Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2025 i YOGA Magazine

Dear YOGA Magazine Readers, Greetings and Blessings! As the sun stands high in the summer sky, casting its golden light on all that grows, we find ourselves invited to illuminate our inner worlds just as warmly. This July, Yoga Magazine brings together voices from across the globe to explore healing, harmony, and awakening in its many forms. What links the rich diversity of articles in this issue is a shared intention—to guide us back to wholeness through breath, presence, and remembrance. We begin with a deepening of energetic awareness. Ashwini Guru Ji’s exploration of the chakras offers more than theory; it presents a practical yogic method to balance energy and prevent disease. Similarly, Yogiraj Muni’s vivid tale of Kundalini initiation reveals that awakening often comes wrapped in mystery, guiding us…

The Akashic Records, revered in spiritual traditions worldwide—including the Vedic, Sufi, and Christian traditions—are often described as a cosmic library. These enigmatic records are said to hold the energetic imprints of every thought, word, and action throughout time. In the modern era, mystics and spiritual teachers claim that we can access these divine records through deep meditation, prayer, or other spiritual practices. But what exactly are the Akashic Records, and can Yoga provide an efficient pathway to unlocking their wisdom? What Are the Akashic Records? The term "Akashic" is derived from the Sanskrit word Akasha, meaning "ether" or "spirit." According to esoteric teachings, the Akashic Records reside in the Akasha, a non-physical dimension that transcends time and space. This plane contains the energetic traces of every experience across the universe,…

Continued from the previous issue of YOGA Magazine… The air was thick, humming with a strange, melodic resonance that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. Bushie and I stood in the alien landscape, our breaths shallow, our minds whirling in disbelief. “Where are we, Muni?” Bushie asked, his usually confident voice edged with fear. “I don’t know,” I whispered, scanning the vibrant, otherworldly expanse. The sky above stretched endlessly, painted in hues of deep violet and gold, unlike anything I had ever seen. It was not the sky of the Himalayas—this was another realm altogether. Then I saw them, three moons hung like shimmering jewels in the sky, their light casting an ethereal glow on the ground below. As I stared, I noticed four radiant suns orbiting…

Everything in Creation exists in layers, the trees, the earth, the atmosphere, an onion, and even our bodies. Yoga tells us that there are five layers to us. For the purpose of this article we will delve on the layer that immediately surrounds our physical body, the etheric layer, also known as the Aura and Pranamaya Kosha. This layer controls the physical body, and it is through this layer that a clairvoyance assesses the state of health or disease in the body. Now slowly open your eyes. Write to me about what you felt. What you did experience, is your own self, the way we exist beyond the physical body. This is prana. Our body is run on prana – the life force that runs us and the entire Creation,…

As the daughter of a Vietnamese Buddhist mother who immigrated to the United States in 1975, I’ve always been intrigued by how people make something of themselves in this life, being self-led on their own path of becoming. Born in the year of the Dragon, my mother and first spiritual teacher in this lifetime, Minh Thu Nguyen, was the antithesis of a submissive Asian woman. Her fire could be felt across time and space and her energy would reverberate within you long after meeting her. Passion for helping others fueled her spirit and guided her life. My mom’s spiritual dedication to Buddhism became her space of solace in a world where she often felt out of place living in the United States, across the entire world from her motherland. I…

Deep sleep is important for our ability to heal and repair, and for our minds to reset and restore. During deep sleep, the brain activates the glymphatic system, which clears out waste products, including beta-amyloid—a toxin linked to Alzheimer’s. Think of deep sleep as your brain’s “night shift cleaning crew.” Growth hormone is released during deep sleep, repairing tissues, building muscle, and strengthening the immune system. It’s when your body does most of its regeneration work. Deep sleep helps regulate amygdala activity, leading to better emotional stability. Without it, people are more reactive, anxious, and prone to depression. Facts, skills, and emotional experiences are consolidated into long-term memory during deep sleep. It’s critical for learning and focus. Deep sleep supports a healthy heart rhythm, reduces blood pressure, and helps balance…

OLIVER NIÑO- The Healer You Can’t Hire. Oliver Niño is the world’s most sought-after healer that you actually can’t hire. Oliver has a waiting list of over half a million people from 100+ countries. One of his recent healing events attracted over 100,000 people lined up to learn from Oliver, and experience his spiritual teachings. One of the things that makes life so challenging for many people is that they are walking around with an inherited set of beliefs that don’t make them any healthier, happier, or more connected to themselves and others. The foundational practices will help you become more attuned to the real you— the eternal you who existed way before your mind and heart were taken over by limiting beliefs and ideas about who you are and…

