We are now back home after our annual five to six months of travel. What fun and exciting adventures we had. We spent several months in Bali then headed over to Vietnam for awhile. Then over to Laos for a month then up to China for another month. Then I went back to Bali to spend some time with my daughter that lives in New Zealand.

I am working on my yoga class schedule and should have it posted soon. Hope to see you at a class. And I have just finished confirming details for my Yoga and Meditation in Bali Retreat in 2010. Hope you are able to join us for this life changing experience.

We have some really unique gifts for that special person on your Christmas shopping list. Take a look at our yoga mat bags, jewelry and more!

This year's annual Yoga in Bali Retreat was June 28th-July 5th. It was a fantastic retreat at the Magical and Mystical Shangri La Resort & Spa. Shangri La is located on the northern coast of Bali right on the Bali Sea. It is a beautiful space for a yoga and meditation workshop. Check out my photo gallery on Facebook and book your space now, we have only 16 available. I would love to have you join me.

Check out the schedule, find photos and links to the location, the price (which is inclusive and affordable) and other details....2010 Yoga & Meditation Retreat in Bali. Come eat, love and pray in Bali!

I was asked by a well known magazine to write an article on Yoga and Asthma, and since Asthma is about not being able to breathe, I focused it on Pranayama, one of the 8 limbs of Hatha Yoga. But you don't have to have Asthma to benefit from the practice of Pranayama. 

Most of us rarely give a thought to the breath, yet it is the most vital aspect of life and something we can't live without it. One of the simplest things we can do to bring balance and harmony to the mind and body is to re-establish correct breathing patterns. Since most of us breathe with less than 25% of our lung capacity, the benefits are essential for everyone. Read the article.

Check out the our newest yoga mat bags and refillable aromatherapy eye pillows. And for other "Cool Stuff to Buy, visit our sister site SarongBoutique.com. But we won't be able to fill orders until we return in November, a perfect time to order your Christmas gifts. 

My friend sent excerpts from Lee Iacocca's book titled "Where Are All Of The Leaders". It so precisely expresses my sentiments that I am sharing it in hopes you will share it with others. Living for half the year abroad, I see these things happening at an accelerated pace. Our futures depend on us finding and supporting true Leaders, that have our best interest at heart.  

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YOGA GIFTS-You have come to the right place. I have lots of new yoga mat bag gift sets. We continue to use the Dragonfly and Butterfly motifs as they are gorgeous, great sellers, and symbolize the transformation that occurs through your yoga practice.

Buy one for yourself, or for that yogi, or yogini on  your Christmas Shopping List. Our products are great gifts that people 'LOVE' getting. Also check out how you can earn some extra Holiday cash! Also check out your yoga tanks and T's, Om silver Jewelry and other 'Cool Stuff'.

The sun and surf are wonderful for the spirit, and Bali is well known as a surfer's paradise. While there are many beach activities to partake in, these are not the only reasons people visit Bali.

Bali is beautiful, relaxing and magical and just a few of the reasons we spend months there each year. And why we host our yoga retreats there.

It is also an area that has a special energy, and many healers have been making their way there for some time. And of course there are  the beautiful Balinese people, and their rich culture.

On any visit to Bali it is not unlikely that you will witness, or even participate, in a celebration of some sort, as their year consists of just 210 days, and 70 of these are Holidays.
The local food is another delight. Not only is it delicious, but extremely affordable. Visit a Warung for an extensive choice of flavorful dishes, including tofu and tempeh which they do wonderful things with!

Or, enjoy the numerous restaurants owned by foreigners that have popped up over the past several years, especially in Seminyak.

Living in Bali is 'Living Alfresco', or living outdoors. Whether we are staying in a small Inn, or a private Villa like this one, the outdoors are part of the living experience.

This villa is octagonal with no walls on the lower level. The upstairs bedroom is enclosed, but the windows open out bringing the indoors in. We even have two outdoor showers. 

Thailand continues to be another of our favorite places in S.E. Asia. It is an amazing country from the mountains in the north, to the gorgeous islands in the south. Experience this exotic country with its ancient, and rich culture.

Thailand Yoga Retreats for 2007 are over. Email us and we will send you our schedule for 2008 as soon as the dates are confirmed. 

Yoga Mat Bags with matching eye pillows are such a thoughtful gift. They are perfect for holding and carrying your rolled yoga mat, yoga mats and/or your practice rug. From home, to work, to your yoga class, or your yoga practice at home, transporting your yoga mat, and other yoga items is much easier.

Great for traveling, a yoga mat bag helps keep your yoga things organized, while keeping your mat clean and protected. We travel six months of the year. This was our inspiration for our yoga mat bags as we went from plane, to train, to bus, and yoga classes and training in less than ideal circumstances.

We design our yoga mat bags to be stylish, functional, and durable. Each beautiful, and unique yoga mat tote bag, is like a work of art. Featured is our Purple Dragonfly mat bag in Chinese Silk. Exotic fabrics and a limited number of bags insures their uniqueness. They are also a really useful, and lovely gift for any yogi, or yogini you know.

