Tracks

This set of links is a hodgepodge of sites that are related to my interests. Health, wellness and personal growth and development -- and trying to avoid the snakeoil stuff. It also includes some of the standard places to buy yoga life style products, as well as music, video and other stuff.

• Mind and Life Institute: An exploration and conversation between science and Buddhism, associated with the Dalai Lama.
• eOmega: an organization that holds course and retreats at its two sites (New York and Texas). Some of the leading figures in yoga, alternative health and other area hold course here.
• Mind and Body Institute
• Deepka Chopra
• HolisticOnline
• Breathwalk
• BrainPlace - fascinating displays of the brain's activities
• Dr. Weil: a leading advocate of integral medicine and alternative healing
• RealAge: I have taken the questionnaire and it said that I was 10 years younger than my chronological age. It's an intriguing approach to health and wellbeing. I have a subscription to its monthly newsletter.
• Dr. Timothy McCall medical consultant for Yoga Journal
• Acupuncture: AAOM ::: Acupuncture.com ::: gancao.net ::: SpiritPathPress ::: Redwingbook.com I have been using acupuncture to treat my lower back pain, but find that treatments are like a feel-good elixir.

Yoga Props, Clothing, etc.

If you're going to make a life style change, you have to change your buying habits so here is a list of places to start.

• EverythingYoga.com - Your source for yoga products, yoga clothing, yoga mats, plus a blog
• Gaiam: consumerism of an alternative life style. I bought my first sticky mat and blocks from them.
• Vickerey: yoga and paper, interesting combination, though pricey
• Mats that don't pollute (Every mat manufacturer now has eco-friendly models): Eco Yoga »» list of US distributors ::: Health and Yoga ::: Jade Yoga
• YogaZone
• Bheka
• Tools for Yoga
• YogaPro
• HuggerMugger: created the first sticky mat in the States and has expanded into a variety of lines.
• YogaAccessories.com - where I bought my latest batch of props
• PrAna: clothing for rock climbing and yoga
• Manduka - mats for the prefectionist practitioner: I use the Eko Mat and eQua full-size towel.
• Yogitoes: a different take on a mat towel, perhaps more grip and sturdy. I put one in my suitcase when traveling rather than carrying around a mat. I can throw it on a carpet and it works fine.
• Lulelemon Athletics: see this clothing manufacturer's manifesto to see where they are coming from
• Cushions and benches for meditation - check this out for the educative information before making a purchase

Sights and Sounds

• YogaPeeps: Lara Cestone interviews leading yoga instructors. No charge.
• CDBaby - an eclectic catalogue of sounds and tunes that has not relationship to the big labels. CDs and downloads
• MetaStation: broad selection of off-beat inspirations, but no big names.
• Spirit Voyage: Kundalini music and other currents
• SoundsTrue: audio, video and music for the inner life
• Deva Premal and Miten: major influence in spiritual music
• Krishna Das and his Karuna Music and Triloka labels. Beliefnet has a long and good interview with him, plus several recordings of him chanting sacred kirtans.
• Nutone Music: Music to inspire. This is a relatively new major label with eight of the most talent musicians, like David Stringer, Donna de Lory, Jai Uttal, David Newman (Durga Das)
• Magnatune: Independent music ::: Deva Music
• Natural Journeys carries all kinds of exercise videos (from belly dancing to Pilates), plus other products.
• Pranamaya - great videos of Dharma Mittra, Paul Grilley, Sarah Powers, Andre Lappa, Edward Clark. David Newman does kirtan.
• YogaDownloads: an amazing selection of podcasts and on-demand videos. Asana visuals
• Yoga of Kirtan: Conversations on the Sacred Art of Chanting -- a 500-page book and audio CD by Steven Rosen, featuring 21 interviews with musicians who draw on this tradition.

Yoga Documenetaries and Videos

• Yoga Unveiled:: Evolution and Essence of a Spiritual Tradition. This is a DVD (2 disk set) of yoga superstars explaining how the cultures of India and the United States are meeting.
• Enlighten Up: an excellent film about a novice and a film maker looking for truth in yoga. Order DVD
• Living Yoga The Life and Teachings of Swami Satchidananda. This guru was a major influence from the 60s, and his Yogavilla ashram is close to DC.