By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

You have become a Yoga teacher. You have developed a following of Yoga students, and now you are prepared to spend your life savings on your dream Yoga studio. Before you sign a lease on your Yoga studio, take the time to read the following tips.

Did you ever wonder why small businesses fail within months of opening? Here is some valuable information for any Yoga teacher, who is thinking about signing a Yoga studio lease. It may save you a few thousand dollars and plenty of potential heartache.

The days of hanging a shingle outside your Yoga studio, without bureaucracy, are over. Consider the latest fire, building, electrical, and handicapped codes; unless you are a general contactor, you are not familiar with them.

Remember that most landlords do not want to pay for bringing your Yoga studio up to code. The landlord does want you to sign on the dotted line, quickly, so you will have a contractual obligation for a lease payment each month.

However, if your space is not up to code, or zoned properly, you could be closed by your town or city before you can say, “Grand Opening.” Here is a small sampling of what standards new Yoga businesses are expected to meet before opening day.

Fire Code will require you to have alarms, extinguishers, exit signs, exit lights, and possibly, sprinklers. The local Fire Marshall will inspect your Yoga studio before you teach one Yoga class.

Electrical Code has changed considerably, with all of the appliances that run off electricity. If your amp service is low, you will be required to replace it, with a bigger amp service, and the wiring may also have to be replaced.

Handicapped accessibility can break a business before it starts. Locally, a new business paid out nearly $90,000 for handicapped accessible ramps that are constructed around the circumference of the building. These ramps have been installed for two years, and not one customer has ever used them. The door frames may have to be made wider, the bathrooms may have to be expanded, and you may have to install a handicapped accessible elevator.

Zoning is how your business is classified. A Yoga studio is a place of assembly and will not get by, without a new zoning classification, in a former gas station. You will have to meet more safety requirements because it is a place of assembly.

Building Codes require you to have all the necessary permits to have work performed by professional tradesmen, a general contactor, or an architect. The local building inspector has a good grasp of all current codes.

I can hear you saying, “This is not my building and it is not morally my responsibility.” You are correct, but the law does not care, unless the wording of your lease protects you. The wording of the lease usually protects the landlord only. The city or town just wants somebody to bring the Yoga studio up to current code. Below are some solutions that will save you a lot of money and problems.

Consult an attorney who specializes in “commercial real estate law.” You need a legal specialist, therefore, avoid a “Jack of all trades.” Compared to what you could pay by bringing a Yoga studio up to code, a competent attorney is worth every penny you spend. Your first consultation is usually free, and you will want to have your Yoga studio lease thoroughly reviewed before you sign.

Do your homework on each potential location. Contact the building inspector, or planning board, before signing an agreement. Do not consider an “end around” the local building inspector. If you try, you will be closed, and your Yoga studio may never “get off the ground.”

The potential to run into a legal trap, while launching your Yoga studio, is now clearer to see. Most Yoga teachers are very giving, trusting, and ethical people. The above-mentioned “trap” is not ethical, but it is legal.

© Copyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
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By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Prana, which is also known as vital energy, is in the air, our bodies, and objects around us. One of my students remarked that Prana could not be in his Yoga mat, since it was an inanimate object.

After all, his Yoga mat was not a living being, so how could it contain Prana? How could ancient Yogis know of the existence of Prana about 5,000 years ago?

We cannot visibly see vital energy? None of us can see the mind create ideas either. Yet the mind creates ideas, and we put them into action, with our voice and hands. So, Prana is not an object.

We cannot see a Yoga mat move, but it is moving all the time – at the atomic level. In fact, your Yoga mat is full of open space at the atomic level. Electrons are flying around in many open spaces within your Yoga mat.

On the other hand, we are born, live, and die, on planet Earth, a moving object, which does not appear to be moving at all. The universe is infinitely vast and infinitely small, at the same time. Prana is the power behind the perpetual movement of the universe. We now know that the universe is moving at every level.

