What Else Should a Hatha Yoga Teacher Know About Teaching Yoga Classes?
By Paul Jerard
Yoga teacher ethics should be thoroughly covered in all Yoga certification programs. With the current laws about harassment, all Yoga teachers, and anyone who works with the public, should beware. The less said, in your Yoga class about trivial matters, the better.
Just like Yoga teachers often say to their students, “Stay in the moment.” Within your class, “it’s all about Yoga” and anything else beyond that can be open to misinterpretation. Walk the middle path, avoid extremes, show loving kindness, and maintain a standard of professionalism within all of your Yoga classes.
Communication should be clear at all times. You must demonstrate, communicate verbally, and assist, if you have permission to do so. Always ask permission before making a physical assist during Asana practice.
Chakras are the energy centers of the physical and astral body. Yoga teachers know about balancing and cleansing them. Most Yoga teachers are familiar with the seven main Chakras, but there are more. No one should play with “Chakra Awakenings,” with out guidance from a Guru.
Bandhas are the many locks, but Hatha Yoga teachers should know Mulha Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha, and Jalandhara Bandha very well. These are the three main Bandhas.
Mudras are gestures and they are often integrated with specific Pranayama techniques for healing. Not all Mudras are performed with the hands. In Sanskrit Mudra means “seal.” There are many Mudras and learning this is part of a Hatha Yoga teacher’s continuing education.
Kriyas or Shatkarmas are the six hygienic “deeds” or “actions.” A Yoga teacher should be clean in mind, body, and spirit. Every Hatha Yoga teacher is familiar with these six Kriyas.
Meditation is a part of each form of Yoga. It is a tool for clearing, calming, and focusing your mind, but there are also many methods of meditation. Each path of meditation leads to tranquility. All Yoga teachers should practice meditation twice per day. Guiding Yoga students is one thing, but a Yoga teacher’s meditation practice should be regimented.
A Yoga teacher should also be familiar with relaxation methods, specially, stage-by-stage relaxation. This relaxation method should be practiced privately, and Yoga teachers should make their students familiar with this technique.
With all of the above points mentioned, you can now see why the jump from Yoga student to Yoga teacher will take some time and serious practice.
© Copyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.
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What Should a Hatha Yoga Teacher Know about Pranayama?
By Paul Jerard
Pranayama is possibly the most overlooked aspect of Hatha Yoga. Every Yoga teacher training course includes a significant segment about Pranayama. Although B.K.S. Iyengar wrote detailed works on the subject, some Hatha Yoga teachers barely scratch the surface on the subject of cultivating vital energy through breathing. Why is this happening in Yoga classes?
Proper breathing is most likely the most important physical aspect of Hatha Yoga training. Yes, proper breathing is more important than fancy Asanas. Should this lack of attention to the importance of Pranayama, within the Yoga class, be corrected by those groups who certify Yoga teachers? Why do some educated, and competent, Yoga teachers “skip by” Pranayama during a Yoga class?
When an intern goes through his or her Yoga teacher training, the teacher trainer does cover many Pranayama techniques. For many Yoga teacher interns, this is a review. Each intern, who becomes a Yoga teacher, knows in detail the value of proper breathing, but when a Yoga teacher graduate goes out into the world, he or she finds that the student audience wants to learn “fancy tricks.”
This performance of fancy tricks has taken on a whole new identity and has become “advanced Yoga” in the minds of those who forget that Yoga is for the union of mind, body, and spirit. At no time is the ego part of any union.
The ego does not want to share anything. The ego wants everything, especially credit for beauty, material rewards, and feats of strength or flexibility. This is the reason why some beginner students are “bored” by Pranayama.
However, without Pranayama, we are not practicing Hatha Yoga. Therefore, students at all levels should learn all of the aspects of Hatha Yoga. The reason is simple: Hatha Yoga is not a gymnastics event.
Gymnastics is a wonderful sport, but if that is what a Yoga student wants, he or she should pursue that path. The fact is - Yoga is not a sport. Although Hatha Yoga is physical, it has many components, and all of them should be presented with the same enthusiasm as impressive physical feats.
Hatha Yoga teachers should still take the time to explain the laws of Prana to new students. Prana is more than just air, but proper breathing is the best method for cultivating it. If a new student has difficulty grasping the theory or philosophy of Prana, and Pranayama, at least he or she will learn how to absorb extra oxygen and oxygenate the blood much more efficiently.
For all of us, air is the most important resource we absorb. Water and food are also significant, but none of us will last long without air.
© Copyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.
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Hatha Yoga 101
By Lee Dobbins
More and more people today are engaging in stress-relieving activities that vary from recreational activities to wider range of activities that would fall under a certain way of life. Yoga, is one of these activities.
The noise and fast pace of modern life is continuously adding stress for many. Many individuals, especially those who live in the city continuously seek peace of mind. Yoga, in general, is one of the more popular channels of stress relief today. It has been commercialized and more and more people are getting into the bandwagon. Some people see it as a recreational activity or a pastime, some view it as a form of exercise of the body, mind and soul, while some adopt it as a way of life. Yoga, which originated from India, is a living tradition that is centered on enlightenment of the human person.
Yoga, in general, is associated with the other facets of human life. It brings into play spiritual enhancement, betterment of the physique and the honing of the human mind. There are more things that yoga touches than what it seems to deal with at first glance.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga is one of the traditions of what we call Tantra Yoga. It is depicted as the most physically imposing type of Yoga since it focuses on the general movements and postures of the body. Hatha Yoga is based on the concept of combining polar opposites and the intertwining of different elements. It's name literally means "sun and "moon." Just like the concepts of "hot" and "cold" or the "ying and yang," "sun and moon" illustrates the transcendence of two opposing elements together. One might ask "what about these polar opposites?" The whole concept of polar opposites comes into play when we talk about balance. Hatha Yoga is all about maintaining balance in every aspect of one's life. This will be explained later on as we talk about the different postures and breathing patterns that are associated with Hatha Yoga.
Hatha Yoga is basically concentrated on breathing control and postures. However, on a bigger note, it is a holistic approach which generally includes physical exercises, moral values and meditation, if one would view it as a way of life. Since Hatha Yoga is one of the more popular forms of Yoga in the Western World, it has transformed and found for itself new definitions.
It is said that the basic objective of Hatha Yoga is to pave the way towards the subsequent phases in Yoga such as sense-withdrawal, concentration and meditation.
Asana
One of the main elements of Hatha Yoga is body posture. Exercise posture or Asana is greatly emphasized in Hatha Yoga. Posture is believed to be a key towards achieving true meditation. If one has already mastered his postures, then can be able to achieve higher levels of meditation and concentration. Proper posture is the way towards achievement of sense-withdrawal and true meditation.
Pranayama
Breathing exercises through Pranayama is also essential towards achievement of balance. "Prana" means life force and "Ayama" means to prolong- to prolong one's life force. Hatha Yoga is based on the belief that mastery of one's breathing techniques is a key towards the higher stages of meditation. It opens up channels to the brain and regulates the elements that enter and exit throughout one's body.
Doing Hatha Yoga
There are many venues to to Hatha Yoga today. One can always those Hatha Yoga videos which are widely available in bookstores. However, it is always more advisable to sign up for an established Hatha Yoga class. Videos will never capture the true essence of Hatha, and there would be things that the video would not teach and will tell you to buy the 2nd version and then the 3rd one to be able to avail of the information. The good thing about taking up a class is that you can ask someone you know to join you and this can make the whole experience more fulfilling.
