Archive for the ‘Yoga for Personal Growth’ Category

Contemplative Yoga Study

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Within the nine main styles of Yoga, from India, is one contemplative discipline, which requires us to witness life without personal attachment to outcome. This form of Yoga is known as “Jnana.” How can one really make a commitment to witnessing life without attachment?

There are monks and priests, who witness life without attachment, but it is difficult for the average person to study Holy Scriptures all day and be unattached to the material world. Would one have to become a monk, nun, or priest to truly practice Jnana Yoga?

Jnana is also called the “Yoga of Knowledge.” You do not have to become a monk, nun, or priest to pursue knowledge. However, your mind goes through a constant training exercise when practicing Jnana Yoga. The reason being – our perception of truth is subject to our past judgments, and training, up to this point in time.

Consider this list of questions, without becoming upset. Try to see both sides of the issue, without judgment. Notice how people become angered, if they firmly believe that one side of the issue is the only truth, and there should be no questions concerning these matters.

Is religion good for humanity?

Which religion is good for humanity?

Is national health care a good idea?

Is God male, female, or far beyond the limitations of gender?

Is democracy the best form of government at this time?

Is there one God, or are there many Gods?

Religion and politics are very “hot” issues, and they stir up strong feelings. This volatile mix of political and religious questions is not meant to excite anyone, but it will. The point to be made here is that the truth is hard to decipher when we cannot control our minds.

It is easy for the ego to run down a list and choose right or left on every issue. Humans have made war on each other over religion and politics for thousands of years. Yet, religion and politics have helped us advance as a species. The truth comes to us when we suppress the ego, and it takes constant discipline.

With the study of Jnana Yoga, one learns to understand one’s self. Jnana is not the only way to come to terms with one’s self, but it allows for inquiry into “Who are we?,” without going into a state of emotional turmoil. Training the mind to react logically, during real life situations, is a constant challenge. Jnana Yoga is one of many proven methods to discipline the mind.

© Copyright 2010 – 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

Dr. Rita Khanna

The powerful Sanskrit word, Sankalpa, means resolve. It is a chosen resolution made during the practice of Yoga Nidra. It is a process of training the mind to develop trust and faith in yourself and provide a direction for your whole life – if you use it wisely. Its effect is to awaken the willpower within, by uniting the conscious awareness with the unconscious forces, lying dormant. It takes the form of a short phrase or sentence, clearly and concisely expressed – using the same wording each time, to bring about a positive change in one’s life.

THE PURPOSE OF SANKALPA

The purpose of Sankalpa is to influence and transform the whole life pattern, not only the body, but also the mind, the emotions, and the spiritual forces. These forces are normally dissipated by inner conflicts, or confusion, or by various external demands and responsibilities of life. Sankalpa is a tool to focus the energy, the Prana – the life force, so that it becomes like a laser beam.

STAGES OF SANKALPA

Though the Sankalpa is one – in order to recognize the deepest quality of Sankalpa, we may have to go through some of the stages along the way, like stepping-stones across a river – each step within reach of the previous one.

It can be described into four stages:

(I) The reforming of bad habits

(II) Improving the quality of life and living

(III) Creating a real change within our personality

(IV) Realizing what we are trying to achieve in this life

FIND A SANKALPA

The choice of the kind of Sankalpa we make is very important and should always aim to bring out the best within us. We should first deliberate to find out what level we are at and what changes can be attempted to begin our way over. It means recognizing – reducing and eliminating some negative quality that we know is holding us back. If that negative quality can be successfully managed, and dealt with, then we are in a position to recognize a positive change we can make, which would improve the quality of our life. Find a Sankalpa, which is short and sweet; only a few words. It need not be influenced by words alone. It should be visualized symbolically as an image and felt as a sensation. It should bring up with it a feeling of complete surrender and faith towards God. Consider well before making your Sankalpa. Once you do find your Sankalpa, then meditate on it, read it each day, or journal on it. Don’t change it, until it comes true.