Within Prasna Upinshad, Chapter 2, Verse 5, Prana is described in this way:
“It burns as fire. It is the sun, rain, Indra, wind, earth, and it is food. It is the luminous god. It is being and non-being. It is immortality.” To go a bit further on this point, you can see Prana is a power that is everywhere, is not an object, and apparently is difficult for the human mind to define.

We are smug and take our ability to learn for granted. At the touch of our finger tips, the Internet gives us much more access to knowledge than ancient Yogis had in all of their scriptures, and in any other scriptures that existed, on earth, at that time.

However, the ancient Yogis took the time to observe nature and the cosmos. They were in tune with their surroundings and the natural laws of the universe. The ancient Yogis did not have to waste their time with spam and disinformation. Achievements and mistakes are always made, but they documented them, so we could learn from them.

Without tools, computers, or machines, Pranayama is a method to alter Prana at a level, in which the human mind can easily comprehend. Pranayama is Yoga’s answer to regulating Prana, with the breath.

In Yoga, Pranayama can be used to heal in times of need. Pranayama is useful for stress, grief, anxiety, nervousness, and many more ailments, which plague mankind, but Pranayama should be learned with the guidance of a competent Yoga teacher.

For physical health, Pranayama is the most important of Hatha Yoga’s many methods.

© Copyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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Become a Yoga Teacher
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Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/docs/Yoga-in-Practice-eBook.pdf

Visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org
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FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
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By Jenn Courtney

Brahmacharya is the fourth of the yamas and the word, literally translated means ‘dedicated to the Divinity of Life’. The word is often used in yogic practice to refer to celibacy or denying pleasure, but this is only a small part of what Brahmacharya represents. The purpose of practicing Brahmacharya is to keep you focused on your purpose in life, the things that instill a feeling of peace and contentment

Historically, Brahamacharya as celibacy was likely a product of teaching yoga to young men, whose desires can be difficult to harness. Unless you are living the ascetic life of a sadhu, chances are you will indulge in sexual pleasure, food pleasure or any number of possible treats. To bring brahmacharya into your life and yoga practice is to practice moderation in all things, including those things that are pleasurable distractions.

When we become hooked on pleasure, it becomes an addiction and the absence of pleasure feels like loss or dissatisfaction; we become unable to enjoy the simple happiness of life, to observe the quiet broad beauty of our minds – slowing down becomes difficult because the focus becomes the object of addiction. Practicing moderation allows us to enjoy pleasure and remain focused on our greater purpose. . How does this relate to asana practice? Sometimes yoga students push themselves in yoga practice, creating a sense of urgency, ‘correctness’ (am I doing this pose well?) and anxiety. This can leave a student feeling exhausted at the end of their practice rather than feeling relaxed or refreshed and ready for purposeful action off the mat.

It is important to apply moderation to moderation also, so it is not a burden. It is a beautiful practice. It is about moderating the extremes, not wanting too much and being happy with what you have. The practice of Wanting Wanting Wanting will always leave you feeling unsatisfied.

Brahmacharya can bring out many issues and energies as you begin to observe moderation – our addictions and ego rebel strenuously when they are not in control. When they arise, notice what the issues are, go deeper into your practice and discover your true motivations.

Ask yourself what is your purpose in your yoga practice? What are your goals in yoga and do you allow space in your practice to reach those goals?

In yoga,

Jenn

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Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

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Visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org
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FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
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Side Note: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA, will be closed for the remainder of this week in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday.

We wish you and yours the very best.

Om Shanti,

Paul, Marie, Paul III, Jackie, and Paul Hoover

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Does world peace seem like a fantasy? What is the number one obstruction to world peace? How can we overcome such a powerful obstruction, with Yoga? Does Yoga meditation give us the answer?

The ego is the largest obstruction to world peace. One person’s ego can affect the collective consciousness of an entire country and the world. Consider history’s most famous conquerors and tyrants; their personal ambitions became an excuse to justify sacrifice, cruelty, and warfare.

