2012年8月31日 星期五

Novice Guide To Yoga


For many people in the west, yoga can seem like a very strange practice. Doing yoga has many benefits and as you read this article, you will learn more about yoga and the benefits of beginning yoga.

Points I cover in this article:

* History of yoga

* Benefits of yoga

* Beginning yoga

History of Yoga

The history of yoga dates back to the Upanishad's. The Upanishad's a part of the Veda's and form part of the Hindu scriptures was written before the 7th century BC, which makes it one of the oldest texts known to man!

For many people in the west, the meditation aspects of yoga is known, however, there is more to yoga. Doing yoga for many people practicing yoga, is also a way to spiritual growth, and spiritual enlightenment.

Benefits of Yoga

When you start to do yoga, you will find many benefits, not just spiritual or physiological, but also psychological, and biochemical, not to mention the many more benefits of you doing yoga.

Some of the benefits of yoga, you may be able to get are your mood improves and subjective well-being increases, your level of Anxiety and Depression decreases, sleep improves, pulse rate decreases, and your weight normalizes. This is only a very small handful of the benefits of doing yoga.

For people who may be looking for the health benefits which can help heal certain ailments, you may be glad to know glucose and sodium levels in the body go down because of doing yoga. So the steps you are taking now can greatly benefit your health in a positive way.

As always, remember to get these health benefits from yoga, you will need to remember to keep to practicing yoga regularly. If you have old health issues, then also make sure you speak to your doctor before embarking on any new healthy health exercise regimen, such as yoga.

Beginning Yoga

Beginning yoga is much easier today, thanks to the major interest in yoga over the last few years, more and more yoga classes are being started. The first step in beginning yoga, is to decide to start! At this point, most people may wonder if they have what it takes to start yoga, what will be involved etc. Relax, yoga classes can teach you from beginning, even if you do not know the first thing about yoga.

Whether you want the spiritual benefits of yoga or the physiological benefits of yoga, you can get them by doing yoga at a yoga class. It is best to go to a yoga class to learn how to correctly do yoga. There are many great books and videos about yoga, and they can be beneficial. However, a yoga class can help you get the right yoga postures, and get the full benefit of yoga.

Finding a yoga class can be as easy doing a search online to find local classes. Perhaps speak to someone who you know who has an interest in yoga, check local adult education institutions. As more and more yoga classes are available, you can find a local yoga class.




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Pregnancy and Exercise For Women Over 35


Women who are taking into consideration pregnancy over 35 often think about how their bodies will adjust during the 9 months they will carry their child. Once you've done all the calculating in your pregnancy calendar and have had your pregnancy confirmed by your obstetrician or other medical professional, it's time to start thinking about how your current trips to the gym or at-home exercise routine may change.

Exercise should be an important part of your daily routine and can be extremely beneficial for not only you, the 'more mature' mother, but for your baby as well. Besides the obvious benefits of having a healthy body with more energy, being in shape physically can help you to deal with the demands that having a baby can put on your body during pregnancy and in having the energy to care for your child.

Not only can pregnancy and exercise give you an emotional lift, but it may also help you to have a shorter recovery time and allow you to bounce back more quickly than you might if you're not in good health. Exercising helps you to adjust to the additional weight you'll be carrying around by the last trimester, improves circulation, helps to relieve common occurrences like backaches and helps to prevent varicose veins and constipation.

As with any physical activity concerning pregnancy, you should discuss all exercise routines and activities with your doctor. Some women may have to significantly reduce their exercise regime due to previous history of miscarriage, an incompetent cervix, multiple fetuses, or other health related concerns. Others are free to continue exercising as normal as long as there does not appear to be any complications along the way. Always be sure to notify your obstetrician if you notice spotting during your pregnancy or have significant discomfort or pain after exercising as this could indicate a potential problem.

If you are a workout fanatic 7 days a week for 3 hours a day, you may need to restrict some of the types of workouts that you do and take it a little easier especially during the last trimester. If you never work out at all except to get in and out of the car to go to work or to take your other children to their extracurricular activities, then now is a good time to take a look at what you can do to increase your overall physical health.

There are many exercise techniques that you can adopt to increase blood flow, energy, and emotional balance, in addition to improving your body's stamina, balance and alignment as well as your overall muscle health and strength. Some of the regular activities you can do throughout your pregnancy can include yoga, Pilates, stability balls, meditation, tai chi, walking, swimming or other low-impact activities. Many women who jog or run on a regular basis prior to conception can continue that activity for most of their pregnancy as long as they are careful and closely monitor their bodies.

If you haven't been exercising on a regular basis start gradually, keeping it at a moderate level and be sure not to overdo it. Listen to your body and when it starts to tell you to slow down or you start to feel pain, it's time to stop and take a break. Remember to drink lots of water during and after exercising which helps to replenish the oxygen supply for both you and the baby. Pregnancy and exercise go hand in hand to provide you and your baby with the physical and emotional balance that you need.




Lisa Congdon has a lifetime of experience in mentoring and coaching others in various professional arenas as well as in many personal accomplishments. As a wife and mother over the age of 35, she has a passionate love of writing and shares her experiences, stories, and education through her blog, her books, and her articles.

A Child to Love . . . The Pregnancy Guide for Women Over 35 - [http://www.achildtolovebook.com].

pregnancyandexercise




Yoga - The Antidote to Arthritis and a Key to Healthy Aging


Forty years ago, when I first became interested in yoga and therapeutic exercise, I was assisting an older woman who was immobilized in her wheelchair by arthritis. Long before I understood the degree to which yoga can rehabilitate the body, I was helping people who were unable to dress, bathe or feed themselves independently due to the pain and stiffness in their joints. This has helped me understand the extreme suffering that can be inflicted by arthritis.

Back then, people with joint pain and swelling were advised by doctors not to move! The thinking was "If it hurts, don't move it." We now know that inactivity is one of the worst responses for someone with arthritis.

As Loren Fishman, MD, points out in his book, Yoga for Arthritis, "Arthritis restricts movement, yoga increases range of motion-these two were made for each other."

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in this country, limiting everyday activities for millions of people. Drugs, surgeries, and steroids can alleviate some of the discomforts, but study after study has shown that exercise is most beneficial to most forms of arthritis, specifically low-impact, flexibility-enhancing exercises such as yoga.

Osteoarthritis, a painful and often debilitating condition caused by decades of wear and tear on the joints, is considered to be one the side effects of living longer. By the time we reach age sixty-five, X-rays for at last a third of us will show some signs of osteoarthritis, the most common of a group of diseases collectively referred to as arthritis.

Arthritis in its many forms affects more than seventy million (or one in three) American adults, according to estimates by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Arthritis is so common in our culture that most people consider the pain and discomfort it brings to be a normal part of aging. Arthritis makes normal activities increasingly painful and difficult and diminishes or destroys the quality of life.

An Overview of Arthritis

The word arthritis means "joint inflammation." Modern medicine recognizes more than a hundred varieties of conditions that produce deterioration in joint structures. The common thread among these conditions is that they all affect the joints-those nearly 150 ingeniously designed structures located where two or more bones come together.

Arthritis-related joint problems may include pain, stiffness, inflammation and damage to joints. Joint weakness, instability and visible deformities may occur, depending on the location of the joint involved.

Arthritis is classified into two main types. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder, resulting in stiffness in the joints and muscles, joint erosion and pain. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disorder that erodes the cartilage in joints, which leads to bones rubbing together. Osteoarthritis frequently occurs in people who are overweight or whose joints are painful from extreme overuse.

In spite of the prevalence of arthritis, be careful not to jump to the conclusion that your achy joints are necessarily due to it. Overuse and injuries can also result in tendonitis, bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and other fairly common conditions that are unrelated to arthritis.

Arthritis and Exercise

To remain healthy, muscles and joints must move and bear weight or they will lose strength. This weakness, coupled with joint swelling, will make the joints unstable. Joints in this condition are vulnerable to dislocation, increased injury and pain. Thus, regular gentle movement helps to reduce pain and to maintain mobility.

Physical movement promotes health in many systems of the body. It increases circulation, which in turn reduces swelling and promotes delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. With immobilization, a cycle of deterioration begins.

Because movement is crucial to so many physiological processes, the arthritic person's overall health tends to deteriorate without it. The normal functioning of the immune system declines, infections and illnesses occur, and the person often becomes frustrated and depressed. This cycle is self-perpetuating.

When someone comes to me with arthritis, I teach them how to practice yoga safely with the support of yoga props. For those who are new to yoga, the term "yoga props," simply refers to any object, such as a wall, a sturdy table or a chair, a folded blanket, a firm pillow, a strap or other item that makes practicing yoga safer and easier. Yoga props are especially helpful for older beginners who may have balance problems and are coping with common health issues such as arthritis and osteoporosis. In addition to common household objects that can be used as yoga props, there are professional yoga props such as a sturdy wooden bar known as the "yoga horse," yoga wall ropes, yoga bolsters in many shapes and sizes, yoga straps, special yoga chairs, yoga blocks, firm yoga blankets and more elaborate props like yoga backbenders that give people with arthritis and other common health conditions new hope and confidence.

Physicians are increasingly advising regular gentle exercise for people with arthritis because it tones muscles and reduces stiffness in joints. Yoga is an ideal form of exercise for this because its movements are fluid and adaptable. Yoga loosens muscles that have been tightened by inactivity, stress and tension. In yoga we progress gradually, beginning with simple stretches and strengthening poses and advancing to more difficult postures only as we become stronger and more flexible.

