Yoga Calendars for 2013

I've been buying yoga pose calendars for years now, both for my yoga studio and for home.   Beyond the practical aspect of having a calendar to keep track of dates, the images of the poses that are represented for each month inspire me, and they inspire my students as well.   Many of the featured poses are beyond my own ability and that of my students, but they're beautiful to look at, and they provoke some interesting discussions in class, such as how would a "regular" yoga student learn to work toward some of these more difficult poses.  

These discussions also provide a springboard for talking about our individual reasons for learning yoga poses, and what benefits we get out of our own practice.   It gives me the opportunity to remind them that the physical practice of yoga is just a small part of the full practice of yoga.

I hope the featured yoga calendars here will inspire you in your own practice!

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NOTE:  If you prefer to buy your calendars through Amazon, there are links to yoga calendars on Amazon toward the end of this page.

Yoga Journal 2013 Wall Calendar - $13.99
from: Calendars.com

Standard Wall Calendar

The Yoga Journal calendar is the one that I've bought most often over the years, and I'm always inspired to see the different poses for each month.  

As the description for this wall calendar points out, "Although far more than a physical practice, the [...] asanas (the physical yoga poses) embody the grace and intelligence of the entire yoga system".

The practice of yoga asanas can give us a good framework within which to study the other aspects of yoga as well.

Yoga 2013 Wall Calendar - $14.95
from: Calendars.com

Standard Wall Calendar

This is a lovely calendar that includes breath-taking natural scenery as a backdrop to the beautiful poses featured for each month.   The photos were taken in scenic areas of Hawaii and California by master photographer Blaine Michioka.   

The featured yoga poses, or asanas show strength, grace, and serenity. This calendar, representing a harmonious fusion of our physical and spiritual worlds, is sure to inspire all yoga practitioners and nature lovers.

Meditation Here and Now 2013 Wall Calendar - $13.95
from: Calendars.com

Wall calendar

The practice of meditation, or dhyana, is the seventh limb of Patanjali's eight limbs of yoga.  In our western culture, many people think of yoga as the physical practice of the yoga poses, or asanas, but asana is just a part of the whole practice of yoga.   Asana is the third limb of yoga.

This meditation calendar includes 12 serene photographs of natural beauty, with quotations. 

The practice of meditation is common in all major religions of the world, as well as an integral part of the practice of yoga.

1. Yama: Universal principals of behavior
2. Niyama: Personal observances
3. Asana: Physical practice, poses
4. Pranayama: Control of the breath to control our energy distribution
5. Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the senses
6. Dharana: Concentration, awareness
7. Dhyana: Meditation
8. Samadhi: Union with the divine

Are you an Amazon shopper?   You'll be able to find most of the calendars I featured above on Amazon.

Namaste!  And enjoy your 2013 yoga calendar!