The Atmananda Yoga Mat -Align Your Body, Protect Your Joints

If this does not get made, you can make your own!

"The Problem:

On a plain yoga mat many yoga practitioners question if their hands and feet are in the right place, or wonder if their stance is too short or too wide in certain poses.

This confusion not only inhibits the practitioner from the full meditative benefits of a yoga class, it also puts the practitioner in serious risk for physical injury from overstretching the ligaments and joints.

The Solution?  The Atmananda Yoga Mat™!

The Atmananda Yoga Mat ™ was designed with mathematically placed, easy to follow lines and shapes that help keep the body in the correct alignment when practicing, resulting in less stress on ligaments and joints.  

The lines and shapes also help the student receive the maximum benefit out of each pose. Proper alignment is essential, as it helps the body to open faster, promotes advancement to more challenging yoga postures, and ultimately aids in the achievement of "the perfect pose".

The "perfect pose" is achieved when there is no stress in the body while doing a yoga pose. The mind is still and connected to breath, the body is totally open and energy is free-flowing. This is the ultimate goal of yoga.

The Atmananda Yoga Mat ™ is a patented (#USD699980) and trademarked design. It's made of a robust Jute material and natural rubber, so it's better for your body and better for the environment.

More Info...

1. Kickstarter
2. Official site

5 ways to balance your 5 elements by Pacific College of Oriental Medicine

*click pic to enlarge

Check out Sacred Magik: The Esoteric Library

Has a collection of Gnostic teachings, Alchemy, Hermetic teachings, Pagan / Wiccan books,etc.

"... renowned library of the Occult, Esoteric, and Spiritual Knowledge."
"Magick happens when inner transformation begins.

Butterfly is the power animal of Sacred Magick; representing metamorphosis and transformation. Scientific research has shown that the butterfly is the only living being capable of changing entirely its genetic structure during the process of transformation: the caterpillar's DNA is totally different from the butterfly's. Thus, it is the symbol of total transformation.

What is Yin Yoga?

"Yin yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga with poses, or asanas, that are held for longer periods of time—five minutes or longer per pose is typical.It was founded by and first taught in the United States in the late 1970s by martial arts expert and Taoist yoga teacher Paulie Zink. Yin-style yoga is now being taught across North America and in Europe, due in large part to the teaching activities of yin yoga teachers Paul Grilley and Sarah Powers.

Yin yoga poses apply moderate stress to the connective tissues—the tendons, fascia, and ligaments—with the aim of increasing circulation in the joints and improving flexibility. They are also designed to improve the flow of qi, the subtle energy said in Chinese medicine to run through the meridian pathways of the body. Improved qi flow is hypothesized to improve organ health, immunity, and emotional well-being. A more meditative approach to yoga, yin aims at cultivating awareness of one's inner silence, and bringing to light a universal, interconnecting quality"

See more @ Wikipedia


More Info..

1. Bernie Clark's Youtube channel
2. Yin Yoga 101: What You Need to Know from MindBodyGreen
3. Yin yoga: be part of the yin crowd @ The Gurardian
4. YinYoga.com 

The Only Yoga Infographic You Will Ever Need to See Ygn logo by YOGANONYMOUS

Download the entire PDF from Yoganonymous &Health Central

Who is BKS Iyengar?

"Called the "Michelangelo of yoga" and the "king of yogis," named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people, B. K. S. Iyengar is universally acknowledged as the world's greatest yoga teacher.

Yogacharya (yoga master) Iyengar brought yoga to the west with his pioneering teaching in the 70s, the beginning of today’s explosive growth in yoga. His seminal manual Light on Yoga, called “the bible of yoga” and continuously in print since 1966, has been the source book for generations of yoga students. Mr. Iyengar’s most recent work is the bestselling Light on Life, which led to a world tour of standing-room-only appearances.


His invention of yoga props -- now ubiquitous in yoga studios of all styles -- revolutionized the art. Blankets, belts and other devices allow students of all skill levels to work safely in the classical yoga asanas (postures). Mr. Iyengar also revolutionized the therapeutic applications of yoga, gaining recognition for yoga as treatment for serious medical conditions.

Perhaps the most groundbreaking aspect of Mr. Iyengar’s teaching is that through the yoga asanas and Pranayama (the control of the breath), the practitioner can explore the most advanced stages of yoga, including concentration, true meditation and even Samadhi, the mystical union of the individual soul of the practitioner with the universal soul -- God. By bridging the traditional distinctions between hatha yoga, sometimes considered a merely physical form, and yogas, which focus on the intellect, devotion and meditation, Mr. Iyengar has brought the spiritual nature of yoga home to hundreds of thousands of devotees.

Triumphing over poverty and serious childhood illness, B. K. S. Iyengar began his study of yoga with his guru, T. Krishnamacharya. Practicing hour after hour, year after year, he acquired the encyclopedic knowledge, which fired his teaching.

Today, in his 90th year, Mr. Iyengar continues his daily practice, observed by dedicated students at the Ramamani Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, India. Named for Mr. Iyengar’s late wife, who died shortly before it was completed, it is where Mr. Iyengar’s daughter and son, now the chief teachers of his method, carry on his work.

