Archive for the ‘teaching yoga’ Category

« Older Entries

Increasing Agni in your Yoga Class: Side Plank Pose

Thursday, May 16th, 2013

how to become a certified yin yoga instructorBy: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed

Springtime is upon us, and for many Yoga practitioners who live in areas that experience long winters, the increasing light and warmth of this season is very welcome. Just like the seasons in temperate climate zones, there are also different types of Yoga practices. Some practices are cooling, and other sequences of asanas are quite warming. For example, practices that are cooling and restorative are Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra. Practices that are quite warming are Ashtanga and Bikram Yoga. Both of these types of flowing sequences will help to stoke the inner fire or agni of your students.

Additionally, by choosing to incorporate asanas that are physically strengthening and vigorous in nature into your Yoga class, you will create a purifying and energizing experience for your students. During the increasing warmth of the spring and summer months, especially after a long, cold winter, your students may very much enjoy and benefit from a class that substantially increases their energy level, boosts their metabolism and invigorates their inner agni or fire. A vinyasa-based class, that includes a number of standing asanas, balancing postures and core strengthening exercises, will generate a cleansing and energizing experience for your Yoga students.

* Side Plank Pose or Vasisthasana

Side Plank Pose is a balancing asana that definitely generates more agni or inner fire. It is usually practiced towards the end of the standing poses. Side Plank Pose is very strengthening for the entire side of the body, arms, wrists and ankles. Side Plank Pose also strengthens the entire torso region and opens up the shoulders, upper back and throat areas. To practice Side Plank Pose, instruct your students to move through a vinyasa and pause in Downward Facing Dog.

From Downward Facing Dog, ask your Yoga students to keep their right hand on the mat while turning to the right. The right hand will remain in position with the fingers facing the front of the mat. The outer edge of the right foot should be flush against the mat with the inner edge of the left foot resting on top of the right foot. The legs should be perfectly lined up and the torso also kept in a straight line. The left arm is raised above the body and in line with the shoulders and the right arm. The left palm faces away from the body. Ask your Yoga students to hold Side Plank Pose for three to five complete breaths, and then release the posture and flow through a vinyasa or rest in Child’s Pose.

© Copyright 2013 – Virginia Iversen / Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

See our testimonials to find out what our graduates have to say about our selection of distance learning yoga teacher certification programs.

If you are teaching a yoga class, a yoga school manager, 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. Namaste!

 

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in teaching yoga | No Comments »

Increasing Agni in your Yoga Class: Crow Pose

Friday, May 10th, 2013

500 hour yoga teacher certification onlineBy: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed

“Agni” is the Sanskrit word for fire, heat and energy. Agni is also the fire that fuels the burning away of negative mental and physical habits during Yogic practices that are not in our own best interest or for our highest good. As a metaphor, you can imagine a Brahmin priest offering a ladle of clarified butter or ghee into a sacred fire. This sacrificial offering is symbolic of the release of negative mental and physical habits that keep us separated from the divine light within our own hearts. In the ladle are all of the habits of mind and body that keep us mired in one degree or another of negativity and inertia. Until we release this heaviness or tamas, we will be prevented from reaching our own highest potential. 

In order to help facilitate the process of release and renewal through letting go of the habitual thought patterns and physical tension that dampens our energy, increasing the level of agni or fire in your Yoga classes will help your students to lighten and enhance their life force energy. There are a variety of poses and sequences of asanas that will ignite and increase the heat and energy in your Yoga classes. Fast-moving Power Yoga sequences, vigorous standing poses and challenging balancing postures will all help to increase the level of fire in your classes. 

* Crow Pose or Bakasana  

Crow Pose is a wonderful balancing Yoga pose that strengthens the arms, shoulders and core muscles. It also helps to hone a sense of balance, competency and focus. Additionally, Crow Pose stretches out the muscles of the wrists, forearms and hands, making it a very therapeutic pose for those of us who spend a lot of time on the computer. Crow Pose is often practiced in the context of a series of Sun Salutations and standing postures. 

