Ten Reasons Not To Practice Chair Yoga (And Why They Are Wrong)

Anyone that can sit in a chair can benefit from practicing chair yoga. Unfortunately there are many reasons people give for not doing chair yoga. Virtually all of these reasons are due to misunderstandings. This article should clarify the most common reasons why people are reluctant to consider chair yoga.

1) "I'm too old to do yoga."

People of ALL ages are practicing chair yoga right now. Classes are typically geared towards seniors, with the average age in most being 70-something. We have had students in their 90s.

2) "I've got health issues."

Most people in chair yoga classes DO have health issues, and many are there because a health care professional that knows about their problems recommended it. A good chair yoga teacher will ask about and be aware of any limitations you might have. Chair yoga has helped our students with the symptoms of many health issues including high blood pressure, anxiety, fatigue, arthritis, vertigo, multiple sclerosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, and chronic pain to name just a few conditions.

3) "I'm not flexible enough to do yoga".

Chair yoga classes are NOT designed for hard-bodied 20-somethings that can do poses that look impossible. Many people starting a chair yoga class have issues with flexibility, and your teacher will help modify the poses to accommodate that. Your flexibility should get better and better each day you practice chair yoga.

4) "I don't have time."

We all make time for what is important, and what is more important than your health? If you regularly practice your chair yoga you'll have more energy and be more effective, and will be able to get that much more done. You'll feel better while you're going about your busy schedule, too.

5) "I'll feel awkward in the class."

The people that go to chair yoga classes are all likely to either be feeling the effects of aging, have health issues, or both, so you probably won't stand out for those reasons. All yoga classes, not just chair yoga classes, have people with varying levels of experience and capabilities, so yoga instructors are specially trained to help everybody feel good about their progress no matter what level they are at. A good instructor will take poses step by step and at every point say something like, "this might be your pose today", giving you explicit permission to stop when your body says stop.

6) "I wouldn't look good in one of those little yoga outfits."

Generally the students in a chair yoga class do NOT wear special yoga clothes. Some may come to class wearing sweats, while many simply wear loose-fitting, comfortable streets clothes.

7) "I don't want to buy a lot of special equipment."

While it is true that there are whole catalogs full of yoga gear, the only prop you really need is a chair. Sometimes the student needs to elevate their feet somewhat, but things you can find around the house, such as a phone book, can be used for this purpose. If you are practicing in a class environment then the studio or sponsor typically provides any props used in class.

8) "I don't know where to go."

Ask about chair yoga at yoga studios, fitness centers, community centers, YMCA/YWCA. Search the internet on "chair yoga" plus the name of your metropolitan area. If you are in a retirement facility, ask the activities director. If that doesn't work there are some videos available.

9) "I don't want to learn a new language."

Yoga originated in a part of the world where the language was called "Sanskrit", and most poses do have a Sanskrit name. In traditional yoga classes the instructors refer to the poses by their Sanskrit name. However, chair yoga instructors often don't use Sanskrit names for the poses, and if they do, they usually mention the English equivalent, too. You'll probably hear terms like "forward fold".

10) "Yoga might conflict with my religion."

Historically, yoga was meant to be a total way of life, but very few people that practice yoga in the Western world subscribe to that approach. Most people in our society become involved in yoga for physical and mental fitness. This is especially true for those in a chair yoga program, so most chair yoga instructors don't emphasize the spiritual aspects of yoga.

Mark Franklin enjoys telling people about Liz Franklin's Yoga In Chairs(r) because he knows it is helping people live healthier, happier, and longer lives. If you want to find out about her special style of chair yoga, visit http://www.yogainchairs.com

Five Reasons for Yoga Instructors to Teach Chair Yoga

1) Your students truly benefit from it.

Your students will likely be either seniors or those with physical limitations. Especially in the case of someone that has not been exercising at all because of their condition, you will often see rapid improvements. Prospective students sometimes report feeling better after a single class.

Liz knew that she was on to something from that very first demonstration to the senior's group at our church. After the demo, one of the women rushed up to Liz and put her hands in Liz' hands. "Do you feel that?" she said, "my hands haven't felt warm in years!"

While we don't promise miracles (and neither should you!) we've seen chair yoga lower students' blood pressure, cause them to stop needing anti-anxiety medicine, allow them to sleep better, regain height, relieve the symptoms of chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis, and much more. Students' health care professionals will sometimes notice the difference chair yoga is making and ask what they are doing differently. Of course, the patient is always told to keep it up!

