Archive for December, 2009

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Whether you practice alone, or teach Yoga classes full of students, you are familiar with the state of inspiration you feel. Some feel that Yogic inspiration gives them guidance, in the form of a sudden jolt of intuition, while searching for a solution to a problem. Other practitioners admit that a steady Yoga practice helps their creative thinking process.

Regardless of which form of Yoga you practice, the benefits of inspiration stay with you throughout the day. Yet, how much time do we take to inspire others? If we have no inspiration, there is nothing to share. If we are inspired, but fail to motivate others, we have gathered positive energy without sharing it.

It costs you nothing to share positive energy with others. All you have to do is encourage those who need it most. This is not to be confused with excessive or insincere praise. Each person has unique talents, which can be brought out if he or she feels worthy. Therefore, sincere encouragement might create enough energy for motivation.

Motivation is the key element of inspirational energy. One might say motivation is the spark that lights the fire of inspiration. For example: Beginners may need motivation to practice Yoga, but as they become inspired, the drive to continue practicing is perpetual. This form of ageless, and everlasting energy, can be created with encouragement and education.

You cannot change the world by lecturing when it is not wanted. Each of us learns this lesson, when we raise children. Leading by example is the way parents train children. For better, or worse, the lifestyle each of us chooses can be mimicked by someone who observes our behavior.

This journey we call life is a work in progress, but all of us need a little direction at the right time. In fact, the timing of encouraging words or actions is critical. You might compare this to a teacher who leads a Hatha Yoga class. To lecture students about all that can go wrong, while practicing Downward Dog, means little if they are not practicing that exact posture at the time.

A timely physical assist, and words of encouragement, can leave positive memories in a student’s mind forever. To advise them of possibilities that may never happen will often bore them. Much like life, Yoga has many lessons to offer at precisely the right time.

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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

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

By Elaine Stillwell

Yoga is now universally practiced. Its comprehensive and versatile practice is open to all people; whether religious or atheist, young or old, male or female, physically capable or physically impaired. There are many popular styles of yoga to suit each individual, for example, yoga for pregnancy, yoga for children, and yoga for seniors. The popularity of yoga can be attributed to its therapeutic effects on both the mind and the body, enabling practitioners to enjoy a profound sense of well-being. These therapeutic benefits are particularly relevant today with the ever-increasing pace of modern life. In today’s hectic world with many and varied demands, yoga acts as a relaxing balm, counterbalancing frantic lifestyles by quieting the mind and allowing individuals to slow down and to savor living in the present moment. With regular practice, yoga teaches us how to develop a greater awareness of both our physical and psychological states, which in turn increases our ability to cope with everyday stress and situations, enabling us to step back and assess our reactions and coping mechanisms.

Yoga is essentially a complete science of human behavior, dealing with all aspects of man from physical to the psychological, emotional and intellectual. Yoga has the ability to draw out our positive qualities and to lessen our weaknesses. With its knowledge of anatomy, physiology, consciousness, and conscience, yoga is a science that is able to integrate our body, mind, breath, and awareness, understanding the genuine needs of each individual and dealing with each aspect of health and well being from the periphery to the core.

Words are inadequate to convey the total value of yoga; it has to be experienced to taste its awesome power.

Yoga bestows benefits on many levels. The practice of asanas and pranayama rejuvenates the body. Practicing asanas cleanses the body by purging toxins from the body. Yoga postures increase the circulation of fresh blood to every cell in the body. Muscles get oxygenated. Regular practice of stretches, twists, bends, and inversions — the basic movements of asanas – restores strength and stamina to the body. Asanas, together with pranayama or the control of the breath, rectify physical, physiological, and psychological disorders. They have a positive impact on the effects of stress and disease. Among the many ailments that benefit from the practice of asanas are migraines, high or low blood pressure, osteoarthritis, diabetes, and asthma. Asanas cater to the needs of each individual according to his or her specific constitution and physical condition. Health is not just an absence of disease. Good health means that the joints, tissues, muscles, cells, nerves, glands and each system of the body must be in a state of perfect balance and harmony. Asanas balance the respiratory, circulatory, nervous, hormonal, digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems perfectly. Yoga asanas also help to ensure an even distribution of bio-energy or life force, which brings the mind to a state of calm.