PHRASING THE SANKALPA

The phrasing of the Sankalpa can be either in the present or the future tense; whatever works for you. For example, when I make a Sankalpa and use the future tense, what this means to me is that I will do something; I will do it using all my willpower; and I will complete it. There is no doubt in my mind of this. That is what the word “will” implies here – I will do it. The word “will” refers to the future tense, as well as to willpower.

HOW TO FORMULATE THE SANKALPA

Sankalpa should only be made when one understands its real purpose and meaning. In the beginning, most people do not know what Sankalpa is or which Sankalpa they should make. Therefore, they should wait until their understanding develops. To come to this state, begin with something very basic: changing the habits; changing the limitations that inhibit your growth. Try to understand yourself, observe yourself, find the blocks, and overcome one thing at a time. Don’t have an abstract idea or an unattainable concept without prior training.

POWER OF THE SANKALPA

The power of the Sankalpa arises when we tune into our desires, into what we really want to achieve, and to get away from the confusion, doubt, and conflict; as seed has tremendous power – but only if it is sown in fertile ground, looked after, and tended daily, with the inner certainty that the seed will produce its fruit in its own time. In the same way, you have the mind and you have an idea. If you prepare your mind, and then sow the seed in the bed of your mind, and if the mind is clear, then the Sankalpa grows very well and becomes willpower.

YOGA AND SANKALPA

Sankalpa should be used every time before we begin our Yoga practice. The practice of Sankalpa, in Yoga, allows us to spend a little time contemplating and trying to tune into what we really want in life. It is a fundamental practice because it provides a foundation for everything else. The problem is that we are so tense – that our past is tense, our present is tense, and our future is tense. Yoga teaches us that focus on the present. Ignore the insecurities of the future. If something is going to happen in the future why are you worried now? Perfect your present. If you practice Yoga (which includes Yoga Nidra and Meditation), it would guide you towards a steady calm body mind; and then Sankalpa will have more force and be able to penetrate more deeply, than when the mind is dissipated.

YOGA NIDRA AND SANKALPA

Sankalpa is an important stage of Yoga Nidra, in which the mind can receive your Sankalpa. It is a determination to become something or to do something in your life. Sankalpa is made twice in Yoga Nidra – in the beginning and at the end. When we make resolve in the beginning of the practice, it is like sowing a seed, and the resolve at the end of the practice is like irrigating it. The aim of Yoga Nidra depends mostly on the practitioner. One can develop the memory, increase knowledge, do astral travelling, transform your nature, and eliminate many vicious habits of thinking and living. If you know what you wish to achieve in life, Sankalpa can be the creator of your destiny.

CONCLUSION

Sankalpa is not making a wish every New Year’s Day. It is taking a step forward; and once you take a step forward, stepping back has no meaning. Remember that the more positive, optimistic, and Sattvic you are, the more strength you will gain, and the further you will go.

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 fi nd 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.

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

By Dr. Rita Khanna

The origin of the word, “adolescence” is from the Latin verb, “adolescere,” which means, “to grow up.” Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and mental human development that occurs between childhood and adulthood. This transition involves biological (i.e. pubertal), social, and psychological changes. The teenage years are from ages 13 to 19. In fact, early adolescence is the most difficult phase of life, as children cannot express their problems correctly because their power of expression and their knowledge of their own psychology are not mature enough. Due to physical changes, hormonal changes, and constantly changing moods, teenaged children have many unexplained and unexpressed problems.

Common adolescent problems are:

Loneliness, feeling misunderstood, difficulty communicating new experiences, unable to talk to parents or trusted adults about their experiences, feeling isolated.

Emotional problems are:

Anger, hatred, confusion, low self esteem, low confidence, a feeling of inferiority and uselessness, feeling lost, frightened, depression, jealousy, and envy.

Other problems are:

Abusing the body with lack of proper nutrition, wrong eating habits, lack of sufficient water, alcohol, smoking, and drugs

ADRENAL GLANDS

These glands have a very important role to play in the child’s moral and emotional behavior, such as fear and love. If there is an imbalance in these glands, behavior will be affected. For example, if there is an excess of adrenal secretions, the child will be full of fears. He will not be able to face difficult people. The cause of the problem is not ethical or moral, or even social; it is a psycho-physiological. Sometimes, physical growth and psychological growth do not mature together. It is related to the brain, nervous system, and endocrine system. At times, physical growth is more advanced than mental growth; and at times, the vice versa. Usually, those with criminal tendencies have an overactive adrenal system. All we need to do is balance the adrenal secretions to change the character of the child.

