Yoga Fitness Blog

You have attended some yoga classes and maybe also have done some yoga masterclasses, and now you want to get a little bit more serious about your yoga practice. The decision is made, and on your next break from the daily rutine, you are going away on a yoga retreat.
Here are answers to some of the questions you might ask yourself.

Yoga retreat or yoga vacation?

While the distinction between yoga holidays and yoga retreats is not always lucid, (from time to time organizers have not thought enough about how to correctly name their course), there is quite a diversity in terms of focus point and general impression or environment.

Generally speaking, a yoga holiday is primarily an activity holiday. The time dedicated daily to yoga usually will not last more than four hours, in one, or maybe two daily classes, and you will have plenty time for other activities or just to calm down and chill out.

The scene should indicate this, with a beach or other extraordinary attractions nearby. The feel is often unperturbed, and it is usually a grand to meet other like-minded people. On a retreat, in contrast, the yoga program is likely to be more intense, possibly together with some meditation, times of silence, etc.

The key focus is no longer to enjoy yourself on holiday, but to deepen your yoga practice. Again, the choice of location should reflect this, with a serene, possibly far-flung location. Retreats should be fully residential, the food vegetarian, and meal times carefully thought out to fit efficiently within the daily yoga routine.

You will find more ‘hard core’ yogis and yoginis on retreats, and the overall atmosphere can be quite powerful, with much less ‘free’ time. Unless you are quite certain that yoga is your thing, and want to move your practice to the next level, a yoga holiday rather than a yoga retreat may be the best choice for your first time doing yoga away from home.

Going alone, or take a friend?

Going alone is not a problem. In fact, the vast majority of people going on yoga course go on their own. The downside to going on your own is that you might have to share a room with one or more complete strangers, but at least, you will know that, like you, they have a keen interest in yoga, and great friendships are frequently formed on yoga holidays. If you decide not to go on your own, choose your companion(s) carefully. A few yoga centres will welcome guests who don’t do yoga, but in most cases, and undoubtedly in the case of a retreat, yoga should be a shared interest with your upcoming travel cohort, so if you don’t want to go alone, a yoga buddy is a far better choice than your new boyfriend (unless, of course, you met him on a yoga weekend!)

Where and when to go?

The yoga escape market is now becoming progressively more competitive, and main stream travel agents are moving in, sometimes with unfortunate results. Unlike yoga coaches and devoted venues, they do not always be aware of the particular requirements of what is still for most parts a niche market.

Complaints about such newcomers to the yoga vacation market, who frequently have operated with success in other branches of the tourist trade such as organizing seminars or other types of package vacations, are their lack of knowledge of the specificity of the yoga market, above all in relation to diet (vegetarian and vegan options are not always to be had) and the incongruity of the venues chosen, which are often large, dismal resorts, sometimes shared with a crowd of rowdy drunks (as happened to me in India a couple of years ago).

All this is not very beneficial to peace of mind, so it is best to stay away from large operators and go with small, dedicated venues. There are a lot of them to choose from all over the world, and new ones are sprouting up far and wide so there’s a large choice of destinations at any time of the year! Sun destinations such as Portugal, Turkey, Greece, Spain, Italy, and the south of France tend to be most popular in the European summer while in the winter; India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Mexico and the Caribbean tend to be preferred.

There are also a number of other locations which don’t emphasize the ’sun’ part including Norway, Scotland, various parts of England, Ireland, Finland, Canada, Austria to name just a few. Even thought they might not be right up on the beach, these venues are chosen for their peace and are far more suited to the practice of yoga than large tourist resorts.

What approach, what coach?

Possibly more imperative than the site is the trainer and the approach of yoga. Remember you will be stuck with your choice for the duration of the course, so a bit of thinking may be in order. The best, certainly, is to select a teacher you have already studied with, possibly in the context of weekly classes or a short workshop. Second best, is to get an opinion from someone who has been on a holiday/retreat with a particular instructor previously. If this is not possible, you might find some helpful information on the Internet, as most established instructors now have websites.

This should at least give you an idea of who they are and of whether their method of training (and style of yoga) will suit you. If nothing else, don’t be afraid to ask the instructor such questions as who they studied with, how long they have been teaching and how long they have been teaching yoga. Try to phone rather than email, as you’ll get a a good deal better notion over the phone. Tell the coach about your yoga experience, level of fitness and your expectation for the retreat so they can recommend you appropriately on aptness. Usually they don’t want to be fixed with the wrong student any more that you want to be stuck with the wrong teacher, so they will advise you honestly. It is also recommended to try the technique of yoga that will be taught as part of the holiday/retreat by taking a few classes in your area, just to be sure that it will match you, before booking.

