Yoga Teacher Training Aspects - Reminders to Yoga Students

By Paul Jerard

When we teach a Yoga class, there are many things to remind our students. We want to be sure that everyone, attending our Yoga class, receives the best possible experience. Let's look at a short list of topics that will help your students on their journey of self-discovery.

"Being present for practice," and "living in the moment," seem like worn out slogans, at times, but students need to be reminded; without the mind and body connection, there is no presence in their practice. Therefore, teachers need to remember that Pranayama techniques are a very important ingredient in creating a connection between mind and body, which results in presence.

Non-judgment of oneself, and others, helps students create self-awareness without competition. This is a unique mindset for many people, who come into the Yoga studio from work and commuter traffic. Competition is outside the Yoga class, but it should never be allowed to exist within the walls of your studio.

Yoga students need to be reminded of this, in each class, for their mental health, emotional health, and physical safety. The result is a calm mind and an Asana practice without injury. Every student should leave our classes feeling better than when he, or she, came through the doors.

We have briefly touched on Pranayama, but students need to remember to breathe completely and deeply, throughout the session. As teachers, it is easy to forget what comes naturally. Yet, most people are rarely conscious of their breathing, unless they are reminded of it.

If you teach Asanas in your classes, students need to be aware of their "comfort zone" and their "edge." The comfort zone is self-explanatory, but we know it as a range of motion without pain. The edge is the range, where we are at our physical limit, but we are still not in pain. The saying: "Work smart, not hard," applies to the edge of the movement. Student safety is priority number one, in all Yoga classes.

At the same time, your students should be reminded that the Yogic path is full of discoveries and treasures, which will help them with their inner challenges. They learn from us, but they also learn from within. Self-discovery is a rewarding part of Yoga practice. Therefore, they should be encouraged to develop a safe practice at home, and to take Yoga with them, wherever they go. As any Yoga teacher already knows: Our practice does not end, when we roll up our Yoga mats.

© Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Jerard

How Power Yoga Can Help Athletes

By Scott Hughes

Whether you already practice yoga or barely know anything about it, you can greatly improve your athletic abilities by doing power yoga. Like most yoga for exercise, power yoga focuses on the performance of asanas or poses. Power yoga usually uses a vinyasa style of practice, meaning the practitioners synchronize the poses with their breath. Generally, power yoga aims to improve your athletic ability in three main ways.

Firstly, you can use power yoga to improve your physical strength. Power yoga for strength especially makes use of poses that involve holding oneself up in various ways using the limbs. Think about it like this: Simply getting down in push up position and trying to hold that position would give you a tough workout. Power yoga uses many poses like that.

Power yoga also aims to improve your stamina and endurance. Obviously, stamina and endurance play a major role in athletics. In power yoga you especially work your stamina and endurance when you hold poses for extended periods of time. Additionally, by going through the poses quickly without stopping in between, you will keep up the work and thus build your endurance.

Finally, power yoga helps you improve your flexibility. Flexibility will help you avoid injury during any athletic endeavors. Also, being rigid and inflexible will hinder your ability to perform well in sports and other athletic activities.

Doing any type of yoga will also help you recover from fitness training. It will preserve your health and improve blood circulation, which in turn will improve your physical potential. Training a lot for a specific sport can make you physically unbalanced, but doing yoga will help balance you back out.

Many athletes use almost all of their free time practicing for their sport. That dedication is almost always required from top-level athletes in any field. That may leave you little time to take on other exercise routines. Luckily, yoga does not take that much time. A simple 20 minute practice once a day or a few days per week will do you great. And once you start, you will get better and better at it.

If you are an athlete, I recommend you try power yoga. Of course, before starting any new exercise program, you are supposed to consult a medical doctor.

Whatever you do, good luck and have fun!

Scott Hughes manages Online Yoga Club at OnlineYogaClub.com, which has lots of free information and resources about yoga. You can discuss yoga and get help at the Yoga Forums The forums are completely free to use.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Hughes

Learning Yoga For Your Good Health

By Gabriel J. Adams

For many of us, cranking out a ten-minute mile on a treadmill or pounding the floor of the racquetball court can mean major joint pain. Fortunately, you can cover all three of your major exercise types (aerobic, anaerobic and stretching) through a low-impact activity like yoga.

Yoga is an ancient Indian practiced designed to promote relaxation, health and flexibility. By using a series of poses and breathing techniques, yoga also works on the practitioner's balance, strength and overall health.

It has been shown to reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, diminish back pain and improve cardiovascular health. Depending on the type of yoga you do, yoga can be an aerobic, anaerobic or stretching exercise or all three.

Essentially, yoga tones and stretches all your joints and muscles. Not only does this unique form of exercise deliver physical benefits, it also reduces stress while promoting relaxation. When it comes to aging well, yoga is one of the best activities you can do.

Some types of it are more strenuous than others, so before you sign up for a class or purchase a yoga DVD, you may want to make sure you're choosing a yoga program that's right for you. Keep reading to learn about the five major types of yoga:

Integral Yoga: This is a basic and very gentle form of yoga with a set pattern of postures. The emphasis is on pose control, relaxation and deep meditation. Integral yoga is perfect for beginners.

Ashtanga Yoga: You may see Ashtanga yoga listed as "power yoga." This type of yoga moves fast and focuses on a continuous flow of movement through the traditional yoga poses. By incorporating strength, aerobic exertion and flexibility, Ashtange embodies all three types of exercise.

Kundalini Yoga: This form of yoga is extremely spiritual and tends to focus predominantly on breathing exercises, chanting, relaxation and meditation.

Iyengar Yoga: Iyengar yoga focuses predominantly on positioning and poses that are precise and correct. Using wooden blocks, buckets or straps, Iyengar concentrates on alignment and the actual structure of a pose. Though slow and steady, Iyengar is not recommended for yoga beginners.

Bikram Yoga: Also known as "hot yoga," Bikram yoga is typically done in a room heated to anywhere from 80 to 100 degrees. Vigorous and intense, this form of yoga may be too much for those suffering from respiratory problems, high blood pressure or cardiac issues.

Please visit Life Skills Are Essential For Addiction Recovery and Parent's Role in Teen Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gabriel_J._Adams

Using Breath to Deepen Your Yoga Practice

By Conrad Raw

If you're a practitioner of yoga, you know how important it is to breathe correctly when going through the poses. Traditionally you are told to inhale and exhale fully as you move deeper into a pose to enable your body to stretch further, bring more benefits to you.

There are many other ways that yoga practitioners have used breath through the centuries, and in fact a whole discipline of yoga is devoted to the breath. But even if you don't want to fully explore pranayama as part of your practice, you can use these techniques to bring more energy and vitality into your life.

To yogis, the most important place where we take in life force energy is through the nerve endings in the nose, so it is vitally important to breathe in and out through your nose whenever you want to give yourself an energy boost.

Another important aspect of breathing in yoga has to do with the fact that the brain's pulse is connected to your breath rather than to your heartbeat. Altering the breath therefore alters your brain wave patterns, which is important in meditation but also for getting a feeling of relaxation and energy from your yoga practice.

There are many different ways to breathe, of course, and different yoga teachers and practitioners have their personal favorites. But there is actually a rhythm at which you can breathe that is optimal for hooking up with the rhythm of the brain.

It's really easy to do: breathe in through your nose for six heartbeats, hold for three heartbeats, and exhale through your nose for six heartbeats. When your lungs are empty, inhale again immediately with no break.

If you are feeling stress or a low energy level, doing this for a couple of minutes will make you feel refreshed. You can also practice this breathing when you're doing yoga and no particular method of breathing is suggested for a particular pose.

This method of breathing is also great if you would like to do a little meditation at the end of your yoga practice. Lie in corpse pose or sit comfortably on a meditation mat or pillow. Close your eyes and begin this cycle of breathing.

As you breathe, give yourself a body scan from the toes up, relaxing any tension you might still be feeling in your body. Relax and feel the vitality of this deep breathing course through your body.

After practicing this breathing method a few times, you will find yourself doing it throughout the day to relieve stress or when you need to clear your mind.

Conrad Raw is an expert in practical techniques for personal and spiritual development. He is the author of "Forbidden Secrets Of Personal And Energetic Development." He travels the world to learn and teach and is the founder of Greater Human Potential, a website devoted to bringing you easy to learn techniques to increase your human evolution. Visit his website for a free newsletter filled with tons of great tips and advice.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Conrad_Raw

Becoming a Yoga Instructor - Is it a Good Fit for Me?

By Paul Jerard

If you're reading this, it's probably a given that you are already a yoga fan. You know firsthand the benefits of incorporating yoga into your life: stress management, mental balance, and more. Perhaps it's time to take your love for this art and discipline a step further and become a yoga instructor.