Remember that there are a lot of different types of Hatha Yoga today. Please consult your instructor and tell them if you have any kinds of illnesses. Remember to bring your own mat and towel. The other materials, such as belts and blocks, are usually provided by the instructor.
Lee Dobbins writes for http://yoga.health-webzone.com where you can learn more about different types of yoga.
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How Practicing Yoga Can Lead To A Healthier Heart For Baby Boomers
By Gregg Hall
The benefits of exercise are well known especially the positive affect that it has on the health of your heart. Through exercise you will lower your weight, your cholesterol, and your blood pressure. This will all result in less work on your heart and if you already are having heart problems, exercise can help keep your heart beat regulated and expand your blood vessels.
According to physicians a regular exercise regimen is one of the best things that you can do to ensure that your heart stays healthy. If you have not been active, don't rush into it. Just start out walking a few minutes and increase it gradually, you will be surprised at how quickly you will gain strength and endurance. Don't overdo it when you first get started. Starting out slow will help condition your heart and give you the encouragement to increase the amount and intensity of your exercise.
A great form of exercise for baby boomers to consider is the practice of Yoga. Yoga is very low impact and focuses on breathing and relaxation methods. One of the great things about yoga is that any one of any size or age can start doing Yoga and make an impact on their health. When you add in the relaxation methods used in yoga practice you can bring down your blood pressure and relieve stress that is harmful to your heart.
The practice of Yoga has long been proven to be effective in relieving stress, calming nerves, and promoting heart health. This is why many fitness clubs now have begun to offer yoga classes with certified trainers that will help beginners learn to practice yoga safely. Yoga practice urges you to listen to your body and build up to working to your full capacity. Special needs can be discussed with the trainer and routines custom-made to fit your body.
If there are no classes available in your area, Look online for yoga tapes and other low impact tapes that will guide your new exercise routine or got to your local library and see what information and media products they may have on the subject.
It doesn't matter which exercise you start with, what's important is to make it a regular part of your daily routine. Walking is possibly the easiest and least expensive way to start exercising and just about anyone can do it. Be sure to buy a good pair of walking shoes to protect you feet and you're all set.
Before starting any physical exercise routine, contact your doctor. He may also recommend the right exercise just for you.
Gregg Hall is an author and internet marketing consultant living in Navarre Florida. Find more about exercise and weight loss at http://www.shop4betterhealth.com/
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The Health Benefits of Yoga
By James C
Would you like to find an exercise that is easy to do? Would you like to find an exercise that will strengthen your body and your soul? Would you like to find an exercise that anyone can do or that heals your body? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then yoga is for you. Read along and discover the numerous wonderful benefits of yoga.
One of the benefits of yoga is its power to lower your tension level. It has the ability to make you relax, lowering your stress level and regulating your heart rhythm. Perfect for those worried about the health of their heart. Through its meditative properties, it will also improve your mental wellbeing, relieving anxiety and easing depression.
Another benefit of yoga is its power to ease muscle and joint pains. Through performing the various poses, you will increase circulation to all of the parts of your body. You will also stretch out tendons and muscles. The combined effect is a decrease in soreness and reduced joint pain. This is especially good for arthritis sufferers and those who suffer from back aches.
Lastly, yoga will help you build muscle. Holding the various yoga positions will make you gain strength. The movements in yoga might seem easy but they can require great muscle control to do properly. It requires the use of all sorts of helper and stabilizer muscles that you seldom use otherwise.
As you can see, yoga has a number of benefits for everyone. It is an exercise and an art that anyone can do no matter their age. It can give you health, strength and a sense of well being for the rest of your life. So consider adding yoga as part of or as the beginning of your fitness regime.
James C operates the Yoga and Pilates Directory where you can find information on all things yoga. This includes Bikram Yoga, Hatha Yoga, pilates, and more.
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The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Tantra Yoga
By Paul Jerard
The more you learn about any kind of Yoga, the more there is to know. A wise teacher once said, “Every day I wake up to find out I know less than I did the day before.” This is even more true of Tantra Yoga - about which there is much misinformation and distortion of truth. The history of Tantra Yoga is long and a bit of a mystery as it migrated throughout Asia. The methodology of Tantra Yoga is too complex for a mere generalization.
Tantra Yoga is a vast subject that cannot be practiced to its full potential by reading books. Tantra Yoga does require formal guidance from a Tantra Yoga teacher. There are a few myths about Tantra Yoga, which are false or partial truths. Below I will cover a few of them.
Ritualized sex is not a common practice within Tantra Yoga schools. Most Tantra Yoga practitioners follow the Dakshinachara path, which is often called, “The right-handed path,” within western culture. This is a deeply spiritual form of Yoga where deities, such as Shiva, are worshipped. Tantra Yoga is an integration of Bhakti Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Mantra Yoga, and Yantra Yoga. The Tantric who follows the Dakshinachara path is usually a good example of tolerance and lives a constructive life.
The Tantric who follows the Vamachara path, which is sometimes referred to as, “The left-handed path,” is the Tantra Yoga practitioner who participates in sex rituals, drinks alcohol, consumes other intoxicants, eats meat, and sacrifices animals.
Keep in mind, this is the minority, but most of the contemporary Tantra Yogis and Yoginis, who follow the Vamachara path, are practicing a form of “New Age Tantra Yoga,” without any direction or guidance from a Guru. They blindly search for a higher spiritual plane of existence, by trying their best to incorporate magic and witchcraft into this blend of New Age Tantra Yoga, without a Yoga teacher.
Is this New Age Tantra really Tantra Yoga? This is a subject for debate, but most of those that follow the Vamachara path, with a lineage, are not going public. On the other hand, the New Age Tantra Yogis and Yoginis, who post their pictures up on the Internet, in pursuit of many different sex partners, are doing their best to go public.
A Tantra Yoga teacher is not usually a sex therapist. If a person, or a couple, is experiencing sexual problems, or difficulties, due to trauma, infidelity, levels of sexual interest in each other – that person, or couple, should seek professional help with a qualified sex therapist. It only makes sense that you get counseling from the most professional source.
A sex therapist is not usually a Tantra Yoga teacher. This is just another way to market and re-package sex therapy. If you happen upon a sex therapist, who also claims to be a Tantra Yoga teacher, do a little research first, and you may find the deeper truth about marketing.
Finally, most Orthodox Hindus do not look favorably upon the Vamachara path. For religious fundamentalists, who are not Hindus, the Vamachara path of Tantra Yoga is the “smoking gun” of Yoga, but ironically they point the finger of suspicion toward Hatha Yoga (union by physical mastery) because of its global popularity.
© Copyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. To receive a Free e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
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Yoga Positions – A Few Tips
By Rebecca Prescott
Yoga positions and the practice of yoga can be beneficial to your mind, your muscles, and even internal functions like your digestive system. With so many benefits, it is no wonder that yoga’s popularity is on the rise. Before you take it up, though, it is a good idea to have in mind the right information to help you succeed and get the most out of the experience. Take these yoga tips into account as you begin your physical, mental, and spiritual journey.
Practice Makes Perfect
Practice your positions often. Yoga offers many benefits to your mind, body, and spirit, and these benefits may be maximized with regular practice on your own in addition to your classes and with your teacher. As a beginner, it is especially important that you practice so that you may see and feel the benefits early on. With yoga, the frequency with which you work on your positions is as important if not more so than the length of the practice sessions. Try to find a few minutes each day to do a little bit of yoga.
