Aimee Hughes
Aimee is an advanced yogi (21 years) and mindfulness enthusiast. After earning her B.A. in French from Tulane University and then Doctor of Naturopathy (ND) credentials from Clayton College, she has gone on to pen more than 500 holistic health and spirituality articles for a number of worldwide publications, including Gaia TV, DOYOUYOGA, "The South African Journal of Natural Medicine," "OnFitness" magazine, "Longevity Times," Yogapedia.com and more. Aimee has also authored a self-published vegan cookbook titled, "The Sexy Vegan Kitchen: Culinary Adventures in Love & Sex." You can find her at her new site: https://natura.yoga
Articles by Aimee Hughes
Top 10 Mudras for Your Yoga Practice
Mudras are yogic gestures of the hands that help channel energy for various physical and spiritual benefits. Here's a list of 10 of the...
5 Beautiful Mantras to Add to Your Practice
Mantras are a powerful part of your yoga practice, but with so many to choose from it's hard to pick. Here are five beautiful mantras...
Using Your Drishti to Improve Focus
Drishti is a single-pointed gaze used in yoga asana practice to increase concentration and awareness. Learn how cultivating this gaze can...
Why Try a 30-Day Yoga Challenge
If you have been contemplating a 30 Day Yoga Challenge, do it! Now is the perfect time to start and here's what you need to know
A Simple Act of Loving-Kindness: Practicing Metta-Bhavana
Practicing Metta-Bhavana means focusing on yourself and others with a dedication to loving-kindness. Here are the simple steps to get you...
How to Get Into Yoga for the Non-Traditional Yogi
Want to get into yoga, but are turned off by traditional yoga styles? Here are 5 tips to help you find the right kind of yoga for you!
Top 3 Mudras for Better Digestion
Facing some digestion problems? Here are the best mudras to help balance and better your digestive health.
10 Goddesses Meditation: Sitting with Divine Wisdom
10 Goddesses Meditation will help you focus on the wisdom each face of the Mother represents. Here's a look at each of the goddess in this...
4 Yoga Poses for a Strong Back
Experiencing back pain? Here are four of the best yoga asanas to help strengthen your back!
5 Sacred Mantras to Jump-Start Your Japa Meditation Practice
Here are powerful 5 mantras for you to try to help start you japa meditation practice.
Balancing Visuddha: How to Realign Your Throat Chakra
Your throat chakra is responsible for your ability to speak and communicate freely. Here's a look at how to develop and balance your throat...
5 Benefits of Chanting OM
Have you ever wondered what Om means or why its often chanted in a yoga class? Learn more about this mantra and what it can do for you.
Understanding Kriyas and Kundalini
Kriyas are most often associated with kundalini energy and offering a multitude of health benefits, but should be approached with care and...
What Is a Crystal Sound Bath?
You may have experienced a sound bath with gongs or Buddhist singing bowls, but a crystal sound bath is different. It’s a sound bath that...
Balancing Muladhara: How to Realign Your Root Chakra
Your Muladhara chakra is often viewed as the most important of all the chakras, because the foundation must be healthy and balanced if the...
Celebrate Earth Day by Doing Nature Yoga
Using nature and all our senses as a means of tapping into the beauty of our innate connection with one another and the planet, Bill’s...
The Power of Pratyahara
Every time we go inward via pratyahara, we become friendlier with our mind. Befriending our own minds is a powerful way to truly see our...
How to Create a Personal Puja in Your Home
Creating a personal puja is a deeply spiritual practice and an integral part of your daily ritual. Learn how to make one that is unique to...
A Heart-Opening Visualization Meditation
For Valentine's Day, why not try a heart-opening visualization meditation to get really present with the intelligence and awareness of your...
How to Do Tonglen Meditation
In Tonglen meditation, we take in the pain of others on an in breath, and send out healing vibes and thoughts on our out breath. Here's how...
Shiva and Shakti: The Divine Energies Within Us All
The union of the divine masculine and feminine energies is Shiva and Shakti in consort. Learn about the qualities of each energy and the...
Shreem Brzee: The Made-Up Mantra That Garnered a Huge Following
Shreem Brzee claims to bring the evoker wealth and prosperity. But where did this mantra originate? Is it all just a marketing ploy? Find...
A Back-Bending Sequence to Stave off the Winter Blues
Yoga postures—specifically those that bend us backwards—have the power to uplift even the grumpiest Grinches among us. Here's a potent...
New Year, New You: How to Start Your Meditation Practice for Good
Let’s finally commit to a meditation practice. This is the year to do it. Here are some trusty tips to show you how.