Whether you're thinking of leaving your current job, or simply supplementing your income, becoming a yoga instructor may be the change you're craving. Deciding whether it's a good fit for you will require you to do some soul-searching. Take inventory of your own yoga experience and see if you relate to any of these benefits to teaching the art yourself:

* Have I ever been inspired by a yoga instructor? If you've been practicing for a long time, you may recall an instructor who really helped you achieve something that surprised you. What was it about him/her that made you accomplish what you thought you couldn't? How did you feel afterwards? Now, imagine being able to inspire that same sense of delight and accomplishment in others. Does this sound like something that appeals to you?

* Has yoga changed my life? Few regular participants would disagree that yoga has made a change in them. Those who practice regularly report increased flexibility, improved muscle tone, an overall sense of wellbeing and a decrease in stress related problems. This includes fewer headaches, less anxiety and the ability to positively deal with potential conflict. Now consider how rewarding it would be to pass this ability on to countless others around you. Plus, you get the joy of participating in this discipline on a regular, maybe even full-time basis.

* Am I passionate about physical fitness? That's probably an easy answer. If you're like most participants, you engage in yoga because you have a commitment to physical fitness. Not only does it produce positive physical changes, it also enhances your body's abilities in relation to other sports and physical activities. Runners who regularly do yoga report less muscle fatigue and improved speed. Gymnasts notice increased agility. Those who play sports find that they are able to concentrate better and think faster under pressure. Does the idea of sharing this ability with others who are committed to physical fitness excite you?

* Am I in need of a positive change? Maybe your life isn't lacking. But if you're looking to make it just a little bit better, becoming a yoga instructor may be the way to do it. You'll be taking your love for the practice one step further. You'll learn how to instruct and motivate others to experience the health and wellbeing that you know is possible for anyone. Plus, the sense of accomplishment you'll receive from finishing an instructor's course will reward you even if you don't plan to become a full-time instructor.

If you answered 'yes' to most or all of these questions, then you probably have what it takes to become a yoga instructor. The option of doing a job that not only fits your lifestyle, but also inspires your spirit is well worth investing.

© Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard, CG / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Jerard

Yoga Certification - On-Site vs Off-Site Training

Yoga For Better Sleep

By Nancy Wile

The ability of yoga to reduce muscle tension, slow your heart rate and calm a racing mind provides the perfect recipe for a good night's sleep. There is growing evidence that small behavioral changes in the evening can make a big difference in getting a restful sleep. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that participants who made modifications, like learning relaxation techniques, improved their sleep more than those who took drugs.

Certain yoga exercises will help your body and your mind relax more and prepare for sleep. Here are a few postures and exercises that are particularly helpful:

1) Supported Standing Forward Bend

This gentle yoga posture helps relieve tension in your neck and shoulders while quieting your nervous system.

Steps:

• Fold a blanket and place it on a chair

• Stand facing the chair (about 1 to 2 feet away) with your feet parallel and a little wider than hip width apart

• Fold forward from your hips (keeping your back flat - reaching forward with your chest)

• Place your forehead on the blankets

• Place your hands towards the back of the chair with your forearms resting on the chair (you can also hold onto opposite elbows with your forearms touching the top of your head)

• Let your arms, shoulders, head and face relax completely

• Breathe slowly and deeply through your nose for 12-15 breaths

• Slowly come back up, using your hands to help push you back up

2) Legs Up the Wall

This gentle yoga postures triggers the relaxation response, slowing the heart, breath and brain waves.

Steps:

• Place a mat or blanket flush against a wall

• Sit with your right side next to the wall (legs out in front of you)

• Lean onto your elbows

• Swing your legs up the wall as your head moves away from the wall

• Place your hands at your sides and close your eyes

• Move your head from side to side 4-5 times

• Relax your belly and breathe deeply into your belly - breathing through your nose

• Stay in this position for 2-3 minutes

• Bring your knees to your chest and roll onto your side

• When you are ready, come back to sitting

3) Child's Pose

Child's pose relaxes the back and neck, while gently stretching your spine. It also provides a gentle massage to abdominal organs leading to greater relaxation.

Steps:

• Kneel down and sit back towards your heels as much as you can

• Fold forward from the hips, bringing your upper body to your thighs and your forehead to the floor

• Place your arms on the floor next to your legs with your palms up

• Breathe into your belly, allowing it to expand into your thighs as you inhale and relax as you exhale

• Remain in this position for 8-10 breaths

• Raise your upper body and return to kneeling position

4) Diaphragmatic Breathing

Traditional yogic breathing provides a natural stress release and helps the heartbeat to slow down as the diaphragm stimulates the vagus nerve.
Steps:

• You can start sitting or lying on your back. Since you are trying to sleep, start on your back.

• Place your hands on your belly

• Begin breathing slowly and deeply through your nose

• Breathe into the lower part of your lungs first, allowing your belly to rise on inhale, fall back on exhale

• Allow your belly to naturally rise and fall with breath (no pushing)

• Focus completely on your breath, letting go of other thoughts or distractions.

• Complete 10-12 breaths, then let your breath become natural again

5) Manage your stress

Pay attention to your stress level. Excessive stress can lead to tight and knotted muscles, as well as a racing mind. Taking a yoga class is a great way to not only relieve stress, but to also learn how to manage your stress levels throughout the day. Yoga teaches you how to find peace in every day life, as well as during more stressful times.

To learn tips and yoga exercises for better sleep, visit: http://www.yogatg.com/ys-stress-headache-1.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nancy_Wile

Yoga Teacher Training Aspects - Class Presentation

By Paul Jerard

Once you have become a certified Yoga instructor, there are a number of ingredients involved in your class presentation and future growth. Any person, who teaches any subject, must have good diplomatic skills. The leap from student to teacher is a large one, and it comes with newfound responsibilities.

You must make it a point to learn your students' names and mentally retain them. You will want to greet each student by name with a smile. You must be prompt for class, happy, calm, helpful, encouraging, respectful, positive, and courteous, at all times - even when you have your own problems.

The strongest positive point, in arriving to class 15 minutes early, is "environmental concerns." If we show up to class late, the thermostat is not set right, water is on the floor, the power is out in the room, or the fan does not work. The result is, your Yoga class will not start on time, and your energy is not focused on the class.

You should be mentally prepared, well groomed, have music with you (if you use it), and be wearing the proper clothing to teach a Yoga class. You should have a class lesson plan in your mind. Lesson plan notes seem to take away your students' confidence in you. Students should have a perception of confidence in you and your teaching method.

You should respond to questions. One student may ask a question, which is on other student's minds. At the same time, it is important to avoid digressing. So, stick to the point, avoid tangents, and get back to your lesson plan, after you have politely answered a question. At the same time, be prepared to elaborate with your students after, or before, your Yoga classes.

You may also want to share a small example of Yogic philosophy, or a quote, applied to daily life, at some point during your class. I usually cover something related to daily life at the end of class, after meditation.

As much as the importance of starting on time has been mentioned, it is also important to end the class at the scheduled time. Some Yoga teachers start late and end late. Others want to add one more sequence or have too much material on their lesson plan. Show respect to your students.

They have lives and obligations outside of your Yoga class. If you want to reduce stress in their lives, end your class at the scheduled time. The students who want to know more about Yoga will "hang around" after class.

© Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com - He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Jerard

Yoga Past and Present

By Ashish Bhattacharya

Yoga's history has many places of anonymity and ambiguity due to its oral transmission of sacred texts and the secretive nature of its teachings. But the roots of Yoga can be traced back to more than 5000 years.

The Past

The earliest reference to Yoga was found when archaeological excavations where made in the Indus valley. Where old carvings depict a figure that some archaeologists think represents a yogi sitting in a traditional cross-legged yoga pose with its hands resting on its knees meditating.

Yoga's long rich history can be divided into four main periods of development: the Vedic Period, Pre-Classical Period, Classical Period, and Post-Classical Period.

Vedic Period

The existence of the Vedas marks this period. The Vedas contains the oldest known Yogic teachings and as such, teachings found in the Vedas are called Vedic Yoga. This is portrayed by rituals and ceremonies that try to go beyond the limitations of the mind.

During this time, the Vedic people relied on rishis or dedicated Vedic Yogis to teach them how to live in divine harmony.

Pre-Classical Yoga

The creation of the Upanishads marks the Pre-Classical Yoga. The Upanishads further explain the teachings of the Vedas.

Yoga shares some characteristics not only with Hinduism but also with Buddhism that we can trace in its history. During the sixth century B.C., Buddha started teaching Buddhism, which stresses the importance of Meditation and the practice of physical postures.

Later, around 500 B.C., the Bhagavad-Gita or Lord's Song was created and this is currently the oldest known Yoga scripture. It is devoted entirely to Yoga and has confirmed that it has been an old practice for some time. Just as the Upanishads further the Vedas, the Gita builds on and incorporates the doctrines found in the Upanishads.

