While we’re on the subject of our menfolk–the most common complaint I heard from middle-aged male students coming in to try yoga was lower back pain. (more…)

There is an instant gratification that comes from a good sweat. (more…)

I’ve signed up for that ultimate marketing savvy yoga class offer -Bikram’s 10 classes for $10 for 10 days. In case you haven’t heard what Bikram yoga classes are about; room temperature is kept at 105 degrees and it’s all about the sweating. (more…)

Sleep is the best medicine. (And I don’t mean the medicated kind, despite the annoying pop-up ads that may find their way onto this web site. My apologies, I have no control over these ad searches but I repeat I do not advocate use of sleeping pills.) Even though we’re still not quite sure what happens during the sleep state, we know when we’ve gotten enough sleep to feel healthy. (more…)

I overdid a lunge yesterday. I was getting into a nice sequence of lunge/ downward-facing dog and pressed on that back heel a little too much and - tweek- felt something move all the way to my knee. Yes, I was pushing myself cause it felt good but, not knowing my limits, I set myself back instead. (more…)

The Downward- Facing Dog is not a relaxation pose!

I’ve noticed that in many of the classes I’ve attended, yoga teachers call for this pose a lot. Also known as the Adho Mukha Svanasana this pose, if done correctly, is quite strenuous as it lifts the upper rib cage, places weight on the wrists and hands and requires strong legs and already stretched hamstrings and ankles. Proper alignment, the placement and distance of the hands and feet and a release in the lower back are all important to reaping the benefits of this pose. (more…)

There is an explanation or phrase I often used to describe what happens during a yoga session: it’s as if we are creating space within our bodies. (more…)

There is a practice I remember one of my Sivananda teachers describing where you don’t speak for 3 days, called mouna- it is a voluntary vow of silence.

I remembered this because when I get depleted, my voice becomes very weak and I recently started feeling as if I was using massive amounts of energy just to engage in conversation. (more…)

Although there are super-teachers who say that even when they are sick they continue their physical yoga practice, I’m not one of them. I usually tell students to notice when their bodies are clearly signaling to take a full and complete rest. (more…)

Just talked to one of my sisters about her concerns with joint and bone density issues as we age, especially for women.

She hates gyms and especially hates any exercises with machines and weights. I don’t blame her as I never took to the gym atmosphere either. But weight bearing exercises are important in order to maintain muscle tone that supports our bones. (more…)