Yoga Wisdom
Yoga For Sports Recovery
From building strength and flexibility to getting into to the right mindset, yoga is instrumental in athletic success. However, yoga is not only a preparatory tool. It can also be used effectively to unwind from physical activity and to aid in recovery. Contrary to...
Balanced Mental Well Being with Ayurveda
Mental well being is a primary pillar of health. Everybody strives for optimal concentration, memory, sleep patterns and emotional balance. Western allopathic medicine and modern psychology can be dramatically augmented with the medical science of Ayurveda. Ayurveda...
Puruṣārthas – The Four Aims of Life
In yoga philosophy there are four aims of human life called the Puruṣārthas. Puruṣārtha means an “object of human pursuit”. The four puruṣārthas are Dharma (duties), Artha (prosperity), Kāma (pleasure) and Mokṣa (liberation). The Puruṣārthas are important to...
5 Reasons To Go On A Yoga Retreat
At some point in life, we start feeling distracted and lost. It seems that the things are falling apart and our life is going nowhere. Amidst these feelings and thoughts, the best a person can think is to go on a vacation, to unwind and to work towards resetting the...
Improving Our Teaching for Deaf Yoga Students
Here are at Big Bear Festival Headquarters we are always excited to learn a new technique or share advice to help teachers be better at conveying information. One student at Big Bear Yoga Festival 2018 brought it to our attention that teachers weren't informed about...
Cyclist Yoga Sequence
A Yoga Sequence for Cyclist – Cyclist Yoga Sequence Dandasana – Staff Pose (seated with legs extended out in front of you) Virasana Tadasana – Mountain Pose (standing up tall and straight) Padahastasana Uttanasana – Forward Fold ChaturangaDandasana...
Is Teacher Training for You?
You may have read about Stephanie Bartley’s experience taking a Yoga Teacher Training intensive, sharing her wisdom here at Big Bear Yoga Festival. Now she gives tips how to decide if Teacher Training is for you and what to look for in a program.
Easing into Meditation
"There is so much to feel with each breath if only we would take time and allow ourselves to." Whisper the word “meditation.” What image do you create? Is it a full pink colored lotus flower or a cross legged yogi? Perhaps the image of a strong snow-capped mountain or...
Kiyoga? Kayaking Meets Yoga
Being on the water in your kayak can be both a blissful and energizing experience. Combine this with a yoga class prior to paddling or after a paddle, it is the ultimate way to enjoy your time on the water. Up here in Big Bear, we enjoy a lake and all of the outside...
How to Learn Yoga Fast
Bestselling author Josh Kaufman has something interesting to say about learning, and how to learn fast. For beginners to yoga, they might be intimidated by *everything* there is to learn, especially with words in a different language. Tadasana? What? Kaufman breaks it...
Beginning Yoga Info
Are you just beginning yoga? Here is some basic beginning yoga information to help you feel at ease and knowledgeable in any yoga class! What yoga classes should I look for if I am beginning yoga? Beginner’s Course- Offers a great introduction to yoga. Learn the basic...
Intermediate Yoga Sequence
Preparation For your Intermediate Yoga Sequence, gather together your yoga mat, any props or music you desire. Begin your practice with either a simple meditation or breathing exercise (in a seated or reclining position) so you can collect and concentrate your...
Breath Yourself to a Better Mood
Emotion Regulation with Pranayama Pranayama is a practice of breath control. The Sanskrit word pranayama is divided into two roots,prana and yama. Prana means vital energy or life force which is present in every being. Yama means control. Other texts ¹ note however...
Beginner’s Guide to Yoga Styles
Ashtanga, Hatha, Hot Yoga, oh my! What does it all mean? If you are new to yoga, it is totally understandable why you might be *very* confused about the different yoga styles. Here we break it down for you and give you the “inside scoop.” There are many “yoga styles,”...
I Trained To Be A Yoga Teacher and Here’s What Happened
A year ago, I went to my favorite Sunday morning yoga class taught by my favorite teacher. In chatting with her after the session, she looked at me for a moment, and said very directly, “You’re ready for teacher training.”