Make sure that you practice your poses correctly. Most anything you read, watch, or listen to about yoga will tell you to practice often, but one of the yoga tips that sometimes get skipped is that you must practice right. Make sure that each practice session extends you. Do not practice only your best poses, but also work on poses you struggle with as well. Such a practice will be more productive and give you the feeling of self-assurance that you seek with yoga.
Maximizing Your Potential
One of the more important tips for beginners is to let go of your ego. In order to fully maximize your yoga experience, you must forget about such things as impressing your teacher and classmates. One of the central ideas of yoga is self-study. To fully study yourself, you must try not to compare yourself to the teacher or other students, but instead, you should strive to maximize your own learning and improvement during each class and practice session.
Finding Yourself
During practice, remember what is important. The depths of your poses are not nearly as important as how deep you delve into yourself. In yoga, you learn about your inner attention. Be sure to use that attention when practicing and when with your instructor to get the most out of your poses even if you cannot get deeply into them physically.
Finding the Right Teacher
No number of yoga positioning tips can compete with having the right teacher. When selecting a yoga teacher, make sure you find someone with whom you feel comfortable. Your instructor should have good knowledge and work through compassion and respect for you as a person. No matter how many books you read or tapes you watch, you will never get the feedback and encouragement that you will with the right teacher.
As a beginner in yoga, there are undoubtedly times that you feel a bit lost. That is okay. Hopefully, though, with these tips you will have an idea of what you need to do to feel more successful in your yoga experience. Yoga is not a religion, but in some ways it does become a way of life, and by following these tip you can start your journey toward that way of life on the right foot.
References:1. yoga.com2. yogaeverywhere.com
If you'd like to learn about 6 beginner asanas, click here. Or if you're pregnant, check out these prenatal yoga exercises.
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Hatha Yoga – A Crowd Favorite
By Rebecca Prescott
Increasingly, you may hear about your companions enrolling in Hatha classes at the local gym. In terms of pure popularity, Hatha yoga is number one in the yoga world. As a result, the poses are known well by both beginners and experts.
Hatha yoga poses are called Asanas. The Asanas are used in combination with meditation and the breathing techniques known as Pranayama. Together they work the body to improve strength and flexibility as well as overall health, which is one of the reasons it is so popular. Hatha is a hybrid of the Sanskrit words “ha” which means “sun” and the word “tha” which means the “moon.” Together, they refer to the way that Hatha’s yoga poses often bring together opposites currents in the system.
Of the eight limbs of yoga, Hatha focuses mostly on the third, which is Asana, and the fourth, which is Pranayama. These pose and posture techniques coupled with the breathing patterns are used to clear out your body’s energy channels, known as the Nadis. This, in turn, removes obstacles that could hamper other limbs helping to improve your well being.
Hatha History
Hatha has been around since 15th century India when a yogic sage, Swami Swatamarama, detailed Hatha Yoga Pradipika, one of the most important yoga texts. The original intent of this form of yoga was to help support relaxation of the body and to support the “contemplation of one reality.” Many of the classic Hatha yoga poses that were used at its inception, in fact, are still in use with it today. According to those first practitioners of Hatha, the postures can lead to the best in not only physical well being, but also the best state of mind you can possibly attain.
Your Hatha Path
Before beginning your journey into Hatha yoga, you need to be prepared just like with any other form of yoga. There are some basic tips that can help you have an easier, more effective, and safer experience as you begin this original yoga style.
First, remember to breathe normally while you are in and move between each of the poses. Your breaths should be deep and smooth. Try to feel your diaphragm opening and expanding as you switch from one posture to another. Hatha rarely, if ever, uses the shorter and harder yoga breathing, so stay smooth and deep.
Second, do not force any of the stretch positions in Hatha. Start with the easier ones and make sure you are moving easily and naturally into each pose and that you are holding it for 15 to 30 seconds. This will ensure that you get the most out of your yoga and minimize your risk of injury. Be patient with your body and do not attempt the more difficult poses until you are sure you are ready.
Finally, concentrate on your breathing. One of the big focuses in this particular yoga is the breathing which leads to much of the mental health benefits. Use the exercise to relax and become at peace with yourself in the moment. That is what Hatha yoga poses are intended to do for you.
Hatha has been in practice for over 600 years. Longevity like that is rare even in yoga, and can be a sign of success and true belief. If you are considering this form of yoga as for yourself, then remember: never strain, take the time to make sure you are ready for a given pose, and to concentrate heavily on your breathing. Following these tips will help you to attain the superior mental and physical well being that Hatha is said to provide.
Rebecca Prescott provides an introduction to some hatha yoga poses here. You'll also find an article about another popular style of yoga, Bikram yoga, and weight loss benefits associated with it, here.
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Yoga
By Michael Colucci
Yoga is a group of ancient practices which were first developed in India. It is still popular in the country today, and is considered to be a spiritual exercise. Many Indians see it as a way of attaining enlightenment. Yoga is broken down into four primary categories, and these are Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Raja Yoga. However, these are only a few of the many variations of this exercise. Yoga has become popular in the West, and is well known because of its many postures.
While yoga is commonly seen as just being an exercise in the West, it is an important part of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. For those who are followers of these religions, yoga is not only seen as being an exercise, but is also a method that can be used to attain enlightenment. This practice has existed for thousands of years, and has been mentioned in a number of important Indian texts such as the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. Contemporary yoga is comprised of a number of different principles, and many of these are taken from Indian religions.
The purpose of the postures is to keep the body healthy and fit. Practitioners will often chant, and may perform breathing techniques as well. Meditation plays an important role in yoga, and many western yoga establishments present the practice in a way that can help those who don't practice Hinduism. Many people in the West are attracted to yoga because of its ability to relax both the body and the mind. In addition to this, it is a great way to stay physically fit. Many people who practice yoga view it as being a great way to improve their health or enhance the function of their minds.
The goal of some yoga practitioners is to achieve what is called samadhi. Samadhi is a complex mental state where a person can achieve ecstasy. The goals of those who practice yoga will vary based on their religion and background. Those who practice Hinduism believe that yoga is away of getting close to God. Buddhists believe that yoga can help individuals achieve a deeper level of wisdom. Western nations place an importance on individualism, so many people in the West will use yoga as a method for self improvement.
Yoga is a very ancient practice that places an emphasis on having full control over the body and the mind. Many people who use it believe that they will be able to gain insight into the underlying structure of reality. The Yogi is a person who will attain an state of enlightenment where their thoughts will cease, and they will achieve a type of union. Yoga is a very complex subject which can mean different things for different people. Even if one does not wish to attain enligtenment, this practice can allow them to enhance their own insight. Even though yoga has strong connections to Indian religions, it is not a religion itself. Even though the exact age of this practice is not known, it is estimated that it has existed for at least 6,000.
Michael Colucci is a writer for Yoga which is part of the Knowledge Search network
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How To Heal With Yoga
By Eric Cho
Yoga is a generic term for the various spiritual disciplines in Hinduism and Buddhism. It is practiced throughout South Asia. Its prime aim is to pave the way to higher consciousness through liberation from suffering, ignorance and rebirth. Vedic and Buddhist literature is strewn with stories of yogis who attained miraculous prowess by practicing various kinds of meditations and austerities. Today, yoga is usually practiced under the guidance of a guru or a spiritual guide.
