It’s More Than A Symbol: Yin and Yang in Yoga

{"slug":"what-is-yin-yang-yoga","recentPosts":[{"id":"cl8kb5f23jq1w0ciscs2h2bxw","slug":"benefits-of-yoga-for-pregnancy","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"What are the Benefits of Yoga for Pregnancy?","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Yoga for Pregnancy is excellent for stress relief, pain relief, and preparation for labor. Read more to understand the benefits of Yoga for Pregnancy","readTime":null,"excerpt":null,"tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-09-27T14:42:36.767798+00:00","coverUrl":"kvvlqndsbow5dsckhw7i.jpg","content":{"text":"When you get pregnant, people come out of the woodworks with advice, remedies and old wives tales. Everyone’s got an opinion on how you should spend your pregnancy. But the one thing we know for sure is, yoga is great for mom and baby alike. If you’re curious about prenatal yoga, you’re in the right place. Let’s break down why this type of yoga is excellent for moms (and babies).\\nWhat is prenatal yoga?\\nPrenatal yoga was designed for women who are expecting. Rather than taking a regular class and having to worry about modifications or safety, this class is specifically designed for pregnancy. The practice can help women with common pregnancy aches and pains, ease hormonal and emotional stress and help women’s bodies prepare for birth and their postpartum journey. A regular yoga practice when pregnant has tons of amazing benefits!\\nBenefits of Prenatal yoga: \\nWe asked women who’ve done prenatal yoga while pregnant for their reviews, one said “ It’s excellent for stress relief, pain relief, and preparation for labor.” And they all said they’d recommend it to friends! \\nSo let's break down the benefits: \\nRelaxation : \\nPregnancy can be very stressful! But yoga will help you to relax physically, mentally and emotionally and create a safe, relaxing environment for birth. Prenatal helps you with coping and breath techniques for all stages of your pregnancy.\n\\nPreparation for birth : \\nFor first time moms, and even sometimes vets, labor can be scary. This practice will help you to learn birth techniques so you’re relaxed and ready to go!\n⁠\\nYoga can Help with Labor : \\nIn a 2015 study\\n, It was found that a regular yoga practice in the last 10-12 weeks of pregnancy can improve the mother's comfort during labor and help facilitate the labor process. The “yoga group” in this study on average was in labor two hours less than those who didn’t practice. Past your due date? Prenatal Yoga is also known to help induce labor\n⁠\\nCommunity : \\nYoga classes have always been known to help us build community but during pregnancy, it's so important to have a group of women who understand what you’re going through. Taking part in a prenatal class puts you in a group of women who get it. You’ll have a built in support system and maybe even first friends for your baby!\\nFrequently Asked Questions about Prenatal Yoga:\\nIs Yoga for Pregnancy safe?\\nYes. Yoga is generally considered safe during pregnancy. However, you should always consult your doctor & make sure you’re practicing with a teacher who understands the prenatal experience and can keep you safe. Our teachers are experts in yoga and are ready to help you on your journey. If you’d like to check out our offerings, you can get started today with a two week free trial! \\nWhen during pregnancy can you practice yoga?\\nDuring your first trimester, you can stick to your regular practice with some modifications. \\nYour second trimester is a GREAT time to start prenatal yoga! At this point, you’ll be starting to officially come into your “pregnancy body” and you’ll need to be practicing poses more specific to prenatal. The second and third trimester are considered the “prep period” for your body to prepare for labor. So it's a great time to keep moving and stretching in your new skin as you make room for the baby to grow! \\nWhat yoga poses should you avoid doing? \\nFor the most part, yoga is considered safe during pregnancy. You really only need to focus on any poses that put pressure on your abdomen. You should avoid any and all twisting poses, backbends and inversions.. \\nYoga for Pregnancy Poses you can perform at Home :\\nIt’s important to stay active during your pregnancy for both mom and baby! You should try to get in some sort of movement daily for at least 30 minutes. You can stick to low impact workouts or walks but if you want to do some yoga at home, it’s a great way to end your day. Yoga while pregnant can help with pain, help you sleep better and fight tiredness and fatigue. \\nHere are some poses you can practice at home to keep you moving! And as a bonus, most of these poses will also help your body prepare for giving birth!\\n1. Bound angle pose (Baddha Konasana) :\\n\\nBaddha Konasana pose will help you open your hips, releasing any pain in your back. It can also help to reduce swelling\\nHow it helps with labor: Opening the hips will help you to stretch the muscles needed to open the birth canal.\\n2. Cat-cow pose (Marjaryasana Bitilasana) :\\n\\nMarjaryasana Bitilasana pose release back and shoulder pain and also reduce pressure from the belly\\nHow it helps with labor: Back pain is a common occurrence during the birth process. This pose will help to keep your muscles limber and help to avoid muscle spasms and pain in your back during labor. \\n3. Yogi squat (Malasana) :\\n\\n\\nBeen sitting too long\\n? This is a great hip opener and will also release lower back pain. \\nHow it helps with labor: This pose will widen the pelvic floor making the birth easier,which may help to reduce injury during birth.\\nRemember, if you’re practicing at home, it’s always best to consult your doctor and make sure yoga is safe for your pregnancy.\\n\\nOther ways to practice self-care during pregnancy\\nBeing a mom is the hardest job in the world. And there are no days off. Starting with pregnancy, we feel out of control of our body, its growth and the way we feel. Remember to take time during this beautiful process to practice self-care so you can be present, happy and relaxed. \\nBook a prenatal massage :\n\n⁠⁠A prenatal massage is GREAT for mom and baby. It can help reduce stress and swelling without meds, help you to sleep and get your body ready for labor and delivery. \n⁠ \\nTake a bath :\n⁠\n⁠Taking a warm bath while pregnant can also help to reduce stress and lower your blood pressure. It’s a great way to relax and rest your growing body. If you’re feeling pain or swelling, it can be very beneficial to relax in a warm bath. \n⁠\\n\\nAyurveda for Pregnancy :\\n\n⁠\n⁠This week, MyYogaTeacher has a special Ayurveda event running where you’ll learn how to align with your best self through nutrition and health changes. This specific class is designed to help you have your most healthy pregnancy with nutrition guidelines for a mom and foods to help with baby's development! \\n\nYou can also choose to work 1 on 1 with an instructor of your choice through your MyYogaTeacher membership! Let us help you have your healthiest pregnancy possible! \\n\\nGet started today!\\n"},"category":[]},{"id":"cl8ka13l4ionz0ck2fe0pme7l","slug":"chronic-neck-pain-relief-yoga-poses","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Are you suffering with Chronic Neck Pain? 10 yoga poses to find relief!","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":null,"readTime":null,"excerpt":null,"tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-09-27T14:11:15.683866+00:00","coverUrl":"rbh6duxy7hy3y207sg1c.jpg","content":{"text":"Do you suffer from chronic neck pain? Nearly 30-50% of adults suffer from recurring neck pain. \\nNeck pain can be a common occurrence for people who:\\nhave long commutes or sit at a desk all day\\nwho have issues with posture \\nwho have chronic sleep issues\\nOur neck and shoulders can also be a place where we may carry tension or pain due to stress. In any case, the good news is yoga can help you to relieve your neck pain and move on symptom free! \\nDaily changes you can make to avoid neck pain\\nStay in alignment. Keep good posture and try not to carry heavy bags on one side of your body. Also, if you sit at a desk and work on a computer, move your monitor to eye-sight so you’re not looking up or down. Need help finding your center? \\nWe can help here at MyYogaTeacher! \\n\\nStay active! It’s important to stay mobilized.  If you sit all day, take breaks to move around and give your body a break from being stuck in one position. Can’t take breaks at work? Try to go for a walk on lunch or maybe before or after your workday. \\nCheck your sleep environment. Make sure your mattress and pillows are still in good shape. Look into the best pillows for your sleep type or body. Getting quality sleep will help you avoid tossing and turning and can be your remedy to wake pain free. \\nIf you’re feeling like you need to move, starting with any slower yoga practice will help! Yin, hatha and restorative classes will all leave your body feeling relaxed, renewed and free of pain. Want to flow on your own? Here are our top ten poses to try! \\n10 Yoga Poses to relieve Chronic Neck Pain :\\n1. Easy seat with ear to shoulder stretch\\nThis pose releases your neck and shoulders and helps relieve tension and stress.\\nStart by sitting with your legs crossed and a straight back. Shoulders down. Bring your ear down to your shoulder. To deepen the stretch, bring your opposite arm overhead. \\n\\n\\n\\n2. Child’s Pose\\nReleases tension in the upper body including the neck and chest.\\nBring your knees as wide as the mat and sit into your heels. You can bring your chest to the mat and extend your arms forward or come to rest on a pillow or bolster. Try to hold this pose for up to 5 breaths. \\n\\n\\n\\n3. Downward facing dog\\nHelps to relieve neck pain by strengthening the upper body and releasing the spine. \\nStart by coming onto all fours. Check your alignment- make sure your shoulders are over your wrist, and your hips over your knees. Without changing the position of your hands and feet, push up and back to bring your heels into the ground. Relax your head, neck and shoulders down. \\n\\n\\n\\n4. Bridge Pose\\nReleases chest, neck, spine and hips.\\nLay down on your mat, bring your feet as close to your glutes as possible. Bring your hands to the sides of your body palms down. Push into the feet and hands while you lift your core and back to the ceiling. Try to relax and breathe here. \\n\\n\\n\\n5. Wide Leg forward fold\\nReleases spine, neck and back. If you’re in pain perform this stretch slowly, and come up one vertebrae at a time. \\nBring your feet as wide as you can, feet facing forward. Hinge at the hips and slowly bend forward and down towards your feet. You can hang here or grab yogi toe lock around your big toe. \\n\\n\\n\\n6. Cow face pose\\nStrengthens core and spine.\\nSit up tall and stack your knees directly over one another. Reach one arm back around your waist and one arm over your shoulder with your palms reaching towards one another. If you can, clasp your hands. If not, rest them on your back, you will still benefit from the pose. \\n\\n\\n\\n7. Sphinx pose\\nThis pose will help to physically open up the shoulders and neck. Looking side to side slowly is a great addition to the pose. \\nLie on your stomach and bring your hands next to your chest facing down. On your inhale press into the ground and lift your upper body. \\n\\n\\n\\n8. Thread the Needle \\nIncreases mobility and releases tension in the upper body. \\nCome on to all fours. Check your alignment, make sure your hips are over your knees, shoulders over your wrist. Reach one arm out to the side and thread it through the opposite side under your ribs. You can stay here or open up the opposite side by reaching the hand to the back or straight up and over. Make sure to do both sides. \\n\\n\\n\\n9. Legs up the wall\\nReleases tension and stress from the upper body by reversing blood flow. \\nFind a wall near your practice space and sit next to the wall as close as possible. Lower your head, neck and shoulders onto your mat, then roll onto your back and stretch your legs up the wall. You can stay in this restorative pose for up to 10 minutes. \\n\\n\\n\\n10. Savasana\\nSavasana releases any stress, lowers heart rate and calms the body. \\nCome onto your back on your mat, and release your body down. This is known as corpse pose because it is a full and final rest at the end of our practice. Release and let go of any and all tension. \\n\\n\\n\\nClasses to help relieve neck pain \\n\\nYoga fusion for joints \\n- This class will help you roll out your joint pain and stretch your tight limbs and joints. \\n\\nYoga for Back Pain\\n - Sometimes, neck pain can be caused by tightness in the spine. Experts say yoga helps soothe muscle pains. Try this class to strengthen and lengthen your neck and back for pain relief! \\n\\nYoga for Neck and Shoulder Pain\\n - Do you sit all day at work? Struggle with your posture? This class will help relieve upper body tension. \\n\nSo if you’re ready to make your neck pain a thing of the past, join us today. Our trial includes two free weeks of group fitness classes, one on one classes and so much more! \\nGet started on your yoga journey now!