The benefits of Hatha Yoga: Hatha

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2012年10月15日星期一

Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga is a particular system of Yoga established by Yogi Swatmarama, a sage of 15th century India, and is also known as the compiler of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Hatha Yoga is meant to be a type of Yoga that is 'a stairway to the heights of Raja Yoga', therefore a preliminary stage of physical purification that prepares the body for the practice of higher meditation.

Hatha Yoga is a form of Yoga that includes moral disciplines, physical exercise that encompasses posture, breathing control and meditation. The type of Hatha Yoga that is practiced in the West consists mostly of postures and exercise.

This form of Yoga represents the opposite energies of hot and cold, male and female, positive and negative. Hatha Yoga endeavors to balance mind and body by means of physical exercises, controlled breathing, and the soothing of the mind with relaxation and meditation. It teaches good posture, balance and strength and is practiced to advance the body's physical health, clear the mind and prepare for meditation.

Hatha Yoga is also component of Ashtanga Yoga but can be practiced separately. Yoga a particularly beneficial kind of exercise for people with certain health conditions, including heart disease/hypertension, asthma, and back problems. Yoga can be a benefit to your health no matter what age you are, this is especially true of those who have heart problems. It has been recommended to help cure or prevent problems ranging from constipation to cancer, and is known to reduce stress and anxiety.

Yoga promotes cardiovascular health in several ways, including regulating high blood pressure and stress relief. For those who suffer with muscle pain or back problems, Yoga has been shown to be helpful with strengthening muscles, as well as improving flexibility and endurance.

The breathing and meditation techniques that are used in Hatha Yoga aid your body in its ability to relax, and this is thought to help manage chronic pain more efficiently. This may include back pain, joints or tense muscles.

In 2005, it was estimated that there were at least 16,5 million people who practiced Yoga in the United States alone. Hatha Yoga's popularity can be contributed to its benefits to both mind and body. If you have never tried Yoga before, this may be the prefect starting point to begin.

Though Hatha Yoga is safe and beneficial when practiced correctly, if you have health problems you should consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any exercise program.

Thomas T is the owner of Yoga-Instruction.NET. Free information about Yoga Instruction:

http://www.yoga-instruction.net/yoga-instruction.asp
Hatha Yoga: http://www.yoga-instruction.net/hatha-yoga.asp
Ashtanga Yoga: http://www.yoga-instruction.net/ashtanga-yoga.asp

2012年10月14日星期日

Teaching Hatha Yoga: Designing a Lesson Plan - Part 2

Whether a Yoga class should start from a standing, or seated, position has always been a subject for debate, but both methods are fine; and many Yoga teachers do both, depending on the particular lesson plan.

One thing that should not be missing from your Yoga class is a warm-up and proper warm-up exercises, which will slowly warm up joints, connective tissue, and muscle tissue. Some Yoga teachers might feel that advanced Yoga practitioners do not need to do a detailed warm up, and I totally disagree with this philosophy.

Consider this: Professional athletes, who practice, and train, almost every day, are always instructed to perform warm-up exercises. This is very cautious, but with professional athletes, thousands, or millions, of dollars could be on the line.

Yoga students do not usually have such "high stakes" involved within the physical performance of their jobs, but each student should be taught with safety guidelines intact. This is why I feel so strongly about the value of a warm-up at the beginning of a Yoga class: It's just common sense to take care of your students.

Should you start or finish a Yoga class with meditation? Some Yoga teachers guide students through meditation at the beginning, and the end, of the same Yoga class, while some teach meditation only after asana practice.

Unfortunately, a comparatively small number of Hatha Yoga teachers do not include meditation at all. This happens when a Hatha Yoga class is converted into a "fitness only" atmosphere. In truth, this is every Yoga teacher's prerogative; and some health clubs may not want meditation in Yoga classes.

When you are teaching Hatha Yoga, you are teaching mental, physical, and sometimes, spiritual health. Meditation addresses a very valuable health component, but exercise alone is not a guarantee of good mental health. Hence, if you are teaching any style of Yoga, you should, at least, be teaching the basics of meditation as part of your Yoga classes.

How should you incorporate Pranayama within your Yoga class? With beginners, you should cover at least three Pranayama techniques that you commonly use during the course of a Yoga class. If you make Pranayama an extra curricular part of the class, you may find some beginners will try to avoid that particular time of Yoga class.

Many Yoga teachers have become accustomed to full classes, and it was not that long ago, when we taught to small dedicated groups of students. Therefore, we want to maintain popularity, but any component of Yoga can become unpopular.

This creates a delicate line for full-time Yoga teachers to walk. You know the benefits of long-term Yoga practice, but beginners have to stay long enough to "feel the results." This is much different from exercise, where a practitioner might see visual results in a month or two.

The many health benefits of a well prepared Yoga class require time, and you must use public relations skills along the way for students to see the "big picture."

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. To receive a Free e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

2012年10月13日星期六

Teaching Hatha Yoga: The Transformation

Anyone who decides to become a Yoga teacher goes through many transformations, but your students will go through a variety of transformations, as well. The relationship between Yoga teacher and student is healthy because of the sharing of knowledge. Due to this constant sharing of ideas, the Yoga teacher and his or her students become healthier, wiser, and spiritually connected.

Yoga Teacher Transformations start from the moment you decide to become a Yoga teacher, but they continue as you decide to take a Yoga teacher training course. After the Yoga teacher certification process, most Yoga instructors continue to learn more about Yoga philosophy, anatomy, other forms of Yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic medicine, or any one of the many Yoga subjects that Yoga teachers would logically pursue.

However, teaching Yoga classes on a regular basis is a form of continuing education, as you learn to teach Yoga students with different bodies, minds, and health conditions. This is where many Yoga teachers go through a gradual transformation toward Samadhi. Samadhi is the ability to control functions of the mind and body, while eliminating life's daily distractions from the goal of complete consciousness.

To anyone who has never studied Yoga this seems like "mission impossible." Yet, Yoga teachers learn to "walk the talk" of Yogic philosophy. What, at one time, seemed like a lofty goal; can actually be realized gradually. This all stems from teaching, sharing knowledge, and becoming a living example of steady Yoga practice. This is not a mystery, but a path that all Yoga teachers should walk.

