Archive for June, 2010

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Teaching Hatha Yoga – Implementing Change

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

How can you improve your Yoga classes, and keep your student core group in tact at the same time? Whether your purpose is to make classes safer, enhance your lesson plans, or encourage new students to join, your core group may resist the idea of change.

Imagine the following scenario. You have spent weeks, or months, studying another online Yoga teacher training course or attending a teacher intensive. Each day, you intensely learned new methods for improving your classes. Now, you want to implement the knowledge you absorbed. On site, and online, Yoga teacher continuing education courses are both wonderful tools, but students often resist change.

The acceptance of change can be bypassed, by creating systematic change in small steps. Rather than introduce every change at once, make changes when the need presents itself. If an asana could be improved for student safety, cover the improvement, at that point, in your class.

There is no need to go over each new change you discovered in one single class. If you are making drastic changes in teaching methodology, safety issues, or style - another method is to have introductory workshops. Generally speaking, changes in style can cause an exodus within your core student group.

This is one reason why manyYoga schools have classes of different styles, meet at different times, during the course of the week. Each of us has different interests, and there is no shortage of variations within Hatha Yoga. Understanding this, we should actively listen to student feedback.

Some students will never say anything, while other students have much to say all of the time. The best way to measure the general feelings of all students is to engage them in conversation before or after classes. When we engage in small talk, all of our students find us approachable.

Strangely, some Yoga teachers enjoy being unapproachable. There seems to be a feeling of pride, within some teachers, who avoid answering questions, and are not accessible to their students. At this time, and during good or bad economic conditions, the aloof Yoga teacher may eventually show up to an empty classroom.

Classtime is for the benefit of the students, and this is why our students’ opinions are worthy of consideration. To envision change, in lesson plans, as a teacher’s right, without considering a student’s perspective, can easily create an atmosphere that causes students to leave.

Therefore, our students should understand that all forms of Yoga are constantly evolving. At the same time, we should realize that Rome was not built in a day. Change is part of life, but it must happen on a gradual basis.

© Copyright 2010 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/

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

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.

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Teaching Hatha Yoga – About Personal Growth

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Among the many benefits of Yoga practice is personal growth. Personal growth and self-worth are two of the hidden rewards a student might discover when attending regular Yoga sessions. With proper guidance from a competent Yoga teacher, students grow in many ways.

Personal growth allows students to shed irrational fears that have held them back for life. Much like being in a dark room for most of their lives, some people do not see the opportunities for happiness that occur during the average day. Yes - life has challenges; but it is our perception of the challenge that makes a difference.

One person looks at a hill and sees Mount Everest. Another person looks at the same hill, makes preparations, and moves forward. This is a figurative example of how our students see life. We can enable them to succeed, or ignore an opportunity to help our students, one at a time.

We can see an example of this in our lives, as well. When we look back on our initial Yoga teacher training, were we prepared completely to guide students in every situation? Did anyone give us the knowledge of working with different people, who have a variety of health conditions? Did we learn more than technical information about all Yogic methods? Were we prepared to run a Yoga teaching practice in a less than stellar economy?

Most Yoga teachers learn to grow over time, and in many positive directions. If we are lucky, we find guidance from a mentor, or Guru, along the way. If we are not so lucky, we struggle the hard way. We can change this cycle of struggling for our students - by pointing them toward the path of personal growth and self-discovery.

Some people love the feeling of control over other people’s lives. You can see this in teachers, parents, managers, and business owners. The problem is: When we over handle other people’s lives, we create an atmosphere of dependence. Which Yoga teacher wants to be known as a micro-manager?

Once students have learned fundamental techniques, they should be encouraged to develop their home practice, grow, and apply Yogic principles to all aspects of their lives. By practicing independently, and growing on every level, Yoga students will engage in stimulating conversations that enhance everyone’s knowledge.

Our students actually encourage each of us to pursue continuing education further, by becoming skilled Yoga practitioners. As a result of this evolution in Yoga education, we are all beneficiaries of a mutual think tank. At this time, and with the power of Internet access, we have all created a symbiotic relationship, resulting in the personal growth of every Yoga practitioner in the world.

© Copyright 2010 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/

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

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.