\\n"},"category":["yoga_poses"]},{"id":"cl8cuq5nnh5860biyek2vhu2w","slug":"reproductive-rights-for-women-yoga-workshop","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Reproductive Rights for Women Yoga Workshop - Supporting Women Through Yoga","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":null,"readTime":null,"excerpt":null,"tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-09-22T09:28:27.679552+00:00","coverUrl":"dkjwcigamkavxe0yziwq.jpg","content":{"text":"Announcing MyYogaTeacher’s first ever Reproductive Rights for Women Yoga Workshop!\\nHere at MyYogaTeacher, we believe in the wisdom of women to make their own choices about their health. \\n\\nThat’s why we’re excited to offer the\\n Reproductive Rights for Women Yoga Workshop on October 2 from 9 AM - 11 AM PST (12 PM - 2 PM EST) for only $10!\\nIn the past, our community events have been free. So why are we charging a nominal fee for this one?\\nBecause ALL proceeds from the Reproductive Rights for Women Yoga Workshop go to support the \\nCenter for Reproductive Rights\\n charity, a nonprofit organization, the \\nonly\\n global legal advocacy organization dedicated to advancing reproductive rights.\\nIn the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs Wade and on the day before the new term of the Supreme Court begins, we think this workshop is a perfect way to silently protest this new ruling through self-care and donations to an organization like the Center for Reproductive Rights.\\nThis will also be a time of healing and processing with a couple of awesome expert yoga instructors!\\nHow to join the Reproductive Rights for Women Yoga Workshop\\nWhether you’re a member or not, \\nJust click this link and register \\nas you would any other group class! Simple as that.\\nIntroducing a very special guest yoga instructor coming just for this event!\n\\nMeet Harpinder Mann, RYT-500!\\n\\n\n\\nHarpinder is a yoga, meditation, mindfulness teacher, and decolonizing activist based in Los Angeles. She works with women of color who want to reclaim their power and intuition through the lens of a spiritual, joyful, and sustainable path. Her studies have spanned from reading the Japji Sahib since she was 3, to over 700 hours of yogic training within the traditions of Raja, Vinyasa, Kundalini, and Prenatal Yoga. \\nWe’re super excited to have her lead the beginning of the workshop. Afterwards, MyYogaTeacher yoga instructor, \\nTrupti Parikh\\n, will lead us in asanas, and a discussion session will follow.\\nAre you ready to experience a workshop where we solely focus on supporting and advocating for women’s health \\nwhile\\n improving our mental, emotional, and physical health?\\n\\nJoin us for the Reproductive Rights for Women Yoga Workshop!\\n\\nTogether, we make a difference."},"category":["workshops"]},{"id":"cl8a9804vy5de0biznpg4ai2t","slug":"yoga-benefits-for-runners","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Yoga For Runners : Why Runners Should Incorporate Yoga Into Their Training?","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Adopting an active yoga practice to complement your running routine can have tons of benefits! Read now to learn more","readTime":null,"excerpt":null,"tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-09-20T13:50:56.406936+00:00","coverUrl":"tbdacuzob0fuqml8dyjd.jpg","content":{"text":"Training for a big race? Setting some goals you want to crush before the year ends? No matter what your reasons, yoga can be a great way to cross train for running from a 5k to a marathon! Running is great for your heart and body but can also be a huge strain on the muscles. Having an active yoga practice to complement your running routine can have tons of benefits! Let’s dive into how yoga can help!\\n1. Breathing\\nProper breathing and breath stabilization are both incredibly important principles in Yoga and Running. If you can practice proper breathing while running, you can maintain speed longer because you will take long deeper breaths to match your long strides, instead of short breaths which cause instability and speed decline.\\nPracticing Pranayama for runners - \\nAdding a pranayama breath practice before a run can help you to maintain focus as well as speed. Even if running is a release for you, and feels relaxing, Using breathwork to relax and focus can help you clearly see the physical and mental road ahead. Pranayama can also help if things are going off course on your run. If you need to regain control, you can come back to your breath and refocus. With these practices together, your run really can be a religious experience, or a way to relieve stress! \\nTo start a pranayama practice, all you need to do is focus on controlling your inhale and exhale. Start by standing tall and relaxed, or sitting tall and calm if you prefer. Close your eyes and focus inward. Start by breathing in for two and out for two. As you continue to grow your practice, you can  build up to breathing in for six and out for six. You can even play with pausing for two to four breaths in between your inhale and exhale. When you finally build a practice you’re confident with, you can start to set intentions and visualize your success. With this practice, you’ll begin to see your running dreams come true!\\n\\n2. Flexibility/Strength\\nIt would be great if in life, we only ever needed to do one thing to get to our goals. But in reality,just like we can’t have cookies for every meal, cross training for runners is essential to maintaining a long term healthy routine. While you could easily just add weight training or stretching a la cart into your week, yoga gives you more by going deeper and getting into those smaller, harder to access ligaments and tendons you might otherwise miss with strength training . Adding yoga into your running routine can reduce the risk of injury and help to maintain your goals. The more flexible your muscles are, the less likely they are to tense up or be stressed during running so you can move with more confidence and ease. Not to mention, it’s always great to look forward to a nice long stretch after a run. \\n\n3. Conditioning \\nWe all know running is GREAT for your cardiovascular health, can add years on to your life and keep your heart pumping at its best! But it doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a veteran, running can make your body sore. Yoga is great for conditioning those tired and fatigued muscles without having to “take a day off” to rest. In between your runs or on conditioning days, you can take a class focused on your back or knee health, or even a class to open tight hips after a long run. There’s nothing the magic of yoga can’t do! \\n\n4. Balance/Posture\\nEven though running is a “walk in the park” compared to ballet where balance is concerned, you still need to do your best to focus on alignment while you move.\\nYoga can improve your running form by elongating the limbs so you cover more ground in less time. You'll be PR’ing in no time! Proper alignment is also important when running because as you increase your speed, the level of impact (and injury) becomes greater. Maintaining your body's alignment during movement assures you arrive at the finish line aliment free! Love a tree pose? Want to learn to fly into a warrior? Lots of yoga poses force you to balance on one leg, which helps you to build a unilateral movement practice much like the ebbs and flows you take while running. \\n5. Stress and Mental Clarity\\nFeeling stressed before a big run? Worried about your PR? Yoga can help! Focus your breathing and set an intention. You’ve got this!\\nFocus and clarity are so important when running so you can know where you’re headed and stay on track. Add your yoga practice in before training or race days and you’ll feel your worries melt away. According to scientists at \\nHarvard,\\n adding just minutes of yoga to your week can improve your outlook, slow down the body and decrease stress. You’ll find your body will be more relaxed, focused and ready to run for those goals when you release your tension with yoga. \\nGetting started:\\nSo what do you need to get started? Simple! Yourself, a mat, some water and a quiet space are all you need! Are you ready to add yoga into your running routine? \\nGet started with a two week free trial of our classes and one on one sessions!\\n\\nLet’s figure out where your yoga practice would serve you best! \\nDoing yoga BEFORE your run will help you to warm up your muscles and ligaments. By fully warming up your body before you hit the pavement, you decrease the chances of injury, help with an easier recovery and can improve your PR as you continue to train! \\nBest Yoga Poses to practice before a run :\\nHigh Lunge - This pose stretches the legs from top of the thighs down to the ankle\\n\\nWarrior II - Helps with focus and stamina. Great before heading out!\\n\\nSide angle bend - This stretch helps to stretch the side body and release any tension in the shoulders and spine. \\n\\n⁠Prefer to do yoga after your run? That’s a great option too! Yoga is great for recovery after a run! Finishing your running routine with a yoga stretch helps you to rebalance. You can stretch muscles or limbs that became tight during your run and strengthen anything  that may have become fatigued. You can also refocus and deepen your breath to reset for the next part of your day. \\nBest Yoga Poses to practice after a run :\\nButterfly Pose - a basic hip opener to ease into your stretch\\n\\nHalf Pigeon - A great pose for multiple alignments! Working through the psoas and hip flexors. Make sure to practice on both sides.\\n\\nHappy Baby - This pose is great for finishing up your hip opener extension while giving a nice massage to the back and stretching the soles of the feet.\\n\\nWant to take a class? Try some of our favorite classes for runners!\\n\\nYoga for Strength and flexibility \\n\\n\\nYoga for Knee Pain\\n\\n\\nYoga for Back health\\n\\nReady to join us for class? \\nGet started with a free trial now! \\n\\nRemember, with a great training plan for your runs, and an ongoing yoga practice you’ll be ready to run to your greatest finish line feeling and looking your best! Just like peanut butter and jelly, yoga and running are great together!"},"category":["fitness","yoga"]},{"id":"cl81n0o6wh1g80ajz2gpco553","slug":"yoga-at-home","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"How to Start Doing Yoga at Home","subTitle":"Everything you need to know for an at-home yoga routine","seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Get a beginner’s guide to starting yoga at home with tips and suggestions for setting up your own practice, including online yoga classes and private lessons.","readTime":null,"excerpt":"Learn how to perform yoga at home with this quick and easy guide","tags":[],"createdAt":"2022-09-14T13:07:13.39269+00:00","coverUrl":"cqivxw3vkrcihpumlny7.jpg","content":{"text":"There are lots of reasons for doing yoga at home instead of a yoga studio, some of which include distance, busy schedules, kids, financial concerns, and health issues. The good news is you can set up your own yoga practice at home, and still get all the benefits of a regular yoga routine — without the studio. It can also be a great way to integrate yoga into your life on a regular basis, and it’s easy to do in your own home.\\nCan Anyone do Yoga at Home?\\nAnyone can perform yoga at home, and you don’t have to be an advanced yogi to try. Even beginners can practice yoga in a home environment, all you need is adequate floor space, a few (optional) pieces of equipment, and guidelines for practicing the primary yoga poses. \\nIf you’re a beginner, it’s recommended to first learn from a certified yoga instructor, so you can progress with the proper technique and alignment to avoid injury. Thanks to online learning platforms like\\n MyYogaTeacher\\n, you can still practice yoga at home with the help of a qualified teacher.\\n11 Tips on How to Perform Yoga At Home\\nThe idea of starting a yoga practice in your very own living room can seem daunting or intimidating at first, especially if you’re accustomed to attending classes in a yoga studio. But with a little bit of preparation and creativity, you can set up your own yoga space and develop a mindful yoga routine that can benefit your life.\\nHere are some suggestions to help get you started:\\n1. Make Space in Your Home for Yoga\\nIt’s easy (and fun) to make your own yoga space, and you can design it as a temporary space or a dedicated one, depending on your needs. All you need is enough floor space to move around and stretch out the full length of your body — a little more than the length and width of your yoga mat. This can be your living or bedroom floor, your kitchen, or your backyard. Just make sure there isn’t any furniture or objects lying around that could get in your way or cause injury.