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Yoga Training for Students With Diabetes

Friday, December 21st, 2012

yoga instructor trainingBy Jenny Park

Chances are a student has asked you about yoga for diabetes. You might want to create a handout for the most common health conditions, but you don’t have enough time. You look through your old papers and books to find that your yoga certification course didn’t cover diabetes. Let’s be honest, how many medical conditions can you cover in one yoga teacher training intensive? Don’t worry, below this line I’ve prepared a handout for your diabetic students and their friends.

Diabetes and Yoga

Diabetes affects more and more people each year. This is largely believed to be due to poor diet choices and obesity. However, this is not always the case and it is responsible for one of the highest percentages of death. Though it is true that it can be caused by genetic factors, in the majority of cases those suffering could afford to exercise for their own good. The good news is that it’s never too late to begin a healthy lifestyle. By decreasing glucose levels, we can reduce are stress level and in turn reduce our chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke due to Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes. Sadly, the majority of cases are undiagnosed. One way to prevent diabetes is to practice yoga. So whether you’ve been diagnosed or not, yogic exercise is certainly a beneficial activity to take up.

Symptoms of Diabetes

If by chance you are one of the millions of undiagnosed people who suffer from diabetes, there are certain symptoms to consider that may push you to begin a healthier lifestyle now. They include extreme thirst, constant hunger, frequent urination, irritability, unexplained weight loss, fatigue and blurry vision. Once diagnosed a doctor will prescribe anything from insulin shots to medication. Sometimes, people who have taken up a healthy lifestyle have actually come off their diabetes medications.

How Yoga Helps

By strengthening muscles and massaging the endocrine, nervous, and circulatory system, asana practice will ultimately decrease overall stress levels. It also helps the student gain control over their mind, body and spirit allowing them to make clear lifestyle choices, and lose weight. A wide array of poses (asanas) is wonderful for those suffering diabetes. Each has its own benefit, and should be practiced 3 to 5 days a week for maximum benefit.

It’s important to take a class that relaxes you, as stress is a huge factor in diabetes. Slow, controlled poses like Sun Salutation along with plenty of meditation are perfect. Studies have shown that asana practice releases cortisol, which is a known stress hormone. The end results show that yoga is more effective than most forms of exercise. Practice will be most beneficial with the help of a certified yoga instructor who can get students not only in the correct postures, but also help them travel to that mental place where they can strengthen not just their bodies but also their minds.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Yoga teacher training and continuing education courses for specialized Yoga certification, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

Free report, newsletter, videos, podcasts, and e-Book: “Yoga in Practice.”

If you are a Yoga Teacher, studio owner, 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!

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Yoga Teacher Training: Advice for Students

Tuesday, December 18th, 2012

yoga instructor trainingBy Gopi Rao

Whether you graduate from a 1000-hour or a 200-hour Yoga teacher certification course, your students will look at you the same. Whether you have taught ten classes or one thousand classes your students see you as an expert. The same is true if you were a student for two years or for twenty years before you finally decided to become a Yoga instructor. If your students like your message, they will ask you for advice. One question most often asked is, “How can I improve my practice at home?” I have prepared some tips for your students in the rest of this article. 

Tips to Enhance Yogic Practices

Whether you are a beginner to Yoga or someone who has been practicing for years, it is normal to look for ways to enhance your practice. This can mean different things to different people. Some people want to increase the mind-body connection; others want to improve muscle tone and flexibility. Many people practice Yogic techniques as a way to supplement other forms of exercise. Everyone’s goals are different, and there are many different ways to improve a person’s practice so that they can achieve exactly what they want.

Steady Practice

One of the best ways to enhance your Yoga practice is to do it on a regular basis. Many people find that practicing every day is the key to improvement. Just as many other activities benefit from regular practice, so does Yoga. As a person gets deeper into their practice, the benefits from doing so start to manifest themselves in a number of ways. Sometimes this means feeling less stress, as well as enjoying higher energy levels and a better overall outlook. Who doesn’t benefit from those things?

Find Your Path

Finding the best type of Yoga training to suit your needs and lifestyle is very important. Some people love the chanting and meditation aspects of Bhakti Yoga, while others prefer a more physically demanding form, such as Power Yoga. The key is to find what type works for you. Some people find that a variety of classes best suit them. The more you practice, the more you will evolve as a student. Just as lifestyles continually change and evolve, so will your practice. Such is the way of life. It is important to remain open to change as well as keep your sights on your goals.