If necessary, you can begin with gentle movements while sitting in a chair or lying on the floor. You can gradually add weight-bearing standing postures, with the support of a wall, counter or table, wall ropes, chairs, blocks, and other props.

The weight-bearing yoga standing poses are among the key poses for safely increasing range of motion in all the joints as well as increasing strength and flexibility.

It's important to note that weak muscles are considered a risk factor for osteoarthritis. Be especially aware of weakness in the quadriceps, the large frontal thigh muscles: The weaker the quadriceps, the higher the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the knee. Yoga standing poses are valuable for strengthening the quadriceps without wear and tear on the hip and knee joints.

Practicing yoga can help improve respiration throughout the day. Calm, slow, rhythmic breathing helps to release both physical and emotional tension by flooding the body and brain with oxygen. The regular, daily practice of deep relaxation is restorative to every cell of the body.

I encourage those of you with arthritis to seek the help of an experienced teacher who can help you learn to distinguish between good pain and bad pain and to make yoga part of your daily life.

The positive effects yoga can have on mood and overall outlook are especially important to someone with arthritis. A yoga class offers positive support and the opportunity to connect with people who are health-minded and have experienced the benefits of yoga. Numerous studies emphasize the value of group support in coping with health challenges such as arthritis.

With arthritis, as with any injury or disease, listen to your body with focused attention to avoid injury and determine which movements are most healing. Take classes with a teacher who is knowledgeable about arthritis. If you are new to yoga, I recommend a few private lessons, if possible, or start in a small group class with individualized instruction, where you can practice at your own pace.

Guidelines for Practicing Yoga in Class and at Home

1. Respect pain. All yoga students, but especially those with arthritis, must learn the difference between the beneficial feeling of muscles stretching and the pain that signals harm. Learn to distinguish between the normal discomfort of moving stiff joints through range of motion, and the pain caused by a destructive movement or an excessive demand on a joint. Sudden or severe pain is a warning. Continuing an activity after such a warning may cause joint damage.

In general, if pain and discomfort persists more than two hours after a yoga session, ask a knowledgeable teacher to check your alignment and help you modify the pose. Try moving more slowly, practicing more regularly and experiment with how long to stay in a pose. There is no set answer to the perennial question "How long should I stay in the pose?" Stay long enough so that a healthy change has been made but not so long that your body stiffens from staying in a position too long.

2. Balance work and rest. Balancing activity and rest applies to yoga as well as to other daily activities. Do not exercise to the point of fatigue. Stop before you are exhausted! Weakened, fatigued muscles set the stage for joint instability and injury. Balance your active yoga session with yoga's deeply relaxing restorative poses. Restorative poses are passive poses that help your internal healing processes to work. If you are fatigued, practice restorative poses first. You will benefit more from active, more challenging poses, if you are well rested.

3. Practice with focus and awareness (pay attention to how you feel) and breathe properly. Avoid mechanical repetitions and counting while exercising. Watch the flow of your breath and your body's response to a particular pose or exercise. Without fully expanding your lungs, the muscles you are exercising cannot be adequately supplied with oxygen. Holding your breath while stretching inhibits relaxation. Smooth, peaceful, rhythmic breathing through the nose reduces pain and tension and increases the feeling of deep relaxation that follows a yoga session. Learn to tune into what your body is telling you.

4. Learn to use yoga props. People with arthritis may already be quite stiff by the time they start yoga. The use of props helps improve blood circulation and breathing capacity. By supporting the body in a yoga posture, props allow the muscles to lengthen in a passive, non-strenuous way. Props help conserve energy and allow people to practice more strenuous poses without hurting or over exerting themselves.

Yoga for Arthritic Hips and Knees

The areas most commonly affected by arthritis are the hips, knees and hands. With decreased movement, the muscles and soft tissues around the hip shorten, putting additional wear and tear on the gliding surfaces. If a person becomes more sedentary in an effort to minimize pain, bones and cartilage receive less weight-bearing stimulation. Bone spurs may even develop to further limit movement.

Lack of exercise also weakens the thigh and calf muscles. Their strength provides stability and support for the knee. When the soft tissues of the joint swell, this causes compression and reduces space in the joint even further.

Standing poses are crucial for stretching and building supportive strength in the hips, buttocks and thighs. Moving the head of the femur in the hip socket helps distribute synovial fluid, thus lubricating the joint and all points of contact.

The same standing poses recommended for hips are also critical for knee rehabilitation. They create more space in the knee joint for synovial fluid circulation and develop the strength of the thigh and calf muscles for better support.

Sit on the Floor Every Day!

I encourage all my students, especially those with osteoarthritis of the knees, to sit on the floor every day, in various cross-legged and other bent knee positions, as part of their daily life routine. This helps assure that you do not lose the ability to sit comfortably on the floor. Sitting with the legs crossed loosely is a simple, natural position that helps remove stiffness in the hips and knees. To help you sit comfortably on the floor with your back straight, sit on one or more folded blankets, a firm bolster, large dictionary or other height. Avoiding sitting on the floor will only make your hips and knees stiffer with the passage of time.

Hint: If there is pain in the knees, try increasing the height under the buttock so that your pelvis is higher than the knees, and place folded blankets or yoga blocks under the knees. A knowledgeable yoga teacher can help you adjust your props so that sitting on the floor becomes easy and comfortable. Increase the length of time you sit gradually, and be sure to cross your legs the opposite way (opposite leg in front).

Caution: Do not strain your knees by attempting to sit prematurely in more advanced, bent-knee positions such as the classic Lotus Pose. Forcing your body into any position can result in serious injury. STOP if you feel pain, and consult a knowledgeable teacher.




SUZA FRANCINA, the former mayor of Ojai, California, is a writer, animal advocate and Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor. She has taught yoga since 1972 and is a pioneer in the field of teaching yoga to seniors. Her first book, Yoga for People Over 50, was published in 1977. She is author of The New Yoga for People Over 50 (Health Communications, Inc., 1997); Yoga and the Wisdom of Menopause (HCI, 2003); and The New Yoga for Healthy Aging (HCI 2007). She is currently completing a spiritual memoir, Autobiography of a Yogini. Her writing has appeared in numerous other books, magazines and publications worldwide. Born in Holland in 1949, she emigrated with her family to Ojai, California at the age of seven and has made the Ojai Valley her home ever since. To learn more visit http://www.Suzafrancina.com.




Hand Yoga For Self-Assurance, Confidence, and Strength


The basis of hand yoga is in practicing hand gestures or mudras - special ways of connecting fingers to influence different areas of our bodies and minds. Regular practice of mudras can heal minor ailments and major diseases, restore balance, invigorate the mind, enhance abilities and give energy.

Hand Yoga is a form of energy healing, based on the study of subtle energy currents running through our bodies. Today this practice is used predominantly in Buddhist and Hindu cultures, though evidence suggests many other cultures practicing it one way or another.

The scientific explanation of hand yoga is based on the fact that the tips of our fingers have thousands of nerve endings that correlate to specific organs and areas of the body. According to the practice, bringing these nerve endings together has profound healing and balancing effects. This very effective and seriously underrated practice has been tested and proven for thousands of years

This article discusses the Prithivi Mudra used to gain self-assurance, confidence and strength. The main purpose of this exercise is to stimulate the root chakra. Chakras are energy centers inside our bodies, situated along the spinal column. The Chakra Theory is a topic for another article, it is very simple to learn and just like hand yoga it can do wonders.

The energy from the root chakra flows through all other chakras, making it responsible for fundamental abilities, energy levels and trust in oneself. Stimulation of this chakra restores self-assurance, increases confidence and restores our strength and trust in natural abilities. Having strong root energy will make us feel more grounded, down to earth and at the same time very strong, powerful and capable. This mudra should be practiced up to 3 times a day for 15 minutes.

To perform the Prithivi Mudra connect your thumb and ring fingers on each hand, extend other fingers, that's all. This mudra is very simple, yet effective. Prithivi mudra can be practiced by anyone, anywhere, anytime. There are no side-effects and no restrictions. The beauty of Hand Yoga is in its simplicity and effectiveness.

Another important part of self-healing is meditation. While it is not required to meditate while performing mudras, having a clear mind will greatly enhance the effects of any mudra. Meditation is essential to over health and wellbeing. If you think you can't meditate - think again. Everyone mediates while they sleep, those who can meditate consciously, but it takes practice and dedication. Learn meditation and confidence, strength and self-assurance will come naturally even without any mudras.

In addition to meditation, another way to enhance the effects of this mudra is to take herbal remedies. Certain herbs can help establishing inner balance, restoring root energy, building self assurance and confidence.

Oatstraw has a restorative and nourishing effect on the brain and nervous system. This herb nourishes strong nerves. The effect of oatstraw is very grounding, essential for those who lack concentration. By increasing assertive powers, oatstraw can help people deal with stress, increasing self-confidence and vitality. Oatstraw also helps to maintain regular sleep patterns, reduce the frequency and duration of headaches and helps with menopausal symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, memory loss, restless legs and depression.

Another great assistant in gaining confidence is dandelion. Dandelion root can help us be more connected to our bodies so that we can align with and manifest our soul purpose, helping to ease frustrations and stay focused on our path. The polysaccharide insulin found in dandelion is said to have white blood cell and immune-boosting properties.

Combining mudra practice with meditation and herbal remedies creates a very powerful tool to fight lack of confidence and self-respect and loss of primary strength.




