yoga information: May 2007

Thursday, May 31, 2007

The Purpose of Yoga - Releasing Anxiety

Yoga is a great relief from feelings of anxiety, but anxiety is part of life; and some of us have more anxiety than others. No matter how many years you practice Yoga, you are still human. You are bound to feel feelings of frustration, angst, irritation, and anxiety.

Most people think that Yoga practice will make these negative feelings disappear, but that is not entirely true. Some people think that Yoga will aid you to throw negative feelings into separate compartments, but that is not really true either.

So, how do long-term Yoga practitioners release their anxiety? They seem so calm and collected all the time. What is the big secret? Firstly, let’s cover some options you should never practice, and then look at Yogic solutions for releasing anxiety.

Myth 1: Yogis can make anxiety disappear.

Never believe that anxiety will magically disappear. Yoga, and medical prescriptions, cannot make anxiety go away permanently. For anxiety to disappear, something has to change within you. List the causes of your anxiety, and how you respond to them.

Then find solutions for purging them in a healthy way. Yoga does help, but Yoga has its limitations, too.

Accept and identify anxiety for what it is. In life, you also have to have to “come to grips” with hate, jealousy, greed, and anger. We should not embrace negative thoughts or feelings, but we should quickly be able to identify them and their private agendas.

Life is a lot easier when we are honest with ourselves. After we find the true nature of a problem, we can then find realistic solutions to deal with our negative feelings. If you wake up feeling a little down, do not waste your time on denial, but do find a solution to rid negativity from within.

Myth 2: Yogis can “bottle up” their emotions.

Holding emotions inside will still cause damage to the individual. You cannot stop an earthquake with a land fill. This is not a permit to go around making rude gestures, “telling everyone off,” or an endorsement of “road rage,” but there are healthy ways to “let steam off.”

The secret of controlling emotion is: Deflection of anger, but it will take much time, and conditioning, before you are able to do this. Yoga is, in fact, an archive of solutions for anxiety, but you must have the will to maintain a regular practice for complete mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health.

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.

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Wednesday, May 30, 2007

The Purpose of Yoga - Solutions for Releasing Anxiety

By Paul Jerard

Yoga is a 5,000 year catalog of health solutions and an evolving science of life. Therefore, here are some “age old” Yogic solutions for releasing anxiety. To make them work, you must realize that you have to make a habit of releasing a little anxiety, within acceptable limits, all day long.

Physical practice of Yoga postures (Asanas) will release muscular tension. Make a habit of physically practicing as you sit, stand, or lie down. You do not have to put on a “Yoga show” to sit straight, stand straight, tilt, twist, or bend.

As humans, we are in motion most of the time, but you can move or stand still with purpose and mindfulness. Once you establish Yoga into your life “off the Yoga mat,” you will be surprised how often you and people around you are regularly sitting, or standing, in poor posture, during the course of an average day.

Observation is very important. As you wake up, observe the muscle groups and joints, which have contracted, as you slept. These contractions can cause daily muscle tension, spasms, pains, and aches. Is the tension in your face, back, neck, shoulders, legs, arms, or hips?

Get to know how your body responds to mild warm-ups and develop routines to compensate for physical tension. The connection between mental and physical tension is symbiotic. If you resolve a physical form of tension, you will resolve mental tension, as well.

In Hatha Yoga, there are more than 1500 postures to choose from. Many of us have seen charts, or books, with 500 to 600 Asanas to choose from. If you become creative, you will soon discover many more while sitting in a chair.

You can practice Yoga while you are at your desk, in your bed, on your couch, on a bus, or when you walk. When you add the breathing component, (Pranayama), to your daily life, you have many more combinations of techniques.

Here’s another approach to dealing with anxiety. However, you must use it in the right time and place. Do not be silent! Let it out vocally. Some people laugh, pray, sing, cry, or shout, but each method works at the right time. So, be tactful, if you decide to make noise.

If you hold it all in, you will burst - in the figurative and literal sense. Therefore, you have to release it in some way. Some people roll up the windows in their cars and scream at the top of their lungs. In truth, whatever works is a good thing.

We will not have the same reactions to anxiety. Some people will laugh, while others cry during identical circumstances. Look at how some people react to losing a job. Some people have a party, while another person may contemplate suicide.

In a typical Yoga class, you may learn Mantra and Japa. These are powerful methods and are very beneficial in combination with Pranayama.

Lastly, anxiety is energy, which is not always negative, but can be deflected or circulated, throughout your being. Yogic solutions work, but they must be practiced daily. You do not want to collect and store negative feelings, so carefully release them back into the universe.

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.

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Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Comparison of Anti-Aging Supplements With Body-Building Supplements

By Caitlina Fuller

Aging – the bitter truth is definitely hard to swallow especially when one starts seeing its physical signs on the body that was all bubbling with youth till just sometime back. Exposure to the harsh conditions of the stressful world would result in the aging process leaving very difficult to digest marks on the body. It’s all thanks to the advancement in technology and the resultant anti-aging supplements that have helped reverse the body clock and bring back that lost glow.

Over a period of time (with age), the ability of the body to produce certain hormones also diminishes which results in signs of aging, this is tackled effectively with anti-aging supplements that help to rejuvenate the body and provide those important ingredients that were lost over time.

The anti-aging supplements are usually produced from natural extracts and thus, have minimum or no side effects if used as prescribed. Anti-aging supplements work in different ways depending on the purpose for which it is meant and the ingredients involved. Anti-aging supplements combined with a proper balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle can really work wonders and the results going to be there for everybody to see and admire. A proper survey must be done regarding the products available and its use before starting to use any of them.

Bodybuilding supplements on the other hand, are supplements that are useful to the body-builders in achieving their desired goals. There are a wide variety of body building supplements available that provide a combination of ingredients that would help in body building by building the desired muscle mass. Best Bodybuilding supplements have the right mix of the ingredients for developing that great body with all the muscles.

The best body building supplements are a combination of the ingredients that help in giving the desired results. The best bodybuilding supplements are generally available in the form of pills or tablets/capsules or in the form of some drink like a health drink or milkshake. Some of the best bodybuilding supplements are Whey Protein, creatine, glutamine, vitamins and nitric oxide. Just keep in mind that a bodybuilding supplement alone is not enough and not a magic potion in itself; it should be combined with healthy eating and a good exercise regime.

The best bodybuilding supplements have individual functions to perform but all of them aim at the achieving the task of bodybuilding. The body building supplements are not a substitute to anti aging supplement, as it is only a food supplement and helps to provide those essential ingredients that required to quickly develop muscles or just to develop the muscle mass.

In the end, Bodybuilding supplements and anti-aging supplements have two very different variations at hand although both have essential ingredients for the body. If you are an anti aged person, looking to gain balanced diet to have healthy living then you must go for anti aging supplement. Just make sure, whether you choose a bodybuilding supplement or an anti-aging supplement, it needs to consume as prescribed at the container and never consider it as a food substitute. It must be combined with a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle and then the results would be simply marvellous.

Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer. In the end, Bodybuilding supplements and anti-aging supplements have two very different variations at hand although both have essential ingredients for the body.

Just make sure, whether you choose a bodybuilding supplement or an anti-aging supplement, it needs to consume as prescribed at the container and never consider it as a food substitute.

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Monday, May 28, 2007

Take a Yoga Class - Five Solid Benefits You Can Experience from Yoga

By Paul Jerard

You hear so much about Yoga these days, and there are so many Yoga styles to choose from, that it is advisable to research a particular Yoga style which suits your needs. Some Yoga classes are gentle, athletic, cerebral, religious, meditative, or hot.

Therefore, research the style of Yoga which attracts you most. Then visit a local Yoga studio, or wellness center, for further information. If you have any concerns, you could set up an appointment with a potential Yoga teacher, and share your thoughts about your specific needs.

