Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar Yoga is one of the most popular kinds of yoga. This specific yoga can benefit you in so many ways. With over 200 different poses, Iyengar Yoga is very classic. In this specific yoga, standing poses are most popular, and you rarely sit down.

This style of yoga is also one of the most beneficial styles. This yoga not only improves your balance, but it also helps your body recover from various injuries and strengthens your body. If you are looking for a yoga that can help align your body properly, then Iyengar Yoga is for you. Beginners also tend to love this kind of yoga, since it is not challenging on the body.

Overall,
Iyengar Yoga is relaxing, and it only helps your body. So why not give it a shot.

Top 3 Most Difficult Poses in Yoga

Yoga is supposed to be relaxing, but if you want a challenge you can have a challenge. Some of these poses look impossible, but if you want to give them a shot, I'll help explain them. My top three hardest yoga poses are: Sage Koundinya I, Firefly Pose and Peacock Pose. 

Sage Koundinya I

The Sage Koundinya I is nearly impossible. The style of this pose is you are in a push-up position, with one leg balanced in the air, and the other leg bent and next to your knee. This is hard to explain, so I will post a picture. This pose is very difficult to hold, but if you can do it, you are definitely a yoga guru.  

Firefly 

The next pose is the Firefly Pose. With this pose, what you have to do is have your hands parallel to your legs. Then you lower your hands to the ground, lift yourself up with your arms and lower your back. Once again, I added a picture since it is hard to explain. With this pose, you hold it for 15 seconds or longer. If you can even hold it for more than 15 seconds, kudos to you. 

Peacock 

Lastly, we have the Peacock Pose. This pose is similar to the Sage Koundinya I, but there is one difference. Just like the Sage Koundinya I, you have to hold yourself up with your hands, but you don't have to move your legs. You generally hold this pose for 10 seconds, but if you can hold it for longer, good for you, that is a challenge. 

All three of these poses are as advanced as you get in yoga. If you are just started out yoga, please don't do these poses because it won't end well for anyone. 

Namaste.

The Benefits of Practicing Yoga

Yoga has been being practiced for 5,000 years. About 11 million Americans practice this old tradition, and benefit very deeply from it. Say you have never tried yoga, it is something you should try, because it can't hurt not trying.

One of the best benefits of yoga is all health related. If you practice yoga weekly, you will enhance your breathing, flexibility, strength and posture. Yoga has many different styles, and each different variation of yoga can help in a different way. Strength wise, yoga can build strength in your core, hamstring and quadriceps. Yoga requires a lot of breathing, so this enhances relaxation in your body and mind. 

Yoga can help clear your mind as well. Even if you've only done one class of yoga, you will feel less stressed. Yoga provides relief on the mind, and will help you feel unstressed about anything. After a yoga class, you will feel happier, and more concentrated. Recent studies have shown that yoga has boost the hormone oxytocin, which makes you happier.

After trying yoga, some people just hate it. Whether or not you are one of those people who hates yoga, you can't deny that it is not good for you. If you have never tried yoga, why wouldn't you try, it can't hurt. 

Namaste. 

Top 3 Yoga Studios in America

As a yoga goer, you should always be on the look out for the best yoga studios near you. Whether you are on vacation somewhere, or just moved to town you should look into the best yoga studios. I am here to tell you my top three yoga studios in America. They are: Yoga Works (California and New York), PranaVayu Yoga (Boston) and Tranquil Space (Washington DC).

With 22 California locations and five New York locations, Yoga Works has elite yoga studios on the east and west coast. Something unique about Yoga Works is they offer many different classes. They offer various classes from private to beginner and even offer retreats. If you are interested in attending a yoga class at Yoga Works, you can visit there website here.
David Magone is known as one of the worlds best yoga instructors. Based in Boston, Magone's studio PranaVayu is one of Boston's best. At this studio, three classes are offered which are Base Level, Accelerated Level and Mangalem Yantra Yoga. Each of these levels starts off at a beginner pace, but as you get going the class gets harder and harder. PranaVayu offers clinics for any yoga goers. If you would like to read more about PranaVayu, and the amazing instructor David Magone, click here.

Lastly, located in Washington DC, Tranquil Space is a top yoga studio. Located right in the heart of Washington DC, it can get pretty hectic in the political filled area. That is why this studio is so perfect. Founder of Tranquil Space, Kimberly Wilson is one of the best yoga instructors in America. She has built a team that can teach anyone any kind of yoga that they would like. If you are interested in attending a class at Tranquil Space, click here.

You shouldn't choose a yoga studio based on a ranking, you should choose a yoga studio based on your own choice. Find a studio that is for you, and stick with that.

Namaste.

Top 3 Yoga Retreats

Once in awhile, everyone needs to get away. When you have a relaxing vacation, yoga is something that I think is a must have. I am here to tell you the top three yoga retreats in America. My top three are: Stowe Mountain Ranch Resort, Esalen Institute and Kalani Oceanside Retreat.