Konstantin Tsiryulnikov, the founder of Hand Yoga org is an experienced yoga practitioner and self-improvement enthusiast. To find more about the Prithivi Mudra for confidence, strength and self-assurance, visit Hand-Yoga.org.




Yoga Isn't Just For The Younger Crowd - Find Out How Yoga For Elders Is Becoming More Popular


Yoga for elders is a particularly good application of the practice of yoga since it offers a complete method of physical fitness, including increased levels of strength and energy.

Having immediate access helps make yoga a popular practice. The basic principles of yoga can be put to use by anybody at any age level, but the more advanced stages of yoga might be hard to reach by most people. The advanced stages of yoga are certainly not required and not advisable to attempt for elders.

The age of 50 years is considered perfect for yoga by Indian yoga practitioners, since higher levels of consciousness are easier to attain with the accumulated experiences of the older people of this age bracket.

It is said that greater union between body and spirit are achieved by the practices of yoga. We gain better perspectives about life and ourselves with age. The spiritual practices of yoga are not required in order to attain good heath through yoga.

With age, our spiritual perspective about life and the world in general tends to become more important; this forms a better foundation for older people on which to begin practicing yoga. It is not advisable for elders to practice some of the more acrobatic yoga poses but most elders can still practice many of the breathing and relaxation techniques of yoga.

As far as physical movement is concerned, we are becoming less active as a society. With TV as the primary activity of the day, many elders are adversely effected by their sedentary lifestyles. Muscles that are not used for hours and hours are weak and become weaker each day.

Back pain,weak bones, muscle cramps, osteoporosis, joint pain, and decreased mobility are just some of the adverse side effects of a sedentary lifestyle. When an elder allows himself to get caught up in this cycle of inactivity it is a downward spiral that gets worse as time goes by. The lack of will power and determination that can lead to such a poor lifestyle can be overcome with the practice of yoga.

Beginning with gentle movements, an elder can work up to more vigorous activity later on. Sometimes just doing warm up exercises for weeks or months will encourage the practice of yoga to become a part of the elder's daily activities. Gradualism is an important ingredient of yoga for elders.

Achieving strengthened muscles and better blood circulation is achieved by introducing step-by-step yoga physical exercises into the daily routine. Yoga is one of the best activities known for massaging your muscles and your internal organs, this being a key factor in a healthy and strong body.

Improved oxygenation of the blood is another positive effect of yoga exercises since it improves the overall internal health.

Increased physical strengh, a sharp and focused memory, and increased attention span are more of the positive aspects of yoga practice for edlers.

A practice that is unique to yoga is the breathing technique. Many of the other aspects of practicing yoga can be replaced by other methods such as weight training and mild jogging, etc., but not the breathing aspects of yoga for elders. Breathing is something we are not even aware of for most of the day but it is the one activity that is keeping us alive!

Yoga breathing techniques can improve energy and concentration and are heavily relied on in yoga practices. Since people average about 2000 breaths per day we can just imagine the potential benefits of improved breathing even by 1%. Elders can face old age with a more positive outlook and a relaxed attitude when better breathing is employed.

Spending years in the practice of yoga is not required in order to glean the benefits of yoga. Many elders feel that yoga is not work at all, and in fact many find it fun! Yoga is safe, when practiced correctly, and results in many positive benefits that can turn into joy and vitality no matter what your age.




Learn to experience the soothing powers and benefits of yoga by visiting http://www.hot-yoga-tips.com, a popular yoga websit ethat provides yoga related tips, advice and resources to include information on yoga for men, yoga for women, yoga for elders and the branches of yoga




2012年8月30日 星期四

A Brand New Twist in Yoga Programming For Spas - Yoga As a Revenue Center


Looking for new health and fitness development for the health spa? Something new and different to excite your patrons as well as visitors? A means to incorporate many areas of your own health spa facility for more group training? A course that is mutually beneficial to a people of different age groups and physical fitness levels? Try yoga.

In case you haven't heard - " mind - physique " physical fitness is the craze for the brand new millennium. You cannot get a newspaper without hearing about yoga, deep breathing, Tai- Chi, Chi- Gong and a whole host of other Eastern exercises that are slowly creeping their way into popular American Culture. Not only are the health benefits of these exercises being touted but whenever you have got celebrities like Sting as well as Madonna (who would have thought... ) Ali McGraw and Marilee Hemingway meditating and exercising yoga - it has become downright fashionable. Yoga is currently the most popular and most readily available of the above-mentioned disciplines. IN this short article we'll discuss the "how-to's" of setting up an effective yoga plan in your club.

Demographics: These match. Aging seniors that are beginning to feel the effects of jogging, step aerobic exercises, Stairmasters and one too many reps upon their joint parts are turning to a much softer, gentler method to fitness. Furthermore as we all still make rapid increases with technology, people are being more disconnected from themselves. Yoga exercise provides them the opportunity to relieve tension, work their own muscle groups and clear their own minds. All in a single time. For hectic folks, it is an actually more powerful sell than hurting knees and harried schedules. A good yoga class is much like going to the chiropractor, massage therapist and psychologist all in one session.

Bodily advantages for fitness and versatility. YOGA provides members a total body workout, creating length and strength and balance. A great yoga exercise plan gives us the opportunity to produce self-competence on the physique, bodily control and higher body awareness. This heightened body-awareness could be an advantage in many areas of life. Longer, leaner more graceful bodies are covering the pages of fitness and fashion periodicals. Yoga builds up this type of body, a very diverse appearance than the muscular weight lifter physique or Amazon Woman Zena Warrior Princess look from the past.

Mental benefits for stress management: An excellent yoga exercise plan provides people the instruments to work on anxiety levels. Anxiety management basically indicates learning how to handle stress by observing that it does actually exist and then letting go of it through movements, breathing and awareness. Without this process, members become prospects for a number of anxiety related disorders: cardiac arrest, stomach problems and headaches.

How to get started with your own yoga business is to first attract visitors and customers by querying along with advertising. A successful plan depends on the number of participants. Many will appreciate it but don't realize it yet. While you might attract a few guests and customers by posting pictures of famous superstars standing on their heads, odds are you'll have much better luck submitting a questionnaire along with their own invoices requesting some of the next inquiries:

1.Are you knowledgeable about "body/ mind fitness"?

2. Are you aware of the good health advantages of yoga exercises, deep breathing and deep relaxation methods?

3.Are you searching for a new physical fitness routine?

4.Are you pleased with your current state of body/ mind health?

5.Do you want to increase your flexibility, develop more strength and learn to better handle your stress levels?

6.Would you be thinking about attending a special one-day yoga centered body/ mind workshop/training?

7. Exactly what day / time would work best for you, end of the week, weekday?




Yogafit has a lot of very informative advice in all aspects of yoga training poses, resources, and everything else. She is also known as the yoga guru/mogul and has a number of yoga dvd available in the market.




The Secret About Yoga


Power Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Basic Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga: No, it's not the little green dude from STAR WARS. And no, as some tend to be easily confused, it doesn't come in flavors. So what, in essence, is Yoga? I'm glad you're thinking along those lines... let's take a little journey to India.

Etymology of the Word Yoga

Derived from the ancient tongue of Sanskrit, yuj, the root of the modern and contemporary term of yoga, carries with it many different meanings. Yuj itself would be considered a verb in many Latin-based languages, meaning "to control," "to concentrate on" or "to yoke." It has been concluded that other meanings represent the action of a uniting or joining, as well as conceptual definitions of a "mode, manner or means."

History of Yoga

When considering the root of the word yoga, it is easier to grasp its original intention. Originating in India, Yoga is in actuality not just something, but some things. The ancient practices that are still utilized today are believed to offer great insight and spiritual enlightenment as to the very nature of existence, through a process of deep meditation. It has many ties to personal beliefs as well as popular world religions.

The dates of such a practice have been traced as far back as 3000 BC, where archaeologists have found multiple seals of the Indus Valley Civilization depicting individuals and god-like beings in meditative postures. As early as 900 BC, ascetic practices were recorded in the Brahmanas, part of the Vedas.

As time passed, evidence of practices in the Hindu religion became more prominent. This was especially true, as this concept of what is now considered "yoga" continued to grow and change as is evidenced in the middle Upanishads c. 400BC. Further "defined" by the Bhagavad Gita (c. 200BC), which translates to "The Song of the Lord" and which offers the first glimpse of a "codified" yoga, the book included many meanings to the modern term, yet focused on on three: Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Jnana Yoga.

Different Types of Yoga

As the practice of yoga grew throughout India, it would become integral to everything from Hindu and Buddhist religious practices, the reaching of Moksha or to simply offer better overall health and physical performance through the practice of posturing. Presently, an individual looking to participate in the practice of yoga can find several different types, all of which are all generally based on a series of Asana, or "sitting postures."

Yoga practices such as Hatha Yoga (Ha meaning sun and Tha meaning moon -- and if found in certain Sanskrit dictionaries, Hatha = Forceful), is what the Western world has widely accepted as "yoga," and is practiced for physical and mental health throughout that part of the globe. Hatha takes on new meaning for those looking for religious and mental enlightenment through the practice of yoga, as it was developed as, for lack of better terms, a stepping stone to Raja/Astanga Yoga.

Power Yoga and Bikram Yoga

Several yoga practices have become popular in the western world, an include both power yoga and Bikram yoga. Power Yoga, depending on the instructor, is simply a method in which the postures are repeated, and/or held longer, in order to create a strength training program out of a yoga class or private study.

