Richard Rosen

Richard Rosen began his study of yoga in 1980 at the Yoga Room in Berkeley, California. In 1982 he enrolled in the two-year teacher training program at the BKS Iyengar Yoga Institute in 1982 and graduate about three years later. In 1987 he and his friend Rodney Yee founded the Piedmont Yoga Studio in Oakland, California. This school served its community for 27 years, finally closing its door in 2014. Richard is the author of five books on yoga, the most recent Yoga FAQ (Shambhala, 2017). He’s also a contributing editor for Yoga Journal magazine, and since 1990 has written countless articles and reviews not only for YJ, but for other magazines and anthologies. Richard is the president of the board of directors of Yoga Dana Foundation, a grant-making organization whose mission it is to support yoga teachers working with underserved populations in the greater Bay Area. He lives in a cottage built in 1906 in Berkeley, California.

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Articles by Richard Rosen

Kundalini Shakti: The Meaning of the Sleeping Serpent Kundalini Shakti: The Meaning of the Sleeping Serpent Kundalini Shakti: The Meaning of the Sleeping Serpent Kundalini Shakti: The Meaning of the Sleeping Serpent


You may have heard references to the sleeping serpent coiled around the base of your spine. Here's an explanation of kundalini shakti and...

Q&A by Richard Rosen

Probably the most common misconception is that pranayama is somehow dangerous, that it can cause mental and physical upset. This is true enough if it’s taught improperly, especially when giving practices to students who... Probably the most common misconception is that pranayama is somehow dangerous, that it can cause mental and physical upset. This is true enough if it’s taught improperly, especially when giving practices to students who... Probably the most common misconception is that pranayama is somehow dangerous, that it can cause mental and physical upset. This is true enough if it’s taught improperly, especially when giving practices to students who... Probably the most common misconception is that pranayama is somehow dangerous, that it can cause mental and physical upset. This is true enough if it’s taught improperly, especially when giving practices to students who...


Probably the most common misconception is that pranayama is somehow dangerous, that it can cause mental and physical upset. This is true...

I own a good number of early texts, but not all of them, so this answer comes with a caveat, which is there may be some goals missing. I believe, however, that I’ve included most of them. These goals were culled from texts... I own a good number of early texts, but not all of them, so this answer comes with a caveat, which is there may be some goals missing. I believe, however, that I’ve included most of them. These goals were culled from texts... I own a good number of early texts, but not all of them, so this answer comes with a caveat, which is there may be some goals missing. I believe, however, that I’ve included most of them. These goals were culled from texts... I own a good number of early texts, but not all of them, so this answer comes with a caveat, which is there may be some goals missing. I believe, however, that I’ve included most of them. These goals were culled from texts...


I own a good number of early texts, but not all of them, so this answer comes with a caveat, which is there may be some goals missing. I...

Most yoga classes that I know of are heavily dependent on asana, including my own. I’m aware though there are yoga schools that aren’t so closely tied into asana and include a wider variety of yoga practices and exercises in... Most yoga classes that I know of are heavily dependent on asana, including my own. I’m aware though there are yoga schools that aren’t so closely tied into asana and include a wider variety of yoga practices and exercises in... Most yoga classes that I know of are heavily dependent on asana, including my own. I’m aware though there are yoga schools that aren’t so closely tied into asana and include a wider variety of yoga practices and exercises in... Most yoga classes that I know of are heavily dependent on asana, including my own. I’m aware though there are yoga schools that aren’t so closely tied into asana and include a wider variety of yoga practices and exercises in...


Most yoga classes that I know of are heavily dependent on asana, including my own. I’m aware though there are yoga schools that...

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