PINEAL GLAND

The pineal gland is a very important gland and is situated in the brain at the top of the medulla oblongata. In Yoga, it is known as Ajna Chakra and is very active in children. It has a balancing influence on the activities of the brain and keeps it in receptive order. By the time children reach the age of eight or ten, it begins to decay and calcify, and with that, a major controlling lock upon the function of the pituitary gland is released. When this control is released, pituitary hormones begin to form and enter the blood stream and the emotions shoot up. The moment the regression of the pineal gland is complete, the emotional growth becomes rapid, and the child finds it difficult to adjust. Aggressive, antisocial, and delinquent behavior, which signals the onset of puberty and sexual activity, can arise at any time. This is the reason why so many children become emotionally unbalanced and disturbed during their pre-adolescent and adolescent years.

BALANCING THE HORMONES

Sexual consciousness should develop when the child is able to balance his reaction in his mind. Nowadays, as children grow up, their pineal gland begins to decay and their pituitary gland begins to develop automatically, before the child possesses the mental and emotional stability to cope with such hormonal drives. As a result, the whole confusion starts at the wrong time. The child becomes restless because he/she is not physically ready to express this new development. This causes an imbalance between their mental and vital fields, ultimately affecting their behavior. If we can delay emotional growth, in relation to physical growth, the child’s stability is enhanced greatly. To remove these kinds of problems of children, we will have to study the emotional effects of the hormones in the system. Sometimes, such problems are also caused by an imbalance of the thyroid hormones. To do this, we have to maintain the health of the pineal gland; and for this, the practice of Shambhvi Mudra (concentration of the eyes at the eyebrow centre) is very important.

YOGA

Yoga is the perfect balance for the changes of adolescence. Regular practice of Yoga can maintain the health of the pineal gland and add extra years to its life. It increases the flow of endorphins – the body’s natural antidepressant. Yoga should be properly introduced to children by educators in every school, just as we teach other subjects. Then young people everywhere would be well adjusted, healthy, and happy – both physically and mentally. They would be more aware of their own potential and more capable of its realization. The destiny of the whole world depends on the little children. Regular practice of Surya Namaskara (a dynamic Yoga exercise), Nadi Shodhana Pranayama (for health and balance of the pineal gland), Mantra (to challenge the child’s distracted mind), and Shambhavi Mudra with visualization (to maintain the pineal gland) are very beneficial. These practices not only help the child to maintain psycho-emotional balance, but also develop his mental growth, as well.

SURYA NAMASKARA

Surya Namaskara influences the pineal gland and hypothalamus, helping to prevent pineal degeneration and calcification. This balances the transition period between childhood and adolescence in growing children. When one performs Surya Namaskara, synchronizing the physical movements with the breath, all the muscles, joints, and major internal organs are stimulated and balanced.

NADI SHODHANA PRANAYAMA

Nadi Shodhana Pranayama induces tranquility, clarity of thought, and concentration. It keeps the pineal gland healthy for as long as possible. As long as your pineal gland is healthy, your sexual glands will remain under control. The flow of Prana, in Ida, and Pingala Nadis, is equalized. Blood is purified of toxins.

MANTRA

Relaxing the brain, through Mantra, is one of the methods of increasing perception. The superficial aspects of thoughts, emotions, or desires, which are not needed within the mind, and which need to be expressed, will be swept away by the Mantra. A proper Asana, or posture, should be selected and maintained, for the duration of the practice, so that there is no movement to distract the concentration.

SHAMBHAVI MUDRA

During Shambhavi Mudra, the eyes are moved to a fixed gaze – unblinking at the eyebrow centre – aware fully. To make this Mudra more interesting, ask the child to visualize at the same time. We name about fifty items and let the child to visualize them one by one. He keeps on moving his awareness, saying to himself and seeing a rising Sun, setting Sun, full moon, a pink rose, a flowing river, a snow capped mountain, a moving car, an airplane in flight, a guava fruit, and so on. This practice not only helps the child to maintain psycho-emotional balance, it also develops his ability to visualize.

