A good friend’s 50th birthday is coming up soon and some of us have decided to throw her a surprise birthday party. She’s a wonderful person who’s full of energy and enthusiasm – and she never hesitates to lend a helping hand when someone needs it. (more…)

A few years ago, I started organizing a casual pick-up game of soccer every week. No skill necessary – just a bunch of friends kicking a ball around. However, despite an initial deficiency of players, the tradition caught on. It has gotten to the point this year where we can expect a turnout of at least six or seven a side. On really good days we double that. And recently, there’s been a push for a second game per week. (more…)

My mother, who’s 91, goes to the senior centre twice a week for her exercise class. She often stays on for lunch with “the girls” after class, but the other day she asked me to pick her up from the centre and drive her home.

I arrived about half an hour early, so I waited outside the room for a while. But then my curiosity got the better of me because I could hear lots of chatting and gales of laughter coming from the room. I couldn’t resist it – I opened the door a little and peeked inside to see what was going on. (more…)

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.

Now I’m not a big fan (no pun intended!) of a lot of hot air (pun intended!). I can barely withstand a couple of minutes in a sauna cause it doesn’t really relax me when I feel like I can’t breathe! (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!).

My yoga “routine” too.

Yes, that’s what I said. I’m not doing yoga this week because, well, I’m here to sit along the River and dance till my feet hurt and sample beignets and spicy collard greens. (more…)