Bikram Yoga is also known as Hot Yoga, and was developed by Bikram Choudhury. It is generally practiced in a room that is heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, with a relatively low humidity. The class is then led through a series of 26 postures. Due to the heat, the elasticity of the muscles are released to their full potential (based on each individual's personal potential), as the class continues. Such a class is great for muscle and mental endurance training, as well as for working on flexibility.

Goals and Point of a Yoga Practice

From enlightenment to tighter buns, yoga goals are as unique as the individual. Several people have strayed from practicing yoga because it has been derived from spiritual practices. Of course that's not a bad thing, but apparently some people are worried that they'll melt if they tune into something deeper than their biceps and triceps.

Truth be told, if you want faster results in a weight training program, or in a weight loss program, consider getting into a few yoga classes each week. Everyone from "Suzie Homemaker" in the Midwest to elite dancers in NYC, will experience that the more "types" of exercise you throw at the human body, the faster and more positive the muscles respond. This has to do with a little something known as Muscle Confusion.

Yoga Equipment

You don't need to take out a second mortgage to snag some great yoga equipment, and it all starts with a mat. Cheap enough and worth every penny! Guys new to the practice of yoga might catch themselves thinking, "I'll just tough it out on the hardwood...." Nope. It'll cost you less than 15 bucks, and save your knees and elbows from a terrible fate.

Going one step further, if you're the type of person who sweats a lot during physical exertion, consider a simple yoga mat blanket. Not only are blankets nice for absorbing sweat, water from a bottle, lotion from your hands, etc., they are a must if you're considering a Bikram class. As fun as "Slip 'n' Slides" are, that's the last thing you want your yoga mat to become during class.

Yoga Straps and Yoga Blocks are also very helpful for maintaining poses for longer durations while avoiding muscle strain in the process, and can be of great help to newcomers and the experienced alike.

List of Basic Yoga Poses

Uttanasana - Standing Forward Bend or Bend

Paschimottanasana - Intense stretch of the west

Adho Mukha Svanasana [http://www.greeneggsandplanet.com/blog/get-fit/yoga-adho-mukha-svanasana-downward-dog] - Downward Facing Dog

Bhujangasana - Cobra

Dhanurasana - Bow

Halasana - Plow

Vajrasana - Diamond Pose

Shavasana - Corpse Pose

Trikonasana - Triangle Pose

Virabhadrasana I - Warrior I Pose

Virabhadrasana II - Warrior II Pose

Tadasana [http://www.greeneggsandplanet.com/blog/get-fit/yoga-pose-tadasana-mountain-pose] - Mountain Pose

Balasana - Child's Pose

Virasana

List of Advanced Yoga Poses

Bakasana - Crow/Crane Pose

Garudasana - Eagle Pose

Tittibhasana - Firefly Pose

Shirsasana - Head Stand

Pada Galavasana - Flying Crow Pose

Natarajasana - King Dancer Pose.




Matty Byloos writes and manages the Green Blog known as: Easy Ways to Go Green, as well as the Organic Food Blog: Organic Eating Daily




A Brief History of Exercise Part II


Lacking a sure path, the industry succumbed to trends and counter-trends. In the early 90s step-aerobics hit health clubs claiming to be the answer to knee problems. After a decade of step-aerobics, however, its students noticed that their bodies were not only failing to become more buff. Many were seeing negative results: a chunky appearance, tight, graceless muscles and pain in their knees in spite of the impact reduction the step was supposed to deliver.

Enter the resurgence of yoga in the 90s as a correction to step, replacing loud disco music and latex with stretching, peace of mind and softer workout clothes. The problem with this next development is that yoga is not exercise but rather a physical form of meditation. To redress the problem, yogis tweaked the format to better resemble exercise. Yoga became power yoga, hot yoga, flow yoga and so on, but the essential nature of yoga remained. Its colorfully-named postures randomly conformed, or failed to conform, to the human muscular system.

When it came to giving its students better bodies, its strong points as an exercise system were found lacking. Nowhere in yoga, to name two shortcomings, is there either effective strengthening for the abdominals and glutes, or are there techniques for burning fat.

Which brings us to Pilates, a system that finally seemed to understand abdominals. Joseph Pilates began his work by designing exercise machines in Germany during World War I using old hospital beds. Later in New York he used his machines to rehabilitate dancers. More than any other exercise trend, Pilates's popularity typifies the reactive nature of recent exercise design. Americans went from jumping up and down on steps, to leaning down into poses and now to lying down completely. This new laid-back format addressed the need for core work, but at a cost, and not just a monetary one.

By placing its students in a prone position, Pilates removed the weight-bearing element from exercise and with it exercise's role in helping the body burn away fat, including abdominal fat. Pilates' focus on the abs also misses the forest for the trees. The back, shoulders, glutes, hamstrings and thighs all play an essential role in aligning the body. The original Pilates technique pays short shrift to these muscle groups to the detriment of overall control, balance and coordination.

In the late 90s Bikram yoga entered in response to the lack of strengthening in yoga. Though heat and squats did increase the intensity of the experience, Bikram's yoga poses remained the same old peaceful, muscle-surrendering lessons in relaxation. The problem remained that none of these solutions by themselves effectively changed people's bodies. The exercise industry's most recent solution: do it all. In order to be fit, it declared, you need to do a combination of yoga, Pilates and aerobics. Current books on star workouts typically feature trainers leading celebrities through this exercise trio.

There's a catch, however, to this formula. Compartmentalizing exercise elements allows two thirds of your system to rest while only one is working - and your body is never fully challenged. Thus compartmentalized, exercise elements can never fully impact the state of the body. And honestly, who besides the stars has time to do all three? Clearly exercise has come to be driven not by physiology but by fad.

Certainly, the fitness industry has made a tremendous contribution to our health. Be someone who exercises and you'll look good, feel good and stay younger longer. Yoga, pilates, working with weights, dancing, biking, hiking, boxing and hundreds of other physical activities - they all make you more fit. What we are just discovering is how much exercise can do for you. New fitness trends such as The Bar Method integrates all five principle elements of fitness: stamina, strength, flexibility, body alignment, and coordination into one simple, gentle, hour-long workout that produces ground-breaking results.




Burr Leonard is the founder of The Bar Method and now oversees 25 studios across the country. She also produces and stars in exercise DVD's including Accelerated Workout and Change Your Body. The Bar Method has received tremendous acclaim from a multitude of electronic media and press, http://www.barmethod.com/press.htm To find out more about Leonard's studios, go to http://www.BarMethod.com




Yoga Blankets


What is a yoga blanket? Who can use a yoga blanket? Or at least, that is what you might be thinking when confronted with the option to purchase one. A yoga blanket is an important yoga prop, that many people have long forgotten during their yoga lessons. Despite the fact that they make a very versatile prop for yoga; many people don't seem to realize the need for one. That is, until they are caught un-prepared during a weekly lesson. A yoga blanket can be used for many different poses, as well as the meditation before and afterward. Helping to make it one of the highest priority yoga props around.

A yoga blanket can be used to raise the hips above the knees, whenever a seated pose calls for it. As well as a cushion for any reclining poses that you might be asked to do during your lesson. Not only that, but it can be used as any other blanket can; to keep you warm while you are practicing the final relaxation during your yoga lesson.

You might be under the same mis-conception as many, that yoga blankets are ugly and useless items. Instead, you will find that they have endless uses during yoga class; as well as being extremely beautiful to look at. From the common Mexican-style yoga blanket that is often found during yoga class; or a more contemporary style yoga blanket can be obtained. There is a slough of colors and prints available. All of them able to help keep both your yoga lessons safe, as well as your fashion statement intact.

Another plus side to yoga blankets, is that they are extremely affordable. From a price-point of ten dollars all the way to hundreds of dollars for designer yoga blankets. There is something for everyone with these handy yoga props. The only true unfortunate part of yoga blankets, is that they aren't as readily accessible as many would like. No mass-market retailer carries quality yoga blankets, instead offering cheap knock-offs. For this reason, you should trust in your local and online yoga specialty stores. They will often times giving you more bang for your buck, and a quality that you can't question. Quality is key for anything, and that would include yoga blankets as well.

While you are searching for the perfect yoga blanket, you can consider several alternatives. Not only in prints and colors, but fabrics and the way they are made as well. From your traditional factory manufactured yoga blankets, to a more environment friendly version made to be "green". So, with all of the choices available to you; why not select a couple for your new (or experienced) life in yoga?




The three popular types of yoga you may have heard of are hatha yoga, power yoga and bikram yoga. Hatha yoga is the style of yoga most practiced today. It is what you will think of when you think of yoga in general. Power yoga is a more aerobic-style yoga, with an emphasis on cardio. Bikram yoga is a style of yoga performed in a heated room to accelerate detoxification. Universal Yoga sells everything you need to practice these and other forms of yoga, pilates and meditation including yoga blankets [http://www.universalyoga.com/], yoga bags [http://www.universalyoga.com/yogamats.html], workout clothing, meditation cushions, uplifting apparel and yoga DVDs.




Five Most Effective Exercises for Losing Weight


There are exercises for getting rid of flab in particular places of the body, but most exercises generally have beneficial effects on the whole body. Some exercises are more efficient than others in helping you lose weight. The exercises cited here are very easy, do not require any expensive equipment, and are unbelievably most effective for losing excess body fat and for promoting good health for all age types.

