Meditation is like giving your brain a break, a cleanse or a rest. Meditation effects our bodies in the exact opposite way that stress does. It helps our minds and bodies heal and repair as well as shields us from the damage of new stressors. With sustained practice, meditation can usher the practitioner into expanded realms of consciousness. There are no potential negative side effects. No equipment is needed.
Ashtanga yoga is primarily a self-practice. That’s what is cool about it! You just try and keep trying and see how you progress. When you can, you seek out a qualified teacher. So here’s our favourite Ashtangi, Tina Bock, offering you an express primary series for beginners. This is a perfect place to start your Ashtanga Yoga practice!
So you’ve got a friend, daughter, wife, uncle or step parent who’s REALLY into yoga eh? Or maybe you’re trying to find the perfect gift for the yoga teacher you love! Let’s face it. Buying gifts for ANYONE can be tough. Here are our top gift ideas for the yoga person YOU love.
YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU JOIN A YOGA ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL TEACHER TRAINING, YOUR STAY AND MEALS ARE INCLUDED RIGHT?
if you’re wondering if you’re ready, you probably are. Do you want to expand your knowledge? Do you want to go away for a month to work on yourself? Do you want to deepen your yoga practice? Do you want to be in an epic beach location?
This is a beginner friendly practice that starts with calming, grounding and then some gentle strength building to help you feel more empowered.
This retreat was lead by Yoga Academy founder/director, Lauren Rudick and Hatti Williams, a Yoga Academy International graduate herself who is also an Astrologer, Sound Healer, Tarot reader and phenomenal leader.
Yoga has been recognized for centuries as a powerful holistic practice. However, it’s only in fairly recent times that modern-day science has proven the benefits yogis have come to enjoy for generations. In fact, over the last decade alone, dozens of clinical trials have been conducted in regard to yoga. Just last 2019, for instance, 22 randomized
clinical trials into yoga’s benefits
were conducted.
Yin Yoga works with Traditional Chinese Medicine and the 5 elements.
During spring time we work with the wood element. This elements relates to change and growth. The energy of wood promotes regeneration which is why spring time is perfect for practicing yin yoga with this element. 🌸
We have seven major chakras in our bodies. These are energetic points in our bodies that either draw in or expel energy. When we are feeling whole, healthy, stable we can say that our chakras are spinning in a balanced way. when we feel off in some ways, we might say that one of our chakras is imbalanced.
One of the 8 limbs of yoga is called pratyahara which means withdrawal of the senses. The primary goal of pratyahara is to get to know our internal world even better.
Sometimes we forget to check in. Sometimes we forget what selfcare even looks like…
So with that in mind, here’s a quick self-care check-in you can do with yourself.
Our first Yoga Academy International collaborative retreat was a HUGE success. Together with Acro James Heugh and Yoga Academy founder/director Lauren Rudick we created an experience filled with fun, movement, learning and a lifetime of memories.
Free intentions and reflections journal.
This journal contains 15-pages of prompts to help you get clear on where you’ve been, what you’ve learned and what you want for moving forward.
Every single morning when you wake up, you have the opportunity for a fresh start. Each and every morning you can decide if you will make a change or not. Each and every day you get to side who you are going to wake up and be that day.
Triangle pose has many benefits!! The benefits of trikonasa include:
Toning the arms
Strengthening the legs, arms and neck muscles
strengthens the core
helps tone and strengthen the obliques
therapeutic for sciatica
therapeutic for lower back pain
therapeutic for flat feet
Be careful in this pose if
Even if you’re NOT from Canada, you can still enjoy this practice! It’s fun, a little silly, heating and meant to put a smile on your face. Have you ever done a class called “The Great Canadian Yoga Practice” before? We didn’t think so.
Halfmoon pose can be super challenging for beginners! This pose is a difficult balance. It is also a hamstring and groin stretch. Half moon helps build kinaesthetic awareness and strengthens the glutes of the lifted leg, the obliques and can help build core strength in general.
In this tutorial Lauren breaks down half moon pose for you! Enjoy!
