What makes for an authentic yoga practice? The word Yoga literally means union, referring to the union of the body, mind and soul. In Yoga, the body, mind and soul come together to achieve an elevated level of consciousness that brings in immense happiness, joy, satisfaction and wisdom into one’s life. This was the concept with which the ancient teachings about authentic Yoga evolved in India over a period of thousands of years.

However, when the West adopted the concept of Yoga, it became more of a fad and fashion statement than a spiritual experience. An elite group of yoga teachers in America live in multi-million dollar homes catering to the uber-rich. Even the ordinary teachers have modified the teachings and the core philosophy of Yoga to suit the “consumer needs” of the growingly interested Americans. Thus, Yoga today is offered as a quick fix solution to everyday problems. This defeats the original purpose of authentic Yoga itself, which is meant to elevate an individual beyond these everyday trivialities. This modification of Yoga is thus ironical and it can never fulfill its original intended purpose when done in this way.

Traveling from India to America, I see a huge difference in the way Yoga is treated not just by the Gurus but also the people who want to learn it. In America, it is yet another way to make money while in India it is still largely a community help or service. Barring a few exceptions that cater to the billionaires and millionaires of India, almost every authentic Yoga school is free of cost to join or takes a nominal $1 to $2 for a month to cover expenses. The Yoga guru seldom teaches for money and usually has a day job which feeds him and his family. By separating monetary issues and the practice of Yoga, the Guru is thus able to practice and teach authentic Yoga in its true spirit, that doesn’t pander to the consumer fetishism of the 21^st century where Yoga is just another commodity to be purchased in the market.

In addition, the practitioners and teachers of Yoga should never forget the real philosophy behind Yoga. Yoga is much more than physical exercise to keep your heart healthy and remove stress from life. These are but the side effects of a truer and larger goal, which is, as the word encompasses, the union of body, mind and soul. The original goal is a worthy one and something that every individual should pursue. The true purpose of authentic Yoga is thus not physical but spiritual, of which physical benefits are mere additional benefits.

The American concepts of Yoga are thus fundamentally flawed and it is difficult to realize the true potential of this ancient Indian practice. True, it will still provide the fringe benefits to the population but never the original benefits that it was intended to provide. One needs to fundamentally rethink about Yoga to practice it in spirit. One very good starting point to understand the Eastern point of view is by looking through the spirit of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga Sutras, which is an eight step method to practice Yoga. Until one looks at Yoga from the way it originated and the way it was initially intended, he/she is being deprived of the wisdom of the wise Gurus who laid down this system of spiritual elevation.

How authentic is your yoga practice? Leave us a comment down below and share your thoughts. Also, if you enjoyed this post, go share it with your friends on the social networks like Facebook and Twitter.

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Becoming a vegetarian is a big lifestyle change if you are trying to make the transition, especially for the first time. There’s a saying that “you are what you eat”. Indeed, the food you eat plays a big part in identifying who you are.

For example, if you have a sweet tooth then you most likely need to spend longer hours at the gym to burn calories. On the other hand, eating too much will adversely affect your health and lifestyle. This is because being overweight will hinder you from playing sports to your full potential.

The nutrients ingested by the body will provide it with the necessary energy to function. And while most people wouldn’t associate emotions with their food, it does have an impact. The right food can also help with mental functions. Given all these, there are certainly a lot of reasons why you should pay more attention to what you eat.

Vegetarianism and Its Challenges

When it comes to lifestyle choices, only the individual himself can make decisions. But it is important to know the pros and cons of each option before you dedicate yourself to a certain diet. There are a lot of “fad” diets being promoted today. Becoming a vegetarian, however, is probably timeless. It has been practiced by countless people for centuries.

“Vegetarianism” provides a lot of benefit to a person and to the environment. Most of all, it stops or reduces animal killings. To eat or not to eat meat: the debate about this has been raging for a long time. For people who decide to forego meat, there are certain challenges ahead:

• Variety – compared to diets that include meat, eating plant foods all the time can be monotonous. It is important to know a lot of recipes to keep dining fresh and exciting. There are also many food products that remain unexplored; now is the best time to try them out.

• Taste – while some vegetarians might disagree with this, taste is definitely an issue with the majority. To address this, animal byproducts such as milk, egg, and cheese are sometimes included. Using herbs and spices will also help as well.