Benefits and Changes

Students and Yoga teachers often find themselves acquiring benefits through Yogic practices that they were not expecting. Building lean muscle mass, improving posture, and decreasing stress levels are all known physical benefits of practicing on a regular basis. It stands to reason that practicing on a regular basis can help enhance your physical, mental and emotional health. It is also important to set goals and once those goals are reached, it is time to re-evaluate what it is that you want from your practice.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our complete selection of Yoga instructor training courses, please feel free to visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/Teacher-Courses/

Free report, newsletter, videos, podcasts, and e-Book: “Yoga in Practice.”

If you are a Yoga Teacher, studio owner, 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!

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Yoga Teacher Tips: Seven Student Questions

Wednesday, December 12th, 2012

yoga teacher

By Bhavan Kumar

When you finish a yoga certification course, you may want to prepare yourself for all the questions you will have to answer. Many students new to your yoga school have questions about the practice. Here are seven questions that beginners typically ask and some answers that you might use..

Q: What is yoga? Is it a religion?

A: Yoga is a healing spiritual practice that includes breath control, meditation, physical postures and ethical guidelines. While some practitioners may consider yogic practices to be a religion, it differs from religion in several ways: there aren’t any priests, ministers or rabbis, there isn’t a membership process, there are no temples or churches, there aren’t any worship services and it is accessible to everyone of any religion.

Q: Can I practice yoga if I am not flexible?

A: Your inflexibility is exactly the reason you should practice! However, be sure to select an appropriate class for your ability. If you practice consistently, over time your body should become more flexible.

Q: What style should I practice?

A: Yoga training sessions can be quiet and meditative or active and sweaty. Decide what kind of experience you want to participate in and call or visit the facility to learn what the classes are like.

Q: What should I wear to a fitness oriented class? What equipment do I need?

A: Wear comfortable exercise clothing. In order for the yoga teacher to see your posture and alignment, wear form-fitting tops and bottoms. Find out ahead of time if the room will be hot or cool and dress accordingly. The only equipment you must have is a mat, and many gyms and studios provide them. Regardless, you might consider purchasing your own personal mat for sanitary reasons.

Q: What is “Om” and “Namaste?”

A: These are two Sanskrit words you’ll frequently hear in classes. “Om” is a mantra that represents the sound of the universe. “Namaste” is a greeting that means, “Salutations to to you.”

Q: How often should I practice the asanas?

A: Ideally, posturing is a daily practice. However, you may feel the positive benefits of asana practice if you practice at least two or three times a week.

Q: Is yoga a workout? Will it help me lose weight?

A: Physical styles can be a workout that includes building strength, flexibility and cardiovascular capacity. The intensity of the class depends on the style you choose and how the teacher leads the class.

Some additional questions yoga instructors should be prepared for include:

 • Is the class strenuous?

 • What is the temperature of the room?

 • Is the class suitable for beginners?

 • Is the focus on the class on postures, breath work or meditation?

Conclusion

There is nothing wrong with having a prepared handout for new students. Additionally, a teacher should be prepared to patiently answer questions. Some teachers don’t answer any questions during class time, but what if a student is experiencing pain? Let students know that questions during the session should be important and directly concern the lesson at hand. Otherwise, they can speak with you before and after the class.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga instructor training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

Free report, newsletter, videos, podcasts, and e-Book: “Yoga in Practice.”

If you are a Yoga teacher, studio owner, 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!

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The Oath of a Yoga Teacher

Monday, December 10th, 2012

yoga trainingBy Faye Martins

Many Hatha Yoga teacher training courses don’t have an oath for graduates, but maybe we should all have one. In this way, instructors would be constantly mindful of ethics, compassion, safety, and loving kindness, at all times.  Here is the oath of a Kundalini Yoga teacher: ”I am not a woman. I am not a man. I am not a person. I am not myself. I am a teacher.”

Those words are the oath of a Kundalini instructor, but they have weight for all teachers of all subjects. Many people, when first hearing those words, may take pause and try to understand those statements and how it pertains to them. It often takes a spiritual journey and inner examinations in order to truly understand that oath and be able to uphold it.

Yoga can be a wonderful form of exercise and a way to relax the mind and soul. Becoming a Yoga instructor can be rewarding and fulfilling, but there are also challenges associated with it. The oath of a teacher should be to help show his or her students the best way to practice for themselves. Sometimes that means showing students some extra attention and guidance, other times it means letting the students work through the poses on their own in order to help them see their strengths. A good teacher is also a student, and constant learning is the key to growth.