The body and mind are in a state of constant interaction. Yoga treats the mind-body as an integrated entity. The mind and body work interdependently. The proof of this is in pranayama. When we breathe slowly, deeply and rhythmically, our mind steadies and calms as a result. The turmoil of daily life brings stress to the body and the mind. This creates anxiety, depression, restlessness, and sometimes, rage. Yoga asanas while appearing to deal with the physical body alone, actually influences the chemical balance of the brain, which in turn improves one’s mental state of being. The primary aim of yoga is to restore the mind to simplicity, peace, and poise, and to free it from confusion and distress. This simplicity, this sense of calm and order, comes from the practice of asanas and pranayama.

Asanas, if correctly practiced, bridge the divide between the physical and the mental spheres. Yoga stems the feelings of pain, fatigue, doubt, confusion, indifference, laziness, self-delusion and despair that assail us from time to time. The yogic mind refuses to accept such negative emotions and seeks to overcome these turbulent currents on the voyage to the total liberation of the self. Once we become sincere practitioners of yoga, we cease to be tormented by these unhappy and discouraging states of mind. Yoga illuminates our life. If we practice with sincerity, seriousness, and honesty, its light will spread to all aspects of our life. Regular practice will bring us to look at our goals and ourselves in a new light. It will help remove obstacles to good health and stable emotions.

How does yoga minimize the impact of stress on the individual? Yogic science believes that the regular practice of asanas and pranayama strengthens the nervous system and helps people face stressful situations positively. Financial tensions, emotional upheavals, environmental pollution, and above all, a sense of being overtaken by the speed of events, have all increased the stress of daily life. All these factors strain the body, causing nervous tension, and adversely affect the mind. While yoga is not a miracle cure to free a person from all stress, it does help to minimize it. The worries of modern life deplete our reserves of bio-energy, our prana, because we draw on our storehouse of vital energy in the nerve cells. This can ultimately exhaust our energy reserves and lead to the collapse of mental and physical equilibrium. Asanas improve blood flow to all the cells of the body, revitalizing the nerve cells. This flow strengthens the nervous system and its capacity to endure stress.

The diaphragm, according to yogic science, is the seat of intelligence of the heart and the window to the soul. During stressful situations, when we inhale and exhale, the diaphragm becomes too taut to alter its shape. Yogic exercises develop elasticity of the diaphragm so that when stretched, it can handle stress, be it intellectual, emotional, or physical. In times of stress, regular yoga practice kicks in to integrate the body, breath, mind, and intellect. Slow effortless exhalation brings serenity to the body cells, relaxes the facial muscles, and releases tension from the organs of perception: the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin. What follows is that, the brain, which is in constant communication with the organs, becomes void, and all thoughts stilled. Then, invading fears and anxieties cannot penetrate the brain. When we develop this ability, we perform our daily activities with efficiency and economy. We do not dissipate our valuable bio-energy, our precious prana. Our mind is free of stress and is filled with calm and tranquility.

The supreme goal of yoga is the union, (yoga means ‘union’ or ‘yoking’) of the individual spirit with the universal spirit, the finding of one’s essential nature (Self) beyond our ego, which has to be dissolved. This union with the Supreme, God, Brahman, Absolute, Ultimate Reality, Cosmic Consciousness, Universal Spirit, Soul, Void, Buddha Nature, It, represents a goal. Working towards this goal, the body, breath, mind, and spirit are disciplined, refined and perfected by yoga’s psycho-physiological techniques. Progress towards this goal provides great benefits to the body and mind, in improved health, relaxation, tranquility and self-mastery in life.

Yoga teaches and leads us to take this inner journey to the Soul. Yoga offers both the goal and the means to reach it. Yoga asanas integrate the body, the mind, the intelligence, and finally the Self in 4 stages. The first stage is one in which we practice at the level of the physical body. The second stage is when the mind moves in unison with the body. The third stage is when the intelligence and the body become one. The final stage is the state of perfection, of samahdi, nirvana, or satori. Intuitive Enlightenment occurs in a realized Yogin at this stage of Bliss and Joy.

