Archive for October, 2008

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

For Yoga teachers, who work as independent contractors, a tough economy is a test of creativity. Although there may be class cutbacks, at your local health club, a local chiropractic clinic may be searching for a Yoga instructor to work “in house.”

Alexander Graham Bell stated, “When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” We wait for things to happen, and when they do not fall into place, we dwell on the negative outcome.

We practice preventative health methods and teach others to be pro-active toward health, but we neglect being creative about networking. Some of us are entirely content to teach Yoga in isolation. There are many reasons for this, but most of us, who teach Yoga, tend to be very independent in our thinking.

In the words of John Donne: “No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as any manner of thy friends or of thine own were; any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”

This does not imply that you should give up your own free will, but feel free to “test the waters” of networking. Opportunities are good only when you recognize their potential. Everyone needs to consider opportunities in this economy.

Please consider your viewpoint in all matters. Are you optimistic, middle of the road, or slightly cynical? At this point, I have never met a pessimistic teacher of Yoga, so that option has been by-passed.

If you are optimistic or cynical, you need to hear the opposite opinion from a trusted friend. Even if you do not agree, a logical and honest opposing opinion can help you make a sensible evaluation.

Now, let’s get back to the heart of networking your Yoga teaching services. An independent contractor can afford to take his or her time making a decision. There is usually very little overhead to worry about, no employees to pay, and creative independent contractors are in a strong position in any economy.

However, if you are a Yoga studio owner, you must move forward now. You must network to find services that your students are seeking. Therapeutic massage, Ayurveda, Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Reiki, and Pilates are examples of services that your students may desire.

If you have the space or time frames available, you might find the networking opportunity of a lifetime. Many of these networking opportunities come and go, but some of them are perfect long-term matches.

© Copyright 2008 – 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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Namaskar Dear Ones,

The very first “Introduction to Yoga Therapy” courses will be shipped on Tuesday, October 28, 2008. We had an overwhelming response and ran out of supplies on the first day.

Nevertheless, our shipping department has been packing and ordering to keep up with demand.

Thank you for requesting such a popular Yoga teacher course, which meets your needs. We sincerely listen to all of the feedback we receive. Our course offerings are based upon your requests and we will continue to meet the demands of Yoga teachers worldwide.

Introduction to Yoga Therapy is the first of a series of courses geared toward this field. It is obvious that Yoga teachers work with students who have a variety of ailments, illnesses, aches, and pains.

The objective of each one of these courses will be to honor a student’s practice and to help modify a student’s practice safely toward his or her specific goals. Each student is different from the next. Often, this policy applies to students with the same ailment.

All the Best to All of You.

Namaste,

Paul

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

When discussing teaching Yoga for a living, you might not think you deserve to be happy, while performing work. This seems to be the main objection to a rewarding career: “It’s not a real job, unless you are suffering miserably.”

This same “undeserving” mentality, which surrounds the workplace, also dominates fitness and medicine. Remember: “Feel the burn,” “No pain, no gain,” and “Medicine has to taste bad to be good.” Some people inherently want to be told that they do not deserve grace, merit, or reward.

In Yoga, we are often familiar with the universal law of karma and the universal law of attraction. To envision unhappiness is a path toward misery. Why not learn to master the power of envisioning our paths in life? No one has to resign himself or herself to failure.

If your job situation looks bleak today, will it be the same tomorrow? Life has many twists and turns, but it only seems to make sense in hind sight. The only way we can control the direction of life is to visualize the future with optimism. By taking the “high road,” you are more likely to react to an opportunity, when one arises.

The difference between someone, who is a successful Yoga teacher, and someone who wants to be, is the ability to recognize an opportunity. The path of teaching starts with the study of a specific subject. This is completely true if the subject you want to teach is Yoga.

You can dream all you want, but you must take action in the form of study and practice. After a period of time, you can take an intensive course. There are many choices for Yoga teacher certification courses. There are correspondence, onsite, and online Yoga teacher training courses, to choose from.

However, a 200-hour Yoga course will prepare you for many things, but it will not prepare you for everything. There are too many aches, pains, ailments, and illnesses for one course to cover. This is why almost every Yoga teacher participates in continuing education.