• Eating Unhealthy Foods – because the food choices are limited, there is a tendency among many vegetarians to load up on other foods such as ice cream, chips, cakes, and deep-fried food among others. It is important to always watch what you eat and not fall into the trap of eating too much unhealthy food.

For new vegetarians, the road ahead might look intimidating. Take heart. With time, your taste buds and your body will adapt to your diet. Don’t be surprised when you find animal-based food distasteful in the future.

Have you already made the switch? Trying to go veg but finding it difficult? Leave us your comment down below and share your experience. Also, spread the word by sharing this post on Twitter, Facebook, Digg, StumbleUpon or your favorite social network.

A number of people seem to have varying opinions about Tantric Sex, from both ends of the spectrum. The ones that like it have had transformational inner experiences and the ones that hate it try to scratch at the two thousand year old ceremonies that seem meaningless in today’s society. Yet the fact remains that Tantric Sex has survived till this age, and is fast catching up in the West, from its humble beginnings in ancient India.

To really appreciate Tantra, one needs to understand not just the superficial aspects of it but also the core philosophy that follows the acts. To a number of people, Tantra is all about sex. The truth is far from it. The basic aim of Tantra is to transform an individual spiritually, and the way to this spiritual elevation is through sex in the Tantric system.

Sex is seen as the highest, the peak of reaching the divine and it is during those few moments of pleasure and ecstasy when one is closed to the Divine. The Indian philosophy believed that just like different rivers merge into the same ocean, so do all the different paths lead to the same God, the same Divine. No one path can be assumed to be superior to another and it is all the needs and perceptions of the individual. Tantric sex is one such path towards self-realization and self-transformation that seeks to harness the power of lovemaking to elevate one’s consciousness.

What many people don’t know is that Tantra and Yoga are very much related, which shouldn’t come as a surprise because Yoga is, after all, just another path like Tantra. Indeed, ancient Tantric practitioners had written a number of elements of Yoga.

The sexual aspects of Tantra are important because this method chooses to lead us to higher spiritual and thus material realms. The very purpose of any spiritual practice is to improve the quality of life of the practitioner. Therefore, even if you have a good sex life but feel caught up or simply stuck in life, Tantra can help you even out your life. The point is Tantra shouldn’t be seen only as a love making system but rather a holistic framework in which sex is an integral part to elevate the individual consciousness.

There are many aspects to Tantra and not all sects within Tantra have the same practices. In fact, in India, there are tens of different sects and hundreds of sub-sects, each with its own unique version of Tantra. There are different practices and rituals involved in Tantra, but almost all of them believe that it is ultimately about manipulating and elevating the individual energy levels. Therefore, at the core, Tantra aims to change the quality of energy chakras in an individual. At a much higher and elevated level, Tantra is also involved in the occult and is believed to be an extremely powerful and potent form of mastering of Nature, especially sects like Aghoris.

As a person interested in Tantra, one should thus know not only the ritual aspects of it but also the core philosophy and beliefs of the Tantrics, so that one can fully be able to appreciate and apply this ancient art of self-realization.

Are you a Tantric sex practitioner? Have you ever experimented? Would you like to try it? Please leave your comments down below. Also, if you enjoyed this post, go share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, Digg, StumbleUpon or your favorite social network.

As more people become environmentally conscious, it is becoming clear that the existing fossil fuel economy today isn’t viable, sustainable, or desirable. Coal, oil, and natural gas supplies are not limitless and alternatives must be found sooner than later.

In addition, the majority of people who consume fossil fuels don’t live near the extraction site resulting in conflict. We are talking about vast amounts of money and there are groups that are willing to go to great lengths to ensure that they will gain control over fuel-rich territories.

An obvious factor that drives a lot of people to look for alternatives is the unacceptable level of pollution. The resulting carbon byproducts are also contributing to climate change. The call to shift to an alternative fuel source is clear.

There are a lot of technological innovations that makes it possible to get solar energy, geothermal power, and hydroelectric dams. While these options do have their benefits, there are certain features that make hydrogen power the most viable alternative energy source of the future. Among its benefits include:

• Decentralized Production – unlike oil and gas that must be extracted from the ground or the ocean bottom, hydrogen power can be produced just about everywhere. Depending on the preference of users, they can either get it from a central source or produce it onsite. The source of hydrogen gas includes gasoline, methane, coal, biomass, and water. Each source generates varying amounts of pollution and requires different levels of technical expertise. At the end of the day though, power will be produced.