Classical Period

The Classical Period is marked by another creation - the Yoga Sutra. Written by Patanjali around the second century, it was an attempt to define and standardize Classical Yoga. Patanjali's Eightfold path of Yoga also called Eight Limbs of Classical Yoga. These are:

1. Yama, which means social restraints or ethical values;

2. Niyama, which is personal observance of purity, tolerance, and study;

3. Asanas or physical exercises;

4. Pranayama, which means breath control or regulation;

5. Pratyahara or sense withdrawal in preparation for Meditation;

6. Dharana, which is about concentration;

7. Dhyana, which means Meditation; and

8. Samadhi, which means ecstasy.

Patanjali believed that each individual is a composite of matter and spirit; he believed that the two must be separated in order to cleanse the spirit - a direct contrast to Vedic and Pre-Classical Yoga that imply the union of body and spirit.

Patanjali's concept was prevailing for some centuries, so much so that some Yogis focused exclusively on Meditation and neglected their Asanas. It was only later that the belief of the body was sacred was revived and attention to the importance of the Asana was revitalized.

Post-classical Yoga

A great number of independent yoga schools and forms that where developed during the period after the Yoga sutras. As opposed to Patanjalis's Yoga, the Yoga of this era was, very much like the post-classical and Vedic traditions, characterized by the unification of body and mind.

Yogis of the past had not paid very much attention to the (physical) body, as they focused all their energy on contemplation and meditation. The new generation of Yogis however, developed a system where different exercises - in conjunction with deep breathing and meditation, would help keep the body young and prolong life. This also paved the way for the creation of Hatha Yoga, and other branches and schools of Tantra Yoga.

The Present

Modern Yoga is said to have begun by the young Swami Vivekananda from India made a deep impression on the American he introduced to. Yoga masters began to travel to the west, attracting attention and followers. In the 1920's, Hatha Yoga was strongly promoted in India with the life long work of T. Krishnamacharya . Krishnamacharya traveled through India giving demonstrations of yoga poses and opened the first Hatha Yoga School.

During the 1950s one of the foremost Yoga teachers of his time, Selvarajan Yesudian, wrote the book "Sport and Yoga", and it was through this book Yoga entered the world of sports. Today we can observe many athletes and sports teams that has incorporated Yoga in their injury reducing, strengthening and focus oriented training regimens.

In the middle of the 60s, Yoga got a real promotional boost when the Yogi Maharishi Mahesh taught Yoga to the famous pop-stars in the Beatles. Many other artists and musicians where influenced to take up Yoga as well.

Yoga became especially popular in Hollywood when Russian born Indra Devi, opened a Yoga studio in Hollywood in 1947. She taught movie starts like Gloria Swanson, Jennifer Jones and Robert Ryan, as well as educating hundreds of Yoga teachers.

Yoga today

Yoga today has gained tremendously in popularity and has a following over 30 million people from all over the world and is the most rapidly growing health movement of today. From celebrities to the common man everybody is now aware of the health and mental benefits of yoga, in fact many doctors recommend yoga especially for stress and relaxation. New studies have shown a high success rate up to 73 percent for treating depression with sudharshan kriya, a pranayama technique taught in the U.S. as "The Healing Breath Technique."

People's attitude towards health, spirituality, way of life and our place in society have changed quite radically. As we suffer more and more from physical and psychological stress, and fight with new and old diseases, yoga seems if not the answer a friend indeed.

Ashish Bhattacharya is an exponent of oriental and alternative medicine. Armed with a degree in East Asian Therapies from China, he has worked in a Destination Spa Mauritius, and is an expert in Mauritius resorts

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ashish_Bhattacharya

The Common Element Between the Six Branches of Yoga - Yoga

By M Alan Roberts

Most people get a little bit too wrapped up in trying to decide which branch of Yoga that they should study. They read a brief synopsis of each type and then go about trying to discern which one is the most appropriate for them. The fact is that all branches of Yoga overlap. They do so very naturally. Yoga is very natural. Whether you choose to direct your energies to the study of Hatha, Raja, Karma, Tantra, Bhakti or Jnana Yoga - doesn't really matter. You should be more concerned with what Yoga means in general terms.

Yoga is the union of the mind with the body. If we become masterful in the direction of our thoughts, then we begin to grow in wisdom. All branches of Yoga have the direct aim to bring us into constant consciousness. We need to be aware of our bodies. We need to pay attention to our posture. We need to watch our words. We'll need to choose wise actions. We need to develop joint, tendon, ligament and muscular strength. We need to assist our bodies with its internal functions. We need to constantly check ourselves in order to ensure that we're being the people that we want to be. That's what Yoga is.

People have a serious misconception about the yogic arts. They think that the goal is to twist our bodies into pretzel-like formations. Until people develop their understanding further, they do not realize that the primary goal of Yoga is for the betterment and broadening of the mind. The concept is that by controlling our thoughts effectively, we are able to focus in on the body. We are able to relax ourselves into seemingly strenuous positions with ease. This is not done simply for the strengthening and the elongating of the connective tissues that surround our joints; it's done to bring us into a state of consciousness where enlightenment is a possibility.

When you go forward into the yogic lifestyle, you are entering a lifelong process. When you expose yourself to these timeless arts, you are planting seeds in your mind. The seeds will come to fruition in the form of increased confidence, increased strength, increased awareness, increased wisdom and a superior life in general. So, do not get too wrapped up in which branch of yoga that you wish to pursue. Just pursue the concept of being in touch with you. The rest will come in time. Here is a small list of some of the uncountable benefits that you can experience constantly through the development of your yogic understanding:

Increased blood circulation with simultaneously decreased heart rates.Decreased respiratory rates.Improved delivery of oxygen and nutrients to all of the systems of the body through the blood stream.Alleviation of joint and muscular pain.Increased flexibility.Increased endurance.Enhanced ability to relax and be tranquil in any situation.A calm and composed air about yourself.A deeper understanding of your fellow humans.A deeper understanding of nature.Increased consciousness of your actions, speech and thoughts.Increased energy levels.Decreased need for sleep.Partial or complete reversal of all preventable diseases.

This list could go on forever. That's because there is no end to the benefits of Yoga. Save your questions concerning which branch to thoroughly assimilate into your life. Just start by taking a nice, full breath and stretching your hands into the sky above you. Appreciate the air that you breathe. Appreciate the nature around you. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of your daily competitive life. This is Yoga.

Alan M Roberts is a fulltime freelance writer and web developer. He is always available for consultation through his web site at http://www.10-4Life.com Visit him there often and find reasons to live!
Check this out: http://www.squidoo.com/10-4Life

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M_Alan_Roberts

Yoga Types - Different Types of Yoga

By Ricky Hussey

There are different paths (margas) of yoga that can be taken in order to reunite with the divine energy.

An active person can realize his divinity through work and duty (Karma), a religious person through devotion (Bhakti), an intellectual person through knowledge (Jnana), and a meditative/reflective person through Raja Yoga.

Various types of yoga are being taught and practiced in today’s world and it is very important to choose the correct type of yoga. Each type has its own philosophies and practices. Some styles of yoga are meditative and focused on spiritual centeredness. Other styles of yoga are more physical and based on poses or exercises. According to data published in 2004 in the journal Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, an estimated 15 million American adults have used yoga at least once in their lifetime, and more than 7.4 million participated in the year prior to when the research was conducted.

The varieties of poses flow one into another, always breathing through the nose. Kundalini yoga aims to awaken the potential energies at the base of the spine (Symbolised as a coiled snake) and direct this energy upwards through the spine and the Chakras thus bringing about increasing degrees of enlightenment.

Jnana Yoga

Jnana yoga is yoga that focuses on knowledge. There are seven stages to Jnana, involving study, self-realization, desire, protection of the mind, developing indifference to objects, letting the world appear like a dream, non-attachment to the world, bliss and knowledge of truth.

Bikram Yoga is the method of yoga that is a comprehensive workout that includes all the components of fitness: muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular flexibility and weight loss. Ashtanga, or power yoga, is designed to build strength and endurance. It is an aggressive workout where you move quickly from one pose to another. Ashtanga is for you if you're looking for a tough, physically challenging workout.

Hatha Yoga: Involves both pranayama (breathing techniques for life-force control) and asanas (physical postures) which are quite vigorous, and have tremendous benefits physically, as well as emotionally and spiritually. As in all Yoga pathways, the goal is not physical fitness, but rather strengthening and balancing the nervous system in order to capacitate superconscious states of awareness and energy.

Viniyoga: This is commonly used as a therapeutic practice for people who have suffered injuries or are recovering from surgery. It is a gentle, healing practice that is tailored to each person's body type and needs as they grow and change.

Vinyasa: Focuses on coordination of breath and movement and it is a very physically active form of yoga. It began with Krishnamacharya who later passed it on to Pattabhi Jois.