2) Your work will be truly appreciated and you'll hear about it, too.

You will often enjoy having people tell you about all the wonderful things that chair yoga has done to make them more comfortable, healthier, and happier.

Those of us that are younger and don't have a debilitating condition tend to take some things for granted. Chair yoga might help a person raise their arm above their heads to reach something, or turn their head back to check traffic, when they had lost the ability to do so. I think I'd be appreciative, too!

3) Millions of prospective students and growing daily.

I just saw a statistic that blew my mind - one baby boomer turns 50 every 8 seconds!

So much has been said about the value of marketing into the coming boom in baby boomer seniors that I shouldn't have to convince you. Besides, we can all see it happening right before our very eyes.

As a yoga instructor, adding chair yoga to your list of teaching skills is a good way to take advantage of this social phenomenon.

Baby boomers aren't much interested in retiring to sit back in a rocking chair and wait while their bodies deteriorate from disuse. So no matter what age or stage they are in, they will be seeking ways to keep themselves fit.

Baby boomers are more likely to consider alternate approaches to staying healthy than previous generations, so they will be much more likely to be receptive to the notion of practicing yoga. In fact, many will have some sort of prior experience with yoga, as we have seen.

The oldest of the boomers are just now turning 60, so it is a great time to get serious about teaching chair yoga!

4) There is an abundance of ready-made classes to find.

Most yoga classes come about in an organic fashion, adding one or two students at a time. But by teaching chair yoga, you can find yourself starting whole new classes with several customers all at once.

This is because you are often taking the yoga class to the people where they are already congregating. One of the biggest markets for chair yoga is seniors, and seniors are easy to find already in a group together.

Just where to go will vary depending on where you live, but here are a few ideas to get you started thinking about this:

o Retirement villages, retirement centers, assisted living centers, nursing homes

o Adult day care

o Seniors' groups at places of worship

o Community centers/Parks and recreation programs

o Fraternal organizations

o Libraries

o YMCA/YWCA

People suffering from particular ailments such as multiple sclerosis or arthritis tend to get together to help each other cope with the disease. All you have to do is find the organizations in your neighborhood that are addressing this need and approach them with the idea of helping the group practice chair yoga. Yoga has been shown to effectively ease the symptoms of many types of ailments, and yet few have anyplace to go where there is a yoga program appropriate for them.

With some brainstorming you can probably come up with a pretty good list appropriate for the circumstances in your community.

The beauty of approaching these groups is that you almost always are proposing to teach yoga to people that never imagined they'd be in a yoga class. That means you aren't competing with all the yoga teachers trying to capture classes out of the existing pool of practicing yogis and yoginis.

Just how you go about approaching these types of organizations is something that we go into detail about in our Yoga In Chairs teacher training intensives and the materials for the at-home training program.

5) Enjoy having loyal students.

There are many reasons why chair yoga students will be more loyal to you than students in your more traditional classes.

It is likely that they were introduced to yoga by you or by the leadership of the group they are in. Since they never had a notion to seek out yoga before, they will be much less inclined to look for alternative teachers in your area. Plus, as has already been noted, they probably don't have many other chair yoga programs to turn to, even if they wanted to have choices.

If you take the class to the students it is of course easy for them to participate every time you are there.

Most of your chair yoga customers will be mature people who know the value of being considered reliable. This means that when they make a commitment to participate in a program, they likely will follow through.

In fact, Liz' students typically call or email her if they are not able to come to class for some reason. She, in turn, contacts them if she notices they were absent from class, especially if it is longer than a few weeks. By simply staying in touch in an unobtrusive way she retains more students.

If you are a yoga instructor and you aren't already teaching chair yoga, you are encouraged to do so. Not only will you have more classes to teach, but also you will be making a REAL difference in the world.

Mark Franklin enjoys telling people about Liz Franklin's Yoga In ChairsR because he knows it is helping people live healthier, happier, and longer lives. If you are a yoga teacher and you want to find out how you can build your practice while doing some REAL good in the world teaching chair yoga, visit http://www.yogainchairs.com/teacher.asp

5 Reasons Why You Should Start Practicing Yoga and Meditation

The practice of yoga and meditation has become increasingly popular in the past few years, but I am sure that there are many people who are still asking themselves, "What's in it for me?" So, if you have been wondering whether it would be worth your time to start practicing yoga and meditation, I would like to give you five good reasons why it would be a very worthwhile activity for you.

