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THE YOGA PILLOW

THE YOGA PILLOW

by | Dec 8, 2024 | ARTICLES, FRONT PAGE POSTS, Profiles

THE YOGA PILLOW

By: iana velez

PROFILES

BIG BEAR YOGA FESTIVAL
What was the inspiration to create The Yoga Pillow?
The inspiration came from my personal yoga and meditation journey. During my yoga teacher training, I noticed the discomfort that can arise when sitting on yoga blocks for extended periods in meditation or trying to find proper support in poses without pain. A lightbulb moment struck when I saw a fellow student place a yoga bolster on a block. After tons of market research and building the first prototype, I realized there was a need for a hybrid yoga prop that could provide comfort, alignment, and versatility—something that didn’t exist yet. That moment sparked the idea for The Yoga Pillow, a tool designed to make yoga and meditation more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

What is your favorite feedback you’ve received about the pillows?
One of my favorite pieces of feedback came from a customer who tried The Yoga Pillow at an event we were vendors for. Her reactions to using it were priceless. She mentioned how amazing it was and how “it feels like a couch for my pelvis.” Other customers have mentioned “it’s like temper-pedic for your butt” and “this is an amazing gift for my body.” It’s been truly incredible just to see the facial AND body reactions of people that use it for the first time. Hearing and actually seeing how The Yoga Pillow has positively impacted someone’s relationship to yoga is by far the most rewarding part of what I do.

Your pillows look incredibly comfortable, especially for anyone who experiences discomfort sitting for long periods of time or knee pain in certain yoga poses. Who do you find would benefit most from using them?
The Yoga Pillow is ideal for anyone who experiences discomfort during yoga or meditation, especially those with sensitive joints or injuries, limited flexibility, or just have a desire for some coziness and support. It’s perfect for beginners who may feel intimidated by certain poses, as well as experienced yogis looking to deepen their practice with a bit of comfort as they prep for more advanced poses. It’s also a great tool for anyone incorporating restorative or yin yoga into their routine, as it enhances alignment in poses held for longer periods while adding comfort. It is also wonderful to use as a meditation cushion following an invigorating ashtanga style yoga practice. We have even had customers that use it as a wonderful floor cushion to just sit around the coffee table to hangout.

Share your favorite yoga/wellness social media/web accounts that inspire you.
I’m inspired by accounts that focus on mindfulness, mental health, and authentic wellness. A few of my favorites are:

@Yoga_Medicine and @TiffanyCruikshank for the wealth of information around combining modern medical and anatomical knowledge with yoga as well as delving into blended learnings from Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda.

@JaniceLiou for her creative imagery and focus on yoga alignment and her authenticity in teaching yoga.

 @BanyanTogether, @TaraBrach and @Jack_Kornfield for their mindfulness-based content and knowledge on Buddhist mindfulness teachings.

These accounts remind me of the transformative power of yoga and the importance of community in this space.

Congratulations on creating a new wellness product and small business; it is a huge accomplishment. What advice would you give anyone looking to start their own small business?
Thank you so much! My biggest advice is to start with a clear vision, start lean then expand and most importantly stay connected to your “why.” Building a business takes resilience and clarity in thinking. Not only has my meditation and yoga practices helped here but also the foresight to keep things as simple as possible. Additionally, having a strong sense of purpose will also keep you motivated during the inevitable ups and downs. Also, surround yourself with people who believe in your mission and bring complementary skills to the table. Finally, listen to your customers and your inner self. Their feedback is invaluable in refining your product and building something truly impactful.

Thank you for partnering with Yoga Love Magazine! We are able to do the work we do because of our amazing community of sponsors and partners. Can you share what inspired you to partner with us?
It’s an honor to partner with Yoga Love Magazine, a platform that uplifts and celebrates the yoga and wellness community in any cultural setting. Your focus on inclusivity and mindful living aligns perfectly with the mission of The Yoga Pillow. I wanted to work with Yoga Love Magazine because of its ability to inspire and connect yogis from all walks of life. Together, we’re encouraging more people to prioritize self-care, deepen their practice, and discover the joy of yoga and mindfulness no matter where they come from.

SPOTLIGHT FESTIVAL: NY STATE YOGA FEST

SPOTLIGHT FESTIVAL: NY STATE YOGA FEST

by | Sep 23, 2024 | ARTICLES, Festivals 2024, FRONT PAGE POSTS, Profiles

SPOTLIGHT FESTIVAL: NY STATE YOGA FEST

FESTIVALS

BEN CLARK INTERVIEW

♥ Yoga Love Magazine readers can use the promo code

fallfest

for $10 off your ticket! ♥

GET TICKETS
Looking for something to do this Sept? We are thrilled yoga festivals are back and can’t wait to check out all the amazing events taking place around the world. This week we had a chance to connect with Nicole Kazimer the founder of NY State Yoga Fest who we are thrilled to partner with! You will be able to get complimentary copies of our magazine at this festival! 

