Yoga Research: What Do Current Studies Suggest About Yoga’s Impact on Eating Disorders?
Yoga may offer promise for prevention, treatment, and recovery from eating disorders. Not all yoga practices heal equally, and little information is available on best practices. This article explores the research on how yoga could help with disordered eating.
Magnesium Deficiency: Symptoms, Causes and Dietary Sources
When I think of magnesium deficiency, I don’t aim for supplements or blame poor diet alone. Currently, 70 to 80 percent of the population is magnesium deficient and, given how easy it is to obtain magnesium from our diet, this
Yoga Research: Study Suggests Yoga Can Help Parkinson’s Patients
It’s easy to take the ability to move easily for granted—especially for yogis who enjoy the strength and flexibility that come with regular practice. But when a condition such as Parkinson’s disease attacks the body, simple movements can become a
Relax and Energize: A Quick Yoga Twist in a Chair
When something feels as good as a deep twist, how is it we forget to do it when we need it most? We sit at desks, shoulders tense and upper backs gripping, then get up and walk away, carrying our
Yoga Research: Study Suggests Yoga Practice Can Decrease Inflammation and Help Prevent Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic Syndrome, also known as Syndrome X, isn’t one specific disease. Instead, it is a cluster of risk factors, including high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and abdominal fat. Although just one of these risk factors can
Handstand Help: Shoulder Opening
Open shoulders (or shoulder flexion) are essential for achieving proper alignment in Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Handstand Pose). Let’s look at a few tips for assessing and preparing for shoulder ”openness.” The ability to “get your biceps by your ears” (flex
Book Review: Timothy McCall's Saving My Neck: A Doctor's East/West Journey Through Cancer
There is much talk these days of integrative medicine, complementary approaches to disease, and allopathic vs. “alternative” medicine. As both a board-certified medical doctor and yoga therapist, Timothy McCall, MD. has a unique perspective on these topics. His recent memoir,
Yoga for Children with Autism - Keys to Helping Kids Navigate Challenges
Many children with autism, ADHD, and other special needs face challenges in how their brains and bodies respond to stress. This easily causes them to live in a state of heightened arousal, which can negatively impact health, mood, and behavior.
Yoga Helps Prevent Osteoporosis: Key Points to Optimize Bone Health
Reverse Osteoporosis—A Yoga Teacher’s Firsthand Account By the time we get to our 50’s, most women are thinking about their bone density, or at least starting to. Certainly, yoga can help prevent osteoporosis. I’ve been practicing yoga since I was
Nagging Low Back Pain? It Could Be Your Sacroiliac Joint – Donna Farhi on Common Practice Issues in Yoga
Do you struggle with nagging low back pain, which just doesn’t go away despite of years of yoga practice? It could be a problem with your sacroiliac joint, and your yoga practice might be the cause, says acclaimed yoga teacher
Yoga for Your Feet: 3 Strategies for Improving Your Balance
Everyone wants better balance, whether as a means to live life fearlessly or to perform a challenging pose. Balance has been correlated with core work, but one question I ask my students is what is touching the floor? The core
The Yoga Sutras: Practicing Non-Attachment without Becoming Detached
The concepts of attachment and non-attachment are mentioned several times in The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Asana, on the other hand, is only mentioned as a preparation for meditation. So though most people think asana is the be-all and end-all
Yoga + Weight Management: 5 Intentions to Feed Your Success
Any teacher worth his or her salt will tell you that practiced alone, yoga is not the most efficient way to lose weight, although it does contribute to weight loss over time. There are always exceptions, but the truth is
Karma Yoga: Six Steps on the Path to Seva
As I began learning about selfless service, I was surprised to discover that the effectiveness of any kind gesture or helping program depends heavily on the personal qualities you bring to it. At first, I hoped to find quick solutions
Remembering a Yoga Legend: Maty Ezraty on Developing Effective Yoga Teaching Skills
The recent news about Maty Ezraty's much-too-early passing was a sad day for the yoga community. Among all the many yoga luminaries we have had the privilege to study with, Maty shone like one of the brightest stars. Her wonderful playfulness and integrity