Yoga meditation is one way that facilitates evolving the function of the mind from the subconscious to simple consciousness, gradually evolving to self-consciousness until it reaches universal consciousness. Outwardly, meditation is an awareness of posture, breath, and mental control. Inwardly, meditation is a spiritual search.

Meditation is a practical way to be more in touch with the fullness of our being through a systematic process of self-observation, self-inquiry, and mindful action.

Meditation is not a panacea for all of mankind’s internal conflict but it sure does help. Many Western doctors recommend meditation as an adjunct therapy. Many counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists recommend meditation to stabilize the mind. Hospital physicians use meditation to control pain. Meditation is extremely cost effective. Patients in hospitals can be taught meditation in a matter of 8 weeks. Neuroscientists study brain waves of meditators and conclude that the brain can learn and rewire itself back to good health.

Yoga students meditate so they can relax the mind when needed. To relieve the mind of negative mental energy is the result of the practice of meditation. Meditation is one of the most natural methods to bring the mind under control. It has no negative side effects compared to drugs or alcohol. The benefits are a more relaxed and focused mind, ready for daily tasks. Improved concentration, health, and right attitude are keys to a better quality of life, which fosters happiness. Inner peace results, which brings about better relationships with others. With further practice, meditation brings together our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self, into balance. We live in harmony with ourselves, with others and the world around us.

In periods of personal or health crisis, we have the capacity to train our mind so we heal better and faster. Meditation is truly an ally of our mind.

Yoga is a holistic experience that benefits the body, mind and spirit.

Bibliography:

Hewitt, James The complete yoga book, Schocken Books New York 1977

Iyengar, B.K.S. Yoga The Path to Holistic Health, Dorling Kindersley 2008

Jerard, Paul M, Jr., website: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Swami Vishnu-devananda, The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga, Three Rivers Press, New York 1988

Courtesy: Dr Rita Khanna’s Yogashaastra Studio

Elaine Stillwell is a certified Yoga Teacher. She teaches Yoga classes in South Melbourne, Australia and San Francisco, California.

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Why would anyone, of any religion, seek spiritual growth from Yoga practice? How compatible are Yogic concepts with other religions and philosophies? Is Yoga a wing of Hinduism or an ancient Universalist approach toward living? Let’s take a closer look at why people are choosing the Yogic path for their spiritual health.

Yoga was practiced for thousands of years by Hindus. When Yoga moved out of India, it was assimilated by people of many cultures and religions. These new non-Hindu Yoga students could not erase their previous religious, philosophical, and political learning. That said, the teachings of Bhakti, Raja, Karma, Jnana, Hatha, Kundalini, Mantra, Tantra, and Yantra Yoga will differ and integrate to some degree.

Therefore, teaching and learning Yoga depends upon the Yogic style, the teacher’s method, and the student’s culture. If a student is familiar with the Ten Commandments, he or she will see some similarities to the Yamas and Niyamas. In all cultures, morality is a universal concept. Humanity’s largest struggle has been with fear of outside ideas.

Anyone can get a copy of any religious text on the Internet. The authenticity and quality of the interpretation could be subjects for debate, but the fact is – people are reading more Holy Books than ever before. In fact, people are reading more about everything than at any previous time.

Why would anyone, of any religion, seek spiritual growth from Yoga practice? The reasons are many, but sometimes they have to do with moral examples of religious leaders and the education of the people. It is hard to convince educated people with threats, when the leadership of a religion is up to its ears in a scandal.

There is no need to point fingers; all you have to do is listen to, watch, or read the news. We readily accept scandals within governments. It has been a historical fact that governments are often less than perfect. However, to be let down by religious leaders takes a toll on the faithful. Scandals in religious settings have created a culture of spiritual “castaways.”

How compatible are Yogic concepts with other religions and philosophies? All religions teach us to forgive, to be tolerant, and to love each other. This message is clear to see in Yogic teachings. If you take part in any form of Yoga, courtesy and mutual respect, are foundational concepts of the practice.