We have many gorgeous yoga tanks, and tops, sporting cool and unique designs. Wear them for yoga, Pilates, or any other fitness, or exercise program. They also look great with jeans, so they are perfect anytime. And also make a great gift.

This yoga top from our classic collection features the playful Hindu God Ganesh, also called the God of Wisdom, or remover of obstacles. It continues to be a favorite of yogini's.

Our newest design features the more playful side of Ganesh. Other  yoga tanks and tops feature lotus flowers, Hindu deities and other colorful prints. Another great gift idea.

Hatha Yoga is a holistic system of self transformation that approaches well-being through balancing the vital energies in the body. This harmonizes all aspects of your life: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Yoga is one of the best stress busters you can find. In addition to greater strength, flexibility, and a re-sculpted body, Yoga 'Relaxes', 'Calms', 'Centers', and 'Grounds'. It leaves you with a feeling of peace and tranquility, throughout your whole being. One of the first things you will notice if you practice with care, attention, and intention, is a feeling of deep, but alert relaxation when you are finished.

Yoga improves health which in turn increases vitality, enthusiasm and appreciation of life. The increased circulation resulting from movement, and efficient muscle use, tones the whole body. The muscles, joints, internal organs, connective tissues, and skin are bathed in a continuous flow of fresh blood. This not only brings nutrients to the cells, but helps to purify them of toxic wastes. The heat produced by the practice furthers this purification by opening the cellular tissues to enhance release of toxins.

In addition to Asana (postures), Yoga uses the integrative therapies of Pranayama (yogic breathing), Meditation and Yoga Nidra (sleep),  providing a challenging and joyful exploration of the body mind, and spirit. I am especially into Yoga Nidra at the moment. Most people in the West, myself included, have a difficult time relaxing. Every situation we encounter creates stress, good or bad, and each of us experiences many stressful situations on a daily basis. And we all know what this does to us. I am so happy to be able to incorporate this into my teaching so that others may also experience the benefits.

Pranayama, or yogic breathing is said to be the elixir of life. It is the most important aspect of any Hatha Yoga practice, and the most vital process in life. Everyone can live without food and water for an extended period of time. None of us can live without the breath. Yet most of us breathe with only 25% of our lung capacity. And the more stressed out we are, the more shallow our breathing becomes. Everyone can benefit from learning to breath more deeply. 

Meditation is a journey to freedom, and self-knowledge. It is recommended for anyone who wishes to enjoy deeper peace, greater freedom and mastery of life. To live your life to the fullest, Meditation is one of the most powerful tools there is to help us restore the harmony within. Over time it enables us to get out of our heads, giving us much needed peace of mind.

There are many types of meditation, many of which are covered on this site. And Yoga is also meditative. One style of yoga in particular, my personal favorite is Astanga yoga. Once you know the sequence your body begins to relax as you flow through each sequence, synchronizing the breath with the movement. Your asana practice then becomes moving meditation.  Find out more about relaxing with Asana.

The Chakras are the bodies energy channels. Each chakra vibrates to a different frequency. They can be opened through your yoga practice, as well as by chanting the sound of 'OM' over and over and over. When you connect with this vibration, you feel connected to the oneness of the Universe.

Ayurveda, which literally means "the science of life", is the natural healing system used throughout India. Ayurveda was originally known to have been first developed, and established by the great sages who developed India's original systems of Meditation, and Yoga over 5,000 years ago. The study of Ayurveda includes such aspects as herbal medicine, dietetics, body work, surgery, psychology, and spirituality. Ayurveda deals not merely with medical science, but also with the social, ethical, intellectual, and spiritual life of a man.

Ayurveda represents a beautiful blending of the accuracy of science, and the sublimity of philosophy, poetry, and art. According to Ayurveda, a living creature is composed of soul, mind, and body. It is the compound of these three elements that is the subject matter of the science of life. While I try to eat right, exercise and do other things to contribute to good health, I have had my share of injuries, and accidents. On these occasions I have always made it a practice to seek out alternative, or holistic therapies. It was in Sri Lanka back in 1997 when I first discovered the amazing, and non-intrusive benefits of Ayurveda. We study more on this on our visits to India.

Change is stress and stress is change. Whether the stress is good or bad, it impacts the body, making it essential that we all take a well deserved needed time out.  When you are ready for a much needed getaway, we invite you to consider a Yoga Bound yoga travel retreat. In 2006 we were back in Bali for annual Yoga Retreat in Bali. And Thailand for our Yoga Retreat in Thailand.
 
We are currently planning our 2007 Yoga Retreats. In addition to Bali and Thailand, we would like to add Vietnam and India. What do you think? Our Yoga Vacations, Holidays, Getaways and Retreats offer the opportunity for a healthy fun adventure. And we simply love hosting ours in fascinating and exotic places that we have been traveling to for more than a decade.

