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That's why I created


Your online yoga school
and education resource

I've put together a lot of great information here for you and created some unique resources to help you learn online, right from the comforts of your very own home.

Even through I continue to work hard to make this one of the best yoga websites around, this site is more than just a collection of information. I don’t want to just provide you with information. I want to give you a real education!

As you move through the website, you’ll learn about the many different aspects of this ancient science; get practical instruction on some of its very important health practices, and find some great little practical guides that you can download too.



You might be surprised to find out that yoga is a whole lot more than just a form of physical exercise too.  This website is designed to help you find out just what it is all about ...

... to stimulate you,

... to motivate you,

... and when you are finally ready, to guide you step by step into the vast universe that is the yogic life.

So grab yourself a cup of your favorite warm beverage, sit back and let me take you on a stroll through my Online School.

Let’s start with some general information about this ancient science that maybe you didn’t know…

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What Is Yoga, Really? What is yoga? That’s the question I hear the most these days. It’s certainly more than a form of exercise. Find out what it’s all about…

Another Yoga Definition for You There is no single perfect yoga definition. We know yoga through experiencing it! But here are a few beautiful descriptions of yoga sure to inspire you…

The Origin of Yoga – Some Good Things to Know. The origin of yoga is not usually given much importance today. But if we don’t know where yoga has come from, then we may not care where it is going either …

Learn the History of Yoga The history of yoga holds countless gems for the deeper understanding of yoga. Take an illuminating walk through this fascinating subject here...

The Branches of Yoga - What Are They With so many different kinds of yoga being taught today, there’s a lot of confusion about the various branches of yoga. Here’s a good guide to help you sort it all out …

Types of Yoga – Making Sense of the Styles of Yoga With so many new types of yoga popping up all the time, how can we make sense of it all? Start here with this helpful guide to the various styles of yoga…

Ashtanga Yoga - The 8 Stages of Yoga Explained Ashtanga Yoga, or Classical Ashtanga, is a complete system for health and evolution. Learn about the 8 limbs of yoga here…

The Yoga Pose - More Than a Good Stretch. In the modern world, the yoga pose has taken on innumerable variations. Here's a helpful page to get you on your way to practicing yoga with confidence.

Karma Yoga – The Yoga of Selfless Action Being a karma yogi today is akin to being a ‘Super Hero!’ So what is karma yoga all about? Find out here…

Raja Yoga – The King of Yogas There can be no raja yoga without hatha yoga, and no hatha without raja. These are essentially two ends of the same pole. Let’s see how they're related …

Bhakti Yoga – The Devotional Yoga Practice Here’s a nice outline of the practice of Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of universal love…

Yama Niyama – The Real Foundation of Yoga Yama Niyama is the most overlooked aspect of yoga. Of course, who wants to bother with stodgy old rules of conduct? But is that what they really are? Let’s take a closer look…

Yoga Asanas - What Are They All About The yoga asanas are the mainstay of modern yoga. But they weren't always so important. Find out where they come from... and how they got here...

Yoga Blog The Yoga Blog keeps you up-to-date with all the additions and changes to International Yogalayam's website. Subscribe here...

Pranayama Yoga - More Than Just Breathing Live longer, live healthier... energize!... through pranayama yoga. Find out what it's all about, and how to get started...

What is Prana In the study of yoga, the question - what is prana - eventually comes up. Let's take a closer look at this life-giving force...

Try Yoga Breathing For Better Health In yoga breathing comes first. Find out how better breathing can improve your health and add years to your life!

Yoga Breathing Techniques - Your Path to Health There are many yoga breathing techniques for improved health and vitality. Here's a few good exercises to get you started...

Yoga Health – What Can This Ancient Science Do For You Millions of People practice yoga each and every day. The Yoga Health benefits are some of the reasons. Here’s a list of the many benefits of yoga …

Yoga Stress Relief - An Effective Approach Break the cycle of stress. Yoga stress relief techniques are simple and highly effective. Here's a free guide to stress management through yoga…

Yoga Stress Relief Techniques Download your free guide to Yoga Stress Relief Techniques here...