Shambhavi Mudra influences Ajna Chakra inwardly and delays sexual maturity until the correct time. It works remarkably for growing children and adolescents – for balanced emotional development, concentration, and stability.

Note

If you are new to Yoga, it is recommended to practice these Asanas, Pranayama, and Mudra, under the guidance of an expert.

CONCLUSION

Every adolescent requires understanding, assistance, wise guidance, listening to, and love, if they are to pass through this important stage of development, without damaging themselves or others. It is important not to abandon, reject, or dislike a person, just because he is experiencing the normal adolescence phase.

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 and detoxification.

Mobile: + 919849772485

Ph: 91-40-65173344

Email: yogashaastra@gmail.com

Dr. Rita Khanna

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

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

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

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Hatha is only one of the nine main forms of Yoga from India. Each of us begins to practice Hatha Yoga for a variety of reasons. Among these many reasons for practicing – some of us are drawn to Hatha Yoga by the healing aspects, the spiritual journey, a feeling of inner peace, or the joy of physical mastery. No matter what the original reason was, self-realization will become a reality sooner or later.

Among those who practice Yoga, on a steady basis, are people with a variety of religious beliefs. Some Yoga practitioners believe in God, or Gods, and some do not believe in the concept of a single or multiple God entities. Yet, practitioners with a wide variety of spiritual beliefs, practice in the same class in complete tranquility.

Self-realization could be defined as a state of mind, where we are present in the moment. Yogis might describe it as the achievement of higher consciousness, through the realization of the inner-being. Some spiritual teachers say self-realization is a state of seeing, knowing, feeling, and being the soul.

Regardless of your exact beliefs, self-realization in Yoga, is being present for practice. The practice of Hatha Yoga is usually pranayama, meditation, mantra, relaxation, asana, mudra, or a combination of these techniques. The study of any form of Yoga will result in the accumulation of wisdom, understanding, and the clarity of perception.

There are some benefits, which result from long-term Yoga practice and self-realization. To know one’s self is to know one’s true nature, but it takes time, practice, and work. Each of us has a special purpose, but not all of us find it. To know one’s true purpose in life is a mystery to most of us. Through insight, and the development of one’s intuition, we can attain our true purpose.

How do we develop the insight to find our true purpose? Spiritual beauty is easy to see. Children are good examples of spiritual beauty. The longer we live, the easier it is to be confused by erroneous information. In the confusion, our visions of a brighter future can become clouded by pessimism. The truth is: Spiritual beauty is within each of us.

The next step is to concentrate and find those thoughts that bring happiness to us. When we find inner harmony, all we have to do is share it with those around us. Each day is a second chance to improve our ways. The result of our continued efforts will put us on a path to achieve goodness.

© 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

Many Yoga teachers seem to glow with self-confidence. Most Yoga instructors willingly accept invitations to participate as guest speakers at local health fairs, conventions, or health expos. Where does all this confidence come from? Is it an inherent quality or an outgrowth from teaching Yoga to others?

Generally speaking, most of us start with confidence as children. We say everything and anything, but we learn to keep quiet at the right time. Some of us feel bad about our outbursts as children, and we become conditioned to remain in silence. Others only interject their ideas, when they are 100% certain they have the right answer.

Granted, there are some adults who chatter all day long. They talk too much, or they offend people in the process. Their entire life may become a cycle of chatter and making excuses for what they have said in the past. Sometimes, whole families spend their lives apologizing for the constant babbling of one family member.

Coming into complete consciousness with the words we say requires mindfulness; and as mentioned above, it can be a life-long struggle for some of us. Therefore, mindful speaking is a practiced skill. We learn when and how to speak. Self-confidence follows skill and leads to a path of favorable possibilities.

With that said, teaching or practicing Yoga enhances many positive life skills. Self-confidence is not an accident. With the best possible teacher, Guru, or Swami, a student will grow and prosper. Within the heart and mind of each student, a noble teacher wants to instill a set of circumstances that accomplishes the intended purpose of self-awareness within the student.