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DIABETES AND HYPER TENSION (HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE)

Monday, June 28th, 2010

By D. Rajkumar, D.N.Y.S.

Diabetes can be called a “Silent Killer.”  Some people might not even know that they have diabetes. Diabetes can be classified into two categories, namely Type-I Diabetes and Type-II Diabetes. Some people are prone to diabetes due to family history, and some people fall into diabetes due to a decline of insulin in their body.

Diabetes can lead to Heart Diseases, Stroke, Kidney Problems, Depression, Nerve Damage, Foot and Skin Problems, Eye Problems and some time it will also lead to Blindness. As per the research report, nearly 5.7 million people in America have type 2 diabetes.

Managing diabetes through Yoga is the best solution. Bhujagasana, Uttanapadasana, Vakrasana, Ardhamatyendrasana, Julasana and Dhanurasana are some of the important asanas, which will help to activate the pancreatic function.

I had advised one of my diabetic patients to take care of his foot, advised him to practice Yoga regularly, and also advised him to go for a Doppler Test to find out the blood circulation in the leg and foot region. However, he ignored it.

As a result, he developed numbness in his foot, ultimately “Gangrene” formed in his foot, and his leg was amputated. He regretted his carelessness, when I visited him in the Government Hospital, Chennai, India.

Insulin patients should monitor their blood sugar level monthly twice or thrice so as to avoid heart disease.  They should also test their LDL Cholesterol, Triglycerides and Blood Pressure etc., to avoid blockages in their arteries.  This will help them to escape from Heart Attack.

Some patients will develop the symptom of blurred vision and some will have pain in their legs. Regular practice of Yoga will reduce their blood sugar level. Due to Neuropathy, the blood supply in the legs will slow down and patients will develop numbness.

Bitter Guard Juice, Fenugreek Soup and use of Methi Leaves in their food will give them remarkable results.

In regards to Hyper Tension, this can be managed by properly practicing Savasana, Tadasana, Vrikasana and Ardha Chandrasana along with basic breathing exercises.

Regular walking also will help them to bring down the Blood Pressure level. It is more important that the patient avoid Pickles, Papadam, Oily Foods, and reduce the intake of excess salt, which will help them to improve their general health.

With Kind Regards,

D. Rajkumar, D.N.Y.S.

Yoga Teacher

Consultant – Yoga and Naturopathy

R.K. YOGA CENTRE /

RIYANS WELLNESS CENTRE,

CHENNAI, INDIA.

Please feel free to contact the author, D. Rajkumar, D.N.Y.S., by E-mail at: email hidden; JavaScript is required or email hidden; JavaScript is required for any health related problem.

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YOGA OF OUR EYESIGHT

Sunday, June 27th, 2010

By Dr. Rita Khanna

It is said that the face is the index of the mind, and the eyes are the windows of the soul. There are five Karmendriyas and five Jnanendriyas. The hands, legs, genitals, anus, and speech are Karmendriyas. The eyes, nose, ears, skin and tongue are Jnanendriyas. We depend on sight more than any other of our senses to maneuver through the space around us. So, the importance of the eyes can’t be overemphasized. The late physician, Swami Sivananda, considered sight the most abused of our five senses.

Human eyes are a wonderful creation of nature, and these need care and attention. As years go by, the muscles around the eyes lose their tone. Eyesight becomes weak after the muscles around the eyes lose their elasticity and become rigid – thereby reducing the power to focus different distances. In addition, tension around the eyes affects the brain – causing stress and anxiety. There is a deep correlation between the eyes and the mind. It is said that vision occupies 40 percent of the brain’s capacity. Therefore, when we close our eyes, relaxation is induced in the brain. Eyesight is dramatically improved when the muscles of the eyes are relaxed.

HOW OUR EYES WORK

Our eyes are smaller than lemons. The eye has two parts – inner and outer. Both parts are extremely delicate. The body has several ways of protecting this vulnerable organ. The eyeball sits in the eye socket (also called the orbit) in a person’s skull, where it is surrounded by bone. The skull bones always protect the eyes. The visible part of the eye is protected by the eyelids and the eyelashes which keep dirt, dust, and even harmful bright light, out of the eye.