What starts out as a personal matter can become a social dilemma, if one person has the influence, and an ego, which is out of control. Each of us has an ego, but we often ask others to put their egos aside before we do. We are right and they are wrong. We imply that they should listen to our side of the debate first.

How is it possible to restrain the ego? How can Yoga help control the Ego?

Yoga is designed to take care of the health of a single person. In many ways, Yoga travels to the core of the human mind, body, and spirit. One method allows an individual’s mind to be isolated through Yoga meditation practice. Yoga meditation allows the mind to withdraw from the “pains and aches of society.”

What do I mean by the pains and aches of society? Unfortunately, no society is perfect. Speak to any social worker about poverty and injustice. Each social worker receives a “bird’s eye” view of social injustice. Over the years, I have taught many social workers in my Yoga classes.

It is apparent that they came to Yoga class as a sanctuary.
Why would social workers need a Yoga class for sanctuary?

Social workers feel empathy, without ego, and they want to make a positive difference in modern society. They clearly see social illness, and inadequacy, on a daily basis.

How else could Yoga meditation overcome the ego? The mind withdraws from society, distractions, and multi-tasking, which forces the mind to look at itself. Yoga meditation is a systematic healing process for the individual and a remedy for society’s short comings.

In a recent conversation with a Yoga teacher, he mentioned how Yoga meditation is considered, by the public, to be “time spent doing nothing.” He completely understood the deeper value and benefits of meditation, but was concerned about how to reach his Yoga students, with overactive minds. After all, most of them would rather perform asanas than spend time meditating in a Yoga class.

The answer is: We will have to educate them, wait for them to age, or wait for the time, when they can appreciate the meditative aspects of Yoga. If Yoga students were trained to meditate as children, they would appreciate the many benefits of Yoga meditation at this moment. However, we cannot force a person to instantly meditate and “see the light.”

In order for meditation to take place, the mind must be willing to look at itself. When the collective consciousness of a society meditates on a regular basis, it will be reflected by peaceful behavior.

Yoga Meditation is a wonderful resource for mankind because it can bring the mind to a state of peace with itself. A global society, which has an addiction to multi-tasking, needs time to “unplug” itself, and Yoga meditation offers realistic solutions.

© Copyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Become a Yoga Teacher

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FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter.
Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/docs/Yoga-in-Practice-eBook.pdf

Visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org
Affiliates: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/signup.html
Sister Blog: http://yoga-teacher-training.blogspot.com/
On-Site Training: http://www.riyoga.com
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FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
——————————————–

Side Note: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA, will be closed for the remainder of this week in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday.

We wish you and yours the very best.

Om Shanti,

Paul, Marie, Paul III, Jackie, and Paul Hoover

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Yoga training gives us empowerment. Among the many powers we receive from regular Yoga practice is the power to say “no.” How often do you fill your plate with excessive obligations? Do you take on problems, which cannot be helped? We are not talking about getting away from your responsibilities. Some of us have a terrible time saying no to people who waste our time.

Here is an example: A co-worker has had the same problem, day in, day out, for years, and calls you on the telephone, about her problem, at your home. You have errands to run, for your family, but this co-worker spends the better part of an hour using you for a “sounding board.” You have given her advice, but she never listens because she is too busy complaining to consider listening to you or solving her problem.

Your Yoga teacher talks about mindfulness and loving kindness toward others all the time. What can you do? Do not pick up the phone or try to handle this person’s problems. You have given this person advice and she refuses to listen.

Your Yoga teacher has discussed “living in the moment.” Your objective is to make positive changes, now, for a brighter future. You cannot do that, if you are listening to the same problem over, and over, again. What is the best course of action?

As Yoga practitioners, we should show loving kindness, mindfulness, and help others whenever it is possible, but we cannot help anyone who refuses to take responsibility for his or her life.

When you empathically listen to your friends, family, and associates; you are giving your time, and this is a form of Karma Yoga, but you cannot afford to absorb their stress. See negative energy for what it is. When a person is full of negative thought, and you cannot help, you will, most likely, absorb this energy in the form of stress.