1. Yoga and meditation will improve your health

Yoga postures put gentle pressure on the internal organs of the body and help them to function properly. In particular the postures help your digestive system to work smoothly and thus avoid problems such as constipation, acidity and indigestion, which are common conditions that can lead to more serious problems later on. Meditation and deep relaxation can be just what you need to lower your blood pressure. Thus, yoga postures plus meditation is a great combination for maintaining and improving health.

2. Yoga and meditation will help you to overcome bad habits

What's a "bad habit?" It's something that you are doing continually, and something that you know is harming you but you can't stop it. Are you smoking now? Maybe you thought it was good when you started, but you would now like to stop. The trouble is that it is not so easy to quit smoking or a similar habit once it has become established.

This is where yoga and meditation can help you out. The yoga postures help you to become more relaxed and mentally balanced. Meditation can help you to concentrate your mind and build up your will-power. Once you become internally balanced and have a stronger will power, it will become possible for you to break any habit, even one that you have been troubled by for many years.

3. Yoga and meditation will help you to lose weight

Obesity is one of the biggest health problems of the modern era. Our lives have become more sedentary and our food sources have changed over the last 100 years and this why many adults and even children are now overweight.

Although this is a life-style problem, it is something that can be dealt with. The surest way to lose weight is to get more exercise and to control what you are eating. This is of course, easier said than done. But yoga and meditation can help you out. There are some yoga postures that are helpful in weight loss programs. Similarly, the mental strength that you can get from both yoga postures and from meditation can help you to gain a better control over your diet and this can result in healthy and permanent weight loss.

4. Yoga and meditation will bring you inner peace

You may be earning a lot of money and you may have a lot of social prestige but is physical or social wealth the goal of your life? Whatever material or social wealth you have, if you are not contented, satisfied and at peace with yourself then you will not be a happy person.

The goal of meditation is to help you find the inner core of your being. Who are you? Is it the name and address on your identity card? If you start meditating you will find that deep within you is a pool of infinite love and peace. This is the real you. If you can reach this place, then you will find peace and contentment; it is guaranteed!

5. Yoga and meditation will make you a wiser person

Every one of us has made mistakes that we regret. There is nothing we can do about the past. We can't go back in time and not make the mistakes. But what we can do is to build up our capacity to see what has permanent value and what is transitory. When we attain this state of discrimination, then we will not do actions that we will regret later on.

Meditation helps a person to go beyond the "chatter" of the mind and attain a state of wisdom that will always be of help. Wisdom does not mean stuffing your mind with "facts" but it does mean to have a mind that will choose a course of action that brings about the welfare of everyone.

I have a list with many more reasons why yoga and meditation are helpful, but I thought I would start off with these five reasons. So, if any one of these items are interesting for you, then why not see for yourself, and start practicing yoga and meditation?

Dada Vedaprajinananda is a senior yoga teacher with the Ananda Marga Meditation Society. He is also the editor of the Life Weight Loss website where you can find more articles on health, weight loss, self improvement and spirituality. You can visit the directory at http://www.lifeweightloss.com

10 Best Reasons Older Adults Need to Practice Yoga and the Soft Martial Arts

Today, millions of older Americans are experiencing a higher quality of

life by taking an active and positive approach to their personal wellness.

They are enjoying improved health and successful living by becoming

self-educated, personally responsible and proactive. The most

successful are those who adopt a whole-person wellness model,

addressing the needs of the body, mind, and spirit.

Most people know about the research that shows that regular exercise

provides a wide range of health benefits and, perhaps most importantly,

can preserve function and independence. Fewer realize that their

choice of exercise activity can produce another host of unexpected

benefits. By choosing mind/body exercises, such as yoga or soft martial

arts (like Chi Gung and T'ai Chi), older adults can unleash even greater

health and vitality.

Yoga and Chi Gung (as well as all other soft arts) are ideal choices for

older adults because they positively affect the whole person: body,

intellect, emotions, and spirit. They increase vital energy while

strengthening and soothing the body, focusing the mind, and nurturing

the spirit.

The ten best reasons older adults need a mind/body practice are:

Body - Caring for the body improves health, preserves your

ability to function and preserves independence. Yoga and Chi Gung

offer powerful protection from falls - a major threat to older adults!