Breathing For Yoga Improved breathing for yoga practitioners is one of the great benefits of yoga. Learn more about yoga and breathing, and download some yogic breathing practices here...

Yoga Treatment – Your Complete Health Remedy Yoga treatment of disease is second to none. Heal, repair, restore your health. Find out what the yogic approach to injury and disease is all about…

Learn Yoga Online - With our 3 Weeks of Yoga E-course It's never been easier to learn yoga online. Our yoga ecourse will teach you yoga in 21 step by step lessons...

Living Yoga We learn what living yoga is all about here in lesson one of the 3 Weeks of Yoga ecourse

Sadhana - Your daily yoga practice Yoga sadhana refers to all of the efforts put forth in every moment of every day towards the higher goals of health, harmony and evolution. Find out more …

Yoga Relaxation - your key to health Yoga Relaxation leads to a state where the physical body, emotions and mind are all brought up into a high state of conscious relaxation ...

Pranayama - The Science of Breath Control Pranayama is a conscious attempt to stabilize the flows of prana and apana, the two primary subtle energies whose dynamic movements are intimately linked to the breath…

Yoga History - The roots of a modern-day practice Yoga History extends back thousands of years, to the ancient land known as Bharata ...

Kriya Yoga - The yoga of purification Kriya yoga involves practices for purifying the physical body, decongesting the energetic body, the mental fields and even purification on higher, psychic levels…

Padahastasana - The hand to foot pose In this lesson we explore padahastasana, its proper practice, as well as its effects and benefits

The Whole Body Cleanse - Kaya kriya Kaya kriya is a whole body cleanse that is useful for releasing mental and physical tension, providing relief from physical traumas and body pain…

Trikonasana - The triangle pose In this lesson we explore trikonasana, its proper practice, as well as its effects and benefits…

Pranayama Practices There are over 100 pranayama practices mentioned throughout the Sanskrit texts, many of which are considered essentials at varying levels of yoga …

Awareness - The Cornerstone of Yoga Yoga teaches us four stages, or four levels of awareness: that of body; of emotions; of mind; and of awareness itself…

Karma - The Law of Cause and Effect The concept of karma is a fundamental aspect at the foundation the Eastern world view, and its proper understanding is integral to the practise of yoga…

The Yoga Spine - Brahma Danda The spinal column is known as Brahma Danda, which literally means 'the walking stick of God'. A strong, flexible yoga spine is very important for good health.

AUM - The Mantra of All Mantras The cosmic sound AUM is the ‘supreme of all mantras’ — the original ‘cosmic sound’, the primordial vibration constituting the beginning and the end of creation.

The Yoga Life Living a yoga life involves proper diet, lifestyle, healthy attitudes and habits, beneficial work and nurturing associations. Learn what living yoga is all about…

Polarity - The Yoga Principle of Harmony and Balance Yoga helps to restore polarity in the being and relieve all conditions of illness (physical, mental, emotional), which results from a polar imbalance.

Pancha Kosha - The 5 Bodies of Man In yoga, man is conceived as a 'multi-bodied being'. He has at least five bodies, which are referred to as the pancha kosha

Pavana Mukta Asana - The Wind-Release Pose In the Sanskrit language pavana refers to ‘wind’ and mukta or mukti means ‘liberation’ or ‘release’...

Pascimottanasana - The Back Stretch Pose Pascimottanasana is considered one of the most potent and powerful asanas in hatha yoga and the list of benefits from its practise is long…

Swadhyaya Swadhyaya is the fourth of sage Patanjali’s niyamas and represents one of the most important aspects of yoga...

The Yoga Path The yoga path leads us from ignorance to truth. Although the various branches of yoga may wander through different terrain, the essential territory remains the same…

The Complete Yoga Breath The full yoga breath is developed through a practice called vibhagha pranayama, which teaches us lobular breathing...