To teach your Yoga students Bakasana, have them fluidly move through the beginning sequence of Sun Salutation B and into a squatting position on their Yoga mats from Downward Facing Dog. Their feet should be a little wider than hips’ distance apart and parallel to each other. Direct your students to place their hands approximately twelve inches in front of their feet with their fingers spread comfortably far apart and facing the front of the Yoga mat. With their next inhale, guide your students to place their shins on their upper arms and lean slightly forward.

As they lean forward and balance on their hands, their feet will come off of the Yoga mat when they rest the weight of their body entirely on the back of their arms. The dristi or gazing point in this posture is two to three feet in front of them on the floor. If you have a student or two who feels anxious about tipping over, have them place a folded blanket just in front of them for padding. This should help to alleviate their anxiety. Remind your students to keep breathing while they are in the pose. Instruct your Yoga class to hold Crow Pose for three to five breaths, and then release the posture and move through a vinyasa or rest in Child’s Pose. 

© Copyright 2013 – Virginia Iversen / Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

See our testimonials to find out what our graduates have to say about our selection of distance learning yoga certification programs.

If you are a teacher, yoga school manager, 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. Namaste!

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in teaching yoga | 1 Comment »

Teaching Yoga to Students Recovering from Surgery or Living with Chronic Illness: Contemplative Practices

Tuesday, May 7th, 2013

yin yoga instructor certification intensiveBy: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed

If you are a Yoga instructor who is teaching one or more students who are recovering from surgery or living with a chronic illness, modifying the practice in order to tailor the intensity level to each student’s current ability is critically important. The awareness and application of therapeutic Yoga asanas, breathing exercises and contemplative practices can be profoundly healing to students who are working toward regaining their health. Your inner attitude or “bhav” towards your students’ efforts in Yoga class can also substantially impact the healing effect of the class on your students. 

In fact, when you are teaching a Yoga class, mentally holding the image of your students in your conscious awareness as whole and vibrantly healthy will help to support your students in seeing themselves the same way. As your Yoga students begin to mentally shift from focusing on what may not be working correctly in their bodies to the parts of their bodies that are healthy and strong, they will begin to align themselves with a state of strength and well-being. This internal shift from a negative to a positive perspective about their bodies will also help to offset depression, which so often accompanies serious illness, injury or a lengthy recuperation from a major surgery.  

As a Yoga teacher, it is also important to be aware of and uproot any of your own negative thoughts about your students, especially those students who may be struggling with health issues. Thoughts such as, “I can’t believe she is still doing the Yoga asanas while seated in a chair. Her knee seems strong enough now to support her weight!” Thoughts such as these will energetically undermine your students’ sense of themselves as healthy yogis or yoginis who are temporarily healing from an illness or injury, instead of students who are chronically physically unwell. 

The same effect holds true for each Yoga student’s inner attitude. If a student feels despondent, weak and unhealthy and continues to focus on those negative states of being, he or she will undermine their own efforts during Yoga class. If, on the other hand, you gently and compassionately remind your students to focus on the fact that they made it to class, the amazing effort they are making to regain their own health and the parts of their bodies that are strong and healthy, their spirits will be uplifted and a sense of purpose, strength and mastery will begin to fill their bodies, which will deeply support them during the healing process. 

© Copyright 2013 – Virginia Iversen / Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

See our testimonials to find out what our graduates have to say about our selection of affordable hatha yoga certification programs.

If you are a teacher, yoga school manager, 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. Namaste!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Recent Articles, teaching yoga | No Comments »

Introducing the Concept of Alchemy to your Yoga Class

Wednesday, May 1st, 2013

hot yoga instructor certification courseBy: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed

If you have actively engaged in or taught Yoga classes for an extended period of time, you are familiar with the potential of the practices to transmute heaviness into lightness and a bleak outlook on life into one of hope and enthusiasm. The word “enthusiasm” actually means to be filled with the spirit or energy of God. This energy feels wonderful; vibrant, alive and life sustaining. The Yoga practices of asana, meditation, prayer, chanting and pranayama, when practiced in balance and on a regular basis, have the ability to truly transform a Yogi or Yogini’s life. These ancient practices, as succinctly elucidated in Pantanjali’s Yoga Sutras, provide a comprehensive alchemical path to happiness.

