended chanting these prior to a meditation session to help connect to the Guru-tattva principle. This principle teaches that there's a...
Halloween Hatha
Last Halloween, one of the teachers here at OM Yoga Center began his evening class by inviting the students to request the Yoga poses they found scary. He was not surprised by fancy suggestions such as bending backward to touch the head to the floor, handstands,...
Yoga Nidra: Portal to Our Essence-Nature
Julie Lusk, MEd, E-RYT-500, NCC, has a new book out: Yoga Nidra Meditations: 24 Scripts for True Relaxation. Featuring twenty-four Yoga Nidra scripts written by author Julie Lusk and thirteen of the world's master teachers—including Swami Satchidananda—this book shows...
Hyperextension and Yoga: Why Strength is Key
I started going to Yoga classes about four years ago and instantly fell head over heels in love with it. I had never been strong or fast or sporty but going to Yoga taught me that I am very flexible, and I loved the feeling of stretching. I thought I was pretty good...
Yoga for Calm Endurance: Titiksha
From Yoga, we learn titiksha, a Sanskrit term meaning: patient endurance as a practical approach to ride out the storm of suffering. Titiksha teaches us that what we are perceiving in this moment will change. You need only put one foot in front of the other, one...
The Dynamic Power of Breath – Online Workshop
On Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 30 & 31, 2021, from 8 – 10 am & 12 – 2 pm EDT, Integral Yoga master teacher Swami Karunananda will teach this special workshop on "The Dynamic Power of Breath." The yogic science of pranayama, or working with the breath, is a...
The Mantra of Love
Manish Vyas is a teacher of Nada Yoga, the Yoga of sound. His composition "Tumi Bhaja Re Mana" is one of his most popular and beautiful. Translated, the mantra means: Oh mind (mana), my dear friend, always chant (bhaja) the name of the Divine, Always repeat (japa)...
The Power of Mantra and the Science Behind It
We know that mantras can help us feel calm and focused, but why are they so effective? Recent research studies show that mantra chanting has a wealth of physical, mental and emotional benefits. Not only is it a beautiful spiritual practice helping us feel grounded and...
Integral Yoga Virtual Studio
The Integral Yoga Virtual Studio is an online platform offering live Integral Yoga classes and events from around the world, every day. This short video offers a brief introduction to this wonderful platform developed by the Integral Yoga Teachers Association (IYTA)....
My Dharma: Laruga Glaser
In this short video documentary, Yoga teacher Laruga Glaser speaks about how Yoga transformed her life. Beautifully filmed, with Glaser going through a set of asanas with beauty and grace. Inspiring!
Freedom through Hatha Yoga
In order for us to experience what we call freedom through Yoga, we must understand time and space and how we can transcend it through the body and mind. Freedom is our ability to transcend time and space. We need to be aware that our body is limited by mobility and...
How to Choose the Right Yoga Mat for You
Your Yoga mat is a very personal thing. Each of us has a different preference; the main ones being cushioning, grip, and portability. Other things to think about are how to clean it (more important than it used to be!), and breaking in your Yoga mat. But the huge...
Yoga and The Power of Space in Healing
Beyond the Yoga postures, the breathing, meditation, visualization and manipulation of flows of energy through locks (bandhas) help people transform their lives, heal injuries, and improve their relationships. The first ingredient necessary for healing is space. When...
Rethinking Spiritual Practice: Do We Walk the Inner or Outer Path?
Is the spiritual path an inner one? Do we have to leave the world behind to find ourselves? If not, how can we integrate our relationship with the world? Is there an outer path to freedom? I think it is time for us to rethink our relationship with what we are taught...