Posts Tagged ‘form of yoga’

« Older Entries

Pranayama Techniques of Power Yoga

Monday, December 5th, 2011

yoga teacher certificationBy Jenny Park 

Yoga is a form of exercise that is known for encouraging balance and flexibility. The practice of Yoga also focuses on breathing techniques as you move through a series of poses. Power Yoga is a form of Yoga that is geared toward promoting an intense all over body workout. It is a very good form of cardiovascular exercise. Pranayama techniques of Power Yoga are breathing techniques that can help you get the most from your Yoga practice. Correct breathing techniques are an integral part of receiving the most benefit during Yoga.

Pranayama breathing is the art of controlling our breathing during Yoga. During Pranayama, it is important to pay attention to all the cycles of the breath. This includes the inhale, the exhale, rate of breathing and the resting period between each breathing cycle. It is a very important part of practicing Yoga and can take some practice and getting used to. But when it is done correctly, the practice of Yoga is often made even more effective. During Power Yoga, controlling the breath often requires a higher level of concentration. This definitely adds to the intensity of the workout, therefore providing a higher level of impact to the body.

The benefits of Power Yoga include the ability to reduce body fat and improvement of the cardiovascular system. But it is more than just a workout, it is also meant to strengthen the mind body connection. That is yet another reason that proper breathing techniques should be maintained. Listening to your body and controlling your breathing will help toward gaining more focus both during Yoga and throughout life in general.

What are the specific forms of pranayama within a typical Power Yoga class?

Kapalabhati or Bhastrika before practice for energizing.

Ujjayi while practicing to conserve energy during Surya Namaskar and vinyasa sequences.

Dirgha Pranayama at the end of asana practice, but before relxation to carry the positive mindset with you after practice.

Is this the way every Power Yoga session should be?  Not always – Some Power Yoga instructors only teach Ujjayi during asana practice. Some Yoga teachers believe asana and pranayama practice don’t mix.  Other Yoga teachers don’t show any pranayama, meditation or relaxation at all. I learned the classical forms of pranayama from Paulji and integrate them into the class.  What other Yoga teachers do is irrelevant to me, because stretching with no pranayama and meditation is a Yoga exercise class and that’s okay too.

Generally speaking, the breathing techniques that are associated with Yoga can help you achieve a greater awareness as you continue your practice. After all, breathing is the life force that keeps us alive. Learning how to control your breathing helps the body and the mind to sharpen your focus. The practice of Power Yoga isn’t just another workout trend; it is also helps to expand your mind and connect with your emotions so that you can make yourself stronger – physically, mentally and emotionally. Pranayama techniques of Power Yoga can help reduce stress and increase a sense of calm and well-being, which are things that almost everyone needs to do at one point or another in their lives.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

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

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

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!

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

Yoga For Professional Athletes

Tuesday, May 17th, 2011

yoga certificationBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

When an athlete advances in progression to the level of professional within the particular sport that they play, it becomes much more of a challenge to sustain a state of healthy wellbeing. Professional athletes have rigorous training and competition schedules.

The level of competition, tight schedules, and playing through injuries may, in turn, may hinder them from a taking care of their holistic needs. Unless they are on an “off-season” schedule, they have to push for any time to fit it into their schedule.

Just as it is very important for non-athletic or sedentary individuals, to maintain a healthy mind, body, and emotional state, it is just as important for the professional athletes to practice a healthy lifestyle, to avoid any injury, and to live in a stress reduced environment, as much as possible. By practicing Yoga, and incorporating it into one’s training regimen, it will greatly benefit an athlete through a season.

There are many different types of Yoga for athletic and for sedentary individuals. There are many types of Yoga for beginners. For people who are just starting to change their lifestyle, there are many gentle styles for beginners. At the same time, athletes of all levels may want more of a physical challenge.