Ankle Exercises - The Yoga Techniques These two yoga kriyas are great ankle exercises to help increase ankle strength and mobility...

Prana Breathing - The Tiger Breath Prana breathing begins with healthy lungs. Vyaghrah pranayama, conditions and expands the lungs to improve breathing...

Warm Up Stretches - Standing Jattis The warm up stetches in yoga are called jattis. This video demonstrates some basic yoga warm up stretches in the standing position...

The Tree Pose - Talasana The tree pose is a great practice for those who spend long hours sitting or working in front of a computer...

The Standing Forward Bend - Padahastasana In yoga, the standing forward bend is called padahastasana...

The Whole Body Cleanse - Kaya Kriya The powerful yoga whole body cleanse is called kaya kriya. Watch this short video demonstration...

The Triangle Pose - Trikona Asana The triangle pose, known as trikonasana, is one of the basic hatha yogasanas. Watch a video demonstration of it here ...

The Sun Salutation - Surya Namaskar The sun salutation is one of the most popular and well-known practices of hatha yoga today. This video demonstrates aruna surya namaskar ...

Pavana Muktasana - The Wind-Release Pose Pavana Muktasana is a simple, but highly effective practice for promoting health and longevity. Watch a video demonstration of it here...

The Forward Bend - Pascimottana Asana The forward bend pascimottana asana is one of the most potent and powerful practices in hatha yoga. Watch a video demonstration of it here...

The Cobra Pose - Bhujanga Asana Bhujanga asana, the cobra pose, is an excellent stimulator of the endocrine system... Watch a video demonstration here...

Ardha Matsyendra Asana - The Spinal Twist The health benefits of ardha matsyendra asana are extensive. Watch a video demonstration of it here...

Yoga Training Center Here at our online yoga training center, you'll find all the resources you need to learn yoga... and more.

Essential Yoga Practices Here’s a guide to the essential yoga practices that form the foundation of a health-enhancing, rewarding yogic life

Vegetarian Diet A vegetarian diet is at the foundation of the yogic life. Learn more about how to improve your health through yogic eating...

Vegetarian Diet A vegetarian diet is an essential part of the yogic life. Learn more about in this informative article...

The Yoga Diet The yoga diet is an approach to eating that involves more than vegetarianism. This article explores more about this fundamental aspect of yoga...

The Yoga Diet The yoga diet is a vegetarian diet and more. This article explores the yoga way of eating...

The Yoga Diet The yoga diet has many dimensions. Besides being vegetarian, find out what else it is all about...

Mudras - The psychic gestures As one's yoga practice advances mudras become increasingly important for controlling and guiding the pranic energy. Learn more about these powerful gestures here...

Yoga and Junk Food What is junk food, and how can yoga help to kick the habit? Find out more here...

Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia - the non-disease diseases. Find out how yoga can help?

Junk Foods - How can yoga help? Break the addiction to junk foods and restore health through yoga. Find out more...

Junk Food Facts The junk food facts can be tough to swallow. Here's a few things that maybe you didn't know...

The Yoga Exercises - more than just a good stretch There's a vast array of yoga exercises to benefit body, mind and soul. Here's a guide to some fundamental practices...

Pratyahara Pratyahara is the 5th stage of Ashtanga Yoga... the bridge between the outward yoga techniques, and the more subtle, inner yoga practices

Sense Organs - The Indriyas In yoga, the sense organs are known as indriyas. This article explores the importance of their control in reaching the higher stages of yoga.

Dharana - Yoga Concentration Dharana is the 6th stage of yoga, and the first step into the subtle inner practices of Samyama Yoga

Improve Concentration - Through Yoga There are many yoga practices to improve concentration (dharana), such as the following basic techniques...

Dhyana - Yoga Meditation Dhyana, or yoga meditation, is the 7th stage of Patanjali’s classical 8-limbed ashtanga yoga...

Samadhi - Cosmic Consciousness This article explores the nature of 'Cosmic Consciousness' known in yoga as samadhi...

Yoga Survey Every month we feature a new yoga survey in The Yoga News. Take our latest poll here...