These changes of body, mind, and spirit do not happen instantly. Some Yoga teachers and serious Yoga practitioners will receive different benefits and reach different levels of Samadhi, as a result of steady Yoga practice.

Yoga Student Transformation can sometimes be more easily felt or seen. In fact, a new student, who has never practiced Yoga before, may find relief from head aches, hypertension, or a back ache within a few Yoga classes. This is not a guarantee, but it does happen often. When a Yoga student feels the physical or mental benefits of practice he or she becomes transformed by discarding pain and gaining new found enthusiasm.

Within any given Yoga class, there is a form of collective transformation that students and Yoga teacher experience. If you take a typical Hatha Yoga class and consider the warm ups, Pranayama, Sun Salutations, asana practice, meditation, relaxation, or an integration of any other Yogic components; the transformation is quietly happening to the entire group.

There is no mystery here. Transformation of mind, body, and spirit is a result of steady Yoga practice.

2012年10月12日星期五

Teaching Hatha Yoga: My Yoga Students Do Not Want to Meditate

Recently, I received an Email from a colleague about local Yoga students and their desire to "skip" meditation. It seems some Hatha Yoga students find it appropriate to get up and leave before meditation starts. In the area, where he is located, in the western United States, no Yoga studios have meditation as part of the curriculum.

Apparently, there is a lack of interest, and this would leave most Yoga teachers discouraged. However, these same Yoga students love Asana practice. They state that meditation is boring, and they could be doing something useful instead.

What can Yoga instructors do, to explain the mental benefits of meditation? At this point, mentioning spiritual benefits would fall on deaf ears. When Yoga students cannot appreciate anything beyond physical stimulation, it is doubtful they would appreciate anything that cannot be physically measured.

If we teach Yoga without mediation, is it really Yoga anymore? Is this how the Pilates Method was born? Should we "fold in" to popular demand, in order to keep our Yoga studios open? Should we create a new Yoga hybrid without a soul?

There are many new and interesting ideas to develop the mind and body connection, but Yoga teachers should not be discouraged. When most of our Yoga students get a mind and body connection through asana practice, this is a small start for the evolution of Hatha Yoga in western culture.

We live in a culture of "Attention Deficit Disorder," and it is difficult for people to focus and unplug from distractions. Most of our Yoga students are totally addicted to multi-tasking. Some Yoga students quietly refuse to shut their cell phones off in class. No matter how many signs you post, there will be a Yoga student who will leave his or her cell phone on, and it will ring off.

No wonder, Bhakti, Jnana, and Karma Yoga, never got a serious foot hold here.

Although Yoga teachers spend time on daily meditation - a deep meditation session may not be "popular" with your students, if a lot of nervous energy is in the room.

In this case, you could expose your Yoga students to a five minute session of mindfulness or Breath Awareness meditation. It is a start, and a brief tour toward their inner being. A brief five, or ten, minute relaxation sequence is also an option.

Very few of my students want to experience more than the 15 minute meditation segment at the end of a Yoga class. Being distracted, and multi-tasking, is a normal state of mind to children. Unfortunately, many parents are in the "same boat."

Therefore, Yoga teachers should not their waste time, lecturing students about the benefits of meditation. You would be better off creating a student handout about meditation for stress management and mental health. It is reasonable to say that everyone should give their mind a rest. The ancient Yogis knew this, and it is up to Yoga teachers to let the public be aware of the benefits of meditation, while you have their attention.

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

2012年10月11日星期四

Getting To Know Hatha Yoga

Yoga has it beginnings in ancient India but this discipline has invaded the whole world due to the benefits it offers to people who take up yoga. A survey shows that there are more than sixteen million people who practice yoga in the United States alone.

There are various types of yoga and each type has its own methods and purposes. One type of yoga is the Hatha Yoga which literally means sun and moon, coming from two Sanskrit words Ha which means sun and Tha which means moon.

Hatha Yoga, which was first introduced in the 15th century by Yogi Swatmarama, was meant to help yoga practitioners start off with purifying their bodies before proceeding to a higher level of meditation. It is said that Hatha Yoga is similar to Raja Yoga which follows the principle of yama which refers to moral self discipline or control. However, there are sectors who believe that Hatha Yoga has its origins as early as the 10th century.

American yoga followers usually practice the Hatha Yoga to improve their physical and mental health. Most of the Western practitioners of the Hatha Yoga focus on the asanas or yoga poses and exercises but it is really a unified yoga discipline veering not only on the physical but also in Pranayama which consists of breathing and meditation techniques.

Both Hatha Yoga and Raja Yogi are known as Ashtanga Yoga because it follows the eight limbs which include the asana or the poses including the Lotus pose, easy pose, pelvic pose and easy pose. Some sectors however do not consider Hatha Yoga as Ashtanga Yoga since they believe it follows the six limbs.

The literal meaning of Hatha Yoga refers to the use of opposite forces or energies much like the sun and moon or the more familiar concept of yin and yang. This yoga discipline aims to achieve a balance between the physical and the mental powers of a person to achieve a higher level of existence. The body and mind is prepared for a higher level through the execution of the asanas.

Hatha Yoga makes use of Yama or moral control, the Asanas or the poses, Pranayama, Niyama, specific exercises known as Mudra which aims to improve the breathing technique and Nadanusandhana. All the six limbs work together to help the practitioner achieve a higher level of Kundalini or concentration and meditation.

Most Yoga practitioners strive to follow moral discipline or yama to live a virtuous life. According to the yoga discipline, a person can live a virtuous life by following the ten moral restraints primarily the ahimsa or veering away from causing harm to all living creations.

The other yamas include Satya or the ability to stick to the truth, Asteya which prohibits a person from stealing or incurring debt, Brachmacharya which requires celibacy for singles and faithfulness for those who are married, Kshma which refers to the virtue of patience, Dhriti or the principle of commitment, Daya which prohibits cruelty to all beings, Arjava or the promotion of honesty, Mitahara or keeping a moderate food intake and Shaucha or purity in thoughts and words.

Yoga has been referred to as physical yoga because of the use of poses or exercises to achieve unity in body and mind. Some people equate yoga with Hinduism maybe because it started in ancient India but it should not really be identified or attached to any religion because it is a universal science that aims to achieve spiritual balance.

Hatha yoga is a very significant discipline that helps a yoga practitioner to achieve unity of body and mind in order for him to be elevated to spiritual perfection. While different yoga pose can also develop muscles and body form, they are however primarily aimed to achieve a balance in the body systems and internal organs.