\\n2. Decorate With Calming Accessories\\nYou can also create a comfortable and inviting space for yoga by hanging calming or inspiring artwork on the wall, lighting a candle or incense, and keeping a few house plants nearby for a pleasing atmosphere. The more you can tailor and dedicate your space for yoga, the easier it will be to motivate yourself to keep up a steady routine. Hanging a mirror in front of your practice space is also helpful in maintaining the correct alignment while performing postures.\\n3. Be Prepared With the Right Equipment\\n\\nYou’ll want to invest in a yoga mat, and it’s wise to also keep modifying props on hand — like blocks, bolsters, blankets, and a strap. If you’re just starting out and you’d like to improvise for props, you can use pillows, blankets, and other items around the house to suit your needs. Just make sure your props are sturdy, supportive, and nearby for when you need them.\\n4. Practice Regularly\\nThe best part about practicing yoga at home is it can be done any time you want. The challenge lies in your dedication and commitment to the practice even when your couch appears more inviting.\\n \\nAccording to this study\\n, it can take anywhere from 18 to 254 days to create a new habit. It’s important to be patient with yourself and identify guidelines for your practice that you can realistically follow through with. \\n5. Schedule Your Yoga Session\\nSet yourself up for success by committing to your yoga practice at a certain time of day, and for a specified number of days per week. It’s best to start out easy with goals that are achievable and progress as you gain momentum. For instance, if you’ve never been an early riser, don’t expect yourself to suddenly start practicing yoga at dawn. If that’s the case, try scheduling your yoga session for late morning, afternoon or evening, and keep your existing schedule in mind when planning a time that works for you.\\n6. Keep it Simple\\nRegardless of your experience or ability level, practicing yoga at home means watching out for your own safety. Make sure you have props handy for when you need them, and avoid overdoing it with strenuous poses. When it doubt, keep your routine simple. Even if you’re an advanced yogi, those basic, primary yoga poses are still an important part of a holistic yoga practice, and may be less likely to cause injury.\\n7. Listen to Your Body\\nThe best way to avoid getting hurt while practicing yoga at home is to listen to your body. If any posture causes you discomfort or pain, stop practicing it immediately — no matter how easy or difficult the pose. Don’t push yourself too hard, and remember to focus on your alignment. If you are unsure of how to execute a specific pose, try learning it from a certified instructor before performing it on your own at home.\\n8. Take an Online Yoga Class\\n\\nBy far the best way to practice yoga at home is with an online class. This way, you get all the benefits of doing yoga at home in your own time, with the added help of an instructor who can make sure you’re performing poses safely and effectively. You can find\\n online group classes\\n for every type of yoga at\\n MyYogaTeacher\\n, with over 42 classes offered throughout the day. Private, 1-on-1 instructors are also available for at-home yoga, giving you plenty of options to get the right kind of training while still practicing in the comfort of your own home.\\n9. Squeeze in a Short Practice\\nThe beauty of an at-home yoga practice means you can squeeze in a quick session when you just have 20-30 minutes of time. Even short yoga routines are beneficial for your body and mind, and performing a few of the primary yoga poses on a daily basis will change your life for the better. Try incorporating the Sun Salutation flow series into your morning routine when you first get out of bed in the morning, or practicing some relaxing poses like Legs-Up-The-Wall or Savasana in the evening. \\n10. Switch it Up and Make it Fun\\nYoga doesn’t always have to be serious, and you can make your home yoga practice fun and spontaneous for you and your family. Practicing with your kids is a great way to help them learn mindfulness and self-awareness, while stretching and strengthening their growing bodies. You can also take your practice to the backyard to enjoy sunshine and good weather, or invite friends over to share in the experience. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box!\\n11. End Every Practice With Savasana\\nWhen practicing yoga at home, it can be tempting to skip important parts of the journey due to time constraints, distractions, or disinterest. If there is one element of yoga you should never skip, it’s Savasana, or otherwise known as Corpse pose. Always end your practice with 5 minutes of relaxation to help your body integrate the routine. Keep a blanket nearby to warm your body after it has cooled down, and consider an eye pillow to help you relax. Your body and mind will thank you as you move on to the rest of your day, having given yourself the gift of healthy movement to better your life."},"category":["yoga","therapy"]}],"randomPosts":[{"id":"ckqlbshd491ax0a89zan4z3c7","slug":"meditate-for-health","author":{"name":"Trupti","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":null},"title":"Five Ways Meditation Can Start Improving Your Life Right Now","createdAt":"2021-07-01T19:53:37.651367+00:00","coverUrl":"uhdar3thpz9nzwzopvqv.jpg","content":{"text":"Whether you’re into yoga or not, I’m fairly certain you’ve at least heard of meditation. It’s one of the (oldest) new ways to improve your life. \\nAnd people are beginning to catch on.\\nThe truth is there are some really \\nmajor\\n \\nbenefits\\n to meditation (yoga is included, by the way). \\nAnd science agrees. \\nBefore I get to the scientific evidence that meditation can improve your life significantly, let’s just address the fact that, for the most part, I’m excited to offer a \\nBreathing and Meditation\\n class with myYoga Teacher!\\nIf you’re not yet a member, it’s definitely worth your time to \\ngrab a free 2-wee trial of MYT\\n. You’ll have access to my class and 35+ more!\\nAlso, more and more people are looking to alternative health\\n \\npractices, products, and practitioners to improve their lives. \\nWhy? Well, everyone has their own reasons I suppose. But mostly it’s because they’re tired of feeling crappy. And whether their traditional forms of medicine are helping or not, there are side effects to all of them that make them feel terrible in ways they maybe weren’t before. Also, most people can agree, natural remedies, when available and helpful (not harmful) are just better for us. \\nWith all that in mind, let’s get to the science behind it all.\\nANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND INSOMNIA\\nAnxiety and depression is a big deal.  Lots of people are crippled by it on a day to day basis. Did you know that according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 40 \\nmillion\\n American adults suffer from an anxiety disorder? That’s about 18% of the population of the U.S. And it’s \\nnot \\nall in their heads. \\nIf you struggle with anxiety or depression, you are most certainly not alone, and you are definitely not the only one looking to alternative health practices to help alleviate your symptoms. Actually, congratulations! If you’re reading this, you’re taking an active, healthy step in overcoming your anxiety and/or depression! \\nAccording to PubMed (a highly regarded medical database of the National Institute for Health), regular practice of meditation over a period of 8 weeks or more will improve your anxiety and depression. Score one for alternative (or complementary) health! In case you aren’t aware, complementary health is a term used to describe alternative therapies that are used in conjunction with traditional ones.\\nSo give meditation a chance to work if you try it at all. Don’t give up on it after a couple of times! \\nAlso, I am in \\nno way\\n saying you should stop whatever your traditional doctor has prescribed for you and replace it with meditation. I’m simply telling you meditation is an excellent addition to help alleviate symptoms. If you love it and it works, then maybe you can talk with your doctor about your medication management.\\nThere are many different types of meditation that are good for anxiety, depression, and insomnia.  Here are a few popular ones:\\nBody scan or progressive relaxation\\n:  This type of meditation is a practice in mindfully releasing tension in various parts of the body.  Normally starting at the head and moving to the toes.\\nMetta Meditation\\n:  Metta Meditation is also known as loving-kindness meditation.  The goal is to create an attitude of love and kindness towards everything, including stressors.  It generally includes repeating affirmations.\\nMindfulness Meditation\\n:  This form of meditation assists practitioners in focusing heavily on the present and existing surroundings.  Not past or future.  It’s the most widely used form of meditation currently, primarily because it can be done almost anywhere at any time.\\nFor beginners, a guided version of any of these three would be the most beneficial.  But even regular, long-term practitioners often still use guidance in their meditation practices.\\nAnother way meditation and breathwork helps people?\\nPAIN MANAGEMENT\\nBefore you say anything, I completely understand some types of pain are not “cured” by meditation. There \\nARE\\n other possible alternative therapies to assist with pain that are not traditional medicine or pharmaceutical related though, but that’s a different topic. \\nI’ll stay on track by saying the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) has conducted several studies that reveal that mindfulness meditation, mindfulness-based stress reduction training (MBSR), and Cognitive Behavioral Training (CBT) all help reduce pain, particularly back and neck pain, but also many other types of pain. \\nIn some studies, “...scientists suggest that meditation activates certain areas of the brain in response to pain.” (NCCIH) \\nMost people who have chronic pain are willing to try almost anything. Trying something not harmful with zero side effects equals \\nZERO \\nrisk.\\nYoga is also particularly great for pain management of some conditions such as fibromyalgia, migraines, arthritis, and low back pain.  \\nAshtanga\\n, \\nBikram\\n, \\nKundalini\\n, and hot yoga are all various types of yoga that assist with pain management.  If you have questions or concerns about chronic pain, you should \\nfirst speak with your physician.\\nAlso, lots of people suffer with more than one problem. I’d go so far as to say \\nmost\\n people do. Meditate on it. Boom. Killing two birds with one stone! \\nOr check out my Breathing and Meditation class for a simple, restorative practice for beginners.\\nTHE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING\\nVery, cliche, I know. But emotional health DOES matter! \\nSome other benefits people notice are:\\nMore calm throughout the day, less stressed..\\nMore patience, compassion, and kindness.\\nReduced emotional eating. \\nMoney savings from reduced emotional eating.\\nAccording to studies done by the National Institute for Health, various different forms of meditation have been proven to improve one’s emotional well-being and overall mental health. I encourage you to do some research on what types of meditation would be most helpful for you, but some suggestions are Kindness-Based Meditation and guided mindfulness meditation. Which leads me to my next point.\\nKINDNESS\\nResearch published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology suggests that mindful meditation practices inspire people to be more empathetic and nicer to strangers.\\nHave you ever heard that f you’re looking for the negative, you’ll find it? If you’re looking for the bad in your life or just waiting for something bad to happen, you are finding it. Negativity attracts negativity. You may not even want to be kind because you’re so cynical right now. \\nThe news is mostly negative. \\nFacebook is a lot of negative. \\nRoad rage. \\nWaiting-in-line rage. I read once you are a culmination of the 5 people you surround yourself with the most. And what comes out of all of that is your contribution to unkindly behavior, words, and attitudes. \\nYou \\ncan\\n escape this pattern. I know because I did. Meditation makes me a nicer person. It’s improved my relationship with my husband and kids. I have less (almost none, actually) road rage and waiting-in-line rage. And I encourage myself and others daily to focus on the positive parts of their day or life. And honestly, that is almost solely due to guided mindfulness meditation practices. I am more peaceful, calm, content. And those feelings and attitudes produce more compassion, kindness, and empathy. \\nEVERYONE\\n can use more of those things. \\nThis one \\ndoes\\n take work and practice. It’s not an overnight sort of “fix.” But if you dare to “open” your mind to it, it’s really not hogwash. And it can apply to everyone, from \\nall\\n walks of life.\\n BLOOD PRESSURE — IT’S IMPORTANT!