Yoga’s five koshas offer a guide to understanding ourselves in-depth, and that’s what this article is all about. We’ll explore the energetic layers of your well being from a Yogic perspective covering what each layer means, the benefits of...
Applying certain teachings from yoga, such as the yamas and niyamas, can help you move through life with far more ease and far less self judgement. Practicing yoga requires constant self study (svadhyaya) to deepen your understanding of self, erase limiting thought...
You know how washing machines and dishwashers are like some kind of modern household miracle that does the dirty work for you while you binge on your favorite Netflix series? That’s kinda how SEO (search engine optimization) works. You input what you want from...
Ever heard the inspirational quote, “You only have one body, take care of it”? It’s meant to help us live healthy, intentional lives in our physical body and I’m all for that! But there’s also more to it. We tend to associate our identity and our physical...
If you’ve ever done a Yoga Teacher Training or are looking to do one, you’ve most likely heard about the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali as part of the teacher training. Hey, maybe you’ve even heard me mention them once or twice in past posts! (I talk about them a...
‘Tis the perfect moment for a revamp, no? As many of us are reinventing how we share yoga in the world, it’s an excellent time to give our Yoga Alliance profile a tender loving upgrade and share all the ways we’re growing as teachers! Read on to learn...
A while back in a yoga class I attended while living in New York, the yoga teacher cued us into Salamba Sirsasana II (Tripod Headstand). My heart sank a little. I knew I could do it, but every time I do the pose I end up with a huge pain along my thoracic spine no...
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably been teaching for a bit and started to think…this is tougher than I thought! I mean, how am I supposed to actually support myself doing this?? I feel like something’s missing… Well, that something...
Hands up if your life is exactly perfect in every way and you have everything you’ve ever wanted and nothing bad has ever happened in your life. Yeah, me neither. But here’s the thing: That doesn’t mean I don’t like my life! It doesn’t mean I’m not happy with where my...
Ever heard the term, ‘to love is to surrender’? It might sound counterintuitive at first, but hear me out. When you surrender, you stay open to what life and other people have to offer. You open the door to self-love, love with others, and connection with everything...
SO many people ask me how I can accomplish so much… …and still have time to do yoga. With running a YouTube channel, multiple online yoga teacher trainings a year, business coaching, Instagram, my blog, and ALL THE THINGS, yoga definitely sometimes feels...
Ah! The beautiful journey of becoming a yogi! You’ve been practicing asanas, doing breathing exercises, and chanting mantras. But you’re not there yet. The physical aspect of yoga is just the tip of the iceberg. Now, you’re learning all this stuff about your astral...
Hatha yoga is one of the most popular types of yoga. You see it on virtually every class schedule and advertised in every yoga teacher training course. The truth is, the Hatha yoga that you see isn’t really Hatha yoga. Instead, it’s a hybrid mix of Hatha Vinyasa that...
Yoga practices are not limited by age. In fact, yoga practice is one of the few physical exercises you can continue as you age. With the right breathing exercises, yoga teacher, and exercise routine, seniors can reap the benefits of yoga classes. Want to learn how?...
While practicing yoga or when attending a yoga class, do the names of the asanas or the commonly used terms sound unusual to you? You’re definitely not alone. Most yogis have gone through a stage where they struggled with understanding, memorizing, and pronouncing the...
Table of Contents The History of YogaPre-Classical YogaClassical YogaPost-Classical YogaModern YogaDefinitions of Yoga According to Classic Yogic TextsThe Vedas (4500-1200 BCE)The Upanishads (900-500 BCE)Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita (400 BCE – 300 CE)The Yoga...
Everyone knows about Tantra, right? I mean, it’s that witchy, black magic, sex cult that practices the Kama Sutra, right? I hate to break it to that part of your brain that loves the provocative, but… NOPE! Those things aren’t actually traditional...
Since emerging into the Western world, yoga has grown and evolved immensely through different styles and variations. The ancient Eastern system is now a Universal one that yogis practice, teach, and preach all over the world. Old, young, weak, and strong –...