The alchemical process of transforming base physical states and emotions into lightness, love and vibrant well-being, replicates the chemical process of transforming base metals into gold. In fact, there are references to alchemy found in the ancient Vedic texts as far back as the 4th century B.C.E. References to alchemy also abound in Buddhist texts between the 2nd and 5th centuries A.D. where the process of transmuting base metals into gold is clearly laid out. This alchemical process is also applicable in the fields of psychology and self-improvement. In 1913, Carl Jung was one of the first psychologists to adopt the use of the term alchemy in the context of mental health, spiritual growth and inner development.

By introducing the concept of physical and emotional alchemy to your Yoga students, they will more fully understand the various Yogic disciplines as a complete matrix of practices that can transform every area of their lives. From the simple breathing technique of Dirga Pranayama, to learning the deceptively easy practice of truly relaxing in Shavasana, your students will gain a deeper appreciation of the transformative opportunity that each Yoga class provides to them.

In addition to the physical practices of Yoga, you may also wish to incorporate a period of meditation and contemplation into the practice, either at the beginning or end of your class. A beautiful poem or aphorism read aloud to your students will help to lift their spirits and focus their minds on the internal goals of Yoga practice. You may also want to include a period of chanting into your classes. If you do know how to play the harmonium and sing kirtan, great! If you do not know how to play the harmonium, or if you feel shy singing in front of a group, leading a group chant by using a portable CD player will enable you to offer the time-honored practice of chanting to your Yoga students in a non-intimidating fashion.

© Copyright 2013 – Virginia Iversen – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

See our testimonials to find out what our graduates have to say about our selection of inexpensive yoga instructor training programs.

If you are a teacher, yoga school manager, 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!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in teaching yoga | No Comments »

Introducing the Concept of Tamas to your Yoga Class

Thursday, April 25th, 2013

restorative yoga teacher certification courseBy: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed

According to Yogic philosophy, the material world arises from the underlying field of pulsating energy, known in Sanskrit as “prakriti.” Within this field, there are three energetic qualities that comprise physical existence. These three qualities or gunas are known as tamas, rajas and sattva. Tamas is comprised of the qualities of heaviness, darkness, denseness and inertia. Rajas holds the qualities of movement, energy and fire. Sattva is the very light vibrational energy of purity, goodness and pervading peace.

Ultimately, the goal and path of Yoga is one of purification of the tamasic and rajasic qualities into the purity and light of the sattvic guna. This is the light of God’s presence, both within ourselves and in the external world. By introducing these three gunas to your Yoga students, you will be able to teach them about the underlying alchemical processes of the various Yoga practices and techniques. This will help to frame the practice of asanas, meditation and pranayama exercises into the classical Yogic goal of experiencing union with the divine.

Many students and teachers begin practicing Yoga in order to release inertia, heaviness and lethargy. The practice of asanas, particularly when done in a heated room or in a flowing, vinyasa fashion, will definitely help to move stuck energy, release stress and tension and increase the pulsation of the life force throughout one’s being. To place the practice of “moving stuck energy” through a challenging asana and pranayama practice into the traditional Yogic framework of alchemy, will help your students to understand the purifying and uplifting practice of Yoga in a more comprehensive manner.

When you are introducing the concept of tamas to your Yoga students, you may want to explain the general concept of the three gunas first. In this way, they will have a general understanding of the basic Yogic concept of creation. After introducing the three gunas, illustrating tamas with examples from everyday life, even you own life, will help your students to further understand the effect of too much tamas on their experience of life. Tamas is often experienced as a lack of energy, a sense of heaviness, inertia, indifference and even depression. The process of releasing tamas from our bodies and minds usually begins with the movement and energy of the rajasic guna. Moving one’s body through a complete practice of Yoga asanas and breathing exercises is a sure fire way to begin to ultimately transform ourselves into lightness, love and peace.