There is no “magic bullet” Yoga training course. Yoga has been documented for thousands of years. One course may be very comprehensive, but a single course is a gateway to many more doors of knowledge and opportunity.

The job of your dreams is in your mind, and the path you choose is ultimately your decision. It does not have to cost you an “arm and a leg” to get started, but the path toward success and happiness starts with your first step in that direction.

© Copyright 2008 – 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

Yoga teaches us to “live in the moment,” but how can we apply this principle toward time management? We often hear people say, “I need more time,” but how can we get more than 24 hours out of a day? Truthfully, we only have 24 hours, so there must be something to getting the most out of each day.

Yoga teaches us to be consciously aware, and this is a tool we can use to manage time more effectively. Time management starts with awareness. It is as simple as monitoring oneself. How often are we distracted from our prime tasks?

Television, radio, Internet, and idle chatter, contribute to a waste of time, but you cannot live the life of a machine either. You should allow “fun time” each day; but when you start the day, it is best to have a mission. It also helps if your mission was planned yesterday or early this morning.

Rising early helps us make the most of a day, which means you should go to bed at an earlier time in the evening. This is a simple formula and it only requires a moderate adjustment. For example: If you go to bed an hour earlier, you can wake up an hour earlier.

If you had one extra hour, in the morning, you could write a “to do list,” practice pranayama, perform sun salutations, and have a little time for meditation. This routine creates a positive energy flow within your mind and body. As a result, you would “jump start” your entire day.

This early morning Yoga session increases your level of awareness for the entire day. When we are in a state of complete awareness, we can think clearly. This results in looking at tasks according to their importance. We will make sure that we do not spend too much time on trivial matters, but we will also be sure to double check complicated tasks, which arise during the day.

Yoga teaches us to have a “reality check.” For example: What would you do during a crisis situation? It is always best to have a “back-up plan” for the worst case scenario. This does not mean to create something to worry about.

Look at a potential crisis and create the best possible solution for it. There is no need to force oneself to live in denial. It is true that living in denial will help to some degree.

There is a saying: “Ignorance is bliss,” but it is best to be prepared for life’s challenges. Practice Yoga often to develop inner strength and to balance your thinking. In this way, you will make the most of your time.

© Copyright 2008 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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

How could Yoga be a remedy for worry? Yoga teaches you to be completely, and consciously, aware of the present moment. The first time a friend of mine heard the words “consciously aware,” he laughed because it was a pre-requisite for a potential date.

He did not understand the importance of pure, focused consciousness applied toward the present. At the same time, he was a prime example of one who lives in the past. He regretted his past mistakes, so much, that it had taken the joy out of his life.

Living in the past is much like focusing on the rear view mirror, when your car is going forward. Your life is going forward, even if you are focused on the past. If you are worried about the past, how can you help yourself today? The past is an encyclopedia of lessons filled with achievements and mistakes. Look at the past as a reference guide and learn from it, without agony.

Very often, people worry about the future. The future is not carved in stone, but we waste so much energy worrying about it. The only thing we can be guaranteed about the future is it will be uncertain. The last thing any of us need is to focus on the future with a fearful or pessimistic viewpoint.

Look at the news today. Economic news speculation could be summed up as: “The recession is here, the recession is there, the recession is everywhere, and it will last for years to come.” Let’s be honest, depending upon where you live, there has been an ongoing recession for some of us. On the other hand, the person currently experiencing prosperity cannot envision a house foreclosure.

Your point of view will not make a recession go away, but a collective point of view, which is optimistic, will cause an economic upswing. Just watch the stock market for ten minutes, and you can see collective optimism or pure panic at any given time. Sometimes, you see both mindsets on the floor of the stock market at the same time.

Now, let’s see how Yoga can help us with daily worries. Focusing on your existence at this very moment is a basic concept of all forms of Yoga. Every Yogic technique teaches you to concentrate with full awareness. The emphasis of your practice is always positive.

