Is Yoga the answer - Why are so many people choosing to ignore the warning signs that is causing major concerns towards their health - environmental hazards which are out of our control but very much a part of our lives is becoming a worry to us all. Then we have another health issue - stress, which is destroying people`s lives with energies of destruction affecting how they live.
Is Yoga the answer. Stress/anxiety affects people in different ways so it is important - before buying over the counter any pills or remedy powders is to consult a doctor. Depression can cause so much pain and suffering to a patient in the way of taking over - how they think - what they do or how they act. For a person not to be in control of their own actions is a serious situation therefore you need to talk to someone if you feel that you are experiencing anxious moments.
Is Yoga the answer? Stress and anxiety symptoms can be sedated and calmed with the right treatment and medication - but any advice on what should be administered for easing these discomforts should be from a doctor or herbalist if you choose the natural way for help.
If your health or that of your family is giving you reason for concern then consider going along to keep fit classes like yoga. Is Yoga the answer, Yoga is proving to be a great antidote for stress related ailments. They say do not knock it till you try it and this goes for yoga also. Stress is a troubling mind meddler where in some unfortunate cases - patients have been hospitalized. Depending on the seriousness of the illness - mild yoga techniques can help.
Body awareness is the main issue when joining a yoga class. By knowing the mechanics on body parts like muscles - joints and organs can help you nip in the bud many uncontrollable body function outbursts before they start
Is Yoga the answer in helping combat stress? Stress problems are addressed with a type of yoga that helps control the mind in the form of meditation exercises. Meditation is a common Yoga type exercised by millions worldwide. Even the medical world believes that Yoga is proving to be very beneficial to suffering patients.
It is now a common practice by doctors all over the world to refer patients on a regular basis to perform these exercises in the way of a medicinal fix - naturally.
Is Yoga the answer - Yes (depending on the patient and the illness?)
100% fit in mind body and soul is what healthy living is all about. http://www.want2yoga.com Stress concerns http://www.overcompulsivedisorder.com.
February 25, 2009
Protecting Your Yoga Teaching Business
When or if, you want to become a Yoga teacher - would you be thinking of litigation and Yoga? The old saying, ?the truth hurts,? applies to legality, ethics, and teaching Yoga. You can always ?bury your head in the sand? and hope that you are never involved in a legal battle. After all, what kind of a student would sue his or her Yoga teacher? Doctors must ask each other this question every day. Sorry, but denial will not help you in a court of law.
Instead of denying the obvious, you can take action, by learning how the law applies to your Yoga business. You can also start creating policies that protect your students, and insure that you are giving quality Yoga instruction for the rest of your life.
It has been said that ?Knowledge is Power,? and this could never be more true than when it comes down to knowing the ?Letter of the Law.? Just like when a Yoga student first learns to develop his or her awareness from Yoga and meditation practice - Yoga teachers must develop an awareness of legality, as it pertains to their Yoga businesses.
For the average Yoga teacher, the thought of litigation, as a result of a student entering his or her Yoga class, is depressing. Many Yoga teachers and interns pursue the rewarding career of teaching Yoga as ?Good Samaritans.? Yoga teachers are very often generous with their time, effort, and services.
It is ?heartbreaking? for me to tell ?giving people,? with the best of intentions, that they can be sued at any time. In this climate of litigation, anyone, even a Yoga teacher, can have a lawsuit filed against them. Defending yourself, in a court of law, can and does, create physical, spiritual, mental, and financial exhaustion.
As a result of this reality, this requires protective action on the part of all Yoga teachers. Look at this as a prevention program and a compliment to your current liability insurance policy. ?I didn?t know,? will not save any of us from the wrath of the law.
Review your liability insurance and your release forms. Most Yoga teachers should have their attorney review their release forms. The days of a simple one page waiver form are over. A documented health questionnaire may help you to prevent a sudden legal catastrophe. This is not required, but serves as a tangible document to know each Yoga student a little better.
Just remember that a potential Yoga student has the legal right to refuse to fill out a questionnaire, if they so desire. This does leave you ?flying blind,? when teaching Yoga classes to students whose current health condition is a mystery.
Therefore, always mention contraindications for asanas. It would be prudent to have an information packet, with contraindications, and prenatal warnings included. You could also include a slip for Yoga students to sign, which indicates that they have read, and understand, that Yoga can be a risk for some health conditions.
Lastly, it is better to lose a potential Yoga student, than to teach one at the risk of his or her health.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Instead of denying the obvious, you can take action, by learning how the law applies to your Yoga business. You can also start creating policies that protect your students, and insure that you are giving quality Yoga instruction for the rest of your life.
It has been said that ?Knowledge is Power,? and this could never be more true than when it comes down to knowing the ?Letter of the Law.? Just like when a Yoga student first learns to develop his or her awareness from Yoga and meditation practice - Yoga teachers must develop an awareness of legality, as it pertains to their Yoga businesses.
For the average Yoga teacher, the thought of litigation, as a result of a student entering his or her Yoga class, is depressing. Many Yoga teachers and interns pursue the rewarding career of teaching Yoga as ?Good Samaritans.? Yoga teachers are very often generous with their time, effort, and services.
It is ?heartbreaking? for me to tell ?giving people,? with the best of intentions, that they can be sued at any time. In this climate of litigation, anyone, even a Yoga teacher, can have a lawsuit filed against them. Defending yourself, in a court of law, can and does, create physical, spiritual, mental, and financial exhaustion.
As a result of this reality, this requires protective action on the part of all Yoga teachers. Look at this as a prevention program and a compliment to your current liability insurance policy. ?I didn?t know,? will not save any of us from the wrath of the law.
Review your liability insurance and your release forms. Most Yoga teachers should have their attorney review their release forms. The days of a simple one page waiver form are over. A documented health questionnaire may help you to prevent a sudden legal catastrophe. This is not required, but serves as a tangible document to know each Yoga student a little better.
Just remember that a potential Yoga student has the legal right to refuse to fill out a questionnaire, if they so desire. This does leave you ?flying blind,? when teaching Yoga classes to students whose current health condition is a mystery.
Therefore, always mention contraindications for asanas. It would be prudent to have an information packet, with contraindications, and prenatal warnings included. You could also include a slip for Yoga students to sign, which indicates that they have read, and understand, that Yoga can be a risk for some health conditions.
Lastly, it is better to lose a potential Yoga student, than to teach one at the risk of his or her health.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Hot Yoga - Sweeping Away an Image
There are many benefits in using Bikram Yoga, which is a form of yoga that can totally change your life.
Bikram Yoga or Bikram Method Yoga, is widely known as ?hot yoga?. And was developed by Bikram Choudhury, who is 60 this year. Based now in the US, he is, of course, a yoga practitioner himself and he developed Bikram Yoga after injuring himself in a weightlifting accident.
Since then, many have proven the benefits of Bikram Yoga, so the practice has grown.
Some people practice Bikram Yoga for healing purposes and physical therapy. This type of yoga has proven helpful in bringing holistic (whole body) benefits, to those who practice it.
In order to be successful, with the healing processes, of Bikram Yoga, you need real devotion, because it is practiced in rooms with a recommended temperature of a minimum of 105 degrees farenheit and about 40% humidity.
This temperature is important because:-
- It (ironically) keeps the body from overheating
- To protect the muscles allowing for deeper stretching
- So that toxins are encourage to be ?sweated out? through open pores
- To thin the blood and encourage much better circulation
- It gives a better cardiovascular workout
- It improves muscle strength
- Fats in the body seem to be made more fluid and more easily cleared from the body
With this type of yoga, muscles are given a thorough workover. Cellular level lipids and proteins are reorganize optimally in such conditions, allowing for better circulation.
Joint strength and muscular alignment are better co-ordinated and together with strengthened bones, the organs of the immune system within the bones (red marrow) are boosted. It is a whole-body developmental experience.
The lymph nodes are massaged, lymph is pumped throughout the body, and white blood cells are distributed throughout the body as the lymphatic system works more efficiently.
Although there are some who do not believe in the benefits of Bikram Yoga. Bikram Choudhury developed it with the help of scientists from the University of Tokyo University Hospital.
They proved that Bikram Yoga has medical benefits including the repairing of tissues and curing chronic ailments. As early as 1972 the findings and benefits were presented at an International Medical Conference where it was confirmed scientifically that Bikram Yoga has the ability to affect the body internally.
Bikram has come up with twenty-six different posture exercises which are related, each working with previous postures, in a sequence, to treat the body effectively. This is a daily experience, where possible to maximise the benefit.
Anyone who wants to do yoga can use Biktam Yoga. It is not age specific. Because of the demanding nature of this type of yoga, if the body is weak, applying the practice and consequent healing will be difficult to achieve.
Thanks to Bikram Choudhury, we can now have some alternative solutions to some of our medical problems which really have been shown to be effective.
Always remember that the more you are able to practice this type of yoga, the more beneficial it is, but be careful to ensure that you are fit enough for it by having a medical check first.
? 2006 Martin Haworth has a useful website with lots of information for those new to yoga as well as extended information for experts. Check it out at
http://www.makethemostofyouryoga.com
Bikram Yoga or Bikram Method Yoga, is widely known as ?hot yoga?. And was developed by Bikram Choudhury, who is 60 this year. Based now in the US, he is, of course, a yoga practitioner himself and he developed Bikram Yoga after injuring himself in a weightlifting accident.
Since then, many have proven the benefits of Bikram Yoga, so the practice has grown.
Some people practice Bikram Yoga for healing purposes and physical therapy. This type of yoga has proven helpful in bringing holistic (whole body) benefits, to those who practice it.
In order to be successful, with the healing processes, of Bikram Yoga, you need real devotion, because it is practiced in rooms with a recommended temperature of a minimum of 105 degrees farenheit and about 40% humidity.
This temperature is important because:-
- It (ironically) keeps the body from overheating
- To protect the muscles allowing for deeper stretching
- So that toxins are encourage to be ?sweated out? through open pores
- To thin the blood and encourage much better circulation
- It gives a better cardiovascular workout
- It improves muscle strength
- Fats in the body seem to be made more fluid and more easily cleared from the body
With this type of yoga, muscles are given a thorough workover. Cellular level lipids and proteins are reorganize optimally in such conditions, allowing for better circulation.
Joint strength and muscular alignment are better co-ordinated and together with strengthened bones, the organs of the immune system within the bones (red marrow) are boosted. It is a whole-body developmental experience.
The lymph nodes are massaged, lymph is pumped throughout the body, and white blood cells are distributed throughout the body as the lymphatic system works more efficiently.
Although there are some who do not believe in the benefits of Bikram Yoga. Bikram Choudhury developed it with the help of scientists from the University of Tokyo University Hospital.
They proved that Bikram Yoga has medical benefits including the repairing of tissues and curing chronic ailments. As early as 1972 the findings and benefits were presented at an International Medical Conference where it was confirmed scientifically that Bikram Yoga has the ability to affect the body internally.
Bikram has come up with twenty-six different posture exercises which are related, each working with previous postures, in a sequence, to treat the body effectively. This is a daily experience, where possible to maximise the benefit.
Anyone who wants to do yoga can use Biktam Yoga. It is not age specific. Because of the demanding nature of this type of yoga, if the body is weak, applying the practice and consequent healing will be difficult to achieve.
Thanks to Bikram Choudhury, we can now have some alternative solutions to some of our medical problems which really have been shown to be effective.
Always remember that the more you are able to practice this type of yoga, the more beneficial it is, but be careful to ensure that you are fit enough for it by having a medical check first.
? 2006 Martin Haworth has a useful website with lots of information for those new to yoga as well as extended information for experts. Check it out at
http://www.makethemostofyouryoga.com
Insider Secrets to the Business of Teaching Yoga, Part 2
Which would you prefer to be: A rich Yoga Guru or poor Yoga Guru? There are two financial paths for Yoga teachers to follow. As a Yoga teacher, you have a choice ? name your price with pride, or keep your head low, and take what you get. Think about your family, kids, lifestyle, vacation, and retirement. Do you really want to taste much poverty or any at all? Each time you take payments, for teaching Yoga sessions, remember your family.
A side note about poverty: If you have tasted it once in your life, you don?t want to taste it again. I found nothing particularly enlightening about going to bed on an empty stomach as a child. The Salvation Army Store has better clothes than I had. It did teach me humility and never to look down on others who are less privileged than I am. Why not put that into practice now and forget about poverty? It?s not a glamorous lifestyle and not a good image for a Yoga teacher.
As your Yoga business grows, have someone else in your Yoga studio do the tuition collecting, so you don?t have to be associated with the billing and collecting. To be honest, that?s what I do. It?s easy for me to bend and fall for a sob story. On the other hand, I have learned to point Yoga students toward the office for handling these matters; and I do not take payments for Yoga lessons.
The office, within our Yoga studio, has a job to do and so do I. My job is to teach Yoga classes and mentor Yoga teachers. The Office Administrator?s job is to see we stay in the Yoga teaching business. Sure, I look at the figures ? almost daily, but I don?t interfere in the operation of a ?fine-tuned machine.?
It wasn?t always like this. I was guilty of taking little, or nothing, for teaching Yoga, and getting no respect. It could have stayed that way, but I compiled this Yoga business and marketing formula, which will help you avoid my past mistakes and change your attitude about yourself, forever.
It started with motivational cassette tapes in the car. I needed to keep my spirits up, in transit, teaching Yoga by day and Martial Arts by night. With all that work, I should have been on ?easy street?, you might think. Think again, I was bashful about asking for a fair market price for teaching Yoga and Martial Arts.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
A side note about poverty: If you have tasted it once in your life, you don?t want to taste it again. I found nothing particularly enlightening about going to bed on an empty stomach as a child. The Salvation Army Store has better clothes than I had. It did teach me humility and never to look down on others who are less privileged than I am. Why not put that into practice now and forget about poverty? It?s not a glamorous lifestyle and not a good image for a Yoga teacher.
As your Yoga business grows, have someone else in your Yoga studio do the tuition collecting, so you don?t have to be associated with the billing and collecting. To be honest, that?s what I do. It?s easy for me to bend and fall for a sob story. On the other hand, I have learned to point Yoga students toward the office for handling these matters; and I do not take payments for Yoga lessons.
The office, within our Yoga studio, has a job to do and so do I. My job is to teach Yoga classes and mentor Yoga teachers. The Office Administrator?s job is to see we stay in the Yoga teaching business. Sure, I look at the figures ? almost daily, but I don?t interfere in the operation of a ?fine-tuned machine.?
It wasn?t always like this. I was guilty of taking little, or nothing, for teaching Yoga, and getting no respect. It could have stayed that way, but I compiled this Yoga business and marketing formula, which will help you avoid my past mistakes and change your attitude about yourself, forever.
It started with motivational cassette tapes in the car. I needed to keep my spirits up, in transit, teaching Yoga by day and Martial Arts by night. With all that work, I should have been on ?easy street?, you might think. Think again, I was bashful about asking for a fair market price for teaching Yoga and Martial Arts.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Benefits of Yoga
Yoga works remarkably well to achieve harmony and helps the mind work in synchronization with the body. How often do we find that we are unable to concentrate properly and in a satisfying manner because of the confusions and conflicts in our mind weighing us down heavily?
Stress is the number one factor affecting all parts of our physical, endocrinal and emotional systems. And with the help of yoga these things can be corrected.
At the physical level, yoga and it’s cleansing practices have proven to be very effective for various disorders.
Listed below are just some of the benefits you can get from yoga.
Benefit 1:
Yoga is known to increase flexibility; yoga has postures that trigger the joints of the body other exercise doesn’t reach
Benefit 2:
Yoga increases the lubrication of joints, ligament and tendons; yoga positions exercise the different tendons and ligaments of the body other exercise doesn’t reach.
It has also been found that yoga can bring supplety to a previously rigid body after only a few lessons.
Benefit 3:
Yoga also massages all organs of the body; Yoga exercises the internal organs other exercise doesn’t reach.
Benefit 4:
Yoga acts in a wholesome manner on the various body parts. This stimulation and massage of the organs in turn benefits us by keeping away disease and providing a forewarning at the first possible instance of a likely onset of disease or disorder.
One of the far-reaching benefits of yoga is the uncanny sense of awareness that it develops in the practitioner with respect to forth coming ailments.
This enables the person to take pre-emptive corrective action
Benefit 5:
Yoga offers a complete detoxification of the body. It gently
stretches the muscles and joints as well as massaging the various organs. Yoga ensures the optimum blood supply to various parts of the body.
This helps in the flushing out of toxins from every inch of your body as well as providing nourishment to the last capillary. This leads to benefits such as delayed ageing, energy and a remarkable zest for life.
Benefit 6:
Yoga is also an excellent way to tone your muscles. Muscles which have been flaccid and weak are stimulated repeatedly and thus shed excess fats and flaccidity.
But these enormous physical benefits are just a ?side effect? of this powerful practice. What yoga does is harmonize the mind with the body and it is this that results in real quantum benefits.
It is now an open secret that the will of the mind has enabled people to achieve extraordinary physical feats, which proves beyond doubt the mind and body connection.
In fact yoga = meditation, because both work together in achieving the common goal of unity of mind, body and spirit which can lead to an experience of eternal bliss that you can only feel through yoga.
