The Y Factor

He may not understand how it works, but Neal Pollack can attest to the powerful experience of activating prana through yoga.

Pattabhi Jois called family life the Seventh Series of Ashtanga Yoga. Over the holidays, Neal Pollack tackles this most challenging practice of all.

"No matter what you do for a living, if you practice yoga, in the long run, you end up caring about people and empathizing with their problems," Neal Pollack writes.

Neal Pollack wants to follow the principle of ahimsa, or non-harming, even in his diet, but he can't seem to give up meat.

When it comes to money matters, yoga hasn't provided Neal Pollack with any answers. But it's proven to be a steady lean-to during both good and bad times.

Yoga teaches us to practice indifference to those things that bother us, but Neal Pollack is struggling with one nemesis to his peace of mind: leafblowers. What disruptor to your yogic calm would you like to make peace with?

In the real life of a householder, sneaking in 30 or 40 minutes of uninterrupted yoga is about all Neal Pollack can hope for. It may not measure up to his former Ashtanga practice, but it's enough.

Do you need to be super flexible to teach yoga? No, writes Neal Pollack. All you need is an open mind, an open heart, and a willingness to dedicate a goodly percent of your life to the practice.

Most yoga students have been approached by a yoga skeptic at one time or another. But preaching to doubters just doesn't work, writes Neal Pollack. Lead by example instead.

Yoga can energize you when you need energy, chill you when you need chilling, heal you when you're hurt, and focus your mind when you're scattered, writes Neal Pollack.

Neal Pollack reinvigorates his practice with the re-discovery of online yoga classes.

Neal Pollack teaches his son yoga nidra, the "yoga of sleep," and witnesses it's sure results.

Despite his regular yoga practice, Neal Pollack, like many of us, experiences occasional back issues. Yoga helps, and also keeps him aware that his body, though functional, isn't perfect.

Yoga creates near-ideal conditions for public arousal, writes Neal Pollack. Read his sage advice to men new to the practice on how to deal with unexpected desire during class.

When a beloved yoga teacher moves on, students get a first-hand lesson in impermanence.

In the wake of last week's anxiety producing news, Neal Pollack was reminded that while suffering is part of our human condition, yoga is there to help alleviate it.

It's easy to practice non-attachment when things aren't going well, Neal Pollack writes, but what about when they are?

Yoga isn't limited to asana, says Neal Pollack. The longer he practices, the more he realizes just how complex and deep this path is.

When antidepressants stopped working, Neal Pollack's yoga practice helped him manage his depression--minus the negative side effects.

When he first started a band, Neal Pollack was full of expectations. Today, his music just brings him a lot of joy, in the moment.

Ever been in a class with someone trying too hard to be funny? It's easy to feel annoyed. But when it comes to yoga, Neal Pollack says, maybe we should all stop taking ourselves so seriously.

After nearly a decade of doing yoga, Neal Pollack still struggles with the physical details of the practice. But he's learning to accept this about himself, and to call for help when needed.

In his current living space, Neal Pollack doesn't have the room nor is inspired to practice yoga. He's trying to find a yogic lesson in the situation.

Yoga, it is said, helps you do everything better. Neal Pollack has found that this extends to his poker game.

A teaching gig yields just 8 students—and Neal Pollack wouldn't want it any other way.

Neal Pollack considers whether the occasional urge to do yoga in public is for him or for show—or a little bit of both.

What is the proper yogic response to election-induced craziness? Neal Pollack weighs in.

Rather than repress sexual urges, or constantly act on them, yoga has taught Neal Pollack to observe his desires, and not let a greedy mind run the show.

Neal Pollack used to do yoga as exercise. But after weeks of traveling, he turns to slower practices to put get his body back in working order.

Can you walk the yogic path and smoke pot? Neal Pollack suggests you look at the issue of attachment to find your own answers.

Practicing yoga won't make you live forever, but it can help you put the fear of death into perspective. Neal Pollack explains how.

Neal Pollack is doing his best to inject some yogic wisdom into his parenting.

Social scientists say that it's harder to make friends as adults. But Neal Pollack has found that yoga has filled his life with many true friendships.

Neal Pollack takes exception to the concept of men-only yoga.

Neal Pollack never grew used to early-morning classes. So he stopped, and started doing yoga whenever he wants, and it's just fine.

Neal Pollack is feeling the pinch from the rising cost of yoga.

When a speaking engagement doesn't go as planned, Neal Pollack is reminded of the yogic lesson of nonattachment.

Neal Pollack's freelance gig test driving and reviewing luxury cars is a constant reminder what's real and what's temporary.

Neal Pollack has learned to give his loved ones space to find and develop their own paths.

Neal Pollack isn't quite ready to join the senior league, but he's happy to give up the faced-paced yoga of his early years.

Tooting his way through yoga class, Neal Pollack applies the yogic lesson of non-judgment.

Neal Pollack loves his yogic self, but he doesn't want to leave his pre-yoga personality behind.

When you've pushed yourself too hard in yoga, it's time to slow down, not give up.

Yoga teaches us to deal with whatever arises in our lives, no matter how distracting and uncomfortable—even an obnoxious yoga classmate.

Neal Pollack has found a way to get his fix of yoga and Sunday football.

Neal Pollack's body may be wrecked from yoga, but the rest of his life is a whole lot better.

After years of asana practice and breath training, Neal Pollack notices he doesn't sweat as much in class anymore. He kind of misses it.

He does yoga and he lives healthfully, but Neal Pollack is still coming to terms with his stomach.

Neal Pollack weighs in on the importance of the perfect pair of yoga shorts.