1. Strengthen Muscles and Bones... Yoga especially builds

muscle strength and bone mass. The vital weight-bearing postures of

yoga stimulate the bones to retain calcium. In yoga, both the upper and

lower body receive the benefits of bearing weight, unlike walking or

running.

2. Improved Heart and Respiratory Health... Chi Gung and

the soft martial arts have been shown in studies to improve circulation,

heart health, and respiratory function. Yoga breathing exercises are very

powerful tools to increase respiratory function, breath capacity and

physical energy. Both increase vitality and sense of well-being.

3. Increased Flexibility... Yoga and Chi Gung both increase

overall flexibility, contributing to improved everyday functioning and

mobility, and protection from falls. Despite popular notions, you do not

need to be flexible to practice yoga. The idea is to practice at your

current level with patience and compassion, gently becoming more

pliable.

4. Better Posture... Good posture calls upon our new strength

and flexibility to keep our spine healthy and strong. Healthy body

posture supports digestive and respiratory functions as well. Poor

posture in combination with osteoporosis leads to stress fractures.

5. Improved Balance... Balance gives older adults the

confidence to move freely and to engage in physical activities. One of

the most important parts of a senior fitness program is balance training.

Seniors who exercise and practice balance activities, like those found in

yoga and Chi Gung, can avert the devastating effects of a fall - the

second leading cause of accidental death for seniors. Balance is an

intangible force that many people take for granted.

6. Increased Energy... Yoga and Chi Gung are, in essence,

ancient renewal and balancing systems for our vital energy. More than

the sum of their parts, these practices gently revitalize the body. The

term "Chi" itself means "energy", and "Chi Gung" literally means "energy

work".

Mind - Challenging the mind is crucial to staving off diseases

like Alzheimer's. Be sure to stimulate your intellectual dimension

through learning new information and exploring topics that require

judgment and decision-making. The physical aspects of a mind-body

practice lead directly to a mental sense of rootedness, stability and

balance.

7. Intellectual Stimulation... Learning a mind-body exercise is

like learning a new language with its own vocabulary and rules. It takes

focused attention. It is a practice...a journey of exploration. Yoga and

the soft martial arts also invite us to explore a way of thinking that may

be very unfamiliar to us.

8. Emotional Support... The philosophies infusing yoga and

Chi Gung encourage us to be mindful of the present moment, to be

aware and grateful of all around us, and to let go of our attachments of

how we think things should be. This positive outlook leads to a sense of

calm and well-being.

Spirit - A new study shows that once people retire, they adopt a

new sense of time and their place in the world as their values and

beliefs begin to change. Adding a spiritual dimension to your exercise

activities offers additional wellness benefits. In addition to yoga and Chi

Gung, consider nature walks and 'mindful' strength training and

meditation in all forms.

9. Connecting with the Big Picture... A mindfulness practice

is a direct way to practice connecting with a truth larger than ourselves.

Practicing becoming quiet and receptive allows our inner wisdom to be

heard. Older adults have indicated a desire to search for "the meaning

of life". Practitioners of yoga and the soft arts create a deep sense of

richness and unity in their lives.

10. Inner Exploration... Central to the spiritual dimensions of

the older adult is the desire to explore the inner self. Beyond the

physical exercises of yoga and Chi Gung, they challenge us to look

deeply at ourselves, to "be" with ourselves. We learn to celebrate our

strengths and forgive our weaknesses while practicing patience and

focused concentration.

Copyright 2005 Karen B. Cohen All Rights Reserved.

Karen B. Cohen C.L.C. RYT500 is a wellness coach and master yoga instructor, writer and speaker, residing in a college town in rural Virginia.

Karen leads people to their own limitless supply of creativity and vitality so that they can express their talent and abilities fully in the world. She incorporates her expertise in mind-body techniques to work with a wide spectrum of clients. Karen offered the first senior exercise classes in her region in 1992 and currently teaches yoga and Chi Gung to older adults at Kendal retirement community (http://www.Kendal.org) in Lexington, Virginia. Karen is available nationally and internationally for seminars, workshops and individual coaching and training. She can be reached at Karen@RockbridgeMag or at her blogs http://RockbridgeCoaching.blogspot.com and http://KarenCohenYoga.blogspot.com

Five Reasons Why We Should Practice Yoga

It is great to see so many people are willing to take time to work out, especially now that they have numerous options to choose from. There is however, one single activity that is suited for every individual, irrespective of age, physical condition or desired outcome: yoga. Yoga is more than a sport; it is a medical practice that has been used in India for more than 5000 years with great results, so it is definitely worth practicing.