The meditative practices through yoga help in achieving an emotional balance through detachment.
This in turn creates a remarkable calmness and a positive outlook, which also has tremendous benefits on the physical health of the body.
Stuart Perryman
Yoga - Mind, Body & Spirit
http://yoga.alluneedtoknow.info
Stress is the number one factor affecting all parts of our physical, endocrinal and emotional systems. And with the help of yoga these things can be corrected.
At the physical level, yoga and it’s cleansing practices have proven to be very effective for various disorders.
Listed below are just some of the benefits you can get from yoga.
Benefit 1:
Yoga is known to increase flexibility; yoga has postures that trigger the joints of the body other exercise doesn’t reach
Benefit 2:
Yoga increases the lubrication of joints, ligament and tendons; yoga positions exercise the different tendons and ligaments of the body other exercise doesn’t reach.
It has also been found that yoga can bring supplety to a previously rigid body after only a few lessons.
Benefit 3:
Yoga also massages all organs of the body; Yoga exercises the internal organs other exercise doesn’t reach.
Benefit 4:
Yoga acts in a wholesome manner on the various body parts. This stimulation and massage of the organs in turn benefits us by keeping away disease and providing a forewarning at the first possible instance of a likely onset of disease or disorder.
One of the far-reaching benefits of yoga is the uncanny sense of awareness that it develops in the practitioner with respect to forth coming ailments.
This enables the person to take pre-emptive corrective action
Benefit 5:
Yoga offers a complete detoxification of the body. It gently
stretches the muscles and joints as well as massaging the various organs. Yoga ensures the optimum blood supply to various parts of the body.
This helps in the flushing out of toxins from every inch of your body as well as providing nourishment to the last capillary. This leads to benefits such as delayed ageing, energy and a remarkable zest for life.
Benefit 6:
Yoga is also an excellent way to tone your muscles. Muscles which have been flaccid and weak are stimulated repeatedly and thus shed excess fats and flaccidity.
But these enormous physical benefits are just a ?side effect? of this powerful practice. What yoga does is harmonize the mind with the body and it is this that results in real quantum benefits.
It is now an open secret that the will of the mind has enabled people to achieve extraordinary physical feats, which proves beyond doubt the mind and body connection.
In fact yoga = meditation, because both work together in achieving the common goal of unity of mind, body and spirit which can lead to an experience of eternal bliss that you can only feel through yoga.
The meditative practices through yoga help in achieving an emotional balance through detachment.
This in turn creates a remarkable calmness and a positive outlook, which also has tremendous benefits on the physical health of the body.
Stuart Perryman
Yoga - Mind, Body & Spirit
http://yoga.alluneedtoknow.info
Dancing For Your Whole Life: Yogic Advice from the Vijnanabhairava Tantra
Wander or dance to exhaustion in utter spontaneity. Then, suddenly, drop to the ground and in this fall be total. There absolute essence is revealed.?
~ Vijnanabhairava Tantra, verse 111
Each of has the desire (yes?) to become ~ with each breath we take, with each step of our lives ~ more fully alive ? And yet there is the paradox that each breath we take, each step of our lives, brings us one step, one breath closer to our death. So how do we work with this? Is there a ?solution? to this paradox?
The traditions of Buddhism as well as Kashmir Shaivism see (the appearance of) this life of ours as training-ground for (the appearance of) that moment of our death. They resolve the paradox through the understanding that only by training ~ in every moment ~ in the art of being fully alive, fully present here and now, in this moment, in this moment, in this moment ~ only through a practice such as this are we able then to be fully present (fully alive!) at the moment of our ?death.?
The quotation above, from the Vijnanabhairava Tantra (a text written by the Shaivite School of Kashmir around the first century A.D.), points to such a resolution. Let?s take a closer look ?
?Wander or dance to exhaustion in utter spontaneity.? Have you ever danced, or performed any other activity, so completely, with such total abandon, such love and absorption, that the point of ?exhaustion? (what distance runners call ?the wall?) opens into a whole new realm of experience, puts you in touch with a whole new flow of energy/inspiration? It?s the moment when years of training (our accumulated ?expertise?) is allowed to open, to fall away into a ?mindless? spontaneity ? when movement becomes both divinely precise and effortless (Michael Jordan, Baryshnikov, & Jet Li come to mind here) ? when ?I? am no longer doing anything, yet all things are still manifesting, radiantly, perfectly. In the language of Taoism this state of effortless doing is called Wu Wei.
?Then, suddenly, drop to the ground and in this fall be total.? Have you ever gone out on a warm summer night, laid on your back on a grassy hillside, and let your mind & heart & vision travel out into the starry sky, with its countless galaxies? When we surrender, we surrender completely ? no holding back. We let the whole thing dissolve. We die into the present moment. In the language of Tibetan Buddhism, this is called the Completion Stage.
?There absolute essence is revealed.? What if the essence of life and the essence of death were one and the same? What if both our ?wandering? and our ?dancing? were expressions of that one essence, and equally wise? What if we could touch ~ with each breath, each step, each of our ?awakened? daily activities ~ the sweetness & power that is this essence?
And now, please feel free ?. to Dance!
Elizabeth Reninger holds a Masters degree in Chinese Medicine, is a published poet, and has been exploring Yoga - in its Taoist, Buddhist & Hindu varieties ~ for more than twenty years. Her teachers include Richard Freeman and Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. To read more of her yoga-related essays, please visit her website: http://www.writingup.com/blog/elizabeth_reninger
~ Vijnanabhairava Tantra, verse 111
Each of has the desire (yes?) to become ~ with each breath we take, with each step of our lives ~ more fully alive ? And yet there is the paradox that each breath we take, each step of our lives, brings us one step, one breath closer to our death. So how do we work with this? Is there a ?solution? to this paradox?
The traditions of Buddhism as well as Kashmir Shaivism see (the appearance of) this life of ours as training-ground for (the appearance of) that moment of our death. They resolve the paradox through the understanding that only by training ~ in every moment ~ in the art of being fully alive, fully present here and now, in this moment, in this moment, in this moment ~ only through a practice such as this are we able then to be fully present (fully alive!) at the moment of our ?death.?
The quotation above, from the Vijnanabhairava Tantra (a text written by the Shaivite School of Kashmir around the first century A.D.), points to such a resolution. Let?s take a closer look ?
?Wander or dance to exhaustion in utter spontaneity.? Have you ever danced, or performed any other activity, so completely, with such total abandon, such love and absorption, that the point of ?exhaustion? (what distance runners call ?the wall?) opens into a whole new realm of experience, puts you in touch with a whole new flow of energy/inspiration? It?s the moment when years of training (our accumulated ?expertise?) is allowed to open, to fall away into a ?mindless? spontaneity ? when movement becomes both divinely precise and effortless (Michael Jordan, Baryshnikov, & Jet Li come to mind here) ? when ?I? am no longer doing anything, yet all things are still manifesting, radiantly, perfectly. In the language of Taoism this state of effortless doing is called Wu Wei.
?Then, suddenly, drop to the ground and in this fall be total.? Have you ever gone out on a warm summer night, laid on your back on a grassy hillside, and let your mind & heart & vision travel out into the starry sky, with its countless galaxies? When we surrender, we surrender completely ? no holding back. We let the whole thing dissolve. We die into the present moment. In the language of Tibetan Buddhism, this is called the Completion Stage.
?There absolute essence is revealed.? What if the essence of life and the essence of death were one and the same? What if both our ?wandering? and our ?dancing? were expressions of that one essence, and equally wise? What if we could touch ~ with each breath, each step, each of our ?awakened? daily activities ~ the sweetness & power that is this essence?
And now, please feel free ?. to Dance!
Elizabeth Reninger holds a Masters degree in Chinese Medicine, is a published poet, and has been exploring Yoga - in its Taoist, Buddhist & Hindu varieties ~ for more than twenty years. Her teachers include Richard Freeman and Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. To read more of her yoga-related essays, please visit her website: http://www.writingup.com/blog/elizabeth_reninger
Which Yoga Mat Is The Right One For Me?
If you are just starting out with yoga, you already know that there are a number of different pieces of equipment that you may need and the yoga mat is one of them. But, how can you choose one that is right for you? There are several things to help you make that decision and knowing a little about each yoga mat will help you to make the right choice.
The most common type of yoga mat is the sticky mat. These mats are very thin and offer a little padding. This is the traditional type of mat. There are now those that have more padding and allow for a better feel being produced. What is important is to realize the point behind having a yoga mat at all. They do several things for you. First, they can help to brace you so that you do not slip and fall when you are in one stance or the next. They can also help to provide even a small bit of padding to the knees, the hips, and the back.
Here are some of the various types of yoga mats and what they can do for you.
The Meditation Mat: This mat is usually purchased with a pillow that goes with it. The combination offers for a better sitting meditation posture. It conforms to your body?s shape while allowing you to sit properly.
Universal Style Yoga Mat: This yoga mat is one of the most basic. It has a light texture to it and a high tack surface that will allow the hands to melts into it during poses.
Deluxe Yoga Mats: These are highly textured. They often are made of high tack foam surfaces and offer a better grip all around.
For those that are a beginner, a beginner yoga mat can be quite important. These are vinyl and have a sponge foam texture to them.
Others: There are also those yoga mats that can do excellent things for you. For example, some are thicker and denser than others. Some will absorb perspiration. Some are just tougher.
In order to know which yoga mat you should purchase, you will want to consider what you plan to do with it, your level and need for comfort while doing that and what budget you have. You can always ask your yoga instructor about which mats are appropriate for the type of yoga you will be doing.
Mike Singh is a successful webmaster and publisher of http://www.yoga-made-ez.com He provides more yoga health benefits and yoga sequences for your convenience.
The most common type of yoga mat is the sticky mat. These mats are very thin and offer a little padding. This is the traditional type of mat. There are now those that have more padding and allow for a better feel being produced. What is important is to realize the point behind having a yoga mat at all. They do several things for you. First, they can help to brace you so that you do not slip and fall when you are in one stance or the next. They can also help to provide even a small bit of padding to the knees, the hips, and the back.
Here are some of the various types of yoga mats and what they can do for you.
The Meditation Mat: This mat is usually purchased with a pillow that goes with it. The combination offers for a better sitting meditation posture. It conforms to your body?s shape while allowing you to sit properly.
Universal Style Yoga Mat: This yoga mat is one of the most basic. It has a light texture to it and a high tack surface that will allow the hands to melts into it during poses.
Deluxe Yoga Mats: These are highly textured. They often are made of high tack foam surfaces and offer a better grip all around.
For those that are a beginner, a beginner yoga mat can be quite important. These are vinyl and have a sponge foam texture to them.
Others: There are also those yoga mats that can do excellent things for you. For example, some are thicker and denser than others. Some will absorb perspiration. Some are just tougher.
In order to know which yoga mat you should purchase, you will want to consider what you plan to do with it, your level and need for comfort while doing that and what budget you have. You can always ask your yoga instructor about which mats are appropriate for the type of yoga you will be doing.
Mike Singh is a successful webmaster and publisher of http://www.yoga-made-ez.com He provides more yoga health benefits and yoga sequences for your convenience.
Yoga - A Cure for Modern Day Stress
As we walk the tightrope between modern life and our animal instincts, the human race strives to find balance. In our bodies, our minds, our environment, in our lives. With our brains over-stimulated and our bodies more sedentary than ever, many of us suffer from the fatigue and imbalance that comes from chronic stress without sufficient recovery. A yoga practice is an excellent way to soothe nerves that are in a constant state of overdrive. Yoga can help give us the ability to live healthy amidst hectic schedules and bustling environments. Why does it seem that as technology
evolves at such epic pace we have less and less time at our disposal? Now more than ever we need to slow down, quiet our minds, take a deep breath…
Stress has become a chronic aspect of life for many of us; and it takes its toll. The
nervous system senses continued pressure and remains slightly activated,
producing extra stress hormones over an extended period of time. This can wear
out the body?s reserves, leaving us feeling depleted or overwhelmed. Over time the
immune system weakens causing illness and fatigue, mood swings, lack of focus,
and irritability. Stress is implicated in many health problems from migraines and
insomnia to lupus, MS, eczema, poor digestion, weight gain, high blood pressure,
and heart attacks. In milder situations a little stress can keep us on our toes and
help us to rise to a challenge. However, in today?s world chronic, unreleased stress
has become prevalent and is taking a tremendous toll on our bodies as it diminishes
our enjoyment of life.
In city living the constant noise, electricity, radiation, radiowaves, electromagnetic
rays, and infra-red which surround us, create an ever-present stimuli that haggars
the central nervous system. We do not yet know long term effects of this ?white
noise.? We may not consciously be aware of it, but our bodies register all that is
going on around us. In our jobs and lifestyles we are often engaged in many tasks at
once and feeling that we are constantly on the go, and that even when we do have a
moment to spare we can?t seem to truly relax.
What is Stress?
In a challenging situation the human brain responds to stressors by activating the
nervous system and specific hormones. The hypothalamus (located in the center of
the brain) signals the adrenal glands to produce more of the hormones adrenaline
and cortisol, and release them into the bloodstream. Heart rate, blood pressure, and
metabolism increase, blood vessels open wider to allow more blood flow into large
muscles groups, making our muscles tense and putting the brain on high alert.
Pupils dilate to improve vision. The liver releases a dose of stored glucose to
increase the body?s energy. Sweat is produced to cool the body. This chain reaction
of physical effects happens to prepare the human being to react quickly and
effectively, enabling them to handle the pressure of the moment. Cortisol is a
natural steroid that raises your blood sugar level (so the muscles have plenty of fuel)
and suppresses inflammation, but it also suppresses the immune system. The
adrenal hormones are catabolic, which means they foster biological processes that
burn energy and break down cellular structures. If you activate the adrenal glands
over and over again without sufficient recovery in between, your body becomes
depleted and exhausted.
Stress is necessary for the human to remain self-sufficient; to survive. In the jungle,
ancient man conjured stress hormones when needed to fight a bear or a tiger, or to
survive extreme weather conditions. With a concrete defensive action stress
hormones in the blood get used up entailing reduced stress effects and symptoms
of anxiety. In modern life some stress situations sharpen us; clear the cobwebs from
our thinking, and stimulate faculties to attain our true potential. Each stage of
human evolution happened by adapting in order to survive extreme conditions and
stressors in our environment, as at this time the body is prepared to act with
increased strength and speed while the mind is sharp and focused. Stress and a
human response to stress is necessary.
However, what we need now is to learn to adapt to our new world, to handle the
increase in milder but consistent stress in a better way and to learn to release
before it affects us in a negative manner. When we fail to counter a stress situation
these chemicals and hormones remain unreleased in the body and bloodstream for
a long period of time. This leads to a long list of symptoms such as tense muscles,
unfocused anxiety, dizziness and rapid heartbeat, and compels the mind-body to in
an almost constant alarm state in preparation to fight or run away (known as the
fight or flight response).
Accumulated stress can increase the risk of both acute and chronic psychosomatic
illnesses, and cause everything from headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, frequent
cold and fatigue, to diseases such as hypertension, asthma, diabetes, heart ailments
and even cancer. Many medical doctors and psychologists go as far as to say that 70
? 90 % of visits by adults to primary care physicians are for stress related
problems.**
How Yoga Affects Stress
Enhance the body?s natural functions:
To recover from the exhaustion associated with chronic stress, we need to do
things that turn off the adrenal hormones and promote secretion of anabolic
hormones. Certain yoga poses, such as inversions help to stimulate glands in the
brain (Pituitary, Pineal). Moving into the ALPHA state is very important. The alpha
state is considered the ideal waking state, where we reach the pinnacle of our
creative thought process while the body is in a healing cycle. Alpha state is often
attained during savasana; final resting pose in yoga practice.
Yoga?s smooth, deep, symmetrical breathing, twists, stretches and balancing
postures help to enhance the body?s natural functions, keeping the spine, house of
the nervous system supple, enhancing flow of fluids in the spine and stimulating
glands and circulation of blood and lymph throughout the rest of the body. Muscles
are lengthened and toxins are released. Pranayam (breath exercises) and poses such
as cat where we roll along the spine with breath can help to flush and clear the lung
tissue.
Yoga innately helps us to create balance; to know our bodies, to recognize when we
are not balanced both on and off of the mat. On a purely physical level hatha yoga
creates strength, flexibility, grace. Part of Yoga?s philosophy is to take the approach
of strengthening and healing the body in the process of healing and cleansing the
mind. Yoga views the body as having many layers. Asana (physical yoga postures)
affect the body but also these deeper layers, en route to creating a whole, balanced
self. Hatha yoga practice creates unobstructed energy flow.
Release Tension:
Stressed out individuals tend to carry a great deal of physical tension in their
bodies. Yoga helps to unlock and release these tensions before they can accumulate
over time and become chronic physical and psychological conditions. As we release
physical blockages, toxins, and limitations from the body we also do so in mind,
spirit, and emotions. The benefits of yoga postures (asana), breathing (pranayama),
and meditation (dhyana) include increased body awareness, release of muscular
tension and increased coordination between mind-and body which leads to better
management of stress and cultivates an overall feeling of well being
During the resting poses in yoga such as child?s pose, abdominal tension is
released. This allows internal organs to unwind promoting deep breathing and
enhancing digestive and reproductive functions. This deep rest affords the central
nervous system much needed time in ?para-sympathetic? mode (relaxed calm state,
free of the ?flight or flight? stress response) in order to recover and rejuvenate.
