Alina Prax
Alina has been an avid yogi for over 20 years. After completing her Sanskrit studies at the University of Texas-Austin, she traveled to northern India on a pilgrimage to various holy sites to celebrate. She holds a 300-hour yoga teacher certificate from Dharma Yoga, a Buddhist-based asana practice. Over the years, she has had the honor of studying with some inspiring teachers such as Richard Freeman, Shannon Gannon and the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. She is thrilled to be part of the Yogapedia editorial team, helping to craft beautiful and meaningful articles about yoga and the spiritual path.
Articles by Alina Prax
How to Practice Lion's Breath
Are you scared to do lion's breath? Learn the power this breathing technique has to chase away negativity and you might find yourself...
How to Release Anxiety Using Breath
Regard your breath as your best friend and ally. It’s there for you whenever you need it and the more awareness you bring to it, the better...
The 9 Drishti of Yoga
By incorporating our drishti into our yoga practice, we gain greater balance, focus and stability, both in the physical practice of asana...
Top 5 Benefits of Ayurvedic Oil Pulling (Plus How to Do It)
Oil pulling is a natural way to whiten your teeth and detoxify your blood. Here's how to add this ancient Ayurvedic ritual to your...
Exploring Aversion (Dvesha): 3 Ways to Better Handle This Unwanted Feeling
We've all been asked to do something we don't like. In these moments, we experience the feeling of aversion, or dvesha. Cultivating...
A Tale of Unexpectedly Unplugging, Freaking Out and, Finally, Reconnecting With My Inner Wisdom
For the modern yogi, unplugging from technology can be a challenge. Find out how one of Yogapedia's editors managed to do it and live to...
Find Beauty in the Broken by Living This Zen Buddhist Precept
As human beings, we are all inherently imperfect. Learning to accept those around us just as they are is key to the Zen Buddhist precept of...
Spring Detox With Yoga and Meditation
Spring is the perfect time to for a mental and physical detox. Learn how to use a combination of yoga asanas, diet and meditation to purify...
Love Your Body
Learn to reclaim a positive relationship with your body through meditation, mindfulness and journaling practices.
6 Ways to Start a Yoga Practice at Home
Use these six home practice suggestions to get you motivated and inspired to start your own. Remember, a home practice can go far beyond...
3 Things You Must Do Before Teaching Your First Yoga Class
You've completed your teacher training and you want to start teaching yoga. Now what? Do the following three things and you'll be set up...
How to Hold Proper Chaturanga Alignment
Proper alignment is crucial to preventing injury in yoga and even more so when practicing chaturanga dandasana. Learn about common...
How to Deal With Feeling Overwhelmed
When we feel overloaded, both our mental and physical well-being suffer. Learn what triggers these feelings of overwhelm and how to reframe...
RAIN: A Technique for Mindfulness
RAIN is an acronym for a mindfulness technique that teaches us to get fully present with the strong emotions that arise. Learn this...
Vanquish Your Doubts With Faith
Doubt is one of the 5 hindrances of reaching Nirvana. And we all have doubts; it's part of being a thinking human being. But what happens...
How to Stay Hydrated Before and After Yoga
Staying hydrated is essential to our health on and off our yoga mat. Learn what to drink before, during and after yoga class to keep your...
How to Make an Ayurveda-Approved Smoothie
Is your post-yoga smoothie ayurveda approved? Learn how to make your own ayurvedic smoothies with these three delicious recipes below.
The Healing Powers of Tulsi Tea
Tulsi tea is an ancient Ayurvedic healing elixir. Learn about tulsi tea's remarkable properties and why it is sometimes referred to as...
Forget Happy, 'Be Content' Instead
We all want to be happy yet how many of us ever get to a place where we feel happy all the time? No one does! That's because happiness...
Q&A by Alina Prax
What should I eat after yoga asana?
As yogis we want to lead a healthy lifestyle and that means eating foods that are mostly sattvic in nature. We do our best to avoid...
What is cupping?
Curious about those round bruises all over Olympian Michael Phelps' back? It's cupping! Recently, many athletes, including yogis, have been...
When should I stay silent?
There is an old Zen saying that goes something like this, “Open mouth, closed mind.”We can all benefit from knowing when to hold our tongue...
How do I set up a home altar?
Creating a home altar is a fun and creative way to establish a sacred space in your home. A small home altar is a reflection of our...
What is "beginner's mind?"
A few years ago, I tore a tendon in my rotator cuff, which made it impossible for me to attend my weekly yoga classes. When I was finally...
What are kleshas?
According to Patanjali, the ancient yogic sage and author of the Yoga Sutras, the five kleshas are the characteristics we have as humans...
What is aversion?
In Hindu philosophy, the feeling of aversion is called dvesha and is considered one of the five kleshas, or afflictions, listed in...
Why is alignment important to my yoga practice?
Alignment can be defined as the optimal relationship between the bones of the body and its musculature that maximizes physical efficiency...
Why are cows sacred to Hindus?
In India, the cow is considered a sacred animal. She is revered, honored and respected. Here are five reasons cows are considered holy.#1...
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