...Many people have exclaimed how yoga has changed their outlook on life. The quotes by Madonna alone could fill a book! But within the many types of yoga, Bikram yoga stands out as being a particularly "hot," body-bending experience!

Bikram yoga was founded by Bikram Choudhury and is commonly also known as "hot yoga." It's easy to understand why - it's supposed to be practiced in a 105 degree room with 50 percent humidity! In actual practice, many classes lower this a few degrees and most don't have the humidity controls to assure the proper level. However, even with these variations, the intent of Bikram yoga can be achieved. The dual purposes are an increase in bodily strength and flexibility, and a move towards closer union of the physical and spiritual selves.

Bikram yoga is made up of 26 asanas, or postures, and 2 breathing exercises. The word "asana" translates to "seat" in English, and refers to the relationship between an individual's spirit and God. Do not begin your Bikram practice with a full stomach, but...more

Benefits of Yoga

...hese numerous physical benefits, yoga brings harmony to the mind and, which results in quantum benefits.

People have experienced mind over matter again and again. This has enabled people to achieve extraordinary physical feats. This indicates the extraordinary power behind the connection between the mind and body.

Yoga is a form of meditation. Just as meditation does, yoga brings unity to mind, body and spirit which can lead to an experience of eternal bliss.

The meditative practices through yoga help in achieving an emotional balance through detachment.

The overall results of these yoga benefits are a sense of remarkable calmness as well as a positive outlook on life, which also has tremendous benefits on the physical health of the body.

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Can Yoga Help Cure Insomnia?

...very effective for helping people affected by insomnia. One of these, called Happy Baby, can be done in bed; it will relieve tension from the lower back and hips as you hug your knees or feet while lying on your back.

Another very useful position is the Corpse Pose, where the person lies flat on their back gently breathing - this is one of the final poses during a Yoga class to instil relaxation. Yet another is the Supported Forward Bend, where one inhales, exhales and then bends from the hip without arching the back, moving one's head from side to side, slowly raising one's knees to one's chest to support muscle release and give a calm feeling through the body.

For experienced yoga participants - or adventurous first timers - posing in the Shoulderst...more

The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Yoga business

...The dark exists everywhere and so does the light. The dark side of human personality is in all of us. Unfortunately, Yoga teachers, priests, politicians, and police are human too.

With that said, there are many caring Yoga teachers who their spend time working with seniors, fibromyalgia groups, alzheimer patients, and many more people in need. They don't get front page billing on Yoga magazines or Time Magazine, for their efforts, but they do get gratification.

Very often, I advise Yoga teachers and Yoga studios in regard to disputes, between a Yoga teacher and the Yoga studio ownership. Each side will call the other self serving and greedy. Some Yoga teachers become a perceived threat for a variety of reasons, and find themselves out of a job.

The most common reasons for dismissal are: Money is tight, the Yoga teacher was networking to steal students, or an ethics violation. An e...more

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