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The 10 Best Iyengar Yoga Books

May 27, 2024

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My Recommendations for the Best Iyengar Yoga Books

There are many good yoga books on all the different aspects of yoga. I’ve accumulated a number of excellent books that help me with my study, practice, and teaching of Iyengar Yoga. It was difficult paring down my list to what I thought were the 10 best, but this list will give you a place to start if you’re interested in Iyengar Yoga or yoga in general.

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0:03 / 0:10Read MoreI chose books on Iyengar Yoga that represent different facets of the study and practice of yoga, including good all-purpose books for learning and practicing yoga asanas (poses) and pranayama (breathing exercises), books that focus on health-related issues and different segments of the population, and books on the philosophy of yoga.

Important Note: Light on Yoga, by B.K.S. Iyengar, is by far the most important Iyengar Yoga book. I list it second only because, in my experience, many beginners are daunted by the amount of information given and the number of very difficult poses featured. Any serious Iyengar Yoga student should have this book, though. But the average beginner relates better to books with bigger “prettier” pictures and less text.

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These are the Iyengar Yoga books that I most commonly use.

My own photo, my own books

1. Yoga: The Iyengar Way: Silva, Mira, and Shyam Mehta

Yoga: The Iyengar Way was one of the two first yoga books I bought when I started yoga, and it’s still one of my fav[……]

Hot Yoga

WHAT TO WEAR TO HOT YOGA

April 15, 2024

If it’s your first time in a hot yoga studio or you’re turning it up with a heater in a yoga class at home, you might be wondering what to wear to hot yoga. And while your yoga practice accepts you wherever you are with whatever you’re wearing, there are certain types of clothing that will help you have a more streamlined practice and give you freedom to move and flow.

In general, the best outfit to wear to hot yoga is moisture-wicking, lightweight, and doesn’t restrict your movement. Your outfit needs might even be different depending on the type of yoga you’re doing.

Here are a few suggestions on what to look for and our favorite recommendations from Alo Yoga.

PERFORMANCE FABRIC

Look for fabrics that are designed to be moisture-wicking — now’s not the time to grab sweatpants or that heavyweight 100% cotton T-shirt. Your best bet will be tops and bottoms specifically designed with performance or technical fabric to keep the sweat and odor at bay. Features like mesh and cutouts will also keep things ventilated.

Airlift Laser Cut Speedy Bra Tank & Shorts

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Idol Performance Tee

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2. FITTED CLOTHING

While something tight might seem restrictive, in the case of hot yoga, it can be helpful. A sports bra that keeps everything in place and sleeves that don’t flop up, down, and in your face can make your practice less distracting. Trust us — do Downward Dog once in a loose shirt and you’ll understand why. And when it comes to pants, leggings make sure that you’re not tripping or pre[……]

Hatha Yoga

The history of Hatha yoga

March 22, 2024

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Hatha yoga is an umbrella term that describes physical exercise and breathing techniques used to achieve mindfulness.

Originating in India, this concept traces back to the eleventh century A.D.; however, posture-based forms of yoga did not develop until the early 20th century. Hatha yoga today is based on the practices outlined in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.

Hatha yoga began developing in India during the 1920s and 1930s, with the first official school opening in Mysore in 1924. During this time, the Indian traditions of Hatha yoga merged with the physical culture of western society.

Once physical culture grew in popularity in the 20th century, Hatha yoga teachings became popularized in the west.

Hatha yoga today

Today, Hatha is practiced regularly by people all around the world. However, it is not practiced in the same manner as classical Hatha yoga once was.

Modern Hatha yoga has shifted to focus on large class sizes that are often drop-in rather than routine sessions with the same group of students. This has made taking yoga classes easier to fit into your schedule at your convenience.

The Sanskrit word Hatha literally translates to force. Hatha classes will teach you how to apply prana, or vital energy, to different yoga postures. Hindu texts describe prana as the physical, mental and spiritual energy in Hinduism. Classes typically last anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes, and you can expect that it will finish with some pranayama yoga or meditation.

Today’s Hatha yoga classes[……]

Bikram Yoga

What’s the Difference Between Bikram and Hot Yoga

February 2, 2024

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So you’ve seen the signs around town or read articles on the internet about the benefits of hot yoga. Stretching in a heated room enhances flexibility and aids detoxification, studios promise. Then you see some funny yoga called Bikram while others just call themselves hot. What’s the difference between Bikram and hoy yoga?

The short answer: Bikram yoga refers to a specific set of 26 postures while hot yoga is normal yoga, just in a heated room.

Are you ready to sweat? Studio temperatures for Bikram and hot yoga range from 90 to 105 degrees.