There are many benefits you can expect from regularly attending Yoga classes, but the five of the most common benefits of Yoga are listed below. Choose a Yoga teacher who fits your needs and do not be pressured into taking a Yoga class that does not suit your lifestyle.

Reduce Stress through the practice of Yoga. This is a universal benefit of all styles of Yoga. If you have stress, when you walk into a Yoga class, you will have much less when you leave.

Some Yoga schools use a variety of methods to purge stress from the body, but the most common are Pranayama (breath techniques), Asana (posture), Mantra (sound), Meditation, and Relaxation Techniques. After a few classes, you will know what works and what does not.

Positive Thinking is a by product of every Yoga class and style, with the rare exception of a dogmatic Yoga teacher. If you discover you are in the midst of a “drill sergeant,” disguised as a Yoga teacher, you have to make a decision based on your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

Consider this: If you feel negative after listening to your Yoga teacher, you should leave. You may find another Yoga teacher in the same facility, or at another Yoga center, but do not put up with abuse.

Sleeping Better is a result of the first two, above-mentioned, Yoga benefits. For the most part, the physical styles of Yoga release muscle tension through Asana and Pranayama. The less physical styles may focus on Mantra, Meditation, and Relaxation Techniques.

Relief from Back Pain is a by product of the physical styles, but choose carefully. The more gentle Hatha Yoga sub-styles such as Restorative, Gentle, and Therapeutic Yoga, cater to students with a variety of ailments, including back pain.

Increased Muscle Tone is also a result of the physical styles of Yoga. If you are searching for a Hatha Yoga teacher, studio, or style, choose one that caters to your physical condition. Do not jump into a physically vigorous Yoga class, unless you are physically active. Most injuries, in the physical forms of Yoga occur, when students push themselves too far.

Lastly, have fun trying different Yoga classes, until you find the right one for you, and never force yourself into a Yoga posture. Your best Yoga teachers are your body and mind. Listen to them, avoid pain, be safe, and you will be enjoying the benefits of Yoga for years to come.

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.

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Sunday, May 27, 2007

What Yoga Can Do for Your Health

By Judy Wellsworth

In the past, yoga has become one of the coolest and trendiest of the exercise and alternative methods that have made a big appearance in the world today. Not only is yoga a fun thing to do, it is also a way for you to loose weight and make yourself more healthy without undo stress on the body. Many people have taken upon themselves to start this wonderful and easy way to get in better health. Thousands of humans that are any age and that are from many occupations now do it. it is a safe thing for even children to start doing on a regular basis. Professionals are now looking into yoga to provide the user with many benefits to your health. can you imagine how great it will be to know that the easy exercises of yoga will also help to cure you of an ailment that has bothered you for years with no relief?

You will definately be able to find a way to use yoga for the bettering of your health and your total life. Yoga will take you to a place where you are stronger and more flexible. You can find a way to prevent or cure a serious illness in your life, even serious ones. You will also get a stress reliever and a way to meditate that is also beneficial to your health.

Several claims have emerged highlighting the health benefits of yoga. Yes, according to several resources, yoga is not only capable of making you feel strong and flexible, but it can also help cure whatever ailments you may be suffering from, even the most serious health conditions. It is exciting to find that results from studies are showing that with a regular schedule of yoga that has breathing deeply, different poses, and meditation, you can help problems with asthma, mental health, and heart diseases, and more. It is not certain what other things that yoga can help you with. Each person who is practicing yoga will give you a story about how yoga has helped them.

We will look at a few of the ways that yoga can help you.

A.) Asthma - yoga can help anyone to heal him or herself of asthma. Deep breathing is involved in yoga and there is also a relaxing of the muscles of the chest that will give you an easier time breathing. There are many people who have problems with asthma today and yoga is helping it.

Yoga will help to focus on helping those who have it. The symptoms that are associated with the problems of asthma are reduced in a big way by practicing yoga on a regular basis. The meditation part of the yoga will also give those suffering from asthma a way to control their fear when the asthma attack starts and thus provide themselves a way to not make the situation worse. Those with asthma tend to get more upset when an asthma attack occurs and this will help them to stay calm.

B.) Mental Health - There are some reports that yoga can help those who have a mental health problem. Professionals have had their interest peaked with the strength of the yoga. They have started to work with people of all ages who are known to have obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Within the months that the study continued, the group that was practicing yoga has shown to help. It was in the range of forty percent of the people who have started the study doing yoga would continue and have positive results from the disease. Learning to meditate and to release your feelings in a positive way instead of holding them in is a result of the yoga.

C.) Cardiovascular - One other way that yoga can help is with cardiovascular problems. This benefit from yoga comes from the results that yoga is a great way for you to get rid of stress and will make the length of the cardiovascular system better. It has also shown to give you a better blood pressure and rate of heartbeats. The yoga will give you a way to learn to breath deey and it will give you a proper blood flow to all the right places in the body which will ultimately improve the whole system.

Because of these and other things that yoga can give you, it has caused many people to get interested in practicing it. The amount of the classes for yoga have also increased. The positive effects are endless and are different for each person.

You can also find more information at Yoga Equipment and Yoga Pants.

Ezyogaguide.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Yoga and its importance.

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Saturday, May 26, 2007

The Purpose of Yoga - Motivation for Better Health

By Paul Jerard

Yoga, in all of its forms, creates positive energy. Positive energy will cause you to become successful, and live a life where powerful visions become reality. Your complete health will improve exponentially, as a result of regular Yoga practice.

Yoga has so many good health aspects for a person to benefit from. Yet, some people see it only as a “workout,” and as a result, Yoga has become classified, in the west, as an exercise. Although Hatha, Kundalini, and Raja Yoga contain many breathing exercises (Pranayama) and postures (Asanas), Yoga is not merely another physical exercise system.

Hatha Yoga is the most popular form of Yoga outside India. Hatha Yoga is also known as the unity of mind, body, and spirit, through physical mastery. The initial results of regimented Hatha Yoga practice are physical fitness, motivation, clear thought, and increased energy.

There are many more benefits from long-term Hatha Yoga practice. If I could make a “Hatha Yoga Pill,” I would be a billionaire! When some people hear the words, “physical fitness,” they think of torture, so they avoid Yoga of any kind.

Yet, the masses will gladly spend billions of dollars on ineffective, over the counter drugs, fad diet products, ineffective exercise gadgets, and life endangering pills, to try to manage their body weight.

So, a Hatha Yoga pill, with no side effects, would “sell like hot cakes.”

However, the Hatha Yoga pill is only part of my imagination and the dream of “couch potatoes.”

Yet, couch potatoes do not have to worry because Yoga is not physical fitness, but it is complete health on the physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional planes of existence.

The benefit of motivation from Yoga practice is what makes Yoga so different from all other health maintenance systems. Yoga can become a lifestyle because there is no torture.

Why do most diets fail? Why do most exercisers quit? Lack of motivation is the reason for diet and exercise failure. People already know they should eat better, walk more, exercise, and drink more water, but they need to maintain their level of motivation, without “burning out.”

In Yoga practice, positive energy is all around the classroom. Positive energy creates motivation and creates powerful visions of success. The next step is to believe the powerful visions of success, which you see.

Some people have a fear of success. Maybe they inherently feel a lack of self-worth, but Yoga also works on improving this aspect of life. It is normal for people to feel apprehensive about change, but change is often one of the gateways to success.

Lastly, regular Hatha Yoga practice will lower stress levels, allowing you to sleep better, and feel energized the next morning. No wonder Yoga teachers and students are so full of motivation.

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA; just 20 minuts north of Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.

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Friday, May 25, 2007

The Purpose of Yoga - Spiritual Health for All Faiths

By Paul Jerard

Recently, a Christian-based Yoga class, taught by Sylvia DiLorenzo, was banned from a Roman Catholic Church, in South Fort Myers, Florida. Based upon a story by “The News-Press,” it seems that Yoga classes were taking place in an adjoining chapel, which was going to be converted to an activity center at Blessed Pope John XXIII Church.