Some people take up Hatha yoga to heal their physical and emotional illnesses. With constant execution of the asanas, the human body ultimately develops into a stable and enduring vessel for the human spirit.

Yoga disciples continue to execute the asanas not only to gain physical but also mental balance. The discipline one can gain from yoga will go a long way in helping the person lead a disciplined, happy and peaceful life.

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Teaching Hatha Yoga: The Value of Props

For Yoga teachers the value of props as a tool for alignment is priceless. Yet it is amazing when a Yoga teacher has a negative view of props and the students who use them. Every once in a while you get to hear contrasting views, but below I have listed a few quotes that no one wants to take credit for.

"There are no props in my style, in my classes, or in my town. My Yoga teacher says props are a crutch and there is no reason to make them available to students."

This is a closed minded view, if I ever heard one. What about the student who cannot bring his, or her, spine in a straight line when practicing Triangle posture? One block, placed in the correct location, will change the alignment of the entire body.

A wall might also make a major difference to some Yoga students. So why not adjust a student into a better alignment so she or he can hold the position longer? This will build strength and the Yoga student will actually memorize correct alignment by feeling it.

"Yoga props are fluff. These people are not really practicing Yoga."

This one comment "takes the cake." My answer to this person was that she should seek a Yoga teacher who shared her lack of tolerance. Since Yoga encompasses many things; who should say what "real Yoga" is, or is not?

Props are used by Yoga teachers from many styles of Hatha Yoga such as Iyengar Yoga, Tri Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Chair Yoga, and many more Hatha sub-styles. To be honest, the Yoga mat is a prop. It was not that long ago when Yogis did not use Yoga mats. Why reject progress being made by some of the most innovative minds in modern day Yoga?

One mistake that most Yoga students and Yoga teachers make is thinking of postures as beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Each body is unique and will be exceptional in some ways and less exceptional in others. We should stop focusing on the next "advanced posture" and think about the alignment of the Yoga posture we are in at the present moment.

Proper alignment should never be compromised for the sake of the ego. When you know that a blanket, bolster, ball, strap, block, chair, wall, or another prop would help a student's alignment; using a prop is a "no brainer."

Yoga teachers should make props available, but also be prepared to improvise. Most Yoga teachers do not have every prop available in their studio. This is not a problem, and it will teach you to be creative. One of our Yoga teachers shows her students how to use the kitchen counter, the bottom steps of a stair case, and towels as props for Yoga practice at home.

There is no limit to what can be used for a Yoga prop. Our true potential, as Yoga teachers, is only limited by our thinking.

2012年10月10日星期三

Teaching Hatha Yoga: The Summer Slow Down

Let's face it, Yoga teachers who live in Northern climates have been looking forward to a break from the "winter chill." Your Yoga students have also been looking forward to the warm weather and they want to take a vacation. What can Yoga teachers and Yoga studios do to compensate for the "Sumer Slow Down?"

You have taught your Yoga students about empowerment all year, but some students may not return to your regular classes, without a reminder. Many North Americans take a couple of weeks off in July and some summer vacations will be planned for August. Most of my friends in Europe take August off, therefore, Yoga teachers are looking at a minimum of one month during the summer that is predominantly slow, depending on your exact location and culture.

Some Yoga teachers in the Southern United States will experience a slow down, if the temperatures rise too much and too soon. Yoga classes can become sparse, especially if the temperatures jump to the 90's Fahrenheit during late spring or early summer. So, what action can Yoga teachers take to deal with this vacation season?

How about special classes? Did you ever think about teaching Yoga classes in a pool? What about testing Yoga classes that you had not considered during a busy season? What about an "Introduction to Hot Yoga" or a Vinyasa style Yoga class that is a little warmer than usual? What about testing a short-term Pranayama class or Yoga meditation workshop as a "pilot class" for the busy season?

Once again, I ask you to enlarge your vision and "think outside the box." Do enough ground work and research to become an innovator, rather than "follow the crowd." Even if your Yoga classes do slow down a bit, you can cater to your "regular students," who are with you "through thick and thin." Ask your Yoga students for feedback.

One last major point to bring up: Make sure you are working on "reminders" to your Yoga students who regularly attend classes during cooler weather. It is best to use this time to get a list of all of your Yoga students and prepare for a mailing in late August, or early September.

This is the time when children go back to school, and family plans are made for the fall schedule. If you teach Yoga for a living, your first priority is to thank your students for their past participation and remind them that you still teach Yoga.

It is very easy for anyone to forget their priorities, and Yoga students are no exception. Yoga teachers contribute to the well being of their student's mental, physical, and spiritual health. When you see inactive Yoga students around town, they often thank you for what they have learned from you.

Therefore, do not take a summer slow down personally. This is a season that you should make the most of by taking action and testing new ideas for your Yoga classes.

2012年10月9日星期二

Teaching Hatha Yoga: How to Influence Students without Criticism

When you are teaching Hatha Yoga classes, do you ever want to reach out to a particular student, who does not seem to understand a Yogic technique? Maybe you feel a bit frustrated that you have covered this same point, in the last six Yoga classes, and this student was there each time, but does not comprehend it.

You must first realize this Yoga student is very loyal and should not be taken for granted. Yoga teachers are human, and feel frustration, but this is a person who willingly gives his or her time to learn Yoga from you. The Yoga teacher / student relationship should never be taken for granted.

A loyal Yoga student is valuable, persistent, dedicated, and you should make him or her aware that you notice the effort. If you praise what he or she does right, your cueing, and assisting, will not be perceived as criticism. Self-worth is part of human nature and creates a Yoga student who is anxious to perform better at your next Yoga class.

When you speak to your Yoga students, no effort, on your part, should be wasted. Each word you speak, within your Yoga class, should have a high value and purpose. Some Yoga teachers relish every opportunity to criticize their students. Criticizing gives some Yoga teachers an opportunity to hear their own voice and feel important.

Be sure that what you have to say to your Yoga students is really helpful. Remember that criticism also makes your Yoga students feel unimportant. If a student perceives that a Yoga teacher is bolstering his or her ego, through criticism, the feeling of inspiration to come to more Yoga classes is gone.

