You may have been thinking for some time that you would like to start yoga. First of all, the fact that you want to start must be a decision that comes purely from you, regardless of anyone around you. Simply start because you want to and everything else will gradually fall into place. So if you have taken the first steps in your head, that is the beginning of the success of your yoga journey.

What to take with you?

All you need for yoga is comfortable clothes and a mat.

Where and with whom to start?

In the beginning, it is better to spend some time attending classes under the guidance of an experienced teacher who will advise you on how to practice properly without causing yourself injury. Each person is different and each person will suit a different style and a different teacher. If you don't find a class that is quite your cup of tea at the first time, keep looking and discover what works for you. The range of yoga studios is diverse and so are the classes and yoga styles.

What...

Pain, fear, anxiety, anger, sadness and stiff hips. How is it all connected? More than many of you might think. The connection between the mind and body is crucial in maintaining emotional health, and yoga asanas can play an essential role in this regard. Yoga practice involves a combination of physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation, which can help people develop a deeper awareness of their emotions and manage them effectively. Besides, yoga practice could be recommended as a physical activity for boosting cardiac and emotional resilience. We develop more profound connection between our mind and body, leading to improved emotional well-being.

Yoga asanas can be a powerful tool in releasing and managing emotions. Specific postures, such as hip openers, twists, and backbends, can help release emotional blockages and stagnant energy. Let's take a look at few positions and their benefits together.

Pigeon pose

also known as Eka Pada...

I'm sure you've heard it before. "Oh, yoga is slow and boring"... "you have to be flexible"... "yoga is all about doing difficult poses". Let's bust the most popular myths together.

Yoga is playful, it's fun, it can make you sweat but also calm you down. You're doing something good for your mental and physical health and your body will thank you for your practice. Read on and see that yoga is just great and actually is for you!

1) Yoga is slow and boring

Among the yoga styles we can definitely find slow and gentle lessons. But there is also a huge variety of more dynamic and physically demanding styles to choose from, such as Ashtanga Yoga, Power Yoga and Vinyasa. These types are especially appreciated by those who already have pre-existing physical practices and can be a great compliment. Many active styles are suitable for all levels including beginners as well. Try to find an experienced teacher who can support you with variations and modifications that are right...

Whilst you might think that peace and quiet is the perfect way to unwind, have you ever considered using sound to relax and de-stress? Recently, more and more people are turning to sound for its healing power and health benefits.

Sound has been used as a tool for healing for thousands of years; the Ancient Egyptians used musical incantations as a way of curing the sick, whilst Greek physicians relied on the power of vibration to encourage healthy digestion, sleep and emotional balance. The ancient yogic text, the Samaveda, also contains chants and hymns that were recited in a specific harmony. You’ve probably already experienced how powerfully healing sound can be without even realising it. When you’re sad, do you listen to a certain song that instantly changes your mood and makes you happy? Or perhaps you’ve got a favourite artist whose music makes you want to dance until your feet are sore. Sound has the ability to change how we feel, most of the...

What are Sattvic Foods?

In general, a sattvic diet is primarily plant-based and focuses on organic, whole, natural fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts,  seeds, and grains that are grown in harmony with nature. Sattvic foods are generally sweet, fresh, light, nourishing, and aromatic and create feelings of contentment, joy, and aliveness after digesting them. Sattvic foods keep the body lean and healthy and make the mind clear and sharp.

Work on adding the sattvic foods listed below to promote and support a yogic lifestyle. Eating more of these foods will support your meditative, spiritual, and yogic practices:

1. Fresh fruit

Packed with prana (life force energy) and antioxidants, fresh fruit can form up to 50% of a yogis diet. All fruit that is sweet, fresh, and organic is considered sattvic, so adding more fruit is the easiest and most effective way to make your diet more yogic. Minimize frozen, dried, or preserved fruit in favor of fresh and in-season fruit. You...