• No Pollution Residue – hydrogen is combined with oxygen to produce power. This electricity can be used to power vehicles, heating, and other functions. As energy is used, the only byproducts are heat and water. That’s why no greenhouse gas is emitted. It also leaves no harmful particulates that can harm people (depending on the source used).

• Sustainable Power Source – provided that hydrogen power is produced from water, it can be a sustainable alternative energy source.

Electrolysis is the process that separates water into oxygen and hydrogen. Once the hydrogen is produced in the electrolyzer, it can be used as electricity in a fuel cell. Hydrogen power is independent of petroleum and nothing is wasted in the process.

Right now, the only barrier to its widespread usage is the cost of the production process. But with the technological innovations available right now, hydrogen power has a bright future. The oil spill in the Gulf also demonstrates the need to use an alternative energy source when it comes to generating power. The risks are simply too high for society to rely on petroleum for too much longer.

Check out what’s possible in the following YouTube video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Are you fan of clean alternative energy sources and a foe of dirty energy such as oil, gas and coal? Share your comments down below. Also, go ahead and share this post on Twitter and Facebook or the social network of your choosing.

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There is something eerily cold about the way we view factory farming, neatly packaged meats and other animal products at the grocery store. This extends beyond foodstuffs and includes items such as leather shoes, wallets, handbags, couches and fur coats.

Perhaps clichés such as “out of sight out of mind” or “ignorance is bliss” somehow explain this complete lack of awareness and compassion.

Animal Rights can be defined as the right to the humane treatment of animals with an emphasis on the right not to be exploited by humans. After all, the word “human” and “humane” bear striking similarities.

Furthermore, the viewpoint of Animal Rights is that non-human animals have moral rights and law should prohibit a violation of their basic interests.

People who consider themselves spiritual, moral and ethical must challenge themselves and ask the question: Do animals have rights? Taking this a step further, one may even ask: Do animals have souls? After all, we are all God’s creatures, are we not?

The Animal Rights Movement represents a number of diverse animal activist groups dedicated to protecting animals from perceived mistreatment and/or cruelty. Many of its supports have moved to a life of vegetarianism or veganism to align their lifestyle with their personal beliefs.

Factory farming, hunting for pleasure, killing animals for fur and using animals in medical and cosmetic testing are primary concerns of the supporters of the movement.

Radical groups of animal activists such as the Animal Liberation Front have been formed to fight on behalf of animal rights. The world’s largest and most well known organization dedicated to raising awareness of animal rights is PETA (people for the ethical treatment of animals).

PETA is well known for its unconventional campaigns to raise awareness and multitude of high profile celebrity endorsements. But isn’t it unfortunate that forming radical animal activist groups and implementing peculiar promotions have to be carried out in the first place?

Check out the following YouTube gem “Jesus Was A Vegetarian”

Click here to view the embedded video.

So at what point do we move from being human to humane? Living a life completely disconnected from nature combined with processed foods, drugs, alcohol and an overstimulation of violet TV and movie programming have desensitized mainstream society into a state of “non-feeling” or perhaps “non-caring”.

As far as our civilization has come through the ages, I think in many ways humans will look back at this era as a kind of dark ages, both spiritually and sustainably, that’s if we actually survive long enough as a species and leave enough resources for future generations.

One of my early mentors referred to our way of living as “killing our grandchildren to feed our children”. Not a very smart survival tactic now is it?

At no other time in history have we had such a blatant disregard for the Earth or its inhabitants. Humans live in a mass consumption model where resources are consumed for our pleasure and ego gratification with complete ignorance of the karmic effects.

Insanity en masse has washed over the human consciousness like a dark wave drowning out our powers of discrimination. This kind of behavior reinforces the ego and our separateness from each other and the world around us.

The ego lives in a state of perpetual fear and all forms of anxiety, depression and violence spring from this place.  Sadly, this is where the majority of people dwell 100% of the time.

There are generally only two emotions, pleasure and pain. We as humans tend to seek pleasure and avoid pain, both at all costs. Yet many humans will derive pleasure at the expense or pain of others (human and non-human).

