My time on the mat began with a few sporadic classes to balance out a new fitness regime. I was in my early thirties and began noticing my high metabolism was not all I could rely on to stay healthy. Group classes motivated me to go to the gym, and I mixed up my...
There is a beautiful saying in one of the Hindu scriptures that says: “The body comes first. Before you begin to do anything, whatever your action is going to be, you need the body to do it.” The body is really and truly your buddy. People who want to be well and do...
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,...
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...
Yoga is effective for reducing shoulder pain, reducing stress, boosting immunity, improving circulation and mental focus, and increasing vitality. I know this to be true. A long time ago (2004) in a far-away land (New York City) I had a vision that teaching Yoga would...
In this Integral Yoga Hatha Yoga class taught by master teacher Swami Asokananda, and hosted by Yoga Alliance, the focus is on meditative awareness and allowing time for the body to release more fully. It's about getting in touch with prana, the vital force, that lies...
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...
Online Yoga has been a lifesaver, without a doubt. It has slotted into our working day with ease, especially since the commute to work may be no more than the distance from our bedroom to our customized home office. And, for those who have accessibility or travel...
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...
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...
What’s better: Yoga at home or in-person class? I think they both work. It’s lovely to follow the teacher’s sequences and be with your Yoga friends—but an integral part of developing understanding of yourself and of Yoga is establishing a home practice, tailor made...
With his unique humor and enormous depth of wisdom, Swami Asokananda is a master in presenting the great teachings of Yoga in ways that are deeply relevant to key issues in modern life. In this article, he shares the benefit of his experience from his personal journey...
In addition to being a veteran meditator, Swami Asokananda is also a Hatha Yoga master. In episode 8 of the "Two Old Fogey Yogis" podcast, Rev. Prem coaxes out all his secrets on sustaining a lifelong practice, honing his skills as a hatha yogi and a teacher, and his...
Michael Rhadeya Plasha (Yoga, Ayurvedic and meditation educator and an addiction, trauma and chronic disease specialist) has spent two decades refining his practice and teaching of Hatha Yoga while integrating Raja Yoga into the class. In this article he shares what...
Integral Yogi Kalyani Verma shares some wonderful stretches and relaxation techniques in this 10 minute video. Kalyani lives in the UK and is the daughter of Siva and Gnanam Pillai, longtime devotees of Swami Satchidananda. Her parents first met Sri Swamiji in Sri...
In The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Book II: sutra 46, Sri Patanjali describes asana as having two components: sthira—steady, sukham—comfortable. Swami Satchidananda’s commentary on this sutra tells us that “We need the strength of steel, but with steel’s flexibility.”...