\\nThis one is last primarily because addressing all of the above concerns is scientifically proven to help lower your blood pressure. But people completely underestimate the importance of having good blood pressure! \\nAccording to the NIH, hypertension affects nearly \\n1 billion\\n people worldwide and results in 7.1 million deaths. The studies suggest that interventions such as meditation used either alone or with lifestyle changes has been shown to help decrease blood pressure.\\nMeditation is \\nnot a\\n “cure-all” for high blood pressure, so don’t do it in lieu of seeing your doctor. But it’s scientifically proven to help lower it. According to the NCCIH, “A literature review and scientific statement from the American Heart Association suggest that evidence supports the use of Transcendental Meditation (TM) to lower blood pressure.” The American Heart Association website also has many other helpful (and practical) tips about lowering your blood pressure, in case you’re in need of another free resource that gives free advice on how to get (or stay) healthy without breaking the bank.\\nNot sure how to begin your practice of meditation and breathwork? Join us in my \\nBreathing and Meditation class\\n! All are welcome, and we’ll journey to better health through meditation together.\\nIt’s also a perfect reason to go ahead and \\nscoop up your free 2-week trial of myYogaTeacher\\n! You’ll find all the support you need there from experts in yoga and meditation who are happy to help you navigate your path to better health, less stress, and more harmony!\\nLove, light, and peace!"}},{"id":"ckpjwhxjk4kvm0c34qj2mmr2f","slug":"yoga-for-back-pain","author":{"name":"Neha","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":null},"title":"Do This, Not That: 10 Yoga Poses to Avoid if You Have Back Pain","createdAt":"2021-06-05T15:18:02.896501+00:00","coverUrl":"qmm5qvng3vjs5rggukli.jpg","content":{"text":"A regular yoga routine helps prevent, and even cure, back pain. But only if the routine is full of all the right poses.\\n\\nIf you have a back injury or have had one in the past, some yoga poses cause stress and irritation to the discs and muscles in your back. And yoga is supposed to help, not hurt your body!\\n\\nThis is why, here at myYogaTeacher, we encourage you to do your research before investing in a group yoga class or a private yoga instructor.\\n\\nAn inexperienced yoga instructor may give you the wrong advice or take you through a flow that makes back pain worse.\\n\\nIf you haven’t checked out myYogaTeacher yet, you should! \\nGrab your 2-week free trial here.\\n You’ll have access to tons of online yoga classes, including mine, \\nYoga for Back Pain. \\nI wanted to make sure you have access to high quality yoga instruction for back pain and back issues.\\n\\nJust in case you wonder which asanas are prohibited for back pain patients, though, here are 10 poses you should avoid if you have back pain.\\n\\n1. Bow Pose (Floor)\\n\\nWhen done right, bow pose is an excellent way to work your glutes, stretch your shoulders, chest, and thighs and open your heart. But this pose is too intense for people with sensitive backs or back issues.\\n\\nPlus, it’s too easy to overstretch your back to deepen the pose instead of using your glutes and thighs.\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n2. Camel Pose\\n\\nHonestly, any variation of camel pose can be hard on your neck, shoulders, and sacrum. I encourage you to avoid even the easiest variations of this pose if you have any back or neck issues.\\n\\nIf you choose to do any of the modifications for this pose, though, be sure to squeeze your glutes and thighs to help support your lower back and spine.\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n3. Upward Facing Dog\\n\\nThis is such a beautiful and beneficial pose, that I hate to tell you not to do it. \\n\\nWith the appropriate guidance and instruction, upward facing dog strengthens your glutes and thighs, stretches and lengthens your core, and tones your upper back.\\n\\nHowever, it’s easy to do this pose wrong, particularly when it’s part of a vinyasa flow so it’s best to avoid it if you’re having any back pain or have known back issues.\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n4. Crescent Lunge Twist\\n\\nI usually encourage spinal twists to ease lower back pain due to menstrual cramps, sore muscles, or to safely increase one’s range of motion. However, if you have bulging or herniated discs, this – and almost any other twisting pose – is dangerous.\\n\\nYogis tend to muscle their way into balancing poses such as this one instead of allowing their body to naturally move and stretch to its furthest extent. Muscling your way into any pose is bad and can create even more problems, which is what practicing yoga is supposed to prevent!\\n\\n\\n5. Boat Pose\\n\\nAny pose where you’re balancing on your glutes will put at least some pressure on your sacrum and lower spine. Boat pose is no different.\\n\\nAlso, if you don’t have a strong core, you’ll have a tendency to slouch instead of maintaining good posture. This puts even more strain on your lower back region. This pose can be modified by putting your toes or even both your feet flat on the ground.\\nOr just skip it all together if you’re having back problems.\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n6. Bridge and Full Wheel\\n\\nBridge is often a precursor to doing Full Wheel. Either way, both poses put pressure on the spine and neck. Full Wheel is an advanced pose and requires more extension of the back and more strength in the legs, glutes, and arms.\\nBridge can be done safely with back issues, but it doesn’t alleviate back pain. So it’s best to avoid this one as well if you have back pain of any kind.\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n7. Fish Pose\\n\\nAhhhh. The beloved Fish pose! \\n\\nThis pose is awesome if you have mild back pain due to menstrual cramps or overworked muscles. It’s a really nice\\n restorative\\n pose and provides a good upper back stretch.\\n\\nHowever, for more serious back issues, you may want to stick to savasana. Fish pose is still a backbend and provides very little support for your hips and sacrum.\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n8. Shoulder Stand\\n\\nIt may be obvious to you that shoulder stand is a no when you have back issues, but it’s actually a counter pose to many of the poses I’ve listed here.\\n\\nShoulder stand can put a lot of undue stress on the cervical spine, which affects the lower spine. This is not the pose for yogis with back issues, weak core muscles, or tight shoulders.\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n9. Dancer’s Pose\\n\\nAny version of \\ndancer’s pose\\n is an intense back stretch. It is basically a standing backbend. It’s not entirely off limits if you have mild back pain, but if you feel any pinching at all, stop immediately.\\n\\nIf you do choose to proceed with this pose, be sure to lift from your thighs and glutes, not by pulling more on your foot. You can also use a strap to ease the tension of this pose.\\n\\nOr skip it all together if you have any sort of back injury.\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n10. Big Toe Pose\\n\\nIf you’ve performed big toe pose before, you’ll understand why I say this is not the pose to do if you have any kind of back problem or pain.\\n\\nThis pose compresses your side body and can cause your pelvis to tilt backwards, both of which puts a lot of strain and pressure on your lumbar spine. Even doing a modified version of this pose isn’t good for lower back issues.\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nIf you suffer with a back injury or other back issue that continues to cause pain and discomfort, I encourage you to seek out a professional yoga instructor who can help you address those issues in a way that is helpful, not harmful.\\n\\nNot sure where to start? Please, \\ncome see me in my Yoga for Back Pain class!\\n We have students in there who are all ages, from all walks of life, who have had back issues that are now a distant memory! \\nIf you’re not a member of myYogaTeacher yet, go ahead and grab your free 2-week trial here!\\n You’ll not only get access to my class but 35+ other group classes every day!\\n\\nWe’re here to help you live your best, fullest, most harmonious life!\\n\\nNamaste!\\n\\n"}},{"id":"ckfqz710g022r0178kxald7li","slug":"the-science-of-the-stress-response-and-how-to-reign-it-in","author":{"name":"Jitendra","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":"jitendra1.png"},"title":"The Science of the Stress Response (and how to reign it in)","createdAt":"2020-03-02T00:00:00+00:00","coverUrl":"eli-defaria-vCzh1jOyre8-unsplash.jpg","content":{"text":"How many scientific studies have backed up how relaxation can improve your health? More than we can count.\\n\\n\"The time to relax is when you don't have time for it.\"Sidney J. Harris\\n\\nBut what is relaxation? What is stress? When scientists talk about these terms they don't mean face masks and massages. They talk about the relaxation and stress response of the body.\\n\\nPhysical responses in our body create feelings of stress and relaxation.\\n\\nStress is your body’s response to what it perceives to be danger. Here’s an interesting example from Stanford Professor Richard Sapolsky.\\n\\nYou are on the safari. Out of the corner of your eye, you see a tiger licking his chops. At that moment, what do you need? You need to be RUNNING. \\n\\nYour body hears the call. It sends extra energy into your legs. Your heart pumps faster. Your brain releases a huge wave of hormones, including adrenaline.\\n\\nLuckily, you make it to safety.\\n\\nOk, imagine that you are a zebra. The same thing happens, and you make it to safety. What happens then? You shake it off and then go about your day.\\n\\nSigh.\\n\\nHumans are different. If this happened to you, you would retell the story over and over. You'd think about it the rest of the day. It might keep you up at night.\\n\\nHumans have trouble shaking things off. \\n\\nIn science terms, this is the anticipatory response. You are no longer in danger, but you still think you are.\\n\\nWe experience psychological stress.\\n\\nFor example, you are in traffic and will be late to work. Are you in danger? No. Does your body still elevate your heart rate and release stress hormones? Yes.\\n\\nThis stress response is less strong than if it was a tiger. But, the stress response uses resources. It is expensive for the body to keep up.\\n\\nYour body needs the opposite of the stress response to replace those resources.\\n\\nYou need the relaxation response.\\n\\nWhen in the relaxation response, your heart rate slows, your energy goes towards digestion and repair. Your brain releases hormones that relax your blood vessels. Your muscles let go of tension.\\n\\nTake 10 seconds to scan your body. How do you feel right now?\\n\\nIn this fast-paced world, many of us live in a low-level of the stress response all the time. We may forget what relaxation feels like.\\n\\nThis is where \\nYoga\\n comes in.\\n\\nThe practice of yoga teaches relaxation techniques. Yoga reduces muscle tension, slows your breathing and lowers your heart rate. This creates a gentle and calm feeling in the body and mind.\\n\\nYour health improves the more time you spend in the relaxation response. Studies have shown improved immune response, reduced blood pressure, better sleep and more.\\n\\nYou will experience the feeling of peace and calm both on and off your mat. That traffic jam will feel less stressful. You'll sleep better.\\n\\nYou might be thinking \"But, I am only starting. These benefits will take too much time.\" We have good news.\\n\\nThe \\nbenefits of yoga\\n are available to beginners and advanced yogis.\\n\\nA study showed that only 10 sessions of yoga created significant improvements. Only 4 weeks of yoga improved heart and lung performance in another study.\\n\\nTo truly fight back against the stress response, you have to know its opposite. You can learn how to create the relaxation response by using the centering, grounding and breathing techniques taight in yoga. These are often techniques that youcan use anywhere (includng that traffic jam!)\\n\\n\"The only joy in the world is to begin\"Cesare Pavese\\n"}}],"relatedPosts":[{"id":"cl74jtlu93yyq0ak0ti37gc8g","slug":"yoga-practice-for-women","author":{"name":"Divya","teacherMytSlug":"divya-1","pictureUrl":"divya-1.jpg"},"title":"The Importance of a Yoga practice for Women","createdAt":"2022-08-22T09:21:21.098639+00:00","coverUrl":"llizejqjzzeaxaxii2ey.jpg","content":{"text":"Why adding Yoga to your routine can make you feel like your most calm and confident self.\\nWe all know women have a lot on their plate. With all the things we have to get done in a day, it’s hard to remember to add taking care of ourselves to the list. We sometimes find time for a trip to the gym, a podcast episode or a quick walk between our to-do list, but the benefits of taking even 10 minutes to do yoga or a meditation can carry us through stressful days, help us sleep better or relieve pain and anxiety. Let’s break down why yoga is so important to the feminine being.