Much like the gratification of raising children and watching them prosper, every Guru or Swami should feel the same way toward his or her students. For students, this can be accomplished with the careful guidance of a competent Yoga teacher or through intensive training. Yet, what holds most people back?

The fear of failure is what holds humanity behind. If fear is justified, then we must follow logical thought and instincts. There are many of us who have been programmed to fear accomplishments and success. The reason being: Constant success would be an unfamiliar set of circumstances. We would rather be familiar with failure than succeed.

In most cases, we hold our self-confidence in “check.” We wish and pray for something good to happen, but we do not take action. Wishing and praying are good for us, but they must be followed by action.

© 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.”

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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

How can Yoga turn your life around? Where do you start? If you are a Yoga student, a steady practice is a good start. If you teach Yoga classes, and have students in need of help, where should they start? At least some of us see a need for a starting point, which is an early form of self-awareness.

In making a decision to change our lives, we need to know our perceived limitations. This viewpoint of limitations may not be based upon reality. Sometimes, a limitation is only a projection of our self-image. In other words: If I have low self-worth – are my thoughts about myself realistic?

The answer is: No; if I have a poor self-image, my thoughts would be limited by a negative mindset. In turn, a negative mindset blames everyone for everything. In such a case, nobody ever does anything right. Many complainers have poor self-esteem. Instead of designing a plan for the future, and searching for answers, it is easier to sit around and complain.

One more point about perceived limits: If your thoughts are based upon pure reality and logic, these thoughts will change with time. Any form of thinking is subject to change because it evolves with each life experience.

Therefore, when you design a plan to make a lifestyle change, you want to know yourself first. Any changes to the world around us must come from within – first.

Yoga allows the mind to find its natural balance. This Yogic state of balance may occur in the physical body first.

These subtle, physical changes, within the body, may be noticed if one practices Hatha Yoga (Union through Physical Self-Mastery). This is an early step for contemporary Yogis. People easily believe what they see when they notice physical changes in their own bodies.

The more subtle changes that occur within one’s mental, emotional, or spiritual health, take more time and patience to develop. Hatha Yoga practice may be considered the ultimate answer to physical mastery, but it is only a stepping stone on a path toward happiness.

For many of us, our biggest step is training the mind to become our best ally. Self-induced negativity is one of the greatest setbacks to humankind. Sometimes, whole countries and cultures believe they are worthless.

This state of cultural worthlessness occurs when a society’s leadership promotes pessimistic thought. Whether or not we live in a free society, the answer is to re-program our thinking toward a path of progress. Every form of Yoga contains methods for positive thinking.

© 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

How do you define “finding yourself” and what does this phrase mean? Would becoming a Yoga instructor help one find himself or herself? There are many people, who struggle with their direction and purpose in life, but how can intensive Yoga training help?

When we say: “I need time to find myself,” what are we really saying? We feel lost, our sense of direction is off, and we may wonder why we are here. During times like these, we are spiritually, emotionally, and mentally vulnerable to outside suggestions.

Our belief system can be fragile, or unstable, due to sudden circumstances of our childhood. To find our direction and purpose in life, we should be able to look within – but what if we find no answers? In such cases, further study from reliable outside sources is required.

The traditional answer to finding oneself might be military service, academic education, technical education, religious education, or finding yourself on the job. Yet, for some of us, finding oneself may be a life long journey. The problem being – there is no “one size fits all” solution to finding one’s life purpose.

The traditional Yogic approach has been to become an under study to a Guru. If we have found a true Guru, we would hear the truth (sravana) from his or her teachings. However, faith in another human being may be limited. The typical Yoga teacher training may be more about exercise (asana) than finding oneself.

At the same time, online Yoga teacher course options have grown. An Internet- based Yoga certification course offers flexibility and little or no dogma. This allows a teacher or student the ability to find answers from a variety of sources.

This also reveals that there is often more than one possible answer to a question. Finding answers to the puzzles of life can be a challenge. Training the mind to seek rational solutions, ultimately, makes each of us a “finder” instead of a seeker.

