This thread will be a place to share any good resources that may help teachers and students with their practice. Please feel free to add any of your own.
Iyengar Yoga Resources
Yoga Resource Directory
Tribe
Yoga Meetup
The Truth about Vinyasa Flow (article)
Prana Journal
Yoga Teaching Discussion Forum
This site is devoted to presenting the ancient Self-Realization path of the Tradition of the Himalayan masters in simple, understandable and beneficial ways, while not compromising quality or depth.
The practices include yoga meditation of the Yoga Sutras, contemplation of Advaita Vedanta, and purely internal kundalini-shakti practices of Samaya Sri Vidya Tantra. These teachings of the sages of the Himalayas systematically lead one to the highest Realization of the center of consciousness.
OM
Ishwara
For anyone interested in the Krishnamacharya Tradition, you can check out the websites for the Krishnamacharya Healing & Yoga Foundationand the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram websites.
Enjoy!
Scott
WHY DO WE CHANT IN CLASS?
Chanting is an integral part of the yoga practice. Nothing attunes body, mind and breath like sound pulsation. We all desire a sound body and mind and what could create that better than sound itself? Nothing affects consciousness as much as sound. Whether it is the sound of our thoughts or of words and communication.
Sound has a large effect on the layers of the mind. It is obvious that certain sounds are soothing, while others are disturbing. The atmosphere of places has much to do with the sounds that are present, from the external sounds to the internal sound pulsation of intentions and thoughts. We all are quite sensitive to the effects of different atmospheres. Chanting allows us to positively affect our internal atmosphere. The yogis have used sound for thousands of years to affect actual physical functioning of brain, heart, and blood pressure as well as to affect change in the deepest regions of our consciousness.
Modern research is discovering the same powerful truth. Chanting, practiced regularly, will help improve functioning on many levels, from the regulation of breath to cultivation of a lack of self- consciousness. The chants that are used are deliberately chosen, and matched to the energy and level of class to positively create an inner and outer atmosphere conducive to yoga practice. Chanting ultimately becomes another way to perfect the relationship of life.
To chant is to express praise, show gratitude and generate the inherent joy that as human beings we are born into. To chant is to be enchanted.