The Meaning of Atman Is Brahman
Discover where the saying came from, the ins and outs of its true meaning, and what it means for us as yogis on the path.
4 Twists to Drain Away Your Stress and Tension
Not only are twisting poses detoxifying in nature, they’re all de-stressifying! So, let’s take to our yoga mats and twist out some stress...
How to Inspire a Kapha
It’s really easy for a kapha dosha to lose motivation and inspiration, which begs the question, how do you inspire a kapha? Here are some...
5 Ways to Awaken Your Divine Feminine Shakti Energy
Shakti is the feminine counterpart to your masculine (Shiva) energy. Learn five ways you can awaken this goddess energy within.
Building Stamina With Yoga
With so many different styles of yoga to choose from nowadays, it’s fairly easy to find a class that’s actually geared towards building...
The 3 Best Ayurveda Schools in America
Thinking about going back to school for Ayurveda? Get to know the top three Ayurveda schools in America and which one is right for you.
Samsara: The Wheel Of Life
Samsara is the evolving wheel of life we are all destined to keep repeating, unless we reach liberation. Here's how yoga can help us escape...
How to Make Ghee and Some of Its Delicious Uses
Interested in learning how to make ghee? It's easier than you think! Here's how to make your own delicious ghee at home (and how to use...
7 Yoga Poses for Balancing the Pitta
When your pitta dosha is burning a little too brightly, these seven yoga poses will help you cool it down and bring your doshas back into...
6 Yoga Poses for Balancing the Kapha
When kapha dosha is out of balance, you’ll probably feel sluggish and low in energy. These yoga poses and practices will help balance your...
How Reiki Can Help Heal Your Energy
Reiki is a form of Japanese energy healing that is becoming more and more popular in the yoga community. Here's a look at what reiki is and...
8 Yoga Asanas for Neck Pain
We all spend far too much time with hunched backs and crunched necks. Here are 8 yoga poses to help you bust that neck pain!
Yogas Chitta Vritti Nirodha: Patanjali's Definition of Yoga, Explained
Patanjali defines yoga as 'yogas chitta vritti nirodha,' but what does that really mean? Here's a break down of Patanjali's famous...
The Meaning of Om Mani Padme Hum
The reason for this Buddhist mantra's popularity lies in the profound blessings it brings to the believer. Learn more about the power...
Which Mudra Is For You
Yoga classes tend not to put much focus on mudras, but these powerful hand gestures can help your mind, body and soul. Here's how to find...
5 Ways You Can Naturally Relax With Just Your Breath
Happy National Relaxation Day! Here are 5 ways breathing techniques can help you take the edge off naturally.
10 Steps of Yoga Nidra
Yoga nidra isn't as mainstream as other types of yoga, but it's a great style of yoga to help bring you peace. Here are the 10 steps of...
Top 10 Reasons to Meditate (And 10 Online Classes to Help You Get Started)
The list of reasons why meditation is great for you is long and lengthy. Here are the top 10 reasons why you should start a meditation...
13 Most Commonly Used Essential Oils and How to Use Them
Essential oils are a great addition to help find balance and wellness in your everyday life, and to help bring new life to your sadhana!...
Top Tips to Creating a Great Yoga Sequence
Creating a yoga sequence can be challenging, but it's also a great way to express your creativity! Learn how to safely and easily create a...
5 Yoga Poses to Release Tight Hips
The hips are said to be a central storage place for emotional baggage. Here are 5 yoga poses to help release both your hips and your...
8 Awesome Yoga Retreats That Won't Break the Bank
Yoga retreats are a great way to relax, rewind and give your body and mind a much needed break. Here are 8 yoga retreats that will leave...
A Super Bundle of Yoga Resources You Shouldn't Miss
This limited time bundle of yoga resources is the perfect addition to any yogi's toolbox! Here's a look at this amazing super stack!
The Power of Mudras
Mudras are incredible tools to help influence your mind, body, and spirit. Here's why mudras are so powerful and why you should incorporate...
How Yoga Spread to Europe, America, and Around the World
Happy International Day of Yoga! To celebrate, let's take a close look at how this wonderful practice we all love and appreciate came into...
10 Ways to Celebrate International Yoga Day
International Yoga Day is celebrated on the 21st of June every year. Here are 10 fun ways you can show your love for your practice on this...
The Second Step of Yoga: Niyama
Niyamas are limbs on the branches that make up the graceful and mysterious thing we call yoga. Here's an introduction to the 5 niyamas and...
