Archive for February, 2009

The Language of Yoga

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Q: When I first received, and started reading, the materials in the Intro course, I was really overwhelmed by all the Sanskrit terms in the “Heart of Yoga” and set it aside for a while. Recently, I’ve been reading it again and finding a wealth of information in the book.

I have completed most of the twenty questions for the Intro course and wonder if I’ll ever really master all the Sanskrit in yoga. Many of the terms have deep, more complex meanings that cannot be defined with a single English synonym.

Also, when reading the “Heart of Yoga” a single sentence might have more than one Sanskrit term in it. I feel like I need to commit time to memorizing all the terms but that feels like such a huge undertaking.

I have connected with a local yoga instructor and I’m participating in yoga classes twice per week. I discussed my frustration with the Sanskrit with my yoga instructor and she gave me the book, The Language of Yoga.

This book looks like a great resource, though I haven’t started reading it or listening to the CD’s yet. I’m wondering if you have any thoughts on using “The Language of Yoga” and learning Sanskrit.

A: My guess is your past teachers did not explain Sanskrit in class. Sanskrit is a distant relative of Latin, but the words do have deep meanings. The more exposure you have, the more comfortable you will be. It’s not so much memorization, as devoting yourself toward becoming comfortable with research.

Please consider the following solutions. The Language of Yoga is a good resource, but you should run the CDs up to track 9 to get past the chanting and focus on words or phrases. It is much easier to learn a language when you focus on single words first.

We also have an online forum for Sanskrit translations:

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=2

 The Yoga teachers on the forums are very friendly and are happy to help.

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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Written by Jay Franco

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 

Have you ever wondered about the causes of cramps or why there are differences in the colors of the same chakras? Below is a question and answer session from a lecture for Yoga teachers at Aura Wellness Center.

Q: If a student (normally very fit) gets a cramp during the class, what can I do as a Yoga teacher, in terms of safety and health?

A: With cramps, the muscles involved are like a pulley system. For example: If someone is getting cramps in the calf, the toes should be spread apart and point upward, but not straight forward, which would intensify the muscle cramp.

This movement lengthens the calf muscle and relieves the cramp. This principle works with most other muscle groups. The problem of cramping can get worse if a student decides to push through a cramp. Also, massage can be of good benefit.

 Q: What poses would you suggest for a student, who has weak ankles and sore feet, to promote a better and easier feeling?

A: About weak ankles – this depends on the student, but it is usually a skeletal problem. There is limited muscle tissue around the ankles. However, if you want to help a student develop stronger ankles, then a balancing program, with balancing postures, such as Tree and Eagle, would work.

 Concerning sore feet – the best thing to do is massage them. You can do this by using the thumbs, with massage oil, and massage the bottom of the feet from the heels toward the balls of the feet. Make sure you massage all the way to the toes.

 Q: In one of my Yoga books, the color of the chakras are completely different than in the other books I came across so far. For instance: The root chakra is stated as yellow where all the other books I have are describing it with red color.

A: We will never have standardized colors for Chakras. People have a difficult enough time agreeing on matters that they can clearly see; let alone something they cannot see. In the case of Chakras, most of us have never visibly seen them. Thus, a disagreement will continue until there is a way to physically view them.

Q: Now going back to the cramps how can my student release a cramp from a front part of the thigh? Does it have to do also something with inappropriate breathing? Would deeper breathing prevent a student from getting cramps?

A: To release a cramp from the front part of the thigh, you need to draw the heel back toward the sit bone. This movement and posture instantly stretches out the thigh.

Postures such as: Lord of the Dance pose (Natarajasana), Bow pose (Dhanurasana), and Half Bow pose (Ardha Dhanurasana), will help. These are not the only asanas to choose from; any posture that draws the heel back toward the sit bone will be beneficial.

 Massage can also help, but the pain is usually deep into the muscle, so it would have to be a deep tissue massage, which can also be very painful. Therefore, asana is the fastest and most effective solution.

About breathing: Improper breathing could cause cramps around the vital organs. Pranayama is most effective for deep cramps located around the vital organs (heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, digestive system, and so on). However, to use pranayama for cramps, in the legs or arms, will not usually give you quick results.

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

On a worldwide scale, many people practice Hatha Yoga daily to compensate for chronic stress.  While anxiety and stress are nothing new to humankind, this recent state of economic instability, and uncertainty, has caused people from every part of the world to worry about the economy.