Now, let’s look at some other ways, in which, Yoga will help us with every day stress. Consider your “total health picture.” What you eat and drink can also cause stress. Caffeine, which speeds the heart rate and shortens your breath, can be found in coffee, tea, soda, hot cocoa, and chocolate.

How fast do you eat? How much do you eat at one sitting? How much sleep do you get per night? All of these factors can be modified to manage your stress levels. Yoga teaches us that moderation is the key to good health. The results of steady Yoga practice will be reflected by living a less stressful lifestyle and making a change.

One last point to mention: Many of us worry about the future, causing us even more stress. Yoga practice teaches us to live in the present moment. The future has many variables, and we cannot see all of them. Preparation and pro-active behavior should be geared toward finding solutions, instead of worrying. It is normal to worry, but we all know it is a waste of time. How often do the things you worry about really happen?

© Copyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Become a Yoga Teacher

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FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter.
Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

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Visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org
Affiliates: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/signup.html
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On-Site Training: http://www.riyoga.com
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FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
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By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© Copyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Become a Yoga Teacher

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FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter.
Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/docs/Yoga-in-Practice-eBook.pdf

Visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org
Affiliates: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/signup.html
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On-Site Training: http://www.riyoga.com
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FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
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By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Yoga helps all of us discover self-awareness. Stop, ponder, and become aware of the situations, in life, which cause you the most stress. What kind of stress sends you “off the deep end?” When you become aware of what causes stressful situations, in your daily life, it is time to develop a pro-active plan to manage your health.

Yoga contains many Pranayama techniques for stressful situations. Natural breath, Dirgha Pranayama, Kapalabhati Pranayama, and Ujjayi are just a few of the many useful Pranayama techniques you can learn in a typical Hatha Yoga class.

Once you learn these Pranayama techniques, you can easily incorporate them into your daily life. Many Yoga instructors ask their students to practice Yoga techniques such as: Pranayama, asanas, meditation, and moderate eating habits at home, but unfortunately, the day is busy with many tasks. What is the solution?

If you intend to make a positive change in life, through Yoga practice, you must make some time for yourself. Set an appointment aside for you to practice Yoga at home. If this is not possible, you should set aside some time for formal Yoga instruction, with the guidance of a competent Yoga teacher or Guru.

Many students of Yoga feel more energized, and much less stressed, after Yoga instruction, than before. This is interesting when you consider that the most common reason people do not attend Yoga classes, more often, is that they feel too tired. These same people, who do not attend Yoga classes often, complain about insomnia and irregular sleep patterns.

This is a stress, fatigue, worry, and insomnia cycle, which will “shave years off” your life, while draining you of life energy. We know that the body contains energy; in Yoga, we call it Prana. You have the power to recharge your life energy through Pranayama, or you can get medical prescriptions.

Why would doctors of western medicine recommend prescriptions, in the above- mentioned case? Many doctors are burdened with patients who refuse to be pro-active about their health. Remember the old saying, “You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink.”

Yoga practice is the “water,” which will break the stress, fatigue, worry, and insomnia cycle, but only a comparative small number of people, on this planet, are pro-active about health. Do you think this is cynical?

Consider this: If everyone was pro-active about health, the tobacco industry would have already diversified to selling health products. There would be more health clubs than liquor stores – if all of us took action.

Also, the fast food industry would be geared toward serving more quality products and would have more vegetarian choices on the menu. Industries “sprout up” to meet consumer demand. If we collectively demand more healthy products; we will receive them.

Yoga has many solutions for stress and complete health, but all of us have to take responsibility for our own health. The public cannot expect the pharmaceutical industry to produce “magic pills” to compensate for poor health habits.

© Copyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Become a Yoga Teacher

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FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter.
Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/docs/Yoga-in-Practice-eBook.pdf

Visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org
Affiliates: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/signup.html
Sister Blog: http://yoga-teacher-training.blogspot.com/
On-Site Training: http://www.riyoga.com
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FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
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By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Every time of year, there is an occasion for stress with work, holidays, family obligations, education, moving, and weddings. There is no shortage of reasons to be stressed out over something. Here is a Yogic method, which can help you handle stress all year long.