Pure criticism tends to make Yoga students, and people in general, defensive, emotionally dejected, and causes a lack of enthusiasm, within the Yoga class. Knowing this, every Yoga teacher should use his or her knowledge to influence students. The difference is that a Yoga student has a distinct feeling of free will, when a Yoga teacher influences him or her, with compassion and true purpose.

There is a reason why students keep coming back to the same Yoga teacher. The reason will differ between students, and we cannot please everyone, but Yoga teacher ethics tell us to speak, assist, and cue with compassion.

When the ego is involved in teaching, this is the opposite of Yogic philosophy. There is no place for the "drill sergeant mentality" in Yoga. The Hatha Yoga teacher, who lets his or her ego guide the lesson plan, during a Yoga class, should be teaching something else.

The point is that all forms of Yoga require teachers who listen empathically, observe with mindfulness, and find solutions for mental, physical, and spiritual health. When a Yoga teacher truly cares about a student's quality of life, the positive energy can be felt within the classroom. This is the purest form of influence.

2012年10月8日星期一

Teaching Hatha Yoga: Religion and Western Culture

When you teach Hatha Yoga, you are asked many questions. Although public awareness of Yoga, and its teachings, has increased, many people are just discovering some of the benefits within the many styles of Yoga. Therefore, you have to be prepared for the unexpected questions that arise about the mysteries of Yoga.

Once in a while, the question of religion does come up. Many times, Yoga teachers are asked if they are a Hindu, Sikh, or Buddhist. To the public's amazement, many Yoga teachers come from all of the major religions in the world. There is no single religion that all Yoga teachers participate in.

How can this be? Some Gurus preach that Yoga should be founded within a particular religion. Some Yoga teachers read the Rig Veda, Bhagavad Gita, and speak Sanskrit words, so they must be covertly teaching Hinduism, or some other religion, right? Wrong - some Yoga teachers do teach religion in their classes, and some do not.

If your Yoga teacher has the Vedas, Torah, New Testament, Holy Quran, and the Gnostic Gospels, in his or her library, what does that mean? It means that your Yoga teacher likes to read, study, and does not have a closed mind. That is all it means, unless your Yoga teacher preaches religion as part of his or her practice.

If a Yoga teacher does preach religion within Yoga classes, this should be easy enough to see and hear. In Yoga studios that reside in the Americas and Europe, this may not be what most Hatha Yoga students are seeking. Each student has the right to leave, but the public should be made aware that a Yoga studio is conducting religious classes.

Many of these potential Yoga students are not seeking religious conversion, religious instruction, and live in a culture with a strict separation of religion from government. This means that religion in the West is often compartmentalized.

For example: If a concerned doctor recommends Yoga to a patient with back problems - the patient is not being referred to a Yoga studio for religious instruction.

Therefore, if you teach a form of religious Yoga in the West, be honest about it. Most students, from western cultures, are in Hatha Yoga classes for the physical and mental aspects.

If you want to teach Yoga as spiritual health, get the proper training first, and give the public "fair warning." Teaching good virtues is one thing, but teaching religion to your Yoga students is quite another. This is the "line in the sand" that some Yoga teachers should never forget.

The answers to spiritual enlightenment are within all religions, but it is up to Yoga students to pursue their own religion and find the answers to their spiritual health. There is no single "man made path" to spiritual health, enlightenment, or union. This is a myth that, as a species, we never seem to learn.

Throughout our history, Holy wars are always justified by both sides. Of course, the other side is always less human, less understanding, evil, and ignorant of the true path. "The world would be a better pace without the unbelievers;" is always a good battle cry.

Religion is too volatile a subject to discuss within a multi-cultural Hatha Yoga class. Therefore, if you are going to mix any religion with Yoga practice, it should be taught within a sectarian atmosphere.

2012年10月7日星期日

Hatha Yoga

Patanjali collected the yoga knowledge available in 2 A.D. and wrote a treatise called 'Yoga Sutra.' The yoga of Patanjali has 8 limbs to be practiced in sequence. They are Yama (restraint), Niyama (observance), Asana (posture), Pranayama (breathing), Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (ecstasy). The end of yoga after Samadhi would be the union of individual consciousness with the universal consciousness.

In the modern age, yoga has come to mean basically 'Hatha Yoga,' 'Ha' meaning sun and 'Tha' meaning moon unites in Hatha Yoga. It is the symbolic union of active and passive energies, the opposites. The Hatha Yoga aims to unite harmoniously the body, mind and spirit, and create a healthy, supple and strong body and a relaxed, stress free mind.

In the late 19th century, T. Krishnamacharya, a yoga teacher in Mysore Palace in south India, was the source of most modern Hatha Yoga. His disciples B.K.S. Iyengar, K.Pattabhi Jois and Indira Devi, and his son T.K.V. Desikachar, were instrumental in setting up their schools and spreading Yoga throughout the world, particularly in America.

Each one has its own name, but it is only a matter of stress rather than substance. They are Ashtanga Yoga of Pattabhi Jois, Iyengar Yoga of B.K.S. Iyengar, Vishnu Yoga of T.K.V. Desikachar, Bikram Yoga of Bikram Choudhry, Sivananda Yoga of Vishnu Sivandandam, Integral Yoga of Swami Sachidananda and Ananda Yoga of Swami Kiriananda.

Yoga as an exercise is vastly different from calisthenics or aerobics. In yoga the body does not do any movement, but holds different postures that are designed to direct the life energy to all parts of the body. The respiratory and pulse rate drops. The endocrine system increases activity.

The benefits of yoga are many. It helps in managing many illnesses for which there are no cures. It helps in building a supple and strong body. But its major contribution is in relaxing the body and mind, relieving stress and rejuvenating the energy level. Positive thinking and feel-good factors increase amongst practitioners of yoga. The degree of concentration in yoga students is very high.

With some amount of commitment and regular practice of Hatha Yoga, there will be a substantial difference to the quality of life in the modern age.

Yoga provides detailed information on Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Pilates Yoga and more. Yoga is affiliated with Cheap Yoga Mats.

2012年10月6日星期六

Hatha Yoga Certification Home Study Courses

Let's say you have decided to become a Yoga instructor, but you do not have weeks or months, of free time, to spend away from your family, friends, and obligations. You have researched Yoga certification classes from NYC (New York City) to Sacramento, CA. The typical training course for Yoga instructors will also require you to pay fairly large sums of money, which creates another hardship.