The following is an account, which was posted by The News-Press, on March 31, 2007.

“In the past few weeks, a couple of people have accosted the yoga practitioners, accusing them of evil-doing, and the leader of the Catholic Church in Southwest Florida has banned the classes.
An unidentified woman stumbled upon a Friday morning class and was incensed to see Yoga in a church, DiLorenzo said.

The woman returned the next Monday, armed with holy water that she sprinkled on the participants, as they started their class.”

Before the Yoga class, the woman with the Holy Water, and her companion, handed out leaflets to inform parishioners of how Yoga is “Anti-Christian.” Strangely, none of the 65 parishioners, who attended Yoga classes, knew this woman.

Well, that gives a new spin on the concept of Christian Yoga. Would you think that giving, loving kindness, and forgiving, could be banned?

Think again - There are some interesting, but intolerant descriptions of Yoga, which religious fundamentalists use to describe it. The words they use to describe Yoga are: Cult, occult, and evil.

Based upon differing accounts of the same story, the Bishop’s reasons for banning the class remain unclear. He may have wanted to diffuse a volatile situation or he may have objected to the exact location of the classes. We may never know his exact reasons.

So, this looks like a clear victory for religious fundamentalism. All you have to do is make a “scene” at somebody else’s church, and you can have their activities banned.

Wrong - According to The News-Press: “Gateway Trinity Lutheran Church invited DiLorenzo to expand the Yoga program, she was teaching there, by bringing her Blessed Pope John classes.”

Apparently, this leaves the door open for these Roman Catholic parishioners to join the Lutheran Church. Open minded people see the benefits of Yoga practice. If you are not sure about your religion, I guess you could blame it all on Yoga.

It gives you something to think about, on many levels.

Long-term Yoga practice will result in good health, ethical behavior, giving, and a deeper spiritual connection with God, but Yoga practitioners come from all religions. If we condemn every thought, which does not agree with strict dogma, we can start “Witch Hunting” again.

Since I am a practicing Christian: Will somebody tell me where the real Anti-Christian Yoga class takes place? I have yet to meet the evil doing Yogis.

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.

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Thursday, May 24, 2007

The Purpose of Yoga - Peacefully Co-Existing With Others

By Paul Jerard

Yoga has always contained ethical guidelines and methods for people to co-exist in harmony.

The Yamas and Niyamas have changed a little over time, but the guidelines are there to keep humankind in place.

How often do you hear the following statements? “Relationships are not what they used to be.”

“Dating is different nowadays.” “Nobody wants to make a commitment any more.”

Consider these words, “Children nowadays are tyrants. They contradict their parents, gobble their food, and tyrannize their teachers.” Does it sound like a 21st century problem? Guess who said those words? The answer is Socrates!

People have not really changed much over that past 2,000 years. The birth place of Yoga is India, which was, and is, heavily populated with people. It is said that in ancient times, the soil of the Indus River Valley was rich and produced heavily.

Yet, you must realize that crowds of people who live in the cities tend to be stressed. Stress is not something new to humankind and Yoga is the best answer for a holistic approach to life.

Cities, all around the world, and in general, have stressed populations in comparison to the countryside.

Mohandas Gandhi once said, “Interdependence is and ought to be as much the ideal of man as self-sufficiency. Man is a social being.”

His words are true, but what is the Yogic formula for peaceful co-existence? The following are some of Yoga’s solutions for peaceful co-existence between all people and all societies.

Rules: Since the beginning, man has needed them. Every culture has them, because ethical guidelines for all, do establish mutual respect within families, organizations, and governments.

The Yamas and Niyamas do not conflict with any religion or government.

Communication: When you combine mutual respect with communication, you display loving kindness. This has always been in short supply. Karma Yoga teaches you to give, but respect, courtesy, and showing appreciation to others, cost you nothing.

All you have to invest is time and take action. The positive results of your efforts will come back thousands of times. Every time mankind has “peace talks,” a little progress is made.

Tolerance: Unfortunately, there has always been a shortage of tolerance. Human beings have made a habit of killing the Enlightened, the Prophets, and the Saints. Use your best judgment and listen to your heart.

Except for self-defense - you know in your heart intolerance, and killing, for any reason, are morally wrong. Think upon this: If a Holy Man tells you to oppress or kill the innocent, he is not a Holy Man.

God does not discriminate, and God loves you, so do not listen to anyone who tells you to commit crimes “In the Name of God.”

Forgive: Start with forgiving yourself first. This is a very big step, but forgive others next; otherwise, you will become a prisoner to hate - and worse.

Pray: Talk to God and you will not be disappointed. Open your heart and your mind to God in prayer and meditation. Bhakti Yoga is the Yoga of devotion to God, which is no small matter.

Since the beginning, ancient man has struggled to define the creator of the universe. Thousands of years later, mankind is still struggling to define the creator of the universe. We have only our collective intelligence to define such power, so we are “handicapped.”

Yet, all religions and Yoga, teach us to peacefully co-exist with others.

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.

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Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Teaching Hatha Yoga - Yoga on the Ball

By Paul Jerard

Where did this ball come from? Is the stability ball a legitimate Yoga prop or just a marketing gimmick for equipment sales? Who could benefit from the use of the ball in a Yoga class? When can the stability ball fit into a Hatha Yoga class?

Where did this ball come from? Stability balls have been around since 1963, originating in Italy.

The first time I saw a stability ball, we called it a, “Swiss Ball.” Yet, the “Swiss Balls,” at that time, were all made in Italy. American Physical Therapists saw the ball, in use, within physical therapy Swiss units.

As a result, the ball was “nick named” the Swiss Ball by Americans for decades. The first balls we used at Aura Wellness Center were made by Gymnic Balls in Italy. We tried many brands, but my personal ball is an old Gymnic Ball, which has taken more abuse than it deserved.

Now, these balls are commonly referred to as stability balls, exercise balls, or balance balls.

They are used in physical therapy, Pilates, Yoga, and health clubs. Many elite and professional athletes use them for coordination.

Is the stability ball a legitimate Yoga prop or just an exercise marketing gimmick for equipment sales? Any piece of equipment can be termed an exercise marketing gimmick, but the stability ball has hundreds of uses.

In Yoga, you can perform a standing warm up, Sun Salutation, seated series, prone series, table series, supine on the ball series, and supine on the floor series.

Who could benefit from the use of the ball in a Yoga class? Beginners can use the stability ball for many poses. For example: In wheel posture (Chakrasana), holding this position is not for everyone, but the stability balls, and a wall, make it possible for everyone. With a stability ball, beginner Hatha Yoga students can gain the benefits of Chakrasana for minutes.

Just this one pose is fantastic for improving elasticity of the spine and your daily posture. It is also said that this posture gently stretches the heart, pancreas, liver, and kidneys.

Yet, this posture is classified as an inversion, and may not be advisable for Yoga students with high blood pressure. Students with back problems should get their doctor’s permission and study under the guidance of a competent Yoga teacher.

When can the stability ball fit into a Hatha Yoga class? To be completely safe, you should consult a physician before entering a Yoga class where Yoga postures or Yoga exercises are practiced.

The same warning applies to the use of a stability ball in any class.

With that said, Yoga ball videos are great for Yoga teachers, but can be risky for the unsupervised public. So, if you want to learn to use the stability ball in your Yoga practice, you should join a Yoga class and seek the guidance of a competent Yoga teacher.

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.