Mantras are words, phrases, or syllables which are chanted attentively and thoughtfully to attain certain goals. In the Mantra Yoga meditation one has to chant a word or a phrase until he/she transcends mind and emotions. In the process the super conscious is discovered and achieved. The rhythm and the meaning of mantras combine to conduct the mind safely back to the point of meditation- the higher consciousness or the specific spiritual focus.

Read out for Weight Lifting shoes Check out beauty and weight loss

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

Aqua Fitness Yoga (Pregnancy Yoga)

By Ashish Bhattacharya

Aqua Yoga is a series of yoga exercises done in water developed by Françoise Barbira Freedman that combines the therapeutic and afloat nature of water with the stimulating and balancing of yoga. In short it takes the principles and movements of yoga and adapts them to the environment of water. With the release of gravity the body is able to find the most advantageous stretching.

Aqua Yoga combines slow stretching with the use of breathing and relaxation as the water provides resistance for the muscles to work against. Aqua yoga is a natural and all-encompassing way to promote and sustain fitness and health. It offers a gentle and easily available way to enjoy movement and breathing using the supportive element of water. Many aqua yoga exercises are classical yoga postures adapted to water. You feel virtually weightless in water, so that stretches that might be difficult on the ground can be accomplished without strain. Aqua yoga is the perfect combination of the benefits that yoga and swimming can bring.

No previous experience of yoga is necessary to benefit from these exercises. Aqua yoga can be practiced by swimmers and non-swimmers alike but to train as an aqua yoga teacher you will need a swimming qualification. Aqua yoga strengthens and tones the body whilst relieving tensions and renewing energy. Aqua yoga makes exercising safer for many people, especially those whose weight problems, injuries, pregnancy, old age etc., as the water helps bear the body, easing wear and tear on the joints.

Benefits of Aqua Yoga

Aqua yoga is beneficial for those with many medical problems, as it is gentle and low impact. Aqua yoga can be safely practiced by people with a wide range of fitness levels and physical abilities.

Joint, muscle, back and other musculoskeletal degeneration

Water provides resistance, and this resistance is used in aqua yoga to help strengthen and develop control. This is very useful in helping with some joint and other musculoskeletal problems. The weightlessness in water especially allows those with back problems to move more easily and comfortably in water. Aqua yoga helps improve flexibility and function, reduce stiffness, and strengthen the muscles around the joints, reducing strain on the joints themselves.

Obesity

Obesity puts added strain on the joints when exercising on land, so the low-impact of exercise in water really helps. Aqua-yoga helps strengthen and tone the body, and relaxes the whole body.

Blood pressure

Being in water reduces blood pressure slightly. Aqua yoga is very beneficial for people suffering from high or erratic blood pressure.

Pregnancy

Aqua yoga for pregnancy gives women the opportunity to enjoy freedom of movement supported in the water environment. Flexibility and mobility are increased and women are able to feel more comfortable while promoting health for mother and baby. Breathing is expanded and the circulation improves. Movements practiced in the last few weeks of pregnancy will encourage the baby into a favorable position for birth.

Ashish Bhattacharya armed with a degree in East Asian Therapies from China, he has worked in a Mauritius Spa Resorts, and is an expert in Health Spa Mauritius.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

Yoga Health News

By Johannes R Fisslinger

Yoga Health Foundation announces Yoga Month 092008, a global awareness campaign to inspire a healthy lifestyle.

Los Angeles, November 05, 2007 – The Yoga Health Foundation, a non-profit organization registered in California, has announced "Yoga Month 092008", a grassroots, community-based global campaign to educate people about the health benefits of yoga and to inspire a healthy lifestyle.

Yoga Month is a year-round campaign and will peak September 2008 with millions of health & socially conscious individuals practicing yoga at thousands of yoga studios, parks and homes around the globe.

The 10 City Yoga Month Tour featuring lectures and concerts will visit yoga-passionate cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, Miami, Austin, Denver and San Diego.

"Yoga has been practiced for the last 5,000 years and transformed into one of the most popular and effective methods to balance body mind, stay flexible, fit and healthy and prevent disease - mainly because it works.", says Johannes R. Fisslinger, president of the Yoga Health Foundation and initiator of the Yoga Month campaign.

Yoga is attracting North American participants in numbers as high as 20 million. A recent Harris poll revealed that more than 100 million North Americans would like to practice Yoga for its health benefits.

With many Hollywood celebrities like Gwenyth Paltrow, Madonna, Russell Simmons, Courtney Cox and Nicholas Cage, Meg Ryan, Ricky Martin practicing yoga and 27 billion spent in yoga-related products even traditional advertisers are paying attention.

The extensive list of current Yoga Month partners include magazines like Fit Yoga, Yoga+ Joyful Living, LA Yoga, Yogi Times, Yoga Journal, Yogamates.com, Whole Life Times, studios like Yogaworks, Exhale, Jiva Mukti, Power Yoga, Dahn Yoga and Bikram Yoga and teachers like Seane Corn, Hala Khouri, Bryan Kest, Nike’s Margo Kellison, Larry Payne, Shiva Rea.

Yoga Month will benefit local community leaders and inspire sustainable healthy lifestyle projects like Yoga for Kids, at-risk-youth, breast health or AIDS prevention.

For more information and for Yoga Studios & Teachers, Community Leaders and Media & Sponsors sign up, please visit www.yogamonth.org.

Find out about the Cost of Poor Health and why Yoga Month 092008 will make a difference in the future of health care.

Contact: Johannes R. Fisslinger Yoga Health Foundation Phone 310 928 6638 www.yogamonth.org

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

More About Yoga Therapy for Increasing Self-Worth

By Paul M. Jerard Jr.

Among the many purposes of mantra, japa, affirmations, or prayer, is to keep the mind under control. When left unattended, the mind can travel to many random thoughts, at the same time. It is guaranteed that an unattended mind cannot be fixed upon positive thoughts all the time. For some of us, the mind is programmed to default to negative thoughts automatically.

This can be a result of past experience, conditioning, heredity, or, possibly, this is an organic problem. In the case of an organic problem, professional help should be sought. Yoga therapy, or Yoga sessions, will still help, but a competent psychiatrist is still needed.

If the source of low self-esteem is in your past, you may be able to address it through self-analysis, meditation, or mindfulness. If it is too much to handle alone, a trusted friend, mentor, Guru, or counselor, may help you bury the past.
Meditation sessions should be spent pondering a positive solution. Meditation time should never be spent on negative thoughts, or rehashing past mistakes. We cannot change the past, and we must realize what parts of our lives can realistically be controlled. There are situations in life, which are far beyond our control, and we have to come to a realization about the limits of our control.

We are responsible for our actions. Therefore, forgiving oneself for past mistakes is a difficult task for most of us. Yet, if we do not forgive ourselves, we prevent our own happiness. Self-worth and happiness must start from within.

We must accept the past, our friends, and our family, as they are. This is the practice of Santosha: To be content with life as it is. We cannot change the past, and we will only frustrate ourselves if we try to change people, but we can change our own thinking process for the best.

Look at mistakes only for their educational value. All of us make mistakes, because we are human, but with every mistake, there is also a hidden opportunity. This is what separates successful people from those who spend their lives dwelling on the past.

How many times have we heard a Yoga teacher say "Be present for practice." or "Live in the moment?" Many Yoga students practice Asana, but how many are really present for their practice? As we roll the Yoga mat up, and go about our lives, we should be present for life. This is a state of "mindfulness" or non-judgmental awareness. If you really want to raise your self-worth, stop judging yourself.

Copyright 2007 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Article Source: http://www.article.e-booksdownload.com

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. He is an author of many books on the subject of Yoga and has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Yoga in Practice - The Organized State of Mind

By Paul M. Jerard Jr.

There are many methods for organizing thoughts, but the oldest of them is the science of life, which we call Yoga. The mind could be easily compared to any other structure or machine. For example: Have you ever tried to work in a messy office or operate a machine which is not maintained? The clutter within, and around it, creates a lack of productivity.

Our state of mind is affected by clutter from within, and, of course, by unorganized surroundings. If you stop to clean, production comes to a halt, but taking the time to clean up an office will result in more productivity. After that, you will need to develop a maintenance system to prevent excessive clutter from getting out of hand, repeatedly.

The mind operates within parallel circumstances, when compared to an office. This is why we should also take the time to practice Yoga and meditate daily. It is true that we will not be producing, while we are practicing Yoga, or meditation, but we are very productive after our session.

Spare time seems like a distant memory to many of us, since the world became computerized. We clearly understand the dog who tries to catch its tail. No matter how hard the dog tries to spin in a circle, the tail is always out of reach.

Yet, time has not really changed at all. Time still runs at the same pace. Taking the time out of your day, for a Yoga session, allows you to organize your mind. You come back to your daily tasks refreshed, renewed, and happy. How can a little Yoga or meditation session have this much impact?