The word ‘Yoga’ is derived from Sanskrit where it means ‘to unite’. Therefore yoga connotes an exercise in mental and moral cultivation that generates excellent health and contributes to longevity in life. The total and intrinsic discipline exercised by a yogi culminates in positive and perennial happiness. It is a science which affects the conscious as well as the subconscious aspect of the mind.
There are some misconceptions about Yoga. Yoga is NOT black magic, sorcery, white magic or mental or physical debauchery. Some consider yoga to be a dangerous practice that should be engaged by those who have renounced the world. Some even think of it as a kind of mental acrobatic that is fit to be practiced only by certain sections in the world.
Yoga is an all-encompassing science that depends on mental discipline. It ensures the purgation of the soul and removal of the ignoble which will bring forth what is most noble in man. Irrespective of caste, creed, sex and religion yoga embraces all of human life. The believer and the non-believer, the sick and the healthy, the literate and the ignorant, the young and the old – everyone can embrace yoga. One can begin practicing yoga at any age and continue doing so throughout life.
For a person practicing yoga, there is an emphasis on restraint from vice through observance of virtue, purity and controlling of uncontrolled desires. The main technique used in yoga is ‘asanas’ or postures. This along with ‘pranayama’ or breath control helps to calm the body and draw vital energy forces into the body. Detaching the mind from the external mind through the withdrawal of senses is done through ‘dhyana’ or meditation. A common feature of yoga is intense concentration on a single point, be it a diagram, a part of the body, the breath or even a mantra.
In the modern world, it is almost impossible for man to achieve the mental prowess of the ancient yogis. Therefore, yoga cannot be seen as an alternative to medicine. But when teamed with Western healing practices, yoga is amazingly effective. Yoga is very effective in helping patients overcome pain, and the anxiety or depression associated with pain.
Yoga is not just a medical science; it’s a complete way of life. It lays down strict dietary recommendations and lifestyle practices that helps one achieve and maintain good health. Yoga has been adopted by people for the treatment of various conditions like constipation, back pain, indigestion, diabetes and blood pressure. Exercises prescribed by yoga are excellent if you want to lose weight and gain control over your body. One of the greatest benefits of practicing yoga is that it makes you aware of the various muscles in your body and teaches you how to control any PARTICULAR set of muscles.
Thus Yoga as a way of life and as a holistic therapeutic science has gained a lot of acceptance in the world today. Even though a person practicing yoga may never reach the heights of a yogi, they can learn to live a richer and happier life by practicing these techniques.
Alternative Holistic Medicine
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How To Choose The Best Yoga Videos
By Rebecca Prescott
Finding the best yoga videos is not as easy to walking down to your local video store and wandering over to the exercise aisle. Not all such videos on the market are ideal for effective home practice. In order to make sure you get the best yoga videos for your home, consider a few things you should really look for.
Easy To Understand
First of all, a quality yoga video will be easy for you to follow. You should be able to understand what is being done, how the positions are achieved, how long you should hold each one, and how often you should do it. It should also be easy to follow into each subsequent move. If you cannot understand the video, then it has failed on its most basic level.
Secondly, videos should provide not only easy to follow instructions, but also easy to understand demonstrations. You should be able to, by watching, understand the basics of achieving each pose and each transition. You should also understand, from watching, the breathing patterns and focus. If you can understand the verbal instructions, but the demonstrations are unclear then your video is no better than a book on yoga.
Next, there should be easy modifications offered in the best yoga videos. Yoga can be difficult, so beginners to it may frequently need modifications to their practice so that they can understand even that which they cannot complete. No matter what your ability level may be, you want your video to be able to apply to you. Once you buy a video, it should be of use to you at every stage as you progress further into yoga. Choose a video that will grow with you.
Teaching Qualilty
In a quality video, the yoga should be taught in a student centered manner. Though that seems like it should go without saying, you will see a number of yoga videos that are just a fancy way of showing off the instructor’s ability in yoga. Such videos do little if any good and in many cases may even be counterproductive for you. The idea of having the yoga video is to help your development, not to put you in awe of someone else’s level of flexibility or fitness.
Finally, high quality yoga videos should feature prominent and well qualified instructors. They should not only be practicing instructors, but should probably have achieved great success in their yoga education. You always want to learn from someone at as high a level as possible. By simply reading the back of the box, you will often get an overview of the teacher’s qualifications so that you can make an intelligent decision as to whether or not you want this person to help you practice yoga in your home.
Finding the best yoga videos really isn’t easy. However, when armed with the tools above, you can more accurately assess a video’s value. Look for something you understand visually and orally, that you can use at any level, and that features a successful teacher while staying student centered. When you find that you will have found the best of the best yoga videos for use at home and between private sessions or classes.
References:1. yoga-ez-fitness-wear.com/video-yoga.html
Rebecca Prescott presents more information on the best power yoga videos, and a hatha yoga DVD guide here.
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Yoga Schools – What Is Right For You?
By Rebecca Prescott
Yoga schools hold a special place in yoga education because many of the top locations are in the cradle of yoga’s birth: India. These schools offer some of the most complete and intense training for yoga in the world. Though you could attend a school anywhere, learning in India might be compared to learning culinary skills in France, or literature in London. Whether attending short term classes to train or long term classes to learn the art of teaching yoga, these institutions are places with many yoga education options to choose from. Here are a few you might find in your average yoga school.
Sopan
Yoga Sopan is considered one of the easiest types of yoga to master. The course is often a week long or less. For those who are new to yoga, even in India, this is the place to start. You will learn the movements of yoga as well as the breathing techniques, chanting and meditation. All of these are the foundation of yoga and thus will virtually always be available in a high level yoga school. Mastering Sopan is like learning the fundamentals of any sport or activity: it builds a base and foundation upon which greater things may be built.
Pravesh
In somewhere between 25 and 35 days, most schools will help you to learn Yoga Pravesh. For about an hour per day you work on the movements of your limbs while adding in the movement of neck, waist and hips for a more complete yoga foundation. As yoga schools move along, there will often be lectures or talks added during lessons so that you may gain a better overview of not just the physical side of yoga but also the mental and spiritual sides.
Certification
If you wish to pursue an actual degree in Yoga from a yoga school, they can take anywhere form 3-5 months. In them, once you have built a proper base, you will be introduced to the idea of asanas as well as the more advanced methods for self cleansing and mental focus. You will likely, in addition to yoga session, be involved with research and lecture too as gaining a yoga degree is a complete merger of mind, body, and spirit. This merger will allow you to practice yoga at the highest level and maybe even pursue teaching since you will have truly learned to combine your mind, body, and spirit.
Advanced Degrees
In addition to the degrees and levels listed, you can work up to advanced teaching degrees at many yoga schools. Whether you are becoming a teacher or just wish to master the ins and outs of yoga as a practitioner, you will find that these schools offer you the best in what yoga has to offer you at every level of your being. Remember, as with any yoga instruction, though, always make sure you are comfortable with the school you enter. Yoga is about trust and balance, and with the plethora of high level schools in India and around the world, you will surely find what you need.
Rebecca Prescott presents more information on yoga retreat centers here, as well as more detailed information on the different yoga schools, India, here.
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The Origins of Yoga
By Mike Herman
The word 'yoga' is taken from the Sanskrit word 'yuga' which means 'to join.'
