Yoga practice can take us deep inside our own body-mind and open up profound awareness of our inner landscape.  The next step is out the door... literally.  When we unleash our practices outside, we cultivate an intimate relationship with the natural world we live in.  We listen to nature's intelligence with our whole bodies, align with that as we move, and rediscover our natural place in the world.

As Yogis, we know the importance of breath. It is the fundamental activity that fuels our practice. In addition to learning to focus on breath in Asana and meditation, we learn Pranayama to help bring many benefits to our practice and our lives through our breath.

Does the planet also breath?

Well, this video from Greenpeace sure does make a poetic point that indeed it does. Watching this video with the recent Superstorm Sandy in mind, one has to think about how humanity is driving the planet crazy by sending its breath into a bit of "hyper-ventilation."

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In the face of dire facts about human-caused Global Warming, it is natural to want to do something big.  To personally go out, rage against the machine of destruction, and shut it all down.  

To be sure, big solutions need to be implemented by various governments, organizations and companies.  Humanity needs to collectively rise to the challenge if we are to avoid pushing our climate past survivable ranges.   The truth is, that this problem is so big that no heroic individual act can solve it.  And that may make us feel like the effort is futile. Why even try?

San Francisco based Vinyasa Yoga teacher and columnist, Mark Morford, provides some clear insight into this dilema in his recent column "Your Prius Will Not Save You Now."  In the end, he reminds us, it is our karma that we must act upon.   Through the expression of our values and the implementation of our dreams we radiate love and hope.   It is like the old bumper sticker says, "Think Globally, Act Locally."

Read Mark's column, and let us know what you think via twitter: @loveGreenYoga

According to Time Magazine, plastic is even more dangerous than you think.

In The Perils of Plastic, we learn about the lack of regulation for harmful chemicals such as BPA and Phthalates, and that science is determining how even low doses of such chemicals can cause reproductive problems and increase the risk of cancer.  

The Obama administration is working to increase government oversight and consumer education, but until the laws actually change, we each must be vigilant in protecting ourselves from contact with these dangerous chemicals.

Eliminating all contact may not be possible in this modern life, but we can minimize the accumulation of contacts by choosing alternative products.

Here are some suggestions:

— Use a Yoga mat free of PVC, Phthalates, and other potentially harmful plastics.  (Read Rethinking Yoga Mats)

— Check household items, such as shower curtains, children’s toys, and skin care products for the presence of estrogen mimickers such as BPA, Phthalates and Oxybenzone.

— Be sure to drink from stainless steel water bottles.  (Get one here, for a donation to Green Yoga)

GreenYoga Studios is a free resource for Yoga studios. We encourage studios to create the daily habit of thinking green thereby creating a green business culture. The by-products of thinking green may include a green space, eco programs, reduced travel. Each studio has it own shade of green and we will share their stories here.

Community (Sangha) is an important element of Yoga.
We encourage you to create or join a Green Yoga community in your area.

“One day the world will grow green with our Love.” - Rumi

We are expanding our practice of Yoga and the practice of environmental stewardship by planting fruit trees around the planet.

The Green Yoga Seva Groves will offer a place where communities can gather to practice asana, meditate, cultivate and care for the trees, and share the harvest.  They will do their part to lower carbon in the atmosphere and will educate the communities about sustainable agrigulture.