2 YOGAJOURNAL.COM YOGA TODAY
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(800) 600-9642 YOGAJOURNAL.COMPHOTO: DAVID MARTINEZ; HAIR/MAKEUP: GREGG HUBBARD/BA REPSBack to basics
IT’S FUNNY, THE NAME OF THIS ISSUE: YOGA TODAY. The practice of
“yoga today” has both drastically changed since its inception some 5,
years ago (imagine the founding yogis of Northern India experimenting
with Acroyoga while wearing wildly patterned yoga tights) and remained
fundamentally the same: a mix of physical and spiritual techniques designed
to integrate mind, body, and spirit. That said, given the variety of styles and
philosophies out there, it sure does help to have a handle on the basics—
especially if you’re new to yoga or practicing mostly on your own at home.
Over the past 41 years, Yoga Journal has had
some of the most talented yoga teachers in the
world provide instruction on yoga’s essential asa-
nas—standing postures, backbends, core strength-
eners, twists, inversions, forward bends, and
restorative poses. Their good, solid instruction is
the kind that will serve you well throughout a life-
time of practicing yoga, no matter your preferred
style or personal strengths and challenges. So wegathered their wisdom for you in one handy reference manual. Keep it close,
and you’ll always have answers to the most common questions yogis encoun-
ter: How can I have better control over my backbends? (Kate Tremblay
shares her insights on page 50.) What’s the safest way to practice inversions?
(Aadil Palkhivala offers guidance on page 64.) And how can I quiet my mind
and successfully drop into Savasana? (Former fretter John Hanc shares his
journey—and some expert instruction from Richard Rosen—on page 82.)
Trust this special edition of Yoga Journal to answer all of these questionsand more, and to supply everything you need to get a thriving home prac-
tice off the ground. What’s more, since yoga doesn’t stop when you step off
the mat, we’ve included a special lifestyle section, steeped in wisdom from
yoga’s sister science, Ayurveda. Here, you’ll learn to eat and live in ways
that not only support your asana practice but that also reflect your daily
needs, especially those that support who you truly are. I hope the tools and
sequences in this issue make your home practice even more fulfilling. ✤
editor’s letter Carin Gorrell
Carin Gorrell
Editor in Chief