Why I Love Yoga - My Yoga Lensography
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Yoga Brings Me Joy
I love practicing yoga! I love talking, reading, and writing about yoga!
My practice of yoga has helped me to become a happier, healthier person. Since I'm also a yoga teacher, I have the delightful opportunity to teach yoga to other people who also want to become happier and healthier.
My practice of yoga is more than just a physical practice of the asanas, or yoga poses, although this physical practice continues to bring me great joy (being able to kick up into a handstand at age 55 is exhilarating!). But my practice has also benefited my mental and spiritual well-being. This practice has carried over into my daily life, so I can live my life with more awareness and understanding.
The practice of yoga is my chosen vehicle for positive change and growth in my life.
Photo purchased from iStockPhoto.com.
My practice of yoga has helped me to become a happier, healthier person. Since I'm also a yoga teacher, I have the delightful opportunity to teach yoga to other people who also want to become happier and healthier.
My practice of yoga is more than just a physical practice of the asanas, or yoga poses, although this physical practice continues to bring me great joy (being able to kick up into a handstand at age 55 is exhilarating!). But my practice has also benefited my mental and spiritual well-being. This practice has carried over into my daily life, so I can live my life with more awareness and understanding.
The practice of yoga is my chosen vehicle for positive change and growth in my life.
Photo purchased from iStockPhoto.com.
Sharing My Love of Yoga With Others
Writing About Yoga
Since I love yoga, I want to share my experiences with others. I wouldn't be teaching yoga if it weren't my passion.One way to share my knowledge and experience of yoga is to write about it. That's what first brought me to Squidoo -- I can choose what to write about and share my interests with other people. So I've written a few lenses about different aspects of yoga that are important to me and that I hope are useful to my own students and other people interested in this ancient practice.
If you don't know what Squidoo is or what a lens is, you may want to read Getting Started With Squidoo. Basically, Squidoo is an online publishing platform that makes it easy for you to create "lenses", or overview articles, on topics of your choice. And it's free!
This current lens is a "lensography", or a collection of my lenses, about yoga, although it also includes other information as well, including my favorite books, YouTube video, and Yoga quote. Enjoy!
Adho Mukha Vrksasana / full arm balance by K. Coupland
My Favorite Yoga Quote
"Yoga is like music.
The rhythm of the body,
The melody of the mind,
And the harmony of the soul
Create the symphony of life."
-- B.K.S. Iyengar
Yoga is For Everybody
I firmly believe that yoga is for anyone who wants to try it. In magazines and books, the models that are used to demonstrate the poses are usually young, fit, and slender, but this doesn't describe a good percentage of the rest of the population.
I've talked to many people who are interested in trying a yoga class, but are worried that they won't be able to handle the class. They're afraid that they may be too old, too stiff, too overweight, or too weak.
How to Find the Best Beginning Yoga Class for You, addresses these fears. Yoga IS for everyone, but not every yoga style or class will suit everyone's needs. But hopefully anyone who wants to will be able to find a class that fits their needs and concerns, or find good DVDs and books to help them get started.
I've talked to many people who are interested in trying a yoga class, but are worried that they won't be able to handle the class. They're afraid that they may be too old, too stiff, too overweight, or too weak.How to Find the Best Beginning Yoga Class for You, addresses these fears. Yoga IS for everyone, but not every yoga style or class will suit everyone's needs. But hopefully anyone who wants to will be able to find a class that fits their needs and concerns, or find good DVDs and books to help them get started.
My Favorite "Yoga For Everybody" Book
Don't let the name of this book put you off! (Hopefully you think it's a great "tongue-in-cheek" title, as I do!)
Many people think they can't do yoga because they're too stiff.
Yoga for Wimps: Poses for the Flexibly Impaired is a delightful book that presents poses and variations in such a way that even the stiffest person can benefit and become more flexible in the process of practicing. The author is a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher (as am I), and she includes good, detailed instructions and clear photos.
Many people think they can't do yoga because they're too stiff.
Yoga for Wimps: Poses for the Flexibly Impaired is a delightful book that presents poses and variations in such a way that even the stiffest person can benefit and become more flexible in the process of practicing. The author is a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher (as am I), and she includes good, detailed instructions and clear photos.
Yoga For Wimps: Poses for The Flexibly Impaired
Amazon Price: $3.50 (as of 06/02/2012)
From the Product Description: "Crave yoga's benefits--but feel afraid to look "weird?" Think yoga requires you to look like a pretzel? Now there's a friendly, full-color, hand-holding, one-step-at-a-time, few-minutes-a-day way to get started. It meets you right where you are, with three different approaches to fit your needs. Instant Yoga gets you going immediately with 15 practice sessions for any time of the day, even when there's only a few minutes to spare. Run through a sequence and the workout's over! FixIts offer solutions to specific problems, such as a sore neck, back pain, those aching feet, or stress. In the Glossary, the author demonstrates every pose correctly, with instructions for improving technique. The changes you experience will amaze and delight you so much you'll never want to wimp out on your workout!"
Benefits of Yoga
There are many books, magazine, and online articles about the benefits of yoga. Basically, the practice of yoga increases our overall physical, mental, and spiritual health and well-being.
The topics below are only a few of the areas in which the practice of yoga can benefit us. I'll add more over time. If you have a specific request, I'll consider writing a lens about it! (Leave a note in the Guestbook at the bottom!)
The topics below are only a few of the areas in which the practice of yoga can benefit us. I'll add more over time. If you have a specific request, I'll consider writing a lens about it! (Leave a note in the Guestbook at the bottom!)
Developing Our Own Yoga Practice
To enjoy the benefits of yoga more fully, we have to practice! Taking a weekly class is invaluable, but to really learn and understand what we're doing takes perseverance and practice outside of class as well. Read the following lens for ideas on developing your own home practice.
