Yoga, Health, and Wellness Articles + Recipes

“Ditch social media and my T.V. for a week... What?” Depending on who you are, and how much you use technology in your daily routine, a digital detox might seem either insane or too easy. It’s not until you begin to experience the highs and lows of a digital detox rollercoaster that you realize just how addicting social media and television really are. No matter who you are, if you’re living in this developed, 21st-century country, chances are you probably need a digital detox.

The recent Harry Potter yoga class took the Internet by storm, with participants pictured holding a wand as they practiced different yoga poses. They also had a sorting hat and listened to passages from the Deathly Hallows! While we might find it hard to find or attend a Harry Potter class, we can certainly bring some magic into our own home yoga practice. The Griffyndor wizards at BooKYogaTeacherTraining.com have just the right tips for you to work your magic into your own practice!

Flexibility, balance, strength, and equanimity—you’ve probably heard of all those reasons to practice yoga, right? Not just benefits for the body, but for the mind and soul as well. How about combating stress and delving into spirituality? Absolutely! The list goes on…

Heavy Metals. We’re not talking about Def Leppard or Metallica today, ladies and gentlemen! We’re talking about toxic heavy metals such as mercury, aluminum, copper, cadmium, nickel, arsenic, and lead, that we’re all exposed to on a daily basis. How are we exposed? Surprisingly we come into contact with heavy metals in everyday life – through the air we breathe (think vehicle emissions and other environmental pollutants), in the food we eat (non-organic foods that have been treated with pesticides and herbicides), if you have dental fillings made from mercury-containing amalgam, and certain types of large fish (such as king mackerel, swordfish, orange roughy, marlin, tuna steaks, and canned ‘white’ albacore).

How do you energize? There isn’t a shortage of energizing yoga classes or sequences, but I often wonder what we are actually asking of our students and ourselves when we practice with this goal. Often an energizing yoga class is just fast and hard. When done a bit more mindfully, it can focus on poses or breath patterns that stimulate and excite the nervous system into a more focused, instead of frantic state. My essential energizing poses, which find their way into my energizing classes, tell the chest to expand and invite an empowered inhalation. They connect me to the ground but suggest a rise of vital energy or prana upwards.

How’s your state of mind? We here at YogaDownload.com know how hectic life becomes this time of year. We’re right in the stretch between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve when many of us could use a shot of adrenaline or a warm blanket and a teddy bear to make it through to 2017. At the very least, we could use a rejuvenating yoga class or a calming meditation practice.

Fitness trends come and go all the time. Crossfit had its time in the spotlight, as did rail running and P90X. However, as studies are published across the fitness and medical industries, telling us which exercises will really get us into the best shape of our lives, there is one form of fitness that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Which one is it? You guessed it: yoga.

With not only holidays, but particularly Christmas very much upon on, the whole dash to find the perfect gift has surely begun. And while I can't actually help you find the present (despite the fact that I would love to), I am here to help you with make the present look beautiful.

I was recently hanging out with some old friends and mentioned that I’m living a nearly refined-sugar free life. (I say nearly because I believe in balance and, on occasion, sharing a chocolate croissant with my family is worth it.) They gasped. While I’ve always attempted a clean diet, it was shocking for them to imagine their former fro-yo lovin’ friend off of sugar. I chalk it up to one of the things that a breast cancer diagnosis did for me – scared me straight off the sugar crack.

The new moon in Sagittarius urges us into a state of joy and enthusiasm! After the tensions and troubles of the past few months, it is time to shift into a more playful and engaged attitude. Sagittarius supports long-range travel and exploration of foreign cultures. But, if you are home-bound, you may satisfy this urge through studying philosophy, religion or mythology.

Continuing education for yoga teachers is in high demand since the proliferation of yoga teacher training certification has reached epic proportions. No one expects someone to be seasoned after merely two hundred hours, and technological advancements have enabled newfound access and resources to anyone with an internet connection. More than just a knowledge of yoga, or adjunct skills for teaching, these offerings often purport to give practical career advice that will help graduates succeed financially. Unfortunately, business advice for “yogapreneurs” is often grossly misguided.

Gratitude. We say it. We know it. But how deep does it run? We all know that gratitude is a great thing to practice. And we might even acknowledge our gratitude from time to time. However, it seems like such a hype word and/or "cool" thing to "do" these days. I want to take this a step further. Instead of being grateful, can we live grateful? It's an exceptional difference and for those who live in gratitude, instead of paying it a weekly visit, know exactly what I am talking about.