Yet, not all athletes need to jump into an advanced Yoga class. What if a professional athlete is making a comeback from a pre-existing or a season ending injury? In such a case, any form of physical Yoga would be therapeutic in nature. Therefore, the needs of each individual are not the same.

For athletes who have already been practicing challenging Yoga, and are in peak health, there are styles to meet their needs. Physical Yoga can be designed to be progressively challenging in its nature. Power, Vinyasa, Prasara, and Hot Yoga are primary examples of physical Yogic methods, which progressively challenge athletes for maximum performance and potential.

Keep in mind that any form of Yoga can be perfectly tailored toward the needs of an athlete. There are already athletes in the NBA, WNBA, Track & Field, NFL, and Major League Baseball, who practice Yoga as a daily regimen. Athletes, such as Lebron James, Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Garnett, Carl Lewis, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and the Philadelphia Eagles, have made it a point to practice Yoga for strength, flexibility, endurance, mental focus, and complete awareness.

If you look at a Yogic athletic body – it is defined, strong, flexible, energetic, and agile. This may not translate into size, but for those who want bulk, there is always progressive weight resistance. One example of needing size is on the defensive or offensive lines in the NFL.

Many of the football players on the lines in the NFL weigh more than 300 pounds (136.077 kg.) with an average height of 6 feet five inches (1.9558 meters). Luckily, they can also benefit from Yoga, by progressively gaining agility, energy, strength, and defined lean muscle mass.

The unique needs of athletes, at the pro level, are diversified. Yoga is a great alternative path to incorporate while athletes are stretching between sets, recovering from an injury, or training. By practicing Yoga, and eating well-balanced meals on a daily basis, athletes will definitely achieve optimal performance.

© Copyright 2011 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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 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

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Yoga for Athletes | No Comments »

Hatha Yoga for Weight Loss – True or False

Saturday, October 30th, 2010

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

There are many myths that are spread to encourage people to consume a product or sign up for a service. Is losing weight as a result of taking Hatha Yoga classes a fact or pure marketing fiction? Let’s look deeper at this issue to see if Hatha Yoga helps people lose weight.

Losing weight, and keeping it off, has never been easy. There are many products, diets, and exercise programs that promise you fantastic results. Yet, it is a proven fact that the best dietary, and behavioral changes often result with less than optimal results. Many people point to the study of Yoga for weight loss at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington.

The results were promising. It is a shame that there have not been more publicized studies about the results of practicing Hatha Yoga and the ability to control weight. In truth, this study left many doctors and weight loss experts baffled that Yoga was considered a factor in weight loss, weight prevention, or weight control.

One study does not tell the whole story. Science and medicine constantly scramble for more studies; yet, there are no studies getting publicity at this time. This is curious because Yoga classes, and the practice, itself, are far less expensive than the many diets, drugs, and fitness equipment that are constantly advertised to be effective for controlling one’s weight.

With a large portion of the world population in middle age, the demand for products and services, that helps people control or reduces weight, is the highest it has ever been. With middle age, the body becomes much less efficient at burning calories. This is the primary reason why there is such demand for a solution. There are also other age groups, who are concerned with controlling or preventing weight gain.

Hatha Yoga was not created as a weight-reducing exercise program. Why would the practice of Hatha Yoga help people control their body weight? One factor, not considered in any Yoga-for-weight-loss study, is that Yoga is a lifestyle. All forms of Yoga, whether they be physically-oriented, or not, would make a practitioner mindful of dietary habits.

Hatha Yoga, and its many sub-styles, are often considered physical, health-maintenance programs. This is not completely an accurate view of what Hatha Yoga is, but it is the general public’s perception. For the sake of argument, let’s think of the most physically-oriented style of Yoga that we know of, and consider the amount of calories burned in one hour. For a student to have optimum calorie burning results, he or she would have to practice two hours per day, every day of the week. Therefore, it is not actually the burning of calories that is the reason why Hatha Yoga has helped people control their weight.