Learn from a Yoga teacher who remains calm “under fire.” It is easy to have the appearance of being calm and quite another matter to actually put it into practice daily. In life, you will see stressful situations and hectic moments, but the person, who remains calm, during a naturally stressful time, is a person you can learn from.

Now, what if the calmest person you know is not a Yoga teacher? You should learn by watching him or her, in action, and enhance your own powers of observation. Later, you could visualize yourself being calm in a similar chaotic situation.

Does this sound unrealistic? No, but the Sanskrit word “Grahana” comes to mind. This is a complex word, but one of the ways it can be defined is, as a perception, or the process of seeing things as they are. Grahana is a meditative state where your mind focuses on observing without judgment.

Some people scoff at the idea of Yogis, who practice positive visualization and observe life, with mindfulness. You may hear people say, “That will never work,” or “Meditation is a waste of time.” The truth is the person who is negative in life, does practice his or her own negative brand of Grahana. In fact, some Yoga teachers would say negativity is the opposite of Grahana because it is non-acceptance.

On the other hand, if we constantly look at the world with a pessimistic viewpoint, is this a truthful perception of life? To the pessimist, a negative perception of life is reality. A negative perception creates the “cloud of doom,” which follows this person around in life. Self-pity and negative thoughts are created, envisioned, and become a constant daily cycle, within the life of a pessimist.

Remember the saying: “Be careful what you wish for.” You could also say, “Be mindful of what you visualize.” A mindful and positive perception of life is “light baggage,” in comparison to the burden of negative thought.

Look at stress as a tool, which you can use for good. When you come to a Yoga class, you will notice that some of your problems seem to evaporate. What happened? You filtered thoughts, concentrated, meditated, and prioritized all of the day’s problems.

If you took part in a Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, or Kundalini Yoga class, the muscles in your body feel much less tense; due to the physical techniques you learned and practiced. When you finish your Yoga class you are ready to put the daily stress of life to good use. This is a form of “Yoga off the mat.”

Yoga is not a “magic stress killer,” but Yoga does have many techniques for effective stress management.

© Copyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Become a Yoga Teacher

——————————————–
FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter.
Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/docs/Yoga-in-Practice-eBook.pdf

Visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org
Affiliates: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/signup.html
Sister Blog: http://yoga-teacher-training.blogspot.com/
On-Site Training: http://www.riyoga.com
——————————————–
FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
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By Michael Russell

Yoga teaching dates back thousands of years and stems from the ancient Vedic wisdom often referred to as the Science of Life.

The science of breath and the conscious utilization of what is usually an unconscious process is the specialized province of Yoga with its system. Its system developed from centuries of observation and application of recognized traditional techniques used in the art of breath control. Study was made of the effect of different breathing habits upon both physical and psychological health as well as spiritual well-being. The science therefore extends beyond the western approach to the subject and offers information of vital interest to all, as we share the common life sustaining need to breathe every moment of our lives.

The need for air and the associated process of breathing holds its own as the most vital life nourishment, more important than food and water. It is no wonder that we tend to panic when the natural pumping of air and life into our bodies is interrupted and this is exactly what happens to a person, whether child or adult, when the spasms of asthma occur.

Healing practices of yoga are employed in India under appropriate supervision relating to the traditional Indian customs or under western medical professional care, according to choice. However, yogic techniques for home use in the West, as outlined here, are usually applied in conjunction with orthodox treatment and relief through drugs and sprays according to current medical practice. But these should be gradually reduced as the sufferer becomes independent of the need. It is advisable to maintain medical supervision particularly with children, many of whom will readily respond to the following simple exercises and suggestions.

First Preparation – Ensure that both nostrils are free

Apart from the obvious reason that the air passages must be unimpeded to allow full inhalation and absorption of oxygen by the lungs there is an additional purpose that relates to the need to balance the flow of air through the nostrils as it directly affects the brain, so intimately placed behind. This balance guarantees a calm nervous system.