Are there any other Yoga instructor training options for the working person, with family obligations and a budget? Yes, there are - and a Hatha Yoga certification home study program meets the needs of many practitioners who aspire to teach Yoga. With Internet technology, we also have online Yoga instructor training study programs.

Hatha Yoga Certification home study courses, correspondence courses, and distance learning courses, have existed for decades. Not everyone has the financial resources, or free time, available to "fly off" to Tibet or India.

In an ideal world, it would be nice to have the time, and money, to attend a Yoga teacher certification class in Honolulu, but maybe it's just not realistic thinking at this time. Is a Hatha Yoga certification home study course starting to sound more realistic?

What should you be looking for in a home study course designed for Hatha Yoga instructors? What material should a Hatha Yoga home study course contain? Will there be Yoga certification videos or DVD's. Should the whole Yoga instructor's training course be designed for online learning?

A Yoga instructor's training course and certification should consume a minimum of 200 study hours. This 200 hour standard has become the generally agreed minimum requirement for most Yoga teacher certification organizations.

There are some Yoga teacher certifications that require less than 200 hours, but will you learn about modifications, contraindications, anatomy, physiology, the subtle body, chakras, mudras, bandhas, doshas, kriyas, asanas, meditation, and Pranayama in less than 200 hours? Remember that 200 hours is the generally agreed "minimum" number of Yoga teacher training study hours.

DVD has become the most popular international format for video, so Yoga certification videos should be in DVD format. If you have previous experience as a Yoga student, and had, or have, a Yoga teacher for guidance; your Yoga instructor internship will be a smooth process. Experienced Yoga practitioners can easily grasp the concepts presented within Yoga certification videos.

However, if you have no previous experience, as a Yoga student, you can make life easier on yourself by seeking the guidance of a competent Yoga teacher in your local area.

Lastly, the ability to turn in written assignments by Email speeds up the Yoga instructor certification process, but it also helps to get tutoring by Email or phone. These are options to consider when choosing a Hatha Yoga certification home study program.

2012年10月5日星期五

Teaching Hatha Yoga: Cueing Insights

Have you ever heard a Yoga teacher cue without thinking? Did you ever wonder if cueing was actually covered in his or her Yoga teacher training? Let's take a look at some common mistakes Yoga teachers make when cueing.

Most Yoga students retain information by actually performing a technique. Some studies estimate that 90% of all people learn by "doing." In comparison, only a small percentage (10 to 20%) of your Yoga students will retain what you demonstrate or what they hear.

Below are some examples of what never to do when cueing your Yoga students.

The Introverted Yoga Instructor

Over the past few decades, I have found introverted Yoga teachers to be some of the kindest, warmest, and gentlest souls on this planet. If you fall into this category, speaking up is the biggest obstacle you have in front of you.

For the sake of your own Yoga students, please set an audio recorder at the far corner of the room you teach in. When you have time, listen to it. If you cannot hear anything, neither can your students.

You can do this as an exercise or find a "coach," who will empower you to speak up. An honest friend, Master Yoga teacher, or a Professional Speaking Coach, could easily improve your life immensely. This might not seem to be a major problem to the "outspoken" Yoga teachers, but it is very hard for some of us to "speak up."

The "Hey You" Yoga Instructor

Speaking of outspoken Yoga teachers; have you ever heard a Yoga teacher call out a student's name to make a correction? It sounds something like this, "Hey Dave, turn your back foot in 45 degrees!" Some students come to Yoga teachers for stress management or self-esteem. Do we know every one of them?

First demonstrate the Asana, then cue, and mildly repeat if "Dave" does not catch on. If he still does not get it, walk over and give him an assist - if it is permitted. You could also give assists to other students, or at least observe your other students, on your way, to or from, Dave. Never intentionally draw attention to the student who has difficulty. We teach Yoga, and we must show compassion for our students, at all times.

The "You can't do anything right in my Yoga class" Instructor

Remember Ahimsa (non-injury) and always to cue with a constructive purpose. If the purpose of a cue is to bolster your own ego - it is wrong, and it will be felt by all of your students. Yoga teacher ethics teach us to cue and assist without harming.

Yoga students enter a Yoga class to improve their lives and this is what teaching Yoga is all about. The Yoga class is tailored for the Yoga student. The Yoga teacher's purpose is to gently guide students down the best path without ego.

Teaching Hatha Yoga: Assisting, Demonstrating, and Verbally Cueing

Some Yoga instructors feel that one method for teaching Yoga is better than the rest; but which one is it? If a Yoga teacher does not give a physical assist, is that wrong? If a Yoga instructor does not demonstrate poses, how can students who learn visually make progress? What about the Yoga instructor who makes an assist before verbally cueing?

There are many methods for teaching Yoga, but students either learn by seeing, feeling, hearing, or a combination of senses. With this in mind, there is no right or wrong method, but Yoga teachers should be aware that some students may have a dominant sense when it comes to learning. This is why teaching methods for Yoga should be integrated.

There will always be a Yoga student who does not like your method, but you should be able to effectively communicate with the vast majority of your students.

Ever since the first Hatha Yoga teacher trained the first Yoga student, there had to be a bonding for the relationship to progress, and for Hatha Yoga to flourish into the many physical Yoga sub-styles, we see to this day.

There are times when, despite all the verbal cueing skills imaginable, a Yoga teacher must make a physical assist. No matter what is said, some Yoga students will learn more from a solid assist than by cueing. This helps a student "feel" where he or she should be. A verbal explanation is close, but is not the same as feeling proper alignment while an Asana is practiced.

This is difficult, if you are from a culture where men and women do not casually touch each other. Sometimes, some students just do not feel comfortable getting physical assist from their Yoga teacher. So, what do you do?

Firstly, before giving an assist, during Asana practice, a Yoga teacher should ask permission. If anyone has an objection, you are better off to demonstrate the Yoga technique or explain it verbally. It is not worth the potential conflict, and each Yoga student has a right to his, or her, own space. With that said, "Tread carefully," when volunteering to give a physical assist to any Yoga student.

Demonstrating Asanas also has its pitfalls for Yoga teachers. Too much demonstrating can make some Yoga students feel like they are just an extension of your workout. Too little demonstrating and some Yoga students may grumble that it is easy for the Yoga teacher to say, when the Yoga teacher is "just walking around." So, what do you do to please most of your Yoga students?