I have personally reached a point in my journey where I want to make as little impact on my surroundings as possible. I most certainly do not want to contribute to the pain and suffering of any living thing.

The choices one makes regarding what one eats, wears or buys should be consciously made and support an ideology of compassion. Animals are not commodities.

Save animals by choosing a vegetarian/vegan diet and purchase cruelty free products that support animal rights and sustainable initiatives.

We have been endowed as the caretakers of this Earth with a responsibility to care for not just ourselves but all of the inhabitants of this planet. If you are not part of the solution, you are simply part of the problem. Choose consciously. Choose wisely.

If you resonated with this post, please leave us your thoughts down below. If you think others will enjoy this as well, go share this on Facebook, Twitter, Digg, Stumble Upon or the social network of your choosing.

Compassionately Yours,
Fredric Schwartz
Vayu Founder

One of the best kept secrets in the natural fiber clothing category is hemp fiber. We think of wool, cotton, bamboo, silk and linen as the natural fiber choices for Eco friendly clothing. Hemp is also a very nice natural fiber that makes attractive, comfortable clothing while being good to the environment. Hemp used to be the best fiber to make strong long lasting rope for heavy uses in industry, commercial fishing and farming. Now the people at Vayu have found wonderful ways to create clothing for yoga and everyday use with hemp and organic cotton.

Because hemp is a natural fiber, it is a renewable resource. The plants can be planted and regrown like a crop, rather than cut like trees. Hemp is a strong breathable fiber that makes great clothing for active individuals like sport tops, yoga shorts or yoga pants. Hemp can be made in different weights of yarn for different textures of fabric. The yarn can be woven into different types and textures of fabric for a variety of end products and designs. Hemp fiber can be made into clothing for any season or activity. This makes hemp cotton blends versatile enough that it can be used for a variety of different types of casual and active wear.

As advocates of hemp use for clothing and other legitimate uses make progress, we will be seeing more companies producing clothing from hemp. It is breathable and strong which makes it ideal for yoga clothing. Hemp has a beautiful range of natural colors, but can also be dyed in a rainbow of colors. Because it is being marketed as an environmentally friendly product, manufacturers tend to use it’s natural colors or very subdued, natural looking colors. This makes very attractive clothing that can be brightened up with accessories and jewelry if one chooses. The hemp industry is doing their best to educate and influence the American consumer to choose sustainable materials like hemp fiber in their buying choices.

Hemp fiber clothing, upholstery, pillows and bedding are available on the Internet or many retail stores. If you go on line and key in “hemp clothing” you will be pleasantly surprised at the wealth of information available to help you purchase quality hemp products. Hemp clothes, or Eco clothes as some call them, are great to wear and great for our earth. The best source of hemp and organic cotton yoga clothing is Vayu (at least we’d like to think so). These clothes can be worn anywhere when not used for yoga and look and feel great. Whether it’s rock climbing, biking or hiking, hitting the town for a chai latte at your favorite coffee/tea shop or simply lounging at home or your favorite spa, hemp clothing will make a great wardrobe addition for all of these pursuits.

What’s your favorite sustainable fiber? Do you have any hemp clothes in your wardrobe? Share your thoughts by leaving us a comment down below. If you enjoyed this article, go ahead and spread the love and share this with your friends on Twitter, Facebook, Digg or your favorite social network.

Okay, here it is, everyone at some point in their lives looks back at their life and says “boy, I wish I had done that,” or “I should’ve done that.” Having those feelings makes you feel bad about yourself. These negative feelings actually affect your health and can make you sick. In addition, if you feel bad about yourself and are ill, you will age faster. See what just a bit of doubt can do to your life? With synchrodestiny, however, you can change your life and take away the what ifs that have plagued you over the years.

Dr. Deepak Chopra, a former chief of staff at The New England Memorial Hospital in Stoneham, Massachusetts actually resigned his position because he believed that there was a better way for people to live their lives and to stay well, healthy and happy while doing it. While he hasn’t turned his back on conventional medicine, he recognizes the benefits of holistic medicines to create a happier and healthier human race.

What is synchrodestiny? Essentially, it is having the ability to see and take advantage of every good thing that comes your way. This could be by meeting your future partner, a job opportunity, creating your own business, furthering your education and more. SynchroDestiny gives you the ability to have a spontaneous fulfillment of desire, changing your life in the now instead of looking back with a pocketful of missed opportunities and what if scenarios. When you discover your own SynchroDestiny, you will see each moment as an opportunity for you to make something happen in your life.