© Copyright 2013 – Virginia Iversen – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

See our testimonials to find out what our graduates have to say about our selection of distance learning yoga instructor training courses.

If you are a teacher, yoga school manager, 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!

Tags: , , ,
Posted in teaching yoga | No Comments »

Teaching Yoga to Students Recovering from Surgery or Living with Chronic Illness: Modified Standing Poses

Saturday, April 20th, 2013

500 hour yoga teacher training intensive courseBy: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed

Teaching Yoga to students who are recovering from surgery or living with chronic illness brings with it unique challenges and rewards. As you become a seasoned Yoga instructor, your repertoire of therapeutic techniques and modifications will expand. These therapeutic techniques, modifications and the appropriate use of Yoga props will support you in safely guiding your students through a full class. Of course, each student is uniquely challenged by his or her individual life circumstances.

In order to fully and safely support the Yoga students in your class who are living with physical challenges, it is important to be aware of their current health issues. By taking the time to acquaint yourself with each new student before class begins, and reacquainting yourself with ongoing students if their health status changes, you will be more prepared to safely guide your students through a class. The strategic use of Yoga props, including bolsters, blocks and chairs, will help the students who are living with physical challenges to participate more fully in a multi-level Yoga class.

Modified Warrior 1 Pose

Warrior 1 or Virabhadrasana is one of the fundamental standing asanas of most Yoga classes. This pose expands and stretches out the lung area, chest, neck, shoulder, back, abdomen, and groin muscles. It strengthens the legs, calves and ankles. If the posture is practiced in correct alignment, it can also facilitate the optimal alignment of the knees, which helps to promote the healing process of many knee injuries. Traditionally, Warrior 1 Pose is practiced in a standing position with both knees off of the mat.

If you teaching a Yoga student who is unable to stand comfortably, the arm movements and breathing components of the posture may be practiced while seated in a chair. If one or more of your students has trouble balancing or is healing from an injury or surgical procedure that makes practicing Virabhadrasana 1 in a full standing position difficult or painful, this posture may be practiced with the back knee on the mat. When Warrior 1 Pose is practiced in this way, the expansion throughout the front of the body is often increased, so the student will still reap a substantial benefit from practicing the posture in its modified form.

© Copyright 2013 – Virginia Iversen – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

See our testimonials to find out what our graduates have to say about our selection of distance learning yoga instructor certification courses.

If you are a teacher, yoga school manager, 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!

Tags: , , ,
Posted in teaching yoga | 2 Comments »

When Students Ask About Yoga and Religion

Saturday, February 9th, 2013

how to become a certified hatha yoga teacherBy Jenny Park

My opinions are my own and I appreciate the chance to air them in public. Are you a fitness Yoga teacher who’s sick and tired of religious fanatics and their questions? Maybe you practice religion or not, but you teach asana as a workout and if somebody has a spiritual epiphany in your class it’s just by luck. The reason being, you’re teaching students how to improve their life in a physical and mental activity.  

If you’re a spiritual teacher, try not to be insulted by my limited viewpoint, but I could care less. Yoga training has changed my life for the best and I want to share it, but I want to physically throw a prospective student out on the street, if they want religion in my class. Lately, I had a prospect visit my studio and she told me the devil teaches Yoga. Guess what? I told her she was right just to get her out of the building. In fact, I offered (tempted) to teach her a special hot class to give her an underworld experience. 

Is Yoga a Religion?

Yoga is a form of exercise that not only benefits the body, but benefits the mind as well. It has often been used as a way to open up spiritual growth. However, that doesn’t necessarily make it a religion, as it depends upon exactly what a person wants to get out of his or her practice. Many people associate the chanting that is often done in Yoga schools with religious overtones, but not all classes incorporate chanting. It is safer to say that Yoga training can help a person who is interested in personal growth and balance, whether it is spiritual, mental, or physical.

