Americans are taking a pick-and-choose approach to religion these days, according to a recent Pew Reseach Center study. The study found that “more Americans nearly six in 10 Americans from all religions mix their faith with New Age and Eastern beliefs, like astrology, reincarnation, and the spiritual – not just physical – benefits of yoga,” reported ABC news.

One of the biggest debates in yoga today is whether the practice can be considered a religion. I think most would agree that there’s a spiritual aspect to yoga, but isn’t that different than religion? Continue reading…

This sweet 400-page yoga book covers 170 yoga poses, as well as the other yoga practices of Pranayama, Mudras, Bandhas, and Kriyas. The book starts with a clear, short, and concise introduction to yoga, and ends with a yoga therapy section, but the book’s bulk is focused on teaching the yoga postures, which it does exceptionally well. For each yoga pose the name, benefits, drishti (gaze), prerequisite poses, counter poses, modifications and energetic effects are given. Each pose is described with step-by-step instructions and is illustrated with multiple color photographs. Continue reading…

If you’re looking for serious holiday gift ideas for yoga practitioners you won’t be interested in this blog post. (See “Gifts of Love” in our December issue, or click here.) The following gifts are my favorite silly yoga holiday gifts. They really have very little to do with the practice of yoga, but they’re all cute and will put a smile on anyone’s face.

For example, these gingerbread men are awesome! I think part of what makes them so adorable is how wrong the alignment is. (Check out that Warrior I Pose.) To buy go here.

This is a magnetic pad of paper that actually hangs on my refrigerator. Continue reading…

Though imperfect, the yoga on Nintendo’s Wii Fit does at least get you on to the mat between yoga classes. At least that’s how I’d use it. Let us know how the Wii works for you by adding your review to my Nintendo Wii Fit Review.