John Friend

Scandal in Yogaland: Let's Not Draw the Wrong Conclusions

Philip Goldberg | Posted 05.05.2012

Read More: Yoga, Gurus, Anusara Yoga, John Friend, Sex Scandal, William Broad, John Friend Scandal, John Friend Anusara, Anusara, Culture News
Philip Goldberg

While Anusara is not an ordinary business, it is also not a traditional guru-led organization; and John Friend is not an ordinary teacher or boss, but he's not a swami or a guru either. This illustrates the ambiguous position of modern yoga in general.

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The Spiritual Upside To A Guru's Downfall

Meryl Davids Landau | Posted 05.04.2012

Read More: John Friend, Anusara, Guru, Yoga Masters, Alan Cohen, Yoga, The Yoga Guru, Yoga Guru, John Friend Anusara, Anusara Yoga, Healthy Living News
Meryl Davids Landau

I'm aware that some traditions teach that gurus are unblemished, and that admiring the perfection in them is a way to glimpse God. But I personally go farther on my own spiritual path when I remember it's okay that I'm fallible, that wherever I am or whatever I've done is fine.

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Living in Shades of Grey: Anusara, John Friend and the Guru Syndrome

Eva Norlyk Smith, Ph.D. | Posted 05.02.2012

Read More: John Friend Scandal, Yoga, Anusara Yoga, John Friend, Yoga Guru, Yoga Gurus, John Friend Anusara, Anusara, Gurus, John Friend Yoga, Health and Fitness News
Eva Norlyk Smith, Ph.D.

It's hard to read any yoga blog these days without coming across the lengthy, messy break-up currently unfolding in the Anusara yoga community following the disclosure of Anusara founder John Friend's, well, rather philandering ways.

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Please Join My Tantric Yoga Sex Cult

Mark Morford | Posted 04.30.2012

Read More: Tantra, Yoga, John Friend, Anusara Yoga, Sex Scandal, Tantric Sex, Sex, William Broad, Comedy News
Mark Morford

OMG you guys, have you heard? Yoga is all about ... kinky superstar "gurus," sexual healing and drug-crazed orgies where everyone gets naked, sleeps with married people and prays to weird Hindu gods with ten arms, flaming red tongues and giant stone phalluses.

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What's Not to Love About a Yoga Sex Scandal?

Sandip Roy | Posted 04.30.2012

Read More: New York Times, John Friend, Tantra, Yoga, Anusara Yoga, Mark Morford, William Broad, John Friend Scandal, Sex and Yoga, New York Times Yoga, Yoga Sex, Yoga Sex Scandal, Healthy Living News
Sandip Roy

Yoga sells well. Sex sells even better. And sex scandals sell the best. The man in the eye of the storm this time is John Friend, the founder of the Anusara style of yoga.

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Oh Yoga! I Know That Change Is Gonna Come

Alanna Kaivalya | Posted 04.24.2012

Read More: Yoga Controversy, Yoga, Alanna Kaivalya, John Friend, Yoga Teacher, Douglas Brooks, Guru, Joseph Campbell, Anusara, Yoga Practice, Marianne Williamson, New York Yoga, John Friend Yoga, Healthy Living News
Alanna Kaivalya

We do need external teachers for a while to guide, teach and hone our understanding and skills. But, at some point, all a teacher can do is lead us inward. Like a big cosmic U-turn, the guru is ultimately only trying to lead us home.

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De-mystifying the Guru: The Case of John Friend and Anusara Yoga

Lauren Jacobs | Posted 04.24.2012

Read More: John Friend Scandal, Yoga, Amrit Desai, Anusara Yoga, Yoga Gurus, Kripalu Center, John Friend Anusara, Anusara, John Friend, Gurus, Culture News
Lauren Jacobs

Do these leaders misuse their power because they have risen to such great heights that they have lost touch with reality, or have they risen to power because their egos knew no bounds in the first place?

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Misconduct In The Yoga World

Elena Brower | Posted 04.21.2012

Read More: John Friend Scandal, Art of Attention, Yoga, Anusara Yoga, John Friend Anusara, John Friend Controversy, John Friend, Yogadork, Elena Brower, John Friend Yoga, Integrity, John Friend Anusara Yoga, Healthy Living News
Elena Brower

I love the methodology of Anusara yoga. Even though I resigned my certification those months ago as a means of separating from the aspects for which I don't stand, now I stand for forgiveness.