Pantanjali, an Indian philosopher, wrote what is thought of as the "bible of yoga" approximately two thousand five hundred years ago. While certain aspects of yoga were being done well before Pantanjali, his writing "encouraged" the practice of yoga and it began widespread practice throughout India.
Written in Sanskrit it contained the eight sutras that are the basic principles of Yoga practice. Physical activity focuses on the body, meditation on the mind and emotions. Yoga combines the practices to give you an overall sense of physical and mental health. Let's look at the sutras and learn a little about each one.
Those eight are:
1. Yama
2. Niyama
3. Asana
4. Pranayama
5. Pratyahara
6. Dharana
7. Dhyana
8. Samadhi
The first two sutras, similar to the Ten Commandments of the Bible, deal with moral and ethical issues. They are basic laws to govern the actions of humanity.
Asana refers to the different postures, or poses, that can be used to strengthen the body physically. This sutra is the one most used by the Western civilization.
Pranayama is the control of our breathing during yoga exercise.
Pratyahara is reached when you withdraw all of your senses from the outside world. You are focusing, on what is going on within your body.
Dharana, this sutra centers on your concentration. It's to help you in developing a one-mindedness that, special concentration techniques to enable you to focus only on your inner world.
Dhyana is translated as contemplation. You merge with your inner self and your image of concentration. You use the time to reflect on your special qualities.
The last sutra is Samadhi. Reaching Samadhi is the goal of all who practice classical yoga. The word means. "Union with the Supreme."
For yoga enthusiasts, this is the supreme goal. It is the identification with unchanging reality. It takes dedicated practice to reach the perfect sutra.
It takes plenty of dedicated practice on concentration, contemplation, and meditation to move you toward the final sutra of Samadhi. With this sutra, you develop a tremendous amount of willpower.
Today most people turn to yoga for Asanas, the poses, and are looking for ways of relaxing, increase their flexibility and do exercise that isn't boring.
In Asana, the poses should be steady and pleasant. It may take a while for them to feel that way, as some of the postures are not easy or comfortable to do at first. If you're just starting out you can use props, aids, to help you feel steady and pleasant. That feeling can be achieved but meanwhile, use props, such as a pillow to allow more comfort. You should challenge yourself but don't move on until you are feeling comfortable with the first postures you learn. The same applies to your everyday life; you need to find a stable and comfortable place within you to find your true potential. The inner center is where all action should come from.
Eventually you are able to relax and meditate. While practicing Yoga and it's going smoothly, you're already half way there. The feeling of achievement makes you know that all things are possible. The secret is to take the feeling you get from your Yoga postures through the rest of the day. Challenge yourself today to find your quiet, peaceful inner peace.
Yoga is an Exercise that Helps with Many Aspects of Life Including Health, Weight Loss, Stress Reduction, Breath Control and Clarity of the Mind Learn More About Yoga
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Yoga on the RoadBy
Michael RussellIf you travel a lot for business or pleasure you may find that this interrupts your yoga practice. Dreary hotel rooms or friends' houses simply cannot match the ambience of one's local yoga studio. It is difficult to maintain or deepen your practice and equally challenging to pick up where you left off when you return home.
One solution is to drop in on classes wherever you happen to be. Yoga is so widespread that it should be fairly easy to find a class where your travels take you. This can also be an enriching experience as you get to attend classes with varied instructors in different environments.
Dropping in on out-of-town classes can actually be a catalyst for personal growth in your practice. It will get you out of the comfort zone of your own studio and instructors and open you up to new experiences that can "push the envelope" and provide you with the opportunity to learn and expand your knowledge.
As it may not be practical to always be able to attend a class while traveling, you can create a space in your hotel room that will make it more appropriate for yoga. Bring a few personal items such as photographs, candles, little statues, incense, books, or other objects that you find "homey" and/or inspiring. This will personalize the space.
Get some extra towels form the hotel to spread on the floor to eliminate worries about cleanliness. Use the pillows or cushions from sofas as bolsters. Turn the heat up in the room to make it more comfortable. Bring an eye bag to help induce relaxation in Savasana. Her are four asanas that are easy to do and can calm the mind while your traveling. This routine takes between 20-40 minutes if you spend about 3-10 minutes in each pose. Best done first thing in the morning or right before bedtime, this routine will definitely help you relax, release and enjoy your trip more.
First off, sit in a chair and with your knees wide apart align your heels and point your toes slightly inward. Place your elbows on your knees, move your buttocks back into the chair and have your head hanging forward. Feel your neck lengthen as you breathe deeply and relax into the pose. If you wish to go further you can place your hands close to or on the floor. Gently come up by pressing on your hands or elbows and let your head come up last. This will relax the shoulders and neck and relieve tension in the tailbone.
Next up is the crooked knee pose. This time bring your legs together and in front of you while sitting in a chair. Move your feet slightly forward and place your left ankle on your right thigh with the groove of the left ankle on the right thighbone. Gently slide the left ankle towards your hip. As you do this, tilt your head forward to soften the back of your neck.
If at this stage you feel any discomfort, remain here. If not then as you inhale raise your front ribs upwards and lean your upper body forward as you breathe out. Let your arms hang loosely alongside your legs or put your hands or forearms on your right knee. Again use your hands to slowly rise out of the pose, raising the head last. Lower the left leg to the floor, take a few deep, relaxing breaths and repeat with the other leg.
This pose will quiet your mind and release tension in the neck and back. It will be comforting for those who suffer from sciatica and relieve pressure in the abdominal and pelvic organs which will aid digestion.
Next up is a lunge. With your hands and knees on the floor and your back level, move your right foot into the space between your hands. Breathe easily in this pose for 30 seconds to three minutes, longer if you have the time. Then push on the floor with your hands, slowly backing out of the pose to prevent gripping in the back muscles. Do the other side.
This asana will also help those with sciatica. It will help to ease neck and back pain and relieve tension and anxiety, allowing you to experience more mental clarity.
The final asana is a rotated stomach pose. Lie on your back with your hands or forearms around your shins. Hug your knees to your chest then extend your arms down to the floor and out to your sides so that they form a 45 degree angle to your body. Roll your bent legs and your hips to the left, laying your legs on the floor.
Slowly rotate your head to the left, pausing to breathe 1 to 2 minutes and then turn your head to the right. Breathe for another 1 to 2 minutes, then bring your knees to center and do the other side.
This pose is very soothing for the central nervous system. It will relieve tension in the spine and neck and help to relieve headaches, insomnia, lower back pain and sciatica. Further, it gently massages the internal organs, stimulating the metabolism and improving digestion. This asana is an excellent preparation for meditation.
When you are away from home, you not only can continue your yoga practice, you can enhance it. As you maintain your yoga while traveling you will remain more relaxed, have greater mental clarity and enjoy your trip more.
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to
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Book Review: Yoga For Regular Guys
By GL Hamilton
Like most men, I was skeptical of even the thought of trying out yoga, thinking it was something that would be most likely painful, and a little out of the testoserone element. Also like most men, I experience back pain from time to time, in my case thanks to protruding L4 and and L5 discs stemming from a car accident years ago. As time goes on, and your family pulls you home, getting to the gym can be hard. Home equipment isn't necessarily practical or cost effective, so what can a man do?