1. Brisk Walking. It is something that won't cost you anything and you can do this anywhere, anytime, using just only a pair of light, soft, and comfortable walking shoes. The experts say that a 30-minute brisk walk can burn up to 250 calories.

2. Yoga. Practicing any type of yoga is good for your heart and your overall health. It also reduces stress, improves your mental acuity, and builds body strength. Any type of yoga is good and there are plenty of yoga types. One good example of weight-loss yoga is Power Yoga. A 90-minute power yoga done every day can bring immense benefits to your health as well as help you lose weight. The breathing pattern associated with power yoga 1) helps you to burn fat, and 2) makes you feel less hungry.

3. Deep Breathing. Others call this "belly breathing" or "diaphragmatic breathing." Patricia Bacall calls this Bliss breathing. She says: "Breath is the essence of life. If we are shallow breathers, we limit our life force and our experience of vibrant good health and enthusiasm." You might think that since deep breathing doesn't require physical exertion or force, it might not help you lose weight. But it does. Regular breathing uses only one-fifth of our lung capacity, but deep diaphragmatic breathing uses our lungs more effectively. Deep breathing helps to create a healthy shape and healthy internal organs.According to the authors of "The Core Balance Diet: 4 Weeks to Boost Your Metabolism and Lose Weight for Good", the act of breathing causes your metabolic rate to increase and the oxygen you breathe in is needed for proper organ functioning and for the burning of body fat. "Taking in deep breaths allows you to derive many of the advantages associated with regular aerobics exercises." Breathe-yourself-thin proponents advocate special deep breathing exercises to flatten your tummy and make you feel good, strong, and happy. If we regularly deep-breathe, we become healthy, energetic, and we don't overeat because we feel less hungry.

4. Tai-Chi. This is a moving form of yoga and meditation that uses movements derived from the natural movements of animals and birds, performed slowly, softly, and gracefully. It is deeply rooted in Chinese meditation, medicine, and martial arts. The practitioners of the sport assert that Tai-chi is useful for martial arts, hand combat, and also as meditative exercise for the body to promote health and vitality. It corrects poor posture and fosters a calm mind. Thirty minutes of Tai-chi burns about 140 calories in a woman. It is a moderate way of losing weight, of improving muscle flexibility & blood circulation, and it is an excellent way of regaining optimum health by improving heart function, blood circulation, body strength, flexibility, balance and coordination. Anyone can do the series of gently flowing, graceful postures.

5. Aerobics. It is a form of physical exercise that combines stretching, rhythmic movements, and strength training exercise to promote physical fitness. It is usually performed to music using different levels of intensity and complexity. This exercise can be done alone at home or with a group in a gym.

Just like any exercise program, weight-loss exercises should include the correct breathing pattern to maintain endurance and achieve the best results.




written exclusively for freecustomdiets.com




2012年8月29日 星期三

Knowing Your Asana From Your Ashtanga - The Basics of Yoga


People practice yoga for all sorts of reasons: to stay fit and trim, to achieve a sense of inner calm and well-being, to gain increased flexibility and coordination, and to improve their posture. But to the uninitiated, the practice of yoga remains a mystery. What exactly is yoga - and why do we care?

Yoga can benefit the mind, body and soul.

The word "yoga" means union in Sanskrit, and it aims to create a basic union behind mind, body and spirit. This is achieved through a combination of flexibility and strength, which usually is carried out by a striving to create and perfect a series of yoga poses, known as asanas, or postures exercises.

While creating the same exercises day after day may sound repetitive and mind-numbingly dull - at least to the uninitiated - to adherents of yoga the case is exactly the opposite. In theory, at least, people bring a varied and different approach to the postures each time they do them, often with the help of a teacher, or guru, who teaches and guides them along the way.

In addition, chanting, meditation and breathing exercises are taught concurrently alongside the postures, so people should feel varied benefits which affect them both inside and out. But as yoga can be tricky and is physically very demanding, many people give up at the onset. Others, however, try it a few times and become converts for life.

Types of Yoga

The practice of yoga is a varied one, which is why there are so many types of yoga being taught and practiced all over the world. Many people have heard of Hatha yoga, which is actually an all-encompassing word for all types of yoga. Other actual types, in alphabetical order, include:

Ashtanga yoga. Literally means "eight-limbed yoga", as the path of internal purification contains eight spiritual practices which followers are advised to follow. They are: moral codes; self-purification and study; posture; breath control; sense control; concentration; meditation and contemplation. There are strict sets of poses which should, in an ideal world, be followed to the letter. This type of yoga is both athletic and requires a strict sense of order and is also referred to as "power yoga".

Bhakti yoga. Achieves calm by visualizing, thinking about and feeling a Divine Being. Sometimes referred to as the Yoga of Love or Yoga of God. Requires one to want their own oneness to become a "twoness" with a higher power.

Bikram yoga. Started by Bikram Choudhury, this type of "Hot Yoga" is practiced only in a very warm room. It is though that the heat helps flush nasty toxins from the body and thus assists in making the limbs more flexible. Helps you sweat out your problems as well as become stronger and more coordinated.

Iyengar yoga. This type of yoga concentrates on the use of props (no, not that kind) to achieve yoga poses. Wooden belts, blocks, ropes etc help those practicing Iyengar yoga achieve the various asanas, or poses, and thus help their body, and eventually their mind, become stronger.

Mantra yoga. People practice yoga techniques coupled with the repetition of certain monosyllabic sounds, or mantras, such as "um", "oh" and "ah". The idea is that once a person chants a specific sound endlessly, it will enter their consciousness until the subconscious is revealed. A bit tricky, that one...

Raja yoga. Helps increase meditation techniques by directing your life force towards the object upon which you are meditating. Translates as a "kingly" type of yoga.

Viniyoga. Incorporates regular breathing techniques to help practitioners practice yoga poses that are suited to them as individuals. Gives credence to the idea that as we grow and develop so must our yoga techniques, the way in which we achieve specific poses, and the poses themselves.

Popular Yoga Postures

Here are some of the very basic yoga postures, suitable for beginners:

Cat. Basic stretch on all fours designed ideally to stretch out the spine. Get down on hands and knees, then lift back and arch gently like an angry or surprised cat. Some practitioners advise hissing loudly like a cat as well, to get full benefit from this pose (yeah, right!).

Cobra. Lie on floor on stomach then raise up and place hands on floor, near the shoulders. Inhale then raise yourself from the floor, raising your chest with your back arched (don't lift belly-button from floor). Exhale as you lower yourself to the floor and repeat as many as seven times.

Upward Facing Dog. Much like the Cobra (above) but your arms remain straight while your stomach is lifted from the floor. Stretches many parts of the body, including the lungs, back and abdomen. Is thought to help alleviate symptoms of depression.

Cow. Start by getting into position on your hands and knees. Gently push your stomach toward the floor, while you try to arch your tailbone and chin upwards in the direction of the ceiling.

Yoga for Children and Moms-to-Be

Yoga for kids is not about losing weight, it's about becoming more flexible and more centered. Kids these days often feel unduly stressed, with an overload of homework and after-school activities and pressure to perform well at exams. Practicing yoga on a regular basis can help them not only get in better physical shape, but also help them to relax their minds and learn how to concentrate and focus.

Expectant mothers can also benefit from practicing yoga, under the advice of a qualified instructor. Studies have shown that women who routinely practice yoga while they are pregnant have faster births that are significantly easier than those who don't. Practicing yoga while pregnant is also a great way for many women to connect with their babies and take time out to concentrate on themselves.

Proponents of yoga says this age-old practice can benefit virtually everyone, from small children up to people of the geriatric set. It can help individuals not only become more aware of their bodies and minds, but also increase their flexibility and coordination and make them feel happier and healthier. It also reduces tension and stress, and boosts our energy levels. Now that can't be a bad thing.




Sarah Matthews is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a Healer at Yodle Local or more Health & Medicine articles at Yodle Consumer Guide.




Try to Exercise - Yoga Asana to Achieve Effective Weight Loss


It has been a stereotypical piece of advice that having a balanced diet in conjunction with regular exercise is the simplest natural way to reduce weight and achieve a healthier body. This advice is applicable to many dieters but it's too difficult to maintain for a long period of time in order to get appreciable weight loss results. Hence, you may try to add yoga exercises in your weight reduction activities.

In its simplest essence, yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual activity intended to attain a state of perfect spiritual calmness and perception through meditation while in a still body position. Although yoga is a traditional Hindu activity, people of various religions around the world already tried to practice it for their own purposes. In fact, many people have already proved that yoga provides a number of health benefits, including significant weight loss. The Yoga Asana is the specific form of yoga exercise that can significantly help reduce the weight of the person who successfully performs it.

If you want to get rid of your excessive weight this way, you should first decide to commit yourself with a scheduled set of yoga exercises without compromising your other daily activities. Around 90 minutes could be enough to have an effective yoga exercise in each day. It is also important to choose a peaceful and solemn place where you can perform this exercise without any disturbances. If possible, turn off your phone so that you can do the yoga exercises continuously.

To get started, you have to sit still in an Indian sitting position with your spine serving as an outlet of biodynamic union. Listen to your body as you try to meditate to your inner self. Just make sure that you are not pushing yourself too hard. Avoid going beyond a position that causes you any pain or discomfort. Next, try to breathe in and then breathe out with your stomach empty, and do this repeatedly for several minutes. Aside from the sitting position, you may also do the Yoga Asana while standing on your head or simply lying with your back on a mat. Any of these positions should let you achieve a state of tranquility without posing any harm on your body parts, especially your spine.