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The Anusara Yoga Scandal: Can a $6 Billion Industry Salvage Its Image?

Stewart J. Lawrence | Posted 04.14.2012

Read More: Yoga, Cults, Benefits of Yoga, John Friend, Anusara Yoga, Lululemon Athletica, Lululemon, Sri Ramakrishna, John Friend Scandal, John Friend Yoga, Anusara, John Friend Anusara, Anusara Scandal, Anusara Yoga Scandal, John Friend Yoga Scandal, Culture News
Stewart J. Lawrence

As the increasingly ugly Anusara scandal unfolds, yoga and yogis in America seem to be approaching yet another defining moment. Do the movement's most sincere and thoughtful leaders have the strength -- and humility -- to push their industry to reform its ways?

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How 3 Top Yoga Masters Find Balance -- On And Off The Mat

Meryl Davids Landau | Posted 03.18.2012

Read More: Yoga, John Friend, Anusara Yoga, Ana Forrest, Seane Corn, Yoga Living, Yoga Balance, Yoga Mind, Yoga Health, Yoga Lifestyle, Yoga Life, Healthy Living News
Meryl Davids Landau

I know that living our yoga both on and off the mat is challenging. After all, I based my entire novel around that idea. But my recent self-flagellation got me to wondering how more adept yoga masters triumph over such trials -- and if they even have them in the first place.

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Truth Telling: Getting To The Heart Of The Matter

Amy Elias, MS | Posted 02.08.2012

Read More: Truth Telling, Douglas Brooks, Say the Truth, Dr. Emoto, John Friend, Truth-Telling, Tell the Truth, Telling the Truth, Truth, Healthy Living News
Amy Elias, MS

What words are you using to weave your day, your life, second by second? Are they words that create beauty, peace and harmony? Are they offered to support or to suppress? Are they loving and kind?

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Yoga Meets Music at Wanderlust at the Standard Spa, Miami

Simona Rabinovitch | Posted 11.17.2011

Read More: Miami, Yoga, Yoga Festival, Yoga Festivals, Music, The Standard Spa Miami Beach, Dark Side of the Moon, The Standard, Wanderlust, Jeff Krasno, Bonobo, Spa, John Friend, Pink Floyd, Anusara, South Beach, Healthy Living News
Simona Rabinovitch

If you're a fan of the yoga and of the music, check out Wanderlust at The Standard Spa, Miami Beach from March 17 through 20. Founded in California an...

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Three Music Festival Getaway Ideas for Spring/Summer

Stephanie Keller | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Amos Lee, New Orleans, Mumford & Sons, The Strokes, Trombone Shorty, Vermont, Music, Paul Simon, Girl Talk, Deepak Chopra, Black Keys, Vacations, California, Yoga, Arcade Fire, Cyndi Lauper, John Friend, My Morning Jacket, Hangout, Willie Nelson, Seane Corn, Avett Brothers, Lucinda Williams, John Legend, Matisyahu, Shiva Rea, Wilco, The Roots, Andrew Bird, Wanderlust, Foo Fighters, Squaw Valley, Jazz Fest, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Bondville, Music Festivals, Entertainment News
Stephanie Keller

For those looking for fresh ideas for 2011, there is a set of festivals still sneaking in under the radar with badass, blockbuster line-ups and evolved concepts that offer a fantastic festival experience.

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Anusara Yoga - Becoming a Standing Mudra of the Heart

Eva Norlyk Smith, Ph.D. | Posted 11.17.2011

Read More: Yoga Therapy, Tantra, John Friend, Yoga, Anusara Yoga, Yoga Wisdom, Yoga Postures, Healthy Living News
Eva Norlyk Smith, Ph.D.

"Okay, let's do a drop-back. Who wants to show how to do a drop-back?" It's the second day of the Anusara Yoga Grand Gathering at the annual Yoga Jou...

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The Commodification of Yoga: The Perfect, the Good and the Spiritual

Ethan Nichtern | Posted 11.17.2011

Read More: Goldman Sachs, Yoga, Anusara Yoga, Chogyam Trungpa, Yoga Teacher, John Friend, Meditation, Buddhist Teachers, Shambhala, The New York Times Magazine, Healthy Living News
Ethan Nichtern

There is no way to bring a "spiritual" service into a market economy without it facing an insane level of unfair scrutiny. Simply put, in today's day and age, spirituality is bad branding.

