Alina Prax Contributor Bio - Yogapedia
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Alina Prax

Editor/Writer

Bio

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 running courageously toward it instead.

  • How to Release Anxiety Using Breath

    When we are feeling stressed or anxious, deep breathing can help restore our calm. Learn how to reclaim your inner Zen using a variety of yogic breathing.

  • 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 as well as in seated meditation. Learn the nine drishti and how to use each one to deepen your practice.

  • 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 self-care routine.

  • 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 awareness around personal preferences will help you along your spiritual journey.

  • 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 tell the tale.

  • 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 'Speaking of Others With Openness and Possibility.'

  • 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 yourself from the inside out.

  • 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 yoga asana.

  • 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 for a successful start to a career as a yoga instructor.

  • 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 misalignment and how to correct them in this comprehensive look at chaturanga.

  • 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 our thinking so we can shake it off.

  • RAIN: A Technique for Mindfulness

    RAIN is an acronym for a tool used in mindfulness practice. It was first developed by longtime Vipassana instructor Michele McDonald and has been further expanded upon by Tara Brach in her book, "Radical Acceptance." It is...

  • Vanquish Your Doubts With Faith

    Recently, I was listening to a talk given by a Tibetan Buddhist lama. He noted that doubt was a common stumbling block for many of his students here in the West. He believed that this was because, as a culture, we take great...

  • How to Stay Hydrated Before and After Yoga

    Staying hydrated is as important on the mat as it is off the mat. The common rule of thumb is that the average person should drink eight glasses of water each day; that’s 64 ounces of water per 24-hour period. Or, that you...

  • 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 a household staple among Indian families. In Hinduism, the tulsi plant is revered as a goddess. It is rare to find a Hindu household that does not have a sacred tulsi plant somewhere within it’s walls. This is...

  • 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 isn't built to last. Contentment, however, is. Learn how to cultivate an inner sense of contentment that's rock solid.

Q&A by Alina Prax

  • 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 Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Aversion is that feeling we all get from time to time of dislike --...

  • 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 which cause all of our human suffering. They are: Avidya Avidya translates as...

  • 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 processed foods and choose a diet that is deeply nourishing instead. What we put in our...

  • 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 and ease of movement. In yoga, the purpose of proper alignment is to prevent injury...

  • 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 and listen, instead of speaking. All too frequently I find myself in situations...

  • What is cupping?

    Curious about those round bruises all over Olympian Michael Phelps' back? It's cupping! Recently, many athletes, including yogis, have been seen sporting the telltale circular bruises that cupping leaves. Cupping is an...

  • 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 spiritual aspirations as well as a place where we honor our teachers, gurus and gods. (Read...

  • 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 able to return to my yoga practice nearly a year and a half later, I found that most...

  • 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 Mother of AllMost Hindus are vegetarian and a great deal of Indian cuisine revolves...

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