What makes this year’s festival unique?
This year’s festival is truly special with a lineup that’s designed to captivate and inspire. We are thrilled to host Kevin Paris, who will be performing live all the way from Hawaii, adding a unique vibe to the event. We’re introducing a new class, EDM Yoga, for those who want to experience yoga with an electrifying twist. Our sound immersion session will beautifully close the day, offering a serene and meditative experience. Attendees can enjoy hiking throughout the day and participate in various nature workshops. This festival perfectly embraces nature and community, creating an unforgettable atmosphere.

Share with us what you love about your festival location.
The festival’s location at Letchworth State Park is simply unparalleled. Often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” it provides a breathtaking backdrop for this special day. Our Hikyoga classes will lead participants right to the gorge, offering stunning views of the water. We have dedicated areas for families, and we’re excited to introduce a portable sauna to enhance the experience. It’s a place where nature’s beauty meets community spirit, making it an ideal setting for our festival.

The theme of our issue this year is JOY. How do yoga festivals inspire joy?
Joy is at the heart of what we do, and yoga festivals are a perfect embodiment of that. The attendees, teachers, staff, and vendors all radiate joy throughout the day. Over the past seven years of leading the NYS Yoga Festival, we’ve consistently heard from participants that it was their “happiest day of the year.” We are so grateful to create a space filled with love, happiness, and connection for the community. This festival is a place where joy is not just experienced but also shared, leaving a lasting impact on everyone involved.

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SPOTLIGHT FESTIVAL: SOL HARMONY FEST

SPOTLIGHT FESTIVAL: SOL HARMONY FEST

by | Aug 24, 2024 | ARTICLES, Festivals 2024, FRONT PAGE POSTS, Profiles

SPOTLIGHT FESTIVAL: SOL HARMONY FEST

FESTIVALS

BEN CLARK INTERVIEW
Looking for something to do this Sept? We are thrilled yoga festivals are back and can’t wait to check out all the amazing events taking place around the world. This week we had a chance to connect with  Kat Harmon the founder and festival director of Sol Harmony Fest in NC who we are thrilled to partner with! You will be able to get complimentary copies of our magazine at this festival! 

What makes this year’s festival unique?
Sol Harmony Fest stands out for several reasons: 

Holistic Healing Focus: The festival places a strong emphasis on holistic healing arts, offering a diverse range of experiences that cater to the mind, body, and spirit. This includes yoga, meditation, sound healing, and workshops on self-awareness and personal growth.

Community-Centered: The festival fosters a sense of community and connection, bringing together like-minded individuals who are passionate about wellness and personal transformation. It’s a space where people can feel supported and encouraged in their journey towards self-love and healing. 

Unique Offerings: In addition to traditional wellness practices, Sol Harmony Fest embraces creativity and fun with activities that encourage participants to step outside their comfort zones. This could be through laughter yoga, dance, or other outside-the-box experiences that are both healing and joyful. 

Founder’s Vision: Kat Harmon, the founder, brings her personal philosophy and extensive experience in teaching self-love and self-awareness to the festival. Her unique approach to healing, which includes nervous system support and rewriting self-defeating patterns, is woven into the fabric of the event. 

Beautiful Setting: The festival takes place in Huntersville, NC, providing a serene and natural environment that enhances the overall experience. The location allows attendees to immerse themselves in nature, which complements the holistic healing practices offered at the event. 6

Inclusive Atmosphere: Sol Harmony Fest is designed to be welcoming and inclusive, creating a safe space for everyone, regardless of their background or level of experience in wellness practices.

Share with us what you LOVE about your festival location? 
We love this location because it’s intertwined with Pine Trees and beautiful wide open spaces. So you can tuck away in the beautiful trails or lay out in the September sun.

The theme of our issue this year is JOY, how do yoga festivals inspire JOY? 
Joy is what our event is all about! Sol Harmony Fest will inspire joy by bringing people together in a supportive, uplifting environment where they can reconnect with themselves and others. For me, the joy comes from creating a space where the community can experience shared laughter, movement, and connection. At Sol Harmony Fest, joy is found in the simple moments—dancing at sunrise, sharing a smile in yoga, or feeling the collective energy in a group meditation. We have also added an inner child parade this year, as well as a Creation Station, Community Stage, Variety Show, Kids Camp, Teen Meetup and more. These experiences not only lift spirits but also strengthen the sense of community, reminding everyone of the joy that comes from being together and fully present.