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Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Yoga for Mind - Body and Spirit

By Alister Bredee

It’s now 9 O’clock in the morning and already the sun is high in the tropical sky. Heavy bulbous clouds herald the possibility of a rain shower later in the day, but then it has not rained here for several days and the luxuriant tropical plants in the garden that nestles down to the sea are looking in need of water. I am standing beside a ‘sala’, which is Thailand is an open sided wooden building and this one is no more than ten metres from the sea. The warm Gulf of Thailand is lapping on the beach as I stand and watch a yoga class of half a dozen participants energetically practising the poses or ‘asanas’ that the teacher is urging them to try. It all looks very energising to me and they still have another hour of this practice which seems to create a serene inner strength.

Glowing slightly from the exertion, Janca from Breda in Holland tells me she has been coming to “The Health Oasis Resort’ in Koh Samui for the past two years. She comes to recharge her batteries and get fit and healthy for her career driven life back home. Every morning she joins several other guests in one and a half-hours of Hatha Yoga as part of her mental and spiritual de-tox programme. Before coming to Koh Samui she would never have dreamed of embracing this oriental exercise system. Now she participates in a class in her hometown and feels the regimen gets easier each time she returns to Thailand.

Yoga is a ‘Sanskrit’ word and it means ‘joining or uniting’. But joining or uniting with what?

Gavin Flood defines the practice as “technologies or disciplines of asceticism and meditation which are thought to lead to spiritual experience…..” However, outside of India Yoga has become associated as a form of stretching exercise and the philosophical aspect leading to spiritual enlightenment is oft times ignored. Certainly it is the exercise element of the philosophy that I have been witnessing in the wooden house beside the beach at Bang Po in Koh Samui.

Patanjeali is credited with the 196 aphorisms compiled somewhere between 200 BC and 300AD that have gone to formulate the creed that has become. ‘Yoga’ and his vision known as Raja Yoga embraces eight life areas that provide a template for leading a good and virtuous earthly existence. These tenets are similar to the laws and observances of all great spiritual traditions.

The devotee eschews lying, violence, theft, illicit sex and the need for possessions. Through the five observances he surrenders to God. The ‘asanas’ or postures were adopted as poses suitable for meditation that again like in many other traditions was a part of the discipline.

The mediation positions have evolved into the exercise postures that make up Hatha Yoga which came into being in fifteenth century India under the guidance of Yogi Swatmarama. The emphasis here dwells on enlightenment of the mind (ha) via purification on the physical plane through the medium of exercise, which leads to the increase of ‘prana’ or life force energy (tha).

“Prana’ is the key because as we increase the life force health and wellness and ultimately emotional well being come to the fore. People like Janca flock to 'spa’ type location such as the Health Oasis Resort in Thailand’s Koh Samui to achieve this increase in energy and well being, and yoga is one of the means of achieving that end.

Alister Bredee is a freelance author specializing in articles on health related topics. He is also a health care practitioner and trainer. He currently lives in Thailand and can be contacted via his website: http://www.healthambit.com He publishes a daily blog http://www.healthambit.blogspot.com

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Monday, May 21, 2007

Patenting Yoga - A Crime against Humanity

By Paul Jerard

What’s next; will we have to pay a toll to meditate? How can it be morally correct to gain a US patent on a 5,000 year old system founded in India? Who should have the right to claim Yoga?

What about the “cultural heritage of the Indian people?” It is obvious to see, Yoga is definitely part of the heritage of Indian culture.

Most of us believe that the theft of intellectual property is wrong, but let us combine this wrong, with theft of someone else’s cultural heritage for profit.

According to the Times of India, “The US Patent and Trademark office has reportedly issued 150 Yoga-related copyrights, 134 trademarks on Yoga accessories, and 2,315 Yoga trademarks.”

As a result, the Indian government has organized a group to gather Sanskrit and Tamil texts, which will catalog Yogic techniques and Ayurvedic medicine in multiple languages, to prevent patents of Yoga and Ayurveda. This action would make information about Yoga, and Ayurveda, more accessible to patent offices around the world.

What can happen if corporations buy up every Yoga technique? It seems silly to think about, but would we be obligated to pay royalties, or negotiate rights, to perform an Asana or Pranayama sequence?

One Yoga teacher, Bikram Choudhary, copyrighted a 26 Yoga posture (Asana) sequence, which he claimed as his own. Yet, most “hot Yoga” teachers, and hot Yoga studios, around the world, perform the same sequence, without paying him a dime. How do you police an Asana sequence?

Consider this: If you buy the patent to Brahmari Pranayama, how do you manage to keep track of who is performing it in every corner of the earth? The idea is ludicrous, and the patent is not really enforceable.

Yoga is a complex subject and some people are still trying to grasp what Yoga is. Some people think Yoga is exercise. I suppose you could patent an exercise, but it has never been a successful business strategy to patent an exercise.

Every time you trademark an exercise, another person will label it as something similar, but not the same. You cannot stop everyone in the world from doing push-ups because you bought the trademark and patent.

However, Yoga is not an exercise. Yoga is the unity of mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health, for the improvement of all mankind. Yoga is a philosophy, a science, a health maintenance system, and the “Mother of all self-improvement systems.” Yoga is just too vast a subject to try to own it.

The purchasing of Yoga patents is a lesson in futility. Should we buy patents for mantras, breathing, good posture, and eating right? Those are also valuable components of Yoga, but one component of Yoga is not all of Yoga. Yoga is composed of many parts.

Maharishi Patanjali wrote that Yoga is composed of eight limbs in his Yoga Sutras. There are also many more "smaller limbs," and many styles of Yoga.

According to Swami Ramdev, "Yoga can't be owned and run like a company. Since there are attempts to patent this tradition (of Yoga) in America, the Centre and Yoga organizations should take measures to prevent it."

He is not the only Guru who is disturbed by the patenting of Yoga. This is disturbing to every Yoga practitioner. So, what can the rest of us do about it? We can take action by writing, Emailing, and faxing our law makers.

Stop the foolishness – Say, “No,” to Yoga patents.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.

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Sunday, May 20, 2007

The Purpose of Yoga - Taking Control of Your Life

By Paul Jerard

Yoga teaches us how to make life changes from within. Within all Yoga styles are the tools of self-realization and transformation. Once a Yoga practitioner has managed to empower him or herself, a positive direction will become the easiest path to follow.

Everyone is subject to outside pressures, even adults. There is always somebody who is willing to give you advice you did not ask for. When we are children, we think that outside pressure will stop, when we are “grown up;” we will be independent and in control of our lives.

As young adults, we soon find out that we have limited control of our lives, when there is always someone to answer to, in the form of a parent, college professor, supervisor, customer, drill sergeant, or someone else. In fact, we have limited control because we do not control nature.

How can Yoga empower you to take control of your life? How can you stop others from attempting to control your life? Let’s look at how Yoga can help you to create your own manifestations and change your destiny for the best.

Do you ever have a co-worker who enjoys making others feel inferior? Consider this: We have to give permission to those who insult us, in order for them to make us feel less worthy. Without our permission, they hold no power over us.

If you believe that your existence is a problem, mistake, or error, then you really do have troubles. Self-doubt leads to self-defeat. Yet, all is not lost - because, in this case, the trouble can be found and purged from within you.

The solution to this problem is also within you. Once you understand that you have to respect your own self-image at all times, you will manifest positive energy from within. You must forgive yourself for past mistakes, make positive changes, and never speak poorly of yourself.

You will receive nothing by thinking less of yourself, and you will leave the door open for those who feel gratification in your unhappiness.

About people who want to control you: Remember the saying, “Just say, ‘No’.” Many people feel that life is not so simple, but “No” can be a powerful word, which prevents complications and trouble. You do not have to feel obligated to every request - just because somebody asks you.

This is not a “free pass” to refuse people in need, but you should use your best judgment about how you will spend your time and energy. Yogic philosophy teaches us to live in the moment, while performing acts of mindfulness, loving kindness, and forgiveness.

It is easy enough to waste time and energy, without experiencing peer pressure along the way. The correct path is universal, and your heart is your best guide.

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.