ARIES (MESHA) MARCH 21– APRIL 20 As July begins, Mars moves through your house of creativity and self-expression, infusing you with a bold, pioneering spirit. Focus on balancing your solar plexus chakra, using yoga poses like Boat and Plank to harness your inner strength and personal power. This month encourages you to take risks in both professional and personal realms, with cosmic support for bold moves and creative pursuits. Nourish this active energy by engaging in outdoor activities that keep you grounded and energised. TAURUS (VRISHABHA) APRIL 21 – MAY 20 With Venus influence in your sign this month, July is a time for deep self-reflection and inner love. Centre your energy around your heart chakra by practicing gentle backbends allowing you to reconnect with your desires. This is an…

Reclaiming the Healer Within In a world increasingly reliant on external solutions for health and well-being, the ancient traditions of Āyurveda and Yoga—especially the Viniyoga tradition—invite us to turn inward. They remind us that true healing is not merely the absence of disease but the harmonious balance of body, mind, and spirit—a state achieved through personal responsibility and consistent practice. These traditions remind us of a crucial truth: our health is our own responsibility. Only through an empowered, engaged approach can we cultivate holistic well-being. Let us explore how these time-honoured disciplines guide us to become active participants in our health journeys, emphasising the importance of individualised practice, mindful living, and the integration of sustainable lifestyle choices. Understanding Personal Responsibility in Healing At the core of Yoga and Āyurveda lies…

When it comes to weight loss, many of us are our own worst critics. We berate ourselves for our slip-ups, compare our progress to others and often hold ourselves to impossible standards. However, for lasting weight loss, it’s vital that we harness the power of self-love. Self-compassion is not just a feelgood concept – it is vital for boosting self-esteem and involves treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would off er to a friend. It means recognising that everyone makes mistakes and experiences setbacks, and it involves being patient and gentle with yourself during these times. Reducing stress Self-compassion has been shown to have profound effects on both mental and physical health, and I witness this happening every single day. One of the key reasons it is…

Yoga often finds us at major turning points in life. We may have lost direction, experienced illness, had a bereavement or suffered in some way. Challenging times cause us to dig deep and ask questions. We may look to reset and rebalance our lives. Yoga with its spiritual secrets and promise of wellness, offers answers to life's many questions. It directs us within where we have an opportunity to develop awareness and enhance life in body, mind and spirit. More than 4 decades ago I found myself at a turning point in life. I had recently decided to let go of a successful fashion business and started asking the question; “is there more to life?” I felt the need to explore this question. So, I literally left everything and everyone…

My Vedic initiation (upanayana) took place when I was about ten years old. I used to wake up around six in the morning and do my morning sandhya, a sun worship ritual in which I did 108 Gayatri mantra recitations, or japa, and ten rounds of samantraka pranayama, the practice of pranayama accompanied by mantra recitation that allows one to totally immerse one’s mind in the mantra. One day I woke up around five a.m. and heard some muffled voices downstairs. Curious, I went down and opened the puja room door. There I found my father learning to chant Vedic mantras from a young teacher, a student at the famous Madras Sanskrit College. I quickly brushed my teeth and washed my face, then sat down next to my father and…

As summer arrives, it brings a sense of vitality and abundance. Nature is in full bloom, the days longer and we feel naturally drawn outdoors, invited to immerse ourselves in the energy that sustains all life. For many, the Summer Solstice marks a period of transition – one of possibility and spiritual growth. We may find ourselves navigating change, rediscovering passions or seeking a deeper connection with our inner selves. These seasonal shifts are powerful, but they can also be challenging. That’s why I’m offering a new course with the British Wheel of Yoga (BWY) to explore the teachings of the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra, a jewel of the Shaiva Tantra tradition that offers guidance for exactly these moments. This sacred text presents a simple but profound message: abundance isn’t something…

Avocado Deviled Eggs If you’d like to throw a twist on your deviled eggs this year, try this avocado version! It’s still healthy and the avocado adds some new flavour to this classic Easter dish. Prep Time: 15minutes minutesCook Time: 15minutes minutesTotal Time: 30minutes minutesServings: 6 Ingredients 6 hard boiled eggs2 large avocados1 lime or lemon or essential oil¼ cup cilantro1 clove of garlic1 tsp salt Instructions Hard boil your eggs. See the post for a secret for getting these perfect every time. Let eggs cool. Cut eggs in half length wise and remove the egg yolk and set aside. Mash together egg yolks only with all other ingredients. I like to use my immersion blender to get it really smooth. Scoop mixture into egg whites and serve. Broccoli Pea…

