Namaste! I’ve been in love with yoga since 2003, when I took my first class with the late Dr. Prem Deben who studied Sivananda yoga with world renowned Swami Vishnu-Devananda in the 70s. Before that intense introduction to the world of yoga, I had taught myself to meditate at the inquisitive age of ten because I needed internal relaxation from my home life (but that’s a novel in the making).

I first took yoga as a tool to ease stress during my divorce not knowing I would embark upon an inward journey that not only connected me to my physical body, but to a universal body of wisdom which weaved spirit and dissolved illusion. Yoga was so much more than relaxing, chanting, and flexing into pretzel positions, it was a gateway into the dormant part of my self that I had learned to ignore. Today I start each gym session and evening relaxation with Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations) to charge and ease my body. Yoga makes me so happy that perhaps I can share that joy and passion with others by seeking yoga teacher training from a Yoga Alliance certified studio! Om Shanti! Peace, Peace, Peace! — daria nefertiye giraud takharu

yogaHistory____________________________________________________

Yoga is an ancient science that incorporates the body, mind and spirit practiced in ancient civilizations such as India and ancient Egypt. Although there are many paths of yoga such as Karma Yoga (yoga of action and selfless service), Bhakti Yoga (yoga of love and devotion), Raja Yoga (yoga of self-control), Jnana Yoga (yoga of knowledge) and even more styles of yoga such as sivananda, hatha, vinyasa, anasura, and others, yoga incorporates asanas (yoga postures), pranayama (breathing), dhyana (meditation), savasana (relaxation), and a proper diet usually of a vegetarian nature.

yogaDayUSA____________________________________________________

Try yoga! The 10th Annual Yoga Day US, a nationwide celebration of yoga designed to increase awareness of the benefits of yoga and help make yoga more accessible to everyone including all fitness levels, ages, and ethnicities! Created by Yoga Alliance, the leading non-profit organization for yoga teachers and schools, is dedicated to upholding the diversity and integrity of yoga. To learn more, visit www.yogaalliance.org.

Find out if your local yoga studio is participating:

Directory of Yoga Alliance Certified Schools and Teachers

http://www.yogaalliance.org/

yogaMagazines____________________________________________________

yoga journal — online Retreat for Yoga Poses, Classes, Meditation, and Life—On and Off the Mat

yoga+Joyful Living — delves deep into every aspect of conscious living

fit yoga — covers the modern world of yoga in an easy-to-read, informative, non-preachy manner, while exploring and revealing its ancient roots

yoga movement — online magazine

joy-the journal of yoga — investigating, the philosophy, science and spirituality of yoga

new connexion — pacific northwest’s journal of conscious living

yogaStudios____________________________________________________

DC

18th and Yoga — 1744 Columbia Road, NW #1, Washington, DC, 202-462-1800

Bikram’s Yoga College of India — 1635 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 202-332-8680

boundless yoga —1510 U Street, NW, Washington DC, 202-234-YOGA

Capitol Hill Yoga — 221 5 Street, NE, Washington DC, 202-544-0011

Circle Yoga — 5615 39th Street NW, Washington DC, 202-686-1104

Clear Cloud Tai Chi and Yoga — Van Ness Street, NW, Washington DC, 202-364-9496

Dcyoga — 1635 Connecticut Avenue, NW 5th floor, Washington DC, 202-232-2926

Down Dog Yoga — 1046 Potomac Street, NW, Washington DC, 202-965-9642

Excel Movement Studios — 3407 8th Street, NE, 2nd floor, Washington DC, 202-269-3020

Flow Yoga Center — 1450 P Street, Washington DC, 202-744-9697

Georgetown Yoga — 1053 31st Street, NW, 2nd floor, Washington DC, 202-342-7779

Great River Taoist Center — (offers Tai Chi), 1325 18th Street, NW, Washington, DC, 202 785 1767

Hot Yoga — 3408 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Suite 205, Washington DC, 202-468-9642

Joy of Motion — Dupont Circle, 1643 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington DC, 202-387-0911

St. Marks Yoga Center — Capitol Hill: Third & A Streets, SE, Behind the Library of Congress,202-546-4964

Tranquil Space — 2024 P Street, NW, Washington, DC, 202-223-YOGA

Yoga House Studio — 3634B Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 202-285-1316

comingNext!____________________________________________________

styles of yoga guide

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