Some people find the leap toward positive thinking to be their greatest challenge. Default negative thoughts may be caused by years of pessimism, frustration, and focusing on failure. Anyone can focus on negative thoughts, but it must be realized that this is a personal choice.

Yogic techniques, such as: Asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, and deep relaxation, give you the strength to make a positive difference in your life and the lives of those who come into contact with you. When we leave memories behind, they should be filled with positive energy.

© Copyright 2008 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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

The call for us to teach Yoga often starts with a vision from within. This vision of becoming a Yoga teacher is not something that someone else told us to see. We have been systematically trained to ignore our intuition and trust outside resources. This makes focusing on what we internally visualize difficult.

As children, we are often taught to forget our dreams. As time passes, we are taught to be practical and logical. Sometimes, the result is a young adult who is cynical, at best, because of all the emphasis placed on past failures. Nothing will stifle innovation, and creativity, better than to focus on your past setbacks.

Internal focus on past failures becomes the mindset of pessimism. Luckily, you have control of your mind to influence it toward positive thoughts. If you know a group of people who exist in the “Dark Ages” of pessimism – you realize the difficulty in changing a collective mindset. You probably need a “breath of fresh air,” as well.

With that said, do you really want to ignore your intuition? Do you want to abandon your dreams? Do you want to live a life that someone else has demanded you live? There is a reasonable compromise between what is logical and what you envision.

If you want to become a Yoga teacher, it does not have to be difficult. You can be a provider at home and participate in a self-paced correspondence course at the same time. Some of these training programs are designed with unlimited Email and telephone support. In fact, you are not required to leave home with some online Yoga teacher training courses.

What about job changes? If you currently have a job that has great benefits and it pays well, you can stay with your employer while teaching Yoga as a part-time instructor. Life can be taken in gradual steps, with much less financial risk to you or your family.

As a part-time Yoga teacher, you can enjoy the best of life. You can see where this journey will guide you. At some point, in the future, you might decide to visit an on-site intensive, a seminar, teach full-time, or become a registered Yoga teacher. All of these goals are fine, but life does not happen in an instant.

It is true that we are programmed to think everything must take place in “the blink of an eye.” Yet, we have a life to live every day. Sometimes, our dreams are put on hold, but we can study, improve, and practice, each day. The journey to teach Yoga classes starts with study toward certification. The path of teaching Yoga has many steps. Remember: A teacher is a student for life.

© Copyright 2008 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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Online Yoga Teacher Course
FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos.
Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”
——————————————–
On-Site Yoga Training: http://www.aurawellnesscenter.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

Hatha Yoga teachers are suddenly seeing a resurgence of student numbers, within their classes. Many new Yoga students have one common factor, which has driven them to attend classes. In short, the population is experiencing chronic stress.

Local news stories from Boston to Providence, and across the United States, are confirming that the current financial crisis is “sending people over the edge.” In the face of stress, Yoga provides solutions that relax the body and calm the mind.

When people chronically worry, they also tend to lose sleep. When this scenario becomes a regular part of daily life, many different health ailments can occur, such as heart palpitations, high blood pressure, heart disease, back pain, headaches, panic attacks, and more. Many short-term forms of heart arrhythmia are caused by chronic stress and anxiety attacks.

Emergency rooms are currently filled with people who are stressed out over home foreclosures, financial problems, and the loss their retirement funds. According to some surveys, it is indicated that as many as 75% of the American population is experiencing chronic stress, over the current economy, and personal finances.

Yoga’s holistic approach toward total health is seen as an aid toward relieving stress and high levels of anxiety. Every student of Yoga is taught an ancient method, which brings about a state of inner calm. As you probably know, there are many forms of Yoga. Depending upon your age, and fitness level, one method may work better, than the other, for relieving stress.

Movement-based Yoga might be perfect for you, but it might not be the best solution for students with pre-existing joint injuries. Styles like Vinyasa, Power, Flow and Ashtanga, perform much more continuous movement than most Hatha Yoga styles.

However, gentle Vinyasa styles might be a perfect solution for the student who loves movement, but must be very careful about the amount of impact on his or her joints.

