Yoga Teacher Training - Explaining Attachment to Outcome

By Paul Jerard

What is the method used by veteran Yoga instructors to reach their highest potential? Some teachers joke about it by saying, "Practice, practice, study, and practice again." While this is partially true, there is also a step-by-step process to reaching your full potential as a Yoga teacher; but some people claim we should never be attached to outcome. Otherwise, we will never reach the highest states of meditative absorption (Samadhi). Let's be honest: If you were never attached to outcome, what contribution would you make to your family, friends, co-workers, the world around you, or this life?

To some degree, everyone is attached to an outcome. Every enlightened soul, saint, and prophet, was attached to outcome. Every noble cause is fueled by an objective outcome. Karma Yoga (selfless service) is influenced by attachment to outcome. Everyone is attached to outcome, when performing Karma Yoga. Why else would they do it? For example: Mahatma Gandhi must have been attached to an outcome, which was India's independence. He was one of the most enlightened souls of the 20th century.

Let's get a reality check. If we do nothing, we will accomplish nothing, and if we find a state of meditative absorption, with this kind of a mindset, we are guaranteed to do nothing with it. What a shame it would be if every enlightened soul, saint, and prophet, throughout history, worried about being attached to outcome. Can you imagine if every inventor, explorer, and statesman, in our history, refused to take action, because he or she might be too attached to an outcome? Nobody would ever take action to prepare for anything and we might not exist.

The first person to say the words, "Detach oneself from outcome," had an intention, took action, and was attached to the outcome of saying those words. This is a pure paradox. In fact, this is a complete misinterpretation of the concept of non-attachment.

So, what should we be detached from? Anything which causes emotions, such as: Greed, lust, and envy, should be a consideration. Attachment to worldly possessions, and relationships, should be moderate. When objects and relationships become an unhealthy obsession, or a compulsive preoccupation, immoral or criminal behavior becomes possible. Detachment is noble, and it prevents crime, but we cannot be detached from everything.

Therefore, you can live a spiritual life, help others, show loving kindness, and forgive, without fear of being attached to the outcome. Once again, moderation is a key element in Yoga practice.

© 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

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Confirming The Grand Claims About Yoga

By Sheryl Walters

Everyone seems to be raving about yoga. From celebrities such as sting, to office workers, councilors, and housewives, yoga is one of the most popular forms of exercise as well as way to relax and de-stress.

So why are so many people claiming that yoga has helped them chill out like no other form of exercise? For thousands of years, people have used yoga as a path towards ultimate health and wellbeing.

A recent scientific study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine has validated the benefits that people have been talking about for years.

Nineteen individuals were assigned to either an hour yoga session of postures and conscious breathing, or a 1 hour reading session. It was important to the creators of the study to compare two activities that have been known to be calming and pleasurable in order to ascertain the true power of yoga. Most people have used reading at some point in their lives as a way of relaxing.

The level of GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) was tested before and after the session. All subjects were then assessed for brain levels of GABA both before and after the session. GABA is a brain chemical that has a generally calming, anti-anxiety effect within the brain.

Individuals who completed the yoga session had a 27 percent increase in GABA levels on average. However, those who read saw no change in the levels of this brain chemical.

This scientific study reinforces what Yogis, celebrities and your average Joe have been raving about all these years.

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Become a Certified Yoga Instructor - Training Options

By Paul Jerard

Alyssa began dealing with chronic back problems after the birth of her daughter. Her pain was so intense, she was unable to embark on a post-baby weight loss program as she'd planned.

Subsequently, she was unable to return to her pre-pregnancy weight. Within months, Alyssa had gained five more pounds. More weight put more stress on her back. Her worsening back problems prevented her from exercising. Alyssa began to feel depressed and anxious. In desperation, she visited a chiropractor who began treatments to alleviate her pain. He also suggested that Alyssa would benefit from doing regular yoga.

To her delight, Alyssa's health improved dramatically after she began yoga classes. Not only did her physical symptoms diminish, her mental health experienced a tremendous boost. Within a year, Alyssa had not only returned to her normal weight, her back pain was gone.