The truth is - any perceived objective must be accomplished in steps. To build a house, you need equipment and it must arrive in the proper sequence. If the roofing shingles arrive first, you cannot build a foundation with them.

This is a major key in life: Do not worry about the whole project, but look only for the solution to solve the next step. In the case of organizing the mind, the first step is to contemplate each solution - one at a time. If you have time, after a Yoga class, make a habit of writing ideas on paper, or enter them on your PC.

The act of writing about a perceived solution will more likely result in taking positive action. Rather than, finding a solution, and then forgetting it. The world's greatest inventions required a person to think, write it down, refine the concept, and take positive action toward the objective.

When the mind is in a state of clutter, all of the great ideas, within, are usually forgotten. The solution is to make a daily Yoga appointment with yourself. If you want to start soon, but cannot attend a regular class, set up a five to twenty minute session, to begin with. Just a short Yoga session, per day, will result in more organized thinking.

Copyright 2007 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Article Source: http://www.article.e-booksdownload.com

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. He is an author of many books on the subject of Yoga and has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Regular Practice of Yoga Exercises

By Roberts Baird

Present-Minded Awareness Breath

The regular practice of yoga teaches us that there is only the present moment, that time is a concept that exists solely in the imagination. The tendency to drift into past memories and future plans takes you away from yourself, making you insensitive to what is going on around you every moment of the day.

Practicing the Present-Minded Awareness Breath will help you learn to stay in the present, so that you can put all of your energy into working toward your goals. By keeping your energies on what you can do in the present, you get on with your life and reduce your worries about the future.

Benefits

Improves focus, concentration, and awareness of the need to stay in the moment

Focus

Practice moving your arms as slowly as you can, until you have the body and breath coordinated. Observe; stay in the moment of simply "being." Bring yourself back into each moment of each day, no matter how trivial your task.

1. Lie on the floor on your back with your arms at your sides, palms facing up, and legs extended, feet slightly apart. Inhaling, raise your arms above your head.

2. Exhaling, bring your arms down to the floor at your sides, while bending your right knee to your chest.

3. Inhaling, raise your arms overhead, palms facing up, while straightening your right leg parallel to the floor.

4. Repeat by slowly raising and lowering each alternate leg 6 times with the corresponding arm movements.

5. Release and then draw your right knee to your chest. Loosely interlock your fingers around your knee.

6. Inhale slowly, and exhale 112 times longer than your inhalation.

7. Repeat for a total of 7 slow breaths, then change legs. Repeat this breath with your left leg drawn into your chest.

8. Release your leg and lie quietly. Enjoy the feeling of being in the moment.

Uncover the truth from hatha yoga for caring you and your family. Also here you will get lots of benefits of yoga and supplements for curing many yoga positions yourself at your home itself.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roberts_Baird

Yoga Stretching Exercises

By David Swanson

No one is nearly as relaxed as we would like to be. Relaxation is not something that is unattainable. When it comes to our bodies, our stress levels and our ability to enjoy life, there are a number of different things that we can do to take control. Yoga stretching exercises are one of the greatest tools we can use to help us lower our stress level so that we are able to calm down. Hundreds of thousands of people across the globe use Yoga stretching exercises for one reason or another. It does not matter whether you are using it as a way to focus and direct your spiritual energy or to simply get yourself grounded before you start your day.

Yoga stretching exercises are low-impact ways to make sure that your whole body is awakened. You will go through a gentle series of prescribed moves that you will perfect and refine every day. In Yoga, there is no competition. The only person whose progress you are supposed to be watching is your own. You will find that with a little bit of work, you will be able to get your morning started with just a few simple moves. One of the best parts about Yoga is that it is infinitely variable. You can perform it as a series of slow, segmented movements, or you can speed it up and keep it consistent in order to get your heart rate up and keep it up.

When you are getting started with your Yoga stretching exercises, remember that just like any exercise, you should start small and build up in intensity. There are some moves that should simply not be tried until you have gone through a series of simpler moves. Luckily, Yoga stretching exercises are cumulative. If you are just getting started, you will build up your practice on a firm foundation of simple moves that will grow in difficulty and complexity. Do not be concerned if you have issues like an old back injury or weak knees; there are a number of different ways to proceed through each movement, and you will find that with a little bit of work, you will be able to find the variation that works for you.

One of the most important benefits of Yoga stretching exercises is that you will learn how to breathe. The breathing you do in Yoga, like everything else, is very deliberate and controlled. You will inhale with some positions, as in the "upward facing dog", and you will exhale with other positions, like cat. When you learn to breathe appropriately in situations like this, you will find that your breathing in general becomes more controlled and that you will find yourself with a great deal more energy.

If you are looking for a way to feel more energized and add more pep to your life, you may very well be able to do so with Yoga stretching exercises. Open your mind up to the idea that this ancient art can help you in a very modern context. To learn more about Yoga stretching exercises, visit yoga stretching exercises.

Find the latest information on Benefits of Yoga as well as Yoga Moves

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Swanson

Teaching Hatha Yoga - Reaching Happiness and Good Health From Within

By Paul Jerard

When training Yoga teachers about the specific needs of students, there are many discussions, which occur. One point to become aware of is the reason why a given student continues to come to your classes.

When a student walks into class for the first time, there is a logical reason for it. It may be stress, excess weight, depression, or perhaps, their physician told them to go to a Yoga class; but there is always a need that is the driving force, behind the action, which causes their arrival.

Beyond this, there is also a common thread which all people desire. Everyone wants happiness. Most people look outside their mind and body for happiness, joy, and contentment.

Maybe a new car, a shallow relationship, or the latest high technology gadget, will buy some temporary gratification. We know that money can buy many things, and it can buy temporary happiness. Yet, this is much like drug abuse, as it requires more money to be temporarily happy, and the effects do not last as long after each acquisition.

True happiness comes from peace of mind and the gratification which real friendships can give. Gratification can come from many directions. Helping people who really need your assistance (Karma Yoga) is very rewarding.
The drive to give to others, or to volunteer your services, has to come from within for happiness to be the end result. For example: If I do my neighbor's landscaping, when he or she is ill - gratification occurs, because I want to do it.

On the other hand, if my neighbor shames me into doing his or her landscaping, because of his or her bad health, and I really do not want to, there is no gratification and no happiness. In fact, maybe the second scenario could become a weekly trap of obligation. One might say it is a form of Karma Yoga (selfless service), but there is no joy in it.

In life, there are many obligations, but we have to accept them as they are, and make the most of it. However, the quest for happiness will take place when we purposely make it our objective. Seeing the value of your own intelligence, your family, your friends, and appreciating your good health, will bring you true happiness.

Many of us have the ability to choose to be happy. It is as simple as continually saying, "I am happy." If you say this to yourself often enough, and smile, it is contagious. Happiness starts within you, improves your health, and makes you strong enough to help others. In turn, you are changing the world for the best, one relationship at a time.

It does not matter what form of Yoga you teach, because all forms of Yoga were designed to end suffering, and bring bliss to each practitioner.

© Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Jerard

Yoga Therapy - Benefits of Yoga Therapy For Health

By Richard Bean

The most important benefit of yoga is physical and mental therapy. The aging process, which is largely an artificial condition, caused mainly by autointoxication or self-poisoning, can be slowed down by practicing yoga. By keeping the body clean, flexible and well lubricated, we can significantly reduce the catabolic process of cell deterioration. To get the maximum benefits of yoga one has to combine the practices of yogasanas, pranayama and meditation.

Yoga can help slow down the aging process. Wonder what the secret to looking young is as you look at famous celebrities like Goldie Hawn, Madonna and Sting, it isn’t plastic surgery it is yoga. The aging process is a brought on by autointoxication of our minds and bodies. Get started with yoga to help keep your body clean and improve your flexibility which will keep your joints lubricated and this will slow the catabolic process which is the deterioration of the cells. While yoga will not reverse the aging process it will slow it down.

Practicing yoga on a regular basis can help alleviate the symptoms of diabetes, high blood pressure, and digestive disorders, arthritis, chronic fatigue, asthma and heart conditions to name a few. This has been scientifically proven with laboratory tests showing that yogis (people that practice yoga) have an increased ability to consciously control their body’s involuntary functions such as their body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure. Yoga is very helpful in alleviating pain, especially for people suffering with Sciatica, but it is helpful to know the cause of the problem. Very often the cause of Sciatica is a herniated disc, but this is just one of many conditions, which can cause Sciatica. Spinal stenosis, piriformis syndrome, nerve root compression, tumors, and bone spurs can also be another cause.

