Posts Tagged ‘yoga off the mat’

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

It is amazing what a Yoga session can do for personal growth. I am not referring to the physical body, as much as the mindset of the average Yoga practitioner. It is agreed that Hatha Yoga is a great form of physical maintenance, but let’s look at the changes that take place within the mind.

Have you ever met someone who is quick to accept impending doom as the eventual outcome in all matters of life? There is always someone in the crowd who will tell you how your idea will never work. The same person will tell you how the sky is falling and the world will end tomorrow.

This negatively charged mindset knows that the Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxies will collide in a few billion years. Then they theorize about how the Earth will be torn apart by a black hole during the collision of our galaxy and its closest neighbor. This is referred to as “galactic cannibalism,” when two galaxies merge and a larger galaxy consumes a smaller one.

My questions are: Why worry about possibilities that are billions of years away? What will be the limits of humankind within a few billion years? Will inter-galactic travel be possible? What advancements will our descendants make in science, engineering, or medicine?

There is no limit to the possibilities that could advance, or end, the existence of humanity. The Earth is still safe, for the time being, and we can look for solutions to the problems of the present. For any of us to be consumed, with looking at our limits, is a form of self-created imprisonment.

Luckily, Yoga allows one to free the mind from dwelling on limitations. This principle of living in the present, and focusing on solutions, can be taught to a room full of students or practiced daily. Limitation is only a perception, which we create. Athletes set new records all the time. In professional sports, records only serve as measurements to be surpassed.

There are two Yogic principles to be considered when finding solutions to anything. These are timeless remedies for realizing the endless possibilities to find logical solutions that surround each of us.

1. Collective thought has more value than being a “lone wolf.” Strong philosophies and societies pool the efforts of all members and progress forward as a result of collective efforts. It is also helpful if people are living within a “free society” that allows one to be creative.

2. What lies within each of us has the power to alter what lies ahead of us. Each of us has ability. The largest difference between two people is how we put our abilities to use.

© 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.” http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/

Continuing Education for Yoga Teachers

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

There are many forms of Yoga. These styles focus on mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. Some Yoga styles focus on a combination of the above-mentioned aspects, for a completely holistic approach to good health.

Knowing this – one might think that staff members of Yoga centers would realize what is being taught in their classes.

According to an article, by the New York Times, which was published on July 11, 2009 – Sybil Killian, General Manager for the OM Yoga Center, in Manhattan, questioned whether yoga could fairly claim to be a spiritual pursuit, in an era when, according to an industry estimate, it earns $6 billion a year in the United States.

“People buy $1,000 pants to sweat in, because while they’re getting enlightened, they need to look good,” Ms. Killian wrote in an e-mail message to other New York yoga teachers. “Make no mistake, ladies and gentlemen, yoga is an industry. One need only leaf through the advertising section of Yoga Journal to know that.”

Perhaps these statements were taken out of context. Heaven knows interviews can be misinterpreted, but our students are having trouble affording a pair of pants in the present recession. At the same time, it is possible that in Ms. Killian’s neighborhood, the rich are becoming incredibly rich – while the rest of the world is figuring how to make ends meet.

Yoga students tend to be full of substance, educated, and searching for logical solutions to their health. Up to this point, I have never encountered students wearing “$1,000 pants to sweat in because while they’re getting enlightened they need to look good.”

Albeit, there is, at least, one Yoga Guru who owns 35 Rolls Royce cars, but he is an extreme exception. Most Yoga instructors teach classes part time as independent contractors for local studios and health clubs. Most studio owners have slim bottom lines; although, we might want to seriously consider selling upscale Yoga clothing to people who will pay outrageous money for them.

If Yoga is a $6 billion a year in the United States, that money is being spread across hundreds of thousands of classes across the country. Let’s draw a comparison: If hot dogs were a $6 billion a year industry in the United States, one hot dog stand owner might manage to do quite exceptional, while many would earn a humble income.

Finally, when did anyone decide accepting tuition or donations was “unspiritual?” Any facility, center, or meeting place, needs funds to operate. It would be a wonderful world if we did not have to be concerned with money. However, all organizations, including charities and trusts, run on money.

© 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.” http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/

Yoga Teacher Certification Programs

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 concept of deriving achievement from Yoga practice is nothing new. Yoga has the ability to alter anyone’s direction in life. Throughout history, it has been possible to reach mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, and financial goals by practicing or teaching Yoga.

The debate over whether achievement is good, or not, depends upon what we do with an opportunity. If one makes great financial achievements, and contributes large donations to charity, is that wrong? If one becomes a magnet of mental power, but uses it toward negatively manipulating students, is that right?

Common sense tells you that some people make the most of an opportunity, while some people will waste the same good fortune. Most people will not recognize an opportunity, and many more will not take action toward a successful outcome.

Karma: It is often said, that only 5% of those who have an opportunity will act on it. That is why the first method of achievement is action (karma). The actions we take, or fail to take, determine our path in life. We can change our course at any time.

However, our actions should be beneficial to those around us. If we are promoting, or enhancing well-being, this is a just cause. At the same time, any cause or action you take should be something for which you have a true passion. In this way, you will see your actions through, and complete your mission.