Former professional wrestler Diamond Dallas Page is the man behind the concept. Wrestling fans may remember the performer as a former champion in the now-defunct World Championship Wrestling, and who later wrestled in World Wrestling Entertainment, in addition to writing his biography and branching out into acting. He is a man who started wrestling later in life at age 35, so Page was always looking for help to keep himself in the best physical condition compared to his younger colleagues. A couple of years ago, his wife suggested yoga to help him deal with the harsh pain of Page's profession.
Now that Page is retired, he has devoted his full time to developing this concept, starting with the book, which is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other booksellers. The book is easy to follow, with 20, 30 and 40 minute routines. The text will tell you how to breathe (and it is important) and the pictures are numbered for the correct sequence. Page has put in people with all kinds of bodies, young and old, but also some eye candy for the men. Yoga For Regular Guys has a forward from Rob Zombie, and some chapters devoted to nutrition and holistic health with massage therapy an chiropractic care. After running through the 20 minute program, I can say I was sweating like a stuck pig at a luau, which was surprising. Normally for that kind of sweat I would have to hit an elliptical machine or treadmill for an hour.
After viewing Page's website, Diamond Dallas Page.com, my main critical point is that I think he could expand on the case studies that are listed on his site. People who have tried the program have listed why they have turned to yoga, and have listed their success with how many pounds they have lost, inches lost, and other body measurements like blood pressure and body fat, complete with photographs on the website, but not so much in the book. I like to read these stories, and hope that I can count myself among success stories 3 months down the road. The nutritional information is helpful, but I have a hard time seeing most people down carrot juice on a regular basis. Perhaps some nutritional information for people who do not want to hit the extreme end of the nutrition bandwagon?
Overall, this book is excellent, and a good way for people to exercise if they are limited by traditional weight training and aerobics. You feel refreshed and that you have accomplished something at the end of a 20 minute session. Check it out today.
GL Hamilton has a BA in Recreation Management from Eastern Washington University. He publishes the blog Find A Sport http://www.findasport.blogspot.com/ to help people find a recreational activity that they can enjoy for health and fitness. Movement is an overlooked key to a healthy life.
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Yoga and Skiing Go Together Before, During and After the Ski Season
By Keith Edwin Renninson
Here it is July and you’re probably wondering, "Is this guy nuts?" I mean, dude, it’s 90 degrees outside, not a snowflake in sight and he’s focusing on skiing! Well, you do when you love to ski and want to be ready when the time comes to throw the skis in the car and head for the hills. In Colorado, that happened in the first week of November last year.
Cross-training have become the buzzwords in sports the past couple of years, and they apply to skiing as much a cycling, baseball, basketball or snowboarding. Some cross training activities can only be done before your season begins; then focus changes to just the main activity. Yoga and skiing go together before, during and after the season.
As with cycling, yoga poses help keep your level of performance high while you reap year-round benefits. Skiing requires a lot from your body and even though a good hot tub, steam or massage can eliminate some of the sore muscles, yoga will keep you flexible and relatively pain free, if you apply it during the season.
In pre-season, as we now find ourselves, is the time to use yoga to strengthen the muscles used in skiing, and gain endurance and deeper breathing skills which will aid you when the season starts. I always laugh at the timing of articles in magazines touting: “It’s time to get into skiing shape” when the season has already started. Sure, a pre-season tune up on the body is needed, but that shouldn’t be a month after it has started; by then you are already behind the game and open yourself up for sore muscles, strains and possible injury.
Cross-training during the summer and fall months is invaluable and will give you a leg up when November arrives; swim, play tennis, bicycle, run to keep you in shape and interested in fitness through variety. Then, add yoga to improve flexibility and strength. Keep it up after the season has started to stave off any injury and fatigue for those tough, but fun, double black diamond days.
You can purchase yoga videos, take a local, weekly class or watch for special shows on cable often featured on FitTV and OLN. I like to take an occasional class and use videos, they both offer diversity, privacy and instruction.
Have a great summer; I'll see you on the Colorado slopes in a few short months.
Keith Edwin Renninson is co-owner, along with Jeffrey Forman, of Golden Years Videos, LLC a production company dedicated to offering yoga and chair exercise videos for those over 50 or of any age who are rehabilitating from an accident or illness.
Renninson is an avid exercise and yoga enthusiast. Now in his late 50’s; he still races bicycles and regularly skis the black diamond runs in Colorado where he lives. For many years, a bona fide gym rat, Renninson still loves to lift free weights and use exercise machines.
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Teaching Hatha Yoga: The Philosophy of Abundance
By Paul Jerard
Is abundance just a disguised word for “money?” Can money be used for a good cause? Do you wonder why some Master Yoga Teachers, Gurus, and Swamis frown on the idea of Yoga teachers “talking up” the concept of practicing Yoga for abundance?
The reason is quite simple: Most people think of material wealth first. Why? This is an example of survival instinct, and money is a part of survival; but there are many more types of abundance for Yoga students to learn beside money.
Physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional abundance are worthy of note, but the desire for a better life, by acquiring material wealth, is hard to put out of your mind. Let’s look at each aspect of abundance from a Hatha Yoga student’s point of view.
Physical abundance could be seen as physical prowess. This is why Hatha Yoga has become so popular outside of India. When a new student becomes proficient in Hatha Yoga, he or she feels better almost immediately; sometimes to the point of ego bolstering and this is not a direction for Yoga teaching to take.
The physical senses are our most primal and can be realized without any difficulty. Your friends, family, and coworkers may even notice the changes that are happening to your body due to Hatha Yoga practice.
Mental abundance can easily be seen as intelligence. However, a person’s intelligence cannot be demonstrated, unless it is successfully projected and proven through the use of good communication skills. Union by knowledge, which we know as Jnana Yoga, will also require much more work than most people would initially think, and communication is a necessary skill required in order to share knowledge.
Sadly, spiritual abundance is becoming rare in some cultures. The spiritual connection to God cannot be seen, but can be felt. Unfortunately, we try to measure the spiritual world with scientific instruments from our physical world.
How can you measure prayer or the benefits of prayer? How does science explain miracles? Science often remains baffled or claims miracles do not exist. Science is useful, but has created the “virtual world” for a generation who may end up lost in computer games, obesity, poor health, and unconstructive use of time. However, we know the virtual world exists because we can see it.
Emotional abundance is most often taken for granted. Our family and friends provide security, but we wish for more material wealth. When death or illness knocks at our door, all the money in the world may not be enough.
If you have emotional abundance, you are truly rich. When you have material wealth, emotional abundance may be very hard to find because you do not know who your friends really are.
Money attracts people, but those people might not have friendship in mind. Many of the financially wealthy are givers, and there will always be someone who wants to take advantage of it.
Now, you see that abundance is many things, but the most valuable treasures in life can be attained by the financially poor. If, or when, you mention abundance in a Yoga class, start with the most important forms of abundance first. If you find yourself with too much material abundance, give the excess to a worthy cause.
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Tantra Yoga, Tantric Sex, or Viagra
By Paul Jerard
Here’s a natural Yoga solution for a “pill popping culture” that does not take side-effects seriously, until they feel them, or worse. Male impotency has become a marketing Bonanza. Pharmaceutical companies are cashing in on middle-aged males. Even if you are not a male who is middle-aged, or older, your Spam folder is most likely full of “junk advertisements” for Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra.
This means there is a huge market of middle-aged men who could use a copy of the Kama Sutra and should learn some natural solutions from a qualified Tantra Yoga teacher. Tantra Yoga does not have a long list of side-effects, so there is much less, if any, risk. This might be expecting too much because this is pro-active behavior for better health.