\\nYoga is important for your mental health\\nA consistent yoga practice promotes relaxation, reduces anxiety and stress and can aid in mental clarity and a calm mind. Yoga is a great way to end your workday or transition from work back to your home life. If you have a high stress job, or you’re spending your day with kids, taking just five to ten minutes to breathe and stretch can put you in a clearer mindset to switch roles or tasks with ease. For example, Pranayama, the practice of focusing your breath takes only a few minutes and can help you adjust or focus your breathing, mind and heart. Pranayama is the yogic practice of focusing on breath. In Sanskrit, prana means \"vital life force\". In stressful situations, we can always come back to our breath. This is especially a great practice for women, as we tend to be a “lifesource” for our families.\\nLet’s find the right poses to ease your mind!\\nSuggested Poses for stress relief:\\nStanding Forward Fold :\\n\\nThis pose releases tension in the neck and back and is a physical and mental “letting go”\\nEasy Seat :\\n\\n Gentle hip opener, relieves physical and mental exhaustion.\\nChilds Pose : \\n\\nReleases the Nero and lymphatic systems.\\nSuggested Poses for anxiety relief:\\nHead to Knee forward bend :\\n\\nCalms the mind.\\nBridge pose : \\n\\nReduces anxiety and fatigue.\\nCamel Pose : \\n\\nBoost Energy.\\nSuggested Poses to calm the mind:\\nLegs up the wall : \\n\\nLegs up the \\nwall \\nallows your body complete relaxation.\\nCorpse Pose :\\n\\nQuiets your system and lowers your blood pressure\\nCat Pose :\\n\\nHelps to relieve stress and calm the mind.\\nYoga is important for your physical health\\nYou can find little ways to add yoga into your life every day to keep your body in tip top shape! You can add yoga to the end of your workout to lower your heart rate or choose it as a workout on “low impact” days. Believe it or not, yoga can actually take the place of strength training and cardio programs if you take the right classes! \\nMyYogaTeacher has so many options to support your active lifestyle! Yoga can improve flexibility, strength and even help with range of motion. So if you’ve got goals, we’ve got a class to fit them! \\n A normal yoga practice can keep your hormones in check and help with menopause and menstrual symptoms. Not feeling well? Tired? Yoga can also aid in normal digestion or help you maintain a healthy sleep cycle.\\nNow that you know yoga can help your physical body, let's find the right styles for you!\\nFor flexibility – If you’re trying to improve flexibility, you’re in luck! Most styles of yoga are GREAT for stretching and flexibility. If you’re looking to just stretch, we’d recommend a \\nrestorative \\nor \\nyin yoga class.\\n\\nFor Pain relief- If you’re in pain, try a focused Yin Yoga class for your injury or ailment. We have some great choices! Just use the search feature on our website! There are classes that are as specific as \\nyoga for knee pain \\nor yoga for digestion!\\nFor Strength – If you’re a warrior who loves to sweat, Vinyasa is your go to style. Try this low impact style that’s sure to raise your heart rate faster than any treadmill run. Are you a more advanced Yogi?\\n Try a Power Yoga\\n class!\\nYoga is important for your emotional wellbeing\\nMost yogis believe that yoga is a mind, body and soul practice meaning that it’s not just for fitness or for mental clarity, but it’s a life experience that can add joy and comfort to your everyday life. For most of us, the practice of yoga is what we take back to our lives long after we leave the mat.  \\nYoga can improve your energy-\\n A study done by Oxford\\n, found that a yoga practice and yoga breathing can restore your energy better than any other visualization or relaxation practice.\\nYoga helps connect the mind and body- While our mind and body are always physically connected, Yoga makes us stop, think and question that connection. It trains us to concentrate on our breath and connect our thoughts to one body part, or move at a time. Which helps us to increase focus.\\nAnd last, but certainly not least, yoga is great for socialization! Group fitness classes help us to make friends, or find friends who share our common interests or goals. Who doesn’t love taking a class with their friends? And with our site, you can take class together from the comfort of your own homes!\\nReady to fit yoga into your life? Let’s find a way to make it work for you!\\nWhen can you fit in yoga if you have a busy schedule? Unlike a traditional studio or gym, Our website makes it easy for you to fit yoga in when it works for you! Classes run live from 6am to 9pm. And you can take classes at home, on vacation or even at work on your lunch break. You can take your practice anywhere with our \\nvirtual options\\n. Don’t think you can commit to a live class? Watch your recordings later on your own time! \\nAre you a stay-at-home mom? Do you feel like you can’t get away for a workout? Do it with them! Make yoga time a part of your family’s routine to either start or end the day. We even have kid’s classes you can take together! \\nTry one today!\\n\\nNot a fan of group fitness? Maybe you prefer to workout alone or have specific goals you want to meet. Our\\n one on one option\\n is great for deepening your practice or working directly with an instructor to meet your goals on your timeline! \\nSo whichever reason speaks to you, even with all the things you have to do for your family or work, You can always make time for yoga and add more joy to your life with a yoga practice. Where there’s a will there’s a way. All you need for yoga is your body and a commitment to yourself! Make the time to start your practice today! Your body will thank you!\\n\\nReady to get started? Grab a free trial!\\n"}},{"id":"ckfqz0aq801yj0136gps4jqeb","slug":"yoga-gave-me-everything","author":{"name":"Shivayogi","teacherMytSlug":"shivayogi-1","pictureUrl":"Shiva-1.jpg"},"title":"Yoga Gave Me Everything","createdAt":"2019-11-14T00:00:00+00:00","coverUrl":"Shiva-1.jpg","content":{"text":"from Shivayogi \\n\\nMy name is Shivayogi, but I don't know why my parents named me that. When I decided to enter into the world of Yoga, my parents actually stood against me. They were not confident in my decision. I turned away from 16 years of education and came to an unfamiliar city to follow this passion. \\n\\nMy \\njourney\\n started as a fitness trainer, completing certificates in Pilates, strength and conditioning and Strong by Zumba. I worked in a well-established gym called Chisel in Bangalore. Finally, I entered into the beautiful ocean called YOGA by enrolling in a Hatha and \\nAshtanga\\n Vinyasa certificate program in the Yoga capital of the world: Rishikesh, India.\\n\\nI fell in love with \\nyoga\\n.\\n\\nYoga is so so beautiful, monumental and soul-bearing and I adore it. Since completing that certificate program, I have worked with more than 50 multigyms in Bangalore and conducted more than 1,000 group classes. Each week, I teach everything from workshops to personal one-on-one classes and styles including hatha, \\nvinyasa\\n, power and even \\nacroyoga\\n!\\n\\nMy experience, training and love for this practice enable me to teach confidently.\\n\\nYoga gave me \\nconfidence\\n. Yoga gave me health.Yoga gave me a sound mind in a sound body.\\n\\nIn short, \\nyoga\\n gave me everything.\\n"}},{"id":"cl15mzam56v6p0civ30s56jgb","slug":"yoga-for-menopause","author":{"name":"Sarita","teacherMytSlug":"","pictureUrl":null},"title":"Yoga for Menopause : Why Menopausal Women Benefit From Yoga","createdAt":"2022-03-24T23:39:17.49117+00:00","coverUrl":"ik4av8npvdeyhe4qheep.jpg","content":{"text":"Did you know menopause yoga is a a real form of yoga? Granted, it’s not a traditional form of yoga like ashtanga, vinyasa, or yin yoga are. But it incorporates authentic, traditional yoga poses that benefit menopausal women.\\nMenopause may be a touchy subject for some of you, but here at MyYogaTeacher, we believe in being open and honest about all parts of our humanity.\\nDiscussing typically taboo topics like menopause helps women learn how to better manage their symptoms and lets them know they are not alone. \\nDuring menopause, women often seek medical treatment for their physical and psychological symptoms. But yoga for menopause symptoms offers hope for a natural remedy for many of the symptoms that you may experience during this transitional time! \\nAt MyYogaTeacher, every member is a part of a supportive community of yogis. We have students from all ages, all walks of life and who are experiencing many different phases of the human life cycle, including menopause.\\nMyYogaTeacher offers 1:1 classes with authentic yoga instructors from the birthplace of yoga, India! And if you haven’t experienced virtual private yoga classes yet, MyYogaTeacher makes 1:1 classes affordable and accessible! PLUS, with your membership, you get:\\n\\nRadiance! More energy, peace of mind, and better health & fitness\\n42+ daily group yoga classes, 100% live!\\nDiscounted yoga workshops, all live and interactive!\\nMaking new like-minded friends from around the world\\n\\nGrab your 2-week free trial and check out your membership options here!\\n\\nLearn more below about why menopausal women benefit from a consistent yoga practice!\\n\\n\\nRestorative yoga poses alleviate hot flashes\\nNo one really knows why women have hot flashes during (and even before) menopause. But this classic symptom is recognizable by an intense surge in body temperature and increased heart rate, making women feel flushed and hot.\\nYoga for menopause shouldn’t be vigorous. Any tension in the body or tightening of the muscles can make hot flashes worse. Cooling, restorative poses such as reclining bound angle pose, child’s pose, reclining hero pose, and reclined butterfly pose are good ones to help alleviate hot flashes. \\nAdditionally, using bolsters, blankets, blocks, or other props to make your yoga practice more comfortable is encouraged!\\n\\n\\nYoga for menopause helps manage decreased hormone symptoms\\nTraditionally, the allopathic route to resolving symptoms of decreased hormone production has been hormone replacement therapy. Doctors believe that to combat menopausal symptoms, replacing decreasing hormones such as estrogen was a solid solution.\\nUnfortunately, studies have shown that hormone replacement exposes women to serious health risks. Risks like dementia, stroke, heart attacks, as well as several types of cancer.\\nWhile yoga might not directly affect estrogen production, it has certainly shown to be effective at holistically managing the symptoms that occur due to the lack of estrogen that is produced during menopause.\\nSymptoms such as irritability, insomnia, fatigue, and lack of focus can all be managed with a consistent yoga practice.\\n\\n\\nMenopausal women are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease\\nIn an \\narticle from the National Institute of Health\\n, studies show the use of yoga therapy for menopausal women decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). During menopause, women become more insulin resistent and have increased metobolic and vascular changes, all of which strongly contribute to CVD.\\nIncreasing evidence demonstrates that with proper guidance, yoga helps menopausal women reduce their risk of CVD, particularly in older adults who may have pre-existing medical conditions that make them especially prone to cardiovascular issues.\\nYoga also provides mental, physical, and emotional health benefits to this population of women that will help them live a more comfortable, happy, healthy life during and after menopause!\\n\\n\\nYoga poses for menopause\\nI guess you’re wondering what are some yoga poses you can do to help alleviate your menopausal symptoms! Let’s go over a few here to get you started.\\nYoga poses for mood swings\\nForward bend - \\nRelaxes the mind, fights depression and anxiety, calms the nervous system\\nBow pose - \\nOpens up the chest, lifts mood, and stimulates digestive organs\\nCamel pose - \\nHelps you feel safe and secure and aids in working through negative emotions\\nDownward facing dog - \\nIncreases circulation and wakes you up\\nLegs up a wall - \\nReduces fatigue and insomnia, calms the brain and relieves depression\\nYoga poses for hot flashes\\nChild’s pose - \\nCalms the heart rate, cools the body\\nReclining hero pose - \\nRelieves tight muscles that tense up when you’re uncomfortable\\nBridge pose - \\nReduces pain in back and stretches the neck and spine, improves circulation\\nReclining bound angle pose - \\nHelps create hormonal balance from overtaxed adrenal glands\\nWide leg forward bend - \\nLowers heart rate and blood pressure, cooling the body\\nYoga poses for cramps and heavy bleeding\\nSupine twist pose - \\nMassages reproductive organs, relieves tension in those areas\\nChild’s pose - \\nStretch lower back and allows lower abdominal muscles to relax\\nBow pose - \\nStretches out abdominal muscles and opens up reproductive organs\\nCobra pose - \\nStretches out abdominal muscles and puts gentle pressure on lower abdomen\\nHead to knees forward bend - \\n Relieves menstrual cramps, headache, and fatigue\\nTrying any or all of these poses each day you’re experiencing menopausal symptoms is sure to  get you feeling better quickly, but try practicing yoga therapy for menopause every day for consistent relief from the uncomfortable symptoms you may be experiencing during this transitional time in your life.