Moreover, there were several established scientific explanations regarding the weight loss effects of yoga. Most of these conclude that yoga lets your digestive system efficiently function as a result of the physical, mental, and spiritual relaxation. The good quality of breathing in and out also helps your body achieve a much better blood and air circulation, which is also necessary in enhancing your body metabolism as well as detoxification. Aside from achieving weight loss, this yoga exercise can also improve your body strength and flexibility, reduce stress, enhance energy regeneration, prevent fatigue, and provide relief from several types of body pain.




People finding a hard time to reduce weight can buy Slim Weight Patch and take it regularly along with their diet meals. To see more information about this product, just visit Slim Weight Patch now.




Breaking Myths About Yoga


Yoga and India aren't strangers, yet we find Yoga's popularity suddenly spiking after it's embraced by the west. It has become the thing to do to be fit with celebrities swearing by it. It is as if Yoga is a 'novel' concept or is reinvented by the west. After it has become the 'in' thing, there are two sets of people- the ones who do it and others who don't. Most of people who do it, adopt yoga for life while the others don't want to do it because of the myths around it or don't know how.

Here, we will try to break the common myths about yoga.

Myth no.1: Yoga is only for the young and fit.

"Yoga takes care of the complete well being of a person. It doesn't have an age barrier and can be done by anyone who is over the age of 12" says Meena Joshi, a yoga instructor with degree from Kalidas University. Yoga in fact is good for the problems that come with old age like arthritis, blood pressure; it helps us to age well and improve immunity.

Myth no.2: You have to be really flexible to do Yoga.flexibilty and yoga

Most common images associated with yoga are of people either standing on the head or being fixed in positions you wouldn't dream of reaching. But don't fret, they might be pro at yoga but "one of the basic principle of yoga is 'Shanai, Shanai' or 'take it slowly'. You aren't expected to touch your toes or twist your neck in the beginning. Do only what you are comfortable with. There is no 'ideal' level of flexibility; it differs from person to person" she says.

Myth no.3: Yoga provides magical cures

Just starting yoga and expecting all the ailments to vanish isn't going to work. Yoga is very good for maintaining good health and taking care of the nervous system. But you really have to be consistent to reap all the benefits of yoga. So don't put away your medication as soon as you start yoga, take proper medical guidance before doing so.

Myth no.4: Doing yoga is all about spiritualism

yoga and spiritualismThough Yoga was founded by the rishis, it is not bounded by religion nor has it to be adopted only by those interested in spirituality. Yoga can be adopted by anybody with or without religious inclination. Yoga can provide the much needed relaxation and peace in today's hectic lifestyle. So, yoga is more relevant for you and me than a person already away from every day cares.

Myth no.5: Only women do Yoga

Even though most of the followers of yoga may be the women, yoga is definitely also for men. If you observe, most of the famous practitioners or instructors they all are men. If men feel yoga is only about some postures and for flexibility, they should remember that yoga has so much to offer men like strengthening and toning muscles, relaxing and releasing stress.

Myth no 6: Yoga should only be done in the morning

You would be able to reap the best results of yoga if you do it in the morning. But if your schedule is what's stopping you from practicing it in the morning, don't worry. You can practice yoga at whatever time of the day as per your convenience but make sure you practice it after at least 2 hours of meals.

Myth no. 7: Asanas + Prananyam = Yoga

relaxation and yogaThough it is partly correct, Yoga is much more than Asanas or postures. Postures along with breathing exercises definitely improve your health and lifestyle but they are not the ultimate destination of yoga. "The aim is to have better self understanding and gain self acceptance. There are eight components of Yoga- Yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahaar,dharana, dhyaan and samadhi which look into overall lifestyle and even behavior. These aspects have not been focused upon a lot by the teachers but it wrong to reduce yoga to fitness" Meena Joshi strongly believes.

Myth no.8: Learning Yoga is boring

If meditation and postures make you believe that yoga is boring and serious. Then it is not so. You will get plenty of laughs when stretch all you might, you don't reach the toes. The serious expression on people's faces while concentrating is also a cause to laugh out loud. In some classes, they have incorporated 'hasya yoga' or laughter yoga as part of the yoga classes, it starts with chuckles and giggles and then into belly laughs. It acts very well to reduce stress and break the serious mood.

Now that most of the myths are broken, you can try yoga for better health. Even if it doesn't lead to immediate weight loss, it is definitely a good way to gain flexibility, fitness, improve immunity and relieve stress.







Yoga For Injuries - Healing the Body and Stretching Yourself Back to Health


Yoga is a form of exercise with a sequence of various breathing and posture techniques often including meditation. Regardless of age, or health condition, it can be beneficial to everyone in building up the body as well as cultivating states of mind that promote equanimity. There are both vigorous as well as gentle forms of yoga. For those with injuries, it is best to take classes titled gentle, restorative or yoga for beginners. Chair yoga is also an excellent way to get benefits of stretching without having to sit on the floor.

There are many health related issues that one faces in our day to day lives. And having these problems can incur lifelong pain and discomfort. Being physically fit can help certain problems. Stretching helps relax our muscles and removes the unwanted toxins from our body. There are a range of asanas which can be grow into complex poses. Many find that not only does yoga help them to stay in shape but it can also aid in relieving injuries including back pain, joint stiffness and limited range of motion. Also, by enabling someone to find healthier responses to stress, the body won't tighten up as much and this too can be a help for preventing or aggravating existing injuries.

The breathing techniques supply oxygen to the body and promote deep relaxation. This technique teaches us to take fuller breathes which enables us to help drive out waste products from the body. In some breathing exercises, the mind will also visualize healing tight areas. One objective of yoga for injuries is on helping to loosen the muscles of the problematical areas. When done regularly, it not only eases the pain but also develops strength and builds up the body.

It can be intimidating to think of doing some difficult sequences in forms of flow yoga. Keep in mind that the gentle classes will work with your own level of comfort. Restorative yoga classes are specifically designed to help someone with health challenges or injuries. Some people will also be in the class recovering from surgery. Check with your doctor to see when you can start with gentle stretching. Let the instructor know your situation so you stay within your recommended range of motion.

Yoga for injuries enables you to start at a slow pace and gradually take on more challenges as the strength returns. Yoga is not only capable in providing physical wellness but also will teach valuable lessons about stress relief, inner balance and overcoming daily challenges.




Learn More About Yoga for Yourself or As A Career

Find out more about What Is Chair Yoga and find out about how to Become a Yoga Instructor.




Yoga Styles- Guide to The Most Popular Types


The image of yoga has changed during the past years. If once, the first picture that popped your mind was of a group of white wearing weirdoes standing on their heads and breathing loudly, now you are probably thinking about Madonna's well shaped arms. Currently, yoga is one of the most popular fitness activities worldwide. One of its appeal is that it can be practiced by elders and it can improve the overall physical fitness of athletes.

If you want to start practicing yoga, here is a quick guide to the basic types of yoga. While most of them are based on the same ancient postures, each yoga style has a different focus. Some of the yoga styles focus on strengthening the body while others focus on flexibility. Other types of yoga focus mainly on breathing, relaxation, and meditation.

Most of the yoga styles that were adopted in the west, were derived from the Hatha Yoga, which is a general term that refers to the physical branches of the ancient Indian philosophy. The purpose of the traditional Hatha Yoga was to achieve balance between mind and body through moral discipline and physical exercises, which are expressed by a series of asana: postures, panorama: breathing and meditation.

Western culture adopted mainly the physical aspects of the Hatha Yoga and ignored the moral aspects, usually even the breathing and meditations aspects. All the yoga styles that were derived from the Hatha Yoga share the same basic principle that mental balance can be achieved through practice of physical exercises and postures. Each yoga style chooses to focus on different aspect.

Ashtanga Yoga:

This focuses on the flow of postures in order to improve strength, stamina and flexibility of the body. During a Asthanga Yoga class, the participants jump from one posture to another. Therefore, this type of yoga is not the ideal for beginners. People who are not well fit may find it too difficult and demanding. However, if you are interested in improving your strength, flexibility and stamina and you are fit enough to deal with an hour of jumping from one posture to another, Asthanga Yoga can suit you.

Power Yoga:

This is an American development of the Asthanga Yoga that also adopted several elements from other types of yoga styles. You can find Power Yoga classes mainly in fitness and health clubs. Power Yoga focuses on strengthening the body by performing Hatha Yoga postures for a longer time to improve both physical flexibility and mental focus. Power Yoga can be a good exercise for athletes, people who practice types of fitness activities and people who want to tone their body.

Bikram Yoga:

A Bikram Yoga class features a series of 26 Hatha Yoga postures practiced in a heated room. It is also known as Hot Yoga. The purpose of the heat is to allow the participants to get into each of the yoga poses in a deeper and safer manner. The heat also helps clean the body from toxins promoting sweating. Bikram Yoga focuses more on the workout of the entire body, including the internal organs and less on flexibility. Bikram Yoga is not recommended to pregnant women and people who suffer from high blood pressure and heart conditions, but it can improve the physical fitness of people who recover from injuries.

Iyengar Yoga:

This focuses on the physical alignment of the body and the accurate performance of each posture. Some of the Iyengar Yoga postures are practiced with the assistance of props such as blocks and belts that are designed to help the participants achieve the most accurate posture and to protect their bodies from injuries. Since the flows between postures are not practiced, Iyengar Yoga classes are less intense and therefore more suitable for people who are less fit. Iyengar Yoga improves body strength and flexibility and can fit people of any age and every physical condition.