Styles, such as – Restorative, Iyengar, and Kripalu, tend to hold their asanas longer. These styles attract students from a wide variety of ages and fitness levels.

There are many more Yoga choices for stress relief, but it is wise to research the style and meet a potential teacher before you make a decision.

When considering Yoga, as a solution for chronic stress, consider the following questions.

1. Is the class, style, and teacher, you are considering, safety oriented?

2. Does the teacher take the time to answer questions?

3. Will you make a real commitment to practice Yoga on a steady basis?

As a student, you have every right to safe instruction within your Yoga classes. You do not have to settle for less than the best possible Yoga teacher. It should also be noted that Yoga has realistic stress management solutions for those students who make a commitment to practice on a steady basis.

© Copyright 2008 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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Yoga For Stress
FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos.
Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”
——————————————–
On-Site Yoga Training: http://www.aurawellnesscenter.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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Written By Yioulika Christophidou

Stress, rushing life, competitiveness, materialism make us more and more neurotic, increase our ego, worries, anger and fear in our lives. Many diseases are a result of our lifestyle, our emotions and psychology. Science has found many ways to solve people’s health issues, but as the time goes health problems are increasing instead of decreasing. This should make us wonder why, and as human beings it’s our responsibility to give an honestly answer. We realise that we shouldn’t see a problem on the surface and we can absolutely say that the real doctor of ourselves is our self. If we start getting know ourselves and being in contact with our body, our inner organs, our emotions and mind then we can face everything that is coming in our life. Yoga is an excellent tool for this. It makes people releasing from diseases, stress, sadness and untruth in the daily life.

Many people make the mistake of considering Disease as an entity—a real thing—an opponent of Health. This is incorrect. Health is the natural state of Man, and Disease is simply the absence of Health. If one can comply with the laws of Nature he cannot be sick. When some law is violated, abnormal conditions result, and certain symptoms manifest them-selves, and to which symptoms we give the name of some disease. Yoga makes the vital force or prana of the body to work freely and without hindrance, and its methods and exercises are largely devoted to that end. There is within every physical body, a certain vital force which is constantly doing the best it can for us, notwithstanding the reckless way in which we violate the cardinal principles of right living. Yoga teaches that the physical body is built up of cells, each cell containing within it a miniature “life” which controls its action.

These “lives” are really bits of intelligent mind of a certain degree of development, which enable the cells to do their work properly. These bits of intelligence are, of course, subordinate to the control of the central mind of man, and readily obey orders given from headquarters, consciously or unconsciously. The process of digestion, assimilation, etc., shows the intelligence of the cells, either separately or collectively, in groups. Cell-life in the body may be compared to a large colony, operated on a cooperative plan, each cell having its own work to do for the common good, each working for all, and all working for the common welfare.

That’s the way yoga teaches us to live. And that’s the way children must live. As adults we have the option to choose in which way we want to live. What about children, though? Children are influence a lot from the people around them, their parents or their school. If their environment is in a stressing rhythm they will be influence from that even if they don’t realise it. People are not letting children to learn their selves and grow up healthy. The emptiness of adult’s life influences the child’s life.

It’s a very common situation when parents don’t let their children to be what they really are but what they want to create, an image that actually satisfy them. So, one thing brings the other. If you don’t feel free to express your self as you are or you don’t make decision about you but others do it for you, you start loosing your real self and the body reacts to this with physiological or psychological problems. Unfortunately it’s not in our culture to have an understanding of our body, feelings and thoughts. Instead of this we live in our head, in our mind and this is how a child learns to live and then starts to loose the contact with his self.

There are also many physiological or psychological results from the modern way of living. In many countries children need to change their lifestyles immediately. If not, there will be serious health repercussions that will shake our health. Many children live in single parent households. This has become a painful fact of life for children to accept growing up without both of their parents. The family unit has changed and parents need practical solutions a lot more than criticism or a lecture. Many children are shifted from school to day care, while both parents are working extra hours to support the family. Many of today’s meals are composed of processed foods -whether they are store-bought, or bought for takeout, from a restaurant.

