Yoga   Yoga: For Health and Much More

Crystal Cruises announces an inspired collection of 2010 Experiences of Discovery theme cruises designed to enrich more than two dozen Crystal cruises with a special-interest focus. Special classes, events and, in most cases, shoreside options will augment voyages throughout the Middle East, Australia/New Zealand, Europe and beyond.

A new Science & Technology focus joins Crystal classic favorites including Crystal’s Wine & Food Festival (set for seven cruises, with two back-to-back options); Mind, Body & Spirit; Jazz; Golf; Film & Theater Festival; and Big Band. Additionally, Crystal’s annual President’s Cruise adds special programming and events in celebration of the line’s 20th anniversary of luxury cruising.

Three things in focus for 2010 are mind, body and spirit — Wellness experts focus on yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates and general fitness on Asia/Indian Ocean, Mexican Riviera and Transatlantic voyages.

For more information, visit crystalcruises.com.

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Making its way from New York to New Delhi, author Brittany Johnson’s debut work, “Color 4 Kids” has found an unexpected yet welcomed new following, Hindu India. Indian style editor and trend blogger Yusuf Kirmani describes “Color 4 Kids” as “a book beyond religion, beyond caste, beyond country…, a book for every Indian, for every American.”

Published by Ace of Diamonds Publishing, “Color 4 Kids” went on sale at local bookstores and Amazon.com earlier this year. Several personal appearances and book signings later, Ms. Johnson was astonished when contacted by Mr. Kirmani. Coming across her work accidentally, Mr. Kirmani was immediately impressed with Ms. Johnson’s approach to children and how her life mirrored Hindu teachings.

Ms. Johnson says the inspiration behind the book came from Jivamukti yoga, and chanting daily. Yoga and Kirtan inspire me to write. All children are beautiful. “Color 4 Kids” celebrates the natural beauty in all children. It is an easy method. It takes a look at three factors, the color of the child’s hair, skin, and eyes. Moms pick the best category for their children based on child’s natural coloring. The book is both fun for the parents and the children. Children learn to appreciate themselves.

As “Color 4 Kids” quickly gains popularity throughout India, Ms. Johnson credits its Indian appeal to the book’s broad cultural and ethnic reach – concepts that reflect the changing nature of Indian society.

For more information, visit color4kids.net.

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The latest “Yoga in America” study, just released by Yoga Journal shows that Americans spend $5.7 billion a year on yoga classes and products, including
equipment, clothing, vacations and media (DVDs, videos, books and magazines). This figure represents an increase of 87 percent compared to the previous study in 2004 — almost double of what was previously spent.

Data for this survey were collected by the Harris Interactive Service Bureau on behalf of Yoga Journal. The poll surveyed 5,050 respondents, a statistically representative sample of the total U.S. population. Yoga Journal commissioned RRC Associates, a research firm in Boulder, Colo., to perform the data analysis.

The 2008 study indicates that 6.9 percent of U.S. adults, or 15.8 million people, practice yoga. (In the previous study, that number was 16.5 million). Of current non-practitioners, nearly 8 percent, or 18.3 million Americans, say they are very or extremely interested in yoga, triple the number from the 2004 study. And 4.1 percent of non-practitioners, or about 9.4 million people, say they will definitely try yoga within the next year.

The 2008 study also indicated that almost half (49.4 percent) of current practitioners started practicing yoga to improve their overall health. In the 2003 study, that number was 5.6 percent. And they are continuing to practice for the same reason. According to the 2008 study, 52 percent are motivated to practice yoga to improve their overall health. In 2003, that number was 5.2 percent.

One significant trend to emerge from the study is the use of yoga as medical therapy. According to the study, 6.1 percent, or nearly 14 million Americans, say that a doctor or therapist has recommended yoga to them. In addition, nearly half (45 percent) of all adults agree that yoga would be a beneficial if they were undergoing treatment for a medical condition.

The growth in the yoga market is reflected in the growth of Yoga Journal. The magazine saw an increase of 5.8 percent in paid circulation, and an increase of 9.2 percent in paid subscriptions, in the period from July through December 2007, over the same period in the previous year, while the first two issues of 2008 were record issues in terms of ad revenue and ad pages. The magazine is also a top-selling health and fitness
title at Barnes & Noble nationwide as well as at Whole Foods.

For more information, visit yogajournal.com.

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