Make sure your Yoga students are exposed to a combination of Assisting, Demonstrating, and Verbal Cues. In this way, you will have satisfied most of them.

2012年10月3日星期三

Hatha Yoga's Attraction for Middle-Aged Students

Why are more, and more, students, over 40 years of age, discovering Hatha Yoga classes for the first time? What can Hatha Yoga do for a "couch potato?" What can Hatha Yoga offer the active person, who is over 40? Let's take a closer look at each of these issues for the deeper answers, which Hatha Yoga contains.

There are many styles of Yoga, and Hatha Yoga is just one of the nine main styles from India. Hatha Yoga has many sub-styles, such as: Vinyasa Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Kripalu Yoga, and many more. Before we go too deeply into this subject, please realize that outside of India, the most common form of Yoga is Hatha Yoga.

Why are more students over 40 discovering Hatha Yoga classes for the first time?

Recently, I've seen an influx of Yoga students, at our Attleboro Yoga Studio, who have been inactive for decades, but decided to make a "life change" to improve their health. As a result, they become physically active in Hatha Yoga classes and continue to practice their Yoga training at home.

Some of our new Yoga students arrive, due to a physician's referral, but many have researched Yoga. Their research caused them to make an independent decision to improve their health on a mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional level.

As we approach middle age, body weight is harder to get rid of than it ever was. As a result, this extra weight can bring us many health problems and diseases.

In fact, shedding 10 or 20 pounds of body weight may just extend your life span. Heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, some forms of cancer, and more diseases, prey on those of us who carry extra pounds around.

So, we are not considering living at a nursing home for an extra decade, but increasing our odds to have an active and quality life to the end.

What can Yoga offer the active person, who is over 40?

For those of us who have been exercising for decades, we realize there is a flaw in the "No pain, no gain" theory. Premature joint wear is the biggest problem. For most of us, recognizing the difference between muscular and joint pain comes with age.

Therefore, the new fitness motto for middle age should be, "Work smart, not hard." This requires a bit of research, as to which style of Yoga is most suited to your body and then finding a compassionate Yoga teacher. One class can tell you if the style is to your liking. As for Yoga teachers: It is easy to recognize a Yoga teacher who is abusive from one who is not.

However, some people are very attracted to a Yoga teacher who will "push them." Be careful if you fall into this category. A Yoga teacher is not a coach, whose goal is to push you to the next competitive level.

It is fine to have goals in life, but take the time to research your individual needs. Make sure the Yoga teacher, and the Yoga style, you choose will fit into your lifestyle. Yoga's principles are more about training for longevity than training for a short-term gain.

2012年10月2日星期二

What Should a Hatha Yoga Teacher Know? - Part 5

Competent Yoga teachers should have enough knowledge to work with special populations; this includes handicapped students, seniors, and many more specialized groups with physical limitations. The reason is that Hatha Yoga is a health maintenance system, but some people only look at the superficial aspects.

If a Yoga teacher is only capable of instructing elite athletes, who are 16 to 25 years of age, that's wonderful. However, such a Yoga teacher should accept the title of "Yoga coach," as this is a limited method for teaching Yoga students.

As Yoga teachers, we always remember the students who can turn their bodies into pretzels, but that is not all there is to Hatha Yoga. If Yoga were a physical competition, we could invite some top gymnasts to teach classes and retire from teaching Yoga, as we were too old to perform feats that impress a crowd.

This is not meant to imply disrespect to gymnasts, martial artists, dancers, or any other highly trained athlete. There is a tremendous amount of knowledge, effort, work, and time that is involved in their specific training. Therefore, the same can be said for Yoga, since teaching Yoga requires in-depth knowledge and training.

Some of the children I have trained, around 10 years of age, are capable of performing amazing asanas with fantastic form. Should they be teaching Hatha Yoga to the rest of us? By now, I hope you understand my point.

Many Yoga teachers work with special populations because it challenges the mind. You have to research ailments, consult with other Yoga teachers, and find solutions to problems. This might be frustrating to a Yoga teacher, who wants to show what he or she can do physically.

Therefore, a Yoga teacher who has not matured much past "showing off," should not be teaching Yoga to special populations. As long as he or she doesn't hurt any elite athletes, everything should be fine. Some Yoga teachers are capable of working with the young and the old Yoga students, within the course of a week, but this is not usually the case.

The key ingredients for teaching Yoga to special populations are compassion, patience, understanding, and maturity. When Yoga teachers work with these groups, we always remember the fantastic comebacks Yoga students made from a stroke, heart attack, ailment, disease, trauma, or a special condition.

To be in the presence of a positively charged human spirit is an amazing feeling. This is what usually happens when Yoga students, who the world might have given up on, make a comeback from a near death experience. These very special Yoga students will never be forgotten due to their indomitable spirit.

2012年9月29日星期六

Teaching Hatha Yoga: Private Lessons

How much should your rate be for a private Yoga lesson? Does it vary by location? Why do some Yoga teachers schedule so many private lessons, while other Yoga instructors run Yoga classes, almost exclusively?

Private Yoga lessons do vary in price, and the average private Yoga session, in Beverly Hills, is going to be on the higher end in cost. Yoga teacher experience is also a factor. Therefore, experience and location does have a lot to do with your private session rates; but how do you know what is a fair market value?

How do you avoid "selling yourself short?" Your students do expect more value, and they realize private Yoga sessions are more expensive than a regular Yoga class.

One course of action is to compare notes, with local Yoga teachers and personal fitness trainers. If you teach at a health club, or network with local Yoga teachers, and personal trainers; many of them will be happy to help you.

If personal trainers, with similar experience, are charging more than you, your rates are usually too low. Why? Some personal trainers might graduate from a 200 to 500 hour certification course; but many do not, unless they have a bachelor's degree in physical education, which is more experience than most Yoga teachers.

Most Yoga instructors graduate from a 200 to 500 hour Yoga instructor training program. The hours of study involved to become a Yoga teacher deserves a similar private session rate, if the working experience is similar to a personal trainer.

How do you avoid Yoga students, who make appointments and do not show up for scheduled private Yoga session? You should have a firm 24 hour cancellation policy in place. Yoga students should be required to cancel before the 24 hour mark, if an emergency arises. Your time is valuable too, and you could be teaching Yoga to someone who shows up for their appointment.