1. Yoga improves your health. The poses that have to be carried out during yoga sessions are great for the locomotor system because they help you stretch the joints and the muscles. If you suffer from back problems yoga is the best sport for you because the movements you make are rather gentle, so they do not force your spine. Yoga is also good for the circulatory system because the inverted poses stimulate the blood flow through the upper areas of your body.

2. Yoga is good for your spiritual mood. The meditation that is meant to accompany the yoga postures gives people the opportunity to clear their minds of the everyday stress. People who work in stressful environments choose to slow down the rapid paces of their lives and regain their inner balance through yoga.

3. Yoga helps you stay fit. Obesity affects a large part of our population as a result of sedentariness and bad food habits. Yoga can help you get rid of these bad habits because meditation enables you to find the inner strength you need to stick to your plans. Ponderous people may find sports like jogging or bicycling difficult; yoga, on the other hand, enables them to lose weight and tone their muscles without making exaggerate physical efforts.

4. Yoga gives you the possibility to set your personal training. Since there are various types of yoga poses, people have more possibilities to choose from. The choice of the type of yoga you want to practice depends on the results that people want to achieve and their physical built.

5. Yoga may be practiced in the most beautiful environments. There are numerous retreats that have been purposefully arranged in the middle of the nature to offer practitioners the most peaceful places to practice yoga poses. The trainers that hold yoga classes are dedicated to Hinduism and they can teach you some of the principles of this religion, too.

Thus, if you want to take up a sport that can completely change your lifestyle, you should take up yoga. As simple as the yoga poses are, they are extremely efficient and they will soon improve both your physical and your psychic state.

The exclusive and private yoga retreats are the best places to relax and meditate after a hard year.

Five Reasons Why You Should Not be a Yoga Teacher

Truthfully, there are no reasons why any of us cannot be, or do, what we want, as long as you are not hurting anyone. You should always strive to be the best you can be. However, you may find that many people create obstacles, in front of themselves, to avoid success.

This is truly ironic that we hold ourselves back from making achievements, and teaching Yoga is just one of many goals that are not fully realized. Below is a list of common reasons why many good Yoga practitioners do not pursue their goal of becoming a Yoga instructor.

"I am too old to teach Yoga."

Actually, age is not a factor. There are many styles of Yoga; and the most common, outside of India, is Hatha Yoga and its many sub-styles. Although Hatha Yoga is the Union of physical mastery, it has many gentle and vigorous styles.

There is a need for mature, passionate, safety conscious, and gentle Yoga teachers. The world's population is aging and Yoga students are living longer. Who would have thought that hospitals and religious centers would seek out Yoga teachers ten or twenty years ago?

Therefore, Yoga is becoming readily accepted by mainstream society and does not have to apply to any one particular religious group. Some of the old barriers that prevented the masses from being exposed to Yoga are gone.

"Dancers, Martial Artists, and Gymnasts perform better Yoga asanas than I can."

Yoga is not dance, martial arts, or gymnastics. This is not to take away the importance of any of the above-mentioned arts. After all, I am a martial artist, and I was originally introduced to Yoga in a martial arts setting.

Being a little more flexible than the average person is a gift. However, it doesn't serve as a top priority for teaching Yoga. The best Yoga teachers are those who can communicate, and those teachers usually have to struggle to excel at Yoga.

Yoga teachers who are naturally flexible think that everyone else should be, as well. This is not always the case, as there are skeletal limitations within some Yoga students. This is not to say that they cannot increase, or improve, their flexibility, but each person's body is unique.

"Teaching Yoga costs too much money."

This is true in some cases; however, you can shop around for the best course at the most affordable price. Some onsite Yoga training facilities have Seva Programs, where you can work for partial tuition. This is much like a college, where there are scholarships for students who perform tasks around the campus. There are also a variety of Yoga correspondence courses, which allow flexible study hours, little or no travel, and no extra expenses. My wellness center offers such a Yoga course, and we have interns and graduates worldwide.

"I only want to teach Yoga to a few students and I don't want to go into the Yoga business."

Many Yoga practitioners feel this way and that's fine. This is not a problem because if you are teaching a few friends, as a hobby, it is not necessary to go through the certification process.