Mr. Iyengar’s daughter, Geeta S. Iyengar, is the author of Yoga: A Gem for Women, the pioneering work on yoga for every stage of a woman’s life. His son, Prashant S. Iyengar, has also written extensively about yoga.

Mr. Iyengar’s other influential works include Light on Pranayama, Light on the Yoga Sutras and The Tree of Yoga.

Mr. Iyengar has also transformed his ancestral village of Bellur, in southern India, with a visionary series of projects including a hospital, a water treatment plant, educational opportunities including those for the girls of the village, and India’s first temple dedicated to Patanjali."

Credit

More Info..

1. Official Site
2. Obituary
3. @ Wikipedia

Who is Rainbeau Mars?

"Rainbeau Harmony Mars (born June 18, 1976) is a health guru, artist and author, who has motivated millions through multi media platforms, such as DVDs, FIlm, Internet and published works. Rainbeau is the CEO of Rainbeau Mars Lifestyles, an omni media company."

See more about Rainbeau Mars @ Wikipedia

More Info...

1. Official site

Yoga Power

Yoga Power

The Secret of the Yamas: A Spiritual Guide to Yoga

"A spiritual guide to the practice of yoga. It provides a relationship between the physical postures (Asanas)and the whole of yoga as outlined by Patanjali, the founder of yoga, over 2000 years agao. It explains the conditions of behavior necessary to fully integrate yoga practice with our minds and with our hearts....

John McAfee is the founder of the Relational Yoga Mandiram. He is the organizer of the annual Sidha Silence retreats in the Rocky Mountains and he has taught self-discovery techniques for more than 15 years. "

More Info..

1. Buy
2. PDF:N/A

Yoga Inc.

Note: Yoga, as a whole, is not about business, but about inner peace. However, like  numerous other things, there are some bad seeds.

"World Yoga Champion Esak Garcia and his guru Bikram Choudhury want yoga accepted into the Olympics. Bikram, the 'Bad Boy of Yoga', has also copyrighted his yoga style, demanding teachers play by his rules or stop teaching. Now yoga chains ('McYoga'?) are popping up everywhere, putting smaller studios out of business. Can yoga survive with its good karma intact?"

More Info...

1. IMDB
2. Watch
3. Buy
4. Yoga Inc @ Bad Dog Tales

Who is Maya Fiennes?

Biography

Macedonian born Maya has combined her talents as a successful classical pianist and performer with her upbeat personality to create a unique style of yoga and meditation for modern living, based on Kundalini Yoga, as taught by Yogi Bhajan who established 3HO Foundation in 1969. Maya's philosophy of good health and living with inner peace and confidence, has made her one of the most in-demand yoga instructors in London. Her classes are fun, uplifting and above all inspirational.

 
 Maya came to England in the early 1990's to complete her training as a classical pianist and was soon playing to audiences as diverse as The United Nations Assembly and members of the Royal Family at private recitals with her dazzling virtuosity. In 1995, she released her debut album 'Cross of Silence' to critical acclaim, described by Q- Magazine as 'The point where ambient, dance, world and classical music all meet, at the crossroads of quiet dignity and power'. In 2006 Maya's released another CD, Mayaspace, which is a fusion of Yoga mantras and music of chilling beauty. It features guest spots from friends and peers such as Deepak Chopra. In January this year MoodMantras was launched which is a remix of the more traditional Kundalini Mantras.

Watch Inhale with Steve Ross

"Inhale Yoga with Steve Ross was an Oxygen Network television show that was on air at 6am from Spring 2000 until Spring 2010. The show featured the yoga instructor Steve Ross who was named "guru of Los Angeles" by Vanity Fair. The show is no longer on the air. Inhale is lauded by fans for the groovy music, high energy pace, and wry jokes by Steve Ross. Critics note the lack of technical guidance and disruptive commercial breaks. Steve currently has his own studio called Maha Yoga in Los Angeles."

See more about Inale & Steve Ross @ Wikipedia

 More Info..

1. See 10 Episodes of Inhale @ Yoga Studio Decor (dot) com

ABCs of Yoga (dot) com

Great site with a large amount of information about the practice of Yoga. Includes information about  the basics of Yoga and mantras. Also includes information about equipment used for Yoga. You can also learn how to do Yoga poses from text and pictures on the site!

Check out ABCs of Yoga

Yoga Styles @ ABC-of-yoga

"Yoga is a 5000-year old practice which is done by a lot of people. It continues to evolve through the years to meet the needs of every individual. Nowadays, there are different forms of Yoga. Though most styles have common roots, each has its own unique features. In this section, get familiar with the different Styles of Yoga:
Yoga Styles - The Different Styles of Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga focuses on the physical well-being of a person and believes that the body is the vehicle of the spirit. Know the different Styles of Hatha Yoga.

Anusara Yoga
Everyone who practices Anusara Yoga acknowledges that "flowing with grace" is essential in achieving physical and spiritual well-being. Know more about this Yoga Style in this section.

Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga is the most popular branch of Yoga and from which a lot of the Styles of Yoga originated including Power Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga and Kundalini Yoga.

Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini Yoga focuses on the centers on awakening the Kundalini, the energy (serpent power or Bhujangini) which is found at the base of our spine or the Muladhara Chakra.

Bikram Yoga
The Bikram's Yoga class for beginners involves 26 Postures and two Breathing exercises in a hot room. This is to systematically move fresh, oxygenated blood to the whole body, to each organ and fiber, restoring all systems to healthy working order.
 
Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga is for those who are interested in serious workout. It includes challenging sequence of poses with Ujjayi Breathing and vinyasas.

Kripalu Yoga
Kripalu Yoga is known as the Yoga of consciousness. It does not only give significance to ancient yogic teachings but it also puts emphasis on individual inner wisdom.

Power Yoga
Power Yoga is the Western version of the Indian Ashtanga Yoga. It is a vigorous, physically challenging, and mentally-demanding exercise that can help you connect to your inner power.

Bharata Yoga
Bharata Yoga stands for precision in alignment. In this Yoga Style, the founder developed a technique called Critical Alignment in which the mobility of the spine is the most significant feature.

Nude Yoga
Nude Yoga is the practice of Yoga without wearing any form of clothing. It enables you to feel free and to do the poses and exercises without restrictions brought about by Yoga clothes.

Viniyoga
This variation makes a Yoga practitioner feel peaceful and relaxed. Hence, Viniyoga has gained a reputation for being a therapeutic style of Yoga.

Cy-Yo
Cy-Yo is a one-hour holistic cardio workout that helps bring all the aspects of our being into focus to achieve optimal physical and spiritual results. Learn more about Cy-Yo in this section.

Kundalini Yoga for Strengthening the Magnetic Field

Maya Fines - Detox and Destress: Short Kundalini Yoga Video

Sacred Activism

"I am deeply moved by the living fire of Sacred Activism with the key voice, teacher and light in this emerging consciousness, Andrew Harvey. He has founded the Institute for Sacred Activism to implement a vision for "a new world founded in universal compassion and sacred passion for all life".My experience of sacred activism began when I was 17 and spent a year and a half doing volunteer work in Kenya before I went to college. That experience has transformed my life as well as the incredible teachers that I have met on the path and beautiful people who are serving life in small and extraordinary ways. I bow to your heart. I bow to the transformation of suffering and the re-birth of a green culture for the future.

My personal sacred activism projects have been quietly gaining momentum. Through God's grace and the power of community much can be accomplished with joy, steady focus and the spirit of service. We have planted over 350,000 trees through Trees for the Future and the Global Mala Project now happens in over 50 countries with over 800 events around the world for the Fall Equinox weekend, UN International Peace Day. Let us all become Energy Activists and commit to move towards non-toxic fuel sources our bodies and the earth, consciousness and the earth. Thank you for your unwavering spirit.
–Shiva...

"Global Mala

In 2007, the Global Mala Project was started as a way to bring people around the world together to work with the collective heart field by synchronizing breath, intention, and global awareness in yoga practice connected to 108 (from surya namaskar, to mantra japa), to raise consciousness and funds for good causes. It has since traveled around the world through more than fifty countries and continues every year on the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, which takes place around the fall equinox, and at any time ritual activation is needed.

Offering a collective yoga mala practice is a powerful experience of heart entrainment as people move together for eighteen to 108 rounds of collective movement around the breath pulse we all share. Empower yourself in your own practice first, on ritual holidays, before leading a group.

Krama One—create a sacred space for your practice

If possible, bring everyone into a mandala circle to practice around a community altar. The circle empowers the community and is symbolic of a mala, but not all spaces lend themselves to a circle—if yours does not, don’t let this deter you......"

See more...

Check it out!

Shiva Rea

"Shiva Rea, M.A. is a yogini firekeeper, sacred activist, global adventurer and leading innovator in the evolution of prana flow yoga, transformational vinyasa flow integrating the tantric bhakti roots of yoga, Krishnamacharya's teachings and a universal, quantum approach to the body. Shiva is known for bringing the roots of yoga alive for modern practitioners in creative, dynamic and life-transforming ways and for offering the synthesis form of prana flow out in the world. Shiva is the creator of Prana Flow Yoga, Yogadventure Retreats, Yoga Trance Dance for Life, Moving Activism for 1,008,000 Trees, the worldwide Global Mala Project, Yogini Conferences and E2: The Evolutionary Edge Tour. She writes for Yoga Journal, Yoga Plus Joyful Living, is the author of award-winning CD's and DVD's, and contributor to many publications and features."

Check her out!

Namaste Yoga

"Namaste Yoga offers a complete yoga practice for people who want to become fitter, live healthier, and be happier. With Namaste Yoga, you can experience what yoga at home should feel like: stunning visuals, soothing music, and entirely original movement sequences that will calm the mind, strengthen the body, and inspire the soul. "

More info...

1. Official Site

Ursi's Eso Garden Your Competent Esoteric Guide

*Click pic to go to site








Blog with many topics about Esoteric subjects. Great resource. From yoga to urban legends and wiccan spells. Has everything you would like to learn about in the Esoteric field.

Check it out!