Sometimes, Yoga students make appointments, and do not cancel, or show up for them. Once a student has done this, he or she should reserve a private Yoga session with a non-refundable deposit or reservation fee.

This may seem harsh, but you make the commute to your Yoga studio, set everything up, wait, and the student does not show up. It truly is a matter of how many times a Yoga teacher is prepared to waste his or her time before reacting.

Here's how it works: If my private rate is $80, we require a $40 deposit for the reservation and the $40 balance upon arrival. If the student does not show up, he or she loses the deposit.

This policy is only for Yoga students who have a history of not showing up for appointments. It took a lot of abuse before we implemented this policy, but now everyone shows up for their private Yoga lessons on time.

Why do some Yoga teachers schedule so many private lessons, while others run Yoga classes only? Two factors are involved. If your location, or your student's location, is upscale, there will be a demand for private Yoga sessions in that geographic area.

Also, it has to do with your marketing efforts. You have to make it known in your literature and on your website. In your Yoga studio, you want to post signs to let students know that you teach private Yoga sessions. Some marketing studies show that people have to see the same message seven times before they react.

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. www.riyoga.com He trains, consults, and coaches Yoga teachers. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. To receive a Free e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

2012年9月28日星期五

Teaching Hatha Yoga: Is a Hatha Yoga Teacher a Karma Yogi?

What is Karma Yoga and what is a Karma Yogi? The word Karma can be defined as action, work, or service. Karma Yoga is often referred to as selfless service or unselfish action. This is work that you do, without any consideration of a reward. Many times, we may consider a religious leader to fit this description.

However, people who seek change for justice, and the common good, are not always religious leaders. Some may have been considered revolutionaries in their time, politicians, public servants, social workers, teachers, or something similar. There is one common thread, beside selfless service; it is the need to contribute to change for the purpose of justice.

So, how could a Hatha Yoga teacher become a Hatha Yogi? Hatha Yoga is union by physical mastery; and in some parts of the world, concern over physical appearance overrides the need to make social changes.

Consumerism, self-gratification, gluttony, and greed, would seem to be the driving forces for people who are physically self-absorbed. It may take generations before consumerism and self-absorption give way to the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. Unfortunately, this is another example of evolution that we have to wait for. Humankind needs time to "grow up."

However, when any Hatha Yoga teacher answered the calling to teach Yoga, it was not because of the money. If money is the prime motivating force behind teaching Yoga, this type of Yoga teacher will not last long. There is too much giving of one's self involved in teaching Yoga.

There are many Yoga teachers who give selfless service to the elderly, to the sick, and to the poor. When a Yoga studio, or an, ashram is profitable, they always give to charities or have fund raisers. All of the Yoga teachers I have met, give to those in need and do not turn their backs on the poor.

Although Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga are considered higher spiritual forms of Yoga, Hatha Yoga is a gateway to character improvement. It is not wise for us to classify "superior" forms of Yoga. The fact that a young Yogi, or Yogini, is practicing any form of Yoga is a good start in life.

When any one of us performs the work that calls to him or her, and it benefits humankind, it is a form of Karma Yoga. Your dosha calls to you in diet, exercise, activity, behavior, and in your work. When you follow your true nature, you will find tranquility and harmony in life. A Hatha Yoga teacher should learn if he or she is pitta, vata, or kapha. Then you will understand the strengths and weaknesses of your role in this life.

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. To receive a Free e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

2012年9月7日星期五

Common Styles of Hatha Yoga

Yoga is an important component of my healthy lifestyle. For me, a balanced healthy diet is about more than just what I eat and includes all aspects of my life. If you are interested in giving yoga a try, keep in mind that yoga, like healthy eating, is not one size fits all. There are many different styles of hatha yoga being taught today from slow, gentle, and alignment-focused to fast, flowing, and athletically-challenging with everything in between. Some styles of yoga consist of doing the same series or sequence of postures every time; others offer classes that are always different.

It may take a little searching to find the type of yoga and teaching style that is best for you. Here's an introduction to some of the more common styles of hatha yoga to help you get started.

Anusara Yoga

Anusara is a Sanskrit (Ancient Indian) word that means 'flowing with grace.' This relatively new style of hatha yoga focuses on attitude, alignment, and action. It's designed to be spiritually inspiring while focusing on proper biomechanics to keep you safe. Classes tend to include lots of flowery language (such as 'melt your heart with gratitude'), attention to alignment detail, and demonstrations of how to properly execute poses. While some may not be comfortable with the use of Sanskrit language and flowery metaphors, many find it motivating and uplifting. The focus on body alignment, proper body mechanics, and doing poses safely has allowed me to keep myself safe in a variety of other types of yoga classes.

Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is a vigorous athletic style of hatha yoga that consists of set series of postures of increasing difficulty done in a fast paced flowing manner. This type of yoga is probably best suited for fit individuals looking for a rigorous, challenging workout. Power yoga is derived from Ashtanga.

Bikram Yoga

An athletic type of yoga where a set sequence of 26 poses is performed in an intensely heated and humidified room. Teachers often challenge you to push yourself harder and harder. Bikram yoga provides a vigorous, intense, sweaty workout for those looking for a challenge.

Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar yoga is another one of the types of yoga that emphasizes precise muscular and skeletal alignment. Lots of yoga gear and props are used -- like blocks, straps, blankets and bolsters to help you modify the poses to meet your abilities. This is one of the yoga styles perfect for those who love precision and detail and is widely taught throughout the US. It provides a good foundation and is appropriate for all ages and abilities.

Kripalu Yoga

Kripalu yoga is referred to as yoga of consciousness. This yoga style puts great emphasis on proper breath, alignment, coordinating breath and movement, and "honoring the wisdom of the body." You are encouraged to work according to the limits of your individual flexibility and strength.

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini yoga combines yoga poses, breathing exercises, meditation and chanting with the intention of awakening your kundalini or serpent power that is believed to lie dormant at the base of your spine. There is a lot more focus on breathing exercises and less attention to postural alignment detail than with some other forms of hatha yoga.

Viniyoga

Viniyoga is a gentle form of hatha yoga that emphasizes function over form with lots of attention on coordinating movement with breath. Poses are often modified to accommodate your individual needs and physical limitations. Many Viniyoga teachers also provide yoga therapy in which individualized yoga programs to help heal injuries and illnesses are prescribed.