Learn more: https://www.instagram.com/solharmonyfest/

Yoga Transforms at Bhakti Fest 2024

Yoga Transforms at Bhakti Fest 2024

by | Jul 8, 2024 | ARTICLES, FRONT PAGE POSTS, Profiles

Yoga Transforms at Bhakti Fest 2024

PROFILES

BEN CLARK INTERVIEW
Transformation will be at the heart of this year’s Bhakti Fest, taking place September 27-29 in the majestic setting of Joshua Tree, California. Producer Bella Silberfein explains how the theme “Yoga Transforms” will spark reflection, growth, and positive change for attendees through yoga and the coming together of the community.

“The transformative power of yoga is core to its teachings and something we all experience on our path in big and small ways,” shares Silberfein. “When we carve out time for self-reflection, yoga, and meditation, we open the door to evolution, building emotional strength, resilience, and self-awareness.”

The physical and mental practices of yoga provide us with tools to work through struggles and discomfort with compassion. Asana helps us better understand where we resist and allows us to release limiting patterns. Pranayama teaches us to regulate our energy and be present. Meditation guides us inward to explore our most profound truths.

Silberfein hopes Bhakti Fest provides an uplifting, transformative experience by uniting us in community. “When we come together around our shared love of yoga, music, and sacred wisdom traditions, it creates an energy that inspires and elevates us all. We walk away profoundly changed, creating a ripple effect.”
An incredible lineup of yoga teachers and diverse music performances will provide ample opportunities to reflect on transformation personally and collectively. Through yoga classes, workshops, chanting, and more, attendees can explore letting go of limiting beliefs, finding new purpose, deepening their practice, and positively evolving relationships and society.

The impressive yoga teacher roster connects us to yoga’s roots, with masters like Seane Corn and Janet Stone joining beloved teachers Shiva Rea, Dianne Bondy, and Nina Rao. On the music stages, spiritual artists like Krishna Das and Radhika Das will stir our souls, while fresh acts like Deya Dova and Marieme will entrance us.

Silberfein beautifully sums up the ethos behind this year’s theme: “Yoga transforms not just the body and mind, but our hearts. When our hearts open up through yoga, we lift the world.”

Spotlight: Yoke Yoga – Bridging Tradition and Technology

Spotlight: Yoke Yoga – Bridging Tradition and Technology

by | Jun 21, 2024 | ARTICLES, FRONT PAGE POSTS, Profiles

Spotlight:  Yoke Yoga – Bridging Tradition and Technology

By: Melissa Honkanen

PROFILES

J Miles - Music Love Article

Susanna Barkataki is leading a quiet revolution to shake up the yoga world with her groundbreaking Yoke Yoga social platform. Yoke Yoga is more than just a yoga app; it’s a mission to transform how we engage with an ancient practice in today’s digital age.

Susanna’s journey began with the realization that the true essence of yoga was being overshadowed by its Western commercialization. “I had this understanding that if we are to truly honor yoga’s roots and extend its benefits, the change had to begin with the practitioners themselves,” she explains. From this insight, Yoke Yoga was born—an initiative aimed at making yoga accessible, inclusive, and deeply connected to its origins and moving away from fitness culture.

Ashish Arora

Yoke Yoga is designed to integrate seamlessly into daily routines, allowing users to practice yoga at their convenience. “It’s about turning the impulse to doom scroll into something positive. We’re using the platforms people are already on—their phones—to introduce them to yoga,” Susanna notes. This accessibility is central to her vision of breaking down barriers and making yoga universal.

Yoke Yoga’s philosophy is to make yoga an integral part of daily life, beyond the confines of traditional studios. “We’re moving away from scripted, polished scenarios and bringing yoga into the messy, beautiful reality of everyday life,” she says. This approach demystifies yoga, inviting people who might feel intimidated by the conventional yoga studio environment. Susanna envisions a platform where yoga meets people in their living rooms, workplaces, and even during their commute.

Central to Yoke Yoga’s mission is its commitment to social justice. The platform is built on the pillars of diversity and equity, ensuring that everyone, regardless of body type or background, feels welcomed and represented. “From the start, we’ve been committed to trauma-informed practices and celebrating diversity,” Susanna states. “It’s not just about adding diversity as an afterthought—it’s about making it the foundation of what we do.”

Yoke Yoga also incorporates a profit-sharing model with its teachers, acknowledging the economic challenges many face in the industry. “We wanted to create a space where yoga teachers can be their full selves, share their practices authentically, and be compensated fairly,” she emphasizes. This model not only supports yoga professionals but also ensures that the quality of instruction is high, benefiting all users.