If your circle of friends starts to expand, it would be wise to get some type of liability coverage. There are a number of liability insurance programs to choose. You could purchase a sports, Yoga, or home liability policy to cover your specific needs.

You should also learn as much as you can about safety, anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. The reason I mention this is so that you do not hurt your Yoga students. The compassion and knowledge to become a safe Yoga instructor is very important.

"I have a good paying job and teaching Yoga may not support my family."

Like all start up small businesses Yoga cannot offer "instant bundles of cash." You would want to build your business as an independent contractor first. In our Yoga teacher course, you will find 16 ways to grow your business, with little or no overhead. When you build up enough accounts, the decision, as to whether or not to open your own independent Yoga studio, will be clear.

This has been a radical job change for all of us, who go into teaching Yoga full time, but you do not have to take any sudden or financial risks. Growing your own Yoga business can start on a part time basis and later develop into full time, if you get the right guidance and take the proper steps.

Bear in mind that the business and marketing information in our Yoga course is current and "field tested." This information is specific to Yoga instructors and contains successful methods used, with regard to return on investment.

Right now, there are a lot of Yoga studios that "flounder" economically, because the owners have insufficient business or marketing skills. Within this kind of climate, it is not hard to get your market share of Yoga students within your geographic area.

Lastly, there are so many reasons to avoid progress, you could create a book of excuses, but the reason to succeed at anything is your passion. If you are passionate, safe, and knowledgeable about Yoga, this is an excellent starting point for anyone who wants to become a Yoga teacher.

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Yoga: Two Reasons You Should Not Do Yoga Posture - The Four-Limbed Staff Posture

Four-Limbed Staff Pose - (Chaturanga Dandasana)

'Chatur' means four, 'Anga' means a limb and 'Danda' means a staff, hence the name Chaturanga Dandasana given to this posture. The four limbs which are supporting the body are hands and feet and the body is parallel to the floor and stiff as a staff.

Chaturanga Dandasana is a very challenging posture frequently practiced as part of the traditional Sun Salutation vinyasa sequence in yoga classes.

The completed form of Chaturanga Dandasana is quite difficult to perform at first, until the arms, back, and legs are strong enough to support the posture. The excellent preparatory posture - the Plank can be practice to prepare the body for this much more challenging posture.

The Four-Limbed Staff posture is a great arm and wrists strengthener, developing mobility and power. It contracts and tones the abdominal organs.

In this posture the body is kept firm and straight while being held off the floor by the action of the arms, legs and torso. This strengthens the legs and upper body and tones the muscles of the back.

The Chaturanga Dandasana increases strength, balance and stability by developing many muscles in the body. The most important muscles are: triceps (back of upper arm) and biceps (front of upper arm), pectoralis major (a large muscle of the chest), abdominal muscles, deltoids (a large triangular-shaped muscle that forms the prominence of each shoulder), and the scapular muscles.

For beginners: You can drop the knees to the floor until you build enough strength to support the body with your arms.

The Four-Limbed Staff is a great strength developer posture, however, in some health conditions this posture should not be practiced at all cost.

Two reasons not to do the Yoga Posture - Chaturanga Dandasana:

1) If you have a Carpal tunnel syndrome, please do not attempt this posture.

(It is compression of the median nerve at the wrist, which may result in numbness, tingling, weakness, or muscle atrophy in the hand and fingers. The disease typically affects the thumb, index, and middle fingers and is often particularly troublesome at night).

2) In case of pregnancy avoid practicing this posture.

Caution: Always check with your doctor if you have any doubts or concerns regarding the suitability of this posture for you. It is best to perform this yoga posture in presence of a qualified yoga teacher.

Issued in the interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga by Subodh Gupta, Yoga Expert based in London.

Mr. Subodh Gupta, a Corporate Yoga Trainer has conducted more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management. He has been interviewed by various TV channels in India and London.

For reaching to Subodh Gupta Yoga website http://www.subodhgupta.com/ and for Subodh Gupta Corporate yoga webpage http://www.subodhgupta.com/corporateyoga.html

Yoga - Three Reasons You Should Not Do Kapalabhati Pranayama

Kapalabhati - (Frontal Brain Cleansing Breathing)

'Kapal' in Sanskrit language means 'Forehead', and 'Bhati' means 'Light'. Practicing Kapalabhati on regular basis brings a state of light and clarity to the frontal region of the brain with the inner radiance. Kapalabhati is a highly energizing abdominal breathing exercise.