Is this some magic formula that will change your life? No, you are going to have to put some work into it and discover synchrodestiny for yourself. There is a certain amount of discipline when it comes to apply SynchroDestiny, but the great thing is that anyone can do it, no matter where you are in life personally or professionally. It is time for you to discover that there are no coincidences and to understand that with SynchroDestiny, you can see what meaning everything has in your life, whether it’s a chain of events that leads to your promotion or to meeting the person of your dreams. Discover your SynchroDestiny and change your life!

Have you ever had any experiences bordering on the miraculous that extend way beyond mere coincidence? Share your thoughts and experiences on the subject of syncrodestiny by leaving your comment down below. Also, if you’ve found this article of value, go ahead and share this piece on Twitter, Facebook, Digg, StumbleUpon or your favorite social network.

The local food movement is gaining popularity around the country as people become more aware of the food they eat, the effect of food on their bodies, and food’s effect on the environment. There are numerous advantages to those who choose to eat locally and buy locally grown food.

Those who chose to eat local will find that they have higher-quality, fresher, and more healthy food choices than if they purchased the same items grown in another region. Locally grown food is grown within minutes from where it is eventually sold. Farmers have the ability to harvest food at it’s peak and deliver it immediately to stores or markets. Another advantage for those who eat locally is that farmers produce foods that are native to the region and in season. Growing food ideally suited to the area’s soil and climate allows† farmers to use less pesticides and more organic growing methods. Buying locally grown food also tastes better and fresher because it is harvested at the correct time and does not require artificial preservation during transit to market.

The decision to buy locally grown food also has a positive impact on the environment. The decision to eat locally significantly reduces the carbon footprint of our food. Food does not have to travel as far and does not require gas-powered vehicles to transport it across the country. Eating local food also helps the environment by keeping farmland and green spaces near every community, which preserves local flora and fauna and keeps urban sprawl at bay.

Local economies also benefit when consumers decide to eat local. Those who choose to eat locally contribute to the preservation of small family farms which are slowly disappearing from the American landscape. In addition, money spent on food that is purchased locally is put right back into the local economy instead of being distributed to corporate shareholders.

Surprisingly proponents of local food movements have found that eating locally grown food actually saves money. One money saving benefit of eating local food is the long term health care savings from making wiser and more healthy food choices. Those who choose to eat healthy now will not experience future health care costs due to poor nutrition and chemical exposure. The purchase price of most food is determined by production and delivery costs in order for producers to profit financially. Food that requires cross-country delivery will require a higher price in order for growers to recoup the added transportation and handling costs. To help lower the cost of buying locally grown food, local food proponents strongly encourage involvement in community supported agriculture programs and cooperatives.

Do you buy locally? Living a sustainable lifestyle is all about being conscious of our impact on our health and the environment in all facets of our lives. We would love to hear your thoughts on the subject, so please leave us a comment down below. Also, don’t forget to share this article with your friends on the social networks so go ahead and Tweet this, Facebook it, Digg it, Stumble it but most importantly implement it!

We’re SUPER stoked about this ROCKIN’ testimonial from our good friend Tonya Kay. We think you will be too!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Tonya Kay, film actress, TV personality, professional dancer and danger artist talks candidly about the 3 pre-requisites she looks for in active wear.

Her active wear must be sturdy and that means clothing that lasts. As a professional dancer, they must also be able to perform at the same high level that she does.

Cute workout clothes that accentuate a womans curves are yet another criterion. This means a flattering cut and fit.

As a raw vegan, natural fiber clothing made in the U.S.A from organic and sustainable materials such as hemp and organic cotton must align with her social and environmental ideals.

Vayu designed a line of organic yoga clothes for women that meet the exacting needs of a professional athlete such as Tonya Kay and kept sustainability in mind.

Good for the earth. Good for you! Vegan clothing created for active individuals passionate about their practice, performance and eco-friendliness. From the studio to the street, you can count on quality and good looks.

Don’t forget to leave us a comment down below as we would love to know your thoughts. If you enjoyed the video, go now and share it with your friends on Twitter, Facebook or any other social network that you like!