While yoga is an ancient practice rooted in India, Bikram yoga has more modern roots. Indian born and trained yogi Bikram Choudhury opened the first Bikram yoga school in California in 1974. The practice involves completing the set of postures and two breathing exercises in a specific order at a specific temperature–105 degrees with 40% humidity. Only licensed Bikram yoga schools may offer classes under the trademarked name. These schools frequently offer only Bikram yoga without supplementing their schedules with additional types. Other rules apply to Bikram too. There’s no music and the instructor’s dialogue follows a prescribed speech.

Hot yoga, on the other hand, involves a regular vinyasa or hatha yoga class that takes place in a heated room. Some studios merely bump the temperature to create balmy exercise conditions while others might crank the heater so practitioners really work up a sweat. Temperatures usually range between 80 a[……]

Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita: The way of devotional love

January 5, 2024

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This article attempts to focus on Bhakti Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita, but for those that don’t know here is a brief summary of The Bhagavad Gita. The Bhagavad Gita is often referred to as the Gita, is one of the world’s most revered spiritual texts. A small section of the Indian epic Mahabharata, the Gita takes the form of a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and his charioteer, the deity Krishna. Within its verses, it explores various paths of yoga, including Jnana (knowledge), Karma (action), and notably, Bhakti (devotion). Bhakti Yoga, the path of devotional love, is especially poignant for those seeking a personal, emotional connection to the divine.

What is Bhakti Yoga?

Bhakti Yoga is often described as the yoga of love and devotion towards the divine. It focuses on fostering a personal relationship with a higher power, through affection, trust, and dedication. Bhakti practitioners believe that through pure love and surrender, one can merge with the divine, bypassing the trappings of the ego and the material world.

Bhakti Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita: A breakdown

In the Gita, Lord Krishna elucidates the profound principles and practices of Bhakti Yoga. Here are some central teachings:

Unwavering Devotion: One of the hallmarks of Bhakti Yoga is unwavering devotion. Krishna says to Arjuna: “Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me and bow to Me. Doing so, you will come to Me alone, I truly promise you, for you are exceptionally dear to Me.” (Gita 18.65).

Surrender: In the[……]

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

All about Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

December 9, 2023

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Ashtanga Vinyasa is a dynamic style of yoga, where a progressive series of asanas and bandhas are practiced while synchronizing with breath and point of focus, which results in complete detoxification of the body.

Sri Pattabhi Jois is credited with the development of the Ashtanga Vinyasa structure and practice in its current form. It is believed that the method has been passed on from the ancient Saint Vamana in his text called ‘Yoga Korunta’. In the 1920s Sri T Krishnamacharya transcribed the Yoga Korunta and passed on his teachings to the late Pattabhi Jois. Sri Pattabhi Jois’ school in Mysore under the aegis of his grandson Sharat Jois continues to teach this method.

Ashtanga means ‘8 limbs’, which signifies the 8 limbs of yoga as per Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Vinyasa is understood in this context as linking breath and movement. Nyasa means ‘to place’ and vi denotes ‘in a special way’.

The eight limbs of yoga are Yama (moral code), Niyama (spiritual self purification), Asana (postures), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (sensory transcendence), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), Samadhi (union or state of ecstasy). The style of yoga advocates that the teacher and practitioner practice all these eight limbs of yoga on and off the mat.

The purpose of Vinyasa is internal cleansing. Vinyasa combines asana practice with breath and drishti (point of looking), in conjunction with each other to attain three levels of purification: body, nervous system and mind.

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Anusara Yoga

What is Anusara Yoga

November 26, 2023

If you are looking for a yoga practice that not only benefits your body but also nurtures your mind and spirit, then Anusara Yoga may be for you. This form of yoga was created in the late 1990s by American yogi John Friend and is based on the philosophy of intrinsic goodness.

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The practice of Anusara Yoga emphasizes the alignment of the entire body, as well as the heart and mind. By working on proper alignment, Anusara Yoga can help you build strength, increase flexibility, improve balance, and deepen your overall sense of well-being.

Anusara Yoga draws from a wide range of yoga traditions, including Hatha, Iyengar, and Vinyasa, to create a unique and uplifting practice. The practice involves a variety of poses, from basic to advanced, which can be modified to suit each individual’s needs and abilities.

Anusara Yoga also incorporates a heart-centered philosophy, which views all living beings as inherently good and divine. This approach encourages practitioners to see the goodness in themselves and others, and to approach their practice with a sense of joy and openness.

Key Takeaways

Anusara Yoga is a yoga practice that emphasizes alignment of the body, heart, and mind.

This form of yoga draws from multiple traditions to create a unique practice.

Anusara Yoga incorporates a heart-centered philosophy that sees all living beings as inherently good and divine.

Practicing Anusara Yoga can benefit the body by building strength, flexibility, and balance, while also nurturing the mi[……]