For Chris Panico, yoga and drawing cartoons are a clear passion. As a regular contributor for the online Ashtanga News, he has gained a following that enjoys his humorous reflections of an everyday Ashtanga yogini. Chris says, “To me, Yoga is happiness, and nothing beats drawing a cartoon of someone and making them laugh.” (more…)

As we rush to attempt to make our baby’s first Christmas and New Year one to remember, we need to realize this is more for ourselves as the parents than it is for our baby. As far as our precious little one is concerned, it is just another day and moment in time. (more…)

Sometimes it takes courage to laugh, to set aside our judgements, and doubts and to just allow ourselves to experience the humor in our lives.

According to Dr. Madan Kataria in Bombay, he has been able to merge the benefits of yoga and laughter into one practice. In an article by Alex Perry, Dr. Kataria was observed in central Bombay at sports area with a group of yoga students expelling rounds of laughter and yoga stretches. Although it may sound intrusive to the average yoga practioner, this movement, according to the article, has now become popular throughout the world in 700 locations with an overwhelming number of them (1,800) located in India. (more…)

I suppose since the pose is named “downward facing dog” that our loyal canines are allowed to enjoy some of the same benefits as their human companions.

Dogs are taking to the mat, while their humans are practicing a slightly modified yoga practice. From Los Angeles to New York, and into the UK, doggie yoga classes are becoming a popular exercise alternative for both yoga students and their dogs. (more…)

Since I had to return home before completing a full 10 days of Anusara thought I’d just complete my comments with some follow-up notes — about one of my favorite puzzles in yoga practice- the male authority body (as renown teacher “expert”) instructing female student bodies. (more…)

I’ve signed up for that ultimate marketing savvy yoga class offer -Bikram’s 10 classes for $10 for 10 days. In case you haven’t heard what Bikram yoga classes are about; room temperature is kept at 105 degrees and it’s all about the sweating. (more…)

It takes me a while to get the hang of it — being on vacation — but slowly I let go of my daily routine and “let the good times roll” (yes, I am in New Orleans!). (more…)

A yoga practitioner living in India responded to my entry on The Cost of Doing Yoga with this price comparison:
“You could come to India. An unlimited-use monthly pass to a yoga center within a 15-minute walk from my house [in Chennai], with 2-3 open sessions each day to choose from, costs 500 rupees - about $11.00. “ (more…)

I’m an April baby. Coming to life with the first blasts of green windy spring days. Anyone who knows me would probably describe me as truly possessing the energy of this season: quick-sprouting, excited by the wind, forever hopeful of what’s being created! (more…)

During my travels in India I learned an important life lesson while riding buses and trains:

there’s always room for one more!

I’ve often repeated this idea while teaching near-capacity classes because it applies to the attitude and state of mind a yoga student cultivates that eventually becomes more important than learning which foot to place where in asana. Truth be told, conditions are rarely just right, usually you don’t have the time, money and space and other people seem to always get in your way, right?! (more…)