Yoke Yoga is a beacon for those seeking a more authentic and accessible yoga experience. By blending traditions like mudra, meditation and mantra with the innovation of meeting modern yogis where they are—online and on their phones, her and her team are paving the way for a more inclusive and holistic approach to wellness.

Learn more: yokeyoga.com

SPOTLIGHT: Karma Kids Yoga

SPOTLIGHT: Karma Kids Yoga

by | May 5, 2024 | ARTICLES, FRONT PAGE POSTS, Profiles

SPOTLIGHT: Karma Kids Yoga

PROFILES

BEN CLARK INTERVIEW
Our Joy issue is launching soon, and here is a sneak peek at Tashya Knight’s article profiling some amazing kids yoga teachers in our community. Learn more about Shari Vilchez-Blatt one of the many teachers profiled below who is the founder of Karma Kids Yoga and also in our JOY issue available at partner studios in June. Interested in learning how more about teaching kids yoga? Join Shari’s upcoming kids YTT starting Friday, May 17th- Sunday, May 19th at Balance Arts Center, located at 151 West 30th Street in NYC! REGISTER NOW!

What is different about teaching yoga to kids vs teaching yoga to adults? Is it different?
There are so many differences in kids versus adult yoga! Could you imagine if all of a sudden, in your adult yoga class, someone left their mat and started running in a circle around the room?! Or if you’re in the middle of teaching a pose/flow and someone says, “Did you know that my brother has a bicycle and I saw a frog and I love unicorns and cold pillows?” It’s the energy mostly that differs, but also expectations of behavior. I would never want my child students to behave like adults….too weird. They need to talk, share, connect, ask questions, share some more…show you a trick or two (“look what I can do” can often be heard in a children’s yoga class, but what they show you may or may not be yoga—either way, it’s a gift to the room, so I make space for it. Kids classes are loud, playful, silly, quiet, might involve singing, dancing, jumping, include non-traditional yoga props (from balls to crafts to stuffed animals and pom moms).

What inspired you to teach kids yoga? 
I don’t know how else to explain that my random path of events led me to teach yoga to children. I was an ad exec, very successful, but not passionate as I once had been. I was laid off one summer, decided to just chill out and not look for another job. I got back into my own yoga practice with all the free time, and was able to see my nieces and nephews more over the summer, too. When I did yoga around them, they would copy me. I didn’t know if that was OK, so I did some research and found that of course it was great for kids and that there was a training coming up in my area that summer. I had NOTHING going on. I love to learn, so I took it. It changed me. I took another one. And another…learning more and more. I loved it and just wanted to share with as many children as possible. Two months later I opened up my first studio in NYC dedicated just to kids and families!

What pose do kids enjoy the most?
I don’t think there is just one pose that kids love the most…it really depends on the child (it’s a great icebreaker to ask this at the start of the kids class. My name is Shari and my favorite yoga pose is….and we all do the pose!). And favorites change as our bodies change, we get stronger and more confident. It’s typically one that they feel strong or calm in. If it’s a challenging pose that they can do, kids will likely choose that so that they can show it off. Better than saying a popular pose that they like, I will say they LOVE to invent poses! Give a child 30-60 seconds to come up with a never-before-seen pose and name it! Or pair kids up to invent a partner pose. Or 3+ kids to invent group poses.

Share one of your favorite memories/moments you’ve experienced teaching kids yoga?
There are way too many magical moments from over 20 years…and thousands of kids….From celebrity parents jumping into your yoga adventure with as much enthusiasm as a child (thank you, Jane Krakowski for being the most fun momma)…to my husband farting loudly off camera during live Instagram classes (yes and everyone heard it, and I had to address it)….to Sesame Street Workshop taking over my studio to film “yoga school”…so instead of noting just one, I’ll note that any time a child surprises themselves with their own strength and ability, the looks on their faces are everything!

How do you bring joy to teaching kids yoga? How does teaching kids yoga bring you joy?
I bring joy to my classes by being accepting, kind, compassionate, friendly and honest. And of course, a bit of silly doesn’t hurt. Or a lot. I include laughter, wonder, and always invite them to be who they are, to listen to their bodies (versus me), and make sure everyone feels heard. I build community and make connections (friendships) within each class, allowing kids to experience other kids by mixing up partnerships, playing games, having challenges and tasks, all while having so much fun! It’s the energy I bring to the class.

Nearly every day that I teach, I have a funny or sweet story to take home. But even better than that, when a child finally gets a challenging pose that they’ve been working on (they usually surprise themselves), it’s the best feeling to witness their excitement, their confidence and their glow! It’s a celebration for all!