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Saturday, May 19, 2007

Managing Stress with Hatha Yoga

By Lydia Quinn

With its combination of exercise postures, also called asanas, meditation and breathing, yoga is a great way to help reduce and manage the stress in your life. While traditional yoga originating in India is very much a lifestyle and not simply a fitness program, there is one type of yoga that can be of great benefit to busy, stressed out people. Hatha yoga combines breathing techniques, meditation and yoga postures, and is perfect for anyone looking for help coping with the stress in their daily lives.

You can learn how to do yoga from a book, video, TV program or you can attend a yoga class. It is recommended that you try a yoga class first, so that you can learn the basics of how to do the postures, breath properly and also meditate. When learning on your own through a book or video, without having someone trained in yoga there, you may be at risk of hurting yourself by doing the postures incorrectly. It's great to start off with a yoga class and then move on to practicing yoga at home on your own.

A typical Hatha yoga session will include a dozen or more poses. Many classes will start beginners off with the corpse pose, which is a simple lying on the floor, completely relaxed pose.

The corpse, done properly, is most excellent for calming your mind.

Another important part of yoga is learning how to properly breath. Not just during the postures but while you are meditating. Typically, the yoga instructor will ask you to focus on your breathing, really paying attention to how you are doing it. One breathing technique will include breathing through just one nostril, which slows your breathing.

Hatha yoga can also involve the use of mental imagery while doing your postures and while meditating. One breathing technique includes imagining the air filling your lungs while you are taking a slow, deep breath. During meditation, you'll probably be given images to focus on, like the sun or the ocean.

Breathing exercises, mental imagery, meditation and postures are all effective in and of themselves for reducing stress, but combined together into a customized program for your needs, they are incredibly effective for managing and reducing your stress.

Effects Of Yoga
The positive health effects of yoga include reduced heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety reduction, better physical strength, improved flexibility, reduced muscle tension, greater peace and calmness, better ability to handle stressful situations, better and deeper sleep, slower aging, spiritual awareness and growth and even a greater overall sense of well being. There are many more benefits to yoga practice, reducing and managing stress is just one of them.

If you have a problem with stress in your life, and who doesn't, why not look into beginning yoga? It can improve your life as a whole.

Lydia Quinn writes for Attapinya, offering the finest quality in yoga bags, yoga jewelry and yoga accessories made using fair trade practices by talented artisans in Thailand. Visit us at: http://www.attapinya.com

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Friday, May 18, 2007

Learning To Love The Yoga We All Hate
By Jez Heath

Listen in to conversations after any yoga session, and we’re almost guaranteed to hear someone discussing this or that yoga pose that they hate and wish they never need to do again – ever.

But why is it that there are certain yoga poses that we just dread? We can feel them coming, and start to hope the instructor isn’t going to do it this time. Then we inwardly cringe when the instructor even mentions that posture’s name. Simply recognising our reaction and can tell us a great deal not only about our physical abilities but also a great deal about our character and our approach to difficulties, adversity and failure. We should all observe our approach to the poses we hate. Is our approach to put in little effort and avoid doing the pose properly or try to think more about why we dislike it, to figure out if we’re doing it wrong, or if we need to put in a little more effort to get past this challenge.

Whatever our approach to the poses we dislike, simply identifying which specific poses these are can tell us a lot about how to improve our practice.

It hurts too much – I don’t want to do it.For most of us at least, the resistance to the pose doesn’t really have anything to do with the technicalities of the pose – it’s just about ourselves.

The biggest resistance to trying a pose is because we know its going to hurt and challenge us.

Some of the most dreaded poses are those that require back muscle strength, since these are some of our least developed and worked muscles groups. As soon as we lie down on our stomachs, we start to dread the muscle burn that is about to come.

But if a pose is hurting because our muscles are too weak, then the only way to get past it is to work those muscles and strengthen them. If a pose is hurting because of the stretch, then the only way to get past it is to relax, extend and stretch those muscles and joints. With a little work we will eventually overcome that particular challenge, and something else will become our new dreaded pose.

It’s too difficult, I just can’t do it.Another common reason for wishing to avoid certain poses is because we’re convinced it’s too difficult for us. But for basic and intermediate poses, there are very few poses that are so difficult that we just can do them. Fair enough doing the full pose as the instruction directs may be beyond your current abilities, but with effective instruction, you should be able to find part of the pose, or a variation of the full pose that you can attempt. If we can’t manage a full unsupported backbend, then it's a supported backbend or a more gentle backward stretch.

They call it a yoga practice
Whatever our reasons for disliking a pose, avoiding the pose completely is certainly not going to help in any way. If we don't try to make the pose today, we certainly won't be able to do it tomorrow either. Only by recognising our boundaries and limits of our abilities can work at extending those boundaries, only by extending our boundaries do we develop and improve our yoga – or anything else in life. Trying, trying properly and trying frequently are all essential elements of our development. No-one can be expected to be a master of every pose, we all have areas we can work on. With quick look around your yoga studio you see people that are good at forward bends, those that are good at back bends, those that have open hips and those that have strong upper body and arms. Its rare to find people that are equally good at every aspect.

And nobody is perfect, the finished article – that’s why we call it a yoga practice.

As clichéd as it sounds, yoga really is a journey of discovery and development, physically, mentally and if you allow it, spiritually. The first big step in our development journey is understanding our abilities are right now. By bringing awareness to our practice we can start to know where our limitations are and focus on those areas as key development points within a balanced practice. This is the start of the journey. The rest of the journey is the continued and systematic extension of those boundaries. And the destination, the goal of all this effort? The ongoing and continued improvement of our physical, mental and spiritual health.

To find out how we can provide the high quality yoga instruction you need to help you on your yoga journey, learn more aboutyoga streaming video

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jez Heath is helping real people learn yoga online so they can make the commitment necessary to improve their yoga and their health - mind, body and soul. Learn how yoga streaming video can help you transform your life

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Thursday, May 17, 2007

The Purpose of Yoga - Overcoming Fear

By Paul Jerard

Could Yoga really empower you enough to conquer your worst fears? Very few people are able to overcome fear, without a serious effort. Fear holds us still, stifles our progress, and distorts our view of reality. Worse yet, some of our fears stem from childhood - whether they are rooted in reality or not.

Yoga offers every practitioner the gateway to self-realization. This newfound awareness allows anyone the opportunity to help focus his or her mind. In turn, a focused mind can separate fact from fiction - much easier than a confused mind.

This Yogic formula is a logical and rational method for determining imagined fears from justified fear, but fear can take on many different forms. Phobias, panic disorders, and anxiety attacks, are various types of fear, which are commonly stress related.

Every day, we fear poverty, the loss of a job, or the loss of a relationship, but sometimes there is no real danger or logical reason for feelings of intense fear, which can take a toll on our health.

Our imagination can be a powerful tool toward success in life or the creator of panic attacks, without reason.

Yoga offers many solutions for stilling the mind. The first of these is Pranayama (Yogic breath techniques). Breath is the primary link between mind and body. One of the first techniques Yoga students learn in a class is natural breath.

For adult Yoga students, this means unlearning the short “half breath,” which most adults unconsciously practice from the diaphragm to the mouth. Natural breath can be started as an inhale (through the nose), at the bottom of the lungs, expanding upward through the chest, and finally finishing as an exhale through the nose, while the stomach collapses, at the same time.

This same breathing technique can be commonly observed in infants. During natural breath, the stomach expands during an inhale and collapses during the exhale. When adults relearn this breathing technique, the positive result of tranquility is often felt within minutes. Some adult Yoga students start to feel consistently more relaxed after a short session of natural breath.

This is just one of many Yogic methods, which can be practiced for better mental focus and to still the mind. The benefits of focusing the mind, through Yoga practice, are unlimited. Yoga offers a “chemical free” option for people to empower themselves and move toward accomplishments, success, and achievements.