Often the healing properties of yoga are emphasized. Yes, yoga can be incredibly therapeutic! But just like any movement modality, if we are not careful we can injure ourselves. Knowing how to do chaturanga dandasana safely can insure the longevity of your yoga practice. That’s what we want right? A safe sustainable practice for the long term. So check out the video above and learn how you can do chaturanga dandasana the right way for your body.
Have you ever heard of Prana? The basic energy that courses through us? In this video, Lauren offers you a little tidbit about yoga philosophy. Simply doing the movements does not a yogi make. Postures with no intention is just exercise. Yoga helps us understand, build and harness our prana.
In Sanskrit this posture is called Ado Mukha Svanasana. Breaking it down, Ado means downward direction. Mukha is a face and Svana is the Sanskrit word for dog. Downward dog is seen throughout almost every yoga class, so let’s break it down so that you can practice this posture with the best possible alignment.
Okay, so when we think “yoga” we think about one thing: postures.
Did you know that ASANA or yoga posures is just 1 out of 8 branches of the yoga tree?
In THIS video, YAI founder, Lauren Rudick, explains what the word ASANA actually means and what it means for you as a yogi.
Yoga Basics: Fierce Pose Utkatasana Fierce pose or chair pose is a great standing posture that can be included in to almost ANY yoga sequence ! It strengthens the legs and
Join Yoga Academy International’s 30-day challenge!!!
This is a virtual, online yoga challenge that will include a full-length livestream yoga class every day.
For less than $2 per day you get not just a live-stream yoga class daily, but also FULL access to our ENTIRE on-demand library.
Miss your live class? Don’t worry, it will be e-mailed to you!
Your techer training questions answered We asked our students to answer your questions… Every training we ask our students not only to give us feedback about their experience, but also
7 ways to get through the “X-mas is cancelled” Blues I know this is going to be a challenging holiday season for many of you. As someone who has had
if you’re wondering if you’re ready, you probably are. But here are ways to be sure! Here are 8 signs that it is probably time for you to take a YTT.
Misaligning your pigeon pose can lead to knee injury so it is very important to so this pose safely.
Yoga Basics: Triangle Pose Trikonasana Triangle pose! Contrary to popular belief, this pose is NOT about touching the ground. It’s about strengthening the obliques and the legs, cultivating balance, working
The MOST important advice to yoga teachers This is really important! Whether you’re a new yoga teacher fresh out of training or a seasoned one, it is SO important to
Yoga Basics: Warrior 2 pose Virabadhrasana II Warrior 2: A totally iconic yoga posture! We want you to know how to align yourself properly so you practice safely. Warrior 2
What we eat in a day at yoga teacher training How is the food actually like at yoga school?! Is everything vegan? Can I have coffee? Will I be hungry
Sometimes life just feels lonely.
It’s okay to feel this way.
Join Yoga Academy International founder, Lauren Rudick for a beautiful guided meditation to help you when you’re feeling lonely or isolated.
How to draw Mandalas Mandala drawing is a form of mindfulness What is a Mandala?! It is a geometric configuration of symbols. In Buddhism and Hinduism mandala designs represent the
…As a group we decided to press on with the training. We had all come a long way to make this training and some of us were unaware of what to do next. So we agreed that in class time we would continue our journey in to mindfulness. In classes we went on as per usual. On breaks, we organized and arranged next steps. It feels now like that training was a lifetime ago. It feels like we maintained a tiny haven of paradise in a far away place where the rest of the world’s problems simply did not exist.
Covid-19 & Yoga Academy International Current status, upcoming plans & What you can do right now: It is with honesty and transparency that Lauren shares with you exactly where we
It is during stressful times like these that we need wellness and mindfulness practices the most. We are keeping a close watch on how the situation is changing day by day and currently do not plan to cancel any of our yoga teacher trainings abroad…
Remember: The most important relationship you’ll ever have is the one you have with yourself!!
So here are a quick meditation and super gentle yoga stretch practice to help you cultivate more self-love.
Whether you’re single or have found your special someone(s) cultivating self-love is ALWAYS a good idea.
Lakshmi was born from the stirring of the primordial milky ocean by the gods and demons.