In Kapalabhati Pranayama, the inhalation is slow and passive and require only releasing tension in the abdominal wall. On the other hand, the exhalation is active, sharp and vigorous. Normally exhalation takes one fourth of the time of inhalation. Quick exhalation and natural inhalation follows each other.

The breathing exercise activates and invigorates the liver, spleen and the abdominal muscles. It balances and strengthens the nervous system, tones the digestive organs and improves digestion. It develops strength and stamina and it teaches to coordinate the abdominal muscles.

Kapalabhati Pranayama is especially effective in lowering carbon dioxide (CO2) in the lower parts of the lungs. It cleanses the lungs and entire respiratory system. The blood is purified and body gets an increased supply of oxygen to all cells.

On a mental level it energizes and prepares the mind for meditation, it removes sleepiness and removes sensory distraction from the mind.

Kapalabhati should be practiced on an empty stomach, three to four hours after a meal. It is best to practice it after asanas and before meditation.

Note: If you start experiencing any pain or dizziness, stop the practice immediately.

The Kapalabhati Breathing has tremendous benefits to a practitioner. However, there are some health conditions in which this breathing technique should not be practiced.

Three important reasons not to do Kapalabhati Pranayama:

1) If you have High blood pressure, do not practice this pranayama.

2) Anyone suffering from heart disease should not attempt Kapalabhati.

3) In case of Hernia avoid doing this breathing exercise.

Caution: Always check with your doctor if you have any doubts or concerns regarding the suitability of this breathing technique for you. It is best to perform this breathing exercise in presence of a qualified yoga teacher.

Issued in the interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga by Subodh Gupta, Yoga Expert based in London.

Mr.Subodh Gupta, a Corporate Yoga Trainer has conducted more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management. He has been interviewed by various TV channels in India and London.

For reaching to Subodh Gupta Yoga website http://www.subodhgupta.com/ and for Subodh Gupta Corporate yoga webpage http://www.subodhgupta.com/corporateyoga.html

Yoga: Three reasons you should not do Yoga posture - Half Moon

The Half Moon - (Ardha Chandrasana)

'Chandra' in a Sanskrit language means moon, and 'Ardha' means half, and as the posture resembles the half moon, hence the name.

The Half Moon posture tones the lower region of the spine and the nerves connected with the leg muscles. It is highly effective for strengthening the legs, buttocks, abdomen, knees and the ankles. The leg strength is gained from balancing on one leg.

The Ardha Chandrasana stretches the groins, hamstrings, calves, shoulders, chest, and the spine. It improves coordination and sense of balance. It helps relieve stress and improves digestion.

You are not ready for the Half Moon posture if your body and top shoulder are dropping forward. Use a support (at first use a chair, then once you are comfortable with the chair use a box that is lower than the chair), until your body is strengthens enough to hold a beautiful and straight Half-Moon posture.

When you are ready to reach down and up simultaneously, you will reintegrate parts that feel separate from the whole and recognize that the body is a whole made of parts that are all aware of each other.

Note: If you have any neck problems, do not turn your head to look upward; continue looking straight ahead.

Although the Half Moon posture has many benefits, in some health conditions it should not be practiced.

Three important reasons not to do Half Moon posture:

1) Do not practice this posture if you have hips injuries.

2) If you have low blood pressure, avoid this posture.

3) In case of shoulder injury do not attempt this posture.

Caution: Always check with your doctor if you have any doubts or concerns regarding the suitability of this posture for you. It is best to perform this yoga posture in presence of a qualified yoga teacher.

Issued in the interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga by Subodh Gupta, Yoga Expert based in London.

Mr.Subodh Gupta, a Corporate Yoga Trainer has conducted more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management. He has been interviewed by various TV channels in India and London.

For reaching to Subodh Gupta Yoga website http://www.subodhgupta.com/ and for Subodh Gupta Corporate yoga webpage http://www.subodhgupta.com/corporateyoga.html

Yoga: Three Reasons You Should Not Do Yoga Posture - Crow

The Crow - (Kakasana, sometimes called Bakasana)

"Kaka" means crow (a large black bird with a loud cry) and "Baka" means crane (a tall water bird with very long legs). The body in this pose resembles that of a bird, thus the names, crane or crow.

