Yoga

Yoga

Yoga. One ancient tradition, several millennia of evolution, and as many interpretations as there are people who practice it. So what exactly do we mean when we talk about yoga? For the last 50 of those 5000 years, Yoga Journal has returned to that question again and again, exploring how this ancient practice helps us navigate the complexities of contemporary life.

As we commemorate the last 50 years of Yoga Journal, we also turn our attention to what lies ahead. Because although the practice of yoga coaxes us into the present, what has happened before and what has yet to happen are inextricably intertwined. The following article explains all that and more as part of Yoga Journal's 50th anniversary coverage of yoga's evolving role in America throughout the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s.

Throughout America's obsession with yoga the last half century, our perception and interpretation of it has changed considerably with each decade. The 2010s were a time of incredible change. More and more people were practicing yoga yet in many ways, it remained an exclusive practice due to issues related to accessibility, inclusivity, and financial considerations. By the end of the decade, tremendous progress had been made that would set the stage for the way we currently practice.

Handstand is one of those yoga poses (asana) that's wrapped in myth-that is, myth of our own making. Some see it as the Everest of asana-something only the most experienced practitioners get to summit. Others see it as a party trick-flashy, impressive, maybe even a little indulgent. But think back to being a kid-throwing yourself upside down on the grass, tumbling through the air, not caring whether you stuck the landing or rolled out laughing. That spirit is the embodiment of Handstand.

What is Prenatal Yoga and Why is it So Powerful? Prenatal yoga is a specialized practice designed to support women physically, mentally, and emotionally throughout pregnancy. It focuses on: Safe and modified asanas for all trimesters Breathwork to ease labor and reduce stress Meditation and mindfulness for emotional balance Pelvic floor awareness and preparation for childbirth More than just yoga-it's a life-changing support system for expectant mothers.

The ruling is another win for yoga instructors Steve Hubbard known as NamaSteve and Amy Baack, who sued the city last year. In June, a three-judge panel had ruled unanimously that teaching yoga is protected speech and that city officials had failed to show how the classes threaten public safety or prevent enjoyment of the city's shoreline parks, overturning a lower court's ruling. The city appealed the Ninth Circuit decision, leading to Monday's order.

Think of the dozens of activities that are driven by these muscles (brushing your teeth, washing your hair, making breakfast, typing, driving, carrying groceries, practicing Plank and Downward Dog, and the list goes on). As the most mobile joints in the body, the shoulders are also susceptible to injury on and off the yoga mat. Sometimes it's not until you feel a strain, tweak, or otherwise unpleasant sensation that you realize just how much you rely on them-and how frustrating shoulder discomfort can be.

The first sip of coffee in the morning. The sun peeking through the clouds on a cold day. The good kind of bellyache you get from laughing harder than you have in a long time. What these things have in common is they just land, delivering comfort, inspiration, or relief when you least expect itand often when you most need it. The same thing happens on the yoga mat.

There's a pit of dread in my stomach. I awkwardly fidget, trying to balance my weight evenly between my hands and feet but inevitably paining my wrists or ripping my hamstrings seemingly in half. What should be an inverted V shape more closely resembles the upper half of a capital D, my legs the straight line and my back the rounded curve, too stiff to straighten. Even if I could do it, it doesn't look quite right. "This is terrible," I think.

At its essence, the fall equinox-and autumn at large-are about balance. Day and night meet in length as we are ushered into the last leg of the year in which everyone seems overcome with cravings for all things spiced and attempts at committing to more things than is humanly possible. Through it all, your yoga practice remains as essential as ever. So why not make it a place of refuge?

It's about time strong glutes experience a resurgence in pop culture. These powerful posterior hip muscles have always been crucial to everyday actions you likely take for granted, namely standing up, climbing stairs, running, and practicing yoga, not to mention simply standing upright. With fashion finally catching up with function, you'll experience these benefits of strong glutes when you practice these glute-strengthening exercises. Sneak them into your existing yoga practice or include them in your gym workout.

So when my wife suggested I spend $90 on a natural rubber yoga mat like the one she had, I balked. Is that really necessary? It turns out the answer was yes. Ten years later, I'm still using the JadeYoga Harmony mat I sprang for, and I'm no longer a skeptic, I'm an evangelist. Natural rubber provides enough cushion for comfort, enough grip to safely push my limits, and the durability of a truck tire.

Mobility work is key for anyone who lifts, whether you're a bodybuilder or the occasional gym-goer. Mobility is more than just being bendy-it's also having the strength and stability to use your range of motion functionally, which is critical for exercises such as squats and deadlifts. In exercise, mobility is the active ability to move a joint through its full range of motion with control.

I'm rummaging through my yoga drawer, looking for an outfit to wear when I spot it lurking underneath all my other workout tanks. One look at this piece of attire and I'm suddenly spending another day in the shadow of a most pressing question: Am I going to wear a crop top to yoga class? I stand there, considering. I can almost imagine showing my midriff.

Yoga is not just a physical exercise; it's a lifestyle, a path toward mental clarity, emotional stability, and overall wellness. However, with so many different yoga styles available, it can be overwhelming to choose the one that best suits your needs. Yoga is an ancient practice that involves physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation. It originated in India and has been practiced for thousands of years.

You're probably familiar with the aching feeling of stiff neck muscles. Whether you chalk it up to accumulated stress or hours of leaning forward over your devices, you probably assume your yoga practice is an obvious way to remedy that situation. And it is. But there's a chance you're making your muscles even crankier by falling into some common mistakes related to your neck in your yoga practice.

Hearing the words "slow down," whether from a yoga teacher or a self-help influencer on Instagram, no matter how well-intentioned, can feel like banging my head against a wall. As if slowing down will solve all my problems! Moving as fast as possible-whether it's my hands on the keyboard at work or my body in and out of Downward-Facing Dog on my yoga mat-is how I try to outrun my stress demons. You know, lest I move in an unhurried fashion and have to actually feel things.

He's the creator of several acclaimed stand-up specials, including True Indian and They're Gonna Know, and his viral TikTok sketches have racked up over 70 million views. A former programmer, Richard now performs regularly at top clubs like Punch Line and The Comedy Store, and is the co-founder of San Francisco's indie comedy staple The Setup. He's toured across India, collaborated with SNL legend Don Novello, and has been featured on SiriusXM, Dry Bar Comedy, and NDTV's Stars of Comedy.

We've all heard cues in yoga class that don't exactly make sense to us. After all, language is a nuanced thing, and the way each of us interprets words varies. Some of us respond to simple and direct language, others to anatomical details, and still others to visual analogies. Even instructions that once helped us connect to sensation as beginners can feel overdone as our body awareness develops with continued practice.

Unlike other styles of yoga, somatic yoga shifts the focus from external alignment to personal sensation. It emphasizes feeling each posture from the inside out, letting intuitive movement guide your alignment and intensity. These mindful, unhurried movements also help hydrate and release your fascia, the connective tissue network that surrounds and supports your muscles so the body can move with more ease.

The final long weekend of summer marks a lot more than an extra day off to sneak in another yoga class. It's also when brands are clearing out their inventory to make space for the new fall styles through Labor Day sales. That means incredible deals on leggings, tees, bras, shorts, mats, bolsters, and just about anything else you could possibly want for your practice.