Transcendental Thought: Limited thinking holds most of us back, but transcendental thought encourages each of us to go far beyond what is expected. It is easy to criticize everything, but the mind works very hard to come up with possible solutions.

The answer to reducing your work is to listen to outside opinions. When we rationally consider the positive and negative opinions of others – there is usually a logical solution buried within the mixture of information. The hard part is to extract information with impartial judgment.

Faith: To have faith in oneself is very powerful. To have faith, in the power of prayer, is also very powerful. It does not matter what your religion is, because the answers to your spiritual growth are within your religion. Too much time and energy is wasted on fighting over differences.

If Yoga practitioners truly want unity, it is time to have faith in our ability to establish friendships. Making gestures of friendship, to others, is a start.

War, hatred, and violence, ruin lives. In fact, hatred and intolerance often ruin opportunities for generations.

© 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.” http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/

Yoga Teacher Certification Courses

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

Yoga practice is much more than practicing postures on a mat for a few hours each week. Once the mat is rolled up, we begin to apply the teachings of Yoga to life. Granted, most people will apply the physical mastery, learned from Hatha Yoga, toward other physical activities.

However, the Yogic techniques learned, can also change one’s life on a much larger scale. When you enhance the power of the mind through Yoga practice, you learn to put your dreams to good use. Each of us has a unique description of dreams and dreaming.

Let’s look at dreams while we are awake. We classify this as day dreaming or fantasy. Some of us may classify this as indulging in imaginative thoughts while we are awake. To go further, we may classify hope and aspiration as a form of day dreaming.

Every creation, made by humans, was a result of hope and aspiration. To indulge in imaginative thought is to envision. This exercise may seem worthless to someone who has difficulty concentrating. It may also be worthless to someone who could care less about the subject.

Yoga, in all of its forms, gives each of us the ability to turn an intangible thought into a reality. The initial gateway is the mind and body connection. Whether one is present for Yoga practice in an ashram, or in daily life, we have the ability to concentrate through the use of pranayama (Yogic breathing techniques).

Pranayama is the key to becoming present in life. This is not a complicated formula. On the surface, this may not seem like much, to someone who has never established a mind and body connection. Some people go about life completely unfocused. Some of us have no dreams, hopes, plans, and we take no action to change our direction. Chances are – these people are very unhappy with life because they have no direction and no life purpose.

The next step is to find a life purpose. What are we good at? What do we want to be when we grow up? Why are we here? These questions are asked by children and adults alike, but adults are painfully aware that their time to answer these questions, about the purpose of life, is limited.

Again, Yoga gives you the tools of pranayama, meditation, and self-realization. Once you know where you are going, it is time to stand up, move forward, and take progressive action. The results of your actions will be progress and happiness. There is no guarantee of success in anything, but if we fail to act, we are guaranteed that we will never succeed.

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Yoga Teacher Certification. FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.” http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/

On-Site or Online Yoga Teacher Training Courses

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 are a Yoga teacher, or student, it is worthwhile to learn the art of Yoga off the mat. In Hatha Yoga classes, many of the daily benefits are believed to happen only within the confines of the class. It is time for students to discover the benefits of Yoga during daily life.

If you are a student, take the time to talk to your Hatha Yoga instructor about stress reduction techniques that you can practice at work and home. You should learn a daily routine of meditation, posture, relaxation, breathing, and more, which can be practiced when you need them most.

You do not need a Yoga mat to sit, stand, or walk, in good posture. The same is true for deep and slow breathing techniques. Most of us can be quite challenged by remembering to sit up straight, and breathe properly, throughout the day. It seems we have to constantly remind ourselves about basic maintenance.

Yet, the rewards of healthy living are many – especially when you factor in stress reduction. Stress can be stimulating, but when we are overwhelmed by it, we can experience pain in the back, head, and chest. This is only the “tip of the iceberg.”  High levels of stress and anxiety can become lethal.

If you teach Yoga classes, you know how many people come to class for stress management, but do you teach them how to compensate for “trying times?”  We know that stress is a killer and a drain on the medical industry.

We also know that Yoga, in all of its forms, can reduce, or neutralize, daily stress. If you research statistics about work-related stress, in any country, there are some alarming signs. In many countries, worker’s compensation claims, due to extreme stress, is on the rise.

The term: “Developed countries” comes to mind. At one time, supposedly developed countries were full of opportunities, with employment in manufacturing and service industries. Times have changed, as many employment opportunities in manufacturing industries were exported for less expensive labor abroad.

Some niche industries remain, but one worker may be expected to perform the work of two or three employees. The end result is overwhelming workplace stress. It is debatable whether some employers care about work conditions. The employer’s objective is to remain in business at all costs. Companies of all sizes, and from every industry, close their doors after a finite number of consecutive losses.

What is the solution? Making any form of Hatha Yoga available for employees, and the management, will help everyone reduce stress. Yoga will collectively clear the mindset of a company, resulting in innovative employees, who work together to make stronger companies and vibrant economies.

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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

On-Site or Online Yoga Teacher Training Courses

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