Power Yoga Blog
Reconnect with a benevolent perspective
Practice Yoga and Be Free
The title of this blog is so apropos towards the multi-faceted benefits of yoga. I will not speak about what I have read pertaining to this subject, I will only speak about my experience. So, when reading this you will know how a yoga practice has affected someone and, therefore, there’s a good chance you will get a similar effect.
Free Online Yoga Classes
Free online content is as old as the internet and free yoga online is no different. This is one of the perks of the internet. YouTube is virtually all free. Most times, more so than not, we do pay for free content if that makes sense. Let me explain: You may not pay money for content but you may have to put up with ads, pop-up windows, or the likes. Same as if you want to watch the Super Bowl in real time, you have to deal with the commercials. Internet ads and pop-ups are virtually internet commercials. Same as the ads in a newspaper or magazine.
To Be Or Not To Be A Yoga Teacher
Do you want to share your yoga practice and the myriad of benefits with others? If so, then you would want the best yoga teacher training right? Now, “the best” may mean different things to different people so let’s clarify. First, what type of yoga are you interested in sharing?
Why is a Well-Rounded Yoga Workout the Absolutely Best Workout?
I believe I have put to rest within the title of this blog the question: “Is yoga a good workout," or even "is yoga a workout?” Like I said, it’s the best and I’ll explain why. At the ripe age of 55, I have been deep into health and fitness ever since I can remember.
Some Amazing Reasons for Doing Yoga
This phrase “Do yoga with me” has never been more practical or even possible. The very young might not know too much differently than the internet and all that it entails, but everyone older than say, about 40 years old, knows it wasn’t long ago that to participate in a yoga class you had to show up in person.
The Absurdity of Tradition
There are many great traditionalists, but the greatest of the great were non-traditionalists. They were non-conformist and they were non-dogmatic! Jesus was a non-conformist. So was Mother Theresa and Martin Luther King Jr. Mahatma Gandhi and the greatest yogi, Gautama the Buddha all had new ideas and another way.
Is Pure Yoga Really Pure?
“Pure Yoga” can mean many things to many people. Like many studio names, class names, and style names, so many people are looking to differentiate themselves and their classes, styles and studios with cool, interesting names that attract people and work well in branding. For example, “Pure Hot Yoga” sounds pretty catchy.
Best Yoga Videos – Do They Really Exist?
Honestly, objectively speaking, there is no “Best yoga video” because yoga is so very personal. Your appreciation of a yoga class whether it’s online or on video or in person is dependent on so many variables. For instance: your constitution, age, personality, energy level, injuries, and experience. And there are actually so many more variables.
The Truth About Core Yoga
I would like to shed some light on core yoga: what it is, what the poses are, and what yoga for core strength is? What is a yoga core workout or core balance yoga?
The Absurdity of Progress
What is progress? Does it mean "To move to a better place?" Or maybe it means "to move forward or higher" or "to acquire more regardless of whether it’s a better place or more optimal."
The General Benefits of Yoga
We are living in unprecedented times, both domestically and globally. With uncertainty stemming from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) swirling around us on a daily basis, now, more than ever, is a potentially transformational opportunity for us to implement our “spiritual skills” that we work so diligently to nurture and strengthen. Regardless of what your spiritual practice […]
How to Teach Yoga?
I like to describe teaching yoga like this: Let’s say your grandma has a great recipe for chicken soup. You love this chicken soup, it’s amazing!!! Your grandma gave you her recipe, and now you cook chicken soup all the time. One day your friend comes to your house to visit. They say, “What smells so […]
Benefits of Yoga…Online
This article should be called “The Benefits of Online Yoga” as that is the only yoga people will get right now due to COVID-19. What I have been surprised to discover is online yoga is every bit as effective as a studio yoga class. There are differences, no doubt. Yet both have benefits and can […]
Bryan Kest’s Power Yoga LIVE Streaming Updates
I sincerely hope you have been able to appreciate this rare type of quietness and downtime. Those of you who have not found any peace during these challenging times please check out my FREE Meditation for Anxiety. 1) We have added a 4:00-5:00pm PST live streaming class Monday-Friday and Sunday, and have brought back some SMPY favs like […]
BIG NEWS-Bryan Kest’s Power Yoga Virtual Studio is Expanding!
Aloha Everyone! Yoga will not tell you what to do. It will just ask you to wake up and see what you’re doing, and then ask yourself four questions: 1) Does this help me?2) Does this help my family?3) Does this help my community?4) Does this help the planet? I sincerely hope you have been […]
Yoga – Coronavirus – Life – Health – Wealth. Part 3.
I believe most people are starting to figure out a new rhythm to their days as we are all locked down and spending much more time at home. Please take some time for your yoga and meditation practice. Here are links to two very nourishing 12-15 minute meditations. Try it morning, mid-day, and evening, and […]
Yoga – Coronavirus – Life – Health – Wealth. Part 2.