However, the origin of a solution, to overcoming fear, lies in the individual’s desire to take action in his, or her, best interest. If a person chooses not to help him or herself, no solution, not even Yoga, will help.

Worry, fear, stress, and anxiety, are ingredients which work together to drain life energy from all of us. If we allow worry, fear, stress, and anxiety, to control our lives, we can create a negative cycle of energy which will shorten our life spans. Yoga offers solutions to all of these problems - without side effects.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.

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Tuesday, May 15, 2007

How Yoga Can Help You?
By Bill Purnell

Yoga has many benefits for its users. Physically there are several disorders that can benefit from the cleansing practices of yoga. However, yoga is also aimed as uniting the mind, body and the spirit which helps to provide many other therapeutic benefits of yoga. Consider just a few areas where yoga has proven to be extremely helpful. The various positions used in yoga call upon various joints to be used that have hardly been exercised or even noticed. Working these joints during yoga exercise can help increase an individuals flexibility.

While working the joints, yoga positions are very good exercise for the tendons and ligaments.

Even parts of the body you aren’t actively working on will benefit from the flexible yoga positions. Through yoga exercise you can help increase the lubrication of your joints, ligaments and tendons.During an individuals lifetime there are several organs of the body that don’t get external stimulation. Yoga is possibly the only form of exercise that helps massage all the internal glands and organs of the body through the various positions. The various body parts receive some form of wholesome exercise from yoga which helps keep away diseases and help individuals to tell when their body is likely to be experiencing the onset of a disease or disorder.

Stretching during yoga exercise allows the muscles, joints and various organs of the body to be massaged which helps all part of the body receive their optimum blood supply. This increased supply of blood will help take the toxins out of a persons body and bring nourishment to all parts of the body. Benefits of this blood flow can include a slowed aging process, increased energy and a healthier mental outlook on life. Although yoga is not a strenuous exercise it offers an excellent way to tone the muscles. Any flaccid or weak muscles can be toned easily with yoga which can help to shed excess pounds and tighten the appearance of the skin which leads to a more youthful appearance. This proves that yoga has benefits both on the outside as well as the inside.

When you compare the benefits between yoga and regular exercise you can easily see how yoga is the better option when it comes to choosing a way to maintain a healthy body and mind. Yoga focuses on the parasympathetic nervous system while other forms of exercise typically focus on the sympathetic nervous system. This difference allows yoga to focus on the sub-cortical regions of the brain while other forms focus only on the cortical regions of the brain.

Yoga focuses on using slow dynamic and static movements to gain benefits while most other forms of exercise call for rapid and forceful movements which can lead to health issues if done improperly. Yoga leads to a normalization of muscle tone while exercise increases the muscle tension.

The positions of yoga provide a way of exercise that has a low risk of injuring your muscles and ligaments while on the other hand many other forms of exercise can have a higher risk of injury especially if they are done improperly. With yoga you focus on a low caloric consumption, but with other forms of exercise you need a moderate to high caloric consumption to keep up your energy for your workout.

The process of yoga requires minimal effort and allows a relaxed method of exercising your body. Many other forms of exercise require a maximum of effort with a high-strung feeling.

Through the natural and controlled breathing of yoga you finish the routine feeling energized while the taxed breathing of other forms of exercise will often leave you feeling fatigued.

Yoga is a noncompetitive, process-oriented method of exercising your body. It focuses on a balanced activity of opposing muscle groups and focuses on internal awareness through breathing. The growth for your self-awareness is limitless with yoga. Rather other forms of exercise are usually competitive and goal-oriented while having an imbalanced activity focused on opposing muscle groups. The external awareness is the focus of these forms of exercise as a result of the goal-oriented approach and there is the factor that you will soon become bored with the methods used in these types of exercise.

James Arnett is a free lance writer who is committed to providing readers with accurate information on health related topics such as weight loss,general nutrition and alternative lifestyle options Site: http://aceyoga.com/

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Monday, May 14, 2007

The Purpose of Yoga- The Change We Wish to See

By Paul Jerard

One common thread among all Yoga practitioners is the desire to make the world around them a better place to live on all levels. Many Yoga teachers volunteer community time in selfless service or contribute to local charities.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi once said, “We must be the change we wish to see.” What are the deeper implications and universal meanings of these words? You could spend years analyzing the words of Mahatma Gandhi. In a Yoga class, he is often mentioned as the “shining example” of a Karma Yogi.

Now let’s reflect on his inspiring words and apply them to the present. We live at a time when change must be accepted, but some of us resist change, even in the face of disaster.
As one example: Look at the lack of human action, with the inevitable consequences of global warming right in our path. We cannot leave the responsibility of changing our planet up to governments, corporate empires, or somebody else.

Global warming, tolerance, poverty, world peace, and hunger concern all of us, but we have to focus on these issues at the “grass roots” level, for change to happen. One person alone cannot make a significant impact on these problems, but a collective human intelligence, in the form of a charitable organization, can make huge progress.

Therefore, seek out a charity, which contributes to the benefit of humanity, animals, or the planet. You do not have to give money, when you have none, but you can volunteer your services. When it comes to giving to charity, you give only what you can realistically afford to share.

Some people say, “I will give some day, when I have enough money.” This is a conditional relationship toward humanity. Imagine placing this condition on friendship: “I will be your friend, but you must make the first move.” If all of us thought this way, we would have no friends, and it would be a very hostile world.

Luckily, most people are inherently good, but cruelty always makes the headlines of newspapers, radio, television, and the Internet. Be careful not to be swept up in a polarization of issues, when you watch the news. Life is not so clear that we can define it simply as a struggle between good and evil.

Sometimes, good people fight each other on the battlefield, because they have been polarized into a conflict based on an idea, philosophy, or dogma, which defines the other side as less than human or inferior.

When you listen to a story about a conflict of any kind, do not be in a hurry to judge, pick sides, or jump to conclusions. When you choose a charity, to help or support, make sure it does contribute to the common good of humanity.

One of the changes we wish to see is a better world for our children and grandchildren. Yoga, and Yoga meditation, develop steadiness of mind, which will result in seeing clearly under stressful conditions.

Perhaps, the knowledge of Yoga, the positive results it brings, and its growth, on a global scale, is the most important change we have seen because Yoga can create a better world for our descendants.

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Sunday, May 13, 2007

The Purpose of Yoga - Problem Solving Skills

By Paul Jerard

The most common reaction to any problem is to say, “Why me?” This is a normal response to the many problems, which overwhelm us. If you could handle every problem calmly, without anxiety, and make the best decisions “under fire,” all the time, you would either be very lucky or an enlightened soul.

So, what is the answer to solving life’s many problems? Firstly, people who consistently solve difficult problems remain calm, even when everyone around them is in “panic mode.” A person, who can react calmly in the face of danger, while everyone else is filled with panic, has a trained mind.

Such a person may never have practiced Yoga at all, but a self-disciplined mind is not a coincidence. A self-disciplined mind develops from training - whether it is martial arts, military training, Zen, Yoga, a school of meditation, or something similar. The results are a trained mind that can perform under pressure.

In Yoga, many Yogic techniques are, in fact, tools to train the mind. Most people think of meditation for training the mind, but Pranayama, Japa, and Asana, train the mind, as well. Yet, why should you go through the trouble of disciplining your mind?

Each problem contains hidden opportunities for those who do not panic. The trouble is reacting, and thinking rationally, within a limited amount of time. Many people are consumed with competitive drive and “getting to the next level.”

Problems are your best opportunity to rise to the next level. If you make the “correct move,” due to rational thinking, you are on the right path, but sometimes failures reveal life’s more important lessons. Setbacks can be some of our best teachers. Yoga teaches us to accept what we cannot change, but we can definitely change ourselves from within.

We can change, adapt, and learn new life skills. We can survive challenging situations and create from what we learn along the way. We can redefine and empower ourselves.

