Jillian Pransky

If you didn’t notice, northern hemisphere, it’s winter out there! And while we may all still be thawing our toes out enough to fully wiggle them, we’re so happy to be bringing you more reasons to hunker down on your mat for a brief stint of much needed hibernation, even if it’s just for minutes [...]

Winter is nature’s time of hibernation, retreat, and contraction. As winter’s cold, wet, dark, and heavy qualities increase around us, they grow within us as well. Nature demands that we insulate more as winter encourages us to wear more layers, stay inside, and do fewer activities outdoors.

by Jillian Pransky I was originally drawn to yoga in the early 90s as an athlete and a typical over achiever.  I played sports all my life, was a collegiate soccer player, a marathon runner, and an avid 7-day a week aerobics junkie.  In my business career I held a fast paced position as a [...]

Now of course this is an extreme situation of how being short on breath begets less breath, how tension and anxiety further progress tension and anxiety. But as I watched William I realized how most of us do this to ourselves all day long. In fact, we can get so used to feeling restricted, we don’t even realize how tight we are until it’s too late. At first, we begin by bracing ourselves just a little, waiting for something to throw us off balance, eady to defend or protect ourselves. And like a snowball effect, we respond progressively by getting tighter and tighter, minimizing our breath moment after moment.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved spring. It is a joyful season. Nature’s regeneration ignites our faith and happiness; with the buds bursting and birds singing our hearts organically bloom open. Optimism flows more effortlessly.

However, while we may more easily find joy or gratitude in longer days of light, yogis believe that this ‘contentment’ is an inside job. From the earliest days, the Maitri Upanishad taught: “As is one’s thought, so one becomes. That is an eternal mystery.”

We’re so excited to introduce Restorative Yoga expert and new addition to the YogaDork Ed faculty, Jillian Pransky! Check out our Q&A with Jillian below where she shares her favorite and not-so-favorite poses, what keeps her inspired and her top pick for the celebrity she wishes would give yoga a try (hint: it’s not Robert Downey, [...]

Welcome to YogaDork Ed! For the edification of yoga practitioners, teachers and yogi dabblers, where you’ll find articles on asana, philosophy, yoga biz and more. Have a specific question? Contact us. And be sure to sign up for our newsletter to stay in the know. We’re super excited to introduce the first article from the newest YogaDork [...]

It’s nearing the end of the first month of 2012 already! And we’d like to remind you in this roller coaster whirlwind of tornado-asana we call life, that it’s just as important to nurture your Yin along with your Yang.