What's New in the World of Yoga:

It is a commonly held idea that each of us carries a legacy of a family faith, spirituality, or religion. And as we mature, we either choose to retain those practices or seek out other avenues that reflect our adult attitudes and beliefs.

Many yoga practitioners were not raised with the practice of yoga in their homes, and there has always been a great deal of debate and suspicion about the "religious" aspects of yoga. While it is still discouraged from being practiced in some faith-based centers, there are individuals who have found a way to blend the two and find a balance that suits their needs.

Diane Bloomfield, creator of Torah Yoga®, is convinced that her life has been enhanced and strengthened through her combined teaching of Torah and yoga. She describes her concept as "a body mind heart soul approach to Jewish wisdom."

Diane spent many years learning and teaching the Torah, but there came a moment in her studies when she realized that she was not responding or connecting to its message. In an effort to calm her mind, she began to practice yoga, and the combination of these practices helped illuminate her new path. As Diane explains, "It was a teaching by the Chassidic master S'fat Emet that helped me to understand how yoga deepens and enlivens my connection to Torah..." Diane, whose yoga experience has included Kripalu, Bikram, and Iyengar, is also certified as a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist.

Torah Yoga® is defined as a combination of the Western religion, which emphasizes intellect, and the Eastern philosophy, which considers the body a sacred temple. During a class, Diane will guide the students through a series of gentle warm-up and meditation techniques, followed by a teaching of traditional and mystical Jewish texts. The students then continue with "classic yoga postures and movements to access, experience, and review the wisdom in your body."  Diane explains that a Torah Yoga® class "is devoted to learning with your body. You not only talk and think Torah, you move and feel Torah as well."

The curriculum for Torah Yoga® has been evolving since 1990 and Diane offers teacher training in this specialized practice. Although she spends most of her time in Israel, Diane teaches throughout Western Europe and North America. Practitioners who are interested in following this practice but are unable to take classes can learn the techniques and teachings in Diane's book, Torah Yoga: Experience Jewish Wisdom through Classic Postures.

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