To become a finder, one must open his or her perception (samjnana). There is no guarantee that any of us can find our life purpose, unless we begin to find the answers from within. True awareness (samvid) comes from within.

The best Yoga teacher in the world can only live so long, and carry us only so far. At some point in life, we must find answers and solutions on our own. This quality we know as “innovation” makes us teachers in our own right.

© 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

No matter who we are – we may feel “stuck” at times. We may see an obstacle and feel like we have hit the end of the road or a ‘road block.” How can Yoga help you when you struggle, at an impasse, which looks like there is only one solution?

We know there may be multiple solutions, but all we see is one, and the one we see may not be appealing. When we gather information to make decisions, we can create a system for progressive thought that gives us multiple solutions.

Sometimes, the best possible solution is a combination of ideas, which take time to link together. If you are the person who makes the final decision, it may require you to compromise your ideas until you find the best possible solution. Below is a system for making progress in the worst of times.

1. Listen to outside opinions completely. Even if you do not agree, the old saying: “two heads are better than one” is worth considering. Make sure you understand the other person’s viewpoint and record the idea before you dismiss it. All, or part of, a foreign idea may be the answer to move forward.

2. Listen to your intuition. If you have poor intuition, it is best to have an advisor who has good “gut instincts.” If you do not like the essence of something, you should proceed with caution. If you have a partner with strong intuitive skills, who warns you about the road ahead, proceed with more caution.

3. Know yourself. If there is one quality you should have from steady Yoga practice, it is to have a realistic perception of yourself. Yoga teaches us about our strengths and our weaknesses. Yoga is a gateway to self-observation, and the ability to transform oneself to become a better person, by training the mind.

4. Learn what you do not know. Yoga is a never-ending path of education, with more information than we can gather in one lifetime. This applies to many other subjects, as well. Libraries are filled with answers, but our time in this life is limited.

Therefore, life is an educational journey. Enjoy it! When you cannot find the solution to your questions, it helps to have intellectual company around you. Yet, some people are good at finding solutions because they are “street wise.” They may not have the formal education, but they are strong in the area of common sense.

5. Develop relationships based on mutual trust. It is good to have a trusted pool of talent with diversified abilities. Some of these groups are referred to as “master mind” groups. Why should any of us struggle alone, when we have trusted friends?

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Yoga Teacher Training. 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

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

The teachings of Yoga show us to look within for answers and solutions to obstacles; but there are matters that people do not want to look at, and there are matters we cannot change. Many people do not want to look directly at the source of their inner fears. A meditation session, devoted to looking at our phobias, might not be fruitful – unless we have professional guidance.

How can we deal with the fear of loss, death, or evil? In Psalms 23:4 of the King James Version of the Holy Bible, it is stated: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Similar meanings can be found within Holy Books of all religions, but let’s look closely at this particular Psalm. The answer is that we all have fears, and they fill us with dread; but even in the worst of times, our spiritual faith is near. This is a universal theme in all religions.

Yet, many people fear danger and terror inspired by extremists. Some extremists are politically based and others are religious fundamentalists. The problem is how to logically deal with those who seek to divide us. Politics and religion are volatile subjects.

If we learn anything about our humanity’s historical mistakes, it should be how to prevent another Hitler or Stalin. Millions of people can be swept up, into a fury of hate and fear, by world leaders who are mentally unstable. Our solution is to participate in the democratic process. If we leave it to someone else, we have much to fear.

In the case of fearing loss: I’m sorry, but we are all temporary “custodians of wealth.” Even the rich cannot take wealth with them to the after life. We can, and we should, take action to maintain the quality of life for our family; but when fears about the loss of money become an obsession, it is unhealthy.

Fear of losing a loved one is also unhealthy. Fear of loss can create chronic stress, anxiety, panic attacks, and possibly death. Yoga teaches one to balance thoughts, problems, and emotions for better health. Any form of Yoga can help a person in the darkest of times.

Fear of death is a major concern of many people but let’s look at this exact fear closely. Do we have a choice? Can we escape death? Can we become immortal? Once again, I’m sorry, but from the moment we were born, we were destined to pass on into the next life. We do not have a choice.

