The Eighth Limb of Yoga: Samadhi
Samadhi is the final limb and the ultimate destination on Patanjali’s eight-limbed path of yoga. It is often translated as enlightenment, but what does that really mean? What is Samadhi? Enlightenment is an elusive concept, one that’s difficult to describe
Head, Shoulders, Knees - and the Pelvic Floor: How Everything’s Connected
I spent my first few years of my practice as a Physical Therapist going deep into the pelvis, and my most recent few years, desperately trying to get out. That may seem like a strange statement, but the more I learned about
Summer Snacking: 10 Healthy Alternatives
Summer is in full swing, which means backyard barbecues, baseball games and beach vacations—and all the snacks and drinks that come with them. It also means hotter temperatures and longer days that require lots of energy. How can you balance
Do You Sit All Day Long? Try These 3 Yoga Moves
By now, chances are you’ve heard that sitting for hours on end is bad for your health (heart disease, obesity and diabetes have all been linked to prolonged sitting). If you have a job that requires you to sit at
Safe Hip Opening for Everyone
Hip openers are a powerful group of poses, but not easily accessible to everyone. In this month's YogaU Practice Series, join renowned yoga teachers Julie Gudmestad, Doug Keller, and Natasha Rizopoulos as they offer up four practices to help make hip openers
How Yoga Improves Health: Focus on Chronic Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the body’s defense response. It involves the clearance of toxic pathogens, damaged cells, or harmful irritants from the body. Inflammation has a high beneficial value. For example, if you develop a viral infection or if your
Yoga and Mind-Body Exercises Improve Wellbeing For Those With Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects 1-2% of the population over 65 years of age, making it one of the most widely diagnosed neurodegenerative disorders. To date, its causes remain unknown, and there is no cure. Given that the prevalence of PD
Age Without Limits: A Book Review
I have been teaching yoga to senior citizens for more than ten years now, and I’ve often said it is one of my favorite classes to teach. Age Without Limits, by Janet Rae Humphrey, E-RYT, is my latest guide to
4 Things to Keep in Mind When Designing a Chair Yoga Practice
A reader once commented on my blog: “Chair yoga is not passive stretching – it’s challenging, strengthening, spiritual, and fun!" This is an excellent description of what chair yoga could and should be. Yoga Practice with and without a Chair Ultimately,