Arthritis is a condition causing joint disease or joint pain, leading to inflammation, stiffness, and loss of mobility in the joints. It’s pretty common and if you’ve had it, you know it’s no joke. It’s a serious public health concern. But guess what? Yoga can help....
Having lower back pain? It might be sciatica. Sciatica is a term that describes low back pain that radiates through the hip, to the back of the thigh, and down the inside of the leg. It’s a symptom rather than a specific diagnosis. What causes it? Compression,...
If you are one of those people who cannot spare the time to do an elaborate yoga routine every day, Sat Kriya is one of the best kriyas you can opt for. Yogis claim that practicing Sat Kriya for at least 3 minutes a day can have spectacular benefits on your body,...
Hello again, fellow yoga nerd! …No offense intended! Buuuuut if you’re reading this, there’s probably at least a nugget of truth in there, no? I personally can’t think of a better thing to geek-out on because we could probably study yoga for...
If you’ve ever been to a kirtan or attended a yoga retreat in some exotic land, then you may have heard blissed out yogis chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaya’. And if you have, then you’ve been able to witness a very sacred and very special communion with Universal...
Getting to sleep at night is one of the biggest challenges for millions of people every year. In fact, the CDC reports that a third of Americans have problems getting enough sleep each night. One third! That’s over 109 million people who are sleep-deprived. The good...
You probably know by now that yoga is more than just the yoga poses of hatha yoga. Wonderfully, there are many paths of yoga and different ways you can achieve spiritual liberation—if you’re into that sort of thing. 😉 Having many options for anything usually...
Many yogis chant the ‘om’ mantra to aid their meditation practice. But have you heard of the “om shanti” mantra? With regular practice and improved focus, this mantra is known to help yogis attain their ultimate goal—detachment from the outside...
The upper back is directly affected by screen time and bad posture. With the current work-from-home situation plaguing the world, not many of us have been able to use correct work chairs to facilitate good posture. This results in back pain and upper and lower back...
Athletes are known to have some of the strongest, most well-trained muscles. But along with all of the training for strength comes serious mobility issues. And with mobility issues comes injury as tight muscles are more likely to be strained. While strength and...
Neck pain is one of the most common types of pain in the age of smartphones and desk jobs. The extra strain on the neck muscles often results in headaches as the neck connects the brain to the rest of the body through the spine. Due to the presence of the important...
If you practice yoga daily, or even on a regular basis, does that really make you a yogi? Do you require to pass a test or attend a course to “qualify” as one? Doing yoga is not just about meditation or holding poses; there is so much more to it. If you...
Traditionally, yoga is the path of achieving union with the divine, which leads to enlightenment and the end of suffering.And since we are all unique, it’s unlikely that there is a one-size-fits-all approach that is guaranteed to get us all to that...
Mantras are used ALL of the time in yoga, especially when it comes to meditation.Every mantra has a meaning, both in the verbal sense and the energetic sense.Mantra meditation largely employs the utterance of words or the use of a mentally repeated word or phrase...
(Savasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner Corpse Pose (Savasana) Corpse Pose Prep & Practice 1 From seated, take both soles of the feet to the mat in front of you. 2 Shift the hips forward and roll down one vertebrae at a time on to your...
In short, it’s the yoga of love and devotion. Sounds nice, right! So what does that mean exactly? Recall that the word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root yuj meaning to yoke, join, or unite. The union being referred to is the union of the self with god, which is...
Kundalini Yoga is a Raaj Yoga (the yoga of living detached, yet fully engaged in the world) that creates vitality and balance in the mind, body, and spirit. The focus of this yoga is on true self-awareness and delivering an experience of your highest divine...
As a yoga instructor, one of the most common complaints I hear from my students is back pain. This makes sense because, according to the American College of Physicians, lower back pain is one of the most common reasons for all doctor visits in the U.S. Whether...
(Navasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – IntermediateBoat Pose(Navasana) Boat Pose Prep & Practice 1 Come to sit down, with both soles on the mat in front of you hips distance apart. Bring your arms parallel to the ground. 2 Slowly begin to lean...