Fill Your Mind, Body and Soul: A Morning Ritual to Start Your Days
A morning ritual is one of the most precious ways to fill yourself up, physically, mentally and spiritually. Try this morning ritual to...
National Meditation Day: The Fringe Benefits of Meditation
We all know meditation is good for you, but there are many more benefits that people don't know about! In honour of National Meditation Day...
Connect With Yourself: 5 Mudras for the Heart
Mudras can help bring you relief during times of struggle. Try these five mudras to reconnect with your heart, and to help get you through...
How to Prep For Inversions
Inversions are great for the physical and mental body, but getting into them requires a proper training and warm up so you don't hurt...
Dancing Incorrectly: 4 Common Mistakes of Dancer's Pose (Natarajasana) and How to Fix Them
Dancer's Pose (natarajasana) is many people's favourite yoga pose, but it's also one that can easily be done incorrectly. Here are four...
Best Sites for Online Yoga Classes to Deepen Your Practice
Looking to get into online yoga classes? Here's a list of some of the best subscriptions and classes available to you in the comfort of...
Top 5 Benefits of Halasana: Why Plow Pose is so Good for You
The full list of benefits of plow pose (halasana) is long and lengthy. Here are the top 5 reasons why this yoga pose is so good for you and...
Get Grounded This Earth Day and Try 'Earthing'
Learn how 'earthing,' or grounding, helps us feel energized and can restore our sleep pattern to a natural circadian rhythm.
The Best Yoga Mats You Can Find on Amazon
In need of a need of a new yoga mat? Here's a comparison of some of the best options available on Amazon!
How to Get Into Yoga
Yoga can be an intimidating activity to get into, but you shouldn't let that stop you. Here are some ways you can get into yoga, regardless...
Who is Patanjali: An Introduction to the Father of Yoga
If you've studied or practiced yoga, chances are you've heard of Patanjali, but who was he and why is he so important? Here's an...
7 Inspirational Women of Yoga
In honour of Women's History Month, here are seven inspiring yoginis that can teach you a lot about what it means to be a yogi in this day...
Balancing Your Manipura: How to Realign Your Solar Plexus Chakra
Manipura, or solar plexus chakra, is the seat of your personal power. When it's unbalanced we can feel self-doubt or a lack of confidence....
Applying the Wisdom of Ayurveda and Jyotish Astrology Off Your Mat
The sister sciences of yoga, Ayurveda and Jyotish Astrology, are often over looked. Here's how these practices can help transform your...
6 Parts of the Yoga Lifestyle You Might be Overlooking
Yoga is more than just breathing, sun salutations and savasana. Here are six parts of the yoga lifestyle you might be overlooking.
Applying the Wisdom of the Vedas Off Your Mat
There's more to the Vedas than just yoga. These ancient Hindu texts can teach you how to live a fuller, more connected life. Here's how to...
An Introduction to Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini Yoga is not as well known as other yoga types, but its growing popularity and powerful kriyas may soon change that. Here's what...
Hasya Yoga: Laughing Your Way to a Happier, Healthier You
They say laughter is the best medicine. Hasya Yoga, or Laughter Yoga, is a yoga style that takes this to heart. Designed to make you laugh...
5 Detoxifying and Restorative Poses to Help You Bounce Back This Holiday Season
The holidays are upon us! Which means sweet foods, sweet drinks, and, potentially, a disrupted system. Here are 5 detoxifying and...
4 Essential Asanas to Increase Flexibility
Flexibility is a key part of life. These 4 essential yoga asanas will help you to stretch and relax the most important parts of your body,...
It's Okay to Fall: Top 3 Balancing Poses to Teach You How to Pick Yourself Back Up
Balancing poses help us build discipline and focus to help keep us steady in even the wobbliest of times. Here are our top 3 balancing...
Happy Diwali! This Festival of Lights Will Illuminate Your Fall.
Diwali is a popular Hindu festival celebrated in the fall. Learn more about this colorful festival of lights and how you can join in on the...
Sun Salutation A Versus Sun Salutation B: The Difference You Should Know
Sun Salutation A and B, also known as Surya Namaskara A and B, are important series in almost every yoga practice, but they're also very...
Full Moon Yoga Flow to Get Into the Halloween Spirit
Come together in community to celebrate the Halloween season with this fun and fluid full moon yoga flow and meditation.
5 Essential Asanas to Kickstart Your Mornings
Wake up and get energized for your day with these five essential yoga asanas.
Happy Navratri! Celebrate Hinduism's Warrior Goddess Durga
Durga is the Hindu goddess warrior helping to protect us from the forces of evil. Learn how to call upon this deva deity when you're in...