Jack Reider has been practicing Iyengar Yoga for over six years and he highly recommends it to everyone. You can find more of his articles at the guide to online casinos that features updated information on yoga and other self relaxation methods.




If Your Life Is Spinning Out of Control - Maybe You Should Give Yoga a Try!


Yoga was developed in ancient India around 4000 years ago. Today, traditional yogic lifestyle is built around five principles: relaxation, exercise, breathing, diet, and positive thinking and meditation. In today's frenetic world, yoga works to reduce stress and anxiety and improve energy levels through concentration on deep breathing, meditation, and relaxation.

1. Balance. As we age, our centers of gravity often shift, causing problems with balance. One in three people over 65 fall each year, and the risk of falling increases as you get older. Steadiness, eye-to-hand coordination, and dexterity improve with the regular practice of yoga.

2. Alignment. Yoga positions stretch our bodies in new ways, causing our bones to realign themselves as they were when we were young. You become more aware of your body's posture, alignment, and patterns of moving.

3. Posture. New alignment helps us stand taller and straighter. One of the sure signs of aging is a stooped, shuffling presentation. Learn again to stand tall and proud.

4. Flexibility. Muscles shorten and tighten over time. All the bending and stretching leads to more flexible joints and tendons. Range of motion and resiliency increase.

5. Energy. Deep breathing and physical exertion gives us more energy. Sleep improves.

6. Metabolism. Higher energy boosts metabolism, making it easier to burn calories. Weight loss is often the result.

7. Strength. Regularly practicing yoga positions increases muscle tone and strength.

8. Endurance. Deep breathing and relaxation increases endurance.

9. Improved lung capacity. A key component of yoga is deep breathing through the nose, helping to build lung capacity.

10. De-stressing and calming. At the beginning and end of every session, practitioners are encouraged to breathe deeply and let go of the stresses of daily living. It is designed to draw your focus away from your chaotic day.

11. Concentration and focus. Doing the poses correctly requires focus and concentration. Attention and memory improve.

12. Better mood. You feel better, calmer and more at peace.

13. Lower blood pressure - slower heart rate. Cardiovascular efficiency increases.

14. Decreased cholesterol & triglycerides.

15. Boosted immune function.

Everyone - young and old, male and female - can benefit from the practice of yoga. There are different types and levels. If you are a beginner, look for a class in easy yoga. There are different levels of difficulty for most poses. Start easy and work up to the more demanding. Of course, you should consult with your doctor before embarking on any new exercise activity.

You don't need much in the way of special equipment - just a mat and a yoga block. Give it a try - you'll be amazed at how much better you feel in just a few weeks. And you'll understand why yoga studios are popping up all over the country.




Whitney Smith is a direct marketing consultant and copywriter specializing in health, beauty and anti-aging skin care. She is the editor of an on-line newsletter for BioLogic Solutions, a leading provider of quality, doctor-recomended anti-aging skin care products. Check it out at http://www.biologicsolutions.com.




2012年8月28日 星期二

7 Tips to Staying Safe and Preventing an Injury in Your Yoga Class


In the recently released special edition of Time magazine, an article reported that in the past three years 13,000 Americans were treated in an emergency room or doctor's office for yoga-related injuries. Some suspect that an additional 13,000 or maybe even more have been injured in yoga classes, but have not reported them. More and more people are trying yoga and more and more yoga related injuries are taking place. It is crucial to your health and well being that you realize that any exercise or practice done incorrectly can and will most likely lead to injury.

The good news is that The American Academy of Surgeons believes that the benefits of yoga out weigh the potential risks if you are practicing with caution and perform the exercises in moderation along with a knowledgeable instructor. The problem is many people going into yoga for their first time believe in the out dated, 'no pain no gain' paradigm and are not practicing with caution and moderation. This toxic way of thinking and overdoing in yoga leads to harm and a lot of unnecessary self inflicted pain. In fact, those teachers and students that "push" themselves are not actually practicing yoga at all. The Yoga Sutra's of Patanjali states that, "Yoga poses should be easy and comfortable." That may need repeating for the many "Type A" people that are attracted to yoga. Again, yoga should be easy and comfortable!

Those who push themselves in yoga may get injured right away, although many yoga injuries take several years to show up in the form of chronic pain. Torn cartilage in the knees, joint problems from aggressive adjustments or repeatedly doing a pose incorrectly, pulled muscles, sprained necks, impinged nerves and chronic lower back pain are some of the most common injuries that are caused by practicing yoga aggressively, competitively, or unconsciously.

How can you stay safe and healthy in Yoga?

By following the following logical guidelines you can reap all the benefits of yoga and stay safe in your practice.

1. If you haven't exercised in a long time, don't expect that you will safely be able to do what you were able to do 20 or 30 years ago. Yoga is a progressive practice and doing a little less is truly more. If you do a little less than what you can achieve, you will stay safe and you will be able to comfortably advance with regular practice.

2. Get quality instruction. It may be a good idea to find a private yoga teacher if you are new to yoga. Find an experienced, educated yoga teacher that will work with your body and your personal needs one on one before you enter into a large class where you won't get the attention that you need. You can find a qualified registered yoga teacher that has met minimum requirements established by the National Yoga Alliance. Yoga Alliance's website is http://www.yogaalliance.org

3. Be open and honest with your yoga teacher. Let your yoga teacher know about any injuries old or new you may have experienced. Ask the teacher if they physically touch and adjust their students. If they do, ask them if they can do their best to refrain but instead give you verbal adjustments and let you know when you have it right. Verbal adjustments will allow you to feel and think it out to yourself as well as work on your focus and listening skills and giving you freedom and independency from your teacher.

4. Take responsibility for your body, especially for the really mobile parts. In each pose cultivate the practice of scanning your joints from head to toe. There are way too many shoulder injuries caused by a regular incorrect yoga practice. This is most likely due to incorrectly doing downward dog and plank pose. In downward dog externally rotate your shoulders. You can externally rotate your shoulders by turning the crease of your elbows towards your thumb. In plank pose depress your scapula (shoulder blades) by pressing the head of your shoulders in the direction of your heels. If you have hyper extended elbows or knees you must adjust for those in a different way so be sure to tell your teacher about these slight deviations from the norm.

5. Some poses aren't for everyBody. If any pose is causing you pain, immediately change it and modify it in a way that intuitively feels more comfortable or stop doing it all together. You should feel free to sit out poses that aren't right for you and change the dynamics and biomechanics of a pose to meet your body's needs. There are hundreds of poses and every pose isn't right for every body.

6. Realize and celebrate the fact that everyone is your superior. Yoga is not a competition. You are not practicing the principles of yoga if you are looking around the room and competing or comparing yourself to your neighbor. Focus on you. After all, you are doing yoga for YOUR health and YOUR wellbeing. After class no one is going to care or remember what you did or didn't do during the class and you probably won't care what anyone else did or didn't do. Each individual will find they are more adept and attracted to certain elements of yoga more than others.

7. Consider taking a workshop or a yoga teacher training course. Even if you don't intend to teach yoga, a yoga teacher training course or a yoga workshop may increase your knowledge and understanding of yoga and that is bound to help you stay safe in your own practice.




Jane Foody is a professional, experienced registered yoga teacher (ERYT, recognized by Yoga Alliance). She directs a yoga teacher training in Orlando, Florida where she certifies people to teach yoga. Jane is also a professional hypnotist. Jane is also in her 2nd year of graduate school becoming a doctor of physical therapy. Jane has written and released a hypnosis CD for yoga teachers. The CD motivates, inspires and guides yoga teachers to make more money and be the best yoga teachers they can be. Go to http://www.lucrativeyogabusiness.com/ for yoga business help or http://www.yogajanetraining.com/ to learn how to become a certified yoga teacher.




Budokon - Yoga Meets Martial Arts


What is Budokon? It is the coming together of yoga and martial arts. Created in 2000 by fitness instructor Cameron Shayne, the word Budokon is Japanese for "Way of the Spiritual Warrior" and Shayne is the embodiment of his creation. Budokon isn't just the hyped-about new workout that has celebrities praising his name, but is more about accuracy and style while being true to your mind and soul and tending to your body's health needs. Shayne states that Budokon is really a "living art," going on to say that it involves your complete being, "It is your waking and your sleeping, your walking and your sitting, your living and your dying." Shayne claims that he isn't selling anything with Budokon and that there are no gimmicks, there is only something he calls "The Way."

Although "The Way" sounds like an association to a religion or another structured teaching, Shayne emphasizes that it is simply a zen way of approaching your life and is not meant to be taken as enlightenment. There's a unique philosophy attached to the practice of Budokon as a way of connecting spirituality to the physical and mental stages of the art, but it mostly concentrates on the individual and letting go of attachments and being authentic to yourself above all else.

There's three steps to bringing Budokon into your life. First, study the practices and do them regularly, maintaining a fluid motion within your body and an open communication with your spirit. Second, learn the ten cultivations of Budokon and investigate the food criteria in order to reach the highest level of success so as to completely bring balance to your life. The cultivations are simple and range from the simple and direct, to the more complicated. Food stipulations are also straightforward and painless to follow by advising against eating or drinking a lot before training and sticking with light foods, maintaining a diet of leafy vegetables during the day, consuming meat sparingly in your food regimen, staying away from rich foods, and trying to eat only natural sweeteners like honey and stevia, among others.