The physiological benefits of yoga include:

* pulse rate

* respiratory and blood pressure dysfunctions

* it can contribute to stabilizing the nervous system

* normalizing gastrointestinal functions and endocrine (hormonal) function

* increasing the joint's range of motion

Regular practice of yoga for about 20 minutes a day can yield long lasting benefits. Beauty fitness is possible with yoga - a flexible and agile body. You can rid yourself of abdominal fat and obesity. Eating disorders can also be tackled with suitable Yoga practices. Yoga is not a religion but a simple yet powerful practice that has answers to many modern-days ills. Our section on Yoga will capture some of the essential features of this ancient system. The articles will carry informative capsules on the benefits of yoga and some of the better-known asanas. We will also understand the various yogic systems such as hatha yoga, ashtanga yoga and kundalini yoga.“Yoga therapy” utilizes yoga techniques and adapts them to specific musculoskeletal injuries. This way, an individual program is created to maximally benefit each patient’s rehab goal.

Yoga provides physical benefits as well - stretching and strengthening the major muscle groups as well as the deeper postural muscles. Flexibility, joint and spinal mobility, proper functioning of internal organs and overall health can all be improved with continued practice. Yoga is an ideal alternative pain management strategy because this mobility helps to alleviate the tension that can cause chronic pain. Trauma treatment centers often find yoga to be very beneficial because of its benefits in chronic pain, as this pain is sometimes caused by trauma. This practice of yoga is one of the most effective alternative pain management strategies available.

About the author: Read out Yoga. Also check out for punk hairstyles and pregnancy tips

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Types of Yoga

By Juliet Cohen

Yoga is more than a physical discipline of keeping fit. It's an ancient concept, and has a lot to do with the philosophical and the spiritual. Various types of yoga are being taught and practiced in today’s world and it is very important to choose the correct type of yoga. Each type has its own philosophies and practices. Some styles of yoga are meditative and focused on spiritual centeredness. Other styles of yoga are more physical and based on poses or exercises. Yogas that are more physical are called Asanas. Hatha yoga is a popular type; it focuses on breathing control. Mantra yoga focuses on chanting and can be a very spiritual practice. Power yoga is great for building stamina and strength. At any rate they all seem to provide similar benefits for your mind and body.

The varieties of poses flow one into another, always breathing through the nose. Kundalini yoga aims to awaken the potential energies at the base of the spine (Symbolised as a coiled snake) and direct this energy upwards through the spine and the Chakras thus bringing about increasing degrees of enlightenment. Bikram Yoga is the method of yoga that is a comprehensive workout that includes all the components of fitness: muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular flexibility and weight loss. Ashtanga, or power yoga, is designed to build strength and endurance. It is an aggressive workout where you move quickly from one pose to another. Ashtanga is for you if you're looking for a tough, physically challenging workout.

Mantra Yoga involves the practice of chanting words or phrases repeatedly either aloud or internally thus influencing the consciousness. Jnana yoga is another popular type of yoga. This type of yoga generally emphasizes on mind in order to discern the mind. The main goal of Jnana yoga is to make an effort eternally to know, to understand and to explore more and more knowledge. Kriya Yoga is a very systemised form of yoga from the Tantras. Kriya yoga increases concentration and leads to meditation and ultimately to enlightenment but this is done more through awareness than pure concentration. Iyengar yoga is best type of yoga for beginners and for those who have not exercised at all. One can even use pillows and chairs to balance in case of lack of flexibility and if one is suffering from joint or back problems.

About the author: Juliet Cohen writes articles for fitness tips and weight loss tips. She also writes articles on home remedies.

Article Source: http://www.free-articles-zone.com/

Basic Yoga Sessions - What To Expect?

By Sara Valencourt

Attending a yoga class for your first time can be a scary experience. It can seem a bit intimidating with all of the unusual yoga poses and the unknown yoga exercise apparatus. Despite all the near impossible yoga positions, keep in mind why you first became interested in taking yoga. It has become a favorable and accessible practice that allows even the most inexperienced student to enjoy more flexibility and strength without all of the extreme motion that is well-known in other forms of exercise.

A usual basic yoga session consists of a short introduction to your fellow students who may also be acknowledging fears as to why they came. Do not get discouraged. With the assistance of your yoga teacher you will be gently and slowly be guided through each of the yoga poses (asanas). The duty of a yoga teacher is to guide you to get the best of a yoga pose both internally and physically. In a basic yoga session, the yoga poses that you go through will teach you about self awareness through a guided meditation.

To get the most of your yoga practice, it is best to find an intuitive yoga instructor. If the instructor does not ask the students if you have any injuries or accidents, leave immediately. This is an example of a careless teacher.

You have many options available to you if you decide to take your first basic yoga session. Local gyms and community centers are an excellent place to start as many of them offer yoga classes. Since yoga has become obtainable to everyone from the youngest child to the seniors you are sure to find a class that will suit your schedule and level of experience. Keep in mind that yoga is not competitive. The basic yoga session is about being open to your mind, body and spirit. Yoga will help you develop a better knowledge with yourself and your surroundings.

About the author: Sara Valencourt is making its mark on the internet. She is a regular contributor of essays related to yoga at YogaHub.com. Want to find out more information? Visit http://www.yogahub.com.

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Yoga Stories - God's Love Channeled Through Me

By Devidas Varga

I was in a Yoga retreat during an evening program and was watching the evening program remotely with a small crowd of people as the main hall had overflowed. We were standing, watching and listening to the video monitor.
I became aware of a young girl a parked few feet from me, about seven years of age that appeared to be permanently confined to a wheelchair. Her legs were atrophied and she was on oxygen support.

I was half watching the monitor, and half aware of her when a group of kids her age came running around the corner, almost bumping into her as they passed her and disappeared into another room. They did not even look at her. I switched my attention to her and could tell from her face what she was feeling.
She wanted to be able to play but she knew she would never be able to and I knew that she might not have many friends. Her mother obviously loved her, but she needed more than that. I looked at her and could see her eyes were very full of sadness.

My state suddenly changed. It was like a window that opened and I saw into her heart and I sunk into my heart and the only thing that I was aware of was her. Her sadness was my sadness. Her yearning was my yearning.

My heart was so full of love for her that I felt that I could even sense how her body felt to her, as she sat strapped to her wheelchair.

With this compassion blazing in me and while looking at her from the side, she became aware of me and all this energy coming her way. She swung her head towards me, but did not directly look at me, she looked just to my side.

That is how we looked at each other for a while. Me looking into her eyes, she looking just to the side of me. Her eyes were beautiful, clear, and full of feeling.
This drama happened in a small crowd of people, only her and I knew what was going on, even her mother right next to her was not aware.

For that brief period of time I did not exist, all there was, was love. I loved her fiercely, like a father, a mother, a protector, a best friend. For that brief period of time, God’s love channeled through me.

Devidas Varga is a yoga enthusiast and publisher of TakeTimeYoga.com, which is all about how to begin yoga. He has maintained a practice of yoga and meditation for 30 years, living in Ashrams in India and the United States for a decade. He has immersed himself in many styles and promotes the life affirming effects yoga offers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Devidas_Varga

Universal Principles of Yoga: The Law of Karma

By Paul Jerard

Karma Yogis exist in all cultures, religions, and races. In the twentieth century, we had Mohandas Gandhi, Anwar Sadat, and Martin Luther King, Jr,. as famous examples of Karma Yogis. Each man practiced a different religion. Karma Yoga has many principles, which are interchangeable with any religion. Many people think of karma as fate; but karma is action, not fate. Karma is also known as, "The law of cause and effect."

We are responsible for our actions in this life and beyond. In contemporary terms we say, "What goes around; comes around." Does this seem like a law that is specific to a certain religion?

Some would say, "Yes," but this is a universal Yogic principle within all religions. There is no religion which has exclusive rights to the law of karma, but all religions address karma, in principle, even though the word, "karma," may not be mentioned. Giving to those in need, without seeking a reward, creates good karma.

Karma Yogis exist in all cultures, religions, and races. In the twentieth century, we had Mohandas Gandhi, Anwar Sadat, and Martin Luther King, Jr,. as famous examples of Karma Yogis. Each man practiced a different religion.

In the words of Mohandas Ghandi: "Gentleness, self-sacrifice, and generosity are the exclusive possession of no one race or religion."

Throughout time, inspirational religious leaders have referred to self-sacrifice, charity, and generosity, which create good karma. The following are a few timeless quotes to ponder:

Jesus said, "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth; they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand, know what your right hand is doing. So that you're giving, may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Mohammed said, "God does not judge you according to your bodies and appearances, but He looks into your hearts and observes your deeds." He also said, "Charity does not diminish wealth."

Buddha said, "If you knew what I know about the power of giving, you would not let a single meal pass without sharing it in some way."

Selfless Service, which we know as Karma Yoga can be practiced by anyone. It does not matter, which religion you practice; that is entirely your own prerogative.