\\nAnd if you need some more guidance on how to get through these transitions with more ease, grace, and comfort, I encourage you to check out the affordable 1-on-1 private online yoga classes at MyYogaTeacher! We help people just like you!\\nNot a MyYogaTeacher member? Whether you’re interested in teaching yoga, starting yoga, or growing in your yoga journey, MyYogaTeacher is a great place to do it!\\nWhen you sign up for a 1:1 membership with us you get:\\n102 expert\\n, highly qualified yoga instructors to choose from\\nThe ability to switch instructors\\n or take classes with only your faves\\nAccess to unlimited group classes\\n, taught \\nlive\\nPersonalized instruction\\n and work out, diet, and lifestyle plans\\nTo be a member of a HUGE community\\n of happy yogis from around the world\\nYoga teachers who become friends\\n, who truly care about you!\\nIf you haven’t checked us out already, \\ngrab two free 1:1 sessions with your 2-week free trial here\\n!"}}],"blogContent":{"id":"ckn0jz3m8i6360c81zge64am9","slug":"what-is-yin-yang-yoga","author":{"name":"Nikita","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":null},"title":"It’s More Than A Symbol: Yin and Yang in Yoga","createdAt":"2021-04-02T17:00:26.971968+00:00","updatedAt":"2022-04-11T13:55:43.463553+00:00","coverUrl":"find-balance-yin-yang-yoga_770x513_.jpeg","seoDescription":"You've heard of yin and yang. But have you heard of yin yang yoga? Explore what it is here and then try it out for yourself!","content":{"text":"Not that anyone wants a history lesson, but the ancient Chinese yin and yang symbol is more than just a cool wallpaper for your computer.\\n\\nOr poster on your wall (if you were born in the 80’s).\\n\\nThe concept of yin and yang has to do with duality and how opposites are interconnected. \\n\\nFor instance, the word “yin” in Chinese philosophy is associated with all things hard, cold, wet, feminine. Negative. Even earthy. But not in a bad way. It’s in a necessary way. Even yin yoga is restorative, passive, cooling.\\n\\nThe word “yang” corresponds to all things light. It is the masculine energy that possesses heat, dryness, and combines with yin to create all things.\\n\\nIt makes sense to offer a \\nYin and Yang Yoga class\\n! I chose to create this class because combining the heat of yoga for exercise with the restoration of yoga for relaxation and stretching works well together to promote harmony with one’s inner and outer world.\\n\\nYou can check it out, along with many other types of yoga classes, at myYogaTeacher. \\nGrab your 2-week free trial and experience any or all of them!\\n\\n\\nLet’s talk more about the different parts of yin and yang yoga! We’ll start with the yin since no one says “yang yin symbol.” Or “yang and yin yoga.” \\n\\nYin yoga\\n\\nDid you know that studies show that doing yoga before bed assists with weight loss? Obviously, this practice can be done any time of the day, but before bed is also helpful!\\n\\nYin yoga, particularly, is a great practice to do before bed. It not only helps relax your body, stretch your muscles, and prepare you to sleep. It helps your body reduce its cortisol levels.\\n\\nHigh cortisol levels are associated with weight gain and many other health conditions.\\n\\nIn addition to reducing those levels, yin yoga helps cleanse your lymph nodes, which is important for keeping your immune system healthy! You can read more about how yin yoga helps with lymphatic drainage and immunity \\nhere in this blog post\\n by another expert yogi, Annelise!\\n\\nHere are some other examples of how yin yoga benefits your mind and body:\\n\\nImproves flexibility (because you’re holding each pose longer)\\nIncreases circulation \\nImproves joint mobility\\nBalances internal organs and improves chi\\nCalms the mind\\n\\nAnd it’s beneficial for every body type at any fitness level.\\n\\nWithin the yin yoga practice, the “black” part of the yin yang symbol, there is still that small circle of white. The yang is still present. It shows up as the stretch you feel in your muscles when you’re holding a pose or the little bit of heat you may experience that is left over from the heat of the yang portion of a practice.\\n\\nBut just like there is a time to rest, to eat, to look inward, to reflect, there is also a time for the opposite of those things! (Ever heard the song Turn! Turn! Turn! by The Byrds?) There is a time for every purpose under heaven.\\n\\nAnd that is where the “yang” part of my yoga class comes in!\\n\\n\\nThe yang\\n\\nYang yoga is most commonly called hatha or ashtanga yoga. But the idea is that creating heat in your body and working your muscles in a gentle way that increases your heart rate is just as necessary as a calming, restorative yin yoga practice.\\n\\nHatha and ashtanga yoga practices focus on building strength, flexibility, and stamina. I use both of these in the yang yoga portion of my yoga class. \\n\\nAs a matter of fact, we start the class with yang yoga. This part of the practice includes dynamic asanas and a faster pace to build heat. We really work on synchronizing our breath with the movements as well, since that can be more challenging with a faster flow!\\n\\n\\nYou can see how yang yoga is the white portion of a yin yang symbol, while yin yoga is the black. But in each of these is a tiny bit of the other.\\n\\nEven in yang yoga, while you may be sweating and warm, there is a calm and consistency in your breath. A release with each pose. That is the yin.\\n\\nYou see? There is not one without the other! The centuries old concept of yin and yang is still very prevalent in our society today.\\n\\n\\nWhy yin and yang are equally important\\n\\nWhat happens if you sleep all day? Rest all day? Eat all day?\\n\\nWhat would happen if your life consisted of one extreme or the other? Poverty, wealth, daytime, night.\\n\\nThe yin and yang represent harmony. The necessity of both light and darkness. Feast and famine. Activity and rest. Calm and chaos. And they are both important to our mental, emotional, and physical health!\\n\\nWhen there is too much of one and not enough of the other, the result can be catastrophic.\\n\\nFor example, marathon runners who don’t spend enough time resting and nurturing their bodies, stretching, and relaxing tend to injure themselves more easily than those who do. Injuries that could prevent them from running forever!\\n\\nWhen there is not enough rain, forest fires occur more easily. When there are long periods of rain, suicide rates are higher. When we work too much and play too little, we burn out and quit our jobs or don’t do well at our jobs.\\n\\nThis is the importance of yin and yang. In yoga and in life!\\n\\n\\nIf you’re feeling a bit out of sync and imbalance and are interested in trying out my \\nYin and Yang Yoga class, we’d love to see you on the mat! \\n\\n\\nNot a member of myYogaTeacher yet? That’s ok! \\nYou can sign up here for your free 2-week trial here.\\n No credit card needed. You’ll get access to 35+ yoga classes taught by many wonderful, expert yoga instructors, all from the birthplace of yoga, India.\\n","html":"<p>Not that anyone wants a history lesson, but the ancient Chinese yin and yang symbol is more than just a cool wallpaper for your computer.</p><p></p><p>Or poster on your wall (if you were born in the 80’s).</p><p></p><p>The concept of yin and yang has to do with duality and how opposites are interconnected. </p><p></p><p>For instance, the word “yin” in Chinese philosophy is associated with all things hard, cold, wet, feminine. Negative. Even earthy. But not in a bad way. It’s in a necessary way. Even yin yoga is restorative, passive, cooling.</p><p></p><p>The word “yang” corresponds to all things light. It is the masculine energy that possesses heat, dryness, and combines with yin to create all things.</p><p></p><p>It makes sense to offer a <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/yin-yang-flow-by-nikita\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/yin-yang-flow-by-nikita\">Yin and Yang Yoga class</a>! I chose to create this class because combining the heat of yoga for exercise with the restoration of yoga for relaxation and stretching works well together to promote harmony with one’s inner and outer world.</p><p></p><p>You can check it out, along with many other types of yoga classes, at myYogaTeacher. <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/\">Grab your 2-week free trial and experience any or all of them!</a></p><p></p><p>Let’s talk more about the different parts of yin and yang yoga! We’ll start with the yin since no one says “yang yin symbol.” Or “yang and yin yoga.” </p><p></p><h2>Yin yoga</h2><p></p><p>Did you know that studies show that doing yoga before bed assists with weight loss? Obviously, this practice can be done any time of the day, but before bed is also helpful!</p><p></p><p>Yin yoga, particularly, is a great practice to do before bed. It not only helps relax your body, stretch your muscles, and prepare you to sleep. It helps your body reduce its cortisol levels.</p><p></p><p>High cortisol levels are associated with weight gain and many other health conditions.</p><p></p><p>In addition to reducing those levels, yin yoga helps cleanse your lymph nodes, which is important for keeping your immune system healthy! You can read more about how yin yoga helps with lymphatic drainage and immunity <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/yin-yoga-for-immunity\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/yin-yoga-for-immunity\">here in this blog post</a> by another expert yogi, Annelise!</p><p></p><p>Here are some other examples of how yin yoga benefits your mind and body:</p><p></p><ul><li><div>Improves flexibility (because you’re holding each pose longer)</div></li><li><div>Increases circulation </div></li><li><div>Improves joint mobility</div></li><li><div>Balances internal organs and improves chi</div></li><li><div>Calms the mind</div></li></ul><p></p><p>And it’s beneficial for every body type at any fitness level.</p><p></p><p>Within the yin yoga practice, the “black” part of the yin yang symbol, there is still that small circle of white. The yang is still present. It shows up as the stretch you feel in your muscles when you’re holding a pose or the little bit of heat you may experience that is left over from the heat of the yang portion of a practice.</p><p></p><p>But just like there is a time to rest, to eat, to look inward, to reflect, there is also a time for the opposite of those things! (Ever heard the song Turn! Turn! Turn! by The Byrds?) There is a time for every purpose under heaven.</p><p></p><p>And that is where the “yang” part of my yoga class comes in!</p><p></p><p></p><h2>The yang</h2><p></p><p>Yang yoga is most commonly called hatha or ashtanga yoga. But the idea is that creating heat in your body and working your muscles in a gentle way that increases your heart rate is just as necessary as a calming, restorative yin yoga practice.</p><p></p><p>Hatha and ashtanga yoga practices focus on building strength, flexibility, and stamina. I use both of these in the yang yoga portion of my yoga class. </p><p></p><p>As a matter of fact, we start the class with yang yoga. This part of the practice includes dynamic asanas and a faster pace to build heat. We really work on synchronizing our breath with the movements as well, since that can be more challenging with a faster flow!</p><p></p><p></p><p>You can see how yang yoga is the white portion of a yin yang symbol, while yin yoga is the black. But in each of these is a tiny bit of the other.</p><p></p><p>Even in yang yoga, while you may be sweating and warm, there is a calm and consistency in your breath. A release with each pose. That is the yin.</p><p></p><p>You see? There is not one without the other! The centuries old concept of yin and yang is still very prevalent in our society today.</p><p></p><p></p><h2>Why yin and yang are equally important</h2><p></p><p>What happens if you sleep all day? Rest all day? Eat all day?</p><p></p><p>What would happen if your life consisted of one extreme or the other? Poverty, wealth, daytime, night.</p><p></p><p>The yin and yang represent harmony. The necessity of both light and darkness. Feast and famine. Activity and rest. Calm and chaos. And they are both important to our mental, emotional, and physical health!</p><p></p><p>When there is too much of one and not enough of the other, the result can be catastrophic.