Yoga Asana And Other Things

Two interesting, and strikingly different articles caught my eye in Sunday's New York Times. The first, a book review by Pankaj Mishra that somewhat negatively reviews the rise of yoga in the United States.

Whether in the streets of Mysore or on Fifth Avenue, yoga cannot be disentangled from specific histories or specific cultural and economic practices. Of course, the more vulgar aspects of its inevitable commodification in the United States, like $1,000-a-night yoga cruises, ­ought to be deplored. Certainly, the civic or political virtue that results from limber, yoga-toned bodies is not yet measurable. And it would be nice if American followers of yoga, who increasingly define the future of this Indian discipline, would at least occasionally seek something like spiritual transcendence.

And the second, a glowing interview with Anusara founder John Friend by Mimi Swartz.

The first time I encountered John Friend was at a workshop at a Woodlands community college nearly 10 years ago. At the time I was practicing a stricter form of yoga, and Friend's joke-cracking and mind-boggling acrobatics -- he is famous for his handstands -- were something of a revelation. Yoga could be . . . fun?

As Friend led us through the poses, he spoke in a soft voice, insisting that we contain divinity within ourselves and must discover and express our inner goodness to fulfill our obligation to better our world. How to do so was never expressly stated -- except for practicing yoga, of course -- but I left the workshop feeling better physically, mentally and emotionally.

I didn't know at the time that this was my introduction to what others call "the cult of John." If Friend could be compared with anyone outside the yoga world -- and I am not sure he would like this comparison -- it would be Joel Osteen, the magnetic evangelical megachurch minister with the feel-good message and a book-and-television empire. Osteen's God is loving and forgiving. Osteen doesn't get hung up on dogma, and thus everybody is welcome.

I, for one, am happy to see yoga being discussed in the mainstream media. Glad that it is a part of our culture and open to debate. It's good to know that people are thinking about these things and that makes it more likely to reach a deeper stream in our society.

What do you think?

My Yoga Online has added 2 new exciting online yoga videos by Melina Meza.  Melina integrates concepts of Ayurveda into these wonderful Vinyasa and Yin Yoga practices bringing attention to how the body and energy systems work with the summer season.  Enjoy these new online videos with our newly added iPad/iPhone applications.  Also available as downloads.

Summer Seasonal Vinyasa Flow

Summer is the Pitta season (composed of the Fire and Water elements), which means it’s time to get outside, grow food, play, relax and enjoy the outdoors, recharging your internal batteries with solar energy. One of the classic Ayurvedic sutras says, “Like increases like.” As you witness the fire and water elements increasing in the natural world during June through August, pay attention to the ways they increase in your own body and mind as well. This summer seasonal vinyasa class emphasizes playful sequences to reduce Pitta’s intense personality, cooling and restorative forward bends help you to take shelter from the heat, and seated postures to improve overall circulation and blood flow.

Summer Yin Restorative Practice

In the Five Elements Chinese system, summer is a time to nourish the heart, small intestines, spleen, and pancreas. In Ayurveda, summer is devoted to Pitta, which regulates the blood. With increased outdoor activity in summer, we circulate more blood through the heart. Also, the bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables of summer allows us to consume more raw foods and the warmer climate allows us to slow down and surrender to joy in the present moment. To synchronize the body and mind with these beautiful changes occurring during summer, this Yin practice is devoted to soothing poses that open the chest, lungs, and arms, which contain the meridian lines that connect to the organs.

We are excited to announce that MyYogaOnline.com’s online video library just got even more accessible. Now community members can access their entire range of content—including yoga, Pilates, meditation, dance, martial-arts-inspired, expert Q+As, and more—from their iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch.

“We’re always working to serve our members to the best of our ability,” says MyYogaOnline.com CEO Jason Jacobson, “and to anticipate what they might want, even before they realize they want it. That’s why we jumped on converting our videos to a format supported by the Apple iPhone, iPod and iPad. It’s all about continuing to be of service, and making whole health, fitness and wellness really accessible.”

Wherever community members have internet access, they can access hundreds of online videos from 2 to 90 minutes, for members ranging in ability level from beginner to advanced. And now, community members choose the class they want, when they want it—and can watch and listen to the class on their iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. There’s no need to be anywhere near a computer or TV.

It’s the ultimate next step in accessible mind-body health and wellness, and what MyYogaOnline.com is all about. Convenience, ease, instant access, and custom-tailored classes.

MyYogaOnline.com is an online global resource for mind-body health and wellness and holistic living. The site streams hundreds of yoga, Pilates, and meditation videos and provides expert information on healthy living. Workplace wellness, green living, expert health advice, a Q&A forum with professionals, and more. Members rave about the ease of access to world-class mind-body practices viewable anytime, anywhere. MyYogaOnline.com combines physical fitness, advanced healing modalities, and the ancient science of yoga with the best of modern convenience. For more information visit www.MyYogaOnline.com