Thirdly, the final step to attaining full Budokon is to keep a rhythm moving from the relaxing yogic poses to fast moving cardio kicks to the seated meditation as the final section of a class.

As you would expect the practices are acquired over time and newcomers aren't obliged to be graceful immediately. Try out a class or two and challenge your body to work outside of its comfort zone. It sounds like fun regardless of whether or not the rest of the Budokon lifestyle suits you. Budokon may end up being one more fad work out trend that celebrities will wear out soon, but it appears to be gaining strength in the meantime. If it

Makes you feel good and helps to make your body look like you could be a starlet's body double, more power to founder Cameron Shayne and the refreshing style called Budokon.




John Lord is a sports enthusiast and free lance writer on many aspects of health, especially as they relate to sports and fitness. John uses a comprehensive supplementation program to effectively boost his own athletic performance. He is passionate about promoting a drug-free healthy lifestyle including organic products and natural supplements. John is a frequent contributor to a variety of health-oriented websites including http://www.the-best-sports-nutrition.com and http://www.hghratings.com.




Buddhism and Yoga - A Brief Summary


Buddhist Yoga

Hatha Yoga is enjoying unprecedented growth globally and is being used as a tool for physical fitness, physical therapy, and spiritual development. Modern practice is derived from ancient Tantric exercises, but less well known are the systems of Buddhist Yoga, which share a common lineage with the ancient discipline.

History of Buddhist Yoga

"Yoga exists in the world because everything is linked"

References to Hatha Yoga predate the Buddhist period (6th century B.C.) by many centuries. It was originally developed as an integral part of the Spiritual Path, and as preparation for higher meditative practices. With the birth of Buddha in the 6th Century BC and subsequent popularity of the Buddha's teachings meditation became one of the main expression of Spiritual Practice along with exercises designed to still the mind towards this state.

More than 500 years after the Buddha's death, two great centres of Buddhist ideas were established in India. Nalanda became the centre of the Hinayana - Narrow Path Buddhism and Mingar became the centre for Mahayana - Great Path Buddhism.

The Narrow Path Buddhism claimed orthodoxy, whilst the Greater Path adopted a more liberal view of the teachings of the Buddha and also incorporated some practices not directly touched upon by the Buddha during his life. This included some indigenous Tantric practices, including Hatha Yoga Exercises.

The Buddha and Yoga

"This calm steadiness of the senses is called yoga.

Then one should become watchful, becomes yoga comes and go."

It is thought that an Indian disciple of the Buddha, Batuo transmitted Zen from India to China in the early 6th century C.E. and most modern Zen lineages trace their past directly to this monk and the Shaolin Monastery where he taught.

According to tradition, it was said he found the monks at Shaolin too weak to make satisfactory progress on their Spiritual Paths. So Batuo secluded himself in a cave for nine years, emerging with a solution (including Yoga) to the health problems of the Shaolin Monks and powerful practises to assist their spiritual development.

These practices became a set of Yogic exercises.

Before the arrival of the Batuo, meditation was the primary method used by Chinese Buddhists for seeking enlightenment. Yoga methods used in India had not been passed to the Chinese Monks

Buddhism, Meditation and Yoga

"Yoga is bodily gospel."

Early Buddhism incorporated meditation into its practice. In fact the oldest expression of Yoga is found in the early sermons of the Buddha. An innovative teaching of the Buddha was that meditation should be combined with the practice of mindfulness with which Yoga could assist the practitioner to this end.

So the difference between the Buddha's teaching and the yoga presented in other early Indian texts is striking. Meditation alone is not an end, according to the Buddha, and even the highest meditative state is not liberating.

Instead of attaining a nothingness, the Buddha taught that some sort of mental activity must take place: based on the practice of mindful awareness.

The Yogic thoughts of the Buddha also departed from other traditional thoughts and the essence was that their point of reference became the sage who is liberated in life.

Buddhism and Yoga: Where the Paths Cross

"Yoga is the practice of quieting the mind."

In the forests of Vedic India, students followed teachers who taught them in the path of liberation called yoga, which means "union." Three centuries after the life of the Buddha his teachings of yoga were compiled by Patanjali as the Yoga Sutras, and another two thousand years later, the teachings of both Buddha and Patanjali have found a new home in the West.

Buddha advocated training the physical body as well as the mind. "He knows himself through internal wisdom and takes care of his body through external discipline"

A healthy body made Spiritual Cultivation less difficult, and the same yoga exercises that could strengthen the physical body could also be used to prepare the mind for liberation."

Yoga Channels and Chakras

"Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are."

Buddhist and Yoga practitioners use three energy channels and seven chakras in their working model of major energetic/spiritual structures.

The channels that Buddhist and Yoga Practitioners use are the central channel (Sushumna) which runs up the middle of the body, the left channel (Ida) which runs on the left side of the spine and the right channel (Pingala) which runs on the spine's right side. These channels begin at the base of the spine and end at the Brow Chakra.

The left side channel is considered negative (Yin) and the right side channel is considered positive (Yang). The middle channel is thought to be neutral.

Buddhist Yoga Exercises

"Yoga accepts. Yoga gives."

It is thought that the Buddha taught three different sets of Buddhist Yoga exercises. These Yoga exercises met with stiff resistance from many in the established Buddhist community with this Yoga eventually becoming "secret" practices, passing to only a few disciples in each generation. It is thought that this secret Yoga tradition will lead to a healthy body and an integrated emotional life.

18 Buddha Hands Yoga

"Yoga is difficult for the one whose mind is not subdued."

This is one set of yoga exercises that traces its origin right back to the Buddha. One system used today contains 18 chapters of from one to three exercises each. Additionally there is a standing yoga position following each chapter to allow energy that has been mobilized during the exercise to return to balance.

Like Hatha Yoga, this technique is directed at regulating body, breath, and mind. The purpose of this Yoga exercise is to increase the quantity and quality of energy in the body and to facilitate a smooth balanced flow of energy, remove any obstacles, thus calming the mind, and nourishing the spirit.

Thus Yoga exercises contribute to a healthy, vitally alive body and balanced mind and assist in positive spiritual growth.

As a system, 18 Buddha Hands Yoga is unique in several ways. The 18 Buddha Hands Yoga system uses both moving and standing postures. This Yoga system thus helps to develops stillness in movement, and movement in stillness.

The Middle Way is an apt description of the functions of 18 Buddha Hands Yoga systems. On the physical level, the Yoga practitioner gently exercises the whole body, opening and balancing the acupuncture meridians. On a deeper level, the 18 Buddha Hands Yoga system is designed to energize and balance the two side channels, thereby opening the central channel leading towards perfect stillness and a precursor to higher conscious states.

Although the 18 Buddha Hands Yoga system was originally an integral part of Zen Buddhism, it remains a valuable tool for anyone interested in using Yoga for physical well being, mental harmony, and consequential spiritual growth




From the Buddha's Face Buddhism 101 Project

http://www.thebuddhasface.co.uk




What Is the Difference Between a CYT-Certified Yoga Teacher and RYT-Registered Yoga Teacher?


While there are no set regulations on what level of training is necessary to teach yoga, choosing to pursue teacher certification, demonstrates a commitment to yoga. CYT certification reveals that a yoga instructor has pursued a certain level of education in yoga techniques.

There are many different programs offering certification to yoga instructors, and it is up to individual organizations to decide what the appropriate professional requirements are. Globally, there is very little regulation of yoga. There are some registries, in different countries, which work to set standards for yoga teachers and the public.

It is important to understand the difference between being certified and being registered as a yoga instructor. You may teach yoga as either a CYT or an RYT. The difference comes from being registered with the Yoga Alliance after a certain level of training has been completed, according to their requirements.

The Yoga Alliance publishes their requirements for the RYT on their website. As of this writing, they are the only recognized association in the United States that registers yoga instructors. The main difference between these two acronyms comes from the RYT designation, which is a registered trademark by the Yoga Alliance.

To become a CYT, or certified yoga teacher, one goes through an educational program with a yoga teacher training school. Certification is evidence to students that you have pursued an active education in your yoga practice. Certification, as a yoga teacher, allows you to teach yoga classes and start your own practice.

The principal elements of yoga: asana, breath, meditation, mantra, and more, are focused on, in certification programs. Additionally, learning to modify poses for beginners, knowing the fundamentals of posture and alignment, how to explain a pose verbally, and correct common mistakes, is crucial to becoming a certified yoga teacher.

Many training programs set their standards the same as the Yoga Alliance, so that when the certification is completed, graduates move forward and can become registered. Other schools are extensive in their training and offer certified graduates the opportunity to gain higher credentials, in other ways, to reach their training goals. They may choose to register after further teaching.

A minimum of 200 contact (face-to-face training) hours is required by the Yoga Alliance to be considered a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). The framework of these training hours is broken down into five categories of techniques, training and practice, anatomy and physiology, yoga philosophy and ethics, teaching methodology, and practicum. The aim of this program is to have a deep understanding of yoga, as well as a comprehensive ability in teaching others.

Holding CYT, or RYT, status is an indication that you are committed to Continuing Education (CE) hours to maintain the status. Continuing your education, as you teach, is the best way to grow, while adding expertise as a yoga practitioner and a teacher. Possessing a Certified, or Registered Yoga Teacher certification, will provide comfort about competency to students seeking you out.

Consider your training to become a yoga instructor as part of a lifelong learning experience, yet one that has steps and levels to attain. Much like any other profession that requires a progression of degrees, the practice of yoga instruction begins with becoming a Certified Yoga Teacher.

© Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications




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