5 Simple Rules to Meditation
Getting into the habit of practicing meditation can be a challenge. Use these five simple rules to jump-start your practice and transform...
The Main Message of the Gurus
Find out what the long lineage of yoga gurus have been trying to tell us all along (hint: it's not the same, or at least it doesn't stay...
The Roots of Suffering: Sprouted From the Mind, Healed by the Heart
Learn how our minds create suffering, and what you can do to attain inner peace and free your mind.
Heart Intelligence: How to Live From Your 'Real' Brain
Learning to listen to the intelligence of your heart can open you up to a powerful shift in consciousness. Find out how to access your...
Meditation 101: The 4 Lessons You'll Learn When You Start Meditating
Incorporating a daily meditation into your yoga asana and spiritual practice will have a profound impact on your life. Learn the benefits...
4 True Purposes for Why We Practice Yoga Asana
Asanas make up the physical aspect of yoga. They are what we commonly think of when we say we are going to a yoga class. But what is the...
Yoga Is a Discipline (and Why Discipline Is a Gift)
There’s an innate essence in yoga that somehow drives yogis to embrace it as a self-discipline, day after day. Here's how this discipline...
12 Popular Yoga Styles to Inspire Your Asana Practice
There are many styles of yoga available to the modern-day yogi. Which one is right for you? Learn about 12 of the most popular yoga styles,...
A Guided Meditation on the Universal Self
Try this guided meditation on connecting with your true Self and you'll find connection with a power far greater than you could have ever...
Swap Sunbathing for Moonbathing This Summer to Cool Your Fiery Pitta Dosha
Moonbathing is the simple act of bathing outside, under the cosmic beauty of soft moonlight. Learn how it can also help cool down your...
Where to Get Nourishment in the Summertime
To help make the most out of your summer, here are four of the best places to look for soul nourishment — the kind that’s sustainable, fun...
8 In-the-Moment Techniques to Cultivate Your Mindfulness Practice
Being more mindful doesn't have to be an appointment in our calendar. Here are 8 ways to practice it at any and every moment.
Guided Meditation for Finding Your Life's Purpose
Often we think of desire as a negative. Learn how to turn your desires into a positive tool for transformation and discover your life's...
Dissolve the Ego With This Guided Meditation to Reveal the True You
Our ego is only our external identity. Who we truly are is much, much more. Learn how to dissolve your ego through a guided meditation...
Deepen Your Connection to the Five Natural Elements With These Yoga Poses and Techniques
Learn how you can better understand yourself and the natural world around you through yoga.
The Wisdom of Non-Attachment and 3 Ways to Practice This Freeing Yogic Principle
Non-attachment (or aparigraha) is not detachment. Learn more about this Buddhist and yogic principle, and how to practice it.
Ayurveda's Top 5 Medicinal Plants for Restoring Balance to the Body
Discover Ayurveda's top five most powerful medicinal plants to heal and restore your body.
Choosing the Best Translation of the Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita is a must-read for all yogis, but with so many translations out there, which version should you read? Here are five best...
Who Am I? Philosophy Behind This Big Question and How to Answer It
Learn how asking the question, 'Who am I?,' is a profound spiritual practice that can lead to a greater vastness of consciousness.
Accompany the Divine Play of Nature and Connect With Nurturing Mother Earth
Tuning into nature’s dynamic play is one of the most fascinating aspects of our journey to Spirit. Here's how to enhance your connection to...
Save Your Sadhana From the 'Too Busy' With This Succinct Sequence
Thinking of skipping your sadhana? Think again and try these five simple poses to move you through a complete, quick and peaceful practice...
Sage Smudging: How to Cleanse With This Healing Herb and Sanctify Your Spiritual Practice
The ritual of burning sage is a powerful way to purify and clear negative energy from your environment. Learn the science behind this...
The Vedas: Get to Know Hinduism's Oldest Texts and Deepen Your Yoga Journey
Explore just what the Vedas are and what they can teach us as students of yoga.
5 Poses in 5 Minutes for a Complete Yoga Practice on Days You Have 'No Time'
For days when you think you have no time for a complete yoga practice, here's a go-to sequence when time is short and all you have is just...
3 Yoga Retreats to Refresh Your Soul and Renew Your Sense of Adventure
Have you been thinking of treating yourself to a retreat for years and years? If the time has finally come, you'll definitely want to check...
3 Ways to Stop Anxiety With Yoga
Whether it's work, the nature of modern-day life or just the stress of feeling constantly under pressure, anxiety can take a toll. The...