View from Stowe Mt. Ranch Resort

Located in Vermont, Stowe Mountain Ranch Resort is one of my favorite yoga retreats. Stowe is located up in the mountains of Vermont, and gives you a very nature and homey feel. At the resort, they either offer indoor yoga, or outdoor yoga looking over the amazing Stowe mountains. Rates for the Resort do vary, so if you are interested click here.

Esalen Institute

If you need a spiritual trip anytime of the year, the Esalen Institute is the perfect place for you. Located in Big Sur, California the Institute overlooks the coast of California. The Esalen Institute offers workshops on reflecting, but if you are looking for alone time, you can have that. Prices range from $130-$725 depending on which program you choose to do. If you are interested in going to Esalen Institute, click here.

Kalani Oceanside Retreat

I doubt there is more of a perfect place than Hawaii. Located on the Big Island, Kalani Oceanside Retreat is a premier yoga retreat place. Whether you want to do individual yoga, or group yoga you can choose to do any while over looking the beautiful Hawaiian ocean. At Kalani Oceanside Retreat, prices start at $95 a night. Click here if you are interested.

No matter where you live or what you do, alone time is so crucial. No matter how you like to spend your alone time, you should be able to find your zen. That is why yoga retreats can be so good for you own mind.

Namaste.

Top 3 Yoga DVDs

In our world today, we all have busy schedules, and can't get to the yoga studio. That is why there are yoga DVDs. Whenever I am not able to make it to a yoga studio, I always pop one of these DVDs in, and yoga away. My top 3 favorite DVDs to use are: Marisa Tomei: Core & Curves, Yoga for Every Body and Jillian Michaels' Yoga Meltdown. 

Marisa Tomei: Core & Curves

Lets start off with Marisa Tomei: Core & Curves. First, I think having a celebrity leading you in a workout is pretty cool, even if it is through a video. Tomei works you hard in this DVD. You work on body definition, leg workouts and finally ten moves in ten minutes. This is more workout than yoga, but I still get a yoga feel from the video. You might be a little sore the next day, but it is worth it. If you are interested in working out with Marisa Tomei, click here to purchase the DVD. 

Yoga for Every Body

If you are looking for a traditional yoga video, Yoga for Every Body is for you. Led by J.J. Gormley, she takes her time in making sure you can understand the pose, and the DVD moves at a slow pace. If you are just starting out yoga, this video will be perfect for you, since it grows with you and gets challenging as it proceeds. If you are interested in this video, click here. 

Jillian Michaels' Yoga Meltdown

Lastly, I had to add Jillian Michaels' Yoga Meltdown. I am sure no yoga DVD can get as intense as this one. This DVD comes with two 30 minute workouts. In the video, there is traditional yoga, but Michaels' adds her cliche hardcore training to yoga, which really makes this a workout. If you are interested in working your butt off with Jillian Michaels, click here. 

Missing one of your yoga classes is no fun. That is why these DVDs are available so no matter where you are, you can always practice yoga. 

Namaste.  

Top 3 Yoga Mat Bags

Lily Tote Bag

Having a yoga bag is not a necessity, but it can always be helpful to have. Personally, after a long yoga class it is nice to put all of your materials into a bag, instead of having to carry everything and be all over the place. My personal three favorite yoga mat bags have to be: Lolë Lily Tote Bag, Hotdog Rollback and Manduka Seeker Mat Bag.

There is not a bag that can do more than Lily Tote Bag. This bag can fit a 13 inch laptop, a pair of shoes, plus your yoga mat! Not only can that bag do all of that, but you can also take part of the bag off and carry it as a cosmetic bag. Lastly, this bag can also turn into a backpack. This backpack can be used for nearly anything, but it is perfect for yoga. If you are interested in purchasing one of these do it all bags, click here.

Hotdog Rollback

The Hotdog Rollback has to be one of the most unique bags there are. With many small compartments, this bag can fit nearly everything. It can fit any size yoga mat, plus nice work clothes since it has a hanger. Even though this bag looks very bulky, it is one of the lightest weight bags out there. The bag can hold anything from your water bottle, wallet and car keys and they all won't get lost deep in the bag. If you are interested in purchasing this unique style bag, click here.

Manduka's Seeker Mat Bag

Lastly, there is Manduka's Seeker Mat Bag. This bag offers a unique feature that no other bag offers. You can carry this bag in any way you'd like because of the one strap the bag offers. This bag doesn't have a wow factor, but it can do everything you need a bag to do. This bag can fit any size yoga mat, and all of your personal needs easily. If you are looking for a traditional yoga mat, this is the one for you. Click here if you are interested in buying.

All yoga mats are made to do the same thing. What you want to find in a yoga mat is the easiest way for you to walk around with all of your yoga materials.

Namaste.