Children are bigger than ever, due to inactivity and a high fat / carbohydrate diet. Large numbers of big children will become even bigger adults, who are at risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, various forms of cancer, and much more. Peer pressure in school is much more than just drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol. Children are harassed by their peers, over every issue, including the clothes they wear. Recent studies have proved that childhood stress is at an all time high. The modern life with stimulus overload in today’s media-rich world of TV, video games, computers make them inactive. Sitting at home in front of a screen is one of the worst things can happen, especially for a child. Even their eyes are not relaxing or being flexibly cause of the staring. The breathing usually has a wrong rhythm and the posture of the body is in a wrong position. It is very alarming how many children are suffering from psychosomatic disorders such as sleeping disturbances, eating disturbances, headaches, and very often wrong posture like drooping shoulders as well as stress related to pressure, competition and aggression in school.

It’s time to see what is really important to give them. It’s time to show them another path of an essential life. To help children cope, we must find a way of exercise that involves the whole body, the unity of body, soul and mind. Yoga is the way to come back to this unity, to come back to perfect balance. It makes the child alert, flexible (in mind and body), stronger healthier and more confident. Yoga helps a growing child develop physically, emotionally and psychologically. By practicing this wonderful science and art children can blossom into healthy and well-balanced men and women with strong bodies, clear minds and pure hearts.

Yoga for children is certainly one way to ensure that our children grow up healthy and happy, at a time in our history where kids are busier than ever and, subsequently, feeling more stress. It can help children deal with these pressures and learn techniques to help them to face life’s challenges more easily. With Yoga children have the opportunity to explore “within”, to take the time to check in with their bodies and minds. Yoga is a great way for all children to learn to enjoy movement, to increase body awareness and self esteem, and empower them to take responsibility for their overall health.

It can make them releasing and relaxing from the stress and the untruth of daily life. It offers them a chance to set their own goals, without a strict measurement of success. They can enjoy the companionship of other children, without a competitive mind-set that can cause aggression. Children do not have to worry about making the “next cut” in their Yoga class. There is no worry about reaching the next level. This can make them, be interested about their body and their self instead thinking of “winning” the others.

Moreover, Yoga can help them to feel more comfortable in their own skin. It’s about discovering the joy and design of their body. Stress can also affect the body causing the muscles to become tense and unable to relax. Children will be able to reduce the tension in their muscles. It will also promote a positive outlook because there is no negative in their minds and bodies. Once the child learns the breathing techniques and practices them, it has tools to use when it starts to feel stressed. These may help to deal with not only the stress, but also help to clear the mind and help prevent making irrational decisions. It can give their confidence a boost.

They face their fears. And yoga encourages their creativity to flow; their fears, anger, and sadness to release; their trust in the inner self to shine; their minds and hearts to be in synch. Yoga’s postures have therapeutic power. They can help children that are suffering from disorders with specific postures that relate to each disorder. For example, asthma is a disorder that unfortunately many children have these days.

Physically, the benefits of practicing yoga for children range from improving flexibility to enhancing strength and coordination. Children will naturally jump, roll on the ground, run, and spin around, in the course of playing with their friends. They can happily do poses in a playful way when their movements are natural to their proportion and energetic natures. As children gain strength and experience, they can become aware of their bodies’ needs and capabilities. Kids can focus on where their bodies are today and be amazed at what their bodies can do. Yoga is not about “going for the burn”.

Instead, it should challenge a child’s body without straining it or risking pulled muscles. Practicing and holding poses helps children develop muscle strength, stamina and concentration. Many yoga poses derive their inspiration from animals and plants. When children are given the opportunity to imitate the movements and sounds of nature, it is not only very enjoyable, but it also gives them the chance to experience, for example, the power of the lion, the grace of a swan, or the grounding of a tree. This introduces kids to the true essence of yoga: union, expression and honour for oneself and others.

Kids also, are provided with the opportunity to explore their innate abilities across many planes: linguistic, logical, visual, musical, kinaesthetic, naturalistic, interpersonal and intrapersonal. Their sense of calmness, relaxation and concentration are improved. They become much more aware of their diet, posture, breathing, activities, and daily exercise routine. It’s important to say that these benefits can also help children at home and in school.

