Yesterday I realized: handstands are hard because you can’t see yourself at all. You stare at the floor between your hands, and even if you wanted to turn and look at your alignment, you couldn’t. Even with a mirror, you can get only cursory information. You need a teacher to tell you what you’re actually [...]

“The Institute in a recent study found that yoga is equivalent to conventional medicines when it comes to treating the alcoholics, mentally depressed and schizophrenic patients.” /via @unitedyogis http://dailypioneer.com/nation/12076-docs-rope-in-on-yoga-experts-to-treat-neurological-disorders.html

I’m very excited to hear that Alison West, senior Iyengar teacher and co-founder of Yoga for NY, is expanding her NYC presence. Yoga Union Center for Backcare & Scoliosis will remain open on 28th Street, and the new Yoga Union will open across the street. Offering both the largest number of rope wall stations in [...]

There’s a growing (ha) need for prenatal teachers — if you’ve been thinking about getting the certification, there’s a deal this weekend. YogaWorks (Union Square) is offering a prenatal training for “yoga teachers, doulas, labor and delivery nurses, childbirth educators, midwives, and pregnant women interested in deepening their practice.” Taught by Lamaze certified Childbirth Educator / [...]

Last weekend, 2,000 yoga teachers and students gathered for five days at the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. I was lucky enough to attend the gathering: the Yoga Journal Conference 2011. It was a last-minute opportunity. I’d never been to a huge, multi-teacher yoga event before, and the whole idea of a “yoga conference” seemed [...]

Learned a lot at the Yoga Journal Conference today. (You can still drop in on classes tomorrow!) The hardest thing was choosing a schedule — there were 12 amazing teachers for each block! I went for mostly West Coast people that are here less often, and other teachers who were new to me. Here are [...]

Did you sign up for the Yoga Journal conference this weekend? There are a few days left to register. Classes happen all day on Saturday and Sunday, as well as single day intensives on Friday and Monday. Study with senior teachers like Cyndi Lee, Seane Corn, Judith Lasater, Alan Finger, Leslie Kaminoff, Rod Stryker, Ana [...]

Learned another great tip from Harshada at Abhaya last night: If your legs start to fall asleep during meditation, switch to Baddha Konasana (Butterfly / Cobbler Pose) for a minute. Press the soles of the feet together. That should return some blood flow to the legs and wake them up. Last night’s meditation built on [...]

Just got a note about a free week of yoga — now through Saturday. Visit http://tarabyoga.com for class times and more information.  Free Yoga with Tara B. April 17th — 23rd, 2011 at New York Jiu Jitsu 666 Broadway, Lower Level

For you chant-lovers out there: Om Factory has a special guest this Saturday. At the age of six, Gaura Vani left the US to study sacred music in a gurukula or temple school in the timeless town of Vrindavan, India. He learned ancient prayers in Sanskrit and Bengali and to sing and play ethnic instruments like [...]