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Web in Review, Exploring Avenues for Enhancing Yoga Practice 
  Overview If you haven’t seen DoYouYoga.com, you’re in for a veritable candy store of all things yoga. This is a truly global site. They claim that DoYouYoga.com is the “premier and fastest growing destination for yoga culture on the web.” Over one million visitors log on each month and apparently one hundred thousand are registered. They are a worldwide community that wants to “upgrade our lives with health, happiness, and yoga.” In the upper right hand corner of the site you can see how many people are practicing at any given time. Interestingly, the home address of DoYouYoga.com is Hong Kong and a company called Skyrocket Group owns it. Andy, (never found the last name) is the CEO and founder, and his picture, along with those of his staff, are on the site. They describe themselves as an online yoga magazine featuring articles and videos, and they function as a social network. On the home page you can explore at least 80 free classes and here you are encouraged to sign up for free updates, and daily and weekly newsletters. Yoga Classes The list of classes will make your 3rd chakra spin, and don’t expect only traditional offerings. You’ll find: *Yoga for Beginners *Yoga Foundations *Yoga for Strength *Yoga for Flexibility *Yoga for Men *Yoga for Total Butt Toning *Yoga Shred for Weight Loss *Power Yoga Flows *Home Retreats *Back Health *Prenatal Yoga *Yoga for Total Detox *Yoga for Kids and even *Yoga Poses for Game of Thrones Fans. (I kid you not.)  Meditation Meditation offerings consist of various disciplines including *mantra meditations *Buddhist meditations, (not specified) *Tonglin Meditations and *Pranayama Practices for meditation preparation. Are you getting the idea? I have not looked at all of them so cannot comment on each one, but when I see topics like Yoga Shred for Weight Loss, my skeptical antennae really start whirling. (Especially because of the plethora of scientific studies that contest that claim.) I did, however, complete a 28-day yoga program and a meditation program. I thoroughly enjoyed both and felt the teachers were good, if not as well known in the States as some big names you might be familiar with. Yoga Pose Library They also offer a Yoga Pose Library, which must be very useful, but I am having trouble locating it. Personal Dashboard You can check your own dashboard, which keeps a record of classes done and modules completed. I have been receiving updates from this site for probably a year, and while this feature is not something that is really important to me, (as a birder, I’m incapable of keeping an up-to-date life list!) for those of you that are keeping records for your Yoga Alliance Registry, this can be quite helpful. Free or Paid Memberships Now, this site, while it does NOT blast you with any advertising…hard to believe, but true…DOES suggest every single time you log on, to become a premium member. So be prepared. Then you’ll have access to over 650 classes, more than 70 modules, and over 20 complete practice series. All this for $15 a month, or a much better deal, a one-time payment of $120 for the year. With either plan you can cancel at any time. And saying this, if you have access to The Washington Post, Elle Magazine, The Guardian, and/or The Huffington Post, they supposedly have coupons you can use for this.  Connect with Other Yogis The comment section is designed so you can connect with other yogis and yoginis and post your thoughts that create dialogue. For those of you with yoga businesses, DoYouYoga.com is involved in giveaway campaigns, banner campaigns, and event promotions. Lifestyle An interesting and eclectic Lifestyle section offers written articles and videos on yoga clothes, yoga diet, short classes on ways to help children understand yoga, musicians and singers, tasteful nude yoga, and even, for the light hearted, cats doing yoga. Inspiration Now the Inspiration section is worth noting. Here you will find information about Prison Yoga, Yoga Play, and learning to correct yourself from long held habits that put you in poses that might be harmful. Who of us does not need those tidbits!  Travel And if that is not enough, there is a Travel Section. Oh yeah…with information on yoga festivals, studios to visit while on the road, yoga retreats around the world, and even tips on which airports offer yoga classes for when you’re stuck for hours. You’ll agree, that’s good to know!  Rating
So, open your central energy channel and check out this site. If it isn’t all things yoga, I don’t know what is. I give this site an open palm and a half. While I applaud the wealth of information, the good classes and videos, the interesting and up-to-date information, I cannot attest to all programs’ values or authenticity. In Seva, Chris Cock Web in Review, Exploring Avenues for Enhancing Yoga Practice Yoga International is already a website link on our Resources and Links page. If you haven’t taken advantage of it, here are a few reasons to do so. History The magazine Yoga International began in 1991 and was a welcome addition when yogic publications were few and far between. It really did what it professed: became a source of information for teachers and students of authentic yogic traditions, bridging the gap between spirituality and science, ancient wisdom and modern life. When publication ceased, readers were bereft. We lost a magazine with no glitzy ads, no plethora of air-brushed models, just articles that allowed subscribers to delve deeper into their own practice. So when it rose from the printing room floor onto the internet into 2013, even bumbling digital subscribers like me rejoiced. And there are lots of reasons for that. The website offers so much more than a magazine ever could and perusing the site, YogaInternational.com, will help you find out just how it can enhance your practice. Membership But first let me add, you can join for free with a basic membership, or you can join for $14.99 a month. I know, seems a bit steep. But the offerings are many and good quality by nationally known teachers and some not so well known. They vary given the membership status.  Classes and Tutorials There are yoga classes, including 5 minute tutorials to 90 minute full programs. They cover practices, meditation, yoga therapy, lifestyle, teacher specifics, and even classes in Espanol. Besides yoga, there are classes and tips about Ayurveda; with seasonal tips, natural remedies, food articles, and recipes. Workshops and Conferences The site also offers full workshops that have a price tag commensurate with workshops you might attend. The downside is the camaraderie while doing the workshop may be only with your dog or cat, the upside is you may get to do a workshop with your dog or cat in the privacy of your own home. Another thing is that at the large fall and spring digital conferences, with each having a long list of nationally known teachers, members are offered discounts for attending. Then, or actually in place of, and this is really great, they offer a deal for purchasing a thumb drive with the entire conference on it. That way you have great information at your fingertips and in your living room forever without having to do the workshop at a prescribed time.  Spiritual Practices There are also sections offering information on Yoga Sutras, Chakras, Tantric studies, and philosophy. Because Yoga International is one of the affiliates of Himalayan Institute, and because Pandit Rajmani Tiquanait, PhD is the spiritual head of the institute, many of the classes are from his perspective. This means you can find information about the humanitarian projects they are involved in around the world and that your money helps fund these projects. I did not check out the percentage. Merchandise Yoga International also has a boutique section…everything from yoga and meditation props, clothing, jewelry, gifts and books. They seem a bit pricey, but we can’t forget, some of the money does go to things like creating clean water sources in Cameroon. Career Opportunities There is even a Career Opportunities section! Want to put you Yoga Teacher Certificate to use? You just might find work in a fascinating place. Rating  I give this site full palms open. There is something to learn and opportunity for everyone whether you are a free basic member or subscriber. In Seva,
Christine Cock (Please note: I am not affiliated with this organization in any way and my review does not reflect that of NCYTA’s policies.) |
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