Creating focus through a series of specific bodily poses also helps us to truly take
our mind off of work and other stressors.
The Breath:
In normal conditions the body follows a natural breath pattern that is slow and
fairly regulated. Under stress when the body shows symptoms such as tightening of
muscles, distractions, anxiety, hyperactivity and angry reactions, breathing becomes
quick and shallow. One tends to hold one’s breath frequently. With restricted
breathing inflow of oxygen is diminished. Lungs are unable to exhale the stale airs
and residual toxins build up inside the body. Stiff muscles restrict the circulation of
blood that so even less oxygen comes in and fewer toxins are removed. This in turn
affects the healthy regeneration of cells and can accelerate aging and disease.
Medical studies show that the oxygen-starved cells are the major contributing
factors in cancer, immunity deficiency, heart disease and strokes. Breathing also
affects our state of mind and consequently makes our thinking either confused or
clear. Lengthening and deepening breath in yoga creates a more balanced state of
being. A change in breath pattern creates a change in the metabolic process,
emotions, endorphins, internal chemical reactions, and the release of specific
hormones. Mind affects body; body affects mind.
Mind Body Connection:
The sensitivity that comes through a yoga practice helps to develop a level of skill
in cultivating, observing and choosing one’s posture, breath, emotions, and diet
more wisely. As we practice we learn to listen with our bodies. Whenever we
experience an emotion, our bodies register this emotion and mirror it. The next
time you get angry, stressed, or afraid, stop and notice exactly what is happening in
your own body in that moment. Which muscles got tense? How has your breath been
affected? How did your posture change? Is your heart beating faster? What affects
you and why? Are you able to notice it as it happens?
Over time yoga helps us to let go of unwanted emotional and physical patterns.
Yoga practice is great for providing recovery and can also help you deal with
stressful circumstances without having such a strong negative reaction. The
mindfulness ? mind-body awareness cultivated with yoga practice allows us to
realize emotions as they arise; sensing what is the cause of the emotion and how
that emotion affects the body/mind. As Patanjali says in his Yoga Sutras**, ?Yoga
quells the fluctuations of the mind.” It slows down the mental loops and patterns of
frustration, regret, anger, fear, and desire that can cause stress. No matter what
age, we can release past traumas, feelings of guilt or inadequacy, denial, patterns of
feeling unable to communicate or connect, patterns of addiction, (all of which lead
to more guilt and denial). We need to clear out these patterns in order to stay
freshly alive or else there is an accumulation, a blockage, both physical and mental.
We need to continually release these psycho/somatic holding patterns. As we
release blockages, toxins, and tightness physically, we also do so in mind, spirit,
emotions.
Awareness from the inside out and from the outside in are necessary. They are one
in the same. Through a regular yoga practice we develop a balanced state on a
consistent basis and this translates into our lives off the mat. We become better
equipped to handle everything that comes our way in life; to handle life with more
grace, ease, and presence, from a more objective point of view. By staying open we
keep on top of the game, in the moment, able to truly enjoy each day to the fullest.
The way we deal with coworkers and friends or family will innately be transformed.
The very way we perceive things around us and who we are as a person from
moment to moment will be transformed. Our sense of self-perception is the root of
our own life. From here the world around us takes shape. As we become more aware
of ourselves we are able to be less judgmental, more open, more honest, and take
things less personally. True wisdom comes from within, from self knowledge and a
clear eye.If you learn to quiet your mind, you’ll be likely to live longer, and fuller,
with better health. Yoga and meditation offer some of the same benefits as
antidepressants-without the side effects.
It is no wonder yoga has soared to such heights of popularity. Through yoga
practice we begin to find a sense of wholeness. We become more aware. We create
balance in our bodies, in our minds, in our lives. As we evolve individually and come
closer to an open, authentic state of being, we also evolve as a species, creating a
better world for us all.
Michelle Trantina is a certified Hatha Yoga Teacher. She is the co-founder of
My Yoga Online and My Yoga Music. She can also be seen in
the national Yoga television series Namaste on HDTV and CityTV. To learn more
about Michelle Trantina and My Yoga Online, visit http://www.myyogaonline.com
and http://www.myyogamusic.com
evolves at such epic pace we have less and less time at our disposal? Now more than ever we need to slow down, quiet our minds, take a deep breath…
Stress has become a chronic aspect of life for many of us; and it takes its toll. The
nervous system senses continued pressure and remains slightly activated,
producing extra stress hormones over an extended period of time. This can wear
out the body?s reserves, leaving us feeling depleted or overwhelmed. Over time the
immune system weakens causing illness and fatigue, mood swings, lack of focus,
and irritability. Stress is implicated in many health problems from migraines and
insomnia to lupus, MS, eczema, poor digestion, weight gain, high blood pressure,
and heart attacks. In milder situations a little stress can keep us on our toes and
help us to rise to a challenge. However, in today?s world chronic, unreleased stress
has become prevalent and is taking a tremendous toll on our bodies as it diminishes
our enjoyment of life.
In city living the constant noise, electricity, radiation, radiowaves, electromagnetic
rays, and infra-red which surround us, create an ever-present stimuli that haggars
the central nervous system. We do not yet know long term effects of this ?white
noise.? We may not consciously be aware of it, but our bodies register all that is
going on around us. In our jobs and lifestyles we are often engaged in many tasks at
once and feeling that we are constantly on the go, and that even when we do have a
moment to spare we can?t seem to truly relax.
What is Stress?
In a challenging situation the human brain responds to stressors by activating the
nervous system and specific hormones. The hypothalamus (located in the center of
the brain) signals the adrenal glands to produce more of the hormones adrenaline
and cortisol, and release them into the bloodstream. Heart rate, blood pressure, and
metabolism increase, blood vessels open wider to allow more blood flow into large
muscles groups, making our muscles tense and putting the brain on high alert.
Pupils dilate to improve vision. The liver releases a dose of stored glucose to
increase the body?s energy. Sweat is produced to cool the body. This chain reaction
of physical effects happens to prepare the human being to react quickly and
effectively, enabling them to handle the pressure of the moment. Cortisol is a
natural steroid that raises your blood sugar level (so the muscles have plenty of fuel)
and suppresses inflammation, but it also suppresses the immune system. The
adrenal hormones are catabolic, which means they foster biological processes that
burn energy and break down cellular structures. If you activate the adrenal glands
over and over again without sufficient recovery in between, your body becomes
depleted and exhausted.
Stress is necessary for the human to remain self-sufficient; to survive. In the jungle,
ancient man conjured stress hormones when needed to fight a bear or a tiger, or to
survive extreme weather conditions. With a concrete defensive action stress
hormones in the blood get used up entailing reduced stress effects and symptoms
of anxiety. In modern life some stress situations sharpen us; clear the cobwebs from
our thinking, and stimulate faculties to attain our true potential. Each stage of
human evolution happened by adapting in order to survive extreme conditions and
stressors in our environment, as at this time the body is prepared to act with
increased strength and speed while the mind is sharp and focused. Stress and a
human response to stress is necessary.
However, what we need now is to learn to adapt to our new world, to handle the
increase in milder but consistent stress in a better way and to learn to release
before it affects us in a negative manner. When we fail to counter a stress situation
these chemicals and hormones remain unreleased in the body and bloodstream for
a long period of time. This leads to a long list of symptoms such as tense muscles,
unfocused anxiety, dizziness and rapid heartbeat, and compels the mind-body to in
an almost constant alarm state in preparation to fight or run away (known as the
fight or flight response).
Accumulated stress can increase the risk of both acute and chronic psychosomatic
illnesses, and cause everything from headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, frequent
cold and fatigue, to diseases such as hypertension, asthma, diabetes, heart ailments
and even cancer. Many medical doctors and psychologists go as far as to say that 70
? 90 % of visits by adults to primary care physicians are for stress related
problems.**
How Yoga Affects Stress
Enhance the body?s natural functions:
To recover from the exhaustion associated with chronic stress, we need to do
things that turn off the adrenal hormones and promote secretion of anabolic
hormones. Certain yoga poses, such as inversions help to stimulate glands in the
brain (Pituitary, Pineal). Moving into the ALPHA state is very important. The alpha
state is considered the ideal waking state, where we reach the pinnacle of our
creative thought process while the body is in a healing cycle. Alpha state is often
attained during savasana; final resting pose in yoga practice.
Yoga?s smooth, deep, symmetrical breathing, twists, stretches and balancing
postures help to enhance the body?s natural functions, keeping the spine, house of
the nervous system supple, enhancing flow of fluids in the spine and stimulating
glands and circulation of blood and lymph throughout the rest of the body. Muscles
are lengthened and toxins are released. Pranayam (breath exercises) and poses such
as cat where we roll along the spine with breath can help to flush and clear the lung
tissue.
Yoga innately helps us to create balance; to know our bodies, to recognize when we
are not balanced both on and off of the mat. On a purely physical level hatha yoga
creates strength, flexibility, grace. Part of Yoga?s philosophy is to take the approach
of strengthening and healing the body in the process of healing and cleansing the
mind. Yoga views the body as having many layers. Asana (physical yoga postures)
affect the body but also these deeper layers, en route to creating a whole, balanced
self. Hatha yoga practice creates unobstructed energy flow.
Release Tension:
Stressed out individuals tend to carry a great deal of physical tension in their
bodies. Yoga helps to unlock and release these tensions before they can accumulate
over time and become chronic physical and psychological conditions. As we release
physical blockages, toxins, and limitations from the body we also do so in mind,
spirit, and emotions. The benefits of yoga postures (asana), breathing (pranayama),
and meditation (dhyana) include increased body awareness, release of muscular
tension and increased coordination between mind-and body which leads to better
management of stress and cultivates an overall feeling of well being
During the resting poses in yoga such as child?s pose, abdominal tension is
released. This allows internal organs to unwind promoting deep breathing and
enhancing digestive and reproductive functions. This deep rest affords the central
nervous system much needed time in ?para-sympathetic? mode (relaxed calm state,
free of the ?flight or flight? stress response) in order to recover and rejuvenate.
Creating focus through a series of specific bodily poses also helps us to truly take
our mind off of work and other stressors.
The Breath:
In normal conditions the body follows a natural breath pattern that is slow and
fairly regulated. Under stress when the body shows symptoms such as tightening of
muscles, distractions, anxiety, hyperactivity and angry reactions, breathing becomes
quick and shallow. One tends to hold one’s breath frequently. With restricted
breathing inflow of oxygen is diminished. Lungs are unable to exhale the stale airs
and residual toxins build up inside the body. Stiff muscles restrict the circulation of
blood that so even less oxygen comes in and fewer toxins are removed. This in turn
affects the healthy regeneration of cells and can accelerate aging and disease.
Medical studies show that the oxygen-starved cells are the major contributing
factors in cancer, immunity deficiency, heart disease and strokes. Breathing also
affects our state of mind and consequently makes our thinking either confused or
clear. Lengthening and deepening breath in yoga creates a more balanced state of
being. A change in breath pattern creates a change in the metabolic process,
emotions, endorphins, internal chemical reactions, and the release of specific
hormones. Mind affects body; body affects mind.
Mind Body Connection:
The sensitivity that comes through a yoga practice helps to develop a level of skill
in cultivating, observing and choosing one’s posture, breath, emotions, and diet
more wisely. As we practice we learn to listen with our bodies. Whenever we
experience an emotion, our bodies register this emotion and mirror it. The next
time you get angry, stressed, or afraid, stop and notice exactly what is happening in
your own body in that moment. Which muscles got tense? How has your breath been
affected? How did your posture change? Is your heart beating faster? What affects
you and why? Are you able to notice it as it happens?
Over time yoga helps us to let go of unwanted emotional and physical patterns.
Yoga practice is great for providing recovery and can also help you deal with
stressful circumstances without having such a strong negative reaction. The
mindfulness ? mind-body awareness cultivated with yoga practice allows us to
realize emotions as they arise; sensing what is the cause of the emotion and how
that emotion affects the body/mind. As Patanjali says in his Yoga Sutras**, ?Yoga
quells the fluctuations of the mind.” It slows down the mental loops and patterns of
frustration, regret, anger, fear, and desire that can cause stress. No matter what
age, we can release past traumas, feelings of guilt or inadequacy, denial, patterns of
feeling unable to communicate or connect, patterns of addiction, (all of which lead
to more guilt and denial). We need to clear out these patterns in order to stay
freshly alive or else there is an accumulation, a blockage, both physical and mental.
We need to continually release these psycho/somatic holding patterns. As we
release blockages, toxins, and tightness physically, we also do so in mind, spirit,
emotions.
Awareness from the inside out and from the outside in are necessary. They are one
in the same. Through a regular yoga practice we develop a balanced state on a
consistent basis and this translates into our lives off the mat. We become better
equipped to handle everything that comes our way in life; to handle life with more
grace, ease, and presence, from a more objective point of view. By staying open we
keep on top of the game, in the moment, able to truly enjoy each day to the fullest.
The way we deal with coworkers and friends or family will innately be transformed.
The very way we perceive things around us and who we are as a person from
moment to moment will be transformed. Our sense of self-perception is the root of
our own life. From here the world around us takes shape. As we become more aware
of ourselves we are able to be less judgmental, more open, more honest, and take
things less personally. True wisdom comes from within, from self knowledge and a
clear eye.If you learn to quiet your mind, you’ll be likely to live longer, and fuller,
with better health. Yoga and meditation offer some of the same benefits as
antidepressants-without the side effects.
It is no wonder yoga has soared to such heights of popularity. Through yoga
practice we begin to find a sense of wholeness. We become more aware. We create
balance in our bodies, in our minds, in our lives. As we evolve individually and come
closer to an open, authentic state of being, we also evolve as a species, creating a
better world for us all.
Michelle Trantina is a certified Hatha Yoga Teacher. She is the co-founder of
My Yoga Online and My Yoga Music. She can also be seen in
the national Yoga television series Namaste on HDTV and CityTV. To learn more
about Michelle Trantina and My Yoga Online, visit http://www.myyogaonline.com
and http://www.myyogamusic.com
Insider Secrets to the Business of Teaching Yoga, Part 3
In my early years of teaching Yoga, all I accomplished was to run myself ragged and have nothing to show for it. I knew how to find work, as a Yoga teacher. That?s the marketing part of the Yoga business, but I needed self-esteem, which I found in audio books from the self-improvement and business sections of bookstores.
These types of audio books serve as an inexpensive coach, and when you put some of the knowledge into practice, you will see results. The number of times you play them back is important too. This will burn the lessons deeply into your memory. Yoga teachers need to build their self-esteem too.
Since that time, I am never frustrated in traffic. I am not wasting all my time listening to a song for the 300th time, disc jockey antics that have lost any shock effect, or commercials. Seriously, I listen to the radio once in a great while, but the programming and songs don?t change much.
Here is a list of audio books I recommend for the knowledge and the positive attitude adjustment. Some are no surprise, and most are classics.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The Power of Positive Thinking by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
Can’t Lose Sales Tips From The World’s Greatest Salesman by Joe Girard
How To Close Every Sale by Joe Girard
Creating Your World the Way You Really Want It by Wayne Dyer & Deepak Chopra
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Zig Ziglar’s Secrets of Closing the Sale by Zig Ziglar
I can hear some of you now. ?I want to teach Yoga, not learn how to sell cars.? Personally, I never bought a car from a salesperson I didn?t like. Think about that, the next time you show a prospective Yoga student around your studio.
When human contact is involved in the selling process, people virtually buy the salesperson or the ?Yoga instructor.? You as a Yoga teacher, sell something everyday; it?s a ticket to better quality living. If a Yoga student stays long enough, he or she learns that Yoga works and you told them the truth.
My wife, Marie, and I bought five consecutive cars from the same salesperson because we liked her and she was honest. We would buy another from her, to this day, except that she retired.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
These types of audio books serve as an inexpensive coach, and when you put some of the knowledge into practice, you will see results. The number of times you play them back is important too. This will burn the lessons deeply into your memory. Yoga teachers need to build their self-esteem too.
Since that time, I am never frustrated in traffic. I am not wasting all my time listening to a song for the 300th time, disc jockey antics that have lost any shock effect, or commercials. Seriously, I listen to the radio once in a great while, but the programming and songs don?t change much.
Here is a list of audio books I recommend for the knowledge and the positive attitude adjustment. Some are no surprise, and most are classics.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The Power of Positive Thinking by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
Can’t Lose Sales Tips From The World’s Greatest Salesman by Joe Girard
How To Close Every Sale by Joe Girard
Creating Your World the Way You Really Want It by Wayne Dyer & Deepak Chopra
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Zig Ziglar’s Secrets of Closing the Sale by Zig Ziglar
I can hear some of you now. ?I want to teach Yoga, not learn how to sell cars.? Personally, I never bought a car from a salesperson I didn?t like. Think about that, the next time you show a prospective Yoga student around your studio.