Did you know that the UK’s coastline is approximately 19,491 miles long, including all islands? So it is not surprising that Beach Yoga is on the rise, getting increasingly popular as so many people are finding the incredible benefits of spending time near the sea - and even better practicing yoga outdoors! HOW IT ALL STARTED I started running Beach Yoga many years ago, and it all started with a dog. My amazing chocolate lab Maxi. I found myself wandering along the beach every day, taking my four legged companion for his morning walk. Then I started to bring my yoga mat. I would sit on the beach and practice for a few minutes and these morning walks and short yoga practices soon became invaluable. I just could not do…

In the heart of Oakland, a quiet revolution in wellness is taking place. Banana Yoga, a BIPOC-centred yoga studio founded by the visionary Latinx teacher MARLO MILLER, is redefining what it means to hold space. Far beyond the traditional studio setup, Banana Yoga is a sanctuary—a deeply intentional space prioritising healing, empowerment, and radical inclusivity for marginalised communities, especially those identifying as LGBTQ2IA+ and BIPOC. With soulful offerings ranging from live-music vinyasa flows to Full Moon Femme Circles and Tension-Trauma Release Exercises (TRE), Banana Yoga approaches wellness as both a personal journey and a collective act of liberation. Its affordable classes and diverse programming make well-being not just accessible but affirming for all who enter. In this exclusive interview, YOGA Magazine speaks to Marlo, the owner, about the origins of…

Illustrator Katiemo uses breathwork as a powerful tool to create calm and focus, particularly during yoga and meditation. For her, breath is more than a physical act — it’s a way to ground herself in the present moment and clear mental clutter. During yoga, she syncs breath with movement to cultivate balance and presence. In meditation, slow, mindful breathing helps quiet her thoughts, creating space for inspiration to surface. This sense of inner peace is essential to her creative process. Her intricate, nature-inspired illustrations require patience and clarity — all of which she accesses through breath-centred practices. By returning to her breath, Katiemo enters a calm, focused state that allows her to fully immerse in her art. Breathwork not only supports her well-being, but also serves as a quiet bridge…

EACH TIME you step on your mat to practice asana; each time you sit on a cushion and breathe, do pranayama, or meditate; each time you open a sacred text or show up to serve in love, you are crossing a threshold to a deeper spiritual commitment. Each time you cross one of these thresholds, you make the choice to step into your power and bring the spiritual aspects of yoga that are within you forward in a deeper way. You embrace the practice in its root intentions before systems of oppression and domination twisted and shaped it. Crossing such a threshold involves leaving behind many supportive constructs that you may have outgrown. Your thresholds (and there are many!) may be crossed not once but thousands of times. Each time,…

Yogi Maharaj Dr. Malik our Editor (since 2003) is a recognised international expert and an authority on the subject of Yoga. He started his training under the guidance of Yogis from the Himalayan region at the age of six and also received instructions from Sufis, Lamas and Sadhus. He is an accredited Yoga teacher specialising in Kundalini, Hatha and Laya Yoga. Founder and pioneer of Yogology, a spiritual technology which combines ancient traditions and principles of Laya, Hatha, Kundalini and meditative practices, Yogi Malik began teaching this over 20 years ago. He has spent a lifetime dedicated to researching, teaching and sharing his knowledge on yoga. He is also a practitioner of related alternative therapies, including Shamanism. Q: I know yoga helps with stress, but are there specific aspects that…

Does anyone else,once composedwith class underway, look in all themirrors and say,"Why does my back swaythat way?" And... upon further observation..."Do I need a new bra?!"Haw haw. At the very least, a pedicure—as I adjust in forward fold.These classes are for the bold,as the excuses pile on... "Looks really crowded today.Maybe I could find another wayto practice—out of the fray." But I stay,and realise how, over the decades,the strong, assertive Warrior Two poseI lovedhas shifted.And I am now giftedwith the moves of Humble Warrior. As our instructor takes us through,the surrender and humility offeredthere—on the mat, in unison,we moveto that graceful beat,out of the Texas heat,in the quiet, cool room,away from social media doom. My attention: laser-focused nowon what matters. Turn the tattersof that page,and bloom. Julie started writing poetry…

Sacred Forest Bathing By Ellen Dee Davidson In Sacred Forest Bathing, Ellen Dee Davidson weaves personal healing, spiritual awakening, and ecological insight into an enchanting narrative rooted in the redwood forests of California. The book elevates forest bathing from a calming nature practice into a mystical, healing journey. Drawing from Buddhist mindfulness, environmental wisdom, and her own profound experiences—including telepathic communication with ancient trees—Davidson shows readers how nature can restore not only our bodies but also our spirit and creativity. She introduces practical receptivity techniques alongside stories of transformation, goddess mythology, and elemental encounters. This is a poetic, soulful book that speaks to anyone who seeks a deeper relationship with the natural world and a return to inner wholeness through communion with Earth’s most sacred spaces. £15.99 | amazon.co.uk Feng…