L.A. Needs Yoga

Los Angeles is the Mecca of modern yoga, and it's no accident. The ancient practice involving physical poses and breathing patterns has achieved celebrity status here for so many reasons – the sun; the vestigial hippie vibe that still haunts Venice, Laurel Canyon, and Silver Lake; a populace that can afford it in terms of time and real estate; famous practitioners – but maybe the most important reason is that we need it. And badly.

The worst misconception about L.A. is that it's "laid-back." It's stressed. We sit in hideous traffic, churn out celebrities for the rest of the world on brutal and relentless schedules, grow depressed wondering why we didn't come up with that million-dollar idea while typing in our pajamas, and keep a tenuous grip on self-esteem amidst a culture that emphasizes external beauty, physical perfection, and the possession of material things. As my father once told me, "L.A. is New York with the top down" – meaning we look relaxed, but we are not so different from our East Coast counterparts. No wonder we love and need yoga, an evolving physical and philosophical practice that seeks to unify the fragmented pieces of ourselves into a coherent whole.

Practicing yoga is a personal reboot. By carving out a specific time from our day to quiet the mind (which is usually on overdrive processing, calculating, figuring, and discerning), we can instead increase focus and concentration, minimize stress and anxiety, find mental clarity, and actually increase our productivity.

In addition, the philosophy and practice of yoga encourages a sense of contentment and gratitude, rather than escalating the tendency to grasp for more than we already have, and confirming the belief that we will be happy only when we have those things.

On a physical level, yoga helps to increase flexibility, strength and muscle tone and to realign the body for better posture. Sitting for prolonged periods of time places pressure on the lower back, causing overall tightness, poor circulation and constricted energy flow. Sitting in your office chair all day exacerbates the effects of gravity, causing a rounded upper back and shoulder area, as well as strain on the lower back and tightness in the back of the legs (also known as "computer hunch"). Yoga is also beneficial for sufferers of chronic pain, helping to release tension by pairing gentle movements with breathing techniques. Yoga contributes to more graceful aging and longevity.

Whether you practice Hatha Yoga (basic physical poses and breathing methods), Vinyasa (flowing sequences), Ashtanga (heat-building, more intensive yoga with particular sequences) or Iyengar (emphasis on proper alignment and physical inversions), all forms of yoga emphasize concentrating on your breath. By learning to follow the simple rhythmic inhale and exhale with the focus of the mind, we can pull our thoughts and perception out of warp drive and learn to be– dare we say it? – a little more laid-back.

YOGA RESOURCES – CLOTHES, MATS, BOOKS, ETC.

YOGA CLOTHES FOR WOMEN

Ditch the worn out sweats! Zobha is a Sanskrit word meaning "grace, beauty and brilliance." Inspired by this concept, the new-to-the-scene yoga apparel line will have you feeling sleek, slim and ready to practice. Zobha's high performance tank tops, halters, pants and hoodies are made with fabric that wicks moisture and supports the body without binding too tightly against the skin. Try the "Jayne Halter" and "Essential Pant." Their maternity line launches in Fall 2008. Available online or at YogaWorks studio locations and Equinox gyms throughout Southern CA.

YOGA CLOTHES FOR MEN

Lululemon Athletica A little known fact of yoga history is that in India, yoga was originally practiced exclusively by men. Today, many of the most established and well-respected instructors both in this country and abroad are men. So why won't your boyfriend do yoga even though his shoulders are up to his ears with tension and he can barely bend forward? Most likely he is uncomfortable being so stiff in a room full of super flexible women in tight clothes. With the right class, he will eventually get over that and loosen up along the way. For high quality, no-chafe outdoor/indoor workout gear for men, try the "Performance Pant" or the "Player Pant" from any of Lululemon's Southern California stores.

YOGA MATS

Yes, your mat that you've had since junior year of college smells bad. But don't settle for plain blue or purple…try Yogamatic's custom mats made with eco-friendly materials. Choose from an incredible array of original designs and styles, or upload your photo or image. Check out the designs "Dip?" and "Swim," which respectively feature the image an ocean wave crashing on the sand and a mosaic-tiled swimming pool floor. A percentage of every sale will go to Global Green USA.

PRACTICE BLOCKS

Blocks are not just for beginners. They can be used to advance even deeper into a pose or open up further, as in Triangle Pose or Side-Angle Stretch. Barefoot Yoga's original Bamboo Blocks are smooth, lightweight and eco-friendly.

PRACTICE STRAPS

Like blocks, straps are also not just for beginners. Barefoot Yoga's 100% cotton webbing straps (in an assortment of colors) are easy to use and beneficial for many poses, such as forward bends and shoulder openers. For tall people, try the 10' strap.

EYE PILLOWS

At the very end of most yoga classes, students practice "Savasana," also known as "Corpse Pose." This final relaxation allows the body to process the physical benefits it has received during the practice. It also encourages the mind to calm down and let go of its usual thinking. But many people struggle to relax in Savasana. Using an eye pillow for these last few minutes of class does wonders in facilitating a deep relaxation response. Barefoot Yoga's "Silk Sari Eye Pillows" are made with flax seeds and come either scented with Lavender or unscented. You shall surrender!

BOOKS

"Yoga Mind, Body and Spirit: A Return to Wholeness" by Donna Farhi Australian yoga instructor Farhi guides students through yoga postures and sequences, as well as easy to incorporate relaxation techniques. The book's illustrations are especially illuminating, showing correct and incorrect ways of practicing the standing postures, forward bends, twists, back bends, arm balances and inversions. Most interesting, Farhi explores the inner world of the body, looking at how yoga relates and interacts with our cellular, musculoskeletal, fluid, organ and neuroendocrine systems.

"Light on Yoga" by B.K.S. Iyengar Iyengar's Light on Yoga is considered to be the "Bible of Modern Yoga." Iyengar founded his own school of yoga, which focuses in particular on proper body alignment and inversions (headstands, handstands, etc). His methods have greatly influenced most American yoga schools. Iyengar's book features 600 photos of himself (as a younger man) practicing traditional postures and breathing exercises, and serves as an all-inclusive look at the history, philosophy and practice of yoga.

"The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice" by T.K.V. Desikachar Desikachar is the son of Sri Tirmalai Krishnamacharya, who is considered to be one of the greatest modern yogis. Krishnamacharya's teachings and practice methods have become well known through his students, B.K.S. Iyengar and Sri Pattabhi Jois, the father of Ashtanga yoga. Desikachar breaks down the philosophy and practice of yoga with extreme clarity, with particular focus on breathing techniques. His book also includes the complete Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the foundational text of yoga, in both Sanskrit and English with commentaries.

YOGA JOURNAL MAGAZINE and DVDS

Yoga Journal has been the most trusted and comprehensive yoga magazine in the US for over 30 years. Its stories and articles allow students to explore all aspects of yoga, including philosophy, pose sequencing, health benefits, personal stories and more. In addition, the many interactive and multi-media features on the Yoga Journal website (www.yogajournal.com) have created an extensive online yoga community, serving as invaluable tools for students of all levels for continued learning outside of class and helping in the creation of a home practice as well. For beginners, try Yoga Journal's "Step by Step" 3-DVD set featuring Natasha Rizopoulos. For more practiced students, try Yoga Journal's "Great Instructors" 3-DVD set featuring Baron Baptiste, Seane Corn and Shiva Rea.