At the same time, people are taking a pro-active stance toward their health.  During the Great Depression, many people resorted to alcohol instead of seeking a positive solution.  In contrast, it is encouraging to see the number of people, who are seeking alternative health methods to deal with overwhelming stress. 

The level of education today has resulted in more rational solutions, when people consider methods for relief of worry.  The age groups, who practice Hatha Yoga, cover the entire spectrum.  There are Baby Yoga, Mommy and me, and Chair Yoga classes.

During the course of a week, I see students from 5 to 101 years of age.  In comparison to alcohol, Yoga is very inexpensive.  The cost of a Yoga class is about the same, or less than, two glasses of wine at a local restaurant.  In contrast to consuming alcohol, it is safe to drive home after a Yoga class.

Low levels of stress cause many different aches and pains.  Headaches, back pain, neck pain, cramps, and an upset stomach are common ailments, which often result from too much stress.

High stress levels can cause many serious health ailments.  In fact, chronic stress can kill you.  When constant stress attacks the body, you may have high blood pressure and heart palpitations as a result of it.  Over the long term, heart disease is a potential by-product of constant stress.

However, many Yoga students have done their research about the benefits of preventative health.  The results of a steady Yoga practice tone the body and clear the mind.  So far, nobody has been able to produce these same results by drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

Lastly, your mind is your most valuable asset in any economy; but in the worst of times, we need clear heads to prevail.  This is not the worst of times for most of us, but it’s certainly not the best of times either.  Yoga allows people to find some relaxation, despite the new economy.

Your mind has to be able to relax in order to find solutions for a variety of problems, which each of us face on a daily basis.  Hatha Yoga is a path which leads one toward training the mind to find solutions.

© Copyright 2009 – 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

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

The exact cause of back pain can sometimes be a mystery.  If your physicians cannot come up with a solid reason for your pain, after a battery of tests, you may want to try an alternative method.  Below is a case, when Yoga has helped a back pain mystery.

Q: I have been getting pain in the L-4 and L-5 area of the Lumbar spine for the past six years.  Sometimes, the pain is in my sacrum, but it is a mystery.  My doctors have taken numerous X-rays and MRIs, but nobody has found anything structurally wrong with my spine.

One doctor told me it is all in my head, but the pain is sharp, wincing, and I swear it is real to me.  Another doctor offers me all the pain killers I need.  My Chiropractor suggested I visit a Yoga class.  After listening to her say it ten times, I finally went to a gentle restorative Yoga class, because I was in so much pain that I couldn’t think straight.

After the class was over, I was in complete shock.  The pain was gone and I slept well that night.  After two days, the pain came back. I visit Yoga classes and it goes away again.  Do you have any idea what is going on? 

A: Chronic spinal pain can be a mystery.  It is believed that as many as 85% of patients, who experience lower back pain, cannot be given a precise diagnosis.  Hence the reason why we hear terms such as: “Sprain or “strain,” when no structural damage is apparent. 

There are many approaches to solving back pain, and it seems as if you have experienced many of them.  One of my suggestions would be to develop a daily Restorative Yoga practice that you can perform each day.  You should base it upon what you do in your classes. 

Why change the routine, if you know it works?  Ask your Yoga teacher if he or she objects to your taking notes, and explain why you need to gather information.  It is the combination of postures which adjust your spine, laterally, forward, backward, and twisting during your session that helps; but the combination of pranayama, meditation, and relaxation techniques could also be of therapeutic value.

Consider this: Through your attendance at Yoga classes, you have learned an effective form of pain management, with no side effects.  You may be able to maintain your spine naturally, without spending a fortune.  It would be nice to know the exact cause of your pain, but you have found a solution that may work over the long term.

© Copyright 2009 – 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

  Written By Jay Franco

Once you have decided to follow a healthy regime through yoga, the next step is to pick the type of yoga that you want and be acquainted about yoga basics. You can choose a yoga class near by for easy conveyance. Yoga doesn’t need any kind of costly equipment except for loose comfortable clothes and a yoga mat.

Some easy positions of yoga, for beginners

We all do simple positions in everyday life, like lying down, sitting, standing, prone inverted etc. But with proper practice of the aforementioned yoga postures the beginners can be benefited to great extent. These simple activities are arranged and worked out so that a yoga beginner also gains from them. Medical practitioners find yoga to be therapeutic. They even suggest to make yoga a part of their every day life. With gradual introduction of yoga and its method health benefits can be gained.

