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Alignment-based yoga is a broad term for any form of yoga that utilizes knowledge of anatomy to position the body precisely for optimal safety during asana practice. Cues help to align the posture with an awareness of the body’s natural tendencies. Certain schools of yoga have more of an attention to alignment than others.

Alignment-based practice may seem like it’s not overtly “spiritual”. Sometimes there is no incense, Ganesha statues, or even talk of God. However, it’s a practice that translates heavily into day-to-day life.  

While much of the Western World is acquainted with the Ancient practice of Yoga, few know of its deep connection to Ayurveda, the science of life. Rooted in the laws of nature, Ayurveda is the healing branch of yoga and the 5000-year-old medicine of holistic being. The science of Ayurveda draws wisdom from the elements of Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. Believe it or not, the qualities of these elements appear in a yoga practice. Each asana pose carries an energetic remedy.

In the midst of busy work schedules and obligations, we will inevitably run out of steam if we don’t take some much needed time for ourselves to decompress. Self-care practices act as a reboot and refresh button to our systems. Allowing ourselves to do something good for our mental and physical well-being is absolutely essential to keeping the gears turning smoothly.  

Coloring is no longer just a childhood pastime. Adult coloring books are becoming one of the latest trends, and for good reason. Some of the health benefits of adult coloring include reduced stress and mindfulness. But there is some serious science behind these claims, showing that engaging in coloring actually relaxes the amygdala, or the fear center of the brain.

Everyone’s meditation practice is deeply personal depending on individual needs, and certainly it helps to have the advice of a qualified meditation teacher. But our most profound guru dwells within us.

This weekend, my brother, his old friend, and I, got to talking about Ohio.  About how sometimes it’s a wonderful place. My brother and I grew up near Cleveland, but neither of us spends much time at home anymore.  He was recently living in Southeast Asia, and now, upon coming home, he’s moved out to the Pacific Northwest.  He said he just couldn’t stand the winters, the seemingly endless season of 5pm sunsets and ice-crusted mornings.  For my part, I didn’t mind the cold.  I just wished Ohio weren’t so flat.  I longed for mountains.

We live in a world where we are bombarded with marketing and advertising that promise us the hopes and dreams of an amazing life, if we just had _________ (insert whatever that may be here).

Whether or not your company has incorporated meditation into the workplace routine, there are several ways for you to practice mindfulness during the workday. These five meditations can be done at your desk during a quick, couple-minute break to reboot your mindset and help you release stress when you need it most.

1. Breath Meditation

Frying an egg while standing on your head in a bathtub is virtually impossible; it’s certainly not the best posture or venue for cooking. Similarly, there are practical considerations for physical space and posture to enhance all levels of meditation experiences.

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that yoga has infiltrated mainstream pop culture.  One could find a yoga studio in virtually every large city in the world. Yet the way yoga is practiced can vary widely from place to place.