New research is bringing yoga one step closer to becoming a medically recommended treatment for depression. Findings show that yoga practice can help reduce symptoms of the condition, which is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States and worldwide, with around 16.1 million American adults alone experiencing at least one […]
When all is said and done, it can be our complete surrender from our expectation of results and progress that can bring us a sense of relief, peace and, some may say, enlightenment. So what’s God got to do with any of that? Let’s find out. Say What? We come now to our last of our
On June 21, Indian yogis made international headlines when 54,101 of them practiced together on Mysuru’s Race Course to celebrate International Yoga Day for the third time. Whilst it didn’t quite make a world record, it has put Mysuru on the yoga map for more yogis than ever before. Where is Mysuru? Mysuru, otherwise known
We’re not talking about heaven, God or Nirvana here, but how to build a happier society. ~Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama. In 1987 a meeting of great minds saw the birth of The Mind and Life Dialogues, a platform designed to promote discussion between the Dalai Lama, eminent scientists, philosophers, contemplatives and scholars. They
Kayleigh Alwill is a multi-talented performer on a mission to take yoga to those suffering with mental health issues. Poppy Pickles speaks to her about yoga and mental health and how we can help her on her quest. Zen Monkey: What brought you to yoga? Kayleigh Alwill: I trained as a dancer, and have always
Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese word meaning ‘universal life energy’ and is a beautiful system of natural healing that can be particularly beneficial for yoga teachers. Founded by a Japanese Buddhist, Dr Mikao Usui (1865 – 1926), in the late 19th century, Reiki has evolved as a result of his research, experience and dedication. What
Our wrists are truly amazing pieces of bioengineering. Yet we rarely pay them much attention – that is until they hurt. Then we worry that we will have to stop doing those delicious hand weight-bearing poses that love. But with a little care and attention our wrists can be content in cobra (bhujangasana): thoroughly dependable
Valentine’s Day is the one day in the year set aside to celebrate romantic love. And boy oh boy, do we need some reasons to be happy at the moment. Politically, things are looking gloomy, but that’s all the more reason for looking to the ones we love and getting all joyful about them. On
In a day and age where more and more of us are turning to holistic methods of healing our bodies and minds, the Āyurvedic way could be the answer to all our health conundrums. The key, it says, is to know thy Self! What, When and Where? Āyurveda is one of the World’s oldest health systems, the earliest origins of
The yoga of finding joy in the midst of suffering. The capacity to feel joy is a gift we all possess. You only need hear a baby laugh to know that the ability to be joyful is a natural and innate thing. But, life being life, we all inevitably go through periods where we can