The name Lakshmi is derived from the Sanskrit word Laksya, which means aim or destination.
Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and prosperity of all forms, material and spiritual.
Yoga flow to stimulate your manipura chakra How can you stimulate your inner fire? The 3rd chakra or manipura chakra helps connect us to our inner fire. Manipura means lustrous
Chakra Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training. A 60hr immersive training for teachers. Beach front. Stay & meal included.
Yoga Alignment class at yoga academy international At Yoga Academy International we strive to offer THE BEST yoga education possible. We believe in empowering our students with knowledge, love, community
At Yoga Academy International we strive to offer THE BEST yoga education possible. We believe in empowering our students with knowledge, love, community and support so that they can go on to inspire their communities when they complete their training. Although it is not required, we believe strongly in establishing a solid foundation in anatomy for all aspiring yoga teachers.
Our founder Lauren Rudick and her yoga practice… I rarely post videos of my practice these days. Even more rare is someone else capturing it. This was the first time
WONDERING WHETHER A YOGA TEACHER TRAINING IS THE RIGHT MOVE FOR YOU?
HERE ARE 6 SIGNS THAT NOW IS THE TIME TO DO YOUR YTT!
What does it even mean to be a spiritual sell out? How do we hold up our own standards and our own self-respect and self-worth? How can we maintain our
Hi Yogis! I believe that you are the sum total of the 5 people you spend the most time with. Our time is precious. It is crucial to be choosy
The 8 limbs of yoga A quick video review Hi Yogis,Here is a quickie video refresher/intro on the 8 limbs of yoga! The 8 limbs of yoga were part of
Let’s start with this- what is a chakra? Why should you give a shit about your chakras? The chakras are a kind of energetic anatomy in the body. We have
The #1 question people askAbout yoga teacher training Hi Yogis!Maybe the thought has crossed your mind; Hmmm I’d love to do a yoga teacher training someday… Maybe you’ve thought about going
Our next Teacher Training in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica is fast approaching and we are so excited!! Each training is a holistic experience of mind, body and soul filled with
That place where you feel your shoulders release from your ears and your soul smile. Some people find their escape on a 5 mile run or perhaps a 500 page
C’est quoi “yoga” en français? Each time you step into a new studio or room, roll out your mat and place your props at the front as an guide for students
Standing Bow Pose: How to up your (Hunger) game! May this posture be ever in your favor…. You’ve seen it. It’s the quintessential yoga pose. On every mountaintop, beach,
10 things you need to know about yoga teacher training Have you been practicing yoga for a while and want to take it to the next level? Doing a
We are already one week into this summer’s 200hr yoga teacher training in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. At Yoga Academy International, we are raising the standard of education of yoga
Say the word “yoga” in conversation, and you tend to evoke imagery of lycra-clad (or barely-clad) stretch-fanatics, moving and flowing in a spacious, airy studio that smells distinctly of
Bring back curiosity and mindfulness into your practice, leading a class is more than just being right on cue. As intelligent, evolved beings we often find it challenging to take directions
There’s a reason that the statement “getting down on hands and knees” is synonymous with doing all of the hard things. As with most clichéd statements, the words themselves may
Getting Educated – A Note from a Teacher Who Is Always in Training… Deposit down, required readings (and suggested readings, if you’re an eager beaver) purchased, new leggings and water
Thinking about taking a 200hr yoga teacher training? Here is a Q&A with Lauren Rudick, founder, director and Lead yoga teacher at Yoga Academy International. She addresses everything you need
Have you tried to stay healthy while on the road? Ever feel confused about what foods you should or shouldn’t be eating? Tried googling best eating practices? The internet is
This is a pose that I see so much misalignment in as an instructor. Chaturanga dandasana is a crucial element of practice for anyone who enjoys vinyasa yoga or wants
Urdva mukha svanasana a pose often rushed through or misaligned even by more experienced practitioners. Here are some things to remember while working towards your ultimate upward facing dog: 1) Push
I am not flexible and I teach yoga. I used to feel like a complete sham, being a yoga teacher and not able to express full hanumanasana (the splits) … Over time and