What should you bring?

Find out whether you’ll need a yoga mat (if you have your own, it best to bring it anyway in your yoga mat bag). Bring some reading, yogic or not, and don’t forget your practice clothes!

Where to locate a yoga retreat?

Have a look at the http://yogafitnessblog.com/ yoga retreats listing.

Popularity: 58% [?]

Looking for a fitness form, which both is good for your body and your mental spirit and bring the two sides of you on speaking terms?

Find it in yoga. Here we guide you through the many types of yoga, so you can choose the best for you, depending on whether you want to burn the energy, get an excellent anti-stress tool, or find inner peace.

HATHA YOGA

What is it?
One of the yogaens original main branches. Today the “grand father” of a wide range of physical yoga-related forms.
What happens?
Efforts include with physical exercises, nasal wash, concentration and meditation.
What is the goal?
To increase body awareness, concentration, energy level and overall well-being.
Who is it for?
Everyone.

BIKRAM YOGA

What is it?
A bit hit in the U.S. Takes place in premises that are warmed up to above 100 degrees. Arise out of hatha-yogaen.
What happens?
Training is tough and it consists of 26 different positions, each done twice.
What is the goal?
Different positions, each done twice. Training in the heat increases the body’s flexibility, the charges and get it in place.
Who is it for?
Younger people in good shape.

ASHTANGA YOGA

What is it?
A very physical and tough yoga form that is best suited for people who are physically active and in pretty good shape already. Ashtanga yogo is not for yoga beginners.
What happens?
Work with breathing exercises, known as the body lock, and in different series, which breaks without changing positions.
What is the goal?
To improve one’s well being through hard training, which purifies muscles, joints and internal organs, and balance in the body.
Who is it for?
Younger people in very good shape.
IYENGAR YOGA

What is it?
A very gymnastisk, technically oriented physical yoga form. Arise out of hatha-yoga.
What happens?
The poses are kept longer than in other forms of yoga. Slow, but physically. Various tools ensures that everyone can take part in this yoga form.
What is the goal?
Getting your body and your breathing work together and create a greater awareness of body position.
Who is it for?
Perfectionists. Older, disabled, people with reduced mobility. By rehabilitation.

POWER YOGA

What is it?
A sub branch of Ashtanga yoga where elements of aerobics is incorporated.
What happens?
Unlike regular yoga, which included breaks, Power yoga continues from start to finish as in an aerobics hours.
What is the goal?
Combining extent strength and breathing training.
Who is it for?
Everyone.

KRIPALU YOGA

What is it?
A soft form of yoga, that is both focused on the physical and mental elements.
What happens?
Work towards meditate in motion.
What is the goal?
Through different positions to explore and resolve emotional conflicts.
Who is it for?
Everyone.

SIVANDA YOGA

What is it?
A spiritual form of yoga.
What happens?
Physical exercises, breathing exercises and relaxation.
What is the goal?
To connect to something divine.
Who is it for?
All spiritual seekers.

Popularity: 62% [?]

Get Fit with Tantric Yoga Exercises

As any tantrik acharya or tantrika (guru) would say, tantric yoga exercises work best when done early morning or before bedtime. These are performed for various reasons—for general wellbeing, to enhance sexual abilities, for mind relaxation among others. (more…)

Popularity: 100% [?]

Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain

Tantric yoga as mentioned repeatedly by health and fitness experts offers a whole range of benefits to practitioners. Tantric yoga benefits are in fact too many to list down and write about. With its numerous benefits in all aspects of a person’s well-being, it is the secret to long life and youthful appearance as well. (more…)

Popularity: 52% [?]

Yoga by any Other Name is Still Yoga

Tantra, tantrism or tantric yoga is one of the eight major forms of yoga. According to traditional yoga practitioners, tantric yoga is comprise of left-hand and right-hand. Left-hand tantra is focused on sexual practices, whike Right-hand tantra pertains to mental practices. (more…)

Popularity: 36% [?]