There are lacrimal glands located at the inner angle of the eyes. The tears are secreted from these glands only. The tears are salty in taste, free from germs, and are antiseptic. When we open and close the eyelids, these tears move from one end to the other end of the eye; it keeps the eye clean, wet, and free from communicable diseases. The tears are secreted more when we cry or when we are sorrowful. The tube, which connects the eyes and nose, (known as nasolacrimal duct) drains the tears.

To see, the three pairs of muscles, called extra ocular muscles, surround the eyeball in the skull and work in co-ordination; and because of that, the eyes can rotate and move on all sides. There is a hole in the eye’s center, which is called a pupil. We can see with the help of that. The size of pupil gets small and big by the muscles of the iris, due to which the light rays falling on the retina are controlled. These retinas are located on the backside of the eyes. After the light rays fall on the retina, the brain senses them through the optic nerve. We call it – vision. There is an elastic lens located behind the pupil and iris. It is attached with a ciliary body. The muscles of the ciliary body change the curvature of lens, and make it thick or thin, to concentrate rays on the retina.

On seeing the objects, the light rays enter into the eyes, and pass through the lens, to get concentrated on the retina. It is said that there are thirteen crores and seventy lakhs of sensory receptors in this retina. There are thirteen crores of rod-shaped cells to differentiate black and white. The seventy lakhs of cells are triangular. These rods are wide spread in the retina. If there is a small glow-worm in the front of the eyes, on a dark night, or if a small insect strikes within the eyelashes, lakhs of waves originate in the retina. These impulses pass at the speed of 450 kilometers, per hour, from the eyes to the brain. The brain receives these impulses. If the mosquito or some insect is to be removed from the vicinity of the eyes, by the hand, it takes only 0.002 seconds for the brain to order it.

CAUSES OF EYE STRAIN

Bright sunlight, reading in poor light, or in a lying down position, reading or writing in a moving train, plane, car or bus, watching television for too long, or working at a computer for long hours, causes stress on the eyes and contracts the eye muscles. This leads to deteriorating eyesight or pain in the eyes.

PROTECTION BY YOGA

There are muscles around the pupil of the eye. There are muscles around the eyeball, also. The muscle, in the upper part, is called the superior muscle; and the muscle, situated in the lower part of the eyeball, is called the inferior muscle. There are muscles on the sides of the eyeball, as well. These muscles should be exercised. Yogic eye exercises strengthen the muscles of the eyes; and thus, help in curing many ailments of the eyes. Vision could be improved with eye exercises, such as palming, eyeball rotations, and gaze shifting. So, eye exercises are important to any individual.

YOGIC EYE EXERCISE

We can do this exercise by sitting in a chair, sofa, or on the Yoga mat. Keep your back and neck straight, but not stiff. Rest should be given to the eyes for some time after doing one eye exercise. One can sit in Padmasana, Vajrasna, Sukhasana, Swastikasana, or Siddhasana for doing eye exercise. Before beginning the eye exercises, just relax the eyes by closing them for a moment or assume the corpse pose to relax all the body parts. Now, do the following:

TECHNIQUE

1. Move the eyeballs up, and look at the space between the eyebrow center; then lower the eyeballs and look at the tip of the nose. Don’t move the head. See only by moving the eyeballs. Do it for eight to ten times. The cornea will be seen moving up and down. Then, take rest by closing the eyes.

2. Move the eyeballs horizontally parallel to the floor in a straight line from right to left and from left to right side. Do it for eight to ten times. Then close the eyes for some moments and give rest to the eyes.

3. Now, move the eyeballs on the left upper side and then the right lower side. After that, move it to the lower right and upper left sides, in oblique direction. Do it for eight to ten times. Then, take rest by closing the eyes for some time.

4. Now, reverse the sequence. Move the eyeballs on the upper right and then the lower left sides. After that – move it on the lower left and then the upper right sides, in oblique direction for eight to ten times. Then, close the eyes and take rest for some time.

5. Now, move the eyeballs from right to left and from left to right in an upper semi circle. Do it for eight to ten times. Then, by closing the eyes, take rest.

6. Now, move the eyeballs from left to right and from right to left in the lower semi circle for eight to ten times. Then, take rest by closing the eyes for some time.