In this world today, it seems everyone complains about stress. We know that stress causes people to eat too much. If we have occupations that are not physically demanding, but stressful, and we don’t burn calories as a result of our work, we have a recipe for weight gain. Every form of Yoga helps its practitioners manage daily stress.

In summary, Hatha Yoga has many aspects and practices. It would seem they all come together to help a person live a healthier lifestyle. The combination of all these factors should help each of us manage our weight, even though middle-aged years.

© Copyright 2010 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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 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

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in yoga for weight loss | No Comments »

Yoga as an Art of Living

Wednesday, October 6th, 2010

Chair Yoga and Office YogaChair Yoga for Young People

By Claude Aoukar

Chair yoga is the gentlest form of yoga. It is usually associated with elderly people. But nowadays with internet, new technologies and globalization most of the young people spend their days and nights just sitting in a chair, studying, working or simply chatting while senior citizens, unless handicapped physically or mentally, still enjoy walking in the open air, gardening and dedicate some hours of the day outdoors. They are often healthier than the young generations who usually suffer from migraine, scoliosis, backpain overweight, anorexia, insomnia, hormonal and skin disorders.

Being the mother of two daughters of 22 and 25 years old, I know how hard It is to deal, reach and convince young people to change their habits, but It is always worth trying because we do love them and wish the best for them. Their first argument is always the lack of time to take care of themselves. This is why I tried to reach them where they do spend the most of the day :the desk.

All I asked for was to learn how to sit in a chair and take a few moments to breathe and feel the change.

Learn How to sit in a chair:

1 – Stick your spine to the back of the chair.

Office Yoga2 – Take off your shoes and relax your feet, flat on the floor. If the desk is too high, just pile up some books under the feet.

3 – Arms along the trunk and palms relaxed on the laps.

4 – Divide your body into 2 pieces: trunk and head light as connected to heaven, lower abdomen and feet stuck to the ground.

5 – Connect to your breathing.

6 – Inhale slowly inflating your abdomen

7 – Exhale slowly deflating your abdomen

8 – Hear the music inside of you

9 – Smile and relax

Claude Aoukar is a published author and teaches Yoga. Claude’s e-Books can be found at:

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/Tapas-Cycle-E-Book.html and http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/The-Stretching-Desk.html

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Chair Yoga | No Comments »

The Yoga of Truth

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

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

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Yoga for Emotional Health, Yoga for Mental Health, Yoga for Personal Growth | No Comments »

Yoga in Practice – Enjoy Your Life Right Now

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

The motto of every Yoga session is “live in the moment.” Many of us try to live for now, but we wait in anticipation for better weather to come, a bill to be paid off, or our soul mate to arrive. We might put tasks off and create a new method for wasting time. Let us look at taking our Yoga practice off the mat, and bring it into practical use for daily life and solve two common problems.

Anticipation: This is a wonderful human quality, based upon planning for the future. Yet, life should be enjoyed right now. It is good to have plans for the future, but never forget to enjoy this day. While looking at a long-term goal, it is easy to forget those who love us. Enjoy your friends and family each day – as if it was your last day on earth.

Even during Yoga teacher training sessions, some interns become so fixated on completion of their work, that they realize later how much happiness they have missed. It is great to be focused, but we must allow ourselves to experience inner peace when an opportunity arises. A strong work ethic is a wonderful quality, but humans are not designed to be one dimensional.

How do you balance work and play? This is an age old question, but the keyword is “balance.” We need to be moderate in every aspect of life. Work too hard and you run yourself down. Play too much and the world passes you by. The answer is: Live a moderate lifestyle and you will receive the best of both worlds.

Procrastination: This quality is often associated with laziness. We may see it in work most often. It is a method for getting rid of friends and making the world a smaller place for ourselves. Who wants to defend a co-worker, who puts off completing assignments? Who wants the added burden of extra work to make up for someone who never finishes his or her work?