As a yoga beginner you can choose moderate style like the Viniyoga, Kripalu yoga or Iyengar yoga. You can choose vigorous forms like the power yoga, Asthanga yoga in late stages. The later one will be too dynamic for the yoga beginners.

See that you start yoga gently with 10-15 mins warm up session, as it increases blood circulation and lubrication in joints. The body flexes and it becomes easier to do the yoga asana. Maintain correct erect posture throughout.

Breathing techniques of yoga, for beginners

Yoga is synonymous with breathing technique. With simple breathing exercises in yoga like the pranayama, kapalbhati, anuloma-viloma, one can improve breathing pattern and lung capacity. This kind of yoga relaxes and eases stress.

Importance of sequence for yoga beginner

Ideal yoga sequences should not be taxing, especially for beginners. As a yoga beginner you can start with standing pose, followed with sitting posture, Supine postures, twist poses, prone postures, inverted and balance postures, back bends and finishing asana.

Some dos for yoga beginners

As a beginner it’s better to inform the yoga instructor that you are new to yoga fitness regime. You can even ask the teacher to help you out in case of need. You can seek the help of other advanced students to demonstrate poses. It’s better to know about basic yoga etiquette and learn some basic yoga poses, this you can do searching online or from books and DVDs. Start fresh with refreshing bath prior to yoga practice. Always end the yoga session with shavasana.

Some don’ts for yoga beginners

Avoid taking large heavy meals before any yoga class. Ensure that you have eaten 3-4 hrs before the class. You can have some water before and after the yoga class. Avoid tight fitted clothes, shoes and socks while doing yoga.

Learn how to make assists and adjustments with students when practicing Surya Namaskar, from a lecture at Aura Wellness Center in Attleboro, MA with Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500.

Written By Jay Franco

Yoga, in all forms, is escalation of consciousness and progression. Karma yoga is one of the preparatory stages of Hatha yoga. Karma means action, while Karma yoga is a way to take these actions to the path of salvation.

Karma yoga is primarily based on the teachings of the holy book of the Hindus, the Bhagavad-Gita, and is meant with the “discipline of action.”  The essence of Karma yoga lies in eulogizing action, regardless to the fruit of action. Karma yoga is believed to be one of the four pillars of yoga.

Background of Karma yoga

In the Bhagavad-Gita, there is a chapter on the entire process of Karma yoga. The dialogue takes place between Arjuna and Lord Krishna. In this episode, the lord explains and enlightens him of all the yoga systems, including Karma yoga. The Hindu philosophies comprehend on karma and samskar. Hindus believe that every individual is born with definite karma, positive or negative. The cycle of life, and past life, continues till the individual arrives at zero balance, and they are then believed to have reached liberation.

Concept of Karma yoga

“Karma”  is a Sanskrit derivative from “kri,” which means “to do.”  Yoga transforms with the “union.”  The literal meaning of Karma yoga is “course of union through action.”  Even Adi Shankaracharya has said that with practice of Karma, the mind purifies. Karma yoga is the first step to Jnana Yoga and finally, towards salvation.

Principle rules of Karma yoga

The key rules of Karma yoga lie in two decrees – yama and niyama. Yama deals with conduct towards others, while niyama is meant with conduct in ourselves.

Benefits of Karma yoga

The selfless service purifies one’s heart. The individual becomes a Karma yogi with the development of kindness, love, mercy, sympathy, and waning of hatred, self-centeredness, jealousy, etc.

Karma yoga brings us closer to God. With development of tolerance and oneness, he/she feels unified with all creation. The attainment of spiritual powers is the next step in Karma yoga. A true Karma yogi serves people selflessly and is respected in the society. This happens with practice of Karma yoga and can be felt. One of the greatest Karma yogis of all times is Gautama Buddha.

Practicing Karma yoga

Like it is said, “charity begins at home.” Similarly, one can practice Karma yoga in every day life in simple ways, by showing compassion to the poor or needy. Take delight in serving the destitute, this simple Karma will evolve you one step further towards moksha.

Serenity and Prosperity

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Contrary to popular opinion, within different forms of Yoga, there are combined methods of meditation, mantra, and affirmation for prosperity.  The world could use some prosperity right now.  Should you become too prosperous, as a result of the following practices, you can always donate your surplus to the nearest charity.

