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Three questions on Yoga / Tao / Tantra

post #1 of 7
9/3/10 at 12:14pm
Thread Starter 
1) Does anybody know of any good online communities where either Tao or Yoga can be discussed without the new-age hippies dominating the board? I just want to learn about why and how these arts are healthy and beneficial...not so much the hippy garbage that comes along with it. This is probably not a reasonable request, but hey, doesn't hurt to ask.

2) Does anybody have any recommendations for good Taoism teachers in NYC? Yoga studios? Am looking to find a place that has experienced teachers and does not break the bank. For the yoga - I'd rather focus on the physical benefits, but do not want to completely ignore the spiritual/energy stuff. Being completely oblivious of that can be dangerous. For the Taoism, I think it's pretty damn important to have a teacher who knows exactly what they are doing. Some of the basic exercises can cause mild insanity if the energy is not controlled correctly (this is not a myth, btw).

3) I'm also looking to stretch out my lower back. Every morning I just get the feeling that I'd really like to extend my back and decompress my spine / crack my back. I try to do stretches but sometimes I can't get rid of the feeling. Anyone have experience with yoga making them feel longer/decompressed in the back?

Thanks. Weird questions, but can't think of a better place to ask them.
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post #2 of 7
9/3/10 at 5:04pm
god you're gay.
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post #3 of 7
9/4/10 at 1:32am
With respect to yoga... 1.) http://www.yogajournal.com/ <---has good basic information 2.) http://www.jivamuktiyoga.com/fms/centr_fm.html <---check New York, Downtown I haven't been to the studio, but I've read their book and respect their practice and intention. 3.) To release your lower back... Stand with your feet shoulder width apart (or slightly wider if your hamstrings are very tight). Bend your knees until your belly rests on your thighs. Keeping the belly pressed onto the thighs, push with your feet and bring your legs to a slightly straighter position until you feel your hamstring begin to stretch. Keep your chin tucked in towards your chest and keep your neck and shoulders relaxed. You should feel a stretch in the middle of your hamstrings and your lower back (depending on overall flexibility). You can also try to do the same as above but grab your ankles with your hands and suck in your belly on an exhale. With your feet firmly planted down, pull up with your arms and push diagonally up and back through your lower back. Keep your chin tucked in towards your chest and keep your neck and shoulders relaxed. You should feel the vertebrae of your lower back stretching and separating slightly. Doing seated twists also help. Keep your elongated in a relaxed vertical position. Suck in your belly on an exhale and focus on the twist coming from your lower back. Hope this helps, PM me if you have any questions.
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post #4 of 7
9/4/10 at 3:37pm
Stay away from yoga: it is less of a physical excercise but significantly more of a worldview, religious/spiritual system tied into Hinduism. The sole purpose of asanas is to prepare one for a cardinal and often irreversible mental/emotional turn-around...which you may or may not appreciate.
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post #5 of 7
9/6/10 at 1:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroStyles View Post
1) Does anybody know of any good online communities where either Tao or Yoga can be discussed without the new-age hippies dominating the board? I just want to learn about why and how these arts are healthy and beneficial...not so much the hippy garbage that comes along with it. This is probably not a reasonable request, but hey, doesn't hurt to ask.

2) Does anybody have any recommendations for good Taoism teachers in NYC? Yoga studios? Am looking to find a place that has experienced teachers and does not break the bank. For the yoga - I'd rather focus on the physical benefits, but do not want to completely ignore the spiritual/energy stuff. Being completely oblivious of that can be dangerous. For the Taoism, I think it's pretty damn important to have a teacher who knows exactly what they are doing. Some of the basic exercises can cause mild insanity if the energy is not controlled correctly (this is not a myth, btw).

3) I'm also looking to stretch out my lower back. Every morning I just get the feeling that I'd really like to extend my back and decompress my spine / crack my back. I try to do stretches but sometimes I can't get rid of the feeling. Anyone have experience with yoga making them feel longer/decompressed in the back?

Thanks. Weird questions, but can't think of a better place to ask them.

Can someone expand on this? ty
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post #6 of 7
9/6/10 at 10:10am
Try gnosticteachings.org. It's not a hatha (re: physical) yoga website, but I've learned a great deal about health from there. FWIW, I also loathe new shallow new agism.
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post #7 of 7
9/7/10 at 2:57am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sherman90 View Post
Try gnosticteachings.org. It's not a hatha (re: physical) yoga website, but I've learned a great deal about health from there.

FWIW, I also loathe new shallow new agism.

I'm all for alternative health but this site comes off as pretty damn kooky.
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