Author: Taylor Smith

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I’m a Longevity Doctor, and Visiting This Island Changed My Perspective on What Longevity Means

Longevity Doctor in Sardinia

The original article was shared in Well + Good. Read it here.

I’ve dedicated much of my career to studying the factors that help people live longer, healthier lives—I’m a medical doctor specializing in longevity science, an advisor for RoseBar Longevity Clinic in Spain, and a registered yoga teacher focused on how movement can be medicine. While researching my next book on longevity, I became fascinated by Sardinia, an island off the coast of mainland Italy, is home to one of the world’s Blue Zones, renowned for its high concentration of centenarians and remarkable life expectancy. I felt compelled to visit and see what longevity secrets Sardinia holds.

Longevity in Sardinia thrives in a few remote mountain villages. In these towns, locals live without many modern conveniences—no elevators, no take-out. Instead, frequent uphill walks and time-honored traditions make longevity a way of life set to the rhythm of their daily routines.

After a weeklong stay in Baunei, a quintessential example of a village in the Sardinian Blue Zone, my perspective on longevity—and what’s important for living a long life—shifted. Here’s what I learned, and what I hope to take with me into my daily practice.

Read the rest of the article on Well + Good.

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Channel Your Inner Ariel With Mermaid Pose—Here’s How to Add It to Your Yoga Practice

Mermaid pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana in Sanskrit) is a graceful and challenging yoga posture that beautifully combines flexibility, strength, and balance. It’s a deep hip opener that also targets your spine, chest, and shoulders, making it an all-encompassing pose for building strength and flexibility.

But starting from the ground up is key in mermaid pose, according to Heather Stants, a yoga and movement teacher and the creator of Dance Flow Yoga. Like any advanced yoga pose, it requires a thoughtful approach and proper preparation.

Read the rest of the article on Well + Good.

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Luxury Wellness Retreat in Vietnam – Tranquil Elegance

Join us for a transformative 5-day/4-night retreat in 5-star luxury at Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô in Vietnam guided by physician and renowned yoga teacher, Ingrid Yang M.D., C-IAYT, E-RYT-500. Immerse yourself in daily yoga practices, ranging from invigorating vinyasa flows in the mornings to restorative yin, yoga nidra, and reiki in the evenings. You’ll enjoy a traditional Vietnamese cooking class with the renowned Vietnamese chef, spend a day on a cultural tour of the neighboring Vietnamese village, and indulge in the most delicious food you will ever eat! This retreat offers a harmonious blend of wellness and cultural immersion amidst the natural beauty of a secluded Vietnamese peninsula.

Experience tranquility in luxurious villas that represent Vietnam’s architectural heritage, enjoy diverse culinary experiences, and holistic spa treatments. Engage in beach and water activities or explore the local culture and history. Surrounded by lush hills and a pristine coral bay, this retreat is an ideal setting for rejuvenation and inner peace.

Sign up early because all of Ingrid’s retreats sell out at least 6 months in advance!

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Peloton: Here’s How to Flow Through Sun Salulations Confidently

Foundational sequences that invigorate both your body and mind, Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskars) stand as the cornerstone of both Vinyasa and Hatha yoga practices. You may have even encountered them in a yoga class without even realizing it. As some of the most familiar sequences in any practice, Sun Salutations consist of familiar postures, including Mountain Pose (Tadasana), Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana), and Four-Limbed Staff Pose (Chaturanga Dandasana).

Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned practitioner, you can always deepen your understanding of these movement patterns. In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits of these sequences, as well as unravel the distinctive characteristics of Sun Salutation A and B.

Read the full article on Peloton.
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Can You Say Fierce? Discover Your Inner (and Lower-Body) Strength With Warrior Pose

Yoga’s warrior pose (virabhadrasana in Sanskrit) stands as a symbol of strength and endurance, embodying the qualities of the fierce warrior Virabhadra from Hindu mythology. This formidable asana, in its three forms, is an expression of physical prowess and a testament to mental resilience—and it makes you feel strong AF when you can nail it.

Warrior 1 builds strength and flexibility in a forward-facing stance, emphasizing hip and chest opening. In contrast, warrior 2 takes a sideways stance, targeting leg strength, hip opening, and shoulder alignment. Warrior 3, the most advanced, involves balancing on one leg while leaning forward, enhancing balance and whole-body strength.

Read the full article on Well+Good.

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How to Do Crow Pose In Yoga Without Falling on Your Face

Crow pose in yoga, known in Sanskrit as bakasana, is a hard-to-nail arm balance that’s on many yogis’ bucket lists. Those who’ve mastered it swear that it’s all about perfecting your form, but for many of us, the pose often serves as a call to go splat on the mat. But crow pose is more than just an intimidating arm balance—it’s your chance to take flight.

This pose masterfully blends strength, agility, and mental focus, making it an ideal launchpad for both yoga novices and adept practitioners.

Read the full article on Well+Good.

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The Kriyas: A Journey through Rancho Pescadero’s Spiritual Retreat

During my first yoga teacher training in the 1990s, we were introduced to the yoga kriyas and had the opportunity to explore them briefly. However, given the format of a 200-hour training, we only had limited time to delve into the practices. The fleeting introduction to these kriyas hindered my ability
to appreciate their transformative potential. Now, over 20 years later, as my students expressed curiosity about these cleansing practices, I decided to embark upon a pilgrimage to better understand these techniques. It was during this journey that I discovered Rancho Pescadero, a nurturing, grounded, and beautiful retreat that provided the ideal environment to immerse oneself in the profound depths of the kriyas.

Read the full article here.

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How To Bend and Not Break While Doing Bridge Pose in Yoga

Bridge pose in yoga, also known by its Sanskrit name setu bandha sarvangasana, is a staple in most asana practices, accessible to beginners yet still challenging for advanced practitioners; it’s not only great for core strengthening, but it also offers notable benefits for flexibility and back health.

“Bridge pose is a one-stop shop for core strength,” says Esther Yaniv, MD, E-RYT 200, physical medicine and rehab physician and registered yoga teacher. “It engages the deep postural muscles, specifically the multifidus muscles, which are essential for spinal support.” Your multifidi are deep stabilizer muscles that run along either side of your spinal column.

Read the full article on Well+Good.

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You Shouldn’t Be Scared of Yoga Inversions. Here’s How to Nail Going Upside Down

Inversions in yoga are like the salt of a dish: A small pinch can transform the whole experience. While you may assume that inversions have to be complex or intense, such poses go beyond Handstand (Adho Mukha Vrksasana) or Supported Headstand (Salamba Sirsasana), encompassing a broad range of energizing, restorative, and even therapeutic postures. With inversions, you’ll find that they flip your perspective upside down—both literally and metaphorically. Here, we break down everything you need to know about inversions, including how to do them safely, what they are, who should avoid them, and common mistakes.

Read the full article on Peloton.