You do not have to be materially rich in order to help people. You do not have to be a religious leader, famous person, politician, messiah, prophet, or Yoga teacher to practice Karma Yoga, but each of us can easily start by practicing acts of kindness toward everyone. Let go of demands, anger, swearing, intolerance, and "road rage."

Help your family, friends, co-workers, and anyone who is in need. It is as simple as listening, helping, giving a card, showing a gesture, or telling your family that you love them.

Karma Yoga is about helping others and forgetting about our own desires. A Karma Yogi will find peace of mind by abandoning anger, jealousy, envy, and hate.

Regardless of our religious beliefs, if all of us practiced Karma Yoga, we would finally attain world peace.

Copyright 2007 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Article Source: http://www.searchfreearticles.com/

About the Author: Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Yoga Secrets To Improving The Mind And Body

By Chris

Learn more about why yoga can have such a benefit on the mind body and spirit. Discover the aspects to the many different types of yoga Before you begin to learn yoga you must first decide what you are hoping to learn from yoga. The simple fact is yoga can provide many benefits on the body and mind.

If fitness is the sole aim of why you wish to practice yoga then you will leave your mind closed of to the benefits that it can have on you mentally. If you decide to perform yoga for the sole reason of gaining spiritual enlightenment and the positive effects it can have on you mentally then the fitness aspect may not be exploited to its full potential.

What I would recommend and believe everyone who is interested in taking up this practice is to enter it with an open mind. Learn the basics to yoga first and then as you become more adapt to the postures, poses and mental side that it teaches then and only then will you begin to expand and reap the full benefits of yoga.

Many practitioners of yoga often talk about it uniting the mind, body and spirit through the practice of yoga exercises. I am not saying this is a false statement as I do belive that it can reap those benefits, but many people who enter into yoga for the first time have a perception that they will gain this enlightenment and benefits instantly.

Where as the truth is that it takes many years of practice and dedication to reach these levels. When you start performing yoga for the first time you will begin to notice a difference, but it is essential that you take it a small step at a time. There is a reason that yoga is the oldest existing (what I like to call) mind and body system around, this is due to the fact that it helps to aid in providing a great level fitness, has known health benefits and can help in improving a persons mental state.

One of the main reasons why yoga has such a huge benefit on the body is because it stretches the muscles therefore when you perform a yoga workout it would have a similar effect of a massage which will ensure that the ideal blood supply can be reached by every organ.

The beauty of yoga is that there are many different forms which gives everyone the chance to find what one suits them best. Don't just set your mind on one type of yoga, try out a few different routines, see which one suits you best.

Different forms of yoga can effect different people in many different ways. So make sure to find out which type will provide the maximum benefit on your mind and body. Yoga can be a very strenuous exercise so make sure that you do not push yourself to much when you start of. This can result in an injury. So take your time to build yourself up and when you feel extremely comfortable then begin to push yourself more.

Below are a list of the most common yoga practices

Ashtanga (Also known as power yoga) - Perfect for the person who wants a very hard workout session. It concentrate less on meditation and more on tough physical exercise.

Iyengar - This is a classical form of yoga and is seen as the best starting block for beginners. Many props are used in this yoga style.

Bikram - Must be carried out in a room that is over 38C or higher. There are 26 postures that are carried out in a specific order.

Hatha - Very chilled out form of yoga which focuses on poses that flow from to another at a very easy pace.

Kundlini - Includes mantras, visualizations, guided relaxation and meditations.

Kripalu - A flowing and meditation orientated. There are 3 stages and the person will perform from stage one to stage three.

Sivananda - This type of yoga consists of a series of 12 poses

Viniyoga - This form helps to develop strength balance and healing. This is probably the most ideal form of yoga for elders, beginners and people with muscle injuries

Raja-yoga - This is aimed at people who are capable of intense concentration

Bhakti-yoga - Helps a person to gain focus on self surrender when in the face of the divine

Mantra-yoga - This is a meditation like yoga which focuses on the verbal repetition or can be mental to empowering sounds such as (om and ram)

The top five are the most commons forms of yoga. Remember if you do decide to try yoga out, take your time, do not push yourself to hard at first, enter into it with an open mind and find out what type of yoga suits you best.

Article Source: http://www.searchfreearticles.com/

About the Author: Get your hands on five free yoga lessons that will to teach you new yoga postures and more about the yoga exercise, go now to http://www.yogaexercisesportal.com/. If your interested in finding out more about meditation then visit http://meditation.yogaexercisesportal.com/meditationarticles.html

Yoga Positions - A Few Tips

By Rebecca

Use the tips to get the best out of your yoga positions. Whilst we need to practice, a little knowledge can go a long way. Yoga positions and the practice of yoga can be beneficial to your mind, your muscles, and even internal functions like your digestive system. With so many benefits, it is no wonder that yoga's popularity is on the rise. Before you take it up, though, it is a good idea to have in mind the right information to help you succeed and get the most out of the experience. Take these yoga tips into account as you begin your physical, mental, and spiritual journey.

Practice Makes Perfect

Practice your positions often. Yoga offers many benefits to your mind, body, and spirit, and these benefits may be maximized with regular practice on your own in addition to your classes and with your teacher. As a beginner, it is especially important that you practice so that you may see and feel the benefits early on. With yoga, the frequency with which you work on your positions is as important if not more so than the length of the practice sessions. Try to find a few minutes each day to do a little bit of yoga.

Make sure that you practice your poses correctly. Most anything you read, watch, or listen to about yoga will tell you to practice often, but one of the yoga tips that sometimes get skipped is that you must practice right. Make sure that each practice session extends you. Do not practice only your best poses, but also work on poses you struggle with as well. Such a practice will be more productive and give you the feeling of self-assurance that you seek with yoga.

Maximizing Your Potential

One of the more important tips for beginners is to let go of your ego. In order to fully maximize your yoga experience, you must forget about such things as impressing your teacher and classmates. One of the central ideas of yoga is self-study. To fully study yourself, you must try not to compare yourself to the teacher or other students, but instead, you should strive to maximize your own learning and improvement during each class and practice session.

Finding Yourself

During practice, remember what is important. The depths of your poses are not nearly as important as how deep you delve into yourself. In yoga, you learn about your inner attention. Be sure to use that attention when practicing and when with your instructor to get the most out of your poses even if you cannot get deeply into them physically.

Finding the Right Teacher

No number of yoga positioning tips can compete with having the right teacher. When selecting a yoga teacher, make sure you find someone with whom you feel comfortable. Your instructor should have good knowledge and work through compassion and respect for you as a person. No matter how many books you read or tapes you watch, you will never get the feedback and encouragement that you will with the right teacher.

As a beginner in yoga, there are undoubtedly times that you feel a bit lost. That is okay. Hopefully, though, with these tips you will have an idea of what you need to do to feel more successful in your yoga experience. Yoga is not a religion, but in some ways it does become a way of life, and by following these tip you can start your journey toward that way of life on the right foot.

Article Source: http://www.searchfreearticles.com/

About the Author: If you'd like to learn about 6 beginner asanas, click here: http://www.yogatohealth.com/6_Beginner_Asanas.html Or if you're pregnant, check out these prenatal yoga exercises: http://www.yogatohealth.com/What_Prenatal_Yoga_Exercises_and_Poses_Are_The_Best.html

The Purpose of Yoga: Success and the Law of Karma

By Paul Jerard

We cannot help the poor much, if we are also poor. You can perform selfless service (Karma Yoga), no matter how much money you have; but you cannot contribute food to the poor, if you are waiting in line at a soup kitchen. Some Gurus, and Master Yoga, teachers do not embrace the concept of Yogic principles being used for success, self-improvement, and for acquiring abundance. After all, many people have misused power, and abundance, ever since primal man could stand up on two feet.

Lord Acton's words ring true very often, when he said, "Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely." Many times, throughout history, famous people have fallen prey to power, which they thought they could handle, but learned that temptation was more powerful than their code of ethics.

Yet, we cannot help the poor much, if we are also poor. You can perform selfless service (Karma Yoga), no matter how much money you have; but you cannot contribute food to the poor, if you are waiting in line at a soup kitchen.

Therefore, if you have a plan for success, you should also have a plan to help those in need. The ancient Yogis completely understood the difference between wanting and envisioning. They also understood the pitfalls of each.

Children "want," and so do "big children," in adult bodies. They want without vision and take no action. Adults who take no action have mottos such as: "Why me?" "Why is life so unfair?" and "If life was fair, I would be rich."

Whatever fortune falls into the lap of a person who wants, it is taken for granted and quickly squandered. The saying, "Easy come, easy go," can become a lifestyle.

Envisioning is completely different from wanting. Envisioning allows a person to take a concerted effort toward a goal and achieve it. When a Yoga practitioner envisions something, it will often "come to pass," because he or she took action, in the form of small steps, to make a thought become reality.