7. Now, rotate the eyes clockwise, and then anticlockwise, in a circular motion. Do it for four to six times, on both sides. After that – give rest to the eyes.

8. Now, stretch the right arm forward, and keep it parallel to the floor. Keep the index finger vertically pointing up, and fix the eyes on the nail of the finger, or just beyond the nail. Now, see the finger with both the eyes. Gradually, bring the finger towards the nose, and keep it there for some time; then, take it away from it. You can do this four to five times. While focusing your attention on the finger, you will find you are not seeing one finger but two. Hence, in this exercise, eyes become eccentric. One finger will be the main finger, which is real, and the other will be an optical illusion.

9. In the end, blink the eyes eight to ten times. Now, rub the palms and create heat and do palming on the eyes – repeating three times. The warm Prana current, flowing from the palms, relieves the tension and strain around the eye muscles.

NOTE

• The body must be relaxed, and the head should not move when the eye exercises are performed. Except for the eyes, all parts of the body should be in a relaxed position.

• Give rest to the eyes, by keeping them closed for 10 to 12 seconds, between each process.

SOME MORE SUGGESTIONS

• For all eye problems, splash fresh, clean water on your eyes.

• Do eye exercises to tone your eyes. Remove your glasses or contact lenses while exercising.

• Other recommended Yoga exercises are Shirsasana, Sarvangasana, and Vipritkarni Mudra, for those who don’t have cervical spondylosis, high myopia, hypertension, or pregnancy. The eyes obtain tremendous power by practicing these asanas. After doing Shirsasana, don’t sit up or stand up immediately. Take rest in Shashankasana for some time.

• Regular practice of Bhramari, Aumkar, and Anulom-Vilom Pranayama can also perfuse the eyes with plenty of blood flow.

• Constipation also affects our eyes. Therefore, it is essential that bowels get cleaned fully every day. For this, practice Yogamudra, Vajrasana (after the meals) and Shitali Pranayama, in the morning and evening.

• Practice of Jalnetikriya can balance the breathing system of the nose. Along with that, it is very beneficial to the eyesight.

• Practicing of deep breathing and meditation also can give rest to the eyes, and increase their working capacity.

• Practicing of concentration, or Trataka, by sitting in front of a flame, also gives special strength to the working system of the eyes.

• Every four to six months, or at minimum – once a year, your eyes should be checked for their visual capacity – even though our eyes are normal. They should be immediately tested if something unexpected happens, so that if there is any change in vision, the eyes can be immediately treated. It is very important -especially for children.

• In India, the self urine therapy experiment, to wash the eyes, is popular. It increases the working capacity of the eyes and removes stress.

Eyes are the pearls of life. Taking care of them is our prime duty. The eyes can be donated after death. Hence, two eyes can give vision to two needy persons, who will be able to see the world. Utilize them with the correct eye care program, that includes eye exercises, proper diet, and supplementation. Don’t misuse them.

AUM SHANTI

If you feel inspired by this article, feel free to publish it in your Newsletter or on your Website. Our humble request is to please include the Resource as follows: -

Courtesy: Dr. Rita Khanna’s Yogashaastra Studio.

A popular studio that helps you find natural solutions for complete health.

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Dr. Rita Khanna

Dr. Rita Khanna is a well-known name in the field of Yoga and Naturopathy. She was initiated into this discipline over 25 years ago by world famous Swami Adyatmananda of Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh (India).

She believes firmly that Yoga is a scientific process, which helps us to lead a healthy and disease-free life. She is also actively involved in practicing alternative medicines like Naturopathy. Over the years, she has been successfully practicing these therapies and providing succour to several chronic and terminally ill patients through Yoga, Diet and Naturopathy. She is also imparting Yoga Teachers Training.

At present, Dr. Rita Khanna is running a Yoga Studio in Secunderabad (Hyderabad, India).

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Teaching Hatha Yoga for Back Pain Relief

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

When you considered becoming a Yoga teacher, did you ever think about the amount of students, with pre-existing back pain, who will show up to your classes? This is one of many reasons why anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology are an essential part of Yoga teacher training and continuing education courses for experienced Yoga teachers.

If anyone understates the value of anatomic knowledge for Yoga instructors, in physically-oriented classes, he or she has not considered student safety, preventative health, and the number of students with pre-existing injuries, who will participate in Yoga classes.