When you go about your life, every intersection you see was designed and improved by a previous traveler. Mistakes, problems, and failures, have built the world we know today, because our species learned, and documented past its mistakes.

When you practice Pranayama, do you realize how many mistakes must have occurred over 5,000 years of research? If you push your body beyond the natural limits, something has to give.

So, if you take the time to study a problem, look for a documented solution, first. Why should you “reinvent the wheel?” Always learn from someone else’s mistakes, when possible. Life is much less painful, when you listen to advice and choose your path wisely.

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.

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Saturday, May 12, 2007

The Purpose of Yoga - Solutions for Depression

By Paul Jerard

Coping with depression is not easy, and severe depression is truly a “tough road to travel.” Yet, Yoga contains many alternative methods to lift your spirits beside “Laughter Yoga.” Hatha Yoga has many aspects, which will aid anyone in times of depression. A Yoga teacher is not a substitute for a psychiatrist, but Yoga practice is beneficial for a holistic approach to mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional health.

One way to lift your spirits is to practice Yoga postures (asanas), which will raise your endorphin levels. Endorphins are hormone-like substances. Endorphins naturally occur, within your body, containing amino acids, which attach to receptors, and stop pain signals to the brain.

Chocolate could also raise your endorphin levels, but chocolate should be consumed in moderation. Otherwise, over consumption of chocolate, which contains plenty of fat, may result in taking on the shape of a truffle.

Attending regular Yoga classes will keep your mind, body, emotions, and spirit, occupied, while doing constructive tasks. This will draw the positive energy of your Yoga teacher and the class into your being. If you cannot find a Yoga class with the level of positive energy you desire, keep looking because there are many different types of Yoga.

The socialization factor, which occurs before, during, and after a Yoga class, will also take your mind off your problems. Many people benefit emotionally through social activities. The entire structure of a Yoga class allows you to purge negative energy from the core of your being.

If you feel depressed often, self-analysis may not be in your best interest. Your therapist, close friends, and family will most likely be your best “sounding boards.” It is very unhealthy to keep your emotions “locked up.”

Therefore, you may have to allow yourself to cry. Believe me - it is not comfortable for any of us to cry, so you may want some solitary time to purge your body and mind by crying. When we lose a loved one, most of us cannot stop crying. Regardless of the problem, crying is a temporary release. We cannot cry forever, but crying can help.

In Bhakti Yoga (Union by devotion to God), we learn to open the connection to God. There are sectarian Yoga classes for every religion on earth. Regardless of your particular religion - prayer, devotion to God, and giving to others, will help you.

When you feel sorry for yourself, look at the poor, and see what you can do to help. Even if all you can give is your time, you are helping someone who needs it. You will suddenly feel better because your acts of kindness are appreciated.

You can visit a temple, shrine, church, mosque, synagogue, or “Holy Ground,” to realize how you might be able to help others. Helping others is one of the most uplifting tasks you will ever do, because you will feel self-worth and gratification.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.

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Friday, May 11, 2007

Have a Laugh with Laughter Yoga!

By Doug Dvorak

Laughter Yoga is a physically-oriented technique that uses a perfect blend of playful, empowering and otherwise tension-releasing laughter and breathing exercises. These exercises are simple, structured, and based on the philosophy of acting happiness. They are appropriate and beneficial for all, regardless of their cognitive, sensorial or motor abilities - limitations You do not need to have a sense of humor, be happy or have any reason to laugh. Laughter is the Best Medicine! Humans were designed to laugh. Laughter is nature's stress buster. It lifts our spirits with a happy high that makes us feel good and improves our behavior towards others. Just a few generations ago happy healthy humans spent 20 minutes a day or more in laughter.

Now adult daily laugh time is down to 5 minutes or less in many countries. This is one of the worst aspects of modern life.

Laugh yourself healthy: we all know that laughter makes us feel good. A regular 20 minute laughter session can have a profound impact on our health and well being. Laughter is gentle exercise. It fills your lungs and body with oxygen, deep-clears your breathing passages and exercises your lungs. This is really important for people who don't get regular aerobic exercise.

When we laugh our bodies release a cocktail of hormones & chemicals that have startling positive effects on our system. Stress is reduced, blood pressure drops, depression is lifted, your immune system is boosted & more. Western science is just starting to discover the great effects of laughter.

What Are Laughter Clubs?
Laughter Clubs are fully independent, not-for-profit, non-political, non-religious and non competitive community-based associations of diverse people where all are welcome regardless of gender, age, physical abilities, social or economic backgrounds. They practice the Laughter Yoga method of Laughing for no reason as a form of exercise. There are currently over 5000 Laughter Clubs in 53 countries. Each club defines its own meeting frequency. People attend for various reasons.

These include and are not limited to:
health improvement, learn to better manage stress and/or anger issues, boost happiness, foster inner peace, overcome sadness and depression, break social isolation and create new friendships, improve and-or eliveate the discomfort of specific physical challenges and play and have fun in a safe and non-competiitive environment.

So don't delay and join a Laughter Yoga Club today, you will feeling the health benefits during the first few minutes of the clubs session!

Doug Dvorak is the CEO of DMG Inc., a worldwide organization that assists clients with productivity training, corporate humor and workshops, as well as other aspects of sales and marketing management. Mr. Dvorak's clients are characterized as Fortune 1000 companies, small to medium businesses, civic organizations and service businesses. Mr. Dvorak has earned an international reputation for his powerful educational methods and motivational techniques, as well as his experience in all levels of business, corporate education and success training. http://www.dougdvorak.com

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Thursday, May 10, 2007

The Purpose of Yoga- Enhanced Intelligence

By Paul Jerard

Is your intelligence quotient “carved in stone?” Some researchers might believe it, but we know if a person makes up his or her mind to learn, this same person will become more intelligent.

The idea of enhanced intelligence comes with the desire to change, learn, and achieve.

Did you realize that low levels of oxygen can result in brain deterioration? Your brain, and vital organs, need rich supplies of oxygen. Yogic breathing techniques (Pranayama), especially deep breathing techniques, will increase the dosage of oxygen to the brain.

This might make you consider Udgeeth Pranayama, Bastrika Pranayama, Abdominal Breathing, Brahmari Pranayama, Dirgha Pranayama, Ujjayi Pranayama, Nadi Shodhana Pranayama, Kapalabhati Pranayama, and “Breath of Fire,” in a different way. Maybe the “ancients” were on to something with 5,000 years of Yoga and Pranayama research.

Sorry to say this, but only an uneducated person would refuse to breathe correctly for a better quality life and a marginal increase in brain power. If you have decided to breathe deeper, from this point on, you have already enhanced your intelligence.

Meditation is taught in all forms of Yoga. Meditation increases concentration and allows the mind to relax. The first requirement of meditation is to keep the spine straight. After that, a mindful meditation session, focusing on breath awareness, would give your brain many benefits and enhance your intelligence.

A healthy body is one of Hatha Yoga’s main objectives, and we all know that a healthy body has a symbiotic relationship with a healthy mind. Consider the opposite: If you have a severe headache, can you focus, concentrate, and solve problems quickly? Why not? Is it because all you can think of is pain?

Your body and mind are linked, whether you like it or not, so you have to take care of both.

Hatha, Kundalini, and Raja Yoga contain postures (Asanas), which develop a healthy body.

When you connect the power of Asana, with Pranayama, and meditate, you have made a wise choice toward mental health, physical health, and enhancing your intelligence.

After all this nurturing of body and mind, you may want to meditate before bedtime. You could start with a ten minute session of breath awareness, good thought, and mindfulness.

The results will be that you sleep better and your dreams will be better. That’s right – If you think good thoughts during meditation, at night, your dreams tend to be good ones.

When you wake up the next morning, your intelligence must be enhanced, with all of the educated choices you made the day before. At the very least, you will wake up with the power of Yoga in your heart and your mind.