The active yoga exercises are always followed by a deep relaxation. Relaxation is also very important. Children love to move and speak most of the time but it comes a time that the body, the mind, the energy has to calm down and relax. Most of the people never actually relax. They think that they are relaxing when they are sitting at night watching TV or even when they are going to sleep.

Children must experience that this is not a relaxation. With Yoga they can see and feel the relaxation in a different way. They can just free their mind from any thoughts and any memories of their day. They can focus on their breathing and this can help them in any time of the day when they feel the desire to relax and then they can continue their day in a healthy, consciously way. They can deal with a disappointment or any bad thing that maybe can happen and releasing that emotion from their body and their mind. If they can’t really relax every emotion stuck inside the body and then goes on, the one after another.

So the emotion goes deeper and deeper in the body and you just don’t know what the problem is, and so confusion begins. We don’t want to live in chaos inside us and we don’t want children to start living this way. A health problem maybe comes from this deep emotional tightness in the body, so it’s very important to realise how to deal with this. Realising is depends in our self. How much we really want to let go every day from the every day life and how much we keep the mind clear.

It is better and easier to do this as long as you are young because you didn’t create so many defends yet. The point is to be aware of what you are and what is really happening around you. And you can do this by letting go. Letting go the past, letting go your thoughts, letting go the tightness in your body, letting go the emotional tightness that express into your body. And the great thing is that you do this by yourself, so the way of your life does not depend to anyone, except you. Of course here responsibility takes place because there are no excuses anymore. The role of the Yoga teacher is of foremost importance if Yoga is to be successfully introduced to children.

The Yoga teacher must be able to arouse curiosity in the pupils and create in them a desire to learn. He or she must inspire and enthuse the children and should be cheerful in the class. A Yoga teacher must allow them to express who they are, not tell them what to be. The great challenge is to be able to hold their attention. Kids love to be in motion and they love to talk. They can do both of these in a yoga class and they will love playing like various animals, trees, flowers, cobras and warriors. The instructor should allow them to let go and roar in the lion pose, bark in the dog pose, meow in a cat stretch and hiss in a cobra. You can mix mindfulness with playfulness and yoga postures by weaving them into adventure stories that the kids help to create.

Kids and yoga seem like a natural match. It can be therapeutic for those who need it. Kids can develop healthy bodies at an early age and also healthy habits. They are capable of much more than we think they are, and if given the right environment, they will excel beyond our belief. This is something they can keep with them for the rest of their lives and live a life with truth and love and no confusion. It’s a treasure that you can have everywhere and always with you.

Resources:

1. Book: Hatha Yoga. By Yogi Ramacharaka
2. Article: Yoga for kids! By Michael Russel
3. Article: Yoga for children. By Karin Wettimuny
4. Article: Yoga for children? Yes! By Shakta Kaur Khalsa
5. www.yahooyoga.com

Yioulika Christophidou is a Kid’s Yoga Teacher who lives in Cyprus.

Side note from Paul: Sometimes I receive an Email that needs to be publicly posted, but the author wants to remain anonymous. This is the case in the letter below.

Dear Paul,

It is inspiring to receive your monthly News Letter and to learn of the positive progress of the many students under your care. I have read with interest some of the letters and note that some need a little reassuring in that Yoga is the correct path for them to trod. I should like to add a little of my humble path in Yoga so that it would be encouraging for others, nothing more.

I celebrated 60 continuous year as a Yoga practitioner in 2006 having started the practice of Yoga at 15 years of age. I am in my 62 year of practice and have not missed a day of hatha and meditation in 62 years. At that time when I started in the year 1947 Yoga was unknown to 99% of the population and my Indian Guru at that time a Reverend Swami forbid any gospilising of the practice. Indeed when colleagues discovered that I would go daily to the local park at lunch time to meditate (in then 1949) I was ridiculed and treated with great suspicion, I was threatened with serious rebukes from the management but because I was considered an asset to the company with my work ethic this was overlooked and respect was slowly gained.