Being an informed teacher is more than just going through the training and becoming certified. It also takes a certain amount of practice and intuitiveness. Knowing when to offer modifications as well as when to help a student take his or her practice to the next level is very important. Many students are attracted to Yoga training because they want to learn a healthy way to reduce stress and build flexibility. Many of them are quite surprised at the physical strength they gain from their practice. Guidance through the journey, without too much interference, is the sign of a good teacher.

The oath of a Yoga teacher can mean different things to different people, depending on where they are in their practice. For some people, it means giving in to a higher power and letting it guide them to a better place, spiritually, mentally, and physically. As we have seen throughout the thousands of years that people have been practicing Yoga, it is often a very personal journey that leads us to unexpected places.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our complete selection of Yoga instructor training courses, please feel free to visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/Teacher-Courses/

Free report, newsletter, videos, podcasts, and e-Book: “Yoga in Practice.”

If you are a Yoga Teacher, studio owner, 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!

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Yoga Instructor Training: Yogic Philosophy

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

yoga teacher certificationBy Kimaya Singh

How important is philosophy in a yoga certification course? Yoga teachers should know the history and philosophy of yogic practices. Patanjali – whose teaching led to the codification of the Eight Limbs – taught that a yoga practice includes a dedication towards truthfulness. Even students who practice yoga training for athletic of physical reasons find that eventually yoga leads them to deepen their spiritual and ethical practices due to the lessons that they learn on the mat.

Patanjali broke his teachings, the Eight Limbs of yoga, down into Yamas (ethical teachings) and Niyamas. The Yamas deal with how we use our personal energy to deal with the world around us and those we interact with. The concept of Satya, or commitment to truthfulness, is one of the fundamental Yamas. This dedication includes being genuine, sincere and honest with other persons, regardless of their station in life. It also ask practitioners to follow a path of being considerate to others needs and feelings.

Many times students ask if this means that we should always speak the truth. Or if there is room for what we commonly refer to as white lies. Others want to know if the “sin of omission” is something that yogis should never practice. Satya teaches that if something we say could hurt another, we should refrain from saying it. That may place students into ethical quandaries, but if we try to live with Ahisma (being considerate and seeking to do no harm to any living thing), we will find a way to resolve this conflict within ourselves. Satya teaches us that we must ground all of our relationships within honest communication, and refrain from any action that deceives or harms others.

One way that yoga teachers can help students train “truthfulness” is in being honest with our physical limitations. Too often, beginning practitioners try to push past their body’s limits to try a pose or modification that is too difficult for them or could do them harm. If a student wants to be truthful, he or she will accept that their body is not designed to perform a particular pose, such as Crow, or at least they are not ready yet. Satya is an effective way to keep students from trying to be competitive and push themselves past their known limits. It teaches them to be honest within their own body while working with it and honoring it.

Satya, or truthfulness is a concept that encourages students to develop honest both within themselves and with the world around them. While it may seem to contain contradictions, when used with other concepts such as Ashima, it can be a useful compass in our practice and our actions.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our complete selection of Yoga teacher training courses, please feel free to visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/Teacher-Courses/

Free report, newsletter, videos, podcasts, and e-Book: “Yoga in Practice.”

If you are a Yoga Teacher, studio owner, 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!

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Yoga Teacher Training: Diabetes

Sunday, December 2nd, 2012

yoga certificationBy Gopi Rao

If you are considering a yoga certification course, you may want to understand diabetes and many other ailments. For those of us who already teach classes, all of the progress we have seen against diseases and suffering do not count in the eyes of scientific research. Science only recognizes its testing, studies and research as factual. At first, we might resent science for throwing out thousands of years of yogic research and claiming it is all biased information. For us to prove yogic methods work, yoga schools have to open the doors to medical and scientific scrutiny. We also have to be prepared to deliver proof and name sources of studies.

One Sample Diabetes Study

Source: Hegde SV, Adhikari P, Kotian S, et al. Effect of 3-month yoga on oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes with or without complications: a controlled clinical trial. Diabetes Care. 34(10):2208-10, 2011.

In 2011, researchers announced links between yogic practices and improved health amongst diabetes patients. While most yoga instructors can give anecdotal evidence that yogic exercise relieves diabetes symptoms, the research helped bolster the link between the two.

The 2011 study followed 123 students who were middle aged or older, and who participated in gentle or restorative forms of yoga. Participants reduced their BMI (Body Mass Index) by an average of four points, many of them from the cusp of what is considered to be obese to that of a healthy adult.