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Art of Attention: From Complaint to Gratitude

Elena Brower | Posted 11.17.2011

Read More: Art of Attention, Progress, Rajanaka Yoga, Complaining, Douglas Brooks, Skillful Parenting, Hugo Cory, John Friend, Patience, Anusara, Shakti Sunfire, Gratitude, Elena-Brower-Art-of-Attention, Spirituality, Elena Brower, Healthy Living News
Elena Brower

Gratitude seems the most effective, healing state I've found in ten years of studious seeking. In a situation where we find ourselves complaining, the healing reaches into our hearts and everyone nearby.

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Art Of Attention: Yoga As Scaffolding For Your Life

Elena Brower | Posted 11.17.2011

Read More: Anita Goa, Yoga, Anusara Yoga, Attentive Breath, Attention, Active Listening, Douglas Brooks, Hugo Cory, John Friend, Elena Brower, Attention Span, Elena-Brower-Art-of-Attention, Video, Healthy Living News
Elena Brower

When we are able to open ourselves through one attentive breath, we drop our resistances to our own grace as well as the grace of those around us and bring light to the moment.

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Art Of Attention: Is Yoga Really Useful?

Elena Brower | Posted 11.17.2011

Read More: Art of Attention, Douglas Brooks, Practice, Alignment, Road to Inner Light, Elena Brower, Yoga, Attention, Manly P. Hall, Heart, Hugo Cory, John Friend, Meditation, Christina Sell, Kahlil Gibran, Healing, Healthy Living News
Elena Brower

Instead of trying to get something from your practice, use your yoga or your meditation to practice expressing how you see and value yourself.

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Art of Attention: Practice Yoga? Teach Yoga? Think About Yoga? Read This.

Elena Brower | Posted 11.17.2011

Read More: Art of Attention, Yoga, Pause, John Friend, Patience, Yoga Poses, Anusara Yoga, Kidneys, Elena Brower, Breathing, The Inner Life, Healthy Living News
Elena Brower

Form and Function within yoga. Together, they are a complete practice. One without the other is a downright limiting of our potential -- and an incomplete class experience.

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Video: Yoga + Green + Music = Wanderlust Festival.

Waylon Lewis | Posted 11.17.2011

Read More: John Friend, Franti, Music Festival, Bonnaroo, Jeff Krasno, Green, Jenny Lewis, Music, Michael Franti, Shiva Rea, Common, Sean Hoess, Broken Social Scene, Anusara, Wanderlust, Rothbury, Video, Healthy Living News
Waylon Lewis

I've been in this business for seven years, and Wanderlust Fest is the first time I've ever seen first tier yoga in a context of "hip," or big-time music in a context of mindfulness (green, yoga, etc.).

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Art of Attention: How Has Yoga Influenced You?

Elena Brower | Posted 11.17.2011

Read More: Sianna Sherman, Yoga, Bryan Kest, Anusara Yoga, Erich Schiffman, Rajanaka Yoga, Douglas Brooks, Practice, Mark Whitwell, Darren Rhodes, Attention, Art of Attention, Rodney Yee, Jean Koerner, Mark-Whitwell, Cyndi Lee, Hugo Cory, Self Mastery, John Friend, Elena Brower, Om Yoga, Yeeyoga, Gurumayi, Healthy Living News
Elena Brower

When we're attentive, our interior environment resonates as easeful exterior experiences.

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Art of Attention: From Acceptance to Intimacy

Elena Brower | Posted 11.17.2011

Read More: Self-Trust, Yoga of Heart, Listening, Courage, Relationships, Self-Worth, Hugo Cory, Mark Whitwell, John Friend, Healing, Intimacy, Shoulder Principles, Universe, Anusara, The Inner Life, Elena Brower, Sarah Starnes, Video, Healthy Living News
Elena Brower

We must cultivate a state of radical forgiveness to experience true intimacy.

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Art of Attention: Five Keys to Emotional Consistency

Elena Brower | Posted 11.17.2011

Read More: Elena Brower Art of Attention, Awareness, Art of Attention, Anusara Yoga, Attention, Consistency, John Friend, Hugo Cory, Huffington Post Art of Attention, Breathing Practice, Yoga Class, Yoga Practice, Breathing, Elena Brower, Healthy Living News
Elena Brower

This is not about purification, nor is it about denial. This is about using your attention, your only real tool, to cultivate your most essential capacity for inner consistency.

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