Kindle Your Kundalini With This Divinely Energizing Style of Yoga
Kundalini yoga is a style unlike any other, with some elements similar to Hatha yoga and other elements totally different. Learn more about...
7 Steps to Take Your Meditation Practice to the Next Level
Ready to explore your meditation practice more deeply and connect with higher levels of consciousness? Here are seven simple tips to get...
'Ramayana': The Indian Love Story of Rama and Sita
The 'Ramayana' is an ancient Indian poem about two soul mates who inspire love — in all its forms — to this day. Here are a few life...
Integrating Feelings of the Heart
Our Western world places most of our trust in our thoughts - to lead from our head, rather than our hearts. However, our heart intelligence...
The Ancient Origins of Ashtanga Yoga and Why It's Still Popular Today
Learn the history of Ashtanga yoga, its key teachers, what to expect from this type of yoga class and if it's right for you.
Self-Love Practices to Teach Yourself How to Love You
Let go of all the non-loving experiences of your past and rewire your subconscious in order to start loving yourself as you were always...
Happy New You: 5 Ways to Clear Your Negative Karma
A new year offers us a sort of clean slate from which we can work to clear our negative karma. Here are five ways you can do it.
Seek and Ye Shall Find: The Genuine Seeker's Experience on the Spiritual Path
Have you ever caught yourself thinking about life's deeper meaning? Or asking yourself, 'Why am I here? What's my purpose? Does God exist?'...
Ahimsa: The Number One Yama of the First Limb of Yoga
Considered the most important virtue in The Yoga Sutras, ahimsa challenges us to be kind in our thoughts, words and actions. And not just...
Give Thanks, Get Gratitude: 3 Reasons We're Thankful for This Mindfulness Practice
Gratitude is the state of being grateful, and this state of being has the power to change your life. Learn three benefits of this...
Good Vibrations: How to Achieve Higher Consciousness With Positive Vibes (Plus a Guided Meditation)
Many spiritual traditions, including yoga, teach it’s the lure of duality that keeps us residing in lower states of consciousness. Learn...
Lights Out: 3 Benefits to Practicing Yoga in the Dark This Fall Season
You've heard of dining in the dark -- practicing yoga in the dark offers the same affect on the senses, but includes bonus self-improvement...
Good Luck Yoga for Days You Really Need It
If you’re superstitious about Friday the 13th or just want to usher in a bit of extra good luck this weekend, the following yoga techniques...
Is There More to This Life?
At a certain point in life, we start asking the really big questions, like 'Is there more to life than this? What's my purpose? and Why...
7 Modern Mantras for Positive Self-Talk
Negative self-talk driving you crazy or getting you down? Make up your mind to turn it around and practice these seven 'modern' mantras for...
Golden Milk: The Yogi's Pumpkin Spice Latte
It's pumpkin spice latte season once again, but this year you may want to trade in your PSL in for yoga & Ayurveda's Golden Milk instead.
Meditation Beginners: How to Find the Starting Point
You know you want to meditate, but sometimes it's difficult to know where to start. Here are six steps to getting your meditation practice...
Think Lotus Pose Is Simple? Here's Why You Need to Master It
The ideal meditation posture, lotus pose appears to be easier than it really is. Here's the how and why you need to master it, though.
Advice and Asanas for Improving Balance
Balance is integral to the practice of yoga. Here is some advice on how to improve your balance and five poses you should try to practice.
Yoga's Philosophy on Calming the Waves of the Mind (Vritti)
In Western society, the mind is thought to be full of intelligence and knowledge. However, all of this knowledge is actually only borrowed...
Live a Life With Integrity Using These Yogic Principles and Techniques
When we say someone has integrity, what does that really mean? Learn the answer to this question and how to live by it.
Plant Yourself in Tree Pose & Blossom With These 6 Benefits
Tree pose is one of the most simple yet profound poses in yoga. Explore the top six benefits of tree pose here to encourage its daily...
Exhaling Muscle Pain & Tension: 3 Benefits of Yogic Breathing (Plus a Sample Exercise)
For many people, muscle pain and/or tension is simply a part of life, but yogic breathing offers a natural solution. Learn three ways the...
How to Balance Your Chakras Instantly
There are seven main chakras in the body and the key to one's overall health is believed to rely on their balance. Learn how to do so...
10 Most Fascinating Women in Yoga
Get to know 10 of the most inspiring female yoga teachers in the yoga community today.
Performing Puja: A 'How-To' on Creating Your Own Spiritual Ritual
Puja is a devotional act, a prayer, or a spiritual ritual that seeks union with the Divine. Learn its history and elements in order to...