Benefits of yoga for mental health | Mental Health Awareness Month 

Over the last decade or so, we've seen a massive increase in mental health awareness. More and more people are speaking up about mental health issues and how "it's ok not to be ok". Mental health in the workplace is also gaining in importance, with many employers addressing the issue and implementing measures to make sure employees are happy at work. The COVID-19 pandemic also pushed forward the topic. Many countries were forced to step up their mental health services and support after the WHO WHO a 25% increase in the global prevalence of anxiety and depression.  

So, for this Mental Health Awareness Month (May in the USA), we wanted to talk about how yoga can significantly improve your mental health and quality of life. 

Research shows daily yoga practice can significantly improve mental health 

Yogis have known this for (thousands of) years, but the rest of the world is catching on:...

 Why is Vinyasa Yoga good for you, and what are its benefits?

Vinyasa Yoga can build and maintain strong bones, muscles, and connective tissue to maintain a high metabolism, promotes healthy posture, and improve body/mind awareness.

But that's not all! In this article, we’ll take a closer look at these & more of the unique benefits of Vinyasa Yoga and why you should consider giving it a try.

Let’s jump right into it.  

First off, what’s Vinyasa Yoga?

In brief, Vinyasa is an approach to yoga in which you move from one pose directly into the next. The poses and moves create a flow, which varies from one instructor to the next.

The transition from one pose to another is coordinated with your breathing. Your breath moves together with your body, and you exhale and inhale with the change of each posture. 

5 unique benefits of Vinyasa Yoga:

1. A vinyasa flow practice makes you stronger

Vinyasa has some challenging poses, which are also...

Breath as a source of energy and life

When we lose energy and feel tired we are looking for a cure that will bring us back to peace and quiet. We discover pills against nervousness, we supplement vitamins and minerals, we drink coffee or we reach for an energy drink. We search in the surroundings, and it does not occur to us that the secret is hidden inside us. The word "BREATH" gives us the answer to how naturally we can restore the energy potential of our body.

Yoga takes deep sips of oxygen and prana throughout the body in order to save intake and create new energy. Pranayama is one of the basic rules of Patanjali's yoga system, which outlines working with energy (breath). Breathing techniques are a means of receiving cosmic energy (prana), without which there would be no life. Prana (cosmic, ubiquitous) energy and ayama (controlling) the flow of this energy. Individual breathing techniques direct energy and at the same time keep it in the body.

Ujjayi Breathing

During yoga...

Planets and signs have traditionally been assigned to individual body parts and organs in astrology. If there are multiple planets in a sign, it may mean that those parts of the body are more su sceptible to disease.

People who practice yoga should always include in their set those yoga positions that best benefit the part of the body that is associated with their sign.

Aries in astrology controls the head, face, brain and eyes.

• Leaning forward (Padahastásana) is an excellent position especially for people with low pressure. It gives the spine flexibility and strength. Improves the flexibility of tendons and ligaments in the legs. It works against the deposition of fat on the abdomen, stimulates the activity of the stomach, liver and spleen. Supports blood circulation in the legs, head and face. It works against the formation of wrinkles.
• The position of the child (Balásana) is a simple relaxation position in which the newborn of the Aries sign is pleasantly relaxed....

The Calm Within the Storm

The COVID-19 pandemic washed across the globe in a daunting and unfamiliar fashion: lockdowns, economic destruction, and social distancing created immense anxiety for the citizens of the world. However, yoga was there for people who needed stress relief and restorative meditation. In many ways, yoga was the calm within the storm for millions of people across the globe.

Benefits of a Routine Practice 

Many people who had never felt the need to practice yoga retreated to their living room floors to find solace. From online zoom courses to social distanced yoga in parks and fields- we found a way. A routine practice reduces cortisol, the stress hormone that influences one’s levels of serotonin and increases the overall wellbeing of those who practice. The constant stress on the body from working from home during the pandemic is washed away through practice one by one.  

Stronger Immune System & Healthier Mind 

The combination of...