Archive for April, 2007

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Some Gurus, and Master Yoga, teachers do not embrace the concept of Yogic principles being used for success, self-improvement, and for acquiring abundance. After all, many people have misused power, and abundance, ever since primal man could stand up on two feet.

Lord Acton’s words ring true very often, when he said, “Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Many times, throughout history, famous people have fallen prey to power, which they thought they could handle, but learned that temptation was more powerful than their code of ethics.

Yet, we cannot help the poor much, if we are also poor. You can perform selfless service (Karma Yoga), no matter how much money you have; but you cannot contribute food to the poor, if you are waiting in line at a soup kitchen.

Therefore, if you have a plan for success, you should also have a plan to help those in need. The ancient Yogis completely understood the difference between wanting and envisioning. They also understood the pitfalls of each.

Children “want,” and so do “big children,” in adult bodies. They want without vision and take no action. Adults who take no action have mottos such as: “Why me?” “Why is life so unfair?” and “If life was fair, I would be rich.”

Whatever fortune falls into the lap of a person who wants, it is taken for granted and quickly squandered. The saying, “Easy come, easy go,” can become a lifestyle.

Envisioning is completely different from wanting. Envisioning allows a person to take a concerted effort toward a goal and achieve it. When a Yoga practitioner envisions something, it will often “come to pass,” because he or she took action, in the form of small steps, to make a thought become reality.

It is interesting, when the world, outside India, is “hooked” on Hatha Yoga (Union by Physical Mastery). Yet, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Raja Yoga, are considered more advanced forms because they enhance mental and spiritual health. You see, the real power is in the mental and spiritual forms of Yoga.

Luckily, most people age, and mellow a bit, before discovering the true powers of envisioning and action. However, integrity ethics, and character, are often in short supply, when someone becomes “instantly rich.”

How often do we read about sports, and movie celebrities, who cannot handle their instant fame or material wealth? This is why the Law of Karma, and practicing Karma Yoga, are so important. Design a plan to give, help, and forgive, whenever you envision success.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

——————————————–
How to Become a Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor
——————————————–
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 Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Although Office Yoga practice resembles Chair Yoga routines, there is usually a difference in the mobility of the average participant. Chair Yoga is most commonly seen in senior centers, nursing homes, assisted living complexes, physical rehabilitation units and adult day care centers. On the other hand, Office Yoga is taught to the “work force,” which should be more mobile than the average senior citizen, but there are always exceptions.

What are Office Yoga warm up exercises like?

You can begin in a seated or standing posture, but most office workers should get up and out of the chair. Circular movements are good for massaging internal organs and swishing synovial fluid around the joints. Synovial fluid lubricates your joint surfaces and sends nutrients to the cartilage within your joints.

One of the most important things to remember is that slow and controlled circular movement for most joints is fine. However, the neck and knees demand special attention. The neck is not a “ball and socket” joint, so it is not designed for excessive friction. Any neck warm ups should be linear and you should avoid forcing or hyper-extending your neck at all times.

The knees should avoid excessive rotation and friction. If you wish to swish synovial fluid around the knee joint, you should lift one foot off the floor and slowly move the knee forward and back. You can also move the knee in circles, with one foot off the ground, but the hip and ankles will move with it, which is fine.

Once both feet are on the ground, the knee is often the axis of movement. When performing Arm Swings, which are a common warm up exercise in Yoga class, the knee rotates along with a full body motion.

For example: When you swing to the left, the right knee bends, the right heel should rise off the floor, and there is no excessive torque put on the left knee. So the swing is controlled and you should be mindful of both knees in order to avoid excess friction, force, or torque.

Shoulder shrugs are a priceless warm up for an Office Yoga class. This is a stress relieving exercise, as well as a warm up. Many office workers have stress build up in the back, shoulders, and neck. With that said, the shoulder shrug is a preventative exercise for headaches, back spasms, and neck pain. These are just a sampling of the most common ailments office workers have from excessive sitting and typing.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

——————————————–
How to Become a Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor
——————————————–
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

Could Yoga increase office productivity? Can Yoga teachers help the corporate sector? What can Office Yoga programs do for large and small businesses? Let’s look at solutions that Yoga can offer to the business world.

