The unification of body, mind did not get its start under the florescent lights of a studio. Connecting the person with the cosmos, Yoga was originally practiced outside, and with good reason – it is difficult to truly connect with the vastness of the universe when you only practice inside a studio?

There are natural elements to connect to, but you cannot truly reach for the sky, nor salute the sun while facing the 4 walls of your studio. But with your feet on the Earth, the wind in your hair, and the sun shining on you, it is easy to feel at one with the Universe.

There are many ways to experience Yoga outdoors. An invigorating hike along a mountain ridge can lead you to a breathtaking expansive view, where you can draw the energy of your surroundings as you move through the mountain pose, the tree pose, a downward-facing dog, sun salutations, or the warrior poses. You might go for a solo weekend retreat, and practice by the light of the moon, or go with a more adventurous route – such as white water rafting retreats.

Whether you do Yoga in your backyard, the park, the beach, the mountains, or next to a trickling prarie stream, bring a humble sense of conscious awareness. As you open your heart and mind, moving through various poses, the breathtaking beauty of your chosen destination will truly start to reveal itself to you. Inhale the rich aroma of nature – wherever you are. Hear the often tuned-out sounds that are the Yogi’s most sacred music.

Yoga makes most sense in the studio, for our daily learning, and Yogic development. However, it is an unforgettable experience to bring your wisdom to nature, and move through the many poses that were inspired by nature herself. Take a deep breath, and reclaim your natural heritage.

Regardless if you are recovering from the common cold, or from more serious ailments, Yoga can help. Any yogic practice helps support the immune system because it lowers stress levels, which has been repeatedly shown to assist in immune function. However, there are more specific poses that help support different functions of the body, and help ward off certain ailments.

Overall: Methodical, relaxing Yoga postures, with slow, controlled breathing (pranayama) relaxes the body and allows the immune system its optimal function. You can also support the thymus, the centerpiece for the immune system, with the following poses: The Bridge, Cobra, The Fish, the Boat, and The Tortoise.

Upper Respiratory: Downward-Facing Dog, and other inverted asanas promote more blood flow to the head, and thus, the sinuses. The blood flow to that area will help the sinuses to clear up more quickly – and will stave off secondary infections by keeping the lungs and sinus cavities clear.

Bronchitis/Smoker’s lungs: Child’s Pose, Camel, Cobra, and Cow Face poses are all effective in helping to clear the lungs, and prevent dangerous secondary infections like pneuomonia.

Fever: If you are sick with more serious ailments, like pneumonia or the flu, your body needs rest above all. To help break the fever, and promote your wellbeing, try the Easy Pose. This promotes proper breathing, and relaxes the nervous system, without taxing the body. You can also try the Corpse Pose, while laying in bed.

As with most things, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Take your health seriously before you get sick, and promote your own wellness with mindful yoga practice, proper nutrition, and good maintenance of the digestive system, thus preventing a buildup of toxins in the body that slow the immune system down.

Seldom in the history of man is there a language that can carry power and invoke emotion with each of its syllables. Sanskrit is one such language. The original Sanskrit language stems back to the 2nd millennium BCE, and is believed by some to be the oldest language in the world, and the mother of all subsequent languages. Sanskrit is the language that most Vedic studies were transmitted, including Yoga.

Originally vedic, Sanskrit evolved to encompass a more complex language structure, grammatical that laid out a formulaic approach to using the language in both speech and composition -the first such known occasion of a formal language structure. Even as other languages took shape, Sanskrit continued to be the academic language – leaving a legacy of works in its wake.

The use of Sanskrit brings us back to the origins of the ancient practice of Yoga, with each utterance more of a prayer than a word. The use of this ancient tongue in Yoga only furthers the overarching aim of Yoga, which is present in the meaning of the Sanskrit word Yoga: union.

Some other meanings:

Asana: Posture
Ha: The Sun
Tha: The Moon
Karma: Action
Praṇava: Shout, sound, or praise. The name of the Syllable “Aum”, or “Om”.
Namaste: The light within me honors the light within you

You can incorporate this ancient and mystical language into your daily life by studying the language, learning the Sanskrit names for various poses, and meditating on the affect each word has on you. Incorporating the language into the practice of Yoga will create a more unified experience in your daily practice. Namaste.

It’s no secret that fear creates stress. The survival response that fear invokes makes it difficult to complete other tasks and focus on larger issues. In fact, according to renowned psychology theorist Abraham Maslow, when our security is in jeapordy, whether our person, our employment, our resources, or our family, we become anxious and tense, and unable to focus on higher needs (like social relationships or personal creativity). It could be a variety of things that concern or worry us – things we feel fearful of. One person might cringe to balance his checkbook, because he is afraid of the result. Fears can make us do many unreasonable and illogical things.

We cannot simpy eradicate fears, for fear is often a healthy response to our surroundings, or situations requiring quick action. But long term worries are milder, chronic fears as well; we just know them by a different name. We may not be able to eliminate fears and worries, but we can reduce their impact by learning how to decrease our tension and control feelings of anxiety.

Yoga sessions are wonderful for reducing stress and anxiety, and the daily practice of Yoga can be called upon in our times of more intense fears. Yoga promotes the soothing of the nervous system by teaching us how to connect to our thoughts and the effect they have on our bodies. Deep, relaxed breathing penetrates our worries and resonates through our nervous system.

While dropping into downward dog would not be appropriate if you were confronted by a mugger, your Yoga class will help you to combat your fear, and regain the levelheaded control that you need to navigate your situation. Implement deep breathing, and draw from the energy of your practice. You will find yourself more in control, and ready to face anything.