(Uttana Shishosana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – BeginnerPuppy Pose(Uttana Shishosana) Puppy Pose Prep & Practice 1 Come to a tabletop position, bringing the shoulders over wrists and hips over the knees. You can curl or uncurl the toes. 2 Begin...
The roots of yoga can be traced back to almost 5000 years back, in the Indus-Saraswati civilization of India. Its earliest archives can be found in the Rig Veda, one of the four ancient texts that document the rituals, philosophy, hymns, and mantras of classical...
Yoga is an ancient Indian mind and body practice that has become increasingly popular throughout the world because of its innumerable health benefits.There are many modern schools or types of yoga, such as, Iyengar yoga, Ashtanga yoga, Viniyoga yoga, Sivananda yoga,...
(Ananda Balasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana) Happy Baby Pose Prep & Practice 1 Come to lie down on your back. Bring one knee into your chest and then the other. 2 Flex through both feet and...
It’s a big name in the yoga world, yet many students and even teachers are unclear about what the term “hatha yoga” means. But of all the many yoga styles, THIS is the one that we should understand better! Why? Because it’s probably what we...
This year has been wild for many reasons, including the COVID pandemic. To make matters worse, all of this self-isolation time has forced many of us to work from home, which often means work-from-the-couch. And this can be absolutely AWFUL when it comes to back, neck,...
(Ardha Parsvottanasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner Half Split Pose Ardha Parsvottanasana Half Split Pose Prep & Practice 1 Starting in a Low Lunge (Anjaneyasana) with your right foot forward and the left leg back, slowly shift...
(Ardha Matsyendrasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Intermediate Seated Spinal Twist/Half Lord of the Fishes (Ardha Matsyendrasana) Seated Spinal Twist/Half Lord of the Fishes Pose Prep & Practice 1 Begin seated on the floor and place the...
(Janu Sirsasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner Head to Knee Forward Bend (Janu Sirsasana) Head to Knee Forward Bend Pose Prep & Practice 1 Beginning in Staff Pose (Dandasana). Right knee bends, sole of the right foot rests lightly on the left...
I remember when I was in middle school, our entire PE class was rounded up for spinal checks. We were asked to lift the backs of our shirts and to bend over so that a nurse could check our spines for scoliosis.Though I didn’t have scoliosis, I was surprised to...
(Parivritta Upavistha Konasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner Rotated Head to Knee (Parivritta Upavistha Konasana) Rotated Head to Knee Pose Prep & Practice 1 Start seated on the floor and open the legs out wide. Root your hips and back of the...
(Namaskar Parsvakonasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Intermediate Lunge with Prayer Twist Pose (Namaskar Parsvakonasana) Lunge with Prayer Twist Pose Prep & Practice 1 Starting in a High Lunge (Alana) with the right foot forward, bring the...
(Bitilasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner Cow Pose (Bitilasana) Cow Pose Prep & Practice 1 Come to a tabletop position, taking the shoulders over the wrists and hips directly over the knees. Take the hands shoulder width apart and bring...
Regularly stretching your muscles and building strength around your joints not only eases aches and pains that come with tight muscles, but it also protects the joints from being damaged. And it seems like more people could use a little bit of yoga to help them with...
Want to know one of the best things I’ve learned as a professional yoga teacher making a living doing what I love? DIVERSIFY! What does that mean? It means, whether you work in an in-person or e-commerce marketplace, create multiple revenue streams for yourself!...
(Salabhasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner Locust Pose (Salabhasana) Locust Pose Prep & Practice 1 Come to lie down on your stomach. Press both hip points into the mat and send your hands out to either side of you. Palms face down. 2...
Every yogi—be it an amateur or a master—would be familiar with ‘pranayama’, the practice of breath regulation. Identified as one of the major components of yoga, this breathing exercise is considered an effective means to self-regulation and the...
(Sarvangasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Advanced Shoulderstand Pose (Sarvangasan) Shoulderstand Pose Prep & Practice 1 From Plough Pose (Halasana), shimmy the shoulder blades closer to one another. 2 Keep triceps on the mat and bend the...
(Supta Kapotasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner Reclined Pigeon/Ankle to Knee Pose (Supta Kapotasana) Reclined Pigeon Pose Prep & Practice 1 Come to lie down on the floor with your back resting on the mat, knees bent, and soles of the...
(Bhujangasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana) Cobra Pose Prep & Practice 1 Come to lie down on your stomach and take both hands underneath the shoulders. Elbows stay tucked in to the sides instead of splaying...
If you’ve ever had a migraine, then you’ve likely tried all sorts of remedies. From turning down the lights to rubbing essential oils across your forehead, no remedy every seems to work quite enough.And when you’re deep in the pain, you want help...
Digital marketing not your bag? You’re not alone! In fact, I think MOST yoga teachers start out that way. But we’ve entered into a new era, my friends! I mean, in these times, if we don’t connect with people online, how will we?? Adapting to living...
What if I told you that practicing yoga for just 12 minutes every day can alter your life forever? Practiced for over a thousand years, Kirtan Kriya is a Kundalini yoga routine that can stimulate mental balance, positivity, and longevity. Kundalini yoga is a...
The moment has finally come, all the steps you have taken to get you to this very moment in time….. You finally get the opportunity to teach your first yoga class. How exciting right? Except the excitement is also mixed with a heavy dose of nervousness, fear and...
(Marjaryasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner Cat Pose (Marjaryasana) Cat Pose Prep & Practice 1 Come to a tabletop position, taking the shoulders directly over the wrists and hips over the knees. Hands come shoulder width apart. Take the...
(Utthan Pristhasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginne Lizard Lizard Pose (Utthan Pristhasana) Lizard Pose Prep & Practice 1 Starting in a Low Lunge (Anjaneyasana) with the right foot forward, curl the back toes under and lift the back knee....
“What is the meaning of life?” “How do I attain inner peace?” “What is my true purpose?” Many of us are constantly riddled with endless questions and challenges throughout our lives, which is why we often turn to yoga to reconnect...
(Baddha Konasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner Bound Angle/Butterfly Pose Baddha Konasana Easy Pose Prep & Practice 1 Start seated on the floor, and bring the soles of the feet together. Root the hips down. 2 Place the thumbs on...
If you are looking to prioritize student feedback during your live Zoom yoga classes, you may not be as concerned with creating a reusable product; however, I still suggest using two devices if possible. Using two devices enables you to pin or spotlight yourself on...
(Urdhva Mukha Svanasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner Upward Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana) Upward Facing Dog Pose Prep & Practice 1 Start by lying with your belly on the floor. Plant palms directly underneath the shoulders. Uncurl the...
(Uttanasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner Standing Forward Fold (Uttanasana) Easy Pose Prep & Practice 1 Beginning in Mountain pose (Tadasana) at the top of the mat. On an inhalation, arms sweep slightly forward and up, fingers reaching...
People don’t often connect yoga with running. But start stretching for a few days just before stepping out for a run, or after, and you will see why yoga and running are meant to be together. I come across many runners who are recovering from a pulled hamstring or a...
Have you ever tried to teach a class on Zoom only to be frustrated with having to switch between windows so that you could see how everyone is doing? Yeah, me too. And same goes for A LOT of yoga teachers in my Yoga Hackers Facebook group and online yoga teacher...
You know what they say… Nothing is certain but death and taxes—and pain! At least…I’m pretty sure that’s the saying, right? Or maybe it should be LOL! Because it’s an inevitable part of life and right now many of us are dealing with pain more than before. Maybe...
While most of us in the yoga community have heard of “trauma informed yoga”, I find many are unclear about what a trauma informed yoga practice actually is, how to train in this type of yoga, and whether there’s evidence to support it.So I’d love to shed some light on...
If you’ve chosen to be a yoga teacher, chances are crunching numbers is not where your passion lies. Holding space, connecting with people, ancient philosophies, sacred texts, sharing the gifts of yoga… …yes, yes, and yes. Numbers and bookkeeping… …not so...
(Paschimottanasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – BeginnerSeated Forward Bend(Paschimottanasana) Seated Forward Bend Pose Prep & Practice 1 Come to sit down on the floor and extend both legs out in front of you. Legs can come together to touch,...