Breathe Easy With These 5 Yogic Breathing Exercises
For thousands of years, breathing techniques have been practiced by yogis to reach higher states of consciousness. Today, anyone can...
5 Best Yoga Poses for the Workaholic
Is your desk job literally cramping your style? Try out these five easy yoga poses and undo all the harmful effects of prolonged sitting.
Abundance-Boosting Mantra & Meditation of Goddess Lakshmi
The beautiful Hindu Goddess Lakshmi is one of the most important in the yogic pantheon. Learn how to invoke her presence to attract more...
4 Methods to Mastering Your 'Monkey Mind'
When our thoughts run amuck, we lead distracted lives of reaction. Learn how to master your mind and live from your divine consciousness...
Get Your Meditation Posture on Point in These 3 Poses
Stop slouching! Here's how to perform three popular seated postures for meditation as well as the benefits for sitting properly on and off...
3 Drishti Every Beginner Should Know
Learn how to use three yogic drishti, or visual focal points, to improve your focus and concentration during asana and meditation practice.
How to Prepare for Visiting an Ashram
So, you've made the decision to take your spiritual journey a step further and stay at an ashram. Now what? Here are some tips on how you...
Are You Insecure?
Feeling insecure is part of being human. Learn how to use various yogic tools and techniques to restore your self-confidence.
Gaining the '50,000-Foot View' Perspective
The 50,000-foot view refers to the seeing of things from a bird’s-eye perspective; from the most expansive view possible. From here, we can...
The Chakras and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
What do the seven chakras and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs have in common?
India's Top 3 Ashrams
Thinking of going to an ashram in India? Get the inside scoop on three of India's most popular ashrams and why you should visit them.
Know Your Atman (Self)
Self-study is vital to connecting with our higher Self. Learn how asana practice, meditation, and contemplative practices like journaling...
How to Stop Multitasking and Get More Done
Multitasking can be draining. At it's worst, it leaves us feeling like we're spinning our wheels without gaining traction. Learn how yoga...
7 Ways to Prevent Wrist Injury in Yoga
An ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure. Keeping your wrists, happy, healthy and strong is key to avoiding injury. Learn seven...
Celebrating India's Night of Shiva, Shubh Mahashivratri
Arguably one of Shaivism's most important dates, the Shubh Mahashivratri is celebrated once a year by thousands of Shiva devotees across...
Dissolving Resistance
Resisting what's happening in our lives is a sure way to increase our suffering. Learn how contemplation and meditation can help us...
8 Benefits of Daily Surya Namaskara
Why do yogis salute the sun every morning? Learn about these 8 health benefits associated with practicing surya namaskara on a daily basis,...
The 5 Yamas According to Patanjali
Patanjali laid out the five yamas to abide by: ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya and aparigraha. Learn the five yamas, or behavioral...
Hinduism's Most Popular Deities
Hinduism has a pantheon of gods and goddesses, but some stand out as most worshiped. Learn about the most popular Hindu deities, including...
Who Was B.K.S. Iyengar?
As the author of the world-famous 'Light on Yoga,' B.K.S. Iyengar's influence on modern yoga was, and still is, far-reaching. Learn how...
How to Eat for Your Dosha Type
According to ayurveda, we all tend toward one of three doshas, or 'constitutions': kapha, vata or pitta. Kaphas are sluggish, vatas are...
Tapas and the Discipline of Yoga
In yoga, tapas is a kind of inner discipline and heat we generate through our practice. Generating tapas purifies both out body and mind....
7 Inspiring Yogis You Need to Follow on Instagram Right Now
Take a look at 7 of the most inspiring Instagram yogis today. From Ashtanga to Acro yoga to Hip Hop yoga, these yogis rock their Instagram...
You Are What You Eat
According to Ayurveda, what we eat is as important as doing yoga. Learn about which foods support your yoga practice, when to schedule...
Advancing With Mantras
Mantras are powerful tools of transformation. Learn the meanings of the So'ham, Gayatri and Maha Mrityunjaya mantras. These are guaranteed...
Pratyahara: The Fifth Limb of Yoga
As a turtle draws itself into its shell, so too must we learn to draw our mind inward. Learn how the practice of pratyahara can revitalize...
Listening to Your Inner Voice
Your true guru lies within. It's that inner voice of wisdom and intuition. Learn how meditation helps us turn up the volume.
Secrets of the Ancient Yoga Scriptures
The ancient yogic scriptures reveal ways for us to break free from suffering. Find out how, including the greatest 'secret' of all.
Why It's So Hard to Achieve Inner Peace
Let's face it, finding and keeping inner peace isn't easy. That's because our thinking mind is what's driving us most of the time. Learn...
