Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2025 i YOGA Magazine

Dear YOGA Magazine Readers, Greetings and Blessings! As we step into the final month of the year, December offers us a rare invitation: to slow down, turn inward, and listen to the quieter dimensions of our lives. It is a time when the world grows colder and stiller, yet our inner landscape often glows with reflection, clarity, and renewed purpose. Alongside the warmth and togetherness of the Christmas and festive season, this is also a period that gently encourages contemplation. This issue of Yoga Magazine brings together stories that honour that inward pull—reminding us that true transformation often begins not in moments of ease, but in those thresholds where comfort ends and consciousness expands. Across these pages, a shared message emerges: real evolution, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, comes from…

The popularity of outdoor yoga and sauna events has increased due to a growing focus on wellness, with people seeking de-stressing, social, and nature-focused activities. This trend is evident in the rise of public "wild saunas," and outdoor yoga classes appearing on the beaches, countryside, parks, at festivals and community events, driven by the desire for improved mental and physical health benefits like pain relief, mood enhancement, and fitness recovery. Yoga reduces stress and calms the mind. Following up with a sauna session deepens relaxation and provides a profound sense of tranquillity. Our local Luna Hut sauna that made home on Eastbourne beach is very popular with residents and visitors to our town. Combining outdoor yoga classes in the fresh air with the cozy environment of hot sauna is a…

Asana – The term “asana” simply means any state of the body. One of the ancient yoga texts, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, states: “Being the first accessory of Hatha Yoga, asana is described first. It should be practised for gaining steady posture, health and lightness of body.” In the famous yoga treatise Yoga Sutra by Sage Patanjali, asana is described as “that position of the body which is comfortable and steady.” Likewise, many more opinions about asana exist. Based on these perspectives, asana can be categorised as follows: Asana as any state of the body Asana as a state of the body to gain physical benefits Asana as a state of the body which aids introspection Asana in Three Categories 1. Asana as any state of the body In daily…

Floris Adriaenssens discovered yoga in Belgium in 2008, beginning a lifelong journey that has continued to shape and guide him. Together with his partner, Paulina, he spent more than a decade living in ashrams, communities, and yoga schools across Mexico, India, Spain, and France, completing multiple trainings along the way. He has since guided over 20 yoga teacher trainings, as well as numerous retreats and classes, drawing from classical Yoga, Tantra, the Bihar School of Yoga, and a rich blend of other traditions. Now based in Southern Spain, Floris and Paulina are the founders of Ananda Forest retreat centre—a sanctuary rooted in nature, community, and practice. When he is not teaching, Floris loves working the land and cherishes his role as father to Amba. To learn more, visit www.amaratvayoga.com. Introduction…

The portrait series Silent Portraits by Axel Kirchhoff emerged from a convergence of complex events in 2020 — a time that invited pause, reflection, and deep listening. “How can I describe something that lies beyond words? How does presence manifest itself?” Kirchhoff writes. These questions became the impulse behind a photographic journey exploring silence, presence, and the essence of spiritual practice. Through this series, he captures individuals immersed in silence, each radiating the unspoken essence of awareness and inner depth. With Silent Portraits, Kirchhoff seeks to honour the beauty and transformative power of meditation — a quiet homage to spirituality as an integral part of human culture. Through his lens, stillness becomes visible; presence takes form. In this special feature, YOGA Magazine presents four portraits from the collection — a…

We Don’t Have to Try So Hard I’m a recovering overdoer — in everything. As a doctor, as a meditator, and certainly as an Ashtangi. The moment everything changed for me was one dawn morning at the shala. The room was thick with ujjayi breath and quiet discipline. My teacher, Casey, was moving silently through the room, offering subtle adjustments. I was deep in utthita parsvakonasana — side angle pose — working hard to press deeper, to open, to do it right. He came beside me, and with effortless skill anchored my hip while rotating and opening my shoulder, guiding me into a whole new line of spaciousness and ease. Then he said quietly, almost matter-of-factly: “You don’t have to try so hard.” I — and probably many of you…

"The body is called the Field, because a man sows seeds of action in it, and reaps their fruits. Wise men say that the Knower of the Field is he who watches what takes place within this body."— Bhagavad Gita Our skin tells the story of our life. Born smooth and unmarked, it soon becomes a living diary etched with time. Childhood tumbles leave their trace, as do motherhood, illness, trauma, and joy. Fine lines form with smiles and sorrow. Stretch marks, scars, tattoos, and wrinkles all speak to the lives we've led, the bodies we've lived in, and the experiences we've weathered. Skin is memory made visible. Culturally, skin is loaded with meaning. We speak of developing "a thick skin" to protect ourselves from criticism, or how something "gets…

In December 2025, Vedic astrology brings a powerful close to the year, with planetary energies supporting reflection, resolution, and new beginnings. Jupiter in Aries continues to inspire growth and ambition, urging us to set bold intentions for the future. Saturn’s stable presence in Aquarius highlights the importance of responsibility, collective progress, and making practical, grounded plans as we prepare for the coming year. Mercury toward the end of the month will invite us to slow down, review, and refine our recent decisions and goals. Mars in Libra brings a focus on balance in relationships and a fair approach to resolving conflicts, setting the tone for healthier connections moving forward. With the Sun transiting into Sagittarius in mid-December, a spirit of optimism, adventure, and expanded horizons becomes prominent, encouraging us to…

