Blog – Wisdom For The Journey
What Is Yoga?
There is a common misconception in North America that Yoga is a great workout, and that Yoga instructors are incredibly fit. By contrast, the traditional focus of Yoga in India has always been the mind. This takes people by surprise: 'But a Yoga class is so active!' ...
Importance of Lineage in Yoga
At the beginning of every Yoga Well Institute class, we chant in a Vedic style in honor and remembrance of our teachers. We do this because we acknowledge Yoga’s long and distinguished history. And we value the Tradition and Lineages that have passed these precious...
What is Ayurveda?
Āyurveda is another one of those terms that we see a lot in wellness social media posts. Blogs invite you to take a quiz to determine your doṣa, or prescribe things to do or avoid in order to practice Āyurveda. But there isn’t much information out there that explains...
Benefits of Oils in Ayurveda
Oils are fundamental in Āyurveda. They are used internally and externally to prevent, as well as treat, disease. Used on the skin, or in the body’s orifices like the mouth, nostrils and ears, oil protects our bodies from outside stimulus, impurities and antigens (that...
How Meditation Helps Your Health
A health problem is your body’s way of saying, “I’m out of balance.” And it’s likely to be accompanied by negative thinking, sadness, anxiety and/or nervousness. When you get sick, your mind is as affected as your body is. And you can’t actually meditate if you can’t...
Yogic Breathing: Yoga for Breathing
For at least the past 2000 years, the two main practices of Yoga have been conscious breathing (prāṇāyāma) and meditation (samādhi). Meditation is the means of liberation and breathing is one of the quickest, most efficient means of shifting the state of mind and...
The Yoga Sūtras of Patanjali: What Yoga’s About
How to Practice Yoga on the Mat & in Everyday Life. WHAT IS YOGA? Yoga is often thought of as a physical exercise that happens in a gym or on a mat. This idea of Yoga misses a huge part of what Yoga is about. Yoga actually describes a way of being that...
Mantra as a Support for Focusing the Mind
Mantra is commonly thought of as a special word or phrase repeated during, or as a support in, meditation. However, it is important to know that simply repeating the mantra, and hoping for profound change is insufficient. For a powerful impact, we need to visualize...
Dinacharya: Āyurvedic Rituals for Good Health
Āyurveda’s main pursuit is a long, healthy life. In support of this, it suggests principles and practices that apply to almost every aspect of our life. Dinacharya (spelled dinacaryā in Sanskrit) are rituals that promote good health, both physical and mental. They...
An Introduction to the Yogasutra
A Guide for Everyday Life ‘Yoga is more than āsana, it is a state of being.The Yogasūtras are a guide to help us operate at our highest potential and create a deep sense of peace and contentment.’ What is Patañjali’s Yoga Sutra? Patañjali’s...