Alyssa was excited about the changes in her life brought about by yoga. So much so that she began to contemplate becoming a certified yoga instructor. Before having her daughter, Alyssa had felt that her current career had reached a dead end.

After returning from maternity leave, she felt more than ever that a change was in order. She had gained so much from her yoga classes that she wanted to share that experience with others. However, since she'd only been back at work a few months, Alyssa knew that taking time off to take a yoga instructor's course would be impossible. But unwilling to give up on her new dream, she began to investigate alternative plans.

She soon discovered that she could become a certified yoga instructor through a home-study course. Though studying yoga at home sounded unusual at first, she knew that was her only alternative. She wondered if she would be able to get the same quality of instruction in a home study as she would in a classroom. She worried that not having a live teacher to demonstrate things like the yoga positions would make it harder to learn the material.

However, Alyssa was still determined not to give up on her dream. So she began comparing home study courses for yoga instructors. She realized that there were more home study training options than she had expected. In fact, the number of courses available was almost overwhelming. How would she choose the right one? She asked herself what was most important to her in an instructor training course. Once she developed her criteria, she hoped it would be easier to narrow down her choices. Alyssa looked for qualities such as:

* Comprehensive written material that is easy to understand. It should include the principles of yoga, as well as anatomy and kinesiology training.

* DVDs with clear, simple to follow demonstrations of positions and techniques.

* Information on how to teach yoga, not just how to do yoga.

* Affordability. Having a baby meant more expenses than ever before, and her money had to stretch as far as possible.

* Flexibility in completing assignments. With a new baby and a job, she would need it!
She knew that it was important to find a program with access to an instructor. After all, there would be times when she would need to clarify things that she didn't understand. She also knew that having an instructor would help motivate her to complete the course. She was baffled to find that many home study courses did not include access to an instructor at all. Others offered only limited access. Feeling that support was critical to her success, Alyssa decided she wouldn't settle on a course unless it offered unhindered access to an instructor.

Her determination paid off. She was able to find a distance learning course that met all of her criteria. In fact, it offered more than she'd been seeking. The home study course that she settled on covered business training, something that most others she'd looked into did not. Not only would Alyssa become a certified yoga instructor, she would have the ability to run her own yoga business.

One year later, Alyssa had quit her old job and was teaching yoga at a local fitness center. She was working closer to home and able to spend more time with her daughter. Instead of coming home from work tired and stressed out, Alyssa came home calm and relaxed. Her new job was better than she'd ever dreamed. Plus, she knew she was a better mother because of it. She even hoped to start her own fitness business one day. Grateful that she had been choosy when searching for a home study course, she knew she had made the right decision in becoming a certified yoga instructor.

© 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

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Yoga - Meditations Treats Overweight Well

By Praveen Rao

How to keep our body fit 'n fine? It's a question which is asked from 50% of the total human beings surviving on earth. Doctors and physicians tries their best to satisfy peoples but then also several queries remain stuck. Now days people all around the world again accepting the old age trends and their style of living, eating etc.

Yoga, a real gift of nature to cure obesity and overweight without spending any penny from your pocket. If we talk about history it's a witness for the successful story of meditation and yoga. So let me explain the meaning first before I proceed. "Yoga" originates from the Sanskrit verb yuj, to yoke or unite. It focuses on harmony between mind and body. Yoga derives its philosophy from Indian metaphysical beliefs. Though the exact origins of Yoga are unknown but Yoga is considered to be the oldest physical discipline in existence. Some people think it's a way of diverting and fully concentrate our minds in the worship of god.

Yoga uses various processes to achieve healthy, lively and balanced approach to life and some of them are mentioned below:

-> Meditation
-> Breath
-> Posture
-> Movement
-> Relaxation

Progress in Yoga depends upon how much effort we are prepared to put into, what our thoughts are on the subject and what our ambitions are. Thus, by necessity Yoga is highly practical. Yoga is not academic and I like that. You can become a Yogi simply reading a book or this website. So be honest to yourself and maintain regularity if you join yoga classes or at home.

The Praveen write extensive articles for those peoples who are suffering from overweight and obesity. His articles are really informative and know more on Fast weight loss. But it all depends on you to follow honestly and show regularity. Check out may this blog help you http://fastweight-loss.blogspot.com/

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