Yoga

What is Tantra?

by Gary Kraftsow Traditional Yoga is very different than the modern incarnation of Yoga in the west; so too traditional Tantra very different than the modern incarnation of Tantra in the west. The purpose of this reflection is to make known some of these differences. Yoga in the current public mind is, for the most…

Viniyoga and mindfulness programs result in reduced perceived stress levels

Aetna Mind-Body Stress Reduction in the Workplace Trial Results Published “The AVI/Aetna collaboration represents a significant step in the integration of ancient insights into health and healing with modern evidence-based research. Hopefully this type of collaboration will lead to more widespread adoption of self-care practices that support people in their wellness and reduce the burden…

Can Yoga Be Bad for You?

“It’s not about the postures, it’s about the practitioner.”— Gary Kraftsow KQED (NPR affiliate station in Northern California) held a radio show on January 12, 2012 about a recent New York Times Magazine article focused on how yoga can cause serious injury. The safety of yoga practice was addressed by a panel of speakers including:…

An Introduction to Chapter Two of the Yoga Sutra-s of Patanjali by Gary Kraftsow

An Introduction to Chapter Two of the Yoga Sutra-s of Patanjali by Gary Kraftsow

The second chapter of the Yoga Sutra-s is called Sadhana Pada. Sadhana is a the Sanskrit word that is used to mean “practice.” This chapter is for most of us, who are called Baddanjali, meaning those who are bound, caught, in circumstances and those kind of experiences that cause us suffering. Suffering comes in many…

SYTAR 2011 Event Recap

Viniyoga Based Stress Reduction in the Workplace Gary Kraftsow, MA, E-RYT 500, Founder and Director of the American Viniyoga Institute (AVI) and Mary Hilliker, RD, E-RYT 500, CYT, AVI Director of Administration, presented at the International Association of Yoga Therapists Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research on September 3, 2011 in Monterey, CA. Gary discussed…