The number of office workers has increased, with the invention of the personal computer. Working excessive hours in front of a personal computer can create a multitude of back, neck, shoulder, spine, hip, and wrist problems. Muscle groups, in all of these areas, respond with tension and a variety of long-term problems – if they are ignored by office workers and management.

Forty years ago, secretaries would have been patronized for their migraines, cluster headaches, back pain, hip problems, and sore necks. Now, times are changing, and there has been much progress with ergonomics and studies which reveal new insights about the relationship of prolonged sitting to specific health problems.

A recent study, by The Medical Research Institute, in New Zealand, has revealed that office workers may be at a higher risk of developing blood clots. As most of us know, these studies are worded very tactfully, and do not jump to conclusions; however, anyone who understands body mechanics would realize that this makes perfect sense.

With that said, let’s remember that blood clots can be potentially fatal as they travel to the heart and vital organs. Blood clots can, and do, cause stroke, chest pain, and heart attack.

With larger numbers of office workers putting in extra hours of work, some “forward thinking” companies have begun to respond with office Yoga programs for their employees. Even short Office Yoga sessions can release muscle tension and alleviate the routine pains and aches, which result from prolonged sitting.

Therefore, companies, which take pro-active measures, by installing Office Yoga programs, are taking positive action toward health solutions for employees – thus, increasing productivity, while decreasing sick time, tardiness, and medical leave.

Office Yoga creates an atmosphere of decreased anxiety, less stress, positive thinking, and raises morale. Nothing is more rewarding than feeling worthy and being treated with respect. Any small company can take such action by installing an Office Yoga program.

Some companies pay a percentage for a Yoga teacher to operate an Office Yoga class, while employees pay the balance. Other companies see this as a “win-win” situation and pay for the Yoga classes in full. Regardless of how an Office Yoga program is paid for, the benefits for the corporate sector are just starting to be realized.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

——————————————–
How to Become a Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor
——————————————–
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 Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Yoga has many options for ridding your body of toxins, negative energy, stress, and daily anxiety. Yoga postures (Asanas) are most commonly known, but Yoga breathing techniques (Pranayama) are very beneficial; most can be practiced any time of the day.

The worst action you can take is to ignore anxiety. Anxiety requires a plan of action to instill positive energy within your being. If your plan of action is to take a Yoga lesson, you are “on the right path” to eliminating negative feelings.

Anxiety can lead to a multitude of health problems. Therefore, you should take action to rid your body, mind, and spirit of negative feelings, which build up from within or are a result of your environment. Within a typical Hatha Yoga class, you will learn Asana, Pranayama, and some form of meditation.

The combination of these three methods, within the span of 45 to 90 minutes, occurs in one Yoga lesson. Yoga students often practice at home, but the “home Yoga sessions” are usually much shorter.

This is fine because a little Yoga is better than no Yoga at all; especially, in the case of a person who experiences anxiety. One short Yoga session can help the mind and body lose feelings of negativity. Yet, it may require a longer session to give you relief, if negative energy is “getting out of hand.”

The study of Yoga requires your commitment to make a personal appointment with yourself. Do you have the time to take care of your health? This requires pro-active thinking on your part, because most of the world reacts to health problems.

Setting a time of the day for a Yoga lesson, at a studio, or a Yoga home practice session, is not difficult. Yet, there are other ways to practice Yoga off your mat and say “goodbye” to anxiety at the same time.

Here’s another option: Go for a 20 to 40 minute walk. You can practice the natural breath technique (belly breath), Dhirga Pranayama (Three part breath), or a walking meditation.

If the weather is rough, you can always go to an indoor facility, or a shopping mall. It does wonders for your body, and mind, to get out and stop thinking about regrets. We must all learn to put the past behind, do our best now, and plan for the future.

Yoga has a number of options for a public, which seeks relief from daily anxiety and stress. Yoga can be considered part of a coping strategy, but in the case of severe anxiety and depression, professional medical or psychological help should be sought.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

——————————————–
How to Become a Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor
——————————————–
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 Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Pranayama is a wonderful method to reduce anxiety. Pranayama originates from two Sanskrit words, “Prana,” which means universal energy, and “Yama,” which means restraint.