The Yoga News The Yoga News is a monthly electronic publication featuring current yoga news, yoga-related articles and more...

Swami Gitananda Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri was one of the most potent and effective forces in the field of ashtanga yoga worldwide

Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani Yogacharya Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani is the son of Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Guru Maharaj and Yogamani Kalaimamani Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani...

Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani Smt. Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani went to India to study Yoga at the age of 25. She met her Guru in Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj in 1968 and since that time has devoted her life to his teachings...

Neti - The Nasal Cleanse The neti kriya is a safe and effective way to prevent and treat sinusitis. Learn the proper way to perfrom jala neti here...

Yoga Competition Yoga competition is gaining popularity around the globe. Is yoga headed for the Olympics, or are yoga championships a bad idea?

Sanskrit The loss of sanskrit in yoga is a modern spiritual tragedy, according to this article by eminent yoga master, Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani

Ganesh Chaturthi Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the famed elephant-headed God.

Krishna Janmashtami Krishna Janmashtami signifies not simply a celebration of the birth of a great and Divine Teacher, but the recognition of an inherent Divine Power in all of us...

Camp Moomba Yogathon The 6th annual Camp Moomba Yogathon brought Vancouver yogis together to raise money for children affected by HIV

Yoga Video Yoga video, Street Stretch, adds a refreshing twist to the hustle of daily Indian life.

Genes A scientific study has revealed the influence of relaxation techniques, such as those used in yoga, on your genes.

Indian Tourism The Indian Tourism Ministry has ambitious plans to position India as the global destination for health and wellness.

Ganga Dussehra The festival of Ganga Dussehra celebrates the descent of the holy Ganga River down to the parched earth.

Jill Bolte Taylor Jill Bolte Taylor, eminent neurobiologist, recounts the stroke that changed her life, on the cutting edge TEDtalks conference in Monterey, California.

Yoga Association The formation of the Indian Yoga Association signals recognition of the need to create global standards in yoga education.

Yoga Affiliate Join International Yogalayam's yoga affiliate program, and add another steady stream of income to your website.

aerobics Is yoga here to stay, or is it just another fitness trend, like aerobics, destined for the same, eventual fate?

Jala Neti Jala Neti is one of the shat karmas, or six cleansing actions of the hatha yoga tradition, and a highly effective way to combat sinusitis

Navratri Navratri, literally “nine nights,” is a nine-day festival that worships the Divine Mother in all her many forms.

Gaba A study has shown that the practice of yoga asanas stimulate Gaba, the inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain responsible for regulating anxiety and inducing relaxation.

Ashtanga Yoga Of Patangali, Home Study Yoga Course The Ashtanga Yoga of Patangali Yoga Home Study Program is the most comprehensive yoga course available anywhere. Enrol now and start learning yoga today.

Economic Karma As our economic karma sets governments around the world pouring trillions of dollars into their fledgling financial structures, we have all quickly become swept up in yet another delusion. Instead of fixing a problem, we are setting ourselves up for yet another fall...

Economic Crisis No one seems to have noticed that the current economic crisis doesn’t lie in banking structures, or in rules and regulations. It's time to take an honest look at the real roots of this tragedy...

Yoga and Hinduism Yoga and Hinduism are not one and the same, although Yoga has its foundation in the spirituality of ancient India, and its teachings are indivisible from that.

Hinduism and Yoga Hinduism and Yoga are not the same thing, although many elements of the science of yoga are certainly inherent in Hinduism ...

Deepavali The ultimate aim of Deepavali is to set us all moving forward on the spiritual path so that we might ultimately attain illumination and remember our universal oneness with God.

Amma Amma is one of the brightest lights in the world of yoga today; not for all that she has done, or continues to selflessly do, but because she exemplifies, in every conceivable way, what it truly means to live a yogic life.

The origin of Christmas Many of the customs, rituals and holidays around the globe today, including the origin of Christmas giftgiving, originated in India

Yoga and Communism Yoga and communism are rarely two words that find themselves in the same sentence. But are there some similarities?

