How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body, an article in The New York Times by science writer (and yogi) William J. Broad appeared online late last week, in the Sunday Magazine yesterday, and continues to ripple across the yoga community, though this is not the first time The Times has trod this ground (see When Yoga Hurts, July 2010). The message of Broad's article, which is excerpted from his upcoming book The Science of Yoga, is supported by many, though just as many are critical of its delivery and use of anecdotal evidence. (Keep an eye on YogaDork if you want to watch the back-and-forth.) Yes, yoga can be hazardous to your health. Since this practice is often touted as a panacea, it's not a bad idea to stop and point that out occasionally.
...
Cobra pose is one that's always evolving for me. A few years ago, I learned this undulation technique, which changed the pose completely. I still love to use it ...
You know when you fall off the horse and you can't quite figure out how to get back on? (It's a metaphorical horse, in this case.) If you are feeling that way about resuming your yoga practice post-holidaze, I'd like to suggest my revitalize your yoga practice newsletter series, in which you get a weekly email for five weeks. It's got lots of good tips to get you back on the mat, including trying out a new yoga style, tips on sustaining a home practice and how to avoid injury.
I get so much positive feedback about how inspirational it is to find a new pose in your in-box each day. It's a great way to keep motivated and remind yourself to do a little yoga. Sign up for the free Pose of the Day email now!
Whether or not you "do" resolutions, the new year represents a nice opportunity to make a fresh start. If you want to get things off on the right foot, yoga-wise, check out my 30-day guide to starting a yoga practice. This guide lays it all out for you, suggesting routines for each day of the month since often the biggest obstacle to practicing regularly is feeling unsure about what to do on the mat. If you are a brand-new beginner, I suggest also reading my advice on how to start doing yoga and incorporating as many classes into your schedule as possible. You'll soon be well on your way to making 2012 "the year I started yoga."