In effect, Pranayama is the cultivation of universal energy through breath. You have the ability, within your being, to make sure the energy you cultivate is positive, with the help of Pranayama and a positive mental attitude.

There are many methods for the cultivation of Prana to choose from, but let’s start with a deep natural breath. This is the “breath of infants.” When you watch a baby in the crib, notice how the stomach rises as he or she inhales. Then notice that the navel draws to the spine on an exhale.

This is “natural breath,” but this can often feel unnatural to adults, who have unconsciously been practicing a “half breath” from the diaphragm to the nose or mouth. The half breath does not allow for complete expansion at the bottom of the lungs.

In effect, the half breath method would not be good for Yoga students, who have high blood pressure. Natural breath has wonderful blood pressure benefits, but could not be considered a cure. Why not?

Most people, who learn the natural breathing technique, will not be able to instill this Pranayama method as a regular daily habit; let alone practice it all day, and every day – especially, if the Yoga student in question has a life full of stress.

So, how many times should someone practice natural breath to reduce anxiety? To achieve tranquility, natural breath should be practiced every day, at least eight times per day for 3 to 5 minute sessions. This should yield optimum results within a week, but it must become a habit.

Another way to cultivate positive energy is to reverse the, “Why me,” mindset; how many times have you heard somebody say – “Why me?”

Let’s take a close look at “Why me,” and put a positive “spin” on it. Why are we so lucky? Why do we have Internet access? Why do we live at a time, so full of opportunities?

Many of the most optimistic people, I know, are my Chair Yoga students from within the Providence, Rhode Island area and in the Greater Attleboro, Massachusetts area.

Some of these Yoga students have ailments, diseases, and health conditions such as: Cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, high blood pressure, Parkinson’s, Frederick’s Ataxia Syndrome, and a variety of heart problems.

To practice any form of Yoga, with such grace, and to the best of your ability, is a monumental task. When I hear anyone, who can walk, or easily stand on two feet, make statements such as, “Life isn’t fair” and “I don’t have enough time to take care of my health” – it reminds me of Russell Conwell’s book, “Acres of Diamonds.”

In a “nutshell,” most people do not see how truly lucky they are. Life’s treasures are right under our noses. Those who have faced major obstacles in life are the greatest mentors, guides, and teachers any one of us could ever have.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

——————————————–
How to Become a Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor
——————————————–
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 Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Yoga gives us many solutions to daily problems, but stress, negativity, and anxiety are in abundance during the “information age.” Let’s look at how Yoga can help us at times when we experience anxiety in the form of worry, fear, apprehension, chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations.

Anxiety attacks are usually brought on by events, which occur during a stressful time in our lives. Losing a job, financial difficulties, and divorce, are common problems, which cause anxiety attacks. Coping with anxiety can be a monumental task, but Yoga practice will make life much easier.

Pranayama (breathing), Asana (postures), Mudra (gestures), and meditation are common Hatha Yoga methods, which are designed to achieve tranquility, harmony, and inner peace. All forms of Yoga will bring the practitioner to a state of bliss.

Anxiety attacks can also occur if you are around too much negative energy. If a person, you are very close to is negative, life can become very complicated. Is this same person negative now, and then, or is this person negative all the time?

If a friend or family member is feeling a little down, once in a while, that’s acceptable, but you should try to make this person aware of the opportunities that exist within life’s tougher situations. Many people do not see opportunities or see themselves correctly, and you might help this person see the good in life.

However, if your friend or family member is constantly negative, you will have your work “cut out” for you. People who are constantly negative tend to “drag” groups of people down, with them. How often have you seen one negative person do this to a family, a department, an organization, or a small business?

Worse yet, a chronically negative person may not even realize that he or she is always the “bearer of bad news” or the carrier of a “cloud of doom.” No matter how hard you try, this person must be able to see reality and want to change.