These students were able to lose an average of two to five pounds within a three month period, and experienced a drop in their blood sugar levels. The students added yoga to their existing forms of care, including regular exercise and healthy eating.

While the researchers were quick to point out that the classes did not give students a large change in weight or hip circumference, they also stated that the participants who did not add posture practice (asana) to their care, experienced no additional benefits whatsoever. The fact that yoga training had an even slight effect on weight and blood sugar levels gave researchers enough confidence to suggest that diabetes patients add it to a regular exercise practice.

The researchers were also quick to point out that some forms of yogic movement should be avoided by students who were not already regular practitioners. Ashtanga and power styles had the highest risk of injury for students who were not experienced in practicing asanas. Regardless of the type of postures a student practiced, the more vigorous poses should be avoided by most diabetes patients due to the risk of injury if they were improperly performed.

Some studios and diabetes treatment centers responded to the study by starting yoga training sessions that were tailored to meet the weight management and the specific health needs of diabetes patients. While prospective students are always cautioned to consult with a doctor before starting a program, these classes give novices a safe place to begin a practice under a yoga instructor’s watchful eye.

While gentler forms of yogic exercise do not offer the blood glucose management effects that aerobic exercise provides, asana practice as been proven to be an efficient way for students to manage their diabetes. Students who chose to start a practice will find yogic methods to be additional tools to manage their health while improving their overall well being.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our complete selection of Yoga teacher training courses, please feel free to visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/Teacher-Courses/

Free report, newsletter, videos, podcasts, and e-Book: “Yoga in Practice.”

If you are a Yoga Teacher, studio owner, 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!

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Teaching Yoga for Student Skeletal Health

Saturday, December 1st, 2012

become a yoga teacherBy Jenny Park

One part of the anatomy section in a yoga teacher training program to watch closely is why the skeletal system is so important during asana practice. In short, our bodies are uniquely different and our skeletons are almost as unique as our finger prints. As we age, our bones naturally become stiff and brittle. This makes getting around more difficult and much more painful. It is a little known fact that yogic exercise benefits the skeletal system. Yoga practice, which includes many standing, balancing, and inverted poses, has been proven to increase the density of our bones.

This is by resistance against gravity, which causes the bones to retain calcium better. As a result of mild stress during an asana practice, the bones then become a little more dense, which makes your skeleton much stronger. This is the main reason why it is beneficial to at least add asana practice in to your weekly workout routine. Therefore, even the most spiritual yoga teachers should devote time in asana practice.

Why Choose Asana Practice Over Other Physical Exercises?

Any form of exercise is beneficial, however the range of poses used in yoga allow for a full body workout that strengthens the entire skeletal system with low impact on the joints. This is unlike workouts such as running or bike riding that mainly work the legs. The gentle, yet deliberate, asanas and movements encourage increased range of motion especially in the spine. The spine’s shock absorption system is the discs between the vertebrae. Yoga is a method for decompressing these discs. A healthy spine increases vitality and encourages comfortable living, as many aging individuals tend to have back problems. Not only that, but asana encourages joint stability in other parts of our body that take a beating over time. You will have stronger knees, shoulders, hips and ankles through physical yogic practice.

Arthritis is another issue and is becoming more prevalent even in young adults. There is a fluid between most of the joints called Synovial Fluid. It provides a natural cushion for the joints during exercise and helps you move more effectively. During yoga training, the fluid is increased and this helps prevent pain of arthritis and osteoporosis. A gentle yoga training session is easy on the body, featuring fluid movements and gentle breathing (pranayama). Gentle yogic exercise is the best way for one to build up this essential fluid and stay healthy into their later years.

What a Yoga Instructor Should Know About Posture

If you teach yoga classes, you should know that the skeletal system has everything to do with our posture, bad posture decreases skeletal health. Poor skeletal posture will become a life of pain. When we have correct posture, the body is opened up and free to work how it was meant to. All of the body’s systems work together to keep us healthy. Muscles become toned and stronger, and support our bones relieving unnecessary pressure upon them. A yogic lifestyle also encourages weight loss, which is beneficial in itself. The less weight we carry around, the less stress we will have on our joints.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Yoga teacher training and continuing education courses for specialized Yoga certification, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

Free report, newsletter, videos, podcasts, and e-Book: “Yoga in Practice.”

If you are a Yoga Teacher, studio owner, 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!

