Hi David, there is a very nationalist and extremist faction of Hinduism named “Hindutva” which it sounds like this person belongs. They believe that only Hindus can practice yoga (hence this persons reference that “yoga is religion”) and they often resort to bullying and intimidation tactics. My opinion is that yoga is more akin to prayer, a spiritual practice not bound by any religion or people. So I see no offense if someone likes to sit and pray with a bunch of cute goats.

PLEASE stop selling “goat yoga.” It’s appropriative and offensive. Yoga is part of the Hindu religion. Asanas are just one small piece of a complex and ancient philosophy of life and the universe. By selling (which itself is contrary to Hinduism) yoga lessons involving goats crawling over the students you are making a mockery of my religion. Eastern religions are marginalized in western culture. They are treated as exotic and mystical – as other, as not real religions. But to millions (billions) of people yoga is religion just like going to mass or taking communion or keeping kosher or praying 5 times a day. Would you sell a class offering communion with goats crawling over parishioners? I’m sure not. Maybe no one told you yoga is a religion. Maybe you never stopped to ask, google, or otherwise research the authenticity or history of what you are doing. I’m a Hindu. My grandfather was a guru in India. My parents run an Ashram in the Chicago suburbs. So now you’re on notice – a Hindu, for whom yoga is not just an exercise regime, is asking you to stop.

Hi Joe, I’m not sure what you mean by “approach”? Maybe these articles will help:
http://www.yogabasics.com/connect/yoga-blog/balancing-the-gunas-and-cultivating-sattva/
http://www.yogabasics.com/connect/yoga-blog/balancing-tamas-guna/
http://www.yogabasics.com/connect/yoga-blog/reducing-rajas-guna/

I’m a yoga teacher with a question you might be able to answer. What would by approach be to a backbend class so that it has a Rajasic/Sattva effect and what my approach be for a forward bend class so it has a Tamasic/Sattva effect?

Thank you…OM, JOE

Hi Mark, yes we do. I just emailed you more info.

Dear Timothy,

Does Yogabasics review new yoga music albums?

Thank you for your consideration.

Best,

Mark Gustavson

Hi Timonthy,
In one of your replies to an articles about consumption of marijuana during yoga classes (article on this site), you mentioned that one can experience the same effect of an high if you are experienced enough in the practice. This is something I have come across before as well. Would love to know your views on this in as much detail as possible. My question emerges from my personal experience with Yoga which practically non-existent to say the least but whatever I have done I could relate it to my experience once when my soccer coach made us run for miles and miles. My body was on the verge of falling unconscious to the ground. But after the run, I felt blissful. There are certain other such experiences relating to swimming, reading, playing Badminton etc. I am completely serious here.
Would love to know your views on this and discuss more.