The Dawn of a New Frontier In a time when humanity teeters between technological acceleration and spiritual amnesia, the true evolution of intelligence may not be found in code or circuitry — but in consciousness itself. This realisation illuminated every moment of the launch of the Institute of Absolute Intelligence in Los Angeles, a pioneering initiative devoted to exploring the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Absolute Intelligence, the innate field of awareness that animates all life. Hosted by David Meltzer in conversation with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the evening gathered visionaries, scientists, entrepreneurs, yogis, and healers from around the world — a living demonstration of a global movement rising: the merging of science and spirit, logic and intuition, innovation and inner knowing. A Vision Born of Integration The Institute…

Sarah May is a yoga instructor, full-time van life nomad, and author of a new memoir about life on the road, She Journeys: A Memoir of Heartbreak and Homecoming (September 9, She Writes Press). Learn more on her website. I wake to the sound of an engine revving, bass thumping. Groggy, light streams in around the shades from the window at the foot of the bed. The jostling of shopping carts comes next, metal scraping against metal. Just another morning at a Walmart parking lot. After I make my coffee and journal, I’ll inevitably have to walk inside the retail giant to use the restroom, the fluorescent lights sharp, Katy Perry piped through the stereos too much too early. Like a crab out of its shell, I am not a…

If we listen to mind-body wellness influencers and advertisers, we often hear the message that “wellness doesn’t have to be complicated.” Aspirationally, this is true. Mind-body wellness should ideally feel like a smooth, long road stretching behind and before us, flowing naturally from our beliefs and values surrounding wellbeing. In real life, however, this process can be more complicated than we anticipate, and sometimes our wellness journey is neither easy nor straightforward nor stress-free. Real life is messy and our road to mind-body wellness can be complicated by illness (physical or mental), injury, disability, financial problems, relationship struggles, and changing responsibilities at work or home, any of which can be long-term and chronic or short-term and transient. The winding road of mind-body wellness has both long curves and quick bends.…

For many people, the spiritual path begins with a sense of longing — a quiet intuition that there is more to life than our habits, histories, and conditioned responses. Yet the very moment we take our first step toward transformation; we also meet the invisible boundary of the comfort zone. In Yoga and Āyurveda, this boundary is not merely psychological; it is a woven tapestry of past conditioning, trauma, doṣic tendencies, family imprinting, and learned defensive strategies. And it is here, on this threshold, that true spiritual evolution begins. In the teachings of the Viniyoga tradition of Sri T. Krishnamacharya, TKV Desikachar, growth is understood not as a dramatic leap into the unknown, but as a conscious, compassionate expansion of one's capacity to meet life. Discomfort, in this sense, is…

Continued from the previous issue of YOGA Magazine… As I set out, the sun rose over the mountains, its light guiding my path. Yoga Ji stood at the entrance of Yoga Bhavan, watching me intently. He said, “you will go on a journey that will not only transform you spiritually but also ripple out to countless others.” I felt blessed that I would soon be undertaking a spiritual pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, a journey that would awaken my spirit further. It would also reveal the mysteries of existence, and bring me closer to the eternal truth at the heart of the universe. I knew Yoga Ji and any Yoga Bhavan companions, both visible and invisible, would be sending me their prayers and meditating for my safe passageway and, of course,…

For over two decades, Samahita Retreat has been the home of Yoga and breathwork in Thailand. Rooted in tradition yet alive with innovation, its YogaCoreCycle programme blends asana, pranayama, meditation, and functional fitness. Nick Rice experiences a 3-day reset to the rhythm of the sea. The first thing that appealed upon arrival at Samahita Retreat wasn’t the glistening pool or the beachfront Shala, but the familial hum of the place. Tucked away on Koh Samui’s quieter southern coast, far from the thrum of busy bars and motorbikes, the retreat feels like a deep exhale. I came for three days of Yoga and fitness, expecting structure and sweat. What I found was something more expansive: a flow of practice and rest, a vibrant international community, and a rare sense of balance…

In an age of constant digital noise and endless “quick-fix” health trends, the Japanese approach to wellbeing feels like a breath of fresh air — calm, deliberate, and profoundly mindful. Rooted in ancient wisdom and simplicity, Japan’s wellness traditions remind us that caring for the self isn’t about relentless striving, but about balance — between body and mind, effort and ease, nature and nurture. As Western societies search for more sustainable paths to wellness, several Japanese practices have quietly taken root around the world. From meditative forest walks to mindful eating, these rituals embody a way of living that honours both stillness and vitality. JR Pass recently explored some of Japan’s most enduring wellness traditions that continue to inspire a global movement toward serenity and self-care. ONSENS In Japan, ‘onsen’…

