The funny part is, our yoga teacher was just joking about how Vishnu’s couch pose (anantasana) is a perfect way to prepare for an American Apparel ad. You never know!

“Do you know yoga? Can you give me the bridge pose?”

“Pretend you’re a babysitter, it’s your first night on the job and you’re not sure you’ll get paid.” ha.

Earlier…American Apparel Yoga: Less Crotch, More Cringe

Tara Stiles Models For American Apparel Yoga, Keeps Clothes On

Gisele Bündchen had her bubkin. His name is Benjamin Rein Brady.

Yoga she did 3 times a week, a garbage disposal she’s not.

Ben was born in the tub while mom meditated,

and dammit she still looks hot.

“I did kung fu up until two weeks before Benjamin was born, and yoga three days a week. I think a lot of people get pregnant and decide they can turn into garbage disposals. I was mindful about what I ate, and I gained only 30 pounds.”

Benjamin was born at home in Boston, in warm water in a deep bathtub that overlooks the Charles River. “I wanted to experience the transformation,” says Gisele. A midwife friend of hers came in from Brazil as did her mother; her husband was there too. Gisele meditated through the birth. [Vogue]

Earlier…Gisele Bündchen Practices Pregnant Yoga for Happy Baby

Rebecca Gayheart: Fan of Prenatal Yoga, Using Both Sides of the Mat

Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal said, “We all figured … we might as well include anything in there that might also be misconstrued as needing a license to train teachers. These are like recreational kinds of activities. They’re not the same as vocational, like bartenders or auto mechanics, for example, those schools that have to get licensed.” [MSNBC]

Via today’s NYTimes:

Mr. Paterson has until March 24 to sign the bill, which has been approved by the State Assembly and the State Senate and has the backing of the Education Department, which initially pushed for the licensing of the yoga teachers. The bill adds yoga and martial arts to areas of instruction that are exempt from state oversight; they include religion, painting and athletics.

So get that pen handy mister! Cause rumor has it you’re going to be writing more than your name pretty soon and maybe you’d like to sign off on a few friendly bills before you go? ahem. (DailyIntel ‘Ed Koch Insists That Governor Paterson’s Resignation Is Coming‘ )

More updates on YD as they come. If you’d like to show your support for Yoga for NY, the organization behind this battle, please check out their website and perhaps purchase one of their cool tshirts. They still need help paying off the lobbyist’s fee!

Yoga For NY’s facebook page

Earlier…Breaking! Bill to Protect Yoga in NY Passes the Senate…

Senate Bill Passed! VA Yoga Freed from State Regulation

Missouri Taxes Studios, Texas to Join in Licensing Battle, Everyone Tries to Define Yoga

Though stats show there’s more health problems and accidents we’re going to bet it’s because people forget the time change and freak out on Monday morning! So here’s your reminder: SET YOUR CLOCKS BEFORE BED ON SATURDAY NIGHT. The time changes 2am Sunday morning, March 14th. And may we kindly suggest spending a little extra time this weekend in restorative yoga poses and playing dead? You may also want try some meditation downloads over at MyYogaOnline.com, Elsie’s free Yoga Nidra Podcast Episode: 62 or a guided Yoga Nidra meditation from Dr. Madan Kataria, the laughter yoga guru, hilariously enough.

Here’s a helpful little prep video from the youtube…though we’re a little late for setting the alarm 10 minutes earlier each day for 6 days. woops.

Earlier…Follow the Light! Yoga for SAD, Winter, Hangovers
Too Busy for Savasana? Why We All Need to Play Dead

ooh oooh! New sneak peek pics from ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ the movie! While perhaps not as squeal-inducing as the new ‘Twilight Saga: Eclipse’ trailer -  eeeee! 1.33 mins of OMG! — new snapshots from the film adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love are still something to smile about, if perhaps you enjoy the handsome mugs of James Franco (’David’) and Javier Bardem (’Felipe’). ahem. And maybe you’ll be so tired of seeing vampires and werewolves for the nth time that you’ll even go see EPL when it comes out in theaters August 13th! (’Eclipse’ comes out June 30th, plenty of time you twilight nutters you. right?).

note: we believe that fourth shot is of ‘Richard’ played by Richard Jenkins.