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How to Teach Yoga and Theme a Class

Tuesday, November 20th, 2012

yoga teacherBy Faye Martins

With all the subjects you cover in a yoga teacher training intensive course, you might not have learned about how to theme a class. Most yoga instructors hope that students find their classes to be both enjoyable and inspirational. One way to make your yoga classes more effective is to create themes. A theme highlights a specific philosophy or pattern that you have selected, making your class more focused and purposeful that it would be without a theme. Your students are also likely to retain the effects of the practice if you’ve conveyed a strong message through a class theme.

Choosing the right theme is important. It should be both meaningful to you and relevant for your students. Many aspects of yoga can serve as themes:

• A philosophical concept, such as the Gunas, detachment, or the Doshas

• Events in nature, such as a full moon or the Spring Equinox

• Holiday events, such as: Partner Yoga class on Valentine’s Day

• A key action in asanas

• Pairs of opposing qualities, such as willpower and playfulness

• Repetition and stay movement patterns

• Breath patterns

• An energetic quality, such as calming or energizing

Once you’ve selected your theme, choose elements that support it. Incorporate asanas, pranayama, and meditation techniques that help emphasize your ideas. For example, a class themed around the moon might include calming forward bends; a balancing nadi shodhana practice, and a soothing guided meditation. You can introduce your students to the theme the moment they walk through the door by choosing lighting, pre-class music, and props that set the right tone for your theme. To continue with the moon-themed class mentioned above, you could dim the lights, play soft music, and place a few lit candles around the room.

While teaching your themed yoga class, use words and phrases that support the message you wish to convey. You can also adapt the pace of the class, the volume of music, and the tone of your voice. Be aware of the words and imagery you use and make sure that they support your theme.

Finally, take care to continue your theme through to the end of the practice. Dropping a theme in the middle of the class renders it ineffective, and your students may receive mixed or confusing messages. Instead, introduce your theme at the beginning of the class, emphasize it throughout the practice, and include some kind of conclusion, such as a reading, at the end. While this may feel restrictive at first, you will become more comfortable with it as you continue to incorporate themes in your yoga training sessions.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Yoga teacher training and continuing education courses for specialized Yoga certification, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

Free report, newsletter, videos, podcasts, and e-Book: “Yoga in Practice.”

If you are a Yoga Teacher, studio owner, 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!

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Teaching Yoga for the Endocrine System

Thursday, November 15th, 2012

become a yoga teacherBy Jenny Park

Why should teachers have to learn anything about anatomy? Why should yoga instructors care about the endocrine system? Believe it, or not, some interns in yoga teacher training don’t understand the importance of learning the basics of body mechanics.  Some teacher trainings don’t address the significance of the endocrine system at all. Therefore, let’s cover some of these basics together. 

What is the Endocrine System?

The endocrine system consists of several glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. These hormones are essentially “messengers” that help regulate such functions of the body as growth and development, sexual function, mood, metabolism and tissue function. The adrenal, hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal, thyroid, pancreas and reproductive glands are all part of the endocrine system. When the endocrine glands are not working properly, there are hormonal imbalances that can affect physical and psychological well-being.

What are “Chakras” in Hatha Yoga?

Chakras are concentrated energy centers within the body. The seven main chakras are aligned along the spinal column, starting just above the crown of the head and ending at the coccyx. In descending order, these seven chakras are: sahasrara (crown), ajna (brow), vishuddha (throat), anahata (heart), manipura (solar plexus), swadisthana (sacrum) and muladhara (coccyx). The Hatha yoga perspective says the chakras must be balanced and functioning properly to maintain optimal physical and mental health.

What is the Connection between Chakras and the Endocrine System?

The chakras are connected to and influence every organ and system in the body. The chakras and endocrine glands align in the following way:

• Sahasrara and pineal

• Ajna and pituitary

• Vishuddha and thyroid

• Anahata and thymus

• Manipura and pancreas

• Swadisthana and reproductive glands

• Muladhara and adrenals

How does Hatha Yoga Affect the Endocrine System?

Hatha yoga uses physical purification techniques to build health. Included in the practice of hatha yoga training are postures (asanas), breath work (pranayama) and meditation techniques that develop healthy chakras, and, consequently, sound endocrine glands. Examples of specific hatha yoga practices that influence the chakras and endocrine glands are listed below.

• Headstand stimulates sahasrara chakra and the pineal gland by moving the flow of blood to those areas and stabilizing hormonal fluctuations.