Yet, we can make the most of the time we are here. We can show appreciation to everyone we meet. Yoga teaches us to live in the present. Enjoy what you have and let those you love know it.

© 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

Written By Christina Ortega

The path that led me to yoga was a surprising one. It began, not in a yoga studio, but in a college improv course. At the beginning of every class, our instructor would have us do warm-ups which included voice exercises and stretches. She would tell us about her yoga practice and incorporate some of her favorite poses in our warm-up. I had always been a fairly athletic kid but never had I practiced yoga. At first I felt a bit self-conscious getting on the floor in my bare feet to stretch but I would studiously do all the poses and listened to the instructor tell us about how she could stay in Pigeon Pose for hours if given the choice. I soon realized that after each class, I felt so uplifted, a feeling which resonated throughout the rest of my busy day. I knew it was because of that little taste of yoga I was getting during our warm-ups. So it only seemed natural to seek out an actual yoga class. Thankfully, there were many offered near school and I began to regularly attend a class for beginners. Thus, my love for yoga began! It’s funny to look back on the path that led me to yoga but I couldn’t imagine my life without it now.

From college student to yoga instructor, I’ve come a long way. Through the years and through my yoga practice, I have changed in many ways, very much for the better. As one learns to quiet their mind and start listening to one’s body, you find it has a lot to say. For me, it was several proclamations about my diet and my physical and mental well-being.  I began to replace the MSG-laden, HFCS-infused, over-processed junk I was used to eating with organic, whole, fresh food and soon cut out all meat, fish and shellfish. I became more easy-going and wouldn’t let petty annoyances, such as someone cutting me off in traffic, infuriate me as they once had.

I am healthier, happier and have much more energy than I ever thought I could muster. I am only one amongst millions who have benefited from yoga and could probably write a book on how it has changed my life. But, alas, there are already several books on the subject. Most, if not all of them, will tell you that the aim of yoga is to unite the mind, body and spirit. Yogis believe that the mind and body are one and that if we are given the right direction and environment, we can find harmony and benefit from yoga’s therapeutic qualities. As I mentioned from my own personal experience, yoga can help you become more aware of your body’s posture, alignment and patterns of movement. Our modern, stressful society demands a lot of our energy, but yoga can help make your body more flexible, more relaxed in the face of such strain. I believe this is why so many people seek out a yoga practice.

While many may associate yoga with new age mysticism or the latest, cool class at the gym, yoga is an ancient practice which exemplifies theories, observations and principles about the mind/body connection. Now, through modern medicine, substantial research has been conducted to look at these benefits and generally fall into three categories: physiological, psychological, and biochemical.

From lowering blood pressure to increasing pain tolerance, there are several physiological benefits of yoga. This includes a decrease in resting pulse rate, blood pressure and breathing rate leading to increased efficiency in cardiovascular and respiratory functions. Other benefits are improved muscular tone, flexibility, strength and an increase in endurance and energy level. Many yoga poses require you to support the weight of your own body in new ways, including balancing on one leg (as in Tree Pose) or supporting yourself with your arms (as in Downward Facing Dog). Some poses require careful and controlled slow movements which can also increase strength. Increased flexibility and strength can help prevent the causes of some types of back pain.

Many people who suffer from back pain spend a lot of time sitting at a computer or driving a car. That can cause tightness and spinal compression, which you can begin to address with yoga. Yoga also improves alignment and breath control, both in and out of class, helping to prevent many other types of pain and stress. Most of us don’t give much thought to how we breathe and tend to breathe very shallowly into the lungs. Yoga breathing exercises, called Pranayama, focus the attention on the breath and teach us how to better use our lungs more efficiently, which benefits the entire body.

Certain types of breath can also help clear the nasal passages and even calm the central nervous system, which has both physical and mental benefits. Breathing exercises are an ideal way to relieve stress in that they’re fast, simple, free, and can be performed by just about anyone. They can also be done anywhere and at virtually any time.  For me, when I was in labor with my daughter, my yogic breath helped tremendously. Whenever another contraction hit I just imagined myself sending my breath to the places I was experiencing pain, just as I do in a particularly challenging pose.