Gandhi and the Gita
Do you know what Mahatma Gandhi and the Bhagavad Gita have in common? Why did Gandhi refer to the Gita as his 'mother?' These questions...
A Journey Through The 8 Limbs of Yoga
The 8 limbs of Ashtanga yoga are a treasure trove of wisdom set forth by Patanjali in his famous Yoga Sutras. Learn the meaning of the each...
10-Minute Meditation
New to meditation? Try this simple mantra practice to get you started and enjoy the benefits of seeing the world in a different light.
Music and Mantra
This powerful duo, traditionally practiced in kirtan, can profoundly change your yoga practice. Find out how!
Morning Rituals for Yogis
How you wake up can set the feeling and tone for your entire day. Learn about some morning rituals used by yogis to get off on a positive...
Q&A by Aimee Hughes
What is the difference between jnana and karma yoga?
Chances are, you’ve heard the term karma, but maybe not Jnana. These essential branches of the tree that is yoga are often overlooked...
How do you engage your mula bandha?
The bandhas are shrouded in mystery. And for good reason! Like the chakras, you can’t see them with the naked eye.Mula bandha is one...
How is mantra meditation different from normal meditation?
Mantra meditation is one of the most effective styles of meditation out there. When I say effective, I mean, it works to focus, and...
How do I 'activate' my mala beads?
Mala beads are fantastic tools for mantra meditation and spiritual practice. When activated, they are believed to hold great spiritual...
Am I chanting OM correctly?
Ever get confused about how to chant OM? I know I have. So, I decided to do some research. I mean, I didn’t want to go about chanting...
How can I practice seva in my daily life?
Seva, or selfless service, is a wonderful aspect of yoga that we can practice off the mat. Seva is a Sanskrit term that means helping...
What's the difference between non-attachment and detachment?
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between the Buddhist concept of non-attachment and the act of simply being detached? They are...
Why should I skip inversions during my cycle?
If you’ve been doing yoga for a while, whether at a studio or by watching videos in the comfort of your home, you probably know by...
What's the difference between prana and chi?
Have you been hearing the word, prana, in yoga class? Maybe the word, chi, comes up almost as much. What’s the difference between the two,...
How do you overcome performance anxiety when you first start teaching yoga?
So, you’re considering yoga teacher training and a career change. You love yoga, but you also have a fear of public speaking. The...
What do I eat before meditation?
If you’re wondering what foods and drinks are best before meditation, you’re not alone. Varying ideas and opinions exist when...
What is a chakra?
A chakra is a vortex of energy within your body. It’s an energy center and each energy center within the body is believed to hold...
Is meditation good for everyone?
Meditation. It’s slowly becoming as popular as yoga nowadays. This contemplative practice, brought to the West by Buddhist and yogic...
How do we control our emotional impulses?
Emotions are funny things. Like thoughts, they come and go, but sometimes our emotions get the best of us. We react from an emotional place...
How can I be more self-aware?
This is a fascinating question, especially within the context of yoga, given that one of the primary aims of yoga is to know thyself. The...
What is the source of creativity?
Your creative source lies deep within you. It wells up from the still, soft voice---the one that rears its head in moments of quiet, like...
What time of day is Brahma muhurta?
Ever heard of Brahma muhurta? You might not have ever heard of this particular Sanskrit term, but you certainly know what it is. Brahma...
Is namaskar the same as namaste?
While these words sound quite different and look quite different from one another. They hold essentially the same meaning. In the West, we...
How do we control our breath?
Breath control is one of the most fascinating and even slightly offbeat aspects of the yoga tradition. We do it for longevity, because our...
What is Cosmic Vibration?
In yoga (and other spiritual traditions), it’s believed that there is one universal cosmic intelligent vibration. That vibration is...
What's it like to go to a yoga festival?
The yoga community loves to come together to share their practice. So much so that yoga festivals have become a huge part of the modern...
Should I be keeping a yoga journal?
Journals are excellent tools for contemplation. Typically used for jotting down one’s thoughts or keeping track of life events, these...
What is a kundalini awakening?
Kundalini is best described as a coiled rope of energy that rests at the bottom of your spine. It sits there, waiting to be released, which...
Why is japa mantra so effective?
If you’ve ever practiced japa meditation you probably know just how effective it is for calming your mind and dropping you into an almost...
What is turmeric?
Turmeric is a fantastic little spice used in Ayurvedic medicine to prevent and cure a treasure trove of ills. In the Indian pantry,...
What would Patanjali say about our changing states of mind?