When human contact is involved in the selling process, people virtually buy the salesperson or the ?Yoga instructor.? You as a Yoga teacher, sell something everyday; it?s a ticket to better quality living. If a Yoga student stays long enough, he or she learns that Yoga works and you told them the truth.
My wife, Marie, and I bought five consecutive cars from the same salesperson because we liked her and she was honest. We would buy another from her, to this day, except that she retired.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Kapalbhati Pranayama (Cleansing Breathing Exercise) Step by Step and Shining Face
Kapal in Sanskrit means FOREHEAD, and Bhati in Sanskrit means SHINING. Practicing Kapalbhati on regular basis leads to shining face with inner radiance. Kapalbhati is highly energizing abdominal breathing exercise.
What we do in Kapalbhati Pranayama
In Kapalabhati we do quick exhalation and natural inhalation. Normally exhalation takes one fourth of the time of inhalation. Quick exhalation and natural inhalation follow each other.
How to do Kapalbhati Pranayama
Step 1) Sit in comfortable crossed leg position with Back straight. Hands resting on knees in either chin or gyana mudra. Face to be relaxed.
Step 2) Inhale deeply through both nostril, expanding abdomen and exhale with the forceful contraction of abdominal muscles. (Pull the abdomen in by quickly contracting the abdominal muscles and exhale through the nose). The air is pushed out of lungs by contraction of
the diaphragm.
Step 3) After exhalation again inhalation but inhalation should not involve any effort. To inhale just relax and the lungs will automatically expand and filled with air.
One can begin with 15 respiration. After completing 15 quick exhalation and natural inhalation , inhale and exhale deeply. This is one round.One can start the practice of Kapalbhati pranayama with 3 such rounds for practice.
Benefits of Kapalabhati
1) Kapalabhati cleanses the lungs and entire respiratory system.
2) The blood is purified and body gets an increased supply of oxygen to all cells.
3) Digestion is improved.
4) Abdominal muscles are strengthened.
5) Prepare the mind for meditation.
6) Energise the mind for mental work.
Precautions:
Kapalbhati should not be practice by those
a) Suffering from heart disease
b) High blood pressure
c) Hernia
d) Should never be practiced when an asthmatic attack is in progress.
e) If pain or dizziness is experienced ,it is preferable to stop the practice till the sensation has passed. Practiced can be restarted with less force.
f) Quick exhalation should be comfortable to oneself. i.e. quick exhalation should not be too forceful.
Common Mistake:
1) Abdomen is contracted while inhaling.
2) Shoulders are contracted to push the air out when exhaling.
3) Back and shoulders move during exercise.
Point to Note:
a) Exercise should not be done if you are feeling uncomfortable at any time during the exercise.
b) Rapid breathing used in this technique should be from the abdomen and not from the chest.
c) Kapalbhati should be practice on an empty stomach only.
d) Kapalbhati should be practiced after the asanas and Relaxation (atleast 10 minutes) and before meditation
e) Chest should not move very much.
(f) It is always good and advisable that this exercise should be learned under supervision of yoga teacher after discussion with him about your health.
Mr Subodh Gupta,is consultant with NIE The Times of India group (India’s largest Media Group).He has been Interviewed by various TV channel channels in India and London. Mr Gupta has organized more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management.
Please click here for reaching to Subodh Gupta website Subodh Gupta webSite
and for blog Subodh Gupta blog
What we do in Kapalbhati Pranayama
In Kapalabhati we do quick exhalation and natural inhalation. Normally exhalation takes one fourth of the time of inhalation. Quick exhalation and natural inhalation follow each other.
How to do Kapalbhati Pranayama
Step 1) Sit in comfortable crossed leg position with Back straight. Hands resting on knees in either chin or gyana mudra. Face to be relaxed.
Step 2) Inhale deeply through both nostril, expanding abdomen and exhale with the forceful contraction of abdominal muscles. (Pull the abdomen in by quickly contracting the abdominal muscles and exhale through the nose). The air is pushed out of lungs by contraction of
the diaphragm.
Step 3) After exhalation again inhalation but inhalation should not involve any effort. To inhale just relax and the lungs will automatically expand and filled with air.
One can begin with 15 respiration. After completing 15 quick exhalation and natural inhalation , inhale and exhale deeply. This is one round.One can start the practice of Kapalbhati pranayama with 3 such rounds for practice.
Benefits of Kapalabhati
1) Kapalabhati cleanses the lungs and entire respiratory system.
2) The blood is purified and body gets an increased supply of oxygen to all cells.
3) Digestion is improved.
4) Abdominal muscles are strengthened.
5) Prepare the mind for meditation.
6) Energise the mind for mental work.
Precautions:
Kapalbhati should not be practice by those
a) Suffering from heart disease
b) High blood pressure
c) Hernia
d) Should never be practiced when an asthmatic attack is in progress.
e) If pain or dizziness is experienced ,it is preferable to stop the practice till the sensation has passed. Practiced can be restarted with less force.
f) Quick exhalation should be comfortable to oneself. i.e. quick exhalation should not be too forceful.
Common Mistake:
1) Abdomen is contracted while inhaling.
2) Shoulders are contracted to push the air out when exhaling.
3) Back and shoulders move during exercise.
Point to Note:
a) Exercise should not be done if you are feeling uncomfortable at any time during the exercise.
b) Rapid breathing used in this technique should be from the abdomen and not from the chest.
c) Kapalbhati should be practice on an empty stomach only.
d) Kapalbhati should be practiced after the asanas and Relaxation (atleast 10 minutes) and before meditation
e) Chest should not move very much.
(f) It is always good and advisable that this exercise should be learned under supervision of yoga teacher after discussion with him about your health.
Mr Subodh Gupta,is consultant with NIE The Times of India group (India’s largest Media Group).He has been Interviewed by various TV channel channels in India and London. Mr Gupta has organized more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management.
Please click here for reaching to Subodh Gupta website Subodh Gupta webSite
and for blog Subodh Gupta blog
What Is Ashtanga Yoga?
In Sanskrit Ashta means eight and Anga means limbs so it can be termed as the eight limb path and is based on Yoga Philosophy of Patanjali. As history of yoga is very rich it helps people in all its manner and this is one of its form which is also known as Power Yoga. Each of the eight limbs has an important part to play for a better and healthy living looking ahead to make life less stressful and happy.
The eight limbs which signify Ashthanga Yoga are
1. Yama - It reflects the moral and ethical grounds of human behavior
Ahimsa: Non-violence
Satya: Truthfulness
Asteya: No stealing
Brahmacharya: Celibacy
Aparigraha: Non-covetousness or Envy or possessiveness
2. Niyama - It reflects the disciplines one has to go through their human life
Shoucha - Purity
Santosh - Contentment
Tapa - Endurance
Swadhyaya- Self study
Eshwar Pranidhan- Dedication towards god
3. Asana: It is the practice of asana for better well-being in your body and soul
4. Pranayama: Breathing exercises a way to attain control on your breathing pattern
5. Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the senses, which would mean total cut off from the outside world and the concentration level increases in making your mind a haven for all the positive energy.
6. Dharana: Concentration, something which would help you to concentrate without any level of distraction.
7. Dhyana: Meditation and concentration on things which are your main objective but also being done on a wider perspective.
8. Samadhi: Attainment a state of joy and bliss which is based on your skills of dhyana and realizing the purity of your life and the importance in life as whole. It can also be stated as enlightenment.
Kevin Pederson, the webmaster for Yogawiz, on all aspects of yoga and to know about the different types of yoga like ashthanga yoga.
http://www.yogawiz.com
The eight limbs which signify Ashthanga Yoga are
1. Yama - It reflects the moral and ethical grounds of human behavior
Ahimsa: Non-violence
Satya: Truthfulness
Asteya: No stealing
Brahmacharya: Celibacy
Aparigraha: Non-covetousness or Envy or possessiveness
2. Niyama - It reflects the disciplines one has to go through their human life
Shoucha - Purity
Santosh - Contentment
Tapa - Endurance
Swadhyaya- Self study
Eshwar Pranidhan- Dedication towards god
3. Asana: It is the practice of asana for better well-being in your body and soul
4. Pranayama: Breathing exercises a way to attain control on your breathing pattern
5. Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the senses, which would mean total cut off from the outside world and the concentration level increases in making your mind a haven for all the positive energy.
6. Dharana: Concentration, something which would help you to concentrate without any level of distraction.
7. Dhyana: Meditation and concentration on things which are your main objective but also being done on a wider perspective.
8. Samadhi: Attainment a state of joy and bliss which is based on your skills of dhyana and realizing the purity of your life and the importance in life as whole. It can also be stated as enlightenment.
Kevin Pederson, the webmaster for Yogawiz, on all aspects of yoga and to know about the different types of yoga like ashthanga yoga.
http://www.yogawiz.com
The Truth About Options for Yoga Teachers, Part 5
Kids Yoga: You really have to be connected to a children?s day care center, private school, or public school, to have large numbers of kids joining your Yoga classes. This may not be the case everywhere, but it reflects the feedback I get from Yoga teachers worldwide.
It is also true for our wellness center in North Providence, RI. Our Kids Yoga class started small but now has a regular following of 20 students per class. To be honest, I brought Yoga into the children?s martial arts classes by integrating Vinyasa Yoga with their regular warm-ups.
The result was children who shed fat, became a bit more muscular, and demonstrated more strength and positive attitudes than ever before. The parents are ecstatic about the results now, but wondered what I was up to, when children in Jujitsu or Karate classes were engaged in Yoga training, as part of the curriculum. The benefits to children who learn Yoga are endless.
This is a non-competitive atmosphere, where a kid can just be a kid. Children, who regularly participate in Yoga classes, do not have to put pressure on themselves, and can learn many life skills, such as enhanced self-appreciation.
If you are going to teach children, make sure you are prepared for them to be your biggest challenge. It is all about keeping their attention span, therefore, split your Yoga class into segments. Classes have to be fun, and you should only address four components such as: posture, breathing, relaxation, and meditation. Keep it simple, and don?t go off into a lecture that will put them to sleep. Kids do not come to Hatha Yoga classes to learn the finer points of Bhakti Yoga.
Always praise each child who participates, as this does help their self-esteem. Many times, Kids Yoga class is similar to a carnival, where every child wins a prize. In this case, always point out the children who try. This atmosphere will create children who follow the best examples; then, praise those children who try to copy. This is a win-win situation for every child in your Yoga class.
If you do not have patience, please do not consider teaching Yoga to children. Teaching a Kids Yoga class is not for every Yoga instructor. You have to be creative, an entertainer, and a guide to become a kids Yoga instructor.
After all, Kids Yoga classes contain aspects of Yoga that many adults have lost track of - from a very silly Lion face, to an extremely serious meditation. When you are giving Yoga instruction to a class full of children, your mind must be as flexible as your body.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
It is also true for our wellness center in North Providence, RI. Our Kids Yoga class started small but now has a regular following of 20 students per class. To be honest, I brought Yoga into the children?s martial arts classes by integrating Vinyasa Yoga with their regular warm-ups.
The result was children who shed fat, became a bit more muscular, and demonstrated more strength and positive attitudes than ever before. The parents are ecstatic about the results now, but wondered what I was up to, when children in Jujitsu or Karate classes were engaged in Yoga training, as part of the curriculum. The benefits to children who learn Yoga are endless.
This is a non-competitive atmosphere, where a kid can just be a kid. Children, who regularly participate in Yoga classes, do not have to put pressure on themselves, and can learn many life skills, such as enhanced self-appreciation.
If you are going to teach children, make sure you are prepared for them to be your biggest challenge. It is all about keeping their attention span, therefore, split your Yoga class into segments. Classes have to be fun, and you should only address four components such as: posture, breathing, relaxation, and meditation. Keep it simple, and don?t go off into a lecture that will put them to sleep. Kids do not come to Hatha Yoga classes to learn the finer points of Bhakti Yoga.
Always praise each child who participates, as this does help their self-esteem. Many times, Kids Yoga class is similar to a carnival, where every child wins a prize. In this case, always point out the children who try. This atmosphere will create children who follow the best examples; then, praise those children who try to copy. This is a win-win situation for every child in your Yoga class.
If you do not have patience, please do not consider teaching Yoga to children. Teaching a Kids Yoga class is not for every Yoga instructor. You have to be creative, an entertainer, and a guide to become a kids Yoga instructor.
After all, Kids Yoga classes contain aspects of Yoga that many adults have lost track of - from a very silly Lion face, to an extremely serious meditation. When you are giving Yoga instruction to a class full of children, your mind must be as flexible as your body.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
The Top Five Benefits of Yoga Exercise
Yoga has been practiced by people the world over for many centuries, and it is still very popular today. Many people use it to strengthen the mind, body and spirit connection. There are actually several forms of yoga, and a seemingly infinite array of poses and postures that can be used. But however you choose to make use of yoga exercise, here are the top five benefits of including yoga in your home fitness routine.
1. Yoga not only strengthens your muscles but also increases their flexibility. Many people today use weight training to help build larger more powerful muscles. However, short and powerful muscles can be prone to injury. And flexibility is often ignored in many workout routines. Yoga can help round out your workout schedule, not only strengthening the muscles of your body but also making them flexible enough to protect you from injury as you exercise.
2. Yoga also helps increase your energy level. There is an emphasis on increasing the oxygen level in your blood while doing yoga exercises, and that in turn leads to a more energetic overall feeling. And because of the increased flexibility that yoga brings, there is a tendency to move more anyway because there is a wider range of free movement available in the body. And staying active also leads to higher energy levels as well.
3. Yoga also stimulates endocrine gland function by utilizing twisting and bending poses that activate the endocrine system and helps normalize sluggish glands.
4. One of the most popular benefits of yoga exercises is that it not only strengthens and improves your physical condition, but also helps relieve stress and tension to improve your mental outlook too. Today’s society is fast-paced and hectic, and this can take its toll on one both physically and mentally. Yoga recognizes this, and many of the slow stretching movements and deep breathing that is part of most yoga exercises help clear your mind of the cares of the day and focus it on positive things instead.
5. Closely related to your mood and mental outlook are other psychological benefits of using yoga. Very often we carry negative messages and feelings inside, and the practice of yoga helps a person better tune into the person that they are inside, increasing self awareness and self esteem.
There are lots of other advantages and benefits of adding yoga exercise into your fitness workouts, including the fact that it is both inexpensive and relatively easy to do. You may find by incorporating yoga into your daily routine, that even more benefits become readily apparent. This is fine because yoga is a deeply personal experience. It is not necessarily the same for each person who practices it. But hopefully the benefits of yoga exercise that we have covered in this article will help convince you that it should be a major part of your daily fitness routine from now on.
Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including fitness. You can find free yoga exercises and free yoga poses by visiting our Home Fitness website.
1. Yoga not only strengthens your muscles but also increases their flexibility. Many people today use weight training to help build larger more powerful muscles. However, short and powerful muscles can be prone to injury. And flexibility is often ignored in many workout routines. Yoga can help round out your workout schedule, not only strengthening the muscles of your body but also making them flexible enough to protect you from injury as you exercise.
2. Yoga also helps increase your energy level. There is an emphasis on increasing the oxygen level in your blood while doing yoga exercises, and that in turn leads to a more energetic overall feeling. And because of the increased flexibility that yoga brings, there is a tendency to move more anyway because there is a wider range of free movement available in the body. And staying active also leads to higher energy levels as well.
3. Yoga also stimulates endocrine gland function by utilizing twisting and bending poses that activate the endocrine system and helps normalize sluggish glands.
4. One of the most popular benefits of yoga exercises is that it not only strengthens and improves your physical condition, but also helps relieve stress and tension to improve your mental outlook too. Today’s society is fast-paced and hectic, and this can take its toll on one both physically and mentally. Yoga recognizes this, and many of the slow stretching movements and deep breathing that is part of most yoga exercises help clear your mind of the cares of the day and focus it on positive things instead.
5. Closely related to your mood and mental outlook are other psychological benefits of using yoga. Very often we carry negative messages and feelings inside, and the practice of yoga helps a person better tune into the person that they are inside, increasing self awareness and self esteem.
There are lots of other advantages and benefits of adding yoga exercise into your fitness workouts, including the fact that it is both inexpensive and relatively easy to do. You may find by incorporating yoga into your daily routine, that even more benefits become readily apparent. This is fine because yoga is a deeply personal experience. It is not necessarily the same for each person who practices it. But hopefully the benefits of yoga exercise that we have covered in this article will help convince you that it should be a major part of your daily fitness routine from now on.
Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including fitness. You can find free yoga exercises and free yoga poses by visiting our Home Fitness website.
The Truth About Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa is a Sanskrit word, which refers to breath and movement. For example each Yoga posture is matched by one breath. This is what you do when you perform Sun or Moon salutations, and these are also a form of Vinyasa Yoga.
So, any sequences of postures that are synchronized, with your breath are classified as Vinyasa. There are many forms of Vinyasa and even the gentle ones are vigorous. The postures are not held in a fixed position for long and classes flow with rhythm, similar to music.
The energy used in flowing from one movement, to the next, continues throughout a typical Vinyasa Yoga class. This type of Yoga class will challenge aerobic endurance, enhance flexibility, and build overall strength.