Westerners tend to believe yoga is only for the body, but it actually involves the mind and emotions as well, contributing to your overall health. There are several psychological benefits to be gained from a consistent yoga practice. This includes an increase in bodily awareness, improved mood and well-being, and a sense of self-acceptance. It can also reduce anxiety, depression and feelings of anger and hostility. Hand-eye coordination, reaction time, balance and dexterity will improve along with cognitive function (i.e. attention span, concentration, memory and learning.) Physical activity is good for relieving stress, and this is particularly true of yoga.

Concentrating so intently on what your body is doing brings calmness to the mind. Yoga introduces you to meditation techniques, such as watching how you breathe and disengagement from your thoughts. During your practice, you are provided a much needed break from your day to day worries, as well as and the opportunity to put things in perspective. The emphasis of yoga is on being present in the moment as you learn not to dwell on past events or anticipate the future. All this adds up to a less stressful you. Public schools have recognized these benefits as well. Tara Guber, an elementary school teacher in Aspen Colorado developed a yoga program, Yoga Ed., for her students and now more than 100 schools in 26 states have adopted Guber’s program in their classrooms. Teachers say it helps calm the students with ADD and see fewer discipline problems. Researchers found a correlation between yoga and better behavior and grades, and they said young yogis were more fit and regular practice may reduce childhood obesity.

The physical and mental benefits are more apparent, but I’ve learned through the years as a yoga student there are several aspects of the biochemical profile, or body chemistry, that are positively affected as well. Some changes include a decrease in blood glucose levels, cholesterol and stress hormones. Yoga practice lowers cholesterol through increased blood circulation and burning fat. The specific movements (the gentle stretching of muscles and joints) involved in yoga are particularly well-suited for promoting a strong lymphatic system which boosts your immunity and reduces toxins in your body. This leads to benefits such as delayed aging, energy and a remarkable zest for life. As does any good exercise program, yoga reduces the sodium levels in your body. In today’s world of processed and fast foods that are full of sodium, lessening these levels is a great idea. Those suffering from chronic pain often experience a tightening of the muscles around the painful area, making the pain worse instead of better.

Yoga helps you relax your muscles and stimulates your body to produce more of the “feel-good” brain chemicals so you feel less pain overall. Yoga is perhaps the only form of activity which massages all the internal glands and organs of the body in a thorough manner, including those – such as the prostate – that hardly get externally stimulated during our entire lifetime. Yoga acts in a wholesome manner on the various body parts. This stimulation and massage of the organs in turn benefits us by keeping away disease and providing a forewarning at the first possible instance of a likely onset of disease or disorder. One of the far-reaching benefits of yoga is the sense of awareness that it develops in the practitioner of an impending health disorder or infection.

This in turn enables the person to take pre-emptive corrective action. Due to the low impact of yoga and the controlled aspect of the motions, there is a very low risk of injury during practice compared to other forms of exercise. Yoga’s purpose is to strengthen the body, make it more flexible, and awaken the spirit – in effect, providing a physical, mental and spiritual system of health. People of all ages can do yoga, and the asanas (poses) can even be adapted for people with disabilities or special needs. Almost anyone can benefit from yoga, including the elderly, children, pregnant women, and those with chronic health problems.

But yoga is much more than just a collection of health practices and far greater than a simple practice towards a better life. For me, what I’ve found both so engaging and challenging about yoga is its ability to be a life long journey, one that can be shared with each and every one of us who so chooses.  Yoga binds us as a whole and brings a unified connection of mind and purpose. Within each pose there are infinite ways to expand or go deeper, no matter how many times you have practiced that pose.  Each day and each practice is different filled with it’s own unique and beautiful set of challenges and rewards.

With so many physical and mental benefits to be gained, the practice of yoga is a worthwhile pursuit, one that has changed my life for the better. As a student of yoga, I feel I’ve primarily benefited from a spiritual and physical awareness and an overall presence of mind. My hope as a teacher of yoga would be to not only impart these same core yogic practices and philosophies, but to also provide the same wonderful sense of calm and well-being that yoga has always given to me.

Christina Ortega is a certified Yoga teacher.  She teaches classes in the Austin Texas area.