Different Techniques for Different Folks

Just as there are numerous postures, exercises, movements, benefits and reasons in tantric yoga, there are just as many techniques as well. As they say, different strokes for different folks. The purpose for performing tantra is determined first prior to pinpointing the tantric yoga techniques that will be used. It is said that left-hand tantra is focused on sexual practices while right-hand tantra on mental practices. (more…)

Popularity: 69% [?]

I usually do yoga and relaxation things and stuff like that – I have a couple questions
1. How long do you think it would take me to lose about 5 pounds while doing yoga?
2. What are the best yoga tips and exersises?
3. What are some good ways to relax?
4. Any advise about yoga?

Those are my questions..hope you can answer them thanks!

Popularity: 29% [?]

Liver cleansing is an important part of maintaining a healthy body.  The liver is the eliminator of toxins from our body, as such it can get rather taxed after years of cleansing, or in many cases years of abuse.  If I knew then what I know now I would have been nicer to my liver in my younger years.

Liver Cleanse Experiment:

Earlier this year I went for an acupuncture session at Isthmus Acupuncture.  I went for stress releif and to see about relieving some of my reoccuring stomach issues.  In order to diagnose my issues I was given a brief survey of my overall health.  This was my first time experiencing acupunture, and what a treat!  The stress locations on my neck were pressed gently upon as the acupunturist said, “does it help when I press, here, or here.”  After several here or here questions and a review of my survey I learned that my liver was a source for my dis-ease.   It was presumably my college years, prior to becoming a yogi, coming back to visit me.

Now being the yogi that I am I thought, hmm, I shall have to work on healing my liver.  Time for a Liver Cleanse!

So here is the experiment, there is a lovely Kundalini Yoga kriya, Let the Liver Live.  So in order to help with my healing I strated a 40 day Sadhana of Let the Liver Live.  I have also supplemented this yoga practice with a Liver Cleansing Organic Herbal Supplement, made by yogis

Then I went back for another acupuncture session last week.

My diagnosis this time was that my liver was still giving me some problems, however, not as many issues as before.  Not only that, it turns out my detox meridians, (I believe this is an appropriate term) were enflamed.  This means my body was detoxing, which tells me that a regular practice of Let the Liver Live plus Liver Cleansing herbal supplements has a detoxifying effect on the body.  Excellent.

I will continue the 40 day practice and go back for another acupuncture session by the end of the year.  At that time we’ll see how my liver symptoms are doing.

I will keep you posted on progress.

At the end of the day it really goes to show what supplemental medicine can do for the human body.  It’s unfortunate that acupuncture is rarely covered by health insurance.  If it was covered I would go much more regularly.  For that matter yoga class should be covered under insurance, at least in some capacity.  Preventative Maintenance of the body is the way to fight health care costs now and in the future.

Here’s to your health!

Peace,

Krishan

Popularity: 4% [?]

Chakra Energy Balancing provides the key to optimal health.  After a couple years of writing on this site I realized that I had been somewhat negleting to write posts recently that focus on chakra balancing.  After all one of the reasons I came to Kundalini Yoga in the first place was it’s focus and body of knowledge around the chakra energy system.

As I continue to deepen my studies of the 7 sacred centers I’ve been presented with the information that all forms of human dis-ease in manifestation are the result of an imbalance in one or more of the chakras, either over or under stimulation.  Thus it stands to reason that through proper balancing of the chakra system, perfect health is acheivable within the human body temple.

I love Kundalini Yoga, it provides a beautiful and powerful technology for balancing the chakras.  The healers of the New Age will understand how to work with the chakras.  I love using the term “New Age” these days, because in case you haven’t realized yet, the New Age is almost the present Age.

I look forward to my calling in the soon to be Present Age, the Aquarian Age, as a Healer & Teacher.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Earlier this week I finished another 40 day Sadhana.  My practice was a New Energy Balance.  This kriya was a lovely set that nicely stimulated the lower triangle centers and then yoked the energy up to the higher centers.

So do I find my self newly balanced with energy?  Well, somewhat yes.

My wife and I have recently been blessed with a new baby and let me tell you I for sure have some new energy to balance.  But through working with the kriya I’ve found myself regulating my energy better then I was before.  I would like to think I am more calm and at peace with my life, even though it seems upside down at times.

One of the beautiful benefits of this 40 day practice was that this new energy balance keeps with ya a bit.  For example, today I practiced the kriya, Master Your Domain.  I have practiced this kriya before, several times in fact.  In the past I’ve noticed a welling up of energy in my 3rd center, after practicing Master Your Domain, due to the navel work mixed with pranayam.  This time however, I noticed this energy rising.  The energy that was channeled into my system rose up via the new energy balance I had created with 40 days of practice. 