California is on lockdown and I’m sure the rest of the country will follow. I hope all of you are breathing through this completely unprecedented time. Yoga practice for us yoga practitioners is always important as it seems to have a unique ability to balance one’s body and mind, completely relieving physical tension and much, […]
Coronavirus & Yoga practice and philosophy
Like I am doing right now with this message, this is a time where you will see yoga instructors chime in about this global pandemic. They may give you breathing exercises or poses to help calm you. If you feel stressed or worried these practices will help so why not try them? I would like […]
The Absurdity of Sleep
Does yoga help me sleep better? Does meditation help me sleep better? If you could break wellness into parts like you cut a pie into pieces, one substantial piece would be sleep. The other parts of the pie include diet, exercise, and mental/emotion contentment! Understanding yoga’s history and origin, which includes Ayurveda, we know yoga […]
Intermediate Yoga
Aloha yogis! I wanted to share with you some information on a topic in the yoga world that does not garner much attention, but it is always nice to have as a reference point to guide and support you on your journey into yoga! Especially if you are completely new to yoga, class offerings through […]
New Year Resolution Yoga
Wow…where do I begin? The topic of “New Year’s resolutions” can seem on the face of it, vast and daunting! For those of us who are driven and Type A personalities most likely have this innate desire to push, accomplish, thrive at whatever it is we set our minds to. Even if this presents as […]
Is Power Yoga for Beginners?
Power Yoga is well-suited for a diverse range of people and certainly, beginners are within that range. Personally, I feel that power Yoga is the best place for beginners to start their yoga journey. Yet, I am biased toward the type of Power Yoga I share. See, unlike many other types of yoga, Power Yoga […]
Ashtanga Yoga: History, Info and Practice
Ashtanga yoga postures and Ashtanga yoga sequences. If you are looking for a place to go to practice Ashtanga yoga, and its lesser known pranayama (breathing technique) sequence and a few even lesser known practices like neti (cleansing of nasal passage using a waxed string), you may have to travel to Mysore India. Pattabhi Jois […]
YOGA FOR HOLIDAY STRESS
You could say yoga for holiday stress is what yoga was created for! Yet the truth is yoga is for all stress! Yoga for stress is a well documented topic. Google yoga stress relief or holiday stress and yoga, and you will find much information. Understand the stress that’s being emphasized here is coming from […]
Yoga Means “To Yoke”
What is yoga? What is the meaning of yoga? All styles, systems and practices of yoga have the same objective of union, enlightenment or to yoke. The differences would be in the methodology in attaining yoga’s goal. So to define yoga we have to be clear whether we are talking about the Sanskrit word yoga’s […]
Yoga & Gratitude
How does yoga help you express your gratitude? Why do we practice yoga? The common answer is health and/or wellness. What detracts from wellness more than stress? What is more opposite than stress than gratitude? Yoga and gratitude is like parent and child. Gratitude is a by-product of yoga as the goal of yoga is […]
NOURISHING THE HEART SPACE: Mental Health Benefits of Yoga
I recently had an experience in which I was confronted with toxic and negative communication that was directed towards me and my family. Being a human being, my initial reaction was to “fight back” and to partake in similar, unhealthy communication. Thankfully, though, my yoga and meditation practice (as well as my training as a […]
Power Yoga Fall Class & Events Update
Lot’s happening here at Power Yoga, probably not too dissimilar from wherever this email finds you. Yet yoga is such a positive and healing addition to whatever is happening in our lives. As busy as you are, you might be interested in these events and activities happening near you. Those of you streaming our studio […]
Yoga for Cancer – Announcing Our New Cancer Recovery Series
I’m bringing this series to you, not because I wanted a “specialty” or because I’ve had special training. I bring this series to you because I’ve lived it. In the 30 years on my mat and teaching I have seen yoga save lives over and over again. My life is one of them. I lived […]
Important Questions about Yoga, Weight loss and Wellness: Does Yoga Help You Lose Weight and Is Yoga Good for Weight loss?
Let’s address these and many other questions pertaining to yoga and weight loss. Is yoga good for weight loss? Can you lose weight with yoga? What types of yoga are good for weight loss? Is Power Yoga good for weight loss? How does yoga help you lose weight? Considering the mass interest in weight loss […]
The Absurdity of Yoga Without Meditation
Having almost 40 years of yoga practice under my belt combined with living in India for a good 1-year stint, I can say with certainty Yoga is a meditation practice. What is the difference between yoga and meditation? There is no difference between yoga and meditation. So, yes yoga is a form of meditation. It […]
The Absurdity of This Theory
If it is true that the oldest living animals breathe the slowest, would it not be worth looking at breath rate when considering longevity? And since there is direct connection between health and longevity then certainly we would want to look into breath rate and its connection to health. Aesthetics and peak performance notwithstanding, the […]
What is the difference between Vinyasa and Hatha Yoga?