Happy Thanksgiving friends! We’re here to help you kick off the day mindfully. Before the company gets here, take 10 minutes for yourself to get grounded in a moment of thankfulness – that’s what today is all about, right? Root down by sitting or standing in a place that feels comfortable, and spend a few moments gathering all your favorite people and places and foods and pleasures in your heart. Sometimes it’s easiest to start a meditation with “I am grateful for…”

Affirmations are phrases you repeat to yourself over and over again. Repeating these words reminds you of their meaning and the importance of the words. You can use these positive phrases to stay motivated and inspired. Affirmations can be repeated silently inside your head, said out loud, or written down and hung somewhere visible.

Hooray!! Thanksgiving is only a few days away and we are so excited to show you our Conscious Thanksgiving feast! Have you finalized your menu? Or are you looking for some last minute inspiration? If you fall into the latter category, we’ve got your back. Throughout this month, we have been sharing some Thanksgiving staples that we have given a Conscious Cleanse makeover. From stuffing to pie, we’ve got recipes that will give you all the flavor without the junk.

Gratitude is an essential part of mindful living. The practice of gratitude is something that can be cultivated all year round, although there are times of the year that especially call for it more. We can use these times of cultural observance and family gatherings as a reminder to fill our cups with gratitude ALL the time, not just during the holidays.

My foray with superfoods really started while I was living in Venice, California with a house full of raw foodists back in 2008. I was editing my film Vanishing of the Bees, (narrated by Ellen Page), and decided to move to the west side from Hollywood to be near our editor and avoid a crazy Los Angeles commute.

When we are in harmonious times, it’s easy to express our beliefs and our truth. Many of us yogis surround ourselves with like-minded people seeking to live life on a higher vibration. We choose to focus on the positive and live from a place of compassion and love. Practicing these principles on the yoga mat strengthens our resolve to practice them off the mat. But how do we stand in our truth when it is challenged from all sides? How do we remain peaceful and positive when there’s no choice but to fight to preserve our dignity, our values, and our beliefs? The concept of being a warrior and fighting doesn’t have to mean that we are denying our spirituality.

Every year, we use our hard-earned money to jet off to a spellbinding location where we hope to break away, relax, recoup, learn new cultures and meet new people. We choose to go on vacations to get away from the hustle of everyday life, spend quality time with our family or friends, be surrounded by nature, get quiet time to put things in perspective and resolve long-standing mental as well as emotional issues.

Reverse Warrior is a powerful standing pose that stretches your hips and groins, while lengthening your spinal and intercostal muscles. The posture also helps blood circulation, reduce stress, mitigate back pain and can be a mood-booster.

So summer is officially over (sadness) and autumn is upon on us, given that that is the usual order of the seasons, and the weather has already begun cooling down (sadness x2). However, the positive here is that soups and deliciously comforting foods begin to become a regular in the kitchen again. Today while looking in the fridge I couldn't help but notice an incredibly lovely looking whole pumpkin staring back at me - so naturally, I decided to chop it up, roast it and then zhoozh it up.

This Taurus full moon is the most grand and illuminating super moon of the century, so far! A super moon causes the earth’s tides to be stronger, and it does the same thing to us. We are energetically pulled by the moon. With this super moon in Taurus, we are pulled in the directions of establishing our financial security, increasing our self-confidence, elevating our sensuality and connecting to the earth. The Taurus full moon shines brightly on to our fundamental basics–the ground we stand on, how we support ourselves, and how we feel the world around us. This presents us a good opportunity to indulge in self care, heighten our sensitivity to nature, and connect with mother earth. Go outside in the moonlight and feel the steady ground underneath your feet.

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” – Oscar Wilde. I love this spot-on observation by one of the most outlandish “livers” of all time. It seems to perfectly express the epidemic anxiety felt by most yogis, artists and seekers, i.e. those wired for more than the status quo. For us that have the taste buds for exhilaration and real life, nothing less will do. And when that fullness of living feels in any way out of reach, angst and frustration are the natural resultants.

Nobody’s life is a static, well-paced journey, despite how many plans we make, how many goals we set, and how well intentioned we are. No, life is messy and serves up surprises every day. The world's a roller coaster and we aren't strapped in. Maybe we should hold with care, but our hands are busy in the air. This line from alternative rock band Incubus’ iconic song 'Wish You Were Here' sums up how many of us feel on a day-to-day basis. Flying along by the seat of our pants— navigating the challenges we encounter along the way.

Last week, for the third year in a row, I spent a week mostly offline in the woods in Georgia teaching at this magical event called Camp Nerd Fitness. And every year, I am more blown away than the last by how special this group of people is, and how honored and appreciative I feel to be able to teach and share and learn and grow with each of them. Photo by Will Byington PhotographySharing moments with so many people choosing to face their fears, lending a helping hand, laughing so hard it hurts, hugging and crying… my heart is overflowing with love.