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Honoring Mind and Body: Personalizing Your Yoga Practice

Therese M. Pope | April 25, 2008

Yoga is growing in popularity, especially in gyms and private yoga studios. However, the feeling of personalized instruction can be lost amongst fifty other students crammed into a studio where the instructor is barking out orders. The intimacy between instructor and student can be lost in these larger class environments.

However, Barbara Lawrence’s teaching approach to yoga is individualized and unique. She holds small classes (five students) with these same students attending class each week.

Taking Action in Your 20s: The Younger Yoga Generation

Therese M. Pope | April 25, 2008

A Glimpse into the Sedentary Future - Health Risks for Women

Both traditional and naturopathic medicine touts the importance of exercise. The number one “silent” killer amongst women is heart disease. The American Heart Association reported that in 2004 females represented 52.8% percent of deaths from cardiovascular disease.

According to the Mayo Clinic, other leading causes of death for women include cancer, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Embracing the Global Power of Yoga

Therese M. Pope | April 25, 2008

Yoga’s Ancient History

Yoga is a Sanskrit term (to “yoke or unite.”) Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages in the world and can be traced back eight thousand years ago. However, historians and scholars do not recognize the formation of yoga until the Upanishads (ca. 800-100 BC), one of the most studied religious Hindu texts. The Upanishads define the philosophy and meditation behind Vedantic Hinduism.

A Beginner’s Guide to Yoga Props

Therese M. Pope | April 25, 2008

You are starting your first yoga class and your yoga friends start throwing out words like “mats” and “straps” and “blocks.” Are they speaking in yoga code?

Yoga and the Back

Therese M. Pope | April 24, 2008

Back Pain

Back pain is a frequent complaint amongst people. The American Chiropractic Association reports that 31 million Americans experience low-back pain at any given time and even more alarming, Americans spend around $50 billion dollars each year associated with back pain.

The spine is made up of 24 vertebrae that are stacked on top of each other to create a spinal column. The vertebrae protect the spinal chord. The back is a complicated network comprised of muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves.

Yoga and Men

Therese M. Pope | April 24, 2008

Men are at high risk for developing serious diseases and are turning to yoga to decrease these potential health problems. The Center for Disease Control reports that the leading causes of death in men are heart disease and cancer. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), 68.3 million men are considered overweight obese (a BMI, body mass index, of 25 or greater). Men are also prone to diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), stroke and high blood pressure.

Bikram: The Hot Yoga

Therese M. Pope | April 24, 2008

Developed by Bikram Choudhury, this style of yoga known as Bikram (or “hot yoga) is practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) with humidity of 40 percent. Bikram includes 26 asanas (postures) and 2 pranayama (breath work) exercises. The 26 asanas are repeated twice and are held for 30 seconds during each round. Classes are usually held for ninety minutes.

An Olympic weight lifter and marathon runner, Choudhury has been nicknamed “Yogi to the Stars” because of the popularity of Bikram amongst Hollywood celebrities.

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AltMedWeb Videos

Honoring Mind and Body: Personalizing Your Yoga Practice

Taking Action in Your 20s: The Younger Yoga Generation

Embracing the Global Power of Yoga

A Beginner’s Guide to Yoga Props

Yoga and the Back

Yoga and Men

Bikram: The Hot Yoga