Some men are taking these drugs and they do not even need to; it has become a strange “fashion statement.” What usually happens is a quick solution is mentioned by a Viagra commercial during a football game. Ever notice the simplest solutions are not really in the form of a pill? Half of the time consumed, in a typical Viagra commercial, is spent talking about the side-effects of taking the drug. The same can be said for Viagra’s cousins: Levitra and Cialis.
What the commercial visually shows is romance, and advertising firms have male behavior down to a science. Men are not listening to “common side-effect” warnings about headaches, blurred vision, bluish vision, upset stomach, facial flushing, or reactions to light. Keep in mind; these are only the common side effects of these drugs. There are a number of uncommon side effects - if you happen to be one of the unlucky ones.
Now, let’s get back to Tantra Yoga, a natural solution, which does not have any adverse side-effects. I admit it: Men do not listen very well. This is not “selective hearing;” we do not listen to other men very well either. You can get a man to pay attention to a copy of the Kama Sutra though.
Since most Yoga teachers and students, outside of India, are women, I am addressing Yoginis who know the value of their Yoga practice. You might consider giving the Kama Sutra to your “significant other” as a gift. The Kama Sutra has 36 chapters and 64 sex positions, so it will not be a short and quick read. Not everything in the Kama Sutra is for everyone, but there is enough material to keep you both interested for a lifetime. Therefore, the long-term solution is not in a pill.
Learning about Tantra Yoga, and Tantric sex, will improve male sexual health at any age. Middle-aged couples can improve their own relationship, on many planes, with the help of Tantra Yoga and Tantric Sex. This is a significant point, when you look around at soaring divorce rates.
Lastly, a copy of the Kama Sutra is very affordable, and it could be the best investment you make in a relationship. Who knows - this may even get more men interested in Hatha Yoga practice.
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:
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Meditation through Yoga
By Craig Hathway
"Stop and smell the flowers." This old adage holds great truth and advice especially for the over-worked, over-stressed citizens of the modern world. We fill our days with fast paced activities and chores that lead to frustration, increased weight, and depression. Trying to cram too many activities in each day can have disastrous effects. Many ask how they can ward off the ill effects of stress. Besides reducing your activities you can look to the beneficial effects of meditation.
There are many ways to meditate from deep breathing to calming exercise such as yoga. Yoga has become a popular choice for many celebrities. Celebrities have stress upon their life on a grand scale. They not only have the unyielding demands of work, but also the critical and watchful eye of the critics, fans, and paparazzi. You may not have cameramen taking snapshots of you going to the grocery store, but you can have comparable levels of stress. Therefore, why not follow the celebrity craze in yoga and see if it works for you.
Yoga comes in many forms and difficulty levels. You can practice yoga at a health club or by watching yoga videos. It is recommended that beginning yogis take classes at a gym or health club. It is crucial to perform the postures correctly. A certified yoga instructor will help you to properly align your body and point out any areas for improvement. This feedback is essential so that you can receive the maximum benefits of yoga. An instructor can also talk you through meditation helping you to clear your mind and thus reduce your stress.
The basics of yoga cover four steps: breathing, meditation, posture, and relaxation. Let’s focus on the meditation aspect of yoga. The purpose of meditation is to free your mind of worries. You literally want to wipe your mind slate clean. This can prove to be difficult as thoughts about the dry cleaning you need to pick up or the work report you need to finish race around your mind. A yoga instructor or audio tape can lead you through the steps to achieving deep meditation. They will lead you through focusing on the present.
When you focus on the present you automatically release any tensions that come from activities you need to do or things you are worried about from the past. Meditation allows you to look into yourself. Your mind becomes clear as stress and tension are swept away. This is sometimes referred to as "centering" the body. Try to listen to your body. Feel how the air moves from your belly through your nose as you inhale and exhale. You are getting back to the basics of life and the building blocks of your existence.
Classic yoga meditation involves sitting cross-legged on the floor with your spine straight. Rest your hands, palm face up, on your legs. Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Try to breathe from the center of your body up and out through your nose. Make sure to relax your muscles, especially your jaw. In times of stress we tend to tighten our face causing jaw muscles to become sore. Take heed of the present moment. Remove the past and future from your mind.
When you become comfortable with yoga meditation breathing techniques you can move on to daily affirmations. Sit in your meditation pose and breathe deeply to allow your mind and body to relax. Next quietly say affirmations that are broad as well as personalized to your situation. For example, you can say "I will center my thoughts on the present." Follow this by saying "I will listen to myself breathe." It is important to find daily affirmations that will center you as well as revolve around the positive aspects of life. Finish each daily affirmation session by being grateful for all the joyous aspects of your life. If you have time, try to meditate five to ten minutes daily.
Your yoga postures will improve with meditation practice. Strive to engage in the deep breathing and affirmation techniques daily from the comfort of your own home. Supplement these meditation techniques with an actual yoga class. Not only will you gain valuable instruction from the yoga teacher, but you will also gain support and camaraderie of fellow yogis. This support group can help to alleviate stress and keep you interested in improving your yoga skills.
Ideally, you should attend a yoga class two to three times per week. However, this may not work with your schedule. Check to see if your local gym or health club has a diverse yoga schedule. Many health clubs offer yoga classes for varying difficulty levels in the morning, afternoon, and evenings.
The combination of daily meditation and yoga classes will bring you closer to a stress free life. Your mind and body will flourish from the healthy benefits of meditation and yoga. Now take a deep breathe and get started on your journey to stress free city.
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Dancing To The Beat Of MusicBy
Mark WilkinsYoga is a form of relaxation and mediation, which can offer many benefits. It increases flexibility. Increases lubrication of the joints, ligaments and tendons.
Moreover, it massages the organs of the body and serves as a complete detoxifier of body toxins that exist. Furthermore, it helps in toning the muscles, and provides balancing of the nervous system. Not only that, it reduces stress because of the gentle and slow exercises that are done and executed.
So Yoga, as a whole is very advantageous especially to the persons who are so busy and do not have time to relax. This is a very effective form of relieving stress and aside from that, your physical well being is protected and improved.
Its popularity is ever increasing and thus, the need for learning it is high. There are instructional videos that help us to round out our practice in yoga. These videos provides a variety of choices which we could choose from unlike from yoga classes in which some of them gets pretty boring for some of us. There are so many various positions that are taught and performed by Yogis.
Because of its widespread and continuous popularity, millions of people around the world engage in Yoga. There are so many people that have already been blessed with its benefits. There are so many types of Yoga that are exercised by people of different walks of life, ages and lifestyles. This only proves that it is indeed for everybody. One does not need to spend so much money on paying a tutor or simply joining a Yoga class.
There are more convenient ways to learn and practice them. You can do it in your own homes, if you have a video player you can buy various Yoga Videos that are available. Moreover, there are books that serve as beginners guide or seniors guide. It suits your needs whether you are a newbie to Yoga or if it has influenced you a lot that you would not want it to end just that way.
Yoga involves both the breathing control mechanism and the physical exercises that can be done to improve one’s vitality, flexibility and strength. Since it is a form of exercise, it is usually accompanied with sound or music. Yoga music helps you set yourself in the mood to start the exercise.
With the different kinds of music, it will surely set your condition. There are various types of Yoga music like active, serene, kirtan, and mellow. Usually, it is the sounds of nature like wind chimes, chirping birds, wilderness and many others. While some are chants and Yoga music that was used back then. Yoga music brings together a mix and variety of world beat and sounds. Some are danceable and some sacred music are included.