This International Yoga Day, yoga teachers and practitioners from across the globe came together to celebrate unity, compassion, and purpose through Yoga for HOPE — a movement raising funds and awareness for The Hope Foundation (HOPE), a UK-based charity dedicated to transforming the lives of street-connected children in Kolkata, India. For the children in HOPE’s care, yoga is a daily practice — nurturing not only physical wellbeing but also emotional healing and inner peace. Since its founding in 1999 by Irish humanitarian Maureen Forrest, HOPE has touched the lives of over 3.3 million people, offering healthcare, education, and protection to some of Kolkata’s most vulnerable communities. Voted ‘Favourite Yoga Charity’ at the Om Yoga Awards 2024, HOPE continues to invite yoga teachers worldwide to join this compassionate movement. Throughout June,…

A gift of excessive dependance on mobile phones and computers coupled with bad posture is problems of the cervical. The three major nadis regulating flow of prana in the body are sushumna, ida and pingala. Sushumna corresponds to the spine in physical realm and aids the rising of kundalini through various chakras. Ida and pingala are moon and sun nadis twining around the chakras and maintaining a balance in the cold and hot prana, the left and right side of the body. Another significant nadi in the pranmaya kosha is Gandhaari, which controls the cervical region. Gandhari is the principal balancing force in the body, which ensures that you do not lose balance as you twist and turn or move about. Gandhari moves in a circular manner starting from the…

Ayurveda (from the Sanskrit āyus, meaning ‘life’, and veda, meaning ‘knowledge’) has much to teach us about our place in the cosmos, who we are and what purpose we serve. While Ayurveda and Yoga share the same roots, Ayurveda focuses on helping us understand how to live longer and healthier lives, giving us more time to awaken to our true nature. By knowing who we are, what we want and where we are going, we are inspired to live with greater energy and passion. We are eternal beings in temporary bodies that are vulnerable and prone to disease. When we are young and healthy, we tend to take our bodies for granted, but over time, realise that health and wellbeing require conscious effort to maintain. Ayurveda draws on the richness…

Yogi Maharaj Dr. Malik our Editor (since 2003) is a recognised international expert and an authority on the subject of Yoga. He started his training under the guidance of Yogis from the Himalayan region at the age of six and also received instructions from Sufis, Lamas and Sadhus. He is an accredited Yoga teacher specialising in Kundalini, Hatha and Laya Yoga. Founder and pioneer of Yogology, a spiritual technology which combines ancient traditions and principles of Laya, Hatha, Kundalini and meditative practices, Yogi Malik began teaching this over 20 years ago. He has spent a lifetime dedicated to researching, teaching and sharing his knowledge on yoga. He is also a practitioner of related alternative therapies, including Shamanism. Q: I have been feeling anxious lately and feel that I have overload…

Although 15th November has just passed, the wellness world is still energised by the launch of a brand-new calendar milestone — World Echinacea Day. Introduced this year, this annual awareness day shines a spotlight on one of nature’s most admired plants and its remarkable contribution to immune health, resilience, and overall wellbeing. Long recognised for its vibrant purple petals and traditional use in herbal medicine, Echinacea purpurea (the purple coneflower) has become a global favourite, thanks to decades of scientific research supporting its antiviral, immune-modulating and protective properties. The introduction of World Echinacea Day offers a timely opportunity for practitioners, consumers, and health enthusiasts alike to celebrate its benefits, share emerging findings, and reconnect with natural approaches to seasonal wellness. What sets Echinacea purpurea apart is the strength and consistency…

View More Information @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/pilates-and-yoga-studios-market The pilates & yoga studios market size is expected to reach USD 430.87 billion by 2034, according to a new study by POLARIS MARKET RESEARCH. The report “Pilates & Yoga Studios Market Size, Share, Trend, Industry Analysis Report By Activity Type (Yoga Classes, Pilates Classes, Pilates & Yoga Accreditation Training, Merchandise Sales), By Region – Market Forecast, 2025–2034” gives a detailed insight into current market dynamics and provides analysis on future market growth. The Pilates & yoga studios market focuses on delivering structured mind-body fitness experiences through in-person, fitness app, or hybrid class models. This market serves a growing population interested in low-impact, high-benefit exercise formats that enhance flexibility, core strength, and mental clarity. Demand is driven by rising health consciousness, increasing focus on preventative…

Mind-Body Wellness A Science-Based Approach By Susan M. Henney & Justin D. Hackett This book offers a rigorous and refreshing alternative to the muddled landscape of modern wellness culture. Henney and Hackett present a comprehensive, research-grounded overview of how psychological, biological, social, economic and spiritual forces jointly shape human wellbeing. The book successfully bridges academic insight with practical relevance, making it valuable for students, health professionals, and general readers seeking clarity amidst pseudoscientific wellness trends. Chapters on behaviour change, trauma, environmental and relationship wellness, and mind-body practices provide nuanced, evidence-led explanations. Particularly commendable is the inclusion of racial trauma, financial wellbeing and generational wellness challenges—topics often overlooked in mainstream texts. The authors also tackle the rise of wellness influencers and corporate programmes with thoughtful critique. This is an authoritative, accessible,…