Yogic methodology is more about awareness practice than worship. It can help us become more aware of ourselves, our bodies, and the world around us. It helps us to incorporate healthy practices into our days and the way we live. Through the use of mindful meditation, we can help to decrease the stress that we feel and by focusing on what we are feeling at the moment – and not dwelling on yesterday or tomorrow. That is one of the gifts of Yogic methodology, and it is something we can improve upon as we practice.

As most people who practice Yoga know, it is a viable form of exercise for all fitness types. It can help strengthen and tone the muscle groups, as well as improve balance and flexibility. This can be particularly beneficial for people of all ages. Many fitness minded people practice asanas to improve their training regiments. Runners, swimmers, and other athletes will incorporate Yogic posturing in order to be well-rounded and to help avoid injury.

To say that Yoga is a religion might be a great way to pigeonhole it, and fortunately, that is almost impossible to do. The practice of asana is done almost everywhere in the world in some shape or form. People from all different backgrounds and nationalities enjoy the practice of Yoga. It does provide some type of common ground for people. That is probably why it has spread the way that it has throughout the world. And because it can appeal to a person’s spirituality as well as their physical health, it is a one of a kind experience for all who practice it.

© Copyright 2013 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

See videos, demonstrations, and lectures related to affordable yoga teacher training intensives and specialized continuing education programs. 

Tags: , ,
Posted in teaching yoga | 1 Comment »

Teaching Yoga for Weight Loss: Power Yoga

Tuesday, February 5th, 2013

become a certified yoga instructorBy: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed 

The New Year is upon us and with every New Year many of us make resolutions to better our lives and ourselves. In these swiftly changing times, it is said that the frequency of energy that surrounds us in increasing. With an increase in vibrational energy and light, many of us are being challenged to let go of old habits and beliefs that dim our own light. One of the most common habits that are dimming is carrying around excess weight and eating an unhealthy diet. 

A regular practice of Yoga, three or more times a week, will help to support a practitioner to drop excess pounds and tune into the innate wisdom of his or her own body, including the optimal type of nourishment the body desires. There are many different types of Yoga. Some Yogic kramas, or sequences, are geared towards restoration and relaxation. Other sequences are very strengthening and energizing. Teaching quick-moving Power Yoga classes will help your students to increase their metabolism, burn calories and improve muscular strength. 

Ashtanga classes are so physically challenging, this type of Yoga is a great support for students who want to drop a few extra pounds or even a substantial amount of weight. When you are teaching Power Yoga classes, it is important that you instruct your students in correct alignment principals so that they can avoid injuring themselves. During an Ashtanga class, the poses are linked together by quickly flowing through the movements of the Sun Salutation, including Downward Facing Dog, Plank Pose and Upward Facing Dog. If a student does not maintain correct alignment in these postures, he or she is more prone to injury. 

In order to lead your students through a vigorous and safe Power Yoga class, you may wish to demonstrate the basic poses of the Sun Salutation prior to practicing the asanas, especially the transitions between postures. As your students are practicing, circulating throughout the room to check on each individual’s postural alignment and gently correcting any misalignment will further ensure that your students will positively benefit from taking an energizing Power Yoga class. With a regular practice of Power Yoga classes several times a week, your students will be strongly supported in reaching their weight loss goals for the year.

© Copyright 2013 – Virginia Iversen / Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

See videos, demonstrations, and lectures related to affordable 200 hour yoga teacher training intensive courses and specialized continuing education programs.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in teaching yoga | No Comments »

How to Teach Hatha Yoga Postures

Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

500 hour yoga teacher training programBy Sangeetha Saran

Teaching any type of yoga benefits the instructor as well as the students. The comfort level that is reached as well as the connection created is something that will nourish the soul. There are several elements to teaching Hatha Yoga. Each is an important piece of the class, and helps you to achieve the best class. Postures are only a part of the whole. Though important, the students will not be satisfied nor will they return to your class if the stage is not set.