Yoga For Back Pain A recent study on yoga for back pain demonstrated the effectiveness of a short-term, intensive yoga program for sufferers of chronic low back pain

Krishna Avanti School Krishna Avanti School, the first state sponsored Hindu School in London, promises to merge the government approved school curriculum with the religious and cultural values of Hinduism.

Link to Us Set up a link to us. Link to the yoga news, our yoga courses, or our home page. We've provided several images for you to use on your website.

Donation - Is it Just Cheap Yoga Have modern attitudes turned the ancient yoga donation tradition into a way to just get cheap yoga?

What is Change What is change in America going to look like? Will Barack Obama deliver what America really needs, or are we still heading down the same, unfortunate road?

Yoga Props Yoga props have some use, but often they are relied upon too much, even to the point of hindering one's progression in yoga.

Sanskrit Glossary The yoga sanskrit glossary gives definitions of the sanskrit words found throughout our website. For a more comprehensive yoga dictionary, see our e-book entitled The Language of Yoga.

Yoga Philosophy The examination of yoga philosophy opens up a whole new world of perspective and understanding in life. This page introduces some of the yoga concepts that form part of this great science of

Hindu Holidays There are many Hindu Holidays that have great significance for practitioners of yoga. These articles explore the profound importance of a few of these Hindu celebrations ...

Dakshina teaching yoga by dakshina, or donation, provides an opportunity for students to cultivate some fundamental yogic qualities, which are essential for personal growth and transformation.

Maha Shivaratri Maha Shivaratri, which means “night of Lord Shiva,” is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout the whole of India. It falls on the 13th and 14th days of the dark half (waning moon) of the month of Maagha, which occurs on February 22nd and 23rd in 2009.

Yoga Magazine The Yoga News is not your typical yoga magazine with glossy pictures of perfect people in perfect yoga poses, and pages of articles about this or that yoga practice.

The Meaning of Yantra In yantra, lines, shapes, figures, and designs are used to impart a hidden or concealed meaning. When one has the key to yantric meaning, mighty knowledge is released into the mind.

Numerology The yogic numerology known as yantra is the arcane science of Number, Name and Form. It interprets the inherent mathematical/numeric structures that are the fundamental organization of the Universe - those forms, structures and relationships which also lie deep within the collective unconscious of man.

Holi Second in its exuberance only to Deepavali, Holi is another of the nation-wide celebrations of particular significance in India. Occurring over two days, it begins on Phalgun Purnima, the full moon in early March.

Life Path The need for a life path today is an essential for anyone who truly wants to rise above the quagmire of the modern material life.

Guru Probably one of the most used and abused of the Sanskrit words today is the word guru. Historically, this word was reserved solely for the highest spiritual teachers of humanity...

Yogacharya Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani is one of the most up and coming yoga exponents of the modern age. With a background like his, it should come as no surprise...

Yoga Certification With yoga moving swiftly into mainstream culture, and thousands of budding yogis rushing in to make a name and a dollar for themselves, yoga certification is becoming a big issue in the yoga world.

Yoga Certification the absurdly low requirements for yoga certification in most places today has really done more damage than good to the image of yoga worldwide. It has given the overwhelming impression that yoga is not very deep at all.

Free Yoga Lessons Download free yoga lessons from our groundbreaking yoga ecourse, 3 Weeks of Yoga.

Emotional Stress Test Are you spiritually bankrupt? Take this emotional stress test and find out just how spiritually sound, or far gone you really are ...

Yoga As Therapy The use of yoga as therapy is on the rise, but many of today’s yoga therapists seem to have lost touch with the real essence of yoga.

Ashtanga Yoga FAQs Our Ashtanga Yoga FAQs section will answer many of your questions about the yoga certificate course and the yoga home study course

Share Pics - Yoga Pic Sharing Share pics on our yoga site. Picture sharing on our site is a great way to share a pic you're proud of with the world. Share my pictures here ...