The Crow is a moderate inverted balancing posture, which builds strength in the upper extremities (arms, forearms, elbow joints, hands, wrists, clavicle, and scapula) and gives you the confidence to begin work with the Headstand and the Handstand. The Crow requires courage (to risk falling on your nose) and hip flexibility (to bring the thighs alongside the chest).

The Crow is one of the yoga poses that actually looks a lot harder than it really is and it requires much more coordination, concentration and awareness than the muscular strength in the upper arms.

As you hold this asana the chest is immobilized so that you can only breathe abdominally. Remember to keep your attention on the breath because this asana brings the habit of holding the breath as you focus on the balancing act.

This asana reinforces the arm, shoulder and abdominal muscles, wrists and the upper torso. It stretches and lubricates the joints, tendons and ligaments of the upper body. It tones the abdominal organs and opens the groins.

The Crow pose increases both physical and mental balance, concentration and tranquility. It balances the nervous system, brings lightness to the body and prepares the mind for meditation.

Although the Crow pose gives us tremendous benefits for the mind and the body, in some health conditions this pose is not safe to be performed.

Three important reasons not to do Crow:

1) Do not practice this pose if you have a carpal tunnel syndrome

(It is compression of the median nerve at the wrist, which may result in numbness, tingling, weakness, or muscle atrophy in the hand and fingers. The disease typically affects the thumb, index, and middle fingers and is often particularly troublesome at night).

2) In any stage of pregnancy do not attempt this pose.

3) If you have high blood pressure, avoid this asana.

Caution: Always check with your doctor if you have any doubts or concerns regarding the suitability of this pose for you.

Issued in the interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga by Subodh Gupta, Yoga Expert based in London.

Mr. Subodh Gupta, a Corporate Yoga Trainer has conducted more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management. He has been interviewed by various TV channels in India and London.

For reaching to Subodh Gupta Yoga website http://www.subodhgupta.com/ and for Subodh Gupta Corporate yoga webpage http://www.subodhgupta.com/corporateyoga.html

Yoga: Three Reasons You Should Not Do Yoga Posture - Monkey Pose (the Split)

The Split - (Hanumanasana or Monkey Pose)

Be patient! It usually takes a long time to master this posture.

Hanumanasana is dedicated to Hanuman, a powerful monkey-faced God from India's great epic, the 'Ramayana' and his famous leap across the sea from the southern tip of India to the island of Sri Lanka to rescue Sita, the Rama's wife. Hanuman is known for his devotion to Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu and this pose honors that devotion.

Commonly referred to as the split, Hanumanasana, is one of the most challenging poses in Hatha yoga practice, because it demands two seemingly opposite actions in the pelvis. While one leg is moving in a forward direction, the other leg is moving backwards. Although it may appear that flexibility is the main requirement to perform the split, strength is a necessity in mastering this position safely.

The Split tones the leg muscles and improves flexibility and blood circulation in the legs and hips. It massages the abdominal organs and tones the reproductive system.

Be careful! This posture is an intense hamstring stretch. Only come down as far as is comfortable. Practice this posture on a bare floor without a sticky mat.

The excellent preparation for the full split posture is to begin in a basic lunge and then shift the hips back, until the front leg is straight and the back leg is bent. Then try to shift forward and back, in and out of the lunge, until the two actions begin to feel complementary. At this point you can slide the front leg and back leg as straight as possible, approaching the full split pose.

When both actions are equal, the pose becomes grounded and balanced.

The Split gives many wonderful benefits when practiced safely and patiently. However, in same health conditions the Split posture is not recommended to perform.

Three important reasons not to do the Split:

1) In case of dislocation of a hip do not attempt this posture.

2) Anyone suffering from slipped disc and sciatica should avoid this posture.

3) If you are suffering from groin or hamstring injuries do not do this posture.

Caution: Always check with your doctor if you have any doubts or concerns regarding the suitability of this pose for you. The reader of this article should exercise all precautions before deciding to attempt this posture and the responsibility lies solely with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Issued in the interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga by Subodh Gupta, Yoga Expert based in London.

Mr.Subodh Gupta, a Corporate Yoga Trainer has conducted more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management. He has been interviewed by various TV channels in India and London.

For reaching to Subodh Gupta Yoga website http://www.subodhgupta.com/ and for Subodh Gupta Corporate yoga webpage http://www.subodhgupta.com/corporateyoga.html