There are a variety of mantras for prosperity.  For example: Bhakti Yoga practitioners may call upon Parameshwari (the Supreme sovereign Mother Goddess) for wealth, longevity, abundance, and everything we desire in life.  There is also the Ardas Bahee meditation, which is a combination of mantra and meditation performed by some Kundalini Yoga practitioners. 

There are also many more, but what if these practices collide with your religious beliefs?  You may not be comfortable calling upon a live or deceased Yoga Guru or a deity from a religion, with whom you are unfamiliar.  Whatever your religious belief, you have the power of prayer or affirmations.

For non-believers, the concept of prayer might not work for them, but the power of positive affirmations is still very significant.  To believe in one’s abilities to find answers and solutions is a primary step toward any form of empowerment.

For believers, from each of the world’s religions, the power of prayer is universal, and it is taken for granted that miracles happen on a daily basis.  If people collectively have similar prayers, mantras, or affirmations, this creates a massive rebounding wave in the Law of Attraction.

To avoid any religious conflicts, let’s take a look at affirmations.  The following are examples of short, and straight-to-the-point, positive affirmations, which are realistic.  One could repeat one of these positive affirmations as a preventative measure (to prevent negative thinking) or in times of need.

“I love life and accept prosperity unconditionally.”

“I am grateful for my family, friends, and all the prosperity I receive.”

“I become more prosperous each day.”

“Each day is filled with endless opportunities.”

You may be thinking, “My Yoga teacher never covers mantra or affirmations during class.  We basically focus on Yoga as an exercise.”  If this is the case, there is nothing stopping you from pursuing more knowledge.  Some Yoga classes focus only on asana (postures). 

The reason this happened is because some of the most valuable aspects of Yoga were not as popular as the physical exercises.  Past experiences may discourage teachers from discussing the benefits of pranayama, meditation, mantra, kriyas, mudras, bandhas, and so much more.  Now that you know the power of a trained mind, there are two ways to advance your practice.

1. Seek out a competent Hatha Yoga teacher, who will show you a path to control your mind.

2. Develop foundational Yogic training.  Then, immerse yourself in self-study and Yoga studies.  The search for truth is what Jnana Yoga (the path of knowledge) is founded upon.

© Copyright 2009 – 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

Stimulate Knowledge and Ability

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Why do some Yoga Gurus frown on the concept of prosperity?  What does a prosperous life mean to them? How do you define prosperity?  If you want to be prosperous, how would you go about cultivating abundant energy?  Let’s take a journey into Yogic philosophy and the energy surrounding the cultivation of prosperity.

Is a prosperous life bad?  Is abundance the reason for a miserable existence?  The reason prosperity is scorned by some is based upon what a person does with it.  Will a person become greedy or generous, when faced with a sudden windfall of wealth?  It all depends on the person.  Greed and selfishness are the true roots of the problem. 

There seems to be an ageless conflict between spiritual growth and economic growth.  Some people see prosperity only as material wealth.  This is how the dividing line between Yoga and money was arrived at.  Yet, all of us wish a newborn child and a newlywed couple a long and prosperous life.

Prosperity has many definitions, and the most important qualities of a prosperous life are not tangible.  Prosperity can be defined as any of the following: Comfort, joy, inner peace, love, an easy life, or fortunate financial circumstances.  The opposite of prosperity is misery, inner turmoil, sadness, rage, or poverty.

Only a person, who is consumed with intense hatred, would wish misery, sadness, rage, or poverty, on another being.  Therefore, look at abundance and prosperity for what they are.  Prosperity and abundance are tools to help everyone. 

If you want to be prosperous, how would you go about cultivating the energy of abundance?  Firstly, you should realize that you deserve prosperity as much as anyone else.  So many people feel that they are not worthy of a comfortable life.  This sort of change in your thinking requires you to re-program your mind and envision success.

The second step is to engage The Law of Karma by taking positive action.  Do not wait for your dreams to happen by wishing for them.  You must move forward, toward your dreams, with a plan of action.  Just by making small changes each day, you are on the path to prosperity.

Your meditation or Yoga practice time should be filled with positive energy.  You could view meditation and Yoga as time spent “charging your batteries.”  The ancient Yogis realized that the cultivation of energy, which we know as Prana, was time well spent.  Complete presence in the moment, during meditation or Yoga practice, allows you to draw positive energy from your surroundings.

© Copyright 2009 – 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