At a time when professional medical care is a financial burden to most families, Yoga for back pain is very inexpensive, in comparison to the many alternatives. This does not mean that students should join Yoga classes the moment they encounter back problems. It is wise to visit your family physician, specialist, or a chiropractor for professional advice, and detailed information, concerning the exact cause of your pain.

With that said – the anatomical source of back pain can evade the best medical instruments and some of the most brilliant minds of our time. Back pain can be much like a sporadic haunting. For some of us, it may be here one day and gone the next. Yet, it can also be a chronic and continuous pain for others.

When medicine can only base advice on a symptom, previous history, and random factors, it may not be clear to medical science how the therapeutic application of Yoga makes a difference. One student may have optimum results in the reduction of pain, while another student may have minimal results.

When looking deeply at the therapeutic application of Yoga, there are other factors worthy of consideration. When you compare one group of students, who have various types of back pain, and who attend classes regularly, to another group who attend classes sporadically, you will likely see different results.

At the same time, a Yoga teacher’s anatomy knowledge is also a factor in students getting the best results out of their practice. With this in mind, students with various forms of pre-existing back pain should consider attending specific Yoga classes, with an instructor who has anatomic knowledge. There are many situations to be considered when we address student safety and the reduction of constant back pain.

Proper labeling of Yoga class types should be noted. Students should understand that a boot camp fitness Yoga class may not be in their best interest – if they suffer from chronic back pain. Students should address their concerns before entering a class. This means that students with back pain should arrive well before their initial class starts and explain their concerns about pre-existing injuries.

For the Yoga studios and fitness centers, it would be wise to close the doors, and lock them, once a class has started. This prevents a student from being put at risk for injury. How can Yoga teachers know if a new student has a pre-existing ailment, when we allow them to arrive late to class, without exchanging our mutual health concerns?

The bottom line is that Yoga classes and student education can be even safer, if we continuously educate ourselves, and create firm guidelines, that prevent the public from putting themselves at risk.

© Copyright 2010 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/

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

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.

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Teaching Hatha Yoga – Bringing Life into Balance

Friday, June 25th, 2010
 

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

 

When we teach Yoga classes, our students may perceive balance in many ways. Some students may be concerned with their balance in Vrksasana (Tree Pose). Advanced students may see the connection between balance and optimum health, while the most advanced students may realize that optimum health concerns mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

If we look at balance from a physical viewpoint, we tend to move too far off our center of gravity, while holding an asana. Eventually, we regain our center of gravity, or we tilt off and lower the raised leg to the floor. At that point, we have a decision to make – do we start over or do we give up?

Yoga practice is much like life. We adjust accordingly when we run into bumps in the road. There are some people who become discouraged by the least little failures in life. Others bounce back and tend to continuously improve themselves, by learning from past mistakes.

The most advanced Hatha Yoga practitioners begin to realize that this sacred practice is more about bringing balance into every facet of life than it is about holding a difficult asana for a finite amount of time. In the figurative sense, every Yoga practitioner is holding Tree Pose for life.

Life is much like Yoga, in that it demands we be fully present in the moment. Many Yogic techniques teach us to control our breathing, stand upright, and practice proper alignment. These same principles transcend into real life situations. It is important to control your breath in order to connect mind and body.

In this way, the mind is disciplined by Pranayama practice, which can be carried out during the day. In the figurative sense, standing upright makes us feel more aware and confident about life. Proper alignment is important in daily situations because it sets the foundation for economy of motion.

When anyone decides to become a Yoga teacher, he or she has a duty to transfer knowledge to students. The most valuable lessons that we teach our students are applied in everyday life. If a student does not understand one method of teaching, it is time for us to go back to the drawing board and use another method to get the message across.

Students learn Hatha Yoga by seeing, hearing, and feeling. At the same time, it is much easier for students to learn if we keep the message simple. Just because a student walks through the door with natural flexibility, does not indicate that he or she will mentally process the deeper knowledge of Yoga. In fact, the most promising graduates, of Yoga teacher training programs, are those who can communicate with anyone.

© Copyright 2010 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/

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

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.

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Teaching Yoga – Should Yogis be Vegetarians?