There are many variations of Vinyasa Yoga classes. Some are related to or offshoots of Ashtanga Yoga, some are very gentle, and others are variations of extended Sun or Moon sequences. The variety of Vinyasa classes is further expanded when you consider different sequences, pace of the class, and the temperature of the room.
What about heated Yoga classes; is this hot Yoga? The temperature can vary depending upon the policy of the Yoga studio.
At our wellness center in North Providence, RI, the temperature can be near 80 Fahrenheit during winter months. During the summer months, we keep the temperature in the low 70?s. That is a far cry from a 105-degree hot Yoga or Bikram classes.
Most of the heat generated in a typical Vinyasa class is internal body heat. As a result of all this internal heat, you will most likely sweat. Therefore, bring a towel and a bottle of good quality water.
When used for personal health maintenance, Vinyasa Yoga is the ultimate cross training system, with low impact movement, aerobic, and muscle toning benefits. Your body will go through an incredible transformation, but it does require determination. This explains why Vinyasa Yoga attracts so many type A personalities.
Even if you don?t have a type A personality, it will rub off. As a ?by product? of Vinyasa practice, your self-esteem will be improved. You will manage stress and develop a much more calm personality.
Now, where do you start? Find a local school with at least two levels of Vinyasa practice. If you have been on the couch for a while, it will be best to take some gentle Yoga classes first.
However, if you are very active, you may want to jump right in. You should have an honest talk with your Yoga teacher, before starting Vinyasa practice. It?s always best to be honest with yourself, about your level of fitness. Have fun, but do not push yourself, when you are in unfamiliar territory.
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
So, any sequences of postures that are synchronized, with your breath are classified as Vinyasa. There are many forms of Vinyasa and even the gentle ones are vigorous. The postures are not held in a fixed position for long and classes flow with rhythm, similar to music.
The energy used in flowing from one movement, to the next, continues throughout a typical Vinyasa Yoga class. This type of Yoga class will challenge aerobic endurance, enhance flexibility, and build overall strength.
There are many variations of Vinyasa Yoga classes. Some are related to or offshoots of Ashtanga Yoga, some are very gentle, and others are variations of extended Sun or Moon sequences. The variety of Vinyasa classes is further expanded when you consider different sequences, pace of the class, and the temperature of the room.
What about heated Yoga classes; is this hot Yoga? The temperature can vary depending upon the policy of the Yoga studio.
At our wellness center in North Providence, RI, the temperature can be near 80 Fahrenheit during winter months. During the summer months, we keep the temperature in the low 70?s. That is a far cry from a 105-degree hot Yoga or Bikram classes.
Most of the heat generated in a typical Vinyasa class is internal body heat. As a result of all this internal heat, you will most likely sweat. Therefore, bring a towel and a bottle of good quality water.
When used for personal health maintenance, Vinyasa Yoga is the ultimate cross training system, with low impact movement, aerobic, and muscle toning benefits. Your body will go through an incredible transformation, but it does require determination. This explains why Vinyasa Yoga attracts so many type A personalities.
Even if you don?t have a type A personality, it will rub off. As a ?by product? of Vinyasa practice, your self-esteem will be improved. You will manage stress and develop a much more calm personality.
Now, where do you start? Find a local school with at least two levels of Vinyasa practice. If you have been on the couch for a while, it will be best to take some gentle Yoga classes first.
However, if you are very active, you may want to jump right in. You should have an honest talk with your Yoga teacher, before starting Vinyasa practice. It?s always best to be honest with yourself, about your level of fitness. Have fun, but do not push yourself, when you are in unfamiliar territory.
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Insider Secrets to Marketing Your Yoga Teaching Service, Part 3
Another clear fact about Internet advertising, for your Yoga teaching services, is the return-on-investment is there. Let?s face it, only people my age, or older, still read the Yellow Pages. Forget the papers, unless you can afford to be on the front page or right next to a mailing label. Most of the people who read the paper, from cover to cover, are older than I am and have a lot of time. Most of them don?t advise their younger family members to participate in Yoga. There are a few exceptions; it?s just not the rule.
The bottom line is that you will never find a better advertising tool, at this time, than your own web site. You can get a free web site, Blog, or a paid web site for next to nothing (average $150 per year). If you can?t do it, find someone young who will. If you are like me, and you want to do it yourself and have your hand held, go to Network Solutions. You can get a ?start up? site for around $75 per year.
There are always better deals around the Internet, but the Network Solutions template sites are ?user friendly? for the less technical people like me. You don?t have to know HTML, and even a dinosaur like me can learn how to put one together over a weekend. If you have your written content in a Microsoft Word format, and some pictures ready to go; you will be up and running in a day.
The only drawback with templates, or template sites, is that some are not search engine friendly. This will have an adverse effect on your search engine rankings, but if you are reaching into a specific geographic area, with specific keywords such as ?Los Angeles Yoga,? you have only so many Yoga teachers struggling for a front page rank. Some templates are more search engine friendly than others, so you should do some research before purchasing anything.
In other words, you are not competing with every Yoga studio and Ashram on the Internet. My studio in North Providence is not relevant to the Yoga student searching for classes in Los Angeles. The keywords that I focus on are related to my geographic area and to the services specific to our wellness center.
Therefore, the competition for any local Yoga teacher, within a specific geographic area, is limited. So, it should not be hard to establish yourself in the rankings, even if you are located in a large city. Every large city has specific keywords that refer to the exact neighborhood where you teach Yoga.
It does not matter if another Yoga teacher comes up first under the keywords ?California Yoga,? if a prospective Yoga student Lives at the other end of the state.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
The bottom line is that you will never find a better advertising tool, at this time, than your own web site. You can get a free web site, Blog, or a paid web site for next to nothing (average $150 per year). If you can?t do it, find someone young who will. If you are like me, and you want to do it yourself and have your hand held, go to Network Solutions. You can get a ?start up? site for around $75 per year.
There are always better deals around the Internet, but the Network Solutions template sites are ?user friendly? for the less technical people like me. You don?t have to know HTML, and even a dinosaur like me can learn how to put one together over a weekend. If you have your written content in a Microsoft Word format, and some pictures ready to go; you will be up and running in a day.
The only drawback with templates, or template sites, is that some are not search engine friendly. This will have an adverse effect on your search engine rankings, but if you are reaching into a specific geographic area, with specific keywords such as ?Los Angeles Yoga,? you have only so many Yoga teachers struggling for a front page rank. Some templates are more search engine friendly than others, so you should do some research before purchasing anything.
In other words, you are not competing with every Yoga studio and Ashram on the Internet. My studio in North Providence is not relevant to the Yoga student searching for classes in Los Angeles. The keywords that I focus on are related to my geographic area and to the services specific to our wellness center.
Therefore, the competition for any local Yoga teacher, within a specific geographic area, is limited. So, it should not be hard to establish yourself in the rankings, even if you are located in a large city. Every large city has specific keywords that refer to the exact neighborhood where you teach Yoga.
It does not matter if another Yoga teacher comes up first under the keywords ?California Yoga,? if a prospective Yoga student Lives at the other end of the state.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Relieve the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis with Chair Yoga
Those coping with multiple sclerosis (MS) have access to more ways of managing the effects of their disease than ever before.
One ?new? way of relieving the symptoms of MS isn?t new at all; it is a form of keeping the body fit that is thousands of years old. I?m taking about yoga, as the title of the article implies.
There have been a number of scientific studies that have shown yoga to be an effective treatment for MS, and this benefit has been acknowledged by numerous well-known organizations, including The National MS Society, The American Yoga Association and The American Academy of Neurology, to name just a few. Mainstream health care professionals are now endorsing the idea that the regular practice of yoga is an effective therapy for treating the symptoms of MS.
The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (MSF) obviously believes in the value of chair yoga. They have extended a grant so that Liz Franklin?s Yoga In Chairs? classes can be offered to those with MS at no cost to them. They are also funding scholarships so that yoga instructors can be trained to teach chair yoga classes for MS.
Here?s what some of the people taking these special chair yoga classes sponsored by the MSF have said about the program.
“I have been taking Liz Franklin?s class for a few months now. I have noticed more mobility with less pain and I have learned how to truly relax in order to regroup and pursue daily tasks. Liz takes an active interest in what is bothering us as a class and offers solutions and poses that might help us. She is truly a joy. I look forward to this class every week. From my point of view this class has been a blessing. I also plan on informing my doctor how much this class has helped me.? - Paula L.
“…Yoga has made a rather significant difference in my Multiple Sclerosis symptoms. I have noticed that following a yoga session, normally the next day, my ability to walk is improved. My balance problem is better and the stiffness in my arms and legs is quite improved. I have also noticed some improvement in my mental attitude.? - Bill J.
?I was concerned about being able to ?do yoga?, but the way Liz teaches the exercises she makes it easy to succeed and the benefits are great! By being able to breathe more deeply, to having more muscle flexibility and just knowing that even with MS I am able to succeed with an exercise program have helped me mentally and physically. The exercises are easily incorporated into my daily life. They give me more energy and help me feel better about myself.? - Kay H.
“Just over a year ago I could barely walk. My doctor recommended yoga. However, I found traditional yoga too strenuous and required too much effort getting up and down. Yoga in Chairs has provided me with all of the benefits of yoga without the physical stress of getting up and down. I now walk with ease. I have regained muscle strength, increased flexibility and feel so relaxed after class.? - Mary H.
?I am really enjoying Yoga in Chairs. I was a little worried at first that I would not be able to do everything but I have not had any problems. Liz has made me feel very comfortable in the class and has also made me feel that if I can?t do everything that is OK. She is a very positive and calm influence. I do feel more relaxed and less stressed after the class. I have a lot of muscle spasticity in my back and the stretching and moving has helped so much. It?s a great class!? - Gaye B.
?I was skeptical at first but with each week I feel more into the program. The class seems better as we go and I am enjoying it more as time goes on. Thanks!? - Lori B.
?I have enjoyed Yoga in Chairs. It makes me feel relaxed. I?ve learned some valuable exercises from class. Liz has some wonderful handouts. She is a very knowledgeable instructor and makes it seem so easy. By taking this class I am more aware of how I carry my stress and the importance of letting it go.” - Marcia S.
“Your class has been very beneficial for me both physically and mentally. I am a newly diagnosed MS patient and quite honestly, I was quite unsure of what physical limitations that I might face. Yoga has shown me that I can exercise on a regular basis and it has helped me with my flexibility and my balance has improved. While I don’t spend an hour a day practicing yoga, I use some of the stretching techniques every morning actually before I get out of bed and I have also been able to use some of your exercises at work as “stress-busters”. I have also found that my lower back doesn’t ache nearly as much when I do my faithfully do my morning stretches and exercises.” - Kerri R.
“I have also had sleep issues for quite a few years and while yoga has not eliminated them, it has certainly helped me on my focus and my ability to relax, thus helping me with my sleep. It has also helped me to open my mind and heart to other ideas - physically, emotionally and spiritually.” - Mary R.
“Having only started this class in the last few months, it has already been beneficial and helpful in various ways. I am more aware of my posture and the means to improve it, plus I am more conscious of ways to relieve stress and to relax both fully and/or for moments. I am grateful for this class” - Vicky M.
And from one of the student?s chiropractors: ?The patient started a yoga class, at which point I noticed a rather significant difference in not only how she was feeling subjectively, but also her objective findings in regards to her muscle tone and her gait. I feel that the yoga class that she was attending has been very beneficial in the treatment of her condition and has afforded her a higher quality of life.? - Frank F.
Chair yoga alone won?t relieve all of the symptoms of MS. However, most people who are coping with MS will see a benefit from practicing this gentle way of staying fit.
If you are considering trying chair yoga to relieve your MS symptoms ask your doctor if it would be right for you.
Mark Franklin enjoys telling people about Liz Franklin’s Yoga In Chairs? because he knows it is helping people live healthier, happier, and longer lives. If you want to find out about Liz’ special style of chair yoga, visit http://www.yogainchairs.com
One ?new? way of relieving the symptoms of MS isn?t new at all; it is a form of keeping the body fit that is thousands of years old. I?m taking about yoga, as the title of the article implies.
There have been a number of scientific studies that have shown yoga to be an effective treatment for MS, and this benefit has been acknowledged by numerous well-known organizations, including The National MS Society, The American Yoga Association and The American Academy of Neurology, to name just a few. Mainstream health care professionals are now endorsing the idea that the regular practice of yoga is an effective therapy for treating the symptoms of MS.
The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (MSF) obviously believes in the value of chair yoga. They have extended a grant so that Liz Franklin?s Yoga In Chairs? classes can be offered to those with MS at no cost to them. They are also funding scholarships so that yoga instructors can be trained to teach chair yoga classes for MS.
Here?s what some of the people taking these special chair yoga classes sponsored by the MSF have said about the program.
“I have been taking Liz Franklin?s class for a few months now. I have noticed more mobility with less pain and I have learned how to truly relax in order to regroup and pursue daily tasks. Liz takes an active interest in what is bothering us as a class and offers solutions and poses that might help us. She is truly a joy. I look forward to this class every week. From my point of view this class has been a blessing. I also plan on informing my doctor how much this class has helped me.? - Paula L.
“…Yoga has made a rather significant difference in my Multiple Sclerosis symptoms. I have noticed that following a yoga session, normally the next day, my ability to walk is improved. My balance problem is better and the stiffness in my arms and legs is quite improved. I have also noticed some improvement in my mental attitude.? - Bill J.
?I was concerned about being able to ?do yoga?, but the way Liz teaches the exercises she makes it easy to succeed and the benefits are great! By being able to breathe more deeply, to having more muscle flexibility and just knowing that even with MS I am able to succeed with an exercise program have helped me mentally and physically. The exercises are easily incorporated into my daily life. They give me more energy and help me feel better about myself.? - Kay H.
“Just over a year ago I could barely walk. My doctor recommended yoga. However, I found traditional yoga too strenuous and required too much effort getting up and down. Yoga in Chairs has provided me with all of the benefits of yoga without the physical stress of getting up and down. I now walk with ease. I have regained muscle strength, increased flexibility and feel so relaxed after class.? - Mary H.
?I am really enjoying Yoga in Chairs. I was a little worried at first that I would not be able to do everything but I have not had any problems. Liz has made me feel very comfortable in the class and has also made me feel that if I can?t do everything that is OK. She is a very positive and calm influence. I do feel more relaxed and less stressed after the class. I have a lot of muscle spasticity in my back and the stretching and moving has helped so much. It?s a great class!? - Gaye B.
?I was skeptical at first but with each week I feel more into the program. The class seems better as we go and I am enjoying it more as time goes on. Thanks!? - Lori B.
?I have enjoyed Yoga in Chairs. It makes me feel relaxed. I?ve learned some valuable exercises from class. Liz has some wonderful handouts. She is a very knowledgeable instructor and makes it seem so easy. By taking this class I am more aware of how I carry my stress and the importance of letting it go.” - Marcia S.
“Your class has been very beneficial for me both physically and mentally. I am a newly diagnosed MS patient and quite honestly, I was quite unsure of what physical limitations that I might face. Yoga has shown me that I can exercise on a regular basis and it has helped me with my flexibility and my balance has improved. While I don’t spend an hour a day practicing yoga, I use some of the stretching techniques every morning actually before I get out of bed and I have also been able to use some of your exercises at work as “stress-busters”. I have also found that my lower back doesn’t ache nearly as much when I do my faithfully do my morning stretches and exercises.” - Kerri R.
“I have also had sleep issues for quite a few years and while yoga has not eliminated them, it has certainly helped me on my focus and my ability to relax, thus helping me with my sleep. It has also helped me to open my mind and heart to other ideas - physically, emotionally and spiritually.” - Mary R.
“Having only started this class in the last few months, it has already been beneficial and helpful in various ways. I am more aware of my posture and the means to improve it, plus I am more conscious of ways to relieve stress and to relax both fully and/or for moments. I am grateful for this class” - Vicky M.
And from one of the student?s chiropractors: ?The patient started a yoga class, at which point I noticed a rather significant difference in not only how she was feeling subjectively, but also her objective findings in regards to her muscle tone and her gait. I feel that the yoga class that she was attending has been very beneficial in the treatment of her condition and has afforded her a higher quality of life.? - Frank F.
Chair yoga alone won?t relieve all of the symptoms of MS. However, most people who are coping with MS will see a benefit from practicing this gentle way of staying fit.
If you are considering trying chair yoga to relieve your MS symptoms ask your doctor if it would be right for you.
Mark Franklin enjoys telling people about Liz Franklin’s Yoga In Chairs? because he knows it is helping people live healthier, happier, and longer lives. If you want to find out about Liz’ special style of chair yoga, visit http://www.yogainchairs.com
What You Need to Know When You Start Yoga Exercises
No down you have heard about yoga for years but you may not really know much about it. If you are just a beginner in the yoga world, here are some things that you need to know about before you start.
There are several different styles or kinds of yoga exercises, that range from very gentle and relaxing positions to fairly fast-paced cardio workouts. So first decide what you want to accomplish with yoga. If you have suffered an injury or are trying to manage pain, then perhaps one of the more gentle types of yoga will be best at least for now.