So we begin with ensuring that the nostrils are both free of mucous. Each nostril should be free of obstruction and this condition maintained if possible throughout.

Check to see if both your nostrils are open now. If you cannot draw air through let us say the Right nostril and blowing the nose is no remedy, then try the following:

Place the closed right fist (in this case) under the left armpit and press the arm down so that the knuckles press into a spot on the underside of the arm and on the torso also. It is important that you find the ‘right spot’ that will be quite tender. Holding this position, take some deep breaths maintaining the pressure for a minute or two. It is usual that if the nostril is blocked for no other reason, simple nerve pressure in this manner will be successful and for a time both nostrils will then be free. Be patient until you are successful. Of course reverse the process in the case of a blocked Left nostril.

It must be understood that it is natural for one nostril to be open and functioning more freely than the other and this alternating pattern ensures that our natural air conditioning system works well in maintaining the necessary balance for health. There is also a period when both nostrils are equally free between times. Keep a check on this and you will observe differences throughout the day.

The technique will certainly help in cases of chronic conditions but if suffering acute asthma it is likely that you will have to resort rather to the simple method of applying cold water compress, or even iced water to the bridge of the nose and this in itself can sometimes be helpful in relieving nasal congestion and reducing the intensity of an asthma attack.

Breathing Exercises

The following disciplines are related to periods in the day when the asthma sufferer is temporarily free of symptoms:

Balancing Inhalation and Exhalation It is common to find that each individual varies in regard to ease of inhalation and exhalation and that there are greater capacities and difference in degree of air flow in the dual process. In the case of asthma, it is recognized that it is usually the exhalation that must gradually be improved. This can be done quite simply.

Extend the Exhalation Begin with breathing in to an easy count, say of 4 seconds and breathing out for the same, to establish a rhythmic flow. Continue for a minute or two and then make a change. Inhale to a count of 4 but exhale trying to double the time to a count of 8. If this is difficult, reduce to a count of 3 in and 6 out. Continue for a few minutes only and then rest.

Regular use of this simple exercise will draw your attention to what is required regarding elementary control of the breath.

Adjustments to the Diet

Asthma is known to be exacerbated, if not caused, by unnatural chemical agencies in the diet and chemicals and toxins in the environment of the patient. Also the general constituents of diet must be considered, not only because of allergies but by any imbalance. Asthmatics often have built up an imbalance through favouring a diet with too much carbohydrate content, comprise of refined sugars and processed starches. Dairy products are to be avoided altogether for a period of time if one is serious about reducing symptoms of this disease.

Increasing use of herbs in the diet is important with some being specific remedies for respiratory complaints. No amount of attention to breath control will cure anyone suffering from asthma created by toxic materials ingested within his own body and which are now stifling him. Some asthmatics are obviously suffering from a situation of internal body pollution and a heavily burdened toxic bloodstream that produces symptoms such as dull eyes, nasal congestion, mouth breathing and frightening asthma attacks.

Generally however the approach to relieving asthma involves attention to all the main health factors and there is much to be gained by continuing to learn what yoga therapy offers. There are many simple, natural practices that offer additional or alternative methods of therapy that can prove effective in relieving asthma and may be safely be done at home. It is therefore important, in assessing a natural approach, that attention is given to correct the basic factors of preparation. The nostrils must be free and the nutritional aspect adjusted before we look to the deep-seated nervous condition and the psychological factors behind this disease and realise how important a role relaxation plays in bringing relief.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Yoga

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Side note by Paul: Many thanks to Michael Russell for this useful Yoga article. This is one of the most helpful articles I have seen on the subject of Yoga for Asthma.

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By Michael Russell

Yoga is the name given to the science or method of training, which is followed by spiritual aspirants. It has existed for thousands of years and is still revered in India and in Indian culture where the knowledge has been carefully preserved through a sacred traditional, unbroken channel between teacher and pupil. The system offers both health and spiritual understanding through the rewards of self-discipline and through the individual’s direct inner experiences or realizations.