• Meditation techniques stimulate ajna chakra and the pituitary gland.

• Bridge pose, camel pose and plow pose invigorate vishuddha chakra and the thyroid.

• Chest openers, such as lying over a rolled blanket, and shoulder openers, such as cow face pose, energize anahata cakra and the thymus.

• Core strengthening poses, such as boat, and invigorating pranayama practices, such bellows breath, affect manipura cakra and the pancreas.

• Hip openers, such as cow face pose and cobbler’s pose, influence svadisthana chakra and the reproductive glands.

• Grounding poses and hamstring stretches, such as standing forward bend, enliven muladhara chakra and the adrenal glands.

• Camel pose moves blood into the adrenal glands and manipura chakra.

 Teacher Tips

One 200-hour yoga teacher certification is a good start, but all of us need to learn everything we can for the safety of our students and to be the best we can be at teaching classes. 

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Yoga instructor training and continuing education courses for specialized Yoga certification, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

Free report, newsletter, videos, podcasts, and e-Book: “Yoga in Practice.”

If you are a Yoga Teacher, studio owner, 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!

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Teaching Students About Raja Yoga

Tuesday, November 13th, 2012

become a yoga instructorBy Bhavan Kumar

If you graduated from a Hatha Yoga instructor training course, you might have lightly skimmed over the teachings of Maharishi Patanjali. The Yoga Sutras were compiled by him. Patanjali, the Raja style, and Ashtanga are not usually discussed in great detail during a typical teacher training course. However, it is worth your time to learn, master, and guide your students toward the path mentioned in the Yoga Sutras.

Raja is often associated with Ashtanga, the eight-limbed yoga practice. As with Ashtanga, Raja focuses on the mind, but for students who look for a more mentally focused type of yoga, Raja is an excellent option.

The practice of Raja Yoga focuses on the student’s mind, the various “afflictions” that causes an unquiet or anxious mind, and how focus and meditation can help to quiet the mind. In order to quiet the mind, a student will pass through a total of eight limbs (levels). Together, self-mastery of these limbs will enable the student to move toward a state of enlightenment. The eight limbs as explained by Maharishi Patanjali include the following aspects.

Yama: This term translates into “self-restraint.” A student will practice aspects such as refraining from greed, stealing, and instead practicing honesty.

Niyama: Building on the first technique, Niyama involves a practice that incorporates restraint into a student’s daily life. This can include self-development books, a regular hatha yoga practice or surrendering one’s ego.

Asana: These are the postures, which include the typical poses we see on magazine covers and vinyasas (sequences of poses) that students around the world will find in most studios. The key is to use these poses in a conscious manner is to practice with a relaxed mind, while letting judgment and criticism take a back seat.

Pranayama: Translated into control of energy (prana) through breath regulation, practitioners use breath techniques to connect the mind and body.

Prathyahara: Called “sense withdrawal,” this is a retraining of our senses to stop focusing on what usually stimulates us in the physical world in order to start observing what is within us.

Dharana: Translated into “concentration,” the student learns how to retrain the senses to focus on a certain point or intention.

Dhyana: Also known as meditation, a central tenant of all yoga traditions. This allows a practitioner to extend his or her concentration into increasingly longer periods of time.

Samadhi: Finally, the student moves into a “super-consciousness,” allowing him or her to experience a level of awareness that is far more profound than the superficial ones that most individuals experience. When speaking to teachers and Gurus you may be told: “This is a state that is extremely subjective and difficult to explain from one person to another.”

A Simple Look at Super States of Consciousness 

When listening to his lectures, Paulji has a more simple explanation about the complete enhancement of one’s intuition being a form of super-consciousness. Therefore, in this state we could clearly see the truth within a person who has purely good intentions and one who wishes to waste our time with trickery and deception. This might also explain why some enlightened souls have chosen a monastic life. Perhaps they just don’t have the time to waste in sorting out who is really pure in heart.

He also mentions the need to stay focused on this exact moment. Never allowing yourself to be swallowed up by past mistakes, but to use mistakes as lessons on the journey. We can practice pranayama to focus on the tasks we have at this moment. In this way, we are in a state of bliss and present for Yoga practice in every task we do.

Student Benefits

Through practicing Raja Yoga, students learn to retrain an unfocused mind, incorporate more constructive life practices, and use the body to attain a more focused kind of consciousness. It’s a holistic way to practice self-improvement through the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of yoga training. Raja goes beyond a simple practice to a reorganizing of a student’s mind in order to provide a better way of living.

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