The interplay between body and mind is a vital aspect of wellbeing and therapy

The interplay between body and mind is a vital aspect of wellbeing and therapy

What is therapy? Yoga and Ayurveda use the term “cikitsa.” This is a Sanskrit word that means “to oppose or act against disease.” Caraka, the author of the most respected treatise on Ayurveda, defines disease as “duhkha.” Duhkha is a feeling of not being at ease. As a state of… ...

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The key to wellbeing is to first recognize the best balance for us in our body and our mind

One of the fundamental teachings of ayurveda is to recognize pairs of opposites. Our natural world can be viewed through the balance between such pairs. For example, heat and cold are a pair of opposites in the external environment. It is only when they are in balance that they… ...

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Slow down and take your time when you can

It is okay not to rush all the time!If we examine other mammals, we find that our physiology is fundamentally the same as theirs. Our healthful behaviors should also be aligned with theirs in some fundamental ways. Take your dog, for instance. What does your dog do most of the… ...

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The heart of wellbeing is in holistic integration

The importance of an integrated or holistic approach to wellbeing is now widely accepted in modern medicine, psychology, physical therapy, fitness, nutrition and more. 30+ years ago, my parent’s first book, Yoga for Body, Breath, and Mind was published. As one of the early works in comprehensively bringing the… ...

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Yoga empowers us to view each day as a chance for positive change

Wishing everyone a wonderful new year!Our family’s connection with Sri Krishnamacharya began in 1971, when he was over 80 years old. At this advanced age, one could imagine that he would be lost in the past, believing that the future had little left to offer him. Instead, he would… ...

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Yoga is a natural and practical foundation for a life-enriching rediscovery

All the ancient insights of yoga are waiting to be reinvigorated and applied in our lives.

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Devotion is a Personal Choice On the Path of Yoga

Yoga students often stay away from practicing devotion, commonly termed bhakti and known as īśvara-praṇidhāna in the Yoga Sutra, because of their doubts about that path. For instance, they suspect that it may interfere with their religious beliefs, or that it is a religious belief, and they don’t want… ...

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Yoga Learning: In-Person vs. Online

The pandemic of the last year shifted most education online. Yoga courses too have shifted online. I have reflected for a long time now, even before this shift, on the role of in-person and online learning in yoga trainings. Strengths of in-person learning: 1. The physical presence of people influences us,… ...

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Yoga is lifelong learning – plan early

How many students start practicing yoga, then quit and never do it again? If they started with a reasonably good teacher, and they felt good with the practice, most will keep returning to yoga. Students usually begin with an asana class. They do movement with good breathing and attention. Then… ...

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A universal yoga therapy system

Approximately 25 years ago, when I was assisting my father with clients, I once asked him, “How would you work with a person who comes to you with back pain?” He gave me this simple algorithm/protocol: Yoga is about decreasing duhkha (suffering), so don’t worsen the pain. Also, that is not… ...

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