[View with PicLens]

[Via BuzzSugar -- and more here]

Earlier…Eat, Pray, Love’s “wise Bubba” Richard Dies Suddenly

First Photos From ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ Movie Set, Plus Casting Updates

‘Eat, Pray, Love’ Moves Film Production to Last “I”, Antagonizes the Balinese

Via said snazzy site:

Practice wherever you are, with the most comprehensive practical and fun mobile yoga app, brought to you by Deepak and Tara Stiles, “the coolest yoga instructor ever.”

Like totally. If you’re familiar with Chopra’s over 45 books then you know he’s pretty big on manifesting success, love, happiness etc. by developing self-motivation/empowerment through mind/body/soul connection, and he’s sort of a case in point. So it’s no shocker his yoga practice has manifested itself onto a more tech-savvy platform after the tired old ink and paper routine has been translated into 35 languages and sold more than 20 million copies worldwide. (that’s a lot).

As Mr. Dee told NPR in a November interview:

“Most people when they think of iPhones or BlackBerries or just everything that’s digital these days, they associate it with stress,” Chopra says. “So the thought came to me, why not use the very technology that is supposedly distracting you to bring you to the present, to help you focus on the moment, to help you get rid of stress. There is no stopping technology, and what we do with it depends on us.”

Wanna know what will make you even less stressed? Something free. Head on over to the NY Yoga Examiner where YD pal Jenn is giving away a *free* download of the new “Authentic Yoga” app, but you only have til Friday to enter.. ack! omg, hurry up…get on it stat!!

Here’s a video of the ChopStiles duo on ABC’s Good Morning America. Authentic enough for your tastes?

Will you pony up the $2.99 for “Authentic Yoga”?

**Oh, and in other good news for NYers, YogaLocal iPhone app is now FREE. hey hey.**

Earlier…YogaLocal NYC Pulls Ahead in Sirsasana, iPhone App Challenge

Tara Stiles Models For American Apparel Yoga, Keeps Clothes On

The very fashionable, pixie-esque Chloe Sevigny is looking for a mate! So she tells Elle UK in the upcoming April issue (on newsstands this Sat! etc etc). While she may be horny and manless, at 35 years old this “Big Love” star is looking quite svelte, and uh, leggy. Maybe it’s the yoga! She tells Elle UK, “I’ve just started doing yoga three times a week. I feel strong and limber, and my sex drive is through the roof!” Hot.  The article snippits lead on about her love life and how she wants babies and why she can’t find a man, yadda yadda. We’re most excited about the yoga part and happened to do a little research about Ms. Sevigny’s history on the sticky mat.

As it happens, yoga isn’t just a means for staying fit in her 30’s, it helps her cope with scoliosis (!) Via NPR (Mar 2, 2010 interview):

They said, you know, that the curvature wasn’t strong enough to have to have the operation, which I know a few girls that have a metal rod in their back. But to me, now, it’s like - I still - every time I see myself on film, I see it. That’s all I see. And I - and even in photographs, I’m just - to me, it’s like - my ex-boyfriend used to say when I’d get really drunk, I’d come home and cry and be, like, I’m so crooked. It’s my one thing that, yeah, that I still have a hard time with.

But I’ve been doing a lot of yoga, which has been helping. It makes me feel like it’s straightened me out a little bit, but yeah, on “Big Love,” I see it all the time, especially with those outfits, because they’re so form-fitting. I see myself walking, and I’m like…(”eek”)

Who knew? Sexy gams are one thing, but helping realign a curvature in the spine? That’s a celebriyogi endorsement we can salute! You know, with the sun? ah, nevermind.

Earlier…POSERS: A CelebriYogamentary Series by Yogamatic (video) featuring Michelle Branch, Mariel Hemingway & Other Celebriyogs

Celebriyogi Minnie Driver Gets Religious About Yoga
Celeb Yoga Endorsements: Good or Bad? What if it’s Paris Hilton?

via The Cut:

“…she wore workout clothes! They included black boot-cut yoga pants, a black, ruched, relaxed, long-sleeved tunic top, and either a black tank top or sports bra underneath.”