Vinyasa

'Flow Yoga' or vinyasa hatha yoga offers a lot of variations. It is usually fast paced and challenging with lots of music and creativity in sequencing of the yoga poses with focus on connecting movement with breath. Vinyasa or 'flow' classes are very popular on yoga studio class schedules at the moment. These aren't the best classes for beginners since some familiarity with poses is required.

Yogafit

Yogafit is one of the styles of yoga often offered in gyms and health clubs. Yogafit classes follow the standard fitness class structure of warm-up, workout and cool down. Many Yogafit teachers are also certified as group fitness instructor and/or personal trainers. Yogafit classes are designed to offer a fitness-based, accessible, user-friendly approach to yoga, free of sanskrit terms and chanting, but may be too vigorous if you are suffering from serious health concerns.

Martha McKinnon is a health coach and yoga instructor who believes that eating great & losing weight can be simple & delicious. If you are tired of struggling and are ready to love yourself to health & happiness, she can help. Her websites include http://www.simple-nourished-living.com and http://www.nourishing-yoga.com.

2012年9月4日星期二

Teaching Hatha Yoga - What Do Hatha Yoga Students Want?

At this point in time, Yoga has gone "global." Most Yoga students, outside of India, have heard of three of the nine main types of Yoga; the most commonly known are Hatha, Raja (Ashtanga), and Kundalini Yoga. Of these three, Hatha Yoga, and its many sub-styles, have received the most publicity.

In general, the public perception of Yoga is classified as a "mind and body exercise." When you ask the average person what that means, he or she will respond by saying, "Some sort of exercise." Hence, the reason why Yoga can be found in many health clubs is that Yoga becomes an exercise class, which is categorized with Tai Chi and Pilates.

With that said, beginner students, with little knowledge of Yoga, have the perception they are entering an exercise class. Their reasons for coming to a Yoga class differ greatly. The main reasons for beginning Yoga practice are: Weight loss, weight control, stress management, low impact exercise, or pain management.

Notice that beginners do not often seek enlightenment, meditation, mantras, Pranayama, or to change their lifestyle. In fact, the classification of Yoga levels is easy to understand, but it is inaccurate. Terms such as, beginner, intermediate, and advanced, are all based upon the physical difficulty of performing an Asana (Yoga pose). Again, the physical challenges are presented as the major aspects of Yoga practice.

So, what do Hatha Yoga students want? To put it simply, they want some sort of mind and body exercise. Beginner Yoga classes could be presented as an exercise class, with much more to learn on the horizon. To guide beginner Yoga students on the path toward the study of Yama, Niyama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi, is a lesson in futility.

Many beginning Yoga students do not know what they are looking for. Most beginning Yoga students do not want to hold Asanas for long. They are so used to stimulation from technology, that short attention spans are common place. This is why Flow Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, and Power Yoga, are so popular with beginners. To ask them to practice Pranayama and meditation is a big challenge. This would require the mind to focus.

There is an old sales and marketing saying which goes like this: "Sell the sizzle, not the steak." Let's look at the old saying and how it pertains to teaching Yoga classes. After 5,000 years of research, Yoga is a very deep subject, which cannot be covered in one class. If a student enters your class, or studio, looking for fitness - So be it.

Label a few classes on the schedule as: Beginner fitness Yoga, Yoga fitness, fitness Yoga, or Yoga exercise. Start with warm-ups, teach Yoga postures, mix in a few breathing techniques, and end with a five minute body scan relaxation technique. On your schedule, write descriptions of all your classes, and give them options to go deeper into the subject of Yoga.

The more serious Yoga students will take the path to study more about Yama, Niyama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi, but there some who will choose to exercise the body, only. This is not a problem. Remember this: A little bit of Yoga is better than none.

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.riyoga.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

2012年9月3日星期一

Teaching Hatha Yoga - The Ultimate Yoga Teacher

Is "ultimate" too strong or competitive of a word to describe a Yoga teacher? After all, there is a lot of competition for Yoga students in some geographic areas. In San Francisco and Los Angeles, California, there seems to be a Yoga studio on every block.

Yet, many potential Yoga students do not know the difference between Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Restorative Yoga, or Pilates, for that matter. How could these same people make an educated judgment call on who is the "Ultimate Yoga Teacher?"

Some new students want to be physically, mentally, and verbally abused by the "Ultimate Yoga Teacher." They crave the abusive attention and search for the reincarnation of the Marquis de Sade. Sorry to say - this is true, but very rare.

Now, with that said, this clearly makes you realize that new Yoga students do not know what they really want, and some are "confused children."

So, what are the qualifications for the title of "Ultimate Yoga Teacher?" Is it teaching Yoga to the rich and famous, gaining a lot of loving students, owning a lot of profitable Yoga studios, making many Yoga videos, performing physical feats, or owning a Yoga patent?

All of these things could make you famous, but none of them seem to completely fit, with the image of a Yoga Guru. What standards set one Yoga teacher above the rest? The truth is great Yoga teachers are good examples of ethics, giving, integrity, patience, and living a holistic life.

There is so much confusion, in regard to this topic, because many times it is not the teacher, but the Yoga style, that a beginner student does or does not like. For example: If a teacher is excellent, but the room is too hot, some of those new students will never be back.

Yoga student retention often depends upon the particular Yoga training, which students seek. Do students want to meditate, sing, pray, move through postures, learn Yogic philosophy, hold Yoga postures (Asanas), work on their breathing (Pranayama), sweat in a 105 degree Fahrenheit room, or study Yoga with a Mommy and Me class? There are so many types of Yoga to choose from.

This is only the tip of the "ice berg," as new contemporary styles of Yoga are springing up all the time. So how can you guide potential Yoga students in your direction? One way is to state what makes your particular teaching method unique.

Some Yoga teachers specialize in specific areas. For example: Hot, Prenatal, Therapeutic, Restorative, Power, and Chair are contemporary prefixes to Yoga. It is fine to be a general practitioner, but having a niche, or two, will draw students into areas of Yoga, which you are enthusiastic about.

When Yoga teachers are enthusiastic, they demonstrate patience, and they "glow" with praise for their students. No two Yoga students are alike, but Yoga teachers should still be the best visible examples of ethics, giving, integrity, patience, and living a holistic life.

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