Happy Mother's Day
Music
May 12, 2013
May 07, 2013
Music For Yoga: Devaloka by Sean Johnson & the Wild Lotus Band
Sean Johnson and the Wild Lotus Band produces beautiful devotional music with a hint of modern flair. I own several albums by this band but I just found Devaloka. They are coming to Yoga Flex in Charlotte NC, where I live, this year and I am super excited. When it comes to unique workshops, Yoga Flex rocks. anyone in Charlotte should definitely be on their mailing list.
Take a listen to Devaloka and let me know what you think.
March 16, 2012
Trip Hop For Your Yoga Practice
Trip Hop is electronic music mixed with Trance, Techno & Hip Hop elements. It is perfect for people who like upbeat music but don't enjoy listening to the top 100 while they practice. If lyrics in music distract you or your class, you can find many trip hop artists who use very few words, if any, in their compositions. Here are a few of my favorites.
Group: Little People/ Album: Mickey Mouse Operation
Group: Bonobo/All Their Albums are Usually Good
Group: Massive Attack/Albums: Heligoland & Mezzanine.
August 04, 2011
To Tired To Practice Yoga: Last minute energy tips
Everybody has those days were they mentally want to practice yoga and know that they will feel great afterwords but the physical body is dragging a bit. Below are a few ways to give yourself a kick start.
Caffeine: There is a huge debate about coffee being a drug and a crutch and its effects on the adrenal glands. Okay. I get it. However, people have been drinking coffee for eons and they don't end up zombies, strung out prostitutes or in rehab because of it. Coffee gets the job done. Period.
Music: Instant mood lifter. Don't limit yourself to "yoga" music. Put on your favorite artist that make you wanna dance and bop your head and do your yoga practice to it.
Pranayama: Breathing oxygenates and energizes our cells while pushing out carbon dioxide and other toxins. Ujjayi, Kapalabhti, and Bhastrika pranayamas are fabulous breathing techniques for lifting energy in the body.
The need for speed: Faster paced asana practices like Power, Ashtanga, and other Vinyasa(flow) derivatives are sequenced to increase prana(energy and life force) in the body.
Just Move and Breathe:Don't give the mind time to spin the "I'm tired" story. Just breathe and move. Don't stop. Just flow and before you know it the hour or so is up.
Fuel: Even though eating and even drinking in some forms of yoga is prohibited before practice, sometimes the body just needs a little fuel to get over the slump. The fatigue may be the bodies cries for nutrients. A few glasses of water and a light nutritious snack just might do the trick.
Pick Me Ups w/ no Caffeine: Many people get a surge of energy from electrolytes, Vitamin C/B12 infused powders and waters, multi-vitamins, Kombucha etc
Just Get On Your Mat: Whatever you do, just get on your mat. Do something. If you are serious about having a dedicated, consistent yoga practice, you have to make it happen. Getting on the mat is the first step.
How Do You Power Up For Your Yoga Practice?
Video of the Day:The Effect of Ujjayi Pranayama On The "Lightness" of the body
February 08, 2011
Sexy Yoga Inspired Valentine's Day Gift Ideas
The gifts below do double duty. They can help your yoga practice and help you and your partner have a wonderful Valentine's day as well.
1. Seamless Underwear-Yoga pants are super tight and show all your nooks and crannies. For those who don't want to go commando, seamless underwear are a comfortable and cute option and also can be used to kick up the sexy in the bedroom. Victoria's Secret has great options at many different price points.
2. Hot Yoga Shorts-Super cute and flattering. I always admire those people with the confidence to wear these in class. If you are not one of those, you can wear them in the bedroom. These are from Shakti Activewear
3. Music
Many genres of music can be used in yoga and for cuddles in bed after yoga. Trip Hop, R&B and Jazz usually fit the bill. Try Massive Attack, Melody Gardot and Jill Scott. If your lover doesn't have an MP3 player throw in an I-pod as well.
4. Aromatherapy- Aromatherapy uses essential oils to create health, healing and relaxation. Oils like Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood and Patchouli are sensual where as oils like lavender are calming. Frankincense is an essential oil associated with spirituality and centering. They smell great and can be mixed into massage oils, bath water and diffused into the air for date night and used in cool clothes for your eyes during Svasana or diffused in the air during practice or meditation.
5. Share a Yoga Package-Yoga increases stamina, focus, strength, flexibility and overall mental well being. All these are helpful in everyday life as well as the bedroom.
6. Massage- Since they both relax the mind and the muscles, yoga and massage are two therapies that go hand and hand and benefit each other. For a really intimate experience, you can use music and aromatherapy and give each other massages. Many yoga studios promote couples yoga and massage workshops and packages around Valentine's day that are affordable and fun as well.
Video of the Day: Another sexy yoga song. Set The Fire To the Thrid Bar by Snow
Patrol
December 07, 2010
Pattabhi Jois Reciting the Ashtanga Closing Mantra + Giveaway Winner
I learned the Mangala Mantra a few years back and I love its message of peace. After hearing Pattabhi Jois do it, I do realize my pronunciation needs a bit of work. It roughly translates into:
Gist: May the merits of my yoga practice [or other such action] benefit the entire world.
Literal: May the leaders of this earth
Protect the welfare of all generations
By keeping to the path of virtue.
May the religious, and all peoples be forever blessed,
May the whole of all the worlds be happy.
Om peace, peace, peace… (Translation from AshtangaYogaPractice.com)
Literal: May the leaders of this earth
Protect the welfare of all generations
By keeping to the path of virtue.
May the religious, and all peoples be forever blessed,
May the whole of all the worlds be happy.
Om peace, peace, peace… (Translation from AshtangaYogaPractice.com)
The winner of Yoga As Medicine is lshamanski.Please Check Your E-mail.
Question of the Day:Do you recite the Mangala Mantra at the end of your Ashtanga practice?
You May Also Like:
December 06, 2010
Yoga Music: Jai Uttal
Jai Uttal has a new album out called Thunder Love which I have purchased and so far so good. The album is a mix of old and new school yoga sounds. Many of the songs mix chanting and traditional Indian instruments with English lyrics and modern soft rock elements. Great for a yoga class that enjoys mid-tempo music. Also good for transitioning from between fast ans slow elements of a power yoga class.
Here is a video from his newest album. For more info on Jai Uttal, read my post on yoga music.
Official music video: Jai Uttal - "DOWN ON MY KNEES" from notthisbody on Vimeo.
Last Day For Yoga Journal Yoga Therapy Giveaway. Check here for details
Question of the Day: What is your favorite genre of music to listen to while practicing yoga?
You may also like:
Music For Yoga: Linkin Park & Busta Rymes
The Spiritual Wisdom of Kanye West
September 11, 2010
A Chant For September 11: Ashtanga Closing Mantra Text & Video
The story goes that Pattabhi Jois was in New York when the towers fell and that he added this closing chant in response to the events.