We’ve arrived! We’ve made it to the big question that all yoga practitioners ask at some point on their path… What is samadhi?? It’s the last stop on Patanjali’s eight-limbed path and it’s usually the one that yoga practitioners are the MOST curious about. It’s like...
One of the most common questions I get from my students over and over again is about which tech tools I use for online teaching. From which microphones I use to which platforms I upload my content to, my students want to know every single digital tool I use to run my...
(Alana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner High Lunge Pose (Alana) High Lunge Prep & Practice 1 Beginning in Mountain pose (Tadasana) at the top of the mat. On an exhalation, take a big step back with the left foot, hands come to hips. Right toes...
(Urdhva Dhanurasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Advanced Wheel Pose (Urdhva Dhanurasana) Wheel Pose Prep & Practice 1 Beginning on back with knees bent, feet flat on mat. Bring feet parallel, hip width apart and as close to seat as possible....
Gosh, I don’t know about you, but these days I have come to truly value and appreciate human connection. In fact, I think we all need it now more than ever! And this period is also calling upon yoga teachers and yoga studio owners to assess, adapt, and evolve....
(Sukhasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner Easy Pose (Sukhasana) Easy Pose Prep & Practice 1 Come to a comfortable cross-legged position, knees stacked over the feet (if accessible). 2 Hands release onto lap, palms up or down. 3 Knit the ribs...
If you’ve decided to join Yoga Alliance (and to maintain your RYT certification), then you’ll need to log your Yoga Alliance continuing education hours. Once you’ve completed some of your CE requirements, you’ll need to log those CE hours as soon as...
(Vrikasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner Tree Pose (Vrikasana) Tree Pose Prep & Practice 1 Beginning in Mountain pose (Tadasana). Bring hands in prayer at heart center and begin to root into the right foot, bending the left knee and coming...
In this episode, I talk about healing stones and crystals with Samantha Fey. Samantha is an intuitive medium, a Reiki healer, and co-hosts her own popular podcast called the Psychic Teachers with Deb Bowen. She really believes that if we can awaken the divine light of...
There are a handful of questions that are certain to enter the minds of all freshly certified yoga teachers. And in the yoga world, the biggest question of all is whether or not to join Yoga Alliance and if there are any benefits to a YA membership. While it’s...
(Utkatasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Beginner Chair Pose (Utkatasana) Chair Pose Prep & Practice 1 Beginning in Mountain pose (Tadasana) at the top of the mat, big toes touch or feet hip hip width apart. Arms and palms externally rotate, palms...
Kundalini yoga is an ancient practice that dates back to 1,000 B.C. Yogi Bhajan is most known for bringing Kundalini yoga to the United States in the 1970s but is only a single teacher that does not represent Kundalini as a whole. Yogi Bhajan has been accused of...
Let’s face it – the built-in microphone for your DSLR camera or smartphone is likely *light years* away from matching the quality of the video. On-camera microphones are prone to handling noise (sounds passed through the microphone from touching or moving the...
(Virabhadrasana III): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Intermediate Warrior 3 Pose (Virabhadrasana III) Warrior 3 Pose Prep & Practice 1 Beginning in Mountain (Tadasana) at the top of mat. On an exhalation, step back with left foot to Warrior I...
It took me SUCH a long time to find and choose my advanced yoga teacher training program. I had already been practicing yoga, pranayama, and meditation for a while, as well as teaching yoga both online and in-person. So by the time I got around to shopping for a 300...
(Parsovtannasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Intermediate Pyramid Pose (Parsovtannasana) Pyramid Pose Prep & Practice 1 Beginning in Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I), right leg forward, left leg back, hands on hips. Right toes (front foot) pointed...
(Ardha Chandrasana): Techniques, Benefits, Variations Level – Intermediate Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana) Half Moon Pose Prep & Practice 1 Beginning in Triangle (Trikonasana) right leg forward, left leg back, using a block under the right hand. On an...
Whether you completed your 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) 2 years ago or 2 days ago, you may be considering the next step in your yoga continuing education. For many, this means enrolling in a 300 hour yoga teacher training. This kind of training, also known as...
