Category Archives: yoga

What happened to yoga?

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What Happened to Yoga?

Last week, The Boston Globe featured a long article on the of yoga in the U.S.

From left: Justine Wiltshire Cohen, Natasha Rizopoulos, Patricia Walden, Barbara Benagh, and Peentz Dubble of Down Under Yoga. (Globe photo / Essdras M Suarez)

In the article, a panel of senior teachers discussed the commercialism and distractions that are creeping into American yoga. Read the full article.

  • Is yoga losing its focus?
  • Has it become too commercialized – with expensive yogawear and nonessential accessories?
  • Is it about shopping?
  • Is there too much focus on yoga as an exercise system (like aerobics) and too little on the full content of yoga – the other seven limbs?
  • Has branding of specific styles of new yoga hurt yoga?

What do you think?

On Sunday, October 17, Down Under Yoga in Newtonville hosted a panel discussion called “Balancing Acts: Poses, Products, and the Future of Yoga in America.”

Read the full article



Aging Well — Tao Porchon-Lynch

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Growing Old Gracefully

I think Tao Porchon-Lynch redefines “growing old gracefully.”

Recently, she was profiled by Bruce Frankel in his book, What Should I Do with the Rest of My Life?: True Stories of Finding Success, Passion, and New Meaning in the Second Half of Life. An excerpt about Tao appears on Frankel’s website.

Dancing

Check out some of the videos of dance competitions on YouTube.

Beginner’s simple strength boosting exercises

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Beginner’s simple strength boosting exercises  

From Harvard Medical School HEALTHbeat May 18, 2010  

These exercises are from the new 2010 edition of  Strength and Power Training: A guide for adults of all ages.   

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A sturdy chair with armrests and athletic shoes with non-skid soles are all you need for these simple strength building exercises.    

Seated bridge

seated bridge Sit slightly forward in a chair with your hands on the armrests. Your feet should be flat on the floor and slightly apart, and your upper body should be upright (don’t lean forward). Using your arms for balance only, slowly raise your buttocks off the chair until nearly standing with your knees bent. Pause. Slowly sit back down. Aim for 8–12 repetitions. Rest and repeat the set. 

Triceps dip

triceps dip Put a chair with armrests up against a wall. Sit in the chair and put your feet together flat on the floor. Lean forward a bit while keeping your shoulders and back straight. Bend your elbows and place your hands on the armrests of the chair, so they are in line with your torso. Pressing downward on your hands, try to lift yourself up a few inches by straightening out your arms. Raise your upper body and thighs, but keep your feet in contact with the floor. Pause. Slowly release until you’re sitting back down again. Aim for 8–12 repetitions. Rest and repeat the set.  

Standing calf raise

standing calf raise Stand with your feet flat on the floor. Hold onto the back of your chair for balance. Raise yourself up on tiptoe, as high as possible. Hold briefly, then lower yourself. Aim for 8–12 repetitions. Rest and repeat the set.  

 For more information visit Harvard School of Medicine’s Special Health Reports.