This lets you move from the beginning to end. As a result, this enhances the flow of Yoga and your life. This is like a unifying pulse that is brought together to attain a certain atmosphere of indulgence, like the current of a river or the sound of nature when it is in bloom.
These are invigorating sounds that delight the senses and improve the movement of the body in accordance with the sound or music. Yoga music also serves as a light or inspiration for it brings back memories or thoughts.
About The AuthorMark Wilkins is the owner of
http://www.bestyoga.info/ The Yoga Information Site.
Come visit us and get all the best yoga info you are looking for.
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That's NOT Yoga, if One Eats Like that
By Foras Aje
Indeed if someone were to say they thought Yoga was just stretching after they saw a student leave a Yoga class and later on eating at McDonald’s or something, they probably would be right.
Why?
Well, Yoga, in its entirety, includes a proper diet. One doesn’t exist without the other. This is THE factor that anyone seriously interested in taking up Yoga must understand. If one wants to do Yoga, you’ve got to include all its principles.
When I started doing yoga some 6 years back, I did extensive research on the subject of diet and Yoga. Perhaps this was fate, as co-incidentally, this was around the time that an associate had told me to look into fasting and a natural diet as a means to cure my horrendous acne at that time.
I stumbled on a book called “The Complete Illustrated book of Yoga” by Swami Vishnu-Devananda, and this had a whole chapter on diet. What he explained here made it clear that as beneficial as most- if not all- yoga poses could be for overall health, if one constantly subsists on unhealthy foods, it defeats the purpose of exercising in the first place.
This is perhaps even more important in regards to Yoga.
Why? Well, Yoga is more than just a physical exercise as Meditation, Breathing Exercises and even some Poses such as the Peacock, Shoulder-Stand and the Sun Salutations are known to have an effect on the spiritual core of one’s existence. This is rooted in one’s solar plexus and forms the basis of the Kundalini or life-force power inherent in all humans. Remember, we are mainly physical bodies living in a Spiritual World.
Now keep that point in mind as I proceed to remind you of this quote and renowned cosmic law: “You are what you eat…” Now, combine the gist of both factors and you should start to see the connection between how what you eat matters to your entire existence-physically and spiritually.
When you begin to seriously practice Yoga, it is advised that you also begin to watch what you eat. ALL the sages and pioneers of Yoga such as Swami Sivananda, Swami Vishnu-Devananda and BKS Iyengar have all attested to this fact.
Here is Sivananda’s quote on the subject of diet and Yoga (and keep in mind he is arguably THE guru when it comes to the ‘who is who’ of Yoga)
“By the purity of food follows the purification of the inner nature…” Swami Sivananda.
In addition here is another quote that supports his comment
“Without observing moderation of diet, if one takes to the Yogic practices, he cannot obtain any benefit but gets various diseases” (Ghe. Sam. V-16).
Yoga has an adverse effect on yours and the spiritual forces around you, consequently eating what yoga sages coin as the Sattvic Diet (which co-incidentally is the mucus/disease free or alkaline diet of the alternative health fraternity) will be the best way to go.
Simply put, it is your fruits, roots and leafy vegetables (raw and ‘properly cooked’). This is the Yoga diet and this has to be included in your lifestyle if you seriously want to practice Yoga.
Is it a co-incidence that this is the exact diet prescribed in Gen 1: 29 in the Bible? Is it a co-incidence that this diet forms the basis of Hippocrates’ quote “let your foods be your medicine…”? Is it a co-incidence this is the same diet that the drug-free fraternity labels as the best for delaying aging, having brighter eyes and complexion, better muscle tone and the like?
I think not.
Heck, if you just want to do any kind of exercise and not just yoga, you will still enjoy a lot of benefits from such a dietetic lifestyle.
I’ve read of several raw-vegan or vegetarian body-builders like Stephen Arlin, David Wolfe, Scott Brodie and Bill Pearl (A 4-time Mr. Universe contest winner) who do extremely well on a similar diet, so one will be on the right track eating as such and choosing any exercise they want.
So do you want to experience all that Yoga has to give? Then remember to include perhaps its most important principle for your overall health-the Yoga diet.
Your friend in the mirror will thank you that you did. Trust me.
In Friendship,
Foras Aje is an independent health researcher and founder of Bodyhealthsoul.com For more Yoga tips and information on Yoga for beginners stop by his website today.
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The 8 Physical and Mental Types of Yoga
By Jack Sinclair
There are a lot of different types of yoga today, so if you are starting out and feeling confused, you are normal.
It is best to start with a type of yoga that is appropriate for your own level of fitness, physical and spiritual goals and health condition.
The 8 most common types of yoga are described in this article and briefly explained to help guide you in choosing the best type of yoga that you can start with.
Physical-Focused Types of Yoga
Iyengar Yoga: Iyengar yoga is focused solely on body alignment and executing precise movements. Yoga accessories such as blocks and straps are normally used by beginners who are not as flexible as the experts.
Yoga accessories help assist all sorts of people to be able to do the poses comfortably.
Because of its attention to details and the flexible modification of poses, Iyengar yoga is often considered a good form of exercise for people with neck or back pain, as they are likely to benefit from the random movement in the poses.
Practicing Iyengar yoga will give you a good knowledge on the classics in yoga poses so that whatever other style you eventually practice, you will have the basic fundamentals on how to do each position.
In Iyengar yoga the teacher focuses more on alignment and inner awareness. This awareness starts with the body and expands to other parts of the self as one continues to practice regularly
Ashtanga Yoga: Ashtanga yoga is commonly called "power yoga" because it is focused on a powerful flowing movement.
The movements include pushups and lunges, which deals with strength and stamina. Ashtanga yoga is best for people who have a strong back, or have successfully overcome back injuries and are looking for more challenging practice.
Athletic people such as runners, cyclists and gynmasts who wish to add more balance and concentration to their routines are also fans of Ashtanga yoga.
Bikram Yoga: Bikram yoga is also known as the "hot yoga" because it is done in a very warm room. Bikram yoga is an excellent tool to increase flexibility because the heat helps you to stretch.
Keep in mind that Bikram yoga is not safe for anyone who has developed cardio vascular diseases, because vigorously exercising in the heat places strain placed on the body.
Mental-Focused Types of Yoga
Bhakti yoga: or commonly known as devotional yoga. Bhakti yoga focus on self surrender in the face of the divine, if you know what that means.
Mantra yoga: Mantra yoga is known as the "yoga of potent sound". Mantra yoga aims at liberation through the verbal or mental repetition of empowered sounds, such as "om," "hum," and "ram."
Viniyoga: Viniyoga yoga links breathe and movement in flowing exercises that are modified to each individual. Viniyoga is a good form of yoga for those with back problems or neck injuries because it can be easily adapted by everyone.
Raja Yoga: Raja yoga aims for liberation through meditation. Raja yoga is meant for those people who are capable of intense concentration.
As you can see, there are many types of yoga to choose from. It is a good idea to discuss the type of yoga practiced before engaging in any yoga class. In particular, learn which philosophy the teacher uses, so you'll know if it will be a gentle, passive yoga, or a bone crunching form.
Both you and the teacher will be glad you knew what you were getting into, before the class begins.
About The AuthorJack Sinclair is an avid yoga devotee.
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