In the previous blog on Yoga during cold weather, we explored how winter challenges the body and mind, and how Yoga helps us respond intelligently rather than reactively. Interestingly, this understanding is not unique to Yoga or Ayurveda. It is deeply embedded in Hindu tradition through the observance of Dhanur Māsa, a period that coincides with the peak of winter and emphasizes discipline, early rising, and devotional activity. I have come to see Dhanur Māsa not as a religi

Every winter, I notice the same pattern in my yoga classes. Students become very irregular and often a quiet apology at the beginning of class: “I’ve been very irregular with my practice these day” 😊. During winter it is natural that our bodies feel stiffer, and there is more resistance in movement. Some mention feeling heavy and dull, others complain of dryness, joint pain, or low motivation. Almost everyone agrees on one thing that winter makes Yoga practice harder. Vinay

These days, awareness comes with a calendar. We have a day for yoga A day for meditation A day for mental health A day for mindfulness                At this rate, we might soon need a day for Pranayama, a day for each of Yamas and Niyamas in Yoga text. To be fair, the intention is good. Whenever a new international day is announced, the response is that it creates more awareness. More people doing something good. What’s the problem? On the surface, there isn’t one. This may

Weight loss is often associated with high-intensity workouts — running, weightlifting, or rigorous cardio sessions. Many people believe that only aggressive physical activity can lead to effective weight reduction. However, this perception overlooks the profound impact of yoga, a practice that transcends calorie burning and fosters a deep connection between body, and mind.. Yoga is not merely a set of exercises but a way of life that integrates physical, mental, and emotional

If you have been given a definition of wellness and the first thing that comes to your mind is something like fitness, diet or even strength, then you are missing the point. For associated with well-being is consciousness or rather the life force energy that exists in every individual— Prana. This energy may be invisible but it is what fuels movement in the body and is a greater power than most of us expect. As far as we all know, every approach will lead to an end result — s

Stress and anxiety are some of the most common problems that people encounter in the course of their lives, especially due to the busy world that we live in. Due to the never-ending rush, which is caused by work and personal demands as well as the necessity to concentrate on multiple-day activities, many people experience stress. In the midst of all this, seeking efficient strategies for coping with stress and anxiety is quite necessary.  Yoga and Mental Health on its part is

The rising number of lifestyle diseases, mental health issues, and chronic ailments in today’s world is alarming. According to global health reports, conditions like anxiety, obesity, hypertension, and even insomnia have become more common due to sedentary lifestyles and the increasing demands of modern life. From spending hours hunched over devices to experiencing sleepless nights due to work pressure, modern life often leaves people feeling drained—both physically and menta

Pranayama, a cornerstone of yoga, transcends the simple act of inhalation and exhalation. It invites us to delve into a realm of vast energy, a hidden treasure lying dormant within us. This ancient practice isn’t merely about breathing; it’s about unlocking and harmonizing with the cosmic energy that sustains life itself. When we speak of “Ayama,” the second half of the term “Pranayama,” we touch the very core of this profound practice. Contrary to common perceptions, Ayama d

One may think “What’s the big deal, it’s new year again, all are taking one, let me to find a resolution”. Sorry to say it’s just a momentary excitement scenario! Image If you really want to change something, then a resolution can become a serious affair without being time bound. Accordingly, the following factors can stabilize your resolve. Sankalpa/Resolve Abhāyasa/Practice Tapas/Intense perseverance Vairāgya/Detachment Let us understand them in detail. Sankalpa/Resolve A

Arthritis is a general term used to describe a group of conditions characterized by inflammation and stiffness in the joints. There are...

Food is one of the important aspects of our yoga journey. If you want to really achieve great heights in the field of yoga, food is extremely important. So, what exactly are the things you need to take care of as part of yogic food? One of the great Greek physicians, Hippocrates said that “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”. It is a wonderful way to summarize the importance of the food itself. He is considered to be the father of modern medicine who told us th

During one of the regular Yogavijnana question & answer sessions, an interesting question came up from one of the practitioners. The answer to this question given by Vinay Siddaiah has been captured here in the form of a detailed transcript and a short summary. The transcript has been written by Chaithra Murthy. Below is the link to the original video in our YouTube Channel for those who want to watch. Youtube link :   https://youtu.be/NTigVSsyBqg Question: What is the differ

We are about to end the most the unpredictable year of 2020. What a year it has been for the whole world. An invisible virus ruled the world and showed human beings who are superior.  Crores were infected with corona, lakhs of people lost someone in the family, many lost jobs, many had to struggle for daily survival. No outing, no entertainment, no party, and we were living in constant fear. Still, we all managed to survive this year and that itself is an achievement. Many wo

Sometimes, when we keep doing the same action again and again, the action becomes a habit and we forget the reason why we have been doing it in the first place!! And so, it came as a surprise when one of my students asked me this question leading to some introspection and ultimately this blog. Why do we always start the asanas from the right?  From a cultural perspective, it is not just Yoga practice but most of the action in India is started from the right as it is considere

Many people ask me these question: “Why do you close the door and not allow any late comers to enter the class? Why should we come to the...

Yoga is becoming increasingly popular in recent times. We hear about many health issues being resolved by Yoga and many benefits the...

When I was a kid, my family and relatives used to ask for their time pass “What do you want to become when you grow old?”, teachers used...

In many Yoga classes I was asked to pull-up my knee cap (also called locking the knees), during most of the asanas particularly in...

I have seen many students come to Yoga class with primary focus on improving flexibility. In fact, even I started with the same intention...

There are many instances where I have heard people say “you need to let go to be happy”. What should I let go? How will I know that? Does...