</p><p></p><p>For example, marathon runners who don’t spend enough time resting and nurturing their bodies, stretching, and relaxing tend to injure themselves more easily than those who do. Injuries that could prevent them from running forever!</p><p></p><p>When there is not enough rain, forest fires occur more easily. When there are long periods of rain, suicide rates are higher. When we work too much and play too little, we burn out and quit our jobs or don’t do well at our jobs.</p><p></p><p>This is the importance of yin and yang. In yoga and in life!</p><p></p><p></p><p>If you’re feeling a bit out of sync and imbalance and are interested in trying out my <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/yin-yang-flow-by-nikita\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/yin-yang-flow-by-nikita\">Yin and Yang Yoga class, we’d love to see you on the mat! </a></p><p></p><p>Not a member of myYogaTeacher yet? That’s ok! <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/\">You can sign up here for your free 2-week trial here.</a> No credit card needed. You’ll get access to 35+ yoga classes taught by many wonderful, expert yoga instructors, all from the birthplace of yoga, India.</p><p></p>"},"category":["yoga"],"utmCampaign":null,"utmMedium":null,"utmContent":null,"utmSource":null,"utmTerm":null,"utmSearchString":null,"imageHyperlink":[]},"loading":false,"blog_content":[{"type":"HTML","value":"<p>Not that anyone wants a history lesson, but the ancient Chinese yin and yang symbol is more than just a cool wallpaper for your computer.</p><p></p><p>Or poster on your wall (if you were born in the 80’s).</p><p></p><p>The concept of yin and yang has to do with duality and how opposites are interconnected. </p><p></p><p>For instance, the word “yin” in Chinese philosophy is associated with all things hard, cold, wet, feminine. Negative. Even earthy. But not in a bad way. It’s in a necessary way. Even yin yoga is restorative, passive, cooling.</p><p></p><p>The word “yang” corresponds to all things light. It is the masculine energy that possesses heat, dryness, and combines with yin to create all things.</p><p></p><p>It makes sense to offer a <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/yin-yang-flow-by-nikita\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/yin-yang-flow-by-nikita\">Yin and Yang Yoga class</a>! I chose to create this class because combining the heat of yoga for exercise with the restoration of yoga for relaxation and stretching works well together to promote harmony with one’s inner and outer world.</p><p></p><p>You can check it out, along with many other types of yoga classes, at myYogaTeacher. <a\n            class=\"inline-cta\"\n            id=a4333d91-2661-477c-9ea4-5a21a7b6f979\n            href=\"/signup?utm_source=MYT__article&utm_medium=ckn0jz3m8i6360c81zge64am9&utm_campaign=inline_cta&utm_content=CTA-INLINE&entity_name=It’s More Than A Symbol: Yin and Yang in Yoga&entity_slug=what-is-yin-yang-yoga&page_or_popup=/articles/what-is-yin-yang-yoga&entity_location=hyperlink_midst_of_article&article_cta=CTA-INLINE&from_article_page=true\"\n            onclick=trigger_mixpanel_sign_up_cta(\"a4333d91-2661-477c-9ea4-5a21a7b6f979\")\n            title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/\" \n            data-title=\"It’s More Than A Symbol: Yin and Yang in Yoga\"\n            data-slug=\"what-is-yin-yang-yoga\"\n            <u>Grab your 2-week free trial and experience any or all of them!</a></u>        \n            </a></p><p></p><p>Let’s talk more about the different parts of yin and yang yoga! We’ll start with the yin since no one says “yang yin symbol.” Or “yang and yin yoga.” </p><p></p><h2>Yin yoga</h2><p></p><p>Did you know that studies show that doing yoga before bed assists with weight loss? Obviously, this practice can be done any time of the day, but before bed is also helpful!</p><p></p><p>Yin yoga, particularly, is a great practice to do before bed. It not only helps relax your body, stretch your muscles, and prepare you to sleep. It helps your body reduce its cortisol levels.</p><p></p><p>High cortisol levels are associated with weight gain and many other health conditions.</p><p></p><p>In addition to reducing those levels, yin yoga helps cleanse your lymph nodes, which is important for keeping your immune system healthy! You can read more about how yin yoga helps with lymphatic drainage and immunity <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/yin-yoga-for-immunity\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/yin-yoga-for-immunity\">here in this blog post</a> by another expert yogi, Annelise!</p><p></p><p>Here are some other examples of how yin yoga benefits your mind and body:</p><p></p><ul><li><div>Improves flexibility (because you’re holding each pose longer)</div></li><li><div>Increases circulation </div></li><li><div>Improves joint mobility</div></li><li><div>Balances internal organs and improves chi</div></li><li><div>Calms the mind</div></li></ul><p></p><p>And it’s beneficial for every body type at any fitness level.</p><p></p><p>Within the yin yoga practice, the “black” part of the yin yang symbol, there is still that small circle of white. The yang is still present. It shows up as the stretch you feel in your muscles when you’re holding a pose or the little bit of heat you may experience that is left over from the heat of the yang portion of a practice.</p><p></p><p>But just like there is a time to rest, to eat, to look inward, to reflect, there is also a time for the opposite of those things! (Ever heard the song Turn! Turn! Turn! by The Byrds?) There is a time for every purpose under heaven.</p><p></p><p>And that is where the “yang” part of my yoga class comes in!</p><p></p><p></p><h2>The yang</h2><p></p><p>Yang yoga is most commonly called hatha or ashtanga yoga. But the idea is that creating heat in your body and working your muscles in a gentle way that increases your heart rate is just as necessary as a calming, restorative yin yoga practice.</p><p></p><p>Hatha and ashtanga yoga practices focus on building strength, flexibility, and stamina. I use both of these in the yang yoga portion of my yoga class. </p><p></p><p>As a matter of fact, we start the class with yang yoga. This part of the practice includes dynamic asanas and a faster pace to build heat. We really work on synchronizing our breath with the movements as well, since that can be more challenging with a faster flow!</p><p></p><p></p><p>You can see how yang yoga is the white portion of a yin yang symbol, while yin yoga is the black. But in each of these is a tiny bit of the other.</p><p></p><p>Even in yang yoga, while you may be sweating and warm, there is a calm and consistency in your breath. A release with each pose. That is the yin.</p><p></p><p>You see? There is not one without the other! The centuries old concept of yin and yang is still very prevalent in our society today.</p><p></p><p></p><h2>Why yin and yang are equally important</h2><p></p><p>What happens if you sleep all day? Rest all day? Eat all day?</p><p></p><p>What would happen if your life consisted of one extreme or the other? Poverty, wealth, daytime, night.</p><p></p><p>The yin and yang represent harmony. The necessity of both light and darkness. Feast and famine. Activity and rest. Calm and chaos. And they are both important to our mental, emotional, and physical health!</p><p></p><p>When there is too much of one and not enough of the other, the result can be catastrophic.</p><p></p><p>For example, marathon runners who don’t spend enough time resting and nurturing their bodies, stretching, and relaxing tend to injure themselves more easily than those who do. Injuries that could prevent them from running forever!</p><p></p><p>When there is not enough rain, forest fires occur more easily. When there are long periods of rain, suicide rates are higher. When we work too much and play too little, we burn out and quit our jobs or don’t do well at our jobs.</p><p></p><p>This is the importance of yin and yang. In yoga and in life!</p><p></p><p></p><p>If you’re feeling a bit out of sync and imbalance and are interested in trying out my <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/yin-yang-flow-by-nikita\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/yin-yang-flow-by-nikita\">Yin and Yang Yoga class, we’d love to see you on the mat! </a></p><p></p><p>Not a member of myYogaTeacher yet? That’s ok! <a\n            class=\"inline-cta\"\n            id=ac3df7a2-b0c2-4049-b933-e9d14e0c0a3a\n            href=\"/signup?utm_source=MYT__article&utm_medium=ckn0jz3m8i6360c81zge64am9&utm_campaign=inline_cta&utm_content=CTA-INLINE&entity_name=It’s More Than A Symbol: Yin and Yang in Yoga&entity_slug=what-is-yin-yang-yoga&page_or_popup=/articles/what-is-yin-yang-yoga&entity_location=hyperlink_midst_of_article&article_cta=CTA-INLINE&from_article_page=true\"\n            onclick=trigger_mixpanel_sign_up_cta(\"ac3df7a2-b0c2-4049-b933-e9d14e0c0a3a\")\n            title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/\" \n            data-title=\"It’s More Than A Symbol: Yin and Yang in Yoga\"\n            data-slug=\"what-is-yin-yang-yoga\"\n            <u>You can sign up here for your free 2-week trial here.</a></u>        \n            </a> No credit card needed. You’ll get access to 35+ yoga classes taught by many wonderful, expert yoga instructors, all from the birthplace of yoga, India.</p><p></p>"},{"type":"CTA","value":"[CTA-DEFAULT]"}],"isSlugACategory":false,"searchCategory":"what-is-yin-yang-yoga","showPopUp":false,"popUpType":null,"showedPopup":false,"windowWidth":null,"ctaPath":"signup","redirectURL":"#","ctaContent":[{"id":"ckxrz2i14tov40c25g1dpicsg","name":"[CTA-DEFAULT]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions and 2 weeks of unlimited group classes</strong> with authentic yoga teachers. No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Classes – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckxrz37hsu0cj0a76mgb4594m","name":"[CTA-FREECLASS]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions and 2 weeks of unlimited group classes</strong> with authentic yoga teachers. No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Classes – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckxrz4d5stsye0b75dtlx1w0n","name":"[CTA-TRENDS]","description":{"html":"<p>Get ahead of the next trend and practice with authentic Indian yoga teachers! Sign up today and <strong>get 2 free private yoga sessions PLUS 2 weeks of unlimited group classes</strong>. No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Sessions – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>Practice with Authentic Indian Yoga Teachers</strong></p><p></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckxrz6nq0tqdr0c258titvagg","name":"[CTA-REVIEWS]","description":{"html":"<p>Find out what all the hype is about! <strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions and 2 weeks of unlimited group classes</strong> with authentic yoga teachers. No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Sessions – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>103,478 Happy Students &amp; 12,086 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reviews</strong></p><p></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckxrz7nzktu400b752fym6wpw","name":"[CTA-HATHA]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private hatha yoga sessions and 2 weeks of unlimited group classes </strong>(including tons of daily Hatha yoga classes). No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Hatha Yoga Sessions – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>with Authentic Indian Teachers</strong></p><p></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"cky90p88g3zgc0d23yz6taont","name":"[CTA-NASAL]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private sessions </strong>to relieve post nasal drip and clear out your sinus. </p><p><strong>PLUS, 2 weeks of unlimited group classes </strong>with authentic Indian yoga teachers. 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No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Therapy – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>Relieve Back Pain Safely &amp; Effectively Today!</strong></p><p></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckyitki4w2liz0b30tqpzhy4i","name":"[CTA-KRIYA]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions </strong>for Kriya Yoga, Pranayama, and Meditation <strong>and 2 weeks of unlimited group classes </strong>with authentic yoga teachers. No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Classes – </strong><u><strong>Live &amp; Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>Practice Kriya, Pranayama, and Meditation Today!</strong></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckyitxgyg2pot0b79lu1fcpp1","name":"[CTA-BREATH]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions </strong>for yogic breathing techniques (pranayama) and <strong>2 weeks of unlimited group classes</strong>, like ‘Stretch and Breathe’, ‘Kriya, Pranayama, and Meditation’, and many others. 