Otherwise, you are wasting your knowledge, time, and energy. All the self-help books, Yoga classes, and therapy in the world have limited abilities, if the subject is unwilling to change. So, if you are going to help a negative personality, you must first get a pledge, promise, or commitment, which reflects his or her desire to change.

Purging negative energy from within a person is similar to an exorcism. This is not meant in the spiritual sense, but negative energy cannot be purged from anyone, without the willingness of the subject to change.

Therefore, if a friend, family member, or Yoga student wants to change, you should use all the tools at your disposal. Pranayama, Asana, Mudra, and meditation come to mind first, but self-help books and audio self-help books are powerful tools to cultivate positive energy. Also, prayer, mantra, japa, and hypnosis all have therapeutic value for purging negative energy.

Competent Yoga teachers have all the tools available to teach students how to cultivate positive energy and live life to the fullest.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

——————————————–
How to Become a Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor
——————————————–
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

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

After spending time in a class with your Yoga teacher, for an hour or two, the commute home is much more tranquil. You left anxiety back at the door step of your Yoga class, and have discovered inner peace again. How do you capture that feeling of tranquility and “bottle it?”

Would you like to order “Yoga to go” or package some “inner peace?” If only it were that easy to package Yoga. Yet, there are some tools that will help you maintain your peace of mind, until your next Yoga class.

Music: Music, that generates relaxing and happy feelings, has the power to be particularly uplifting. Music is a great way to prevent anxiety, loneliness, and sadness. Some of the better music for Yoga can also be played when you are commuting from one point to the next.

If you shop for Yoga music CD’s, you may also want to try an audio book, in CD format, about Yoga, self-help, or self-improvement. Some of these CD’s can be played many times and can create a positive frame of mind.

Workshops: There are many Yoga, and Yoga teacher workshops to attend, so choose a workshop that sparks your motivation. You may also want to look at workshops for self-help, and holistic approaches to life, because some of these sessions will also help you create a happy and successful life.

Bathing: Take the time to enjoy a bath, instead of a quick shower; it will make you feel happy, energetic, and refreshed. Just make sure you have the time to enjoy your bath – without creating a pressure situation.

Prayer: It does not matter what your religion is. This is one of the most fundamental practices to bring happiness. Prayer is your private conversation with God. Many people pray only when they need something.

Yet, daily prayer brings happiness. Why? When you learn that God forgives, it is time to forgive yourself. Bhakti Yoga is union by devotion to God. You do not have to be a particular religion to devote yourself to God.

Yoga Books: Whenever you take a vacation, of any kind, bring at least two Yoga books, which you have wanted to read. If you have a companion, read when your significant other is sleeping. There is always time, if you are willing to be creative.

Positive Affirmations: Whenever you practice positive affirmations, you will see, and feel, the rewards. If you want self-respect, you have to think and speak well of yourself. Consider your accomplishments, and what you have done, for the people around you. Repeated positive affirmations often become reality.

Visualization: You should actually take the time to see yourself as worthy, loved, and happy. What you visualize often becomes reality.

Breathing: In Yoga, Pranayama (breathing) techniques are many. Pay attention to Pranayama practice, while you are in your Yoga classes. Many Yoga students do not learn the value of Pranayama.

Pranayama is the master of your mind. Pranayama is the fundamental link between mind and body. Pranayama will improve your health, but you should learn Pranayama from a Yoga teacher.

Kapalabhati Pranayama should be practiced daily, but Bastrika Pranayama is usually practiced daily prior to Kapalabhati Pranayama. Personally, I practice Bastrika for the first Pranayama of the day.

Meditation: There are many forms of meditation, but they all lead to the same end. Balanced thinking, harmony, and tranquility, are yours with a steady meditation practice.

You do not have to make all these changes at once, but do incorporate a few of them into your daily life, and you will be much happier.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

——————————————–
Become a Certified Hatha 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 Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Every Yoga teacher should make it a point to practice Jnana Yoga, on a daily basis, regardless of his or her style. The practice of Jnana Yoga is the continuing education of every Yoga teacher.

Jnana Yoga is union by knowledge. A Jnana Yoga practitioner may spend his or her life in the pursuit of knowledge, scripture, and truth, but what can any of us do if we do not hold the power to make changes within mighty governments and global corporate empires?