Now I shall have to balance other aspects of my life with this new energy balance.

Kundalini Yoga Kriyas Kundalini Yoga Kriyas

Popularity: 8% [?]

Japji Sahib is regularly practiced as the first portion of a Kundalini Yogi’s Aquarian Sadhana.  I have a secret to admit.  For a while there, say several months, I neglected my Japji Sahib practice.  You know how that goes, the regular excuse comes up…well if I skip Japji I can still have lots of time to meditate and I don’t have to get up any earlier.

So I skipped for a while and I came to realize that I missed it.

During Teacher Training we spent a decent amount of time learning about Japji.  I even bought and watched a CD class dedicated to it’s practice.  I’ve come to realize that a regular Kundalini Yoga practice allows a practicioner to start to move a large amount of energy within the mind, body, spirit system.  I’ve also come to realize that a regular Japji practice helps to regulate this energy.  Specifically for me it helps me to regulate the energy of my mind, which tends to have it’s way with me sometimes.  So when I had had enough of my mind having it’s way with me, I decided to pick up my practice of Japji again, for a very practical purpose.

Now then, I’ve also been keeping a journal.  It’s a daily review journal, but through additional meditation classes I’ve come to the understanding that during yoga and meditation is an excellent time to keep a personal Spiritual Journal of thoughts and impressions that come to mind.  When one is in a meditative state of mind, the thoughts and impressions tend to come from ones soul or sub-conscious mind.  These thoughts serve as clues for what one may be working through at that present point in their life.  So it turns out that during my Japji Sahib practice I keep a journal as well

This is all fine and dandy, however, I was fortunate enough that during teacher training my friend Akal Dev took the time to type up Japji in line with the effects the various pauris (stanzas) have on those who speak the Shabad.  So as I was keeping a journal of the thoughts that popped up in my head during Japji, I kept note of the pauris I was reading at the time of the thoughts, and thus their effects.

For example, I was chanting pauri 19 when I had an idea, a great idea.  It just so happens that pauri 19 brings universal knowledge, inspiration and revelation.  Well hmmm, maybe I should act on the idea that I had while chanting pauri 19.  What was that idea, well hold tight, it’s going to take a little bit to manifest, but it will come and I’ll be sure to share.

So I’ve found my way back to Japji Sahib, and not only that I’ve found another way to bring soulful insight down into physical manifestation through practical application of Japji Sahib.

good times

Sat Nam!

Mantras Mantras

Popularity: 17% [?]

Coping with death is rarely an easy process.  This past week the angel of Death paid a visit to my dear friend, Guru Kar Singh, aka Kenny Valez.  Kenny became my friend during my Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training experience.  He was so generous he allowed me to stay at his place on our overnight intensive weekends.

This extra time together afforeded me a special bond with Kenny as we related to one another on how we were integrating the experiences.  We became so close we even convinced him and his partner Peter to come visit us last year for a Farmer’s Marketing in Madison.  Kenny was like a brother to me.  At one time we got lost on a field trip and he said, “Krishan do you think we were brothers in a past life.”   I thought, ya know, probably and in fact he was a brother to me in this life as well.

I miss my brother.

Kenny’s passing brought back a slew of feelings and emotions about the loss of my best friend Tony a few years ago.  Coping with death is rarely an easy process.

I just learned that my dear friend Sarah lost her grandmother this week.  Sarah is my friend that opened my world up the chakras and my heart goes out to her and her family.

So how do we cope with death?

Coping with Death: Spiritually some Yogic Perspective

Energetically death is a very challenging thing to process for those whom are left behind.  Especially in the case of those who seem to leave us all too early, as was the case with Kenny, questions of Why pop up.  Why did this have to happen to him?  Why did this have to happen to him now?  Why didn’t I make a point to spend more time with him while he was still here?  Why?  Why?

Well one has to process this mental energy of questioning.  A useful means for doing this is through Acceptance.  It kind of makes it difficult to accept things when loss is involved, but we must take a step back from this temporal view of things.  When viewed from the perspective of the immortal Soul acceptance is a much more natural step in the process.  The Soul is the keeper of when it is time to go, in Kundalini Yoga it is said that every individual is born with a specific number of breaths, pranic cycles if you will, that will carry them through their present incarnation.  At the proper time, when the number of breaths has run out, the Soul transitions out of its present body.  The saying…”It was his time” is very true, humbling and useful in accepting death/transition.