Atmosphere

The space that Hatha Yoga is practiced in should be serene. Peacefulness, cleanliness, and comfort are key. You should have some extra yoga mats that are cleaned daily for new students or those who have forgotten theirs. Always give a brief introduction and run down of what is going to happen so new students are more comfortable.

Before Beginning

It’s imperative before beginning instruction to ask if anyone in the class has any health problems or is pregnant. Many new students are not used to breathing through postures and may hold their breath. If you know ahead of time you can watch more carefully, or offer props such as blocks, bolsters or chairs for stability.

Beginning and Introducing Postures

Always begin in a relaxed posture, such as mountain pose or seated. Have them quiet their minds, breathe, and focus. It is okay to spend extra time in poses, or even hand out a “cheat sheet” to beginners that show each posture and how to move through it. Be sure to advise students to not lock the joints, and to not stiffen muscles in postures. It is also okay for them to keep their head in a comfortable position rather than looking upward at hands. Explain that yoga is about comfort not strain. Instruct for students to focus on using their core muscles for support, which encourages joint health. Yoga training is about self-improvement, and injury will only provide set backs, which can be discouraging.

Positivity

It can never be stressed enough that positivity breeds more of the same. Some people who attempt to take up yoga are downtrodden and seeking enlightenment. If you encourage students and have a positive outlook even if they are in dire health, you will be lucky enough to see them be nourished and heal before your eyes. This is healing for not only them, but for you.

© Copyright 2013 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

See videos, demonstrations, and lectures related to online yoga instructor training courses and specialized continuing education programs.

Tags: , ,
Posted in teaching yoga | No Comments »

Teaching Yoga in Schools: Easing Text Anxiety

Monday, January 14th, 2013

online yoga teacher certificationBy: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed

The academic, athletic and social schedule of many students is jam-packed. Often a student will run from one obligation to another for the better course of the day. This busy schedule frequently includes weekend athletic competitions, volunteer commitments and social engagements. By offering Yoga classes to school students, you will be offering them a solid hour of slowing down to really feel their bodies and become aware of their thoughts. Although a Yoga class can be seen as another athletic engagement, the contemplative nature of the practice does facilitate a student’s clarity of mind and somatic awareness.

There are many ways to alleviate test anxiety by teaching the practice of Yoga to school students. Yoga is particularly effective for clearing the mind and dissolving physical stress and tension. As a student’s mind settles and physical tension is released, he or she will be better able to optimize study time. Additionally, a vigorous class will help to motivate a student for “crunch time” before a test or exam period by energizing the entire body. The Yogic breathing or pranayama exercises will also calm down an overly stimulated nervous system, which will help a student to fully focus on the test material with one-pointed concentration.

Many of the physical postures of Yoga promote strength, balance and determination. With these “warrior-like qualities” comes a sense of grounding and a stronger ability to concentrate and focus on one task at a time. The skills will serve a student well, both in Yoga class and in the library! In order to cultivate these qualities in your students, offering them a strong, vigorous series of Sun Salutations, including the Warrior Series, Trikonasana and Side Angle Pose, will help to generate internal heat and energy. In order to cultivate a stronger sense of focus and concentration, you may wish to include Eagle Pose, Tree Pose and Half Moon Pose into your class for their grounding and balancing effects.

As a Yoga instructor, do remember to include the practice of pranayama into your classes. These breathing exercises are fundamental to soothing and balancing the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. This balance promotes both the calming and energizing effects of a great Yoga class. A sense of balance and calmness will give your students the energy and focus they need to be both efficient and effective while preparing for a test. Providing a five-minute time period at the end of class for your students to outline a study schedule for the coming week will also help them to structure their time wisely.

© Copyright 2013 – Virginia Iversen / Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

See Yoga videos, demonstrations, and lectures related to  Yoga teaching certification online  and specialized continuing education courses.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in teaching yoga | No Comments »

« Older Entries

SEARCH