It is interesting, when the world, outside India, is "hooked" on Hatha Yoga (Union by Physical Mastery). Yet, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Raja Yoga, are considered more advanced forms because they enhance mental and spiritual health. You see, the real power is in the mental and spiritual forms of Yoga.

Luckily, most people age, and mellow a bit, before discovering the true powers of envisioning and action. However, integrity ethics, and character, are often in short supply, when someone becomes "instantly rich."

How often do we read about sports, and movie celebrities, who cannot handle their instant fame or material wealth? This is why the Law of Karma, and practicing Karma Yoga, are so important. Design a plan to give, help, and forgive, whenever you envision success.

Copyright 2007 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Article Source: http://www.searchfreearticles.com/

About the Author: Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Yoga for Health: Are You Stressing Out? Take a Yoga Class

By Paul Jerard

You could call Yoga the "mother" of all health maintenance systems. Many of today's health maintenance systems are "off shoots" of Yoga. Stress is actually the number one killer of humans on the planet. Stress is a factor and cause of more physical and mental diseases than most of us can imagine. If you have any disease or ailment, stress will make it worse. If you are getting "stressed out," it may bring on an ailment or disease.

Just look at what stress does to your blood pressure and heart. Cancer patients recover better when they are dealing with less stress. There are many reasons to worry, and none of us is without worry or stress. Too much stress can also cause an abrupt withdrawal from society and result in a possible depression.

Stress overload can cause job burn out, chronic fatigue, and nervous breakdowns. All of these conditions can result in long-term effects that can "sap" a person's life energy, focus, and motivation.

Unfortunately, stress can also be caused by the ego, too much attachment to outcome, greed, jealousy, and hate. This is mentioned within the Yoga Sutras, by Patanjali, which has remained a timeless guide to human insight. Sometimes, we create our own stress and are our own worst enemies.

So, what's the solution? Stress management programs are one answer. Have you ever noticed how many stress management techniques look like Yoga? To be honest, if something looks and sounds like Yoga; it's probably "Yoga in disguise."

I do not want to take away any credit, but Yoga is a 5,000 year old health maintenance system. You could call Yoga the "mother" of all health maintenance systems. Many of today's health maintenance systems are "off shoots" of Yoga.

Hatha Yoga teaches you to stretch and strengthen your tense muscles, breathe correctly, relax, meditate and much more. Regular Yoga practice will help you develop your focus and turn stress "on its head." As a result of Yoga practice, you will easily be able to handle life's daily stress.

Whether the form of Yoga you practice is holding postures for a while, or flowing from one posture to the next, your body will be relieved of stress. Hatha Yoga sub-styles such as, Restorative Yoga and Iyengar Yoga, hold the Yoga Postures a bit longer than most.

The controlled breathing, practiced while holding a posture, enables the Yoga student to release stress, and walk away from a Yoga class feeling better than he or she did before the start of the class.

On the other hand, Hatha Yoga sub-styles that flow such as, Vinyasa Yoga, Power Yoga, and Ashtanga Yoga, have more movement, but the repetition of movement will also release stress from your body.

So, which is the best style for you? Most Yoga studios and wellness centers realize that students do not all "dance to the same beat."

These movement-based Yoga classes differ from a gentle Restorative Yoga style. Each Yoga style has its own flavor, but a prospective student should talk to a Yoga teacher prior to the particular class. This is the wisest course of action, when considering your own goals.

Yoga is not a complete cure for stress, but it does cause the opposite effects of stress. Most Yoga students do find themselves living a calmer, more relaxed, and healthier life style as a result of practicing Yoga on and off the mat. This is why so many doctors recommend Yoga to their patients.

Copyright 2007 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Article Source: http://www.searchfreearticles.com/

About the Author: Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Yoga for Beginners: The First Step of Yoga Practice

By Paul M.

Maybe your doctor, chiropractor, physical therapist, or best friend told you Yoga would be good for you. You have heard so much about Yoga; it seems that Yoga is a "cure" for almost anything. The more you hear, the more confusing it is to understand what Yoga is all about.

Should you go out and buy a Yoga book? What would be the best Yoga book to buy? If you visit the local book store, you see hundreds of Yoga books, CD's, DVD's, card decks, and kits. Should you buy a copy of the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali or buy one of the "for dummies" Yoga books?

Below is an overview of Yoga, which may help you decide your path of Yogic study. There is no right or wrong path of Yoga study, but be selective when you choose a Yoga teacher, Yoga book, or Yoga class.

You should first realize that there are many styles of Yoga. There are nine major styles of Yoga; many more styles exist, as well as many sub-styles. The nine major styles of Yoga are Bhakti, Hatha, Jnana, Karma, Kundalini, Mantra, Raja, Tantra, and Yantra Yoga. Each style emphasizes unity of body, mind, and spirit.

The literal meaning of Yoga is "union" or "unity." If we can unify the body, mind, and spirit in harmony, we can achieve tranquility. One of the main purposes of Yoga is tranquility through improved health due to a holistic approach to life.

India is the birth place of Yoga. There are many written works about Yoga, but the origin of Yoga dates back thousands of years. Yoga is the "mother" of most of the world's health maintenance systems. Asian martial arts, with an origin from the Shaolin temple, and Pilates, can trace their ancestry back to Yoga.

The "higher forms of Yoga" are said to be Bhakti, Jnana, Karma, and Raja Yoga. Each of these four styles is a complex subject, within themselves, and I cannot do them justice by a summarization.

Hatha Yoga sub-styles are the most prolific outside of India. Most new Yoga practitioners will learn a Hatha Yoga sub-style first. Hatha Yoga, and its many sub-styles, primarily emphasize physical health, which will likely result in improved mental health. Most Hatha Yoga classes, outside of India, do not approach spiritual health.

Nevertheless, Hatha Yoga is seen by fundamentalists as an "export of Hinduism." In some rare instances, this may be true, but most Hatha Yoga teachers are content to teach improved health for body and mind.

Therefore, when you choose a book, or local Yoga teacher, be aware that the Yoga teacher or Guru is a guide - but you have a right to know which direction you are being guided to. The Yoga practitioner learns to expand his or her mind and make independent decisions "along the way."

Yoga is non-threatening to religion. If a Yoga instructor teaches intolerance, of any kind, that is not Yoga. Unity is not sectarianism. We have to learn to appreciate diversity, and we should never tolerate prejudice. Prejudice and intolerance are often the cause of crime and wars.

On the "Grand Scale," the goals of Yoga are the end of suffering, tranquility, and world peace through unity.

Copyright 2007 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Article Source: http://www.searchfreearticles.com/ About the Author: Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. http://www.riyoga.com

Yoga tips for irregular shift workers

By Arun Goel

Several professionals have a very demanding routine in terms of night shifts. Due to the altered 'body clocks' they end up suffering from several health disorders.

Such kinds of jobs are on the rise with a continuous emphasis on increasing productivity and lowering costs. Most common examples are call center workers, specially those that are serving clients half-way across the globe.

The two most common disorders related to this are Sleeplessness and Constipation

Sleeplessness or Insomnia

This is one of the most common complaints and not surprisingly so. Sleeping during the day is difficult and the general noise and distraction level is high.
It is well known that continuous use of sleeping pills may be detrimental to health. Also, the body develops a progressive resistance to them. Therefore, they should be avoided.

A yoga technique that can be of very great use is the technique of 'Yoga Nidra' or psychic sleep. When practiced correctly, this method produces such deep relaxation that one hour of yoga nidra is equivalent to 4 hours of deep sleep.
This technique can be learned from a yoga teacher or even from a book or tape. To read more on yoga nidra, click here.

Constipation

Although this is a universal problem, it is more common among shift workers.
After midnight, the automatic regulation of metabolic processes has an effect of slowing down the heart rate and the blood circulation. In a person on night-shift, as he sits upright, the blood accumulates around the pelvis, lower abdomen and legs. This causes the blood vessels around the colon to dilate, thereby constricting the passage and resulting in constipation. Prolonged effect of this condition can result in piles.

The yoga solution for this problem is a position called 'Sarvangasana'. This is an inverted position in which the legs are slowly raised up while lying down. In the final position, only the head and neck rests on the floor while the entire torso and legs lie vertical to the ground in the inverted position.

This position helps the accumulated blood in the lower abdomen and legs to move towards the lungs. This helps in the oxygenation of impure blood and the normalization of the colon.

Five minutes of Sarvangasana should be sufficient to counteract the problem of blood stagnation in the lower part o the body.

This is an example of how yoga, as a therapeutic system, can help in relieving several health disorders. If you feel inspired by this article, feel free to publish it in your Newsletter or on your Website. Our humble request is to please include the Resource Box as follows:

Courtesy: http://www.healthandyoga.com/ A popular website that helps you find natural solutions for complete health and detoxification. Discover health and beauty…. Naturally!!