My Favorite Comprehensive Yoga Book
Iyengar Yoga Method
Yoga: The Iyengar Way is the book that I recommend most often to my students.
The book uses beautiful photos and clear, concise instructions for moving into the poses and for modifying poses. It includes poses suitable for beginners and more difficult, complex poses for the seasoned practitioner.
It also includes sections on the philosophy of yoga, and a series of sequences to familiarize the student with different sets of poses, and for the continuing varied practice of the student.
The book uses beautiful photos and clear, concise instructions for moving into the poses and for modifying poses. It includes poses suitable for beginners and more difficult, complex poses for the seasoned practitioner.
It also includes sections on the philosophy of yoga, and a series of sequences to familiarize the student with different sets of poses, and for the continuing varied practice of the student.
Yoga: The Iyengar Way
Amazon Price: $12.58 (as of 06/02/2012)
From the product review: "A comprehensive, practical, and authoritative guide to the method developed by Iyengar. 100 key postures with detailed step-by-step instructions and photographs."
Information and Inspiration
I'm inspired to practice more yoga after reading how yoga has benefited someone's life, or by viewing inspirational videos, or by reading more about the background of certain poses.
My Favorite Yoga Books
Compilations of my favorite books and resources
I've already mentioned two books that are on this list. The 10 Best Iyengar Yoga Books is my own list of books that I think are important and useful to a broad range of yoga students, from the beginning to the more experienced. I've chosen books that cover different facets of the study and practice of yoga, from the physical practice of the asanas, to the study of the philosophy of this ancient discipline.
"The Body is My Temple, Asanas Are My Prayers"
My Favorite Iyengar Yoga YouTube Video
An homage to B.K.S. Iyengar, including a montage of clips of him doing poses at different stages in his life. B.K.S. Iyengar teaches more than just the poses, but the poses are so inspiring to watch!
I love the accompanying music too -- it's exquisite!
I love the accompanying music too -- it's exquisite!
Do You Love Yoga? Or Know Someone Else Who Does?
Yoga gift ideas
Of course these yoga products aren't at all necessary to be successful in the practice of yoga! But they can put a smile on the face of friends and family who enjoy yoga :-)
Some of the products are useful, some are inspiring, and others are just for fun and to make the recipients feel good!
Some of the products are useful, some are inspiring, and others are just for fun and to make the recipients feel good!
My Yoga Pages on Wizzley
- Yoga for Arthritis DVD Recommendations
- Are you looking for the best Yoga for Arthritis DVD to help ease your arthritis discomfort? Here are a few suggestions for you.
- Buying Eco Friendly Yoga Mats
- Are you in the market for a new yoga mat? Consider choosing one of these eco-friendly yoga mats to help keep the environment healthier.
- Yoga Calendars for 2012
- The 2012 yoga calendars are coming out soon. Yoga calendars can be inspiring for your own practice as well as decorative.
- Yoga for Seniors - Aging Well With Yoga
- Yoga for Seniors, Gentle Yoga, and Ageless Yoga classes are becoming more popular now that the first baby-boomers are turning 65.
- Health Benefits of Yoga
- The practice of yoga benefits our health on all levels of our being -- physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
- Best Yoga Bags -- Yoga Gym Bags and Totes
- Are you looking for yoga bags or totes to carry your mat and other gear? Here are some of the highest rated yoga bags and totes that I've come across.
My Yoga Blog
Connect with my yoga studio, Harmony Yoga of Ann Arbor
This is the blog that I have associated with my studio, Harmony Yoga of Ann Arbor. I write posts that I think could be interesting to my yoga students and any other person who comes across it.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on any aspect of yoga!
Tell me more! Is there a particular topic on yoga that you'd like to see?
Thanks!
(And remember to give this a "thumbs up" if you enjoyed it!)
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Missie Harhold
Jan 17, 2012 @ 1:41 pm | delete
- I love yoga! I love that I'm becoming more flexible (mentally and physically) and I love that it helps me focus on what is going on with my body. It helps me de-stress and I just feel happier overall. I have generalized panic disorder and tend to have panic attacks in large crowds. While I try to avoid situations that may bring on a panic attack, sometimes things happen. Yoga breathing has helped me avoid several panic attacks. I love yoga! The asanas and the spiritual practice.
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kajohu Jan 17, 2012 @ 4:10 pm | delete
- I'm glad you love yoga too! Yes it can be great to help reduce anxiety and panic attacks. An easy ujjayi breath or Bhramari breath (pranayamas) will help a lot too.
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karmicchristian
Jul 8, 2011 @ 1:13 pm | delete
- Just noting the quote below and as commonly misconstrued... and misunderstood... and misrepresented... this ancient art is 'not' exercise. It is a spiritual primer... teachers of this form need to fathom the spirit which 'moves' the body into unfathomable shapes and forms!
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maryctucker
May 7, 2011 @ 5:23 am | delete
- Yoga is such a great exercise for human body.It's given best result to the body.
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RinchenChodron
Feb 2, 2011 @ 2:53 pm | delete
- The first yoga I learned was Iyengar and now I do Tibetan Yoga. Great job on your lensography.
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by kajohu
I'm a certified Iyengar yoga teacher, and love to read and write and talk about yoga (as well as practice and teach!). I've been practicing yoga since... more »
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Yoga Wisdom and Practice
B.K.S. Iyengar
Yoga Wisdom & Practice
Amazon Price: $13.37 (as of 06/02/2012)
From the product review: Iyengar Yoga Wisdom & Practice is a practical and an inspiring anthology of Iyengar's insights into yoga, life and the path to peace and happiness.