So how do you learn how to practice yoga? Well, there are plenty of DVDs and videos available that can help you learn more about it. However, it’s usually best to learn the exercises from a quality instructor instead. There are many yoga classes available at studios and gyms all across the country. It may be a good idea to ask around and get recommendations from others about the best yoga instructors in your area. A good instructor will be very patient with you as you start out and will focus on teaching you not only the exercises themselves, but also how to maintain proper body alignment and breathing techniques throughout the positions and poses. It’s a good idea to visit a few yoga classes and perhaps sit in on a session or two to learn more about each instructor, and then choose the one that you like best.
It’s important that you approach yoga with the right mental attitude. It is not a competition. It is not a challenge. You are not trying to do something better than anyone else. In fact, yoga is a very personal experience. So listen to your own body as you learn the exercises and you can’t go wrong.
So what equipment are you going to need for this new adventure? Well, wearing the right clothing will be important. Your clothing needs to be comfortable and not restrictive. And since you can get very warm from practicing the poses and positions, your clothing should also be breathable and keep your skin as dry as possible.
Perhaps the most common piece of equipment is a yoga mat. They can actually come in handy for a couple of reasons. First of all, the mat can help keep you from slipping as you exercise on the floor. This gets more important as the session progresses and you perspire at your body heats up. The other benefit of using a yoga mat is that it keeps you from having to sit on a hard bare floor. There are several types of mats available, so just choose the one that fits you best.
Water will be important to have handy as you will need to stay hydrated as you exercise and replace any lost fluids. Generally, it’s best to practice yoga on an empty stomach, so try to avoid eating heavy meals very soon beforehand too.
Many people have found that yoga makes a very important contribution to their mental and physical well-being. Hopefully, it can do the same for you.
Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including fitness. You can find free yoga exercises and free yoga poses by visiting our Home Fitness website.
There are several different styles or kinds of yoga exercises, that range from very gentle and relaxing positions to fairly fast-paced cardio workouts. So first decide what you want to accomplish with yoga. If you have suffered an injury or are trying to manage pain, then perhaps one of the more gentle types of yoga will be best at least for now.
So how do you learn how to practice yoga? Well, there are plenty of DVDs and videos available that can help you learn more about it. However, it’s usually best to learn the exercises from a quality instructor instead. There are many yoga classes available at studios and gyms all across the country. It may be a good idea to ask around and get recommendations from others about the best yoga instructors in your area. A good instructor will be very patient with you as you start out and will focus on teaching you not only the exercises themselves, but also how to maintain proper body alignment and breathing techniques throughout the positions and poses. It’s a good idea to visit a few yoga classes and perhaps sit in on a session or two to learn more about each instructor, and then choose the one that you like best.
It’s important that you approach yoga with the right mental attitude. It is not a competition. It is not a challenge. You are not trying to do something better than anyone else. In fact, yoga is a very personal experience. So listen to your own body as you learn the exercises and you can’t go wrong.
So what equipment are you going to need for this new adventure? Well, wearing the right clothing will be important. Your clothing needs to be comfortable and not restrictive. And since you can get very warm from practicing the poses and positions, your clothing should also be breathable and keep your skin as dry as possible.
Perhaps the most common piece of equipment is a yoga mat. They can actually come in handy for a couple of reasons. First of all, the mat can help keep you from slipping as you exercise on the floor. This gets more important as the session progresses and you perspire at your body heats up. The other benefit of using a yoga mat is that it keeps you from having to sit on a hard bare floor. There are several types of mats available, so just choose the one that fits you best.
Water will be important to have handy as you will need to stay hydrated as you exercise and replace any lost fluids. Generally, it’s best to practice yoga on an empty stomach, so try to avoid eating heavy meals very soon beforehand too.
Many people have found that yoga makes a very important contribution to their mental and physical well-being. Hopefully, it can do the same for you.
Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including fitness. You can find free yoga exercises and free yoga poses by visiting our Home Fitness website.
Eating Wisely and Weight Loss
Please bear in mind that I am not a dietician, or a physician, and my opinions are those of a Yoga teacher, personal fitness trainer, and life-long student of Ayurveda. Always consult your family physician before changing your diet.
It may be generally agreed that eating wisely and weight loss do not often agree. Just look back that the parade of ?fad diets? that didn?t seem to work over the long term and, in retrospect, were not wise from the onset.
This article will be a ?union? of ideas from Ayurvedic principles, modern fitness concepts, and overall strategies for better health.
It goes without saying that a vegetarian diet is healthy. Only a decade ago, there were many reservations, among local physicians in New England, in regard to this concept. How rapidly knowledge, insight, and opinions change.
Marie, my wife, exposed me to the vegetarian diet. Before that, I ate what is now called the ?Mediterranean Diet.? The diet I eat, to this day, is a combination of the two. The combination of these two, ?classic? diets, are easy for me to live with and it is not an effort, at all, for me.
That is the biggest hurdle for most people. Many of us take on a radical dieting change that we cannot live with. Most of us can afford to make a few small changes at a time, instead of changing everything at once - unless you are dieting under the guidance of your doctor or dietician.
Therefore, I propose a few small changes to your eating habits that will make sense. You do not have to change them all at one time.
Sit down and focus on eating your meal.
Avoid television, reading, heated conversations, etc.
Thoroughly chew your food at a slow pace and do not put more food in your mouth until you have swallowed the previous bite.
Be aware of how hungry you are before your meal.
Try to avoid too much time between meals, as this leads to over consumption and your stomach should never be more than three quarters full, after a meal.
Exercise tip: Some of you practice Yoga and understand the many benefits of Sun Salutations, but have you ever tried weight resistance?
Strength training increases energy expenditure during a weight resistance training session. The high intensity of strength training indicates a high utilization of carbohydrates during a training session.
During the post-exercise recovery period, energy expenditure is elevated for a period ranging from two to fifteen hours(1). The increased energy demands are obtained by burning more calories, and a good portion of the calories are coming from fat stores.
Reference (1) - Melby C, Scholl C, Edwards G, Bullough R. Effect of acute resistance exercise on post exercise energy expenditure and resting metabolic rate. Journal of Applied Physiology 75(4): 1847-1853, 1993.
Even if you work every body part just once a week, this method of cross training will effectively burn calories. When you combine this with any aerobic activity, you have a powerful combination. Rowing and bicycling are good substitute forms of resistance too.
Strategies for results: Get help from a qualified Personal Trainer, Dietician, or a Life Coach. You could do it all yourself, but how much time do you have to ?spin your wheels.? without any progress? These services exist for those who don?t want to waste time and want solutions now.
Paul Jerard, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher.
http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org
It may be generally agreed that eating wisely and weight loss do not often agree. Just look back that the parade of ?fad diets? that didn?t seem to work over the long term and, in retrospect, were not wise from the onset.
This article will be a ?union? of ideas from Ayurvedic principles, modern fitness concepts, and overall strategies for better health.
It goes without saying that a vegetarian diet is healthy. Only a decade ago, there were many reservations, among local physicians in New England, in regard to this concept. How rapidly knowledge, insight, and opinions change.
Marie, my wife, exposed me to the vegetarian diet. Before that, I ate what is now called the ?Mediterranean Diet.? The diet I eat, to this day, is a combination of the two. The combination of these two, ?classic? diets, are easy for me to live with and it is not an effort, at all, for me.
That is the biggest hurdle for most people. Many of us take on a radical dieting change that we cannot live with. Most of us can afford to make a few small changes at a time, instead of changing everything at once - unless you are dieting under the guidance of your doctor or dietician.
Therefore, I propose a few small changes to your eating habits that will make sense. You do not have to change them all at one time.
Sit down and focus on eating your meal.
Avoid television, reading, heated conversations, etc.
Thoroughly chew your food at a slow pace and do not put more food in your mouth until you have swallowed the previous bite.
Be aware of how hungry you are before your meal.
Try to avoid too much time between meals, as this leads to over consumption and your stomach should never be more than three quarters full, after a meal.
Exercise tip: Some of you practice Yoga and understand the many benefits of Sun Salutations, but have you ever tried weight resistance?
Strength training increases energy expenditure during a weight resistance training session. The high intensity of strength training indicates a high utilization of carbohydrates during a training session.
During the post-exercise recovery period, energy expenditure is elevated for a period ranging from two to fifteen hours(1). The increased energy demands are obtained by burning more calories, and a good portion of the calories are coming from fat stores.
Reference (1) - Melby C, Scholl C, Edwards G, Bullough R. Effect of acute resistance exercise on post exercise energy expenditure and resting metabolic rate. Journal of Applied Physiology 75(4): 1847-1853, 1993.
Even if you work every body part just once a week, this method of cross training will effectively burn calories. When you combine this with any aerobic activity, you have a powerful combination. Rowing and bicycling are good substitute forms of resistance too.
Strategies for results: Get help from a qualified Personal Trainer, Dietician, or a Life Coach. You could do it all yourself, but how much time do you have to ?spin your wheels.? without any progress? These services exist for those who don?t want to waste time and want solutions now.
Paul Jerard, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher.
http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org
Nude Aerobics Yoga?
Nude aerobics yoga may sound vulgar, offensive and impossible but it does exists.
A lot of people may not practice doing this but there are some who would really
prefer doing nude aerobics yoga.
Nude aerobics yoga may imply something not applicable to some culture and
society. There are some places that might not respect that kind of practice.
They say nudity is healthy natural. Those who do nude aerobics yoga say that
clothes keep them disturbed and it prevents the flow of air in getting inside the
body. This may be funny but they really think it that way. For them, wearing clothes
is like an excess baggage.
Some can?t even carry out yoga with their clothes on. If this is the case, a lot of
people will be intimidated or perhaps be interested in doing nude aerobics yoga.
Somehow, this brings some negative effects in the people or group doing this kind
of practice. Some might think that they will take nude aerobics yoga for fun and for
some other reasons which goes beyond imagination.
Clothes are considered an art in yoga exercises. Without clothes, where would art
take place? Did they say that the body is considered the art, not mentioning nudity?
Nude aerobics yoga is believed to be a clean exercise because people believed that
wearing clothes invited and encouraged the proliferation of microscopic fungi and
bacteria. This is acquired in warm and humid temperature and circumstances.
When the temperature is warm, they are able to interfere with the natural body
temperature of our control mechanism. This makes some of the parts hotter than
the others.
People who do nude aerobics yoga can freely sweat and not be absorbed by cotton.
This may sound gross but they claimed that people who perspire in clothes smell
bad. Sweaty clothes are not pleasing to our nose. That is a fact. But those who
perspire naturally smell better.
Wearing shorts and trousers will raise the temperature of the testicles for the male.
This then results to hinder the growth of sperm and the male hormones which
reduces fertility. This can also cause impotence to both genders.
Looking back to the early generation, nudity was our natural condition as they say.
It was also added that nudity adds to the physical and emotional health of the
individual.
The main reason why people love doing nude aerobics yoga is because it feels great.
A lot of them have alleged the same reasons and they really stand for it. Nude
aerobics yoga lets you articulate your natural emotions and let you speak for
yourself. After all, it?s nice to feel the natural air slapping on your skin and feeling
the sweat roughly come out of the inside.
At first it may be too cognizant to practice the nude aerobics yoga but once you get the hang of it, you will feel that it is nourishing and exfoliating. You will realize after
that doing this exercise is not that gross as what you think. Later on you will feel its
effect on your body and it wouldn?t be surprising to see that your body has changed
because you have bared it all.
It is now time to change your viewpoint in life and go on a different level. After you
have experienced all the styles of yoga, try the nude aerobics yoga and have that
nice feel.
? Copyright Melvin Chua, All Rights Reserved.
Melvin has dozens more related articles and tips on doing yoga at his site: doing yoga, check them
out today!
A lot of people may not practice doing this but there are some who would really
prefer doing nude aerobics yoga.
Nude aerobics yoga may imply something not applicable to some culture and
society. There are some places that might not respect that kind of practice.
They say nudity is healthy natural. Those who do nude aerobics yoga say that
clothes keep them disturbed and it prevents the flow of air in getting inside the
body. This may be funny but they really think it that way. For them, wearing clothes
is like an excess baggage.
Some can?t even carry out yoga with their clothes on. If this is the case, a lot of
people will be intimidated or perhaps be interested in doing nude aerobics yoga.
Somehow, this brings some negative effects in the people or group doing this kind
of practice. Some might think that they will take nude aerobics yoga for fun and for
some other reasons which goes beyond imagination.
Clothes are considered an art in yoga exercises. Without clothes, where would art
take place? Did they say that the body is considered the art, not mentioning nudity?
Nude aerobics yoga is believed to be a clean exercise because people believed that
wearing clothes invited and encouraged the proliferation of microscopic fungi and
bacteria. This is acquired in warm and humid temperature and circumstances.
When the temperature is warm, they are able to interfere with the natural body
temperature of our control mechanism. This makes some of the parts hotter than
the others.
People who do nude aerobics yoga can freely sweat and not be absorbed by cotton.
This may sound gross but they claimed that people who perspire in clothes smell
bad. Sweaty clothes are not pleasing to our nose. That is a fact. But those who
perspire naturally smell better.
Wearing shorts and trousers will raise the temperature of the testicles for the male.
This then results to hinder the growth of sperm and the male hormones which
reduces fertility. This can also cause impotence to both genders.
Looking back to the early generation, nudity was our natural condition as they say.
It was also added that nudity adds to the physical and emotional health of the
individual.
The main reason why people love doing nude aerobics yoga is because it feels great.
A lot of them have alleged the same reasons and they really stand for it. Nude
aerobics yoga lets you articulate your natural emotions and let you speak for
yourself. After all, it?s nice to feel the natural air slapping on your skin and feeling
the sweat roughly come out of the inside.
At first it may be too cognizant to practice the nude aerobics yoga but once you get the hang of it, you will feel that it is nourishing and exfoliating. You will realize after
that doing this exercise is not that gross as what you think. Later on you will feel its
effect on your body and it wouldn?t be surprising to see that your body has changed
because you have bared it all.
It is now time to change your viewpoint in life and go on a different level. After you
have experienced all the styles of yoga, try the nude aerobics yoga and have that
nice feel.
? Copyright Melvin Chua, All Rights Reserved.
Melvin has dozens more related articles and tips on doing yoga at his site: doing yoga, check them
out today!
The Truth About Options for Yoga Teachers, Part 7
Mommy and Me Yoga: These classes are popular enough to be a regular weekly class. Yoga studios do have them, but they are also popular at dance studios, child care centers, martial arts studios, and ?kid friendly? fitness complexes.
The Yoga teacher, who considers teaching in a Mommy and Me Yoga class, must have ?the patience of a saint.? Teaching children Yoga is one hurdle that many Yoga instructors don?t want to jump over, but teaching toddlers with their mothers, in the same class, is quite another matter.
Therefore, carefully establish guidelines to keep everyone?s behavior in control. You may start out with ten rules, but after a few months I will bet you have many more. Interestingly, I have found that just a few obnoxious parents will, unknowingly, be the cause of rules, and safeguards, for the rest. Such is life - we have laws that most of us would not consider breaking, but always someone comes forth to be the cause of new laws and more rules.
Back to the saintly Yoga teachers who run Mommy and me Yoga classes. If you teach these Yoga classes, you have my deepest respect and I congratulate you.
I have never run one of these Yoga classes, but did once have the experience of teaching children, and their parents, martial arts - in a joint setting. Notice, I said ?did once have? ? one parent single handedly created 30 new rules before he was finally dismissed. By the way, his child is still welcomed. He was my personal test of patience.
Religious Yoga: Most people, outside India, discount the value of Bhakti Yoga. This is a serious mistake for the masses to be so involved in buying, gathering, and consuming materials, that ?we cannot see the forest from the trees.? With the condition of the world today, there has never been a better time to pray for peace, tolerance, a return to traditional values, and preservation of the families.
Bhakti Yoga is the Yoga for divine worship and devotion to God. It helps, if you practice this with other Yoga practitioners who share your same religious beliefs. This will avoid conflicts and create a strong bond within the group. This form of Yoga has not become as popular outside of India.
Perhaps this is the one link that is often missing in Yoga practice. Yoga is not a ?soulless? or a mechanical practice. The connection to God is enhanced through prayer, meditation, singing, and Yoga practice.
Do not worry; Yoga is an equal opportunity practice. Yoga can be integrated with any religion. Yoga does not discriminate, or justify hate crimes, against people who think or worship differently than we do.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
The Yoga teacher, who considers teaching in a Mommy and Me Yoga class, must have ?the patience of a saint.? Teaching children Yoga is one hurdle that many Yoga instructors don?t want to jump over, but teaching toddlers with their mothers, in the same class, is quite another matter.
Therefore, carefully establish guidelines to keep everyone?s behavior in control. You may start out with ten rules, but after a few months I will bet you have many more. Interestingly, I have found that just a few obnoxious parents will, unknowingly, be the cause of rules, and safeguards, for the rest. Such is life - we have laws that most of us would not consider breaking, but always someone comes forth to be the cause of new laws and more rules.
Back to the saintly Yoga teachers who run Mommy and me Yoga classes. If you teach these Yoga classes, you have my deepest respect and I congratulate you.