Is Yoga a wing of Hinduism or an ancient Universalist approach toward living? The answer is: It depends upon your Yoga teacher, where you study, and lessons learned in your classes. If you practice fitness-oriented Yoga classes in a gym, chances are that Yogic philosophy may not be part of your class.

If you practice in an ashram – this was traditionally a religious settlement, where a priest, monk, or a group of people, lived in seclusion from society. Yoga studios are usually at store front locations and will not be secluded, but philosophy and lifestyle will likely be addressed.

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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

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

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

How can Yoga help anyone change the course of life? How many people say they would like to make a lifestyle change? How often do you hear someone say he or she would like to make a difference? Let’s look at each issue, and discover a formula for positive change, which will help you, and everyone you know.

How can Yoga help anyone change the course of life? Making a positive change in your life requires you to make a commitment. The root of our commitment is our decision making process and how serious we are about focusing on it. Any form of Yoga, teaches us how to focus our mind, and make positive changes around us.

Whether you practice alone, or under the guidance of a competent Yoga teacher, you begin to realize the unlimited potential that is within each of us. The biggest difference between people is that many have no direction. This lack of direction is a result of great social changes around us or the inability to focus in a particular direction.

However, great social changes have never stopped humanity from moving forward. There is always someone who is focused enough to lead a cause or a nation. A person who has chosen to lead has made a decision, reinforced it with commitment, and focuses on progress every day of his or her life.

How many people say they would like to make a lifestyle change? Most people would like to make a change, but they have not seen the three-step formula of: decision, commitment, and focus. It is not complicated, but each of us has to make an initial decision in order to shape our destiny.

How does Yoga help one learn to make a difference? At the heart of every cause is someone who has learned how to completely focus his or her mind. Consider M.K. Gandhi: He was a humble man. He could have sat back refused to act, and blamed the world for everything. Instead, he created a global philosophy of nonviolent resistance to social injustice and colonialism.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s decision to take part in India’s independence movement became a role model for other independence and social change movements around the world. We can learn from his example to this day. He may not have desired to change the world, but his example created awareness and changed the world view of social injustice.

From the outside, looking in, Yoga may seem quite ordinary. The physical Yoga styles move slowly, in comparison to other forms of exercise. The truth is – Yoga cannot be compared to exercises because the Yogic approach to life and health is holistic. To make decision, maintain a commitment, and remain focused, requires mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical fortitude; all of which can be revealed in Yoga practice.

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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

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

By Dr. Rita Khanna

To maintain a healthy body, a good Yoga program is essential. There are six basic movements that a body should perform in order to maintain good health. These are traction or stretching, twisting or squeezing, lateral stretching, bending forward, bending backward, and inversion. Let’s see our daily lifestyle. We wake up in the morning, we do our chores, and we sit down. Whether we sit on the bed, on a sofa, in our car, or go to the office and sit in our office chair, the body is in a bent position. It is actually folded forward. It means that we are not using the full movement of our body in our day-to-day activities.

OUR NORMAL HOUSEHOLD EXERCISES

Opening the cupboard and getting out thing – If there is something on the top shelf, maybe we stretch a bit more. If a child pulls on our trouser leg, then we may twist and look back. If something falls from our hand, we bend forward to pick it up. This is the extent of our physical movements in a normal daily situation. There are bound to be blockages in our energy channels. Where there are blockages, there is going to be suffering: aches, pains, hardening of the muscles, and stiffening of the joints.

MOBILIZING THE BODY WITH SIMPLE ASANAS

The following Asanas can help loosen up the body:

• TADASANA (THE PALM TREE POSE)

Tadasana involves stretching or traction. In this Asana, the entire body is pulled upward, and each joint is expanded from the toes – right to the tip of the hands.

HOW TO DO IT

Stand straight with feet together, arms by the sides. Inhaling, stretch the arms up over the head and slowly rise up on your toes, stretching and lengthening the abdominal area. Hold the position for a few seconds. Exhaling, bring the heels down on the floor and hands on top of the head. This is one round. You can repeat 7-10 times.