Vinyasa is a vigorous or flowing style of Hatha Yoga. Vinyasa is actually three hatha yoga poses: plank, cobra and down dog. These poses are used in between most other poses as a way of connecting one pose to the next, intertwining the movements into a very yang (active) style of yoga practice. This type […]
The Absurdity of Failure
The beauty and potency of failure: Progress is two steps forward and one step back (kind of). It could actually be two steps forward and 10 steps back then 12 steps forward. You get the point. Yet what is not commonly embraced is the fact that those two steps back are part of forward progress […]
What is Vinyasa Flow Yoga?
What is vinyasa flow yoga? Vinyasa is literally 3 movements: plank, cobra or up dog and down dog. These movements are used with breath to connect other poses to each other as you would connect a high-pitched sound to a low-pitched sound with something in the middle so the transition would be less abrasive. Vinyasa […]
The Absurdity of the City Dump
What if everyone had to distribute all the trash they create on the grounds of their property? No, you cannot bury it. No, you cannot pay someone to take it away. Yes, you have to scatter it around your home’s foundation and, yes, you can clear through it a walking path. There is an old […]
High Quality Online Yoga Classes
The future is here and online yoga seems to be the best alternative for many people. Of course high quality yoga classes are the most desirable so let’s look at this “high quality” thing. High quality yoga classes might be different than a high quality website. Obviously, both would be preferred. I’ve have searched around […]
Santa Monica Power Yoga Studio in L.A. – A Quick Update after Closing
This is a quick update since the closing of Santa Monica Power Yoga Aloha everyone, Wow, this is my first newsletter since the closing of Santa Monica Power Yoga. I think of my L.A. peeps and the regulars who always stopped by the studio when visiting L.A. quite often. People tell me they are sad […]
The Brilliant Absurdity of Yoga Asana
The simplicity and practicality of yoga asana is mind-bending. We have made exercise and fitness so complicated with the multitude, or mountain, of ideas and philosophies. I like that old saying “keep it simple, stupid.” That’s what yoga does! Everybody knows you cannot take care of something you do not touch. That is why there […]
What Does Yoga Do for Your Body?
Wow, where to begin. You know you can easily Google “yoga for health“ or “what does yoga help with“ or “physical benefits of yoga,“ and I think you would be blown away at all yoga can accomplish and yoga’s health benefits. What I want to express here is my 38 years of experience and how […]
Vinyasa Yoga
Hey! Those of you new to yoga or anybody looking for a little clarity pertaining to yoga terminology, let’s start with one of the most common Sanskrit (which is one of yoga’s original languages) terms, as most terms are in this language. Please be aware that Sanskrit was India’s original language, or at least one […]
Keeping Our Head Straight Through The Swirl That’s Enveloping Us
When I was around 14, while I was living with my mother in suburban Detroit, my father approached me and asked me at my mother’s request if I’d like to live with him in Hawaii. I said “sure, Dad,” even though I hadn’t talked to him in about three years due to me finally standing […]
What Are the Health Benefits of Yoga?
Wow, where to begin. You know, you can easily google “yoga for health,“ or “what does yoga help with,“ or “physical benefits of yoga,“ and I think you would be blown away at all yoga can accomplish and yoga’s health benefits. What I want to express here is my 38 years of experience, and how […]
Cultural Absurdity
We certainly are not an advanced culture, and any thought that we are will only hinder us in ever achieving it. Truth is, I’m not sure there is one. Maybe Bhutan, as I once heard they were more interested in GNH, gross national happiness, as opposed to GNP, gross national product. Most cultures are still […]
Santa Monica Yoga Update (And why we are going online)
To the peeps of Power Yoga, As most of you know, our physical location at 1410 2nd Street, Santa Monica, CA, USA is closing May 31st, and there have been questions that I’d like to address, and a message I’d like to deliver to you. 1) Does this affect poweryoga.com and our online power yoga studio?The answer is a […]
The Absurdity of Aging (Part 2)
The beauty of aging. This is a reflection on the powerful process of letting go and the peace and wisdom that ensues. As well as a counterbalance to our culture’s negative mentality towards aging. Attention all baby boomers, the end is coming; are you prepared? 🙂 Those in your 40s and 50s, you are about […]
The Absurdity of the Six Pack
How body types look different and how exercise affects different bodies differently I have a six-pack – you just can’t see it. Some people naturally, without any exercise or special diet, have a very lean and cut body. It’s not common, but it exists. Some people have very fleshy bodies, and with exercise and a […]
Emotional Eating
Emotional Eating:When I was in graduate school, writing my dissertation, I would sit at my computer for long periods of time in the “writing zone.” During this time, I often had within arm’s reach a six-pack container of gluten-free peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. I would inhale these cookies within an hour (usually 30 minutes!), […]
The Absurdity of the New Yoga Studio
The new yoga studio is the yoga studio owned by a corporation. Now I get it, even a mom-and-pop yoga studio might be an LLC for tax and or liability purposes, so when I say corporation, I’m talking about a corporate studio or chain of studios whose owner is most likely not running the show, […]
The Absurdity of Fear
Fear obviously can be rational and is at times necessary and important, and yet it can be totally and completely irrational, and these days, most of the time it is unnecessary and harmful. Differentiating between the two is about as helpful and important to our health and the health of all of our relationships, including […]