I have never run one of these Yoga classes, but did once have the experience of teaching children, and their parents, martial arts - in a joint setting. Notice, I said ?did once have? ? one parent single handedly created 30 new rules before he was finally dismissed. By the way, his child is still welcomed. He was my personal test of patience.
Religious Yoga: Most people, outside India, discount the value of Bhakti Yoga. This is a serious mistake for the masses to be so involved in buying, gathering, and consuming materials, that ?we cannot see the forest from the trees.? With the condition of the world today, there has never been a better time to pray for peace, tolerance, a return to traditional values, and preservation of the families.
Bhakti Yoga is the Yoga for divine worship and devotion to God. It helps, if you practice this with other Yoga practitioners who share your same religious beliefs. This will avoid conflicts and create a strong bond within the group. This form of Yoga has not become as popular outside of India.
Perhaps this is the one link that is often missing in Yoga practice. Yoga is not a ?soulless? or a mechanical practice. The connection to God is enhanced through prayer, meditation, singing, and Yoga practice.
Do not worry; Yoga is an equal opportunity practice. Yoga can be integrated with any religion. Yoga does not discriminate, or justify hate crimes, against people who think or worship differently than we do.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Yoga is a Journey, Not a Destination
If you wish to know how you are doing in your practice - look at your reactions - look at your life. Unless we connect ‘off’ the mat, bringing our practice into daily life, then any insights and breakthroughs will be of no great value. You may be great at practising yoga on the mat, or sitting quietly in a room - But how are you at practising it in your relationships - with your mother, your son, your neighbour, your boss? As you will your body on the yoga mat to let go of tension and stress, do you remember to do the same with resentment and irritations in daily life? The next time you tell someone that you are sorry, even for bumping into them on the street - really feel it, do you mean it?
By answering questions like this - you will find out how you are doing in your practice. You may feel that you are not doing so well once you take a look at your yoga in your life - but this points out the areas that need practice. Just as it takes time to perfect a forward bend, bit by bit the spine becomes flexible and free, the same will happen with daily practice applied in other areas of your life. To be aware of what needs work is no bad thing.
The most powerful transformations are ones established over time, ones which have deeps roots. At times you will feel like you are getting nowhere, and then something will happen and your ‘new’ reaction will show you how far you have come. You will begin to have clarity in what once were confusing situations, and by really knowing who you are you will make decisions with detachment as well as love and compassion. When a fear arises, try not to stamp it out or ignore it, welcome it, acknowledge it. Just as in a yoga posture - find the edge and work with it - in time you find that the edge is not actually the place to be avoided but it is indeed your path - to be followed. By knowing this is the path you will come to realise that it is a journey and not a destination and small steps is the only way it can be travelled if you want to absorb all life has to offer. Run too fast and you may fall and hurt yourself, you will miss the beauty around you and the opportunity to engage fully with others.
‘Yoga is a journey, not a destination’ - there will always be somewhere to go. The next time you wish to measure your progress, take a look at your life as a whole - the emotions that arise in daily situations and the fears which arise in decision making, as well as during yoga postures.
Lorna Littlewing is the Webmaster of http://www.yogabhoga.co.uk, http://www.ompixels.com, and http://www.rawfoodhomepage.com
By answering questions like this - you will find out how you are doing in your practice. You may feel that you are not doing so well once you take a look at your yoga in your life - but this points out the areas that need practice. Just as it takes time to perfect a forward bend, bit by bit the spine becomes flexible and free, the same will happen with daily practice applied in other areas of your life. To be aware of what needs work is no bad thing.
The most powerful transformations are ones established over time, ones which have deeps roots. At times you will feel like you are getting nowhere, and then something will happen and your ‘new’ reaction will show you how far you have come. You will begin to have clarity in what once were confusing situations, and by really knowing who you are you will make decisions with detachment as well as love and compassion. When a fear arises, try not to stamp it out or ignore it, welcome it, acknowledge it. Just as in a yoga posture - find the edge and work with it - in time you find that the edge is not actually the place to be avoided but it is indeed your path - to be followed. By knowing this is the path you will come to realise that it is a journey and not a destination and small steps is the only way it can be travelled if you want to absorb all life has to offer. Run too fast and you may fall and hurt yourself, you will miss the beauty around you and the opportunity to engage fully with others.
‘Yoga is a journey, not a destination’ - there will always be somewhere to go. The next time you wish to measure your progress, take a look at your life as a whole - the emotions that arise in daily situations and the fears which arise in decision making, as well as during yoga postures.
Lorna Littlewing is the Webmaster of http://www.yogabhoga.co.uk, http://www.ompixels.com, and http://www.rawfoodhomepage.com
Yoga for Life
No matter what your current level of fitness; you can do, and you can benefit from, yoga.
You don?t need to renounce your religion, be able to tie yourself in knots or hold your breath for ten minutes. All you need is a desire to improve your physical and mental health ? and a good guru to guide you.
The word ?guru? is the combination of two Sanskrit words: ?gu? meaning darkness; and ?ru? meaning light. Enjoy this journey from the darkness to the light.
Yoga is a wonderful and relaxing way to lower your stress, increase strength, balance, flexibility, endurance and ability to concentrate.
People who practice yoga can retain full range of motion and excellent balance into their 90?s and beyond. I can?t stress enough how valuable that is to quality of life.
To give you some idea, think of all the falls not taken, backs not wrenched and ankles not sprained or broken. With good range of motion and the balance to adjust to life?s little missteps, you are less likely to fall and, even if you do, you are less likely to suffer serious injury.
When anyone asks me how to come back to exercise after an injury or depression or many years as a couch potato, I recommend they begin walking and sign up for a beginner?s yoga class.
When a fit exerciser hits a plateau and asks me what they can do to provide new challenges and take their body to the next level, I again suggest yoga.
Yoga is one of the world?s oldest exercise disciplines, having been practiced continually for over 5,000 years. That certainly says a lot for its content.
It is interesting to note how many ?new? disciplines borrow from, or are even based on, classical yoga. Floor Pilates should probably be named ?Pilates Yoga?. It incorporates many classic yoga poses or ?asanas? and emphasizes deep breathing coordinated with the movements, as well as development of the body?s ?core? ? all ideas central to the practice of yoga.
If you have any exercise experience, you might be surprised to learn how many of the moves you?ve picked up in various classes actually come from Hatha Yoga ? the most common form of yoga practiced in the West.
Almost all of those stretches at the end of a typical aerobics class come directly from yoga. The child?s pose (garbh-asana) is sitting on your heels with head down and back rounded ? and it is sooo relaxing.
On hands and knees, you would probably recognize the cat back (marjari-asana) and the table (svan-asana). And what about all those wonderful twists to release the spine: seated twist (matsyendr-asana); and the knee down twist (supta matsyendr-asana).
These are the same stretches orthopedists recommend for back pain linked to stress or disuse. Lying on your back, you might recognize the knee squeeze (pavana mukt-asana) and standing, the stretch tall (tad-asana).
So it seems, you can learn a lot of yoga moves by taking a variety of exercise classes. You might ask, ?Why then should I take yoga classes??
My answer is that ?doing? the poses can be quite different from doing them correctly. The coordinated breathing, the sustaining of poses and the concentration that are so integral to yoga are not likely to be achieved in a general exercise class.
Yoga teaches deep diaphragmatic breathing in tempo with each movement. Focusing on breathing allows you to transition smoothly from asana to asana and helps the muscles and joints to achieve greater range of motion.
In yoga, you will never bounce or force a stretch. You will be coached to go to your point of resistance, breathe in deeply, and stretch a tiny bit further on the exhale. You relax into the stretch; never force it.
Focusing on breathing into each asana serves yet another purpose. It takes you away from your day-to-day concerns. Once you get into your yoga zone, you will be amazed at how light you feel, how relaxed and how focused. And then, ironically, when you complete your workout and come back to earth, you will feel invigorated and energized.
Anyone undergoing a life transition or under any kind of stress (whether negative or positive) can benefit from getting away from it all and into their yoga zone where they feel calm, centered and focused. It?s a lot less expensive and easier to schedule than a vacation!
Many asanas combine the stretching of one muscle and the contraction of an opposing muscle. This is why yoga is often recommended for well-muscled athletes. Muscle building alone results in imbalances between opposing muscles. To maintain flexibility, body builders should make sure they are getting enough proper stretching work.
Very little equipment is needed to begin yoga. Your clothing should be comfortable but close-fitting so that you can observe your form. As you focus on proper breathing you want to be able to see your diaphragm moving in and out. Yoga can be done barefoot but, for sanitary reasons, most people now prefer to wear yoga socks.
Likewise, yoga can be done on a bare floor but most people prefer to use a mat. It is not just for sanitation that mats and socks have become so popular. Many poses are sustained and at first may feel awkward and difficult to maintain. The non-slip socks and mat provide the optimal surface. Further, your portable yoga surface will be the same no matter where you take your class, making it easier to perform consistently and progress rapidly.
By: Jean Bowler. For more articles about exercise for the boomer generation, visit http://www.ageless-beauty.com/exercise.html
You don?t need to renounce your religion, be able to tie yourself in knots or hold your breath for ten minutes. All you need is a desire to improve your physical and mental health ? and a good guru to guide you.
The word ?guru? is the combination of two Sanskrit words: ?gu? meaning darkness; and ?ru? meaning light. Enjoy this journey from the darkness to the light.
Yoga is a wonderful and relaxing way to lower your stress, increase strength, balance, flexibility, endurance and ability to concentrate.
People who practice yoga can retain full range of motion and excellent balance into their 90?s and beyond. I can?t stress enough how valuable that is to quality of life.
To give you some idea, think of all the falls not taken, backs not wrenched and ankles not sprained or broken. With good range of motion and the balance to adjust to life?s little missteps, you are less likely to fall and, even if you do, you are less likely to suffer serious injury.
When anyone asks me how to come back to exercise after an injury or depression or many years as a couch potato, I recommend they begin walking and sign up for a beginner?s yoga class.
When a fit exerciser hits a plateau and asks me what they can do to provide new challenges and take their body to the next level, I again suggest yoga.
Yoga is one of the world?s oldest exercise disciplines, having been practiced continually for over 5,000 years. That certainly says a lot for its content.
It is interesting to note how many ?new? disciplines borrow from, or are even based on, classical yoga. Floor Pilates should probably be named ?Pilates Yoga?. It incorporates many classic yoga poses or ?asanas? and emphasizes deep breathing coordinated with the movements, as well as development of the body?s ?core? ? all ideas central to the practice of yoga.
If you have any exercise experience, you might be surprised to learn how many of the moves you?ve picked up in various classes actually come from Hatha Yoga ? the most common form of yoga practiced in the West.
Almost all of those stretches at the end of a typical aerobics class come directly from yoga. The child?s pose (garbh-asana) is sitting on your heels with head down and back rounded ? and it is sooo relaxing.
On hands and knees, you would probably recognize the cat back (marjari-asana) and the table (svan-asana). And what about all those wonderful twists to release the spine: seated twist (matsyendr-asana); and the knee down twist (supta matsyendr-asana).
These are the same stretches orthopedists recommend for back pain linked to stress or disuse. Lying on your back, you might recognize the knee squeeze (pavana mukt-asana) and standing, the stretch tall (tad-asana).
So it seems, you can learn a lot of yoga moves by taking a variety of exercise classes. You might ask, ?Why then should I take yoga classes??
My answer is that ?doing? the poses can be quite different from doing them correctly. The coordinated breathing, the sustaining of poses and the concentration that are so integral to yoga are not likely to be achieved in a general exercise class.
Yoga teaches deep diaphragmatic breathing in tempo with each movement. Focusing on breathing allows you to transition smoothly from asana to asana and helps the muscles and joints to achieve greater range of motion.
In yoga, you will never bounce or force a stretch. You will be coached to go to your point of resistance, breathe in deeply, and stretch a tiny bit further on the exhale. You relax into the stretch; never force it.
Focusing on breathing into each asana serves yet another purpose. It takes you away from your day-to-day concerns. Once you get into your yoga zone, you will be amazed at how light you feel, how relaxed and how focused. And then, ironically, when you complete your workout and come back to earth, you will feel invigorated and energized.
Anyone undergoing a life transition or under any kind of stress (whether negative or positive) can benefit from getting away from it all and into their yoga zone where they feel calm, centered and focused. It?s a lot less expensive and easier to schedule than a vacation!
Many asanas combine the stretching of one muscle and the contraction of an opposing muscle. This is why yoga is often recommended for well-muscled athletes. Muscle building alone results in imbalances between opposing muscles. To maintain flexibility, body builders should make sure they are getting enough proper stretching work.
Very little equipment is needed to begin yoga. Your clothing should be comfortable but close-fitting so that you can observe your form. As you focus on proper breathing you want to be able to see your diaphragm moving in and out. Yoga can be done barefoot but, for sanitary reasons, most people now prefer to wear yoga socks.
Likewise, yoga can be done on a bare floor but most people prefer to use a mat. It is not just for sanitation that mats and socks have become so popular. Many poses are sustained and at first may feel awkward and difficult to maintain. The non-slip socks and mat provide the optimal surface. Further, your portable yoga surface will be the same no matter where you take your class, making it easier to perform consistently and progress rapidly.
By: Jean Bowler. For more articles about exercise for the boomer generation, visit http://www.ageless-beauty.com/exercise.html
Flying Lessons
The first time that I saw Jet Li?s film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (in a little theatre in Boulder, Colorado) I wept, fairly continuously, for about the first thirty minutes, and after that sat enraptured, amazed & deeply grateful for the beauty, power & truth that I felt being emanated from the film. Two days later I returned, for my second viewing. By the third time (all week-day matinees: cheaper & less crowded), the theatre clerks & I exchanged amused glances of recognition. By about the fifth time I was definitely feeling sheepish, if not downright embarrassed, by what I imagined was being perceived as clearly-addictive behavior. But I didn?t care! I saw the film, over the course of about a month, no fewer than seven times. Each viewing revealed some new wonder, some previously-unnoticed level of meaning, or just an exquisite detail, that my eyes, ears & heart hungrily consumed.
And what was the cause, in this film (and later also in the re-made Hero) for my tears & rapture? For drawing someone who doesn?t even really watch many movies, back like this, again & again, almost magnetically? It?s a bit hard to articulate, though what I can say is that there was something being portrayed ~ in both of these films ~ with which I resonated so deeply, that at a soul- & cell-level I recognized, which so rarely, in this culture, is portrayed. It felt like coming home. Particularly powerful for me were the fight scenes: not for the conflict that was being enacted (I actually have an aversion to violence, per se), but rather for the fluidity & lightness ~ the Mastery of physical movement ~ that was being so beautifully demonstrated. Some who I spoke to about the film considered these scenes merely fanciful, a kind of science fiction that perhaps had been taken to an extreme … but for me those scenes were ~ at long last ~ portraying a reality, something the very fibers of my being understood to be not only a possible, but also in many ways a preferable way of being-in-a-human-body. There was and is a knowing that: Yes ~ Flying is possible!
Now this love affair with movement-as-flight, with enlightenment expressed as human form & movement, has been with me for a while: As a child I adored the graceful connections between Terry Bradshaw & Lynn Swann; Later, Michael Jordan became my all-time hero. Then it was Bruce Lee. On a number of occasions I?ve felt my life to be transformed by the performance of dancers: Mikhail Baryshnikov (who I saw in person for the first time when he was in his fifties, and stunning!), David Parsons (whose magical piece ?Caught? still resonates inside of me), Diego Pinon (a Butoh Master, whose sensual & organic explorations of human movement opened within me whole new realms of possibility re: intimacy & empowered vulnerability). Each year that I?ve lived in Boulder I?ve watched the world-class runners in the ?Bolder Boulder? 10k race, and noticed how the winners (in recent years, Kenyans) most often have broken through their intense effort into a level of ease, of rapture, of something clearly beyond the physical … In the realm of yoga asana, Richard Freeman has expressed this same level of power, grace & fluidity. Among the Tibetan Lamas that I?ve encountered, it has been Mingyur Rinpoche whose light-filled physical presence has inspired this same level of appreciation for the kind of intelligence (genius, really) that can be manifest through & as a human body. To all of these beings (and countless others who?ve accomplished something similar): a deep bow of gratitude.
So how does this happen? This appearance and/or experience of ?flight?? This transformation of a seemingly-dense human body into something capable of such magical displays?
As a starting-point for this exploration, it might be useful to learn a bit about the principles of fluid mechanics which create the aerodynamic force of ?lift? in an airplane … for perhaps the key to our own ?flight? as yoga or qigong practitioners lies in the emulation of these physical characteristics. First, know that air, just like water, is ~ in terms of the (Newtonian) physical & mathematical principles to which it adheres ~ considered to be a ?fluid.? Know also that ?lift? can only be generated when a fluid is in motion. So, for instance, a wing must be passing through the air or the air must be moving around a stationary wing (or both) in order for lift to happen.