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But have you heard of yin yang yoga? Explore what it is here and then try it out for yourself!","content":{"text":"Not that anyone wants a history lesson, but the ancient Chinese yin and yang symbol is more than just a cool wallpaper for your computer.\\n\\nOr poster on your wall (if you were born in the 80’s).\\n\\nThe concept of yin and yang has to do with duality and how opposites are interconnected. \\n\\nFor instance, the word “yin” in Chinese philosophy is associated with all things hard, cold, wet, feminine. Negative. Even earthy. But not in a bad way. It’s in a necessary way. Even yin yoga is restorative, passive, cooling.\\n\\nThe word “yang” corresponds to all things light. It is the masculine energy that possesses heat, dryness, and combines with yin to create all things.\\n\\nIt makes sense to offer a \\nYin and Yang Yoga class\\n! I chose to create this class because combining the heat of yoga for exercise with the restoration of yoga for relaxation and stretching works well together to promote harmony with one’s inner and outer world.\\n\\nYou can check it out, along with many other types of yoga classes, at myYogaTeacher. \\nGrab your 2-week free trial and experience any or all of them!\\n\\n\\nLet’s talk more about the different parts of yin and yang yoga! We’ll start with the yin since no one says “yang yin symbol.” Or “yang and yin yoga.” \\n\\nYin yoga\\n\\nDid you know that studies show that doing yoga before bed assists with weight loss? Obviously, this practice can be done any time of the day, but before bed is also helpful!\\n\\nYin yoga, particularly, is a great practice to do before bed. It not only helps relax your body, stretch your muscles, and prepare you to sleep. It helps your body reduce its cortisol levels.\\n\\nHigh cortisol levels are associated with weight gain and many other health conditions.\\n\\nIn addition to reducing those levels, yin yoga helps cleanse your lymph nodes, which is important for keeping your immune system healthy! You can read more about how yin yoga helps with lymphatic drainage and immunity \\nhere in this blog post\\n by another expert yogi, Annelise!\\n\\nHere are some other examples of how yin yoga benefits your mind and body:\\n\\nImproves flexibility (because you’re holding each pose longer)\\nIncreases circulation \\nImproves joint mobility\\nBalances internal organs and improves chi\\nCalms the mind\\n\\nAnd it’s beneficial for every body type at any fitness level.\\n\\nWithin the yin yoga practice, the “black” part of the yin yang symbol, there is still that small circle of white. The yang is still present. It shows up as the stretch you feel in your muscles when you’re holding a pose or the little bit of heat you may experience that is left over from the heat of the yang portion of a practice.\\n\\nBut just like there is a time to rest, to eat, to look inward, to reflect, there is also a time for the opposite of those things! (Ever heard the song Turn! Turn! Turn! by The Byrds?) There is a time for every purpose under heaven.\\n\\nAnd that is where the “yang” part of my yoga class comes in!\\n\\n\\nThe yang\\n\\nYang yoga is most commonly called hatha or ashtanga yoga. But the idea is that creating heat in your body and working your muscles in a gentle way that increases your heart rate is just as necessary as a calming, restorative yin yoga practice.\\n\\nHatha and ashtanga yoga practices focus on building strength, flexibility, and stamina. I use both of these in the yang yoga portion of my yoga class. \\n\\nAs a matter of fact, we start the class with yang yoga. This part of the practice includes dynamic asanas and a faster pace to build heat. We really work on synchronizing our breath with the movements as well, since that can be more challenging with a faster flow!\\n\\n\\nYou can see how yang yoga is the white portion of a yin yang symbol, while yin yoga is the black. But in each of these is a tiny bit of the other.\\n\\nEven in yang yoga, while you may be sweating and warm, there is a calm and consistency in your breath. A release with each pose. That is the yin.\\n\\nYou see? There is not one without the other! The centuries old concept of yin and yang is still very prevalent in our society today.\\n\\n\\nWhy yin and yang are equally important\\n\\nWhat happens if you sleep all day? Rest all day? Eat all day?\\n\\nWhat would happen if your life consisted of one extreme or the other? Poverty, wealth, daytime, night.\\n\\nThe yin and yang represent harmony. The necessity of both light and darkness. Feast and famine. Activity and rest. Calm and chaos. And they are both important to our mental, emotional, and physical health!\\n\\nWhen there is too much of one and not enough of the other, the result can be catastrophic.\\n\\nFor example, marathon runners who don’t spend enough time resting and nurturing their bodies, stretching, and relaxing tend to injure themselves more easily than those who do. Injuries that could prevent them from running forever!\\n\\nWhen there is not enough rain, forest fires occur more easily. When there are long periods of rain, suicide rates are higher. When we work too much and play too little, we burn out and quit our jobs or don’t do well at our jobs.\\n\\nThis is the importance of yin and yang. In yoga and in life!\\n\\n\\nIf you’re feeling a bit out of sync and imbalance and are interested in trying out my \\nYin and Yang Yoga class, we’d love to see you on the mat! \\n\\n\\nNot a member of myYogaTeacher yet? That’s ok! \\nYou can sign up here for your free 2-week trial here.\\n No credit card needed. You’ll get access to 35+ yoga classes taught by many wonderful, expert yoga instructors, all from the birthplace of yoga, India.\\n","html":"<p>Not that anyone wants a history lesson, but the ancient Chinese yin and yang symbol is more than just a cool wallpaper for your computer.</p><p></p><p>Or poster on your wall (if you were born in the 80’s).</p><p></p><p>The concept of yin and yang has to do with duality and how opposites are interconnected. </p><p></p><p>For instance, the word “yin” in Chinese philosophy is associated with all things hard, cold, wet, feminine. Negative. Even earthy. But not in a bad way. It’s in a necessary way. Even yin yoga is restorative, passive, cooling.</p><p></p><p>The word “yang” corresponds to all things light. It is the masculine energy that possesses heat, dryness, and combines with yin to create all things.</p><p></p><p>It makes sense to offer a <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/yin-yang-flow-by-nikita\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/yin-yang-flow-by-nikita\">Yin and Yang Yoga class</a>! I chose to create this class because combining the heat of yoga for exercise with the restoration of yoga for relaxation and stretching works well together to promote harmony with one’s inner and outer world.</p><p></p><p>You can check it out, along with many other types of yoga classes, at myYogaTeacher. <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/\">Grab your 2-week free trial and experience any or all of them!</a></p><p></p><p>Let’s talk more about the different parts of yin and yang yoga! We’ll start with the yin since no one says “yang yin symbol.” Or “yang and yin yoga.” </p><p></p><h2>Yin yoga</h2><p></p><p>Did you know that studies show that doing yoga before bed assists with weight loss? Obviously, this practice can be done any time of the day, but before bed is also helpful!</p><p></p><p>Yin yoga, particularly, is a great practice to do before bed. It not only helps relax your body, stretch your muscles, and prepare you to sleep. It helps your body reduce its cortisol levels.</p><p></p><p>High cortisol levels are associated with weight gain and many other health conditions.</p><p></p><p>In addition to reducing those levels, yin yoga helps cleanse your lymph nodes, which is important for keeping your immune system healthy! You can read more about how yin yoga helps with lymphatic drainage and immunity <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/yin-yoga-for-immunity\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/yin-yoga-for-immunity\">here in this blog post</a> by another expert yogi, Annelise!</p><p></p><p>Here are some other examples of how yin yoga benefits your mind and body:</p><p></p><ul><li><div>Improves flexibility (because you’re holding each pose longer)</div></li><li><div>Increases circulation </div></li><li><div>Improves joint mobility</div></li><li><div>Balances internal organs and improves chi</div></li><li><div>Calms the mind</div></li></ul><p></p><p>And it’s beneficial for every body type at any fitness level.</p><p></p><p>Within the yin yoga practice, the “black” part of the yin yang symbol, there is still that small circle of white. The yang is still present. It shows up as the stretch you feel in your muscles when you’re holding a pose or the little bit of heat you may experience that is left over from the heat of the yang portion of a practice.</p><p></p><p>But just like there is a time to rest, to eat, to look inward, to reflect, there is also a time for the opposite of those things! (Ever heard the song Turn! Turn! Turn! by The Byrds?) There is a time for every purpose under heaven.</p><p></p><p>And that is where the “yang” part of my yoga class comes in!</p><p></p><p></p><h2>The yang</h2><p></p><p>Yang yoga is most commonly called hatha or ashtanga yoga. But the idea is that creating heat in your body and working your muscles in a gentle way that increases your heart rate is just as necessary as a calming, restorative yin yoga practice.</p><p></p><p>Hatha and ashtanga yoga practices focus on building strength, flexibility, and stamina. I use both of these in the yang yoga portion of my yoga class. </p><p></p><p>As a matter of fact, we start the class with yang yoga. This part of the practice includes dynamic asanas and a faster pace to build heat. We really work on synchronizing our breath with the movements as well, since that can be more challenging with a faster flow!</p><p></p><p></p><p>You can see how yang yoga is the white portion of a yin yang symbol, while yin yoga is the black. But in each of these is a tiny bit of the other.</p><p></p><p>Even in yang yoga, while you may be sweating and warm, there is a calm and consistency in your breath. A release with each pose. That is the yin.</p><p></p><p>You see? There is not one without the other! The centuries old concept of yin and yang is still very prevalent in our society today.</p><p></p><p></p><h2>Why yin and yang are equally important</h2><p></p><p>What happens if you sleep all day? Rest all day? Eat all day?</p><p></p><p>What would happen if your life consisted of one extreme or the other? Poverty, wealth, daytime, night.</p><p></p><p>The yin and yang represent harmony. The necessity of both light and darkness. Feast and famine. Activity and rest. Calm and chaos. And they are both important to our mental, emotional, and physical health!</p><p></p><p>When there is too much of one and not enough of the other, the result can be catastrophic.</p><p></p><p>For example, marathon runners who don’t spend enough time resting and nurturing their bodies, stretching, and relaxing tend to injure themselves more easily than those who do. Injuries that could prevent them from running forever!</p><p></p><p>When there is not enough rain, forest fires occur more easily. When there are long periods of rain, suicide rates are higher. When we work too much and play too little, we burn out and quit our jobs or don’t do well at our jobs.</p><p></p><p>This is the importance of yin and yang. In yoga and in life!</p><p></p><p></p><p>If you’re feeling a bit out of sync and imbalance and are interested in trying out my <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/yin-yang-flow-by-nikita\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/group_classes/yin-yang-flow-by-nikita\">Yin and Yang Yoga class, we’d love to see you on the mat! </a></p><p></p><p>Not a member of myYogaTeacher yet? That’s ok! <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/\">You can sign up here for your free 2-week trial here.</a> No credit card needed. You’ll get access to 35+ yoga classes taught by many wonderful, expert yoga instructors, all from the birthplace of yoga, India.</p><p></p>"},"category":["yoga"],"utmCampaign":null,"utmMedium":null,"utmContent":null,"utmSource":null,"utmTerm":null,"utmSearchString":null,"imageHyperlink":[]},"recommendations_group_class":[{"session_uuid":"e3ba2602-9750-46f0-b853-a894e9caae79","student_uuid":"e327c088-feba-44f5-97f0-1a7db39ebc4f","teacher_uuid":"9baef6d5-26f6-494d-9be0-11d4eba4cb02","teacher_name":"Shikha Sood","teacher_first_name":"Shikha","teacher_slug":"shikha-1","teacher_photo":"https://res.cloudinary.com/dgerdfai4/image/upload/v1592996958/teacher/photos/siqyumjrhufzdwx1gvcl.jpg","group_session_name":"Hatha Yoga","group_session_description":"Hatha translates to Sun Moon (Ha = sun; Tha = Moon) and each class is designed to evoke an integration of opposites. For example, when you learn a pose that contracts the body, the following pose will expand the body. 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