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

By Sanjeev Patel, CYT

Not all Yogis are vegetarians; but you will notice – the longer they practice, the healthier their diets are. There are so many advantages of a vegetarian lifestyle; this diet will help you attain a high standard of health, keen intellect, and serenity of mind.  Every level one Yoga teacher training course should include information about healthy dieting.

Proper diet is one of the main philosophical points of Yoga. The vegetarian lifestyle is consisting of pure, simple, natural foods, which are easily digested and which promote health. Simple meals aid the digestion and assimilation of foods. Nutritional requirements fall under five categories: protein, carbohydrates, minerals, fats, and vitamins. Eating foods, first-hand from nature, grown in fertile soil (preferably organic, free from chemicals and pesticides) will help ensure a better supply of these nutritional needs. Processing, refining, and overcooking destroy much food value.

There is a cycle in nature known as, the “food cycle” or “food chain”. The Sun is the source of energy for all life on our planet; it nourishes the plants (the top of the food chain), which are then eaten by animals (vegetarian), which are then eaten by other animals (carnivores). The food at the top of the food chain, being directly nourished by the Sun, has the greatest life-promoting properties. The food value of animal flesh is termed as a “second-hand” source of nutrition, and is inferior in nature. All natural foods (fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and grains) have, in varying quantities, different proportions of these essential nutrients. As a source of protein, these are easily assimilated by the body. However, second-hand sources are often more difficult to digest and are of less value to the body’s metabolism.

Many people worry about whether they are getting enough protein, but neglect other factors. The quality of the protein is more important than the quantity, alone. Dairy products, legumes, nuts, and seeds provide the vegetarian with an adequate supply of protein. The high protein requirement, still being used by many Health Departments, is based on antiquated data and has been scientifically disproved many times in the laboratory.

A healthy motto is: “Eat to live, not live to eat”. It is best if we understand that the purpose of eating is to supply our being with the life force, or Prana, the vital life energy. So, the greatest nutritional plan for the Yoga student is the simple diet of natural fresh foods.

However, the true Yogic diet is actually even more selective than this. The Yogi is concerned with the subtle effect that food has on his mind and astral body. He, therefore, avoids foods which are overly stimulating – preferring those which render the mind calm and the intellect sharp. In the classical view, one who decides to become a Yoga teacher should avoid ingesting meats and fish.

© Copyright 2010 – Sanjeev Patel / Aura Publications

Sanjeev Patel is a certified Yoga teacher and an exclusive author for Aura Wellness Center.

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/

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

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

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The Value of Teaching Hatha Yoga Meditation

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

By Sanjeev Patel, CYT

Within Hatha Yoga is meditation practice. Of all the techniques taught in a typical 200 - hour Yoga teacher training intensive, meditation is often left to self discovery. Many teachers and interns realize that students will not appreciate the deeper aspects of meditation, until years of practice. A deeper secret of the Yoga masters is that, advanced students and teachers, devote more time to meditation the longer they practice.

In the Yogic context, meditation, or dhyana, is defined more specifically as a state of pure consciousness. We can also clearly define meditation as a mental hygiene. It is the seventh stage, or limb, of the yogic path, and follows dharana, the art of concentration. Dhyana, in turn, precedes samadhi, the state of final liberation or enlightenment, the last step in Patanjali’s eight-limbed system. These three limbs—dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (ecstasy)—are inextricably linked, and collectively referred to, as samyama, the inner practice, or subtle discipline, of the Yogic path.

Benefits provided by meditation are endless. Regular meditation will cleanse the mind, clarify consciousness, lighten the spirit, develop poise, and enhance equanimity. Meditation calms and tones the nervous system, relaxes, harmonizes psychic energies, recharges psychic batteries, and cultivates serenity. Yoga meditation protects against the stress of modern life, which destroys health and happiness, and is, indeed, a major killer in civilized society.

Meditation offers the possibility of our opening up, as a flower to the sun, to the bright emotions of love and joy, even of ecstasy; of enriching immeasurably our relations with wives, husbands, children, parents, neighbors, and workmates. Also, practicing Yoga meditation will benefit the Yoga student with mental power.