Most of the lift in an airplane is generated by its wings, and specifically by the way air flows around wings of a particular shape. What we notice about most airplane wings is that, when viewed edge-on, their upper surfaces are curved (convex) and their lower surfaces are flatter. As air moves around a wing of this shape, the air that goes over the curved upper surface undergoes two important changes: (1) it is reduced in pressure (by the centrifugal force of flowing across the curved surface); and (2) it is accelerated downward (as it leaves the trailing edge of the wing). The wing is then forced into the region of reduced air pressure above the upper surface of the wing by the higher air pressure beneath the wing; and the downward acceleration of the air at the trailing edge also forces the wing upward. Since lift is dependant on the motion of the air, it increases as the speed of the air increases. Lift also increases, to a point, as the angle that the wing makes with the airflow increases (past a certain point, however, an increased angle will cause the wing to suddenly lose its lifting ability).
So how, in the context of a physical practice such as yoga asana or qigong, might we emulate the qualities that give lift to an airplane? Let?s explore … Creating or energizing physical structures which have the same shape as an airplane wing is something we certainly can play with: If I extend my arms out from my shoulders, like wings, I can cup my palms slightly, away from the floor, and at the same time deepen my armpits, while allowing my shoulders, biceps & the top part of my hands to feel ?puffed? upward. In this way I?ve created a shape similar to the shape of an airplane wing. And as it turns out, there are many other places in my body where I?m able to create suction-cup-like structures, which will act to generate lift in this same way, when met with flow: the soles of my feet; my pelvic floor, my thoracic diaphragm, & the roof of my mouth, to name just a few.
Now that I?ve created these structures which have the potential to give me ?lift? when met with a flow of air, the next question becomes: how do I create a flow of air? I could, of course, go outside in a high wind, and see what happens … But as yoga practitioners we like at least at times to practice indoors, and at all times for the practice to be moving in the direction of being ?internal,? of being something that doesn?t depend too heavily on external conditions. Luckily, our pranic bodies, like air and water, operate in many ways like fluids. What?s even more fortunate is that we can utilize the basic yoga/qigong principle ?prana follows citta? (qi follows mind/intention) to create the ?high wind? (high vibration) conditions that will ~ in combination with our wing-like structures ~ give us ?lift? (transform matter into ?light,? structure into flow). To do this, I simply imagine that I?m facing a high wind (or standing waist-high in a fast-moving creek, facing up-stream) … It?s as simple as that. Then tilt your wings (and all those little suction-cups) slightly upward (into the on-coming wind or water), feel the upper surfaces of your body being drawn into the low-pressure areas above you, and feel yourself becoming lighter: little by little (or perhaps all at once) taking flight! (At this level of practice, what you?ll also discover is that remaining ?heavy? in your heels, sitting-bones & coccyx actually supports the feeling of lightness of the body as a whole, particularly along its central axis … It?s kind of a paradox!)
So that?s a way of working in the direction of ?flying? which takes as starting-points: (1) our conventionally-perceived bodies (a collection of muscles, bones, organs, etc.); as well as (2) our habitual identification with our bodies (I am my body so what it means for ?me? to fly is for this physical body to do more-or-less what an airplane does). And this can be an interesting and useful exploration.
What can also be interesting is to begin by challenging these basic assumptions, for instance by thinking: To the extent that I?m currently perceiving my body as something solid, to this extent I?m still caught in wrong views, in delusion. (And creating my yoga practice on the foundation of these wrong views is the equivalent, say, of building a philosophical argument upon a set of faulty axioms/assumptions.) What might happen if I begin instead with the assumption (adopt the view) that my body is of the nature of light, color & sound (like a rainbow)? Or that my body is of the nature of space, like the sky itself (am I then always already flying)? That instead of being continuous through time, my body is being created anew in each second (pulsing in & out of ?existence?)? Or wondering: If the belief that ?I am this body? is the basis of all suffering, and I somehow now let go of or at least soften around that belief … If ?I? am no longer identified with this physical body, then what might it mean for ?me? to fly? (Who or what is it that?s flying, if not this physical body?) I don?t have the answers to any of these questions, but do feel very curious …
What I do know is that many of us have had dreams of flying. In my own dreams of this sort, I?m almost always ?flying? in/as a body which looks ?just like? my waking-state body. (There are Tibetan dream yoga practices in which we train in transforming our body into many different shapes … so, for instance, we might choose to assume the form of a bird, or an airplane, to do our flying … or might transform our body into the body of a particular deity, and simply hover in space in that form, or fly around with our consorts …) What I notice in these flying dreams is that it is my intention (mind, will) that is the ?pilot,? i.e. it?s via my thoughts (or mental body) that I choose the course of my flight. And how this takes a certain relaxed focus, which at times is quite precise & effective, and at other times less so. (Sometimes I crash-land.) And then I wake, and think: I?ve just been dreaming of flying!
Now there is the story ~ perhaps you?ve heard it already ~ of the Taoist sage Chuang Tzu, who dreamed he was a butterfly, but then woke to discover again that he was a man. But then he wondered: now is it true that I?m a man who has just dreamt that he was a butterfly, or am I really a butterfly who is now dreaming that I?m a man?
Just something to consider, as you continue your research & practice of (yogic and/or mechanical) flying … Om Shanti.
Elizabeth Reninger holds Masters degrees in Sociology & Chinese Medicine, is a published poet, and has been exploring Yoga - in its Taoist, Buddhist & Hindu varieties - for more than twenty years. Her practice has been inspired by Mingyur Rinpoche, Richard Freeman & Eva Wong. For more yoga-related writing & resources, please visit her website “Alchemy Of The East” at: http://www.writingup.com/blog/elizabeth_reninger
And what was the cause, in this film (and later also in the re-made Hero) for my tears & rapture? For drawing someone who doesn?t even really watch many movies, back like this, again & again, almost magnetically? It?s a bit hard to articulate, though what I can say is that there was something being portrayed ~ in both of these films ~ with which I resonated so deeply, that at a soul- & cell-level I recognized, which so rarely, in this culture, is portrayed. It felt like coming home. Particularly powerful for me were the fight scenes: not for the conflict that was being enacted (I actually have an aversion to violence, per se), but rather for the fluidity & lightness ~ the Mastery of physical movement ~ that was being so beautifully demonstrated. Some who I spoke to about the film considered these scenes merely fanciful, a kind of science fiction that perhaps had been taken to an extreme … but for me those scenes were ~ at long last ~ portraying a reality, something the very fibers of my being understood to be not only a possible, but also in many ways a preferable way of being-in-a-human-body. There was and is a knowing that: Yes ~ Flying is possible!
Now this love affair with movement-as-flight, with enlightenment expressed as human form & movement, has been with me for a while: As a child I adored the graceful connections between Terry Bradshaw & Lynn Swann; Later, Michael Jordan became my all-time hero. Then it was Bruce Lee. On a number of occasions I?ve felt my life to be transformed by the performance of dancers: Mikhail Baryshnikov (who I saw in person for the first time when he was in his fifties, and stunning!), David Parsons (whose magical piece ?Caught? still resonates inside of me), Diego Pinon (a Butoh Master, whose sensual & organic explorations of human movement opened within me whole new realms of possibility re: intimacy & empowered vulnerability). Each year that I?ve lived in Boulder I?ve watched the world-class runners in the ?Bolder Boulder? 10k race, and noticed how the winners (in recent years, Kenyans) most often have broken through their intense effort into a level of ease, of rapture, of something clearly beyond the physical … In the realm of yoga asana, Richard Freeman has expressed this same level of power, grace & fluidity. Among the Tibetan Lamas that I?ve encountered, it has been Mingyur Rinpoche whose light-filled physical presence has inspired this same level of appreciation for the kind of intelligence (genius, really) that can be manifest through & as a human body. To all of these beings (and countless others who?ve accomplished something similar): a deep bow of gratitude.
So how does this happen? This appearance and/or experience of ?flight?? This transformation of a seemingly-dense human body into something capable of such magical displays?
As a starting-point for this exploration, it might be useful to learn a bit about the principles of fluid mechanics which create the aerodynamic force of ?lift? in an airplane … for perhaps the key to our own ?flight? as yoga or qigong practitioners lies in the emulation of these physical characteristics. First, know that air, just like water, is ~ in terms of the (Newtonian) physical & mathematical principles to which it adheres ~ considered to be a ?fluid.? Know also that ?lift? can only be generated when a fluid is in motion. So, for instance, a wing must be passing through the air or the air must be moving around a stationary wing (or both) in order for lift to happen.
Most of the lift in an airplane is generated by its wings, and specifically by the way air flows around wings of a particular shape. What we notice about most airplane wings is that, when viewed edge-on, their upper surfaces are curved (convex) and their lower surfaces are flatter. As air moves around a wing of this shape, the air that goes over the curved upper surface undergoes two important changes: (1) it is reduced in pressure (by the centrifugal force of flowing across the curved surface); and (2) it is accelerated downward (as it leaves the trailing edge of the wing). The wing is then forced into the region of reduced air pressure above the upper surface of the wing by the higher air pressure beneath the wing; and the downward acceleration of the air at the trailing edge also forces the wing upward. Since lift is dependant on the motion of the air, it increases as the speed of the air increases. Lift also increases, to a point, as the angle that the wing makes with the airflow increases (past a certain point, however, an increased angle will cause the wing to suddenly lose its lifting ability).
So how, in the context of a physical practice such as yoga asana or qigong, might we emulate the qualities that give lift to an airplane? Let?s explore … Creating or energizing physical structures which have the same shape as an airplane wing is something we certainly can play with: If I extend my arms out from my shoulders, like wings, I can cup my palms slightly, away from the floor, and at the same time deepen my armpits, while allowing my shoulders, biceps & the top part of my hands to feel ?puffed? upward. In this way I?ve created a shape similar to the shape of an airplane wing. And as it turns out, there are many other places in my body where I?m able to create suction-cup-like structures, which will act to generate lift in this same way, when met with flow: the soles of my feet; my pelvic floor, my thoracic diaphragm, & the roof of my mouth, to name just a few.
Now that I?ve created these structures which have the potential to give me ?lift? when met with a flow of air, the next question becomes: how do I create a flow of air? I could, of course, go outside in a high wind, and see what happens … But as yoga practitioners we like at least at times to practice indoors, and at all times for the practice to be moving in the direction of being ?internal,? of being something that doesn?t depend too heavily on external conditions. Luckily, our pranic bodies, like air and water, operate in many ways like fluids. What?s even more fortunate is that we can utilize the basic yoga/qigong principle ?prana follows citta? (qi follows mind/intention) to create the ?high wind? (high vibration) conditions that will ~ in combination with our wing-like structures ~ give us ?lift? (transform matter into ?light,? structure into flow). To do this, I simply imagine that I?m facing a high wind (or standing waist-high in a fast-moving creek, facing up-stream) … It?s as simple as that. Then tilt your wings (and all those little suction-cups) slightly upward (into the on-coming wind or water), feel the upper surfaces of your body being drawn into the low-pressure areas above you, and feel yourself becoming lighter: little by little (or perhaps all at once) taking flight! (At this level of practice, what you?ll also discover is that remaining ?heavy? in your heels, sitting-bones & coccyx actually supports the feeling of lightness of the body as a whole, particularly along its central axis … It?s kind of a paradox!)
So that?s a way of working in the direction of ?flying? which takes as starting-points: (1) our conventionally-perceived bodies (a collection of muscles, bones, organs, etc.); as well as (2) our habitual identification with our bodies (I am my body so what it means for ?me? to fly is for this physical body to do more-or-less what an airplane does). And this can be an interesting and useful exploration.
What can also be interesting is to begin by challenging these basic assumptions, for instance by thinking: To the extent that I?m currently perceiving my body as something solid, to this extent I?m still caught in wrong views, in delusion. (And creating my yoga practice on the foundation of these wrong views is the equivalent, say, of building a philosophical argument upon a set of faulty axioms/assumptions.) What might happen if I begin instead with the assumption (adopt the view) that my body is of the nature of light, color & sound (like a rainbow)? Or that my body is of the nature of space, like the sky itself (am I then always already flying)? That instead of being continuous through time, my body is being created anew in each second (pulsing in & out of ?existence?)? Or wondering: If the belief that ?I am this body? is the basis of all suffering, and I somehow now let go of or at least soften around that belief … If ?I? am no longer identified with this physical body, then what might it mean for ?me? to fly? (Who or what is it that?s flying, if not this physical body?) I don?t have the answers to any of these questions, but do feel very curious …
What I do know is that many of us have had dreams of flying. In my own dreams of this sort, I?m almost always ?flying? in/as a body which looks ?just like? my waking-state body. (There are Tibetan dream yoga practices in which we train in transforming our body into many different shapes … so, for instance, we might choose to assume the form of a bird, or an airplane, to do our flying … or might transform our body into the body of a particular deity, and simply hover in space in that form, or fly around with our consorts …) What I notice in these flying dreams is that it is my intention (mind, will) that is the ?pilot,? i.e. it?s via my thoughts (or mental body) that I choose the course of my flight. And how this takes a certain relaxed focus, which at times is quite precise & effective, and at other times less so. (Sometimes I crash-land.) And then I wake, and think: I?ve just been dreaming of flying!
Now there is the story ~ perhaps you?ve heard it already ~ of the Taoist sage Chuang Tzu, who dreamed he was a butterfly, but then woke to discover again that he was a man. But then he wondered: now is it true that I?m a man who has just dreamt that he was a butterfly, or am I really a butterfly who is now dreaming that I?m a man?
Just something to consider, as you continue your research & practice of (yogic and/or mechanical) flying … Om Shanti.
Elizabeth Reninger holds Masters degrees in Sociology & Chinese Medicine, is a published poet, and has been exploring Yoga - in its Taoist, Buddhist & Hindu varieties - for more than twenty years. Her practice has been inspired by Mingyur Rinpoche, Richard Freeman & Eva Wong. For more yoga-related writing & resources, please visit her website “Alchemy Of The East” at: http://www.writingup.com/blog/elizabeth_reninger
Some Yoga DVDs to Help You Through Your Pregnancy
Yoga For Your Pregnancy
A 45 minute DVD broken up into two segments, Yoga For Your Pregnancy, is designed to limber up women who are expecting a child and revitalize their energy level. Yoga Journal’s DVD is great for beginners, featuring alternate poses for women who can’t stretch, and doesn’t expect you to be a Yoga guru.
The first section, entitled “Energizing and Stretching,” is 30 minutes long and is designed to create strength and stamina. The goal is, of course, to prepare you for the intense efforts required during labor. It is also, however, meant to help you cope with your constantly changing body.
Section Two, “Relaxing and Rejuvenating,” is focused on meditation and concentration. It is designed to help you relax and learn how to breathe in preparation for labor. This section also contains a Lamaze interview.
While this DVD is likely to disappoint regular Yoga practitioners, it is great for women who are looking for physical relief during their pregnancy and labor. With clear explanation and a relaxing teacher, Yoga For Your Pregnancy is a wonderful way to reduce the pain and stiff muscles you experience as a pregnant woman. However far along you are, you are certain to find some poses and techniques that relieve some of your problems.
Prenatal Yoga
A fantastic Yoga DVD designed for women experiencing pregnancy. This video is broken up into three 45 minute sessions, each corresponding to a trimester of your pregnancy.
Each session is hosted by a different women and is set to some nice, flowing music to really get you in the Yoga mood.
The poses are specially modified for your changing body, so you’ll be able to follow the DVD through without worrying about hurting yourself or your baby.
If you’re an experienced Yoga master, this DVD might not be your cup of tea. For those pregnant woman who are looking for a way to keep fit and relieve some of those new aches and pains, give this DVD a try.
Ian Byrd runs yogaondvd.com, a resouce for helping you find the perfect Yoga DVD for you. Read more reviews of Yoga DVDs for Pregnancy.
A 45 minute DVD broken up into two segments, Yoga For Your Pregnancy, is designed to limber up women who are expecting a child and revitalize their energy level. Yoga Journal’s DVD is great for beginners, featuring alternate poses for women who can’t stretch, and doesn’t expect you to be a Yoga guru.
The first section, entitled “Energizing and Stretching,” is 30 minutes long and is designed to create strength and stamina. The goal is, of course, to prepare you for the intense efforts required during labor. It is also, however, meant to help you cope with your constantly changing body.
Section Two, “Relaxing and Rejuvenating,” is focused on meditation and concentration. It is designed to help you relax and learn how to breathe in preparation for labor. This section also contains a Lamaze interview.
While this DVD is likely to disappoint regular Yoga practitioners, it is great for women who are looking for physical relief during their pregnancy and labor. With clear explanation and a relaxing teacher, Yoga For Your Pregnancy is a wonderful way to reduce the pain and stiff muscles you experience as a pregnant woman. However far along you are, you are certain to find some poses and techniques that relieve some of your problems.
Prenatal Yoga
A fantastic Yoga DVD designed for women experiencing pregnancy. This video is broken up into three 45 minute sessions, each corresponding to a trimester of your pregnancy.
Each session is hosted by a different women and is set to some nice, flowing music to really get you in the Yoga mood.
The poses are specially modified for your changing body, so you’ll be able to follow the DVD through without worrying about hurting yourself or your baby.
If you’re an experienced Yoga master, this DVD might not be your cup of tea. For those pregnant woman who are looking for a way to keep fit and relieve some of those new aches and pains, give this DVD a try.
Ian Byrd runs yogaondvd.com, a resouce for helping you find the perfect Yoga DVD for you. Read more reviews of Yoga DVDs for Pregnancy.
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