Wait, what? No label identity or designer spy teams to figure out who she’s wearing? Seriously! It’s as if the lulus haven’t yet achieved their goal of penetrating the White House. Frankly, lemons, we’re disappointed in you. As far as we can tell there are no visible logos. Maybe you yogadorks and yoga clotheshorses can help solve the puzzle!

She’s got the pants, but will yoga play a part in the campaign?

*don’t forget Grandma is a huge fan!

Earlier…First Grandma Brings Yoga to White House?

Lululemon Persists in the Goal of Exploiting Obama to Sell Yoga Pants

“He had just returned from a trip to India and passed away in his sleep,” friend Kimberley Stroup said. He was 62. Stroup said Vogt had long-term heart problems.

Of course those who read the book remember Richard as the ex-addict wise-crackin’ “wise Bubba” who spit out quotable gems like, “You’re wishin’ too much baby. You gotta’ stop wearin’ your wishbone where your backbone oughta be!” Which got him a hot ticket interview with Oprah, twice. (turns out he was working on his own memoir as of ‘08, but no word if it was finished).

Richard, darlin’ you will be missed, but we can only hope you were almost as pleased with Richard Jenkins portraying you in the movie version as we’re sure Ms. Gilbert is about Julia Roberts.

[source]

Earlier…First Photos From ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ Movie Set, Plus Casting Updates

‘Eat, Pray, Love’ Moves Film Production to Last “I”, Antagonizes the Balinese

Like we said there are so many worthy causes, but here are the ones we found that are yoga-related, should you wish to cast your vote (do it before March 31st!)

Train People with Disabilities to Become Yoga Teachers - Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco

OVERVIEW: “Accessible Yoga Teacher Training” is the only program in the US that meets national standards for training yoga teachers and is truly accessible to people who have physical disabilities.

Because of the way that yoga is taught in the West, teacher training is the most effective way to get a thorough education in yoga and deepen your practice. This program was created to expand access to these powerful and life-changing experience.

Traditional programs are not accessible to people with disabilities for a variety of reasons. People may not feel welcome within the yoga studio environment either because of physical barriers or a lack of basic awareness around disability issues.

Graduates are empowered by their new role as “yoga teacher.” After having spent years in the role of “patient” it can be an inspiring change to become a care provider. In fact, graduates of the program say they overcame years of depression and isolation by participating in this program.

CURRENT RANK: #79 vying for $25k

Develop “(untitled) yogamentary” a documentary film project on yoga - Nichole Patxot and Nan Sandle

OVERVIEW: This feature-length documentary explores the practice of yoga as well as its application in contemporary society.  Is yoga the cure-all practitioners claim or a billion-dollar industry with poor regulation and potential to cause physical harm?  yogamentary asks fundamental questions, examines the structure and results of yoga-centric programs across the country, and experiments with the effects of introducing yoga into modern day lifestyles.

CURRENT RANK: #245 vying for $25k

Teach Yoga to under served populations of preschool children- Tracy Zeender (Kripalu teacher)

OVERVIEW: Partner with area preschools from September2010 through May 2011, meeting once a week to read a story, have a fiftteen minute yoga sequence and do a fifteen minute follow up activity. The children will be better prepared for their continued development both socially and academically. The children will gain better body awarness, fine motor skills and increased vocabulary as well as social skills.

CURRENT RANK: #249 vying for $25k

Provide free yoga classes to trauma survivors in NYC - MANDALA HOUSE

OVERVIEW: Our local MANDALA HOUSE project will teach mind/body awareness techniques to survivors of traumatic experiences, so people can learn integrative ways to heal themselves.we will partner with local yoga/dance studios to provide free public classes once a week.
classes will be one hour in length.
we will reach out to rape crisis centers, as well as other trauma support groups (9/11, veterans) as a way to build our student base.
deliverables: one weekly free yoga class for 50 weeks.

CURRENT RANK: #132 vying for $5k

*further reading: Pepsi’s Refresh Everything Vs. Coke’s Live Positively: Which Soda Wins The War? (POLL) Huffington Post

Earlier…Beverage Titans Duke It Out Over Coconut Water, Coca-Cola Buys Stake in Zico