• TIRYAKA TADASANA (THE SWAYING PALM TREE POSE)

The Tiryaka Tadasana is a lateral stretch. It stimulates the lesser used muscles of the body, by stretching the side muscles. There is a complete stretch from the legs right up to the arms.

HOW TO DO IT

Stand straight with feet about two feet apart. Breathe in deeply and raise both of your hands over your head. Interlock your fingers, palms are facing towards the sky. Inhale, extend the spine. While exhaling, bend the body to the right from the waist as much as possible. Hold the position for a few seconds. Inhale and slowly come back to the upright position. Similarly, repeat the process on the left side. You can repeat 7-10 times on each side.

• KATI CHAKRASANA (WAIST ROTATING POSE)

Kati Chakrasana is a twisting exercise, which removes stagnant blood located in the different areas of the body, and encourages a fresh flow.

HOW TO DO IT

Stand straight, with feet about two feet apart, and the arms by the sides. Inhale as you raise your arms level to shoulders. Keeping the feet flat on the floor, exhale as you twist the upper body to the right side, wrapping the right arm behind the waist and the left hand onto the right shoulder. Turn the head fully to the right to look behind, towards the left heel. Hold the position for a few seconds. Inhale and return to the starting position. Similarly repeat the process on the left side. You can repeat 7-10 times each side.

• SURYANAMASKARA (SALUTE TO THE SUN)

Another practice, which combines forward and backward movements, is Surya Namaskara. Following are the 12 positions of Sun Salutation:

HOW TO DO IT

Position of Readiness:

Stand erect near the edge of the mat. Then take measurement with the foot and go one foot behind, keep both the feet together, weight evenly distributed, legs straight, arms are by your sides, fingers together. Now start.

1. Namaskarasana (Prayer Pose) 

Bring your hands into prayer position, in the middle of your chest, where your heart is located. Let the breathing be normal.

2. Hastottanasana (Raised Arms Pose)

Inhaling, extend your arms out in front of you, with palms together, and then stretch them above the head. When both arms reach near both ears, on the sides of the head, arch back from the waist as far as you can, legs straight. By the time you have stretched your arm, you should go on inhaling the breath. Do not bend the arms from the elbows.

(Do not bend the head on the backward side before both the hands are positioned on the side of the head. This is because the centre of the body is situated in the head. If the head bends towards the back earlier, the centre will go eccentric, and there are chances of getting toppled over. Hence, understand the instructions carefully and bend the head only when it is in the centre of both the hands).

3. Hastapadasana (Hand to Foot Pose)

From an arching position, come back to a straight position, with both hands remaining above the head in Namaskara position. Now, while exhaling, extend your arms out in front of you, as you bend forward at the waist with your head, and go on releasing the breath. Once you reach down, separate the hands, place them down on the floor on both the sides of the feet, fingertips in line with the toes. By the time your hands touch the ground, you should complete exhaling. Knees should remain straight, and try to touch your forehead with your knees. If you are not that flexible, then just do the best you can.

(This type of position is not easily possible in the beginning. Do not get disheartened. Bend your knees if necessary. Make efforts, but do not overstrain. Try to perform the pose as accurately as possible).

4. Ashwasanchalanasana (Lunge / Equestrian pose)

Inhaling, move the right leg away from the body, in a wide backward step. Let the right knee touch the ground. The toes of the right leg should be touching the ground, heel should be on top. The left knee should come near the chest, and should be between the two hands and pointing upward. Now breathe in. Look up and arch back by lifting your chin up.

5. Dandasana (Plank Pose)

Holding the breath in, bring the other leg back, and put it alongside the right leg. Both the knees should be straight, up and off the floor. The back should also be straight. The weight of the whole body will be supported on both the hands and the toes of the feet. The whole body should remain in one line, parallel to the floor, and look at the floor about six to eight inches beyond your hands, as you are in push-up position.

 6. Sashtanga Namaskara Asana (Salute with Eight Parts)

Exhaling, drop your knees, place your chest on the floor between your hands, hips are slightly off the floor, forehead or chin on the floor – whichever is most comfortable; elbows should be pointing upward and close to the body, toes are curled inward.

7. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

(Now, lower your hips to the floor; the body position is absolutely straight and flat on the floor. If your hands are not under the chest, adjust them, and keep them directly under the chest – keep the elbows half bent and closer to the body. Palms should be resting fully on the ground, feet together, and toes curled under).

Breathe in deeply. Push your chest forward and up, raising your head up and back. Shoulders are down and back, away from your ears (try to get your shoulder blades to touch each other). Do not straighten the arms.

8. Parvatasana (Mountain Pose)

Exhaling, push up into an inverted “V” position, raising the knees, back, buttocks, and chest, without moving your hands or feet, curl your toes under – toward your head. Push the body backwards, a little more and up, and try to get the heels closer to the floor, while bringing your head closer to the floor. Share your weight, on the palms of both the hands, and on the toes of the feet.

Hereafter numbers 9, 10, 11 and 12 Asanas are repetition of Asanas Nos. 4, 3, 2, and 1, respectively.

9. Ashvasanchalanasana (Lunge / Equestrian pose)

(Remember the leg, which was drawn backward in the 4th position. Yes, that was the right leg. Allow the right leg to remain straight backward).

Inhaling, take a wide forward step, bring the left leg in between both the hands, while placing the right knee on the floor, toes inward. Look up and arch back.

10. Hastapadasana (Hand to Foot Pose)

Exhaling, bring the right foot forward, in line with the left foot, and bend down from the waist. Knees should remain straight. Both of the hands should be on both sides of the feet, as in Position3. Try to bring the forehead closer to the knees, without excess strain.

11. Hastottanasana (Raised Arms Pose)

(Now, here without changing the position, first bring both hands together in prayer position, head lying in between the arms).

Keeping your arms by your ears, and inhaling, come up while extending your arms forward, up, over your head, then arch back slowly, with feet together from the waist, as in Position 2.

(Initially, assume a standing position, with head and legs in a straight line, and then bend with the hands and head behind, ensuring that knees and elbows do not bend).

 12. Namaskarasana (Prayer Pose)

Exhaling, stand straight, and bring your arms down in front of your chest in prayer position, as in Position 1- then down to your sides, as you return to your original upright position – Mountain Pose.

This constitutes one Surya Namaskara. One round of Surya Namaskara consists of two sequences, the first leading with the right leg (in Position 4) and the second leading with the left leg. With each Surya Namaskara, keep alternating your legs.

GUIDELINES

• Keep your hands in one place from Positions 3 to 10 and try to co-ordinate your movements with your breathing.

• Start by practicing four rounds and gradually build up to twelve rounds. You will experience a rapid heart beat, increased pulse, and your muscles will be infused with oxygenated blood.

• Irrespective of the number of rounds you are performing, it is a must to do Shavasana after that.

• People with medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, coronary heart diseases, hernia, or back problems should check with their doctor and practice Surya Namaskara with guidance from qualified and experienced Yoga experts.

• SHAVASNA

Lie down in relaxation (Corpse) position (Shavasana), legs three feet apart, arms away from the body six to eight inches, palms up, eyes are closed. Focus on your breath. After four or five deep Yogic breaths through the nostrils, your heart rate and pulse will return to normal.

• SIRSHASANA (THE HEADSTAND)

Sirshasana practice involves inversion of the body; but I would not recommend that all of you do it. However, you can definitely try Sarvangasana (The Shoulderstand), or Vipareet Karani Asana (The Half Shoulderstand), under the guidance of a competent Yoga teacher.

So these are a few simple, basic Asanas for the body, which remove blockages from the muscles, improve the circulation and movement of energy, and provide flexibility.

If you feel inspired by this article, feel free to publish it in your Newsletter or on your Website. Our humble request is to please include the Resource as follows: Courtesy: Dr. Rita Khanna’s Yogashaastra Studio. A popular studio that helps you find natural solutions for complete health.

Mobile: + 919849772485 Ph:-91-40-65173344

Email: yogashaastra@gmail.com

Website: www.yogashaastra.in

Dr. Rita Khanna

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

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

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Time off, or time away from work, is special to us because it gives us a chance to re-direct our energy. Some of us might call this “time to get our bearings straight.” Yet, how many people really take time off for themselves? Is it selfish to spend time on meditation, Yoga, or self-analysis during the holidays or on vacation? Let’s explore these questions, and see how we can accomplish more, when we have time off.