For those more scientifically oriented acceptance of the fact that energy cannot be destroyed it can only be transformed or transferred also can bring a kind state of acceptance.

Transition is a more positive term than death for it implies that this is merely one step in the process.  In Kundalini Yoga there is a Spiritual practice for the living to assist the one who has transitioned in making the journey home.  We chant Akal for them.  Akal means Deathless, or Undying.

“You did not die.  Continue and go on.  I let you go.  This can encourage the soul to go onto it’s true home” The Aquarian Teacher

I began my practice of Akal the day after I heard Kenny had transitioned.  I continued it today and sent the energy to Sarah’s grandmother as well.  I had an interesting vision a couple days ago when chanting Akal, I saw a door opening, that’s it.  Simple, yet powerful at the same time–transition.  I have also found that chanting Akal helps to center my being in the knowledge that this crazy thing called life is just one step in the process and that my Soul is immortal, which brings further acceptance.

There is comfort in transition.  Comfort that you may meet your loved one again in Heaven, or possibly in another life time.  And when you get there you can say, “Hey you bum, why did you leave me so soon.  Next time stick round for a bit, I so enjoy relating to you.”

Being around friends and family also helps to cope with the loss of a friend.  It really just makes you appreciate them more and think of ways to be with them more, because that’s what’s really important.

I’ve also found that writing about those who have transitioned is also very good for coping.  Sharing these writings with others also helps.

I pray for those who have transitioned, may the light guide your way home.

I pray for those who are still among us, may you find your way on.

Akal

Transition Transition

Popularity: 22% [?]

Well, it was that time of the year again.  Time to participate in my second White Tantric Yoga experience.  Last weekend I made the trip down to Chicago to participate with 100+ others in the all day meditation events.

White Tantric provides an optimal group experience, which is carefully faciliated, for breaking through blocks within the subconscious.  Lord knows I’ve got blocks in there.

Here’s a quick pic I took with my phone during the event:

This was the line of people I was in.  What’s really interesting to ponder on is that White Tantric works with Diagonal Z energy lines of force, so even though these peps were in my line, I was actually directly energetically linked with those sitting in other lines @ angles to me.

The first few meditations of the day were cake, but great warm ups.  Then in the afternoon we jumped into the 31 minute meditations.  If you have every sat still for 31 minutes  you can begin to relate to the mental energy that needs to be expended to maintain the posture.  What’s great is that the group energy helps to carry you through the meditation.

I found this White Tantric experience to be much more powerful for me than last time.  I think it’s because since I completed my teacher training I’ve been meditating daily as part of my Sadhana, for at least 20 minutes per day.  So I carried that vibration into the experience.

Now that  I’m through White Tantric for this year I’ve found myself able to carry my high vibration from my morning practice longer throughout my day.  Which really is the purpose of the daily practice.

If you get a chance to take a White Tantric course, go for it!  I do recommend some practice meditating prior to jumping in.

Oh and neck lock can be a life saver when you are sitting there for 31 minutes.

Sat Nam

Krishan

Kundalini Meditations Kundalini Meditations

Popularity: 25% [?]

Staying true to my sadhana, I’ve completed a 40 day kriya, Heart Center Opener.

It was a lovely kriya I must say.  I live in the Midwest, which is considered to be the Heart land of America.  We’ve been getting blasted the past year with snow and rain.  Esoterically speaking this is a cleansing of the heart center.  In order to get more in tune with America, I decided to take on the Heart Center Opener kriya.

As a man thinkith in his heart so he is, or something like that.  This kriya has helped me to get more in touch with my heart center, to use this center of being for more guidance in my life.  The more people in the heart land of America, that can get in tune with their heart centers, the more we can collectively help to guide America forward in the Age of Aquarius.

Sat Nam

Krishan

40 Days , 4th Chakra Heart Center 40 Days, 4th Chakra Heart Center

Popularity: 25% [?]

To learn Indian classical music, no matter which music school or Gharana you go to, the way very first Raga you will be taught is ‘Raga Bhupali’ or Bhoopali because it is easy to teach for a teacher and easy to learn for a student. The same way, no matter which Yoga school you go to, the 1st pose is taught Talasan or “Tadasan” a Palm-tree pose.

Popularity: 24% [?]