Mind-Body Travel

Why not incorporate your love for yoga into a vacation destination? There are travel companies that specialize in finding just the right fit for you, whether you’re looking to hike the Rocky Mountains, meditate in an Ashram in Costa Rica, or get a full lifestyle makeover in Florida. The first step is to decide what you’d like to accomplish. If it’s a weight loss retreat, consider The Ashram in Santa Monica, California. If it’s a yoga retreat, consider Kripalu in Massachusetts. Looking for a complete mind-body-spirit package? Try any of the spiritual centers listed in our Ashram Guide. Here are some travel companies that specialize in helping you get your body and mind back in shape:

www.mindbodytravel.com
www.healthbitravels.com
www.luxworldtravel.com
www.yogadirectory.com

Fasting for Enlightenment

Lucia Cockcroft blogs about the concept of fasting, a practice common among the yoga community. This UK-based writer was responding to an upcoming gathering of the European Association for the Study of Obesity, where the western concept of gluttony leading to unhealthy weight gain will likely be discussed. So, what do yogis know that others don’t about the ancient practice of fasting? Does it clear the mind, lighten the body, and allow for a cleansing of sorts? Is it a way to connect with your higher self when thoughts of feeding the mortal body are put aside? This blogger claims that “the ancient yogis saw fasting as a form of physical and mental cleansing, or purification.” Jews participate in a fast on Yom Kippur, a day for contemplating only the divine, and many other religions extol its benefits as well. Sounds like a nice complement to the mat. See www.yoga-abode.com.

Sun Salutations Step-by-Step

Saluting the sun is one of the basic forms of many yoga practices. Many of us execute the form as second nature and never really dissect this important foundation series. Even if you’ve been performing sun salutations for years, sometimes it’s nice to revisit its basics. This six-minute video, performed by Ashtanga specialist, David Swenson, will return you to the invigorating form that is the sun salutation, with breathing and posture suggestions throughout.