What can you do if you see the truth, but are unable to make governments, banks, corporate giants, or health care systems respond to it. In relation to this: A modest sage once told me, “Knowing is enough.”

Knowing is enough – Is a saying that tells the poor and the middle-class to accept the truth, but we will not have the influence to make the “mighty” see the truth. A similar saying is, “Grin and bear it.”

However, we no longer have to accept the unbearable with a grin. You and I can make changes in our governments and on this planet. They may be small changes, but you can make them on a regular basis.

For the very first time, people from anywhere in the world, can communicate through the use of the Internet. An American Yoga teacher and an Iranian Yoga teacher can have a conversation about Yoga, philosophy, how to play guitar, or anything else that people do.

If you realize that most people are generally good, then you also know that many different governments have foreign policies, which are wrong. Global warming is real, health care should be for everyone, and banking practices could be made to help the poor and middle-class.

There are many illusions, which the mighty would have you believe. So many politicians want peace in an election year, but why is history so full of wars? There must be profit in the manufacturing of weapons systems because the poor and the middle-class never seem to see the benefits of war.

Getting back to Yoga, the Internet, and what you can do. There are forums and blogs full of people from around the world. As Yoga students and Yoga teachers, we have a common bond with any Yoga practitioner from anywhere. Take the time to read the threads on the Yoga forums.

You will find that people, on the other side of the earth, have the same concerns about life, as you do. Then, introduce yourself and begin to inject your own opinions.
This is the reason for Yoga forums, or any forum, for that matter. A forum is a place for people to help other people in a small way, by sharing information about their dreams, passions, hobbies, or Yoga.

One of the reasons why wars occur is that common people from different cultures, do not know each other. If you know someone well enough, you may develop a friendship, and nobody wants to quarrel with a friend.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

——————————————–
How to Become a Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor
——————————————–
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
——————————————–

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

One of Yoga’s benefits is that it enables the practitioner to find direction, purpose, and self-discovery. How often do you hear people say, “I need time to find myself?”

Another popular statement is, “Why am I here?” This is another example of the limits of the human mind. We cannot help it, but many of us suffer from limited thinking.

Even when you ask a crowd of Yoga students to visualize what they want – they may not be able to focus. Many people do not know what they want, but they desire everything. Take an adult or a child to a shopping mall, and you may see limited thinking, combined with unlimited desire.

When a child is confused, we find this acceptable, but when an adult is confused, with unlimited desires, and limited thinking, we have a dangerous combination. How can a man or woman be at peace when each object of our desires promises us satisfaction once we possess it?

What moral code can stand up to unlimited wanting? Schools of thought, philosophies, and religions, have guidelines for coveting and non-attachment, but mankind still pursues its desires.

This cycle is then repeated throughout life. Much like a “dog chasing its tail,” we jump from one object of desire to the next. This can even occur with non-material desires.

At an Asian arts workshop, I once met a young martial artist who wanted to understand the true purpose and meaning of God. His parents had brought him up as a Christian.

He became a devout Christian, Hindu, and a Moslem within the span of one year. When he was at any point in his religious studies, he could have found the answer to his questions, but instead he kept jumping from one religion to the next.

All he could see was conflictive thought, but he missed the universal principles of good, which exist within all religions. Years have passed by, with confusion, and he cannot piece his spiritual health together because he is still grasping at the differences between all religions.

His parents, friends, and all the Holy men he has met, have told him to pursue just one religious path and he will find his answers.

The limited ability for mankind to see a commonality with his neighbor has caused conflicts, killing, and warfare. We are all connected to each other, but sometimes we see only the disconnection, or we wish to set limits on the connection.

The truth is: From birth until death, we are connected to those around us. Whether we like it, or not, we are part of nature and the universe.

In Yoga, we learn the Law of Karma. This is a universal principle and makes us aware that we must be responsible for our actions, regardless of how small they may seem at the time. It is not “rocket science” to behave well at all times.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

——————————————–
How to Become a Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor
——————————————–
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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