My mother who was an avid and religious Christian joined in the persecution and made life as a practitioner difficult and awkward. She and her Christian group were convinced that when I meditated at 5.00 am before setting off to work that there was a communication with the devil. Despite all this, I of course had iron faith in the efficacy of Yoga and slowly gathered a small group of like minded men. We would practice together in the open air and under trees.

Despite a ski ing accident in 1963 when I had my left arm in plaster I managed to continue. A key asana was Mayurasana(the peacock pose) and still is. So I managed to practice this with one arm only and could hold the pose for 1 minute.

You may have calculated by now my age which is 76 years and in my 77th year and still more keen on the practice than ever. It never does to boast of ones fitness as the human body is fragile and life can be eclipsed in a second. However, to encourage others is the object of this little note to you.

Every 6 months I have a health check and the medical people are quite amazed at the clinical results. The say my blood pressure for my age is extraordinary it averages 92/60 over the years I have been tested which they say is a young fit athlete. My cholesterol is 3 which again is considered excellent by the medics and the Body Mass Index (BMI) is a healthy 20. I take no medication so there is no boost from this source. In respect to my Rev Guru I do not reveal to the medics the reason for these results despite their kind questioning. Of course one must be a strict abstainer from all alcohol and do not smoke, absolutely no compromise for a Yoga practitioner. (Consider the effect on the Chakras otherwise) So my answer to the medics is simply live a chaste moderate life.

My daily practice is 1 hour hatha and meditation in the morning and 30 minutes before retiring. By the way I can hold sirhasana(head stand) for 20 minutes and Mayurasana (peacock) for 2 minutes.

Kind Regards,

Anonymous

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Yoga therapy has been sitting by quietly, while the mainstream population has begun to “try Yoga,” but that may soon change. With the world’s governments and financial markets struggling along, there will be many changes in the near future.

The world’s governments will have to consider the massive cost of national defense, retirement programs, education, healthcare, energy, education, and preventative health.

At this time, prevention in healthcare is a “field of dreams.” As we know, some medical conditions are inherent within our specific genetic pool. However, there are many ailments, diseases, and conditions, which are preventable.

This is where healing modalities such as, Yoga therapy can become cost-effective alternatives to an over burdened medical system. Below is a question and answer session about the need for Yoga as a recognized form of therapy.

Q: What is Yoga Therapy?

A: Most of today’s Yoga therapy can be traced back to Sri Swami Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, who trained his share of modern masters, including his son T.K.V. Desikachar (Viniyoga) and B.K.S. Iyengar (Iyengar Yoga).

Yoga has therapeutic value and can be modified for any person. This is not the same form of Yoga movement seen in most health clubs. Yoga therapy involves teaching customized techniques, to one individual, based upon his or her specific needs.

This may encompass postures, specific breathing, meditation, and a large variety of Yogic techniques. The Yoga therapist’s primary objective is to treat the whole person. Complete physical health cannot be separated from emotional and mental health.

In fact, spiritual health also plays an important factor in recovery. We know that the power of prayer, mantra, and positive affirmation, will enable a person to heal faster. There is much conflict over which specific religion a person practices. Yet, this is a private decision and, as such, should be left to the individual.

Q: Why should Yoga teachers be concerned with Yoga therapy?

A: Some teachers are content teaching athletic forms of Yoga. This is a wonderful thing, but as we, and our students, grow older, teachers become aware of a variety of ailments. Constant pain creates a need for relief, because you can think of nothing else.

If you have a migraine, or back pain, can you think of much else? The mind is totally focused on pain. Hence, there is a need for inner calm and pain relief, which therapeutic Yoga can give.

Q: What is Yoga Therapy’s future role in alternative health?

A: Yoga is the source of many different healing modalities. As I have stated many times, “Yoga is the mother of all health maintenance systems.” Contemporary medicine and Yoga therapy have plenty of space together on the path to heal humanity.

There is no shortage of people who are in pain. Yoga is a cost-effective form of therapy. Together, medicine and Yoga can effectively help people who are suffering from a variety of ailments.

© Copyright 2008 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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