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Monday, May 07, 2007

The Purpose of Yoga - Yogic Stress Management

By Paul Jerard

Have you ever noticed that people who exercise regularly have more energy, less stress, and seem to get more done in a day than those who do not have the time for exercise? Why does exercise increase your energy level, and how is it possible to be more productive in less time?

As you know, Yoga is more than an exercise; but you will discover solutions for stress management within and any form of Yoga – even the less physical styles. In fact, Yoga is a lifestyle full of methods to relieve you from stress.

People often say they have no time for meditation, breathing correctly (Pranayama), eating correctly, good hygiene, good posture (asanas), giving to others, or praying to God. Most Yoga teachers do not cover all of these Yogic aspects, within their classes, but some do.

The masses have no time for Yoga, or improving their life, but they are full of stress, anxiety, and bad feelings, because they are reacting to life. Yoga practitioners have a pro-active lifestyle, which is much similar to the person who wakes up early to exercise, walk, or run in the early morning.

Most people are reacting to deadlines at work, and home, every day. People often worry about lack of income, finances, and their relationships, because they do not have a plan and see no solution to the never ending cycle of excessive stress.

All of this worrying, stress, anxiety, and lack of positive action, contribute to a variety of ailments, poor quality life, and premature death. So, how does a “stressed out” person begin to design a plan to change his or her lifestyle, before it “gets cut short” by stress?

There are many places to go, and the solutions do not have to take place all at the same time. Writing a list, of what bothers you, is a start. You could list the problems on the left side of your sheet and list possible solutions on the right side of the sheet.

To be honest, Yoga could be the solution to most of your problems, but you have to take action.

You have to want to take action, and move in a positive direction for your complete health. Your local Yoga or wellness center probably has most, or all, of the solutions you seek, “under one roof.”

So, why does exercise increase your energy level and how is it possible to be more productive in less time? About increasing productivity: A “spark” of energy from Yoga exercise (Asanas), Sun Salutations, meditation, or Pranayama, in the early morning, will create a positive flow of energy within your body, mind, and spirit, for the rest of the day.

Some would say a coffee will do the same thing. However, if you are not exercising, excessive amounts of coffee will usually cause more stress and anxiety. The body is “screaming” for some form of exercise, if it is full of energy and you sit down all day. If you are exercising regularly, moderate amounts of coffee should be fine.

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Sunday, May 06, 2007

Improving Your Life With Yoga

By Lydia Quinn

You've probably heard all about Yoga and may even know someone who practices it. Just what are the benefits of practicing Yoga and what exactly is it?

Yoga is one of six schools in Hindu philosophy, mainly focusing on helping the individual to meditate and travel a path of self-realization. However, outside of India, Yoga is more often linked with the practice of asanas, which are postures. These postures, as well as meditation, form the basis of what Western culture considers modern Yoga.

Here are some of the many ways you can improve your life with Yoga:

Weight Loss

Some Yoga postures can help to stimulate glands that moderate the body's hormone levels. The thyroid gland, in particular, can be stimulated with certain shoulder based postures. The thyroid gland is important in activating the body's metabolism, which is essential for weight loss. Yoga can also have a calming effect, and can relieve anxieties associated with overeating. In addition, breathing exercises integrated with Yoga practice have been shown in studies to balance the body's acidity, which is also essential for health and proper weight loss.

Flexibility

Most Yoga postures help to increase the body's overall flexibility due to the amount of stretching and pulling involved.

Strength

When practicing a balanced Yoga routine, the body will gradually gain strength. Certainly not the type of strength you get from lifting weights, but Yoga helps your strength and stamina nonetheless.

Health

Studies have shown that consistent Yoga practice can lower your blood sugar, lower your cholesterol, decrease white blood cells, increase the body's thyroxin and vitamin C as well as offer a host of other health benefits.

Stress Management

Proper Yoga practice requires proper breathing exercises as well as regular meditation. Meditation itself has been shown to decrease blood pressure, stress, headaches and other physical and mental health problems.

Sleep Benefits

Practicing Yoga as well as meditation and proper breathing can also benefit your sleep patterns. You may get better, deeper sleep and wake more refreshed.

Balance

Yoga asanas are very balanced in the way they stretch, pull and work your muscles. Physically, your body will be in better balance as a result of practicing Yoga regularly. However, your mind may also be more balanced. You'll be more calm and relaxed under stress, as well as, less anxious. The breathing exercises associated with Yoga practice also play a large part in the body's balance.

Pain Management

There are books about relieving back pain and pain from other injuries that outline specific Yoga asanas designed to target and align the back muscles and bones. Many people get relief from nagging back pain or injury when they practice Yoga.

These are just some of the many benefits of practicing Yoga, so get down to your local Yoga class and start improving your life with Yoga.

Lydia Quinn writes for Attapinya, offering the finest quality in yoga bags, yoga jewelry and yoga accessories made using fair trade practices by talented artisans in Thailand.

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Saturday, May 05, 2007

What Is Mantra? It Is Not What You Are Thinking! Read On...

By Marcello Oliveira

MantraSacred sound, rhythm, word of power.Verb capable of catalyzing mind into material, emotion into action!Vibration that transmutes,evolves and metamorphasizes.Sound of the subtle nature.Cosmic sound that potentializes.Sound that, produced by a yôgin, harmonizes everything.

Sound that shakes your interior and reorganizes your molecules.Sound that generates resonance in your heartand makes your soul profoundly loyal.

This is mantra!

Mantra can be translated as vocalization. It is composed of the root man (to think) + the suffix tra (instrument). This semantic construction is significant seeing as the mantra is frequently used to attain a state of “suppression of the instability of consciousness,” referred to as linear intuition or … meditation!

Mantra can be any sound, syllable, word, phrase or text that holds a specific power. For this reason, it is fundamental that it pertains to a dead language in which the meanings and pronunciations do not suffer from the erosion of regionalisms, trends and other forms of constant alterations that occur during the natural evolution of any living languages. Where Yôga is concerned, only the Sanskrit language is accepted. From it, the mantras in our repertory have been extracted. These mantras should not be mixed with mantras of other languages or traditions.

There are mantras for facilitating concentration and meditation, mantras to calm and to energize, to sleep and to wake, to increase breathing and educate one’s diction, to develop chakras and awaken the kundaliní, to better one’s health. mantra is used to apply a vibration of ultra sound when unobstructing the nádís, which are the meridians through which prána circulates in our physical and energetic bodies. In most people, such nádís are obstructed by bad eating habits that clog them in the same form that arteries are clogged. They may also become clogged by bad emotional habits, opening the door for an enormous variety of inferior, heavy and viscous sentiments.

To develop chakras, mantras act by way of resonance. It is the same phenomenon that one observes when two string instruments are tuned and afterward when one is played a certain distance from the other, the second plays by itself out of sympathy. In the same way, if we are able to reproduce ultra sounds related to the tune the chakras, they will react to this kind of stimulus.

In India, some Masters of mantras become furious when those from the West ask them in which musical note this or that mantra should be executed.

- Mantra is not music! - They yell at them, and rightly so. Having made it very clear that mantra is not music, but rather ultra sounds emitted simultaneously with audible sounds, keep in mind that the following sounds act on certain chakras: LAM acts on the múládhára chakra; VAM on the swádhisthána; RAM on the manipura; YAM on the anáhata; HAM on the vishuddha and ÔM acts on both the ájña and the sahásrara chakras. However, one must also keep in mind that these mantras resolve absolutely nothing if the practitioner has no a certified instructor or a Master that, beyond emitting each one, is available to correct the vocalizations.

Want to get more than 30 original Mantra lyrics. Visit our blog!

Article written by Marcello Oliveira, Instructor of SwáSthya, The Ancient Yôga and member of The International University of Yôga.
http://ancientyoga.blogspot.com/

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