© Copyright 2010 – Sanjeev Patel / Aura Publications

Sanjeev Patel is a certified Yoga teacher and an exclusive author for Aura Wellness Center.

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/

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

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

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Teaching Hatha Yoga – Two Simple Seated Yoga Postures

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

By Sanjeev Patel, CYT

Sitting Yoga postures are valuable exercises in themselves – limbering the legs, hips, and pelvis, strengthening the back and improving posture. They provide a solid sitting position for practicing breath (Pranayama) control and meditation.

Diamond Posture (Vajrasana) – ‘Vajra’ means diamond. The body is rigid, as a diamond, in this posture. This is a basic posture for transitioning into many other asanas and meditation. Sit in the Dandasana (Staff) posture. Place the palms on the floor near the thighs. Supporting your weight on the right palm, bend the left leg at the knee and pull the ankle under the left buttock. Do the same with the right leg, by supporting the body weight on the left palm.

The toes point backwards, and towards the ground, while space is kept between the ankles. It relaxes your kneecaps, knees, ankles and feet, improves digestion, and reduces gas. This asana is said to relieve sciatica pain. Vajrasana is also a medicinal posture. If done for 10 minutes, after a full meal, Vajrasana relieves heaviness in the stomach, due to overeating. Breathing is practiced calmly and slowly.

Hero’s Pose (Veerasana) – This asana balances the mind, increases the power of concentration, allows more awareness of the unconscious realms, and induces physical and mental relaxation quickly. The thinking process becomes very clear and precise. It is useful for those who think too much or who have disturbed or uncontrollable thoughts. It is very good for the kidneys, liver, reproductive, and abdominal organs.

Sit in Vajrasana. Raise the right knee, and place the right foot flat on the floor, beside the inside of the left knee. Put the right elbow on the right knee, and rest the chin on the palm of the right hand. Make sure to close your eyes and relax. Keep the body completely motionless and your spine and head straight. Repeat with the left foot placed beside the right knee. Breathing should be done slowly and deeply.

© Copyright 2010 – Sanjeev Patel / Aura Publications

Sanjeev Patel is a certified Yoga teacher and an exclusive author for Aura Wellness Center.

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

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

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

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Teaching Yoga – The Perfect Hatha Yoga Lesson Plan

Monday, June 21st, 2010

By Sanjeev Patel, CYT

Is there a perfect lesson plan for teaching Yoga classes? There are many opinions about how to design a Yoga class. Bikram Choudhury believes he has found it in his 26 technique sequence. There are so many sequences and combinations, it boggles the mind. Below is my sequence, and you may decide to give it a try.

Five minutes of Pranayama exercises (Kapalabhati and Alternate Nostrils) in the Easy Posture or in the Perfect Posture.

Warm-up and limber-up exercises, 10 to 15 minutes.

Three cycles of Sun Salutations for morning classes.

Standing Asanas:

Tree Posture or Vrkasana and its variations, three times.

Forward Bending Asanas:

Padahastasana, and its variations for beginners, three times;

Cat Posture, twice. Pashimottanasana, two or three times.

Backward Bending Asanas:

Bhujangasana (Cobra pose) and Salabhasana (Locust pose) and variations, three to four times each.

Twisting Asanas:

Ardha Matsundhasana (Spinal Twist), twice on each side.

Kneeling Asanas:

Thunderbolt Posture or Vajrasana and Cowface Posture or Gomukhasana, once each for about twenty seconds.

Abdominal Squeezing:

Wind Relieving Posture or Paramamuktasana and variations, ten seconds each.

Inversions:

Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand), from one to three minutes - then lower down in Halasana (Plough pose) for one to two minutes - then counter stretch the neck in Matsyasana (Fish pose) for half the time of Shoulder Stand.

Conclude with five to ten minutes of relaxation in the Corpse pose (Savasana).

There is much room for substitutions or modification here. For example: Legs up the Wall pose (Viparita Karani) could be practiced instead of Shoulder Stand. The most important point of all is the perfect sequence is a myth. In Hatha Yoga: There is always room for changing or modifying any technique.

© Copyright 2010 – Sanjeev Patel / Aura Publications

Sanjeev Patel is a certified Yoga teacher and an exclusive author for Aura Wellness Center.

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

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

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

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