How many people really take time off for themselves? The short answer is: Not many. Students are very honest with their Yoga teachers. When asked how much time they spent meditating during the week, most Yoga students will readily admit they do not meditate at all. When asked how often they practice relaxation techniques, which are taught in Yoga class, most will admit that they do not practice any Yogic form of relaxation during the week.

There are exceptions to everything, and the above-mentioned information applies to western Yoga students. However, students and Yoga teachers, in Asia, also admit that life is moving much too fast. Family ties, job security, and global economics have challenged people in every corner of the earth. Strangely, humans seem to be addicted to electronic stimulation, and it is difficult for us to unplug ourselves from technology.

Is it selfish to spend time on meditation, Yoga, or self-analysis, during the holidays or on vacation? Everyone needs to take a break from bad news, technology, and work. Time away from work is short-lived and it should be appreciated to its maximum potential. This is time for rest, relaxation, healing, meditation, creative thinking, and finding one’s sense of direction.

Time spent on self-reflection helps one find solutions to healing the inner being. When the inner being is healed, it is much easier to help others, if they need, or want, our help. This need for self-reflection and healing, from within, is a simple formula known by sages of the past. A state of complete awareness (self-realization) cannot be reached without first healing your inner being.

Consider this: If you are in pain, what can you focus on? Usually, you can only focus on pain, but some of us might focus on revenge. A rare few blessed souls can focus on forgiveness, when feeling pain. Hopefully, our pain can be healed when we have time off and realize that forgiveness is the key to spiritual freedom. When we let go of our hate, anger, intolerance, and desire for revenge, we experience self-healing and we reflect spiritual beauty from within.

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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

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

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Whether you need non-contact continuing education credits, or you are seeking your first Yoga teacher training diploma, online courses have many positive advantages. It is true that not all online Yoga teacher education is equal, but there are some easy ways to tell who is genuine and who is not.

Is the online training course written, designed, and graded by Yoga teachers? This may sound curious, but some courses are not designed by Yoga instructors. Is the course recognized by an accrediting body? Research the course and the school before you make a decision.

One more point to consider: Does the certifying institution focus on creating Yoga courses or do they have diplomas for gun smiths, dog grooming, computer programming, and appliance repair? You should consider a school that exclusively educates Yoga teachers.

Yoga is a very large topic, and it cannot be brushed over in a single course. Continuing education is an accepted part of Yoga instructor training. With this in mind, please consider the following benefits of online education for Yoga instructors.

1. Going Green: Traveling hundreds or thousands of miles by car, boat, jet, train, or bus takes a toll on the environment. If you are planning a vacation, and have no obligations to your children, you could create a Yoga training vacation. However, if the sole purpose is to become a certified Yoga teacher, long-distance travel is contributing toward air pollution.

2. Time: Each day, something or someone demands your time. If you ask your employer for a month off to attend an intensive training for Yoga instructors, will she or he understand? Holding onto a job is essential to survival and onsite training may not be an option.

3. Accessibility: You can communicate with your tutor at any time. Email and telephone support is a big help. However, forums and online chats with graduates, interns, and teachers is a big plus. This allows you interaction with like-minded people from every part of the world.

4. Documentation: Your Email conversations can be recorded in your files. It is not that easy to compile your notes in an in-person Yoga training intensive. In fact, some face-to-face trainings demand that you not have a lap top or recording device, because it is not considered “traditional.”

5. Cost: An on-site Yoga certification course can cost thousands of dollars or more. Yoga teacher training, by correspondence or online, will cost you hundreds. In a nutshell, distance learning for Yoga teachers is expensive when you train in person.

6. Flexibility: For Yoga teachers pursuing non-contact continuing education credits, shutting down the studio for a month may not be a viable option. For prospective teachers – telling your family and job to stay on hold for a month is not realistic. Training by correspondence, online, or a combination of the two, gives you plenty of flexibility in your schedule.

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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