Add another dimension to the retreat travel adventure when you can also experience another culture. In addition to an Asana Practice, utilizing various styles of Hatha Yoga to strengthen, cleanse and purify the body, our retreats also include Meditation, Pranayama and Yoga Nidra.

It matters not whether you are new to yoga, or a seasoned practitioner looking to move deeper into your practice, as modifications are given for every Asana. A Yoga Bound yoga retreat is a travel adventure and has something for everyone. It is a wonderful journey dedicated to you as you take a break from the routine and demands of your daily life to enjoy a healthy good time. Also, our yoga travel getaways, vacations, holidays and retreats are an inward bound, as well as an outward bound journey.

You have the opportunity to strengthen and tone your body. Increase your flexibility physically and mentally. Learn relaxation and stress management techniques.

Nourish, nurture and inspire your mind body and spirit. Create internal and external balance and harmony. Rest and relax. Meet new people. Enjoy a rich cultural experience.  Then return home with new skills that will help you live a healthier, happier and more joyful life.

Previously we have hosted our annual yoga retreats in Bali and Thailand, two fascinating and beautiful tropical 'Paradises'. Yoga in Exotic Thailand is on the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Pha-Ngan, where the stunning natural beauty and laid back lifestyle of these islands, provides the perfect environment for our yoga retreats.

On some trips we also head Northwest, into the coolness of the mountains near Chiang Mai. Or to the Northeast to Nong Kai on the Me Kong River near Laos. Northern Thailand is a wonderful, yet completely different experience from the South. Find out more about our Yoga retreats in Thailand.

Yoga in mystical Bali is simply magical. Bali is so picturesque with beautifully terraced rice paddies, volcanoes soaring up through the clouds, and beaches lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. It is one of our very favorite place in the world. From Kuta and Seminyak, to Sanur, Ubud and beyond, experience the magic of Bali. Get more info about our Yoga Retreats in Bali.

I am sure I have mentioned that both of these countries are ideal for 'Living Alfresco' or outdoor living. The locale for our retreats are selected with beauty in mind, SAFETY, ease of travel, cost and of course the weather, which enables us to tap into the healing energies of nature.

The purpose of nature is to provide mankind with various kinds of balancing and healing energies to heal all damages and traces mankind constantly makes while living on earth. Hippocrates said "Nature Cures, not the Physician".

Check out our previous yoga travel adventures and our photo galleries  See for yourself the beauty of Bali, India, Thailand, Vietnam and some of the other places we have visited. And check out our other services which include corporate yoga retreats, personal training, empowerment workshops, stress management and corporate wellness programs.

If you are looking for something different for yourself, or as a gift, be sure to visit our shopping boutiques. We are dedicated to offering beautiful, stylish, unique and functional products. Use them yourself, or give them as a gift, they are beautiful and thoughtful, and appreciated by all who receive them. Choose from Yoga Bound's own lines, or those that we offer from  like minded people. Contact us to inquire about featuring your products.

Yoga Bound's Yoga Boutique offers yoga products and gifts like yoga mat bags and aromatherapy eye pillows, the coolest women's yoga tanks and tops, yoga pants including wrap, and fisherman style, yoga sarongs, statuary and casual clothing from our site Sarong Boutique.

Yoga Bound's Jewelry Boutique features silver yoga jewelry like our hand crafted, 92.5 silver 'Om' pendants and earrings. We also have one-of-a kind pieces, but they sell out so fast we don't have photos on the site.

Yoga Bound's Clothing migrated over to our new site SarongBoutique.com (except for yoga related products). Sarong Boutique has the largest and most unique selection of beach sarongs. Choose from Batik Hawaiian, African, Native, Aquatic and Florals, Long, Short, Mini Beaded and many other exquisite sarongs. Our Yoga Sarongs are hand painted with Buddha, the 'Om' sign, Lotus Flowers, Goddesses and other Eastern themed motifs and deities. We know you'll find some great gifts here.

We also offer women's and junior's clothing and apparel featuring batik beach and casual wear, swimwear accessories like our popular harem sets, billabong style board shorts, sarong sets and half moon triple beaded sarong bathing suit cover ups.

Here is what just one of our customers has to say. Read More......

Aloha Deb, We received the 2 boxes of beach products. The merchandise is just great, I'm very happy with it all. Such fast service too! Those yoga shirts are so beautiful. The therapists are thrilled with the bamboo shirts, as I am, they are stylish, well made and very comfortable. We can't wait to get more. Thanks for the extras, you also gave me an extra halter dress and 2 extra mini beaded sarongs, was that intentional? I would also like to order OM jewelry & yoga bags. I was told by a customer that we have the only interesting and unique shop in the area. I'm sure the things we got from you have a lot to do with that comment. Mahalo, Anita

We have great gifts and other 'Cool Stuff to Buy' at Yoga Bound, and our sister site, Sarong Boutique. It is easy to order, and pay using PayPal, a safe, secure and convenient online payment processing solution.