The practitioner of Yoga is known as a “yogi” or sometimes in the feminine case, “yogini” and is a term of reverence for one who not only follows the practical techniques and embraces the yogic philosophy but is a title bestowed upon one who represents the spiritual quality essential in the ideal human character.

Yoga was once always practised in the traditional manner either within the home or ashram or in a place of natural beauty near water or stream, to enjoy quietude and shelter and to allow the student to feel in touch with nature. Earnest pupils had few or no possessions, or placed little value on material goods and were expected to follow the traditional austerities and the prevailing attitude of self-sacrifice. Renunciation was a part of their training. Serious aspirants were prepared to leave family, friends, material comforts and to accept the simple life in order to find answers to their spiritual needs.

However, in a different process, the general knowledge of Yoga has now become common knowledge throughout in the more materialistic western world where it is proving to be used as a popular aid in several areas of self culture – physical, psychological and spiritual.

The most well known and popular yogic path in modern times is Hatha Yoga. This demands self control over the body, physical cultivation of strength and flexibility through exercise and development of a fine degree of health and stamina through personal efforts in self discipline. In the process of applying the traditional physical disciplines involving nutrition, exercise, breathing exercises, postural controls and relaxation the yogi comes to better health and to understand his body.

The same may be said with Bhakta Yoga, which demands self-control over the emotions, the cultivation of contentment, love and peace and the rejection of emotional habits that produce stress. In the process of applying the entailing disciplines involved in gaining emotional control and cultivating positive moods, the yogi not only comes to better understand his feelings, but begins to find increased happiness and well-being.

Through Raja Yoga, disciplines centre upon the individual’s thoughts as he learns to assume greater awareness and conscious control over his thoughts, to cultivate his mental faculties and natural talents and to still the turbulence of transitory thoughts and impressions. This last provides the appropriate state of calm in which he can find inner peace and enjoy the climate in which creative thought can flourish. And even more importantly, then his mind is capable of reflecting thoughts beyond his usual limitations to experience what we call inspiration.

Throughout the training of a yogi, the factor, which is all-important, is that he holds his personal self image clear and strong so that he can direct his personal growth towards his own concept of the human ideal. He aspires to perfect himself in all ways and knows that this undertaking is difficult, long but extremely rewarding as he realises his personal responsibility in directing his life and his future.

By the teachings of Karma Yoga, the path of right action, all that is acquired by the yogi becomes integrated in his nature and directed towards positive outcomes in his life of action. towards better health, loving relationships, greater knowledge and skills. His capacity to help others increases accordingly. No reward, whether of better health, joy, knowledge or inspirational thought is for his own possession alone but is seen as an energy over which he has responsibility to utilize in the practical world and in his association with others around him,

The over-riding general realization which is experienced by those who practise yoga is that behind all life’s diversity is an integral unit and brotherhood of being in which all living creatures and kingdoms, although seemingly separate, are in essence interdependent not only in order to be life-sustaining but in order that life on our beautiful planet may progress towards the ‘better world’ of which mankind dreams.

So the practice of meditation assumes a prominent role in allowing conscious experiencing of the subtler worlds beyond the obvious material one – the world of emotions, abstract thought and the soul and spirit worlds beyond. Meditation, brings the yogi ever nearer to that higher consciousness, that illuminates his being and in stages allows his expansion of consciousness to comprehend something of the vast cosmic life of which we are a part.

The ultimate experience of Yoga equates with what is called ‘the mystical marriage’ of the Christian – or the ecstatic blending of individual with the supernal in an uplifted state evidencing beyond all doubt, the fact that in essence all life is one.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Yoga

Become a Yoga Teacher

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FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter.
Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

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Visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org
Affiliates: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/signup.html
Sister Blog: http://yoga-teacher-training.blogspot.com/
On-Site Training: http://www.riyoga.com
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