Patanjali defines one of the main goals of yoga as the ability to control the changing thought waves of the mind. In the Yoga Sutras,...
How do you know if you are meditating?
Any effort to meditate is meditation. Any time you sit in lotus pose or lie somewhere comfortable, attempting to bring your focus inward,...
What happens when you meditate?
Meditation has so many positive and profound effects on the body, mind, emotions and spirit. It cleanses the mind in the same way taking a...
Why do we end yoga classes in savasana?
Savasana, also known as corpse pose, is an essential part of every yoga practice. It’s that relaxation time that synthesizes a...
How do I begin meditating?
The starting point in meditation is your physical body. This is because the first thing we must do before going deeper in meditation is to...
Is your workplace emotionally toxic?
Do you find it difficult to keep your yogic center in the workplace? If so, you’re not alone. There are many emotional toxins in the...
Why do we believe what we think?
Our thoughts are powerful things — so powerful, in fact, that we actually believe them. If you’re a beginning yogi or meditator...
Why should we pay attention to our thoughts?
Our thoughts rule our lives, and we need to cultivate mindfulness around our thoughts so that we can be truly open and present in our lives...
What's keeping us from happiness?
It’s our true nature to be deeply content. At the heart of our being, we are loving, happy, compassionate and deeply wise beings. But it...
How does yoga help me understand the world around me?
The beauty of yoga practice is that it is so much more than just an exercise routine. It’s also so much more than personal time on...
What are some helpful asanas for soothing sciatic nerve pain?
It is very important to decipher what the underlying cause of your sciatic pain is before attempting any asanas, especially if you are...
How do the chakras help us understand our spiritual growth?
Each chakra represents one of seven energy centers in the human body, each representing a physiological function and sacred truth. Starting...
Why do we say "Namaste?"
The light in me honors the light in you. The divine in me reveres the divine in you. These are just a couple of the deeper spiritual...
Why should I meditate in the morning?
Meditating first thing in the morning is probably the best time to practice. The mind is clear when you wake, even if a bit groggy. It’s...
Are you a yogi or a yogini?
Are you a yogi or yogini? Have you been wondering what the difference is between the two terms? Let’s find out what they are. Masculine and...
Why is it important to practice with the right intention?
Our intention dictates everything. It is at the root of our choices and actions, which ripple out into the world, hopefully creating a...
What is unselfish love?
Yogis speak of love in many ways, just like Westerners do, but common between both cultures is the idea of selflessness. When love is an...
Why does Goddess Durga carry weapons?
Goddess Durga is the one goddess in the yogic pantheon who's job it is to ward off and fight against all evils, so that good, ethical and...
Why is Ganesha the most popular Hindu deity?
With his elephant head and human body, Ganesha (or Ganesh) is one of the most beloved and popular of all the Hindu gods. This is because he...
How do you stay committed to your Dharma?
Staying committed to your dharma—whether that means teaching inspirational yoga classes, or being the best mother you can possibly...
I'm struggling to get started with meditation; where should I begin?
The best way to start a meditation practice is to begin with what’s called mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness perfectly exemplifies the...
What's my sadhana (practice)?
Let’s first define the yoga term, sadhana. Your sadhana is your personal spiritual practice; it’s a set of rituals you do each and every...
What are karma and destiny?
KarmaKarma, or "action," is a way of understanding the world in its entirety and that everything does indeed happen for a reason....
When was the yoga mat introduced?
Have you ever wondered when the yoga sticky mat made its way to the forefront of the yoga scene? The yoga mat is a modern phenomenon, as...
How do I evolve my sadhana?
Sadhana is a Sanskrit term meaning "practice." To the sadhu or yogi, the way you integrate yoga into your life will vary based on...
How do I hold shakti?
In the Tantric yoga tradition, there’s the concept of Shiva and Shakti. It’s the understanding that a human being holds both...
How does twisting in yoga help with detoxification?
Twisting poses are very much an integral part of the pantheon of yoga asanas. Yogis are constantly twisting into intricate poses, holding...
Why do yogis squat?
As you might very well know, ancient and modern yogis alike squat a lot. There are many reasons for this – one of them being that squatting...
Why do we journal our thoughts that arise during meditation?
Have you ever noticed how when you sit and meditate on a regular basis, you really, truly get to know yourself? This is one of the primary...
Does our spiritual longing deepen after 40?
This is an interesting question and I think the answer is that yes, as we grow older, we naturally move deeper into the stages of our lives...
What is ashram dharma?
According to the Hindu tradition, there exists four unique stages in a human life with specific duties and characteristics for each phase...
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