On a personal note: How often do you hear someone say, “I’ll practice Yoga after I lose 50 pounds?” In other words: This person will never practice any form of Yoga, but you can clearly see that Yoga practice would help the quality of his or her life. You may maintain a relationship with this person for life, but it is hard to watch someone put everything off, including the time each of us should invest in maintaining the quality of our health.

If we want to enjoy our life, we have a choice. Some of us enjoy life to our last day, while others look back, too far forward, at the stars, or sleep through it as if life was a boring movie. If we practice any form of Yoga long enough, we begin to realize the value of each precious moment.

© 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

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Yoga for Inspiration | 3 Comments »

Yoga and the Seeds of Inspiration

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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

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

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Recent Articles, Yoga for Inspiration | No Comments »

Teaching Yoga – Giving the Gift of Inner Peace

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Natarajasana - Lord of the Dance PoseBy Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

As many of you know, Yoga practice is a good adjunct therapy for most forms of suffering. There are many reasons for the suffering that plagues humanity. Some can be measured scientifically, while others cannot be measured through medical or scientific technology.

A virus or bacteria can be observed through a microscope. We can identify the exact micro-organism, which cannot be seen with a naked eye. The power of an unidentified virus, bacteria, or fungus could lead to the destruction of a society or life, as we know it. Centuries ago, people blamed witches for ailments related to micro-organisms.

Does this mean we should abandon positive thinking, intuition, and spiritual health, because we have difficulty measuring them with scientific instruments? The power of prayer and meditation cannot be measured at this time, but we know they help during the recovery from surgeries and ailments.

Medical doctors and scientists admit that positive thought and prayer help a patient recover. At this time, it seems that statistics are the only measurement that can confirm positive thinking, and prayer improves the odds of a complete recovery.

Yoga teachers and serious practitioners often talk about states of inner peace. This state of internal peace, or tranquility, can be experienced through the practice of every form of Yoga, whether it is physical, mental, or spiritual in nature. Yet, inner peace cannot be measured.

We can observe behavior as a form of measurement. This is what the science of psychology does. When we observe behavior, we begin to realize that “normal” means many things to many people. In a multi-tasking society, one who has found complete tranquility, or inner peace, may not be normal.

When you observe angry commuters, traveling to high stress jobs, with anxiety written all over their faces, this has become normal behavior in societies where technology is dominant. In technologically-dominant societies, the objective of all humans is to do more than you did yesterday.

If your performance is less than optimum, you may be creatively terminated from your job for any reason. This creates anger, fear, anxiety, and stress. Stressful states of mind create many ailments and can cause death. What is the solution? How are people to find any form of tranquility?

If you teach or practice Yoga, you already know the answer. Yoga allows everyone to “unplug” and find internal peace. The mind needs time to relax on a daily basis. If we deny the mind of rest and relaxation, we endanger our mental, physical, and emotional health. The best time to find inner peace is right now or at some point today.

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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

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

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Yoga for Inspiration | No Comments »

Hatha Yoga and Mastering Self-Realization

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Self-realizationBy 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

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

How to Become a Yoga Instructor

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

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Yoga for Inspiration, Yoga for Personal Growth, Yoga Lifestyle | 1 Comment »

Yoga Off the Mat – Youth and Immortality

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

Warrior 2 Yoga PoseBy Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Did you ever feel as if faithful Yoga practice would grant you immortality? When we are young, we do not see the world with experienced eyes. This does not mean we should give up, but we should realize that Yoga is great for spiritual growth, prevention of ailments, a natural form of therapy, and a good form of pain management for the mind and body.

The holistic approach has sometimes been pushed aside for purely medical and scientific methods that do not take mental, emotional, and spiritual health into consideration. Much time has passed, while the western medical and scientific communities have begun to see a value in the holistic approach to health and life.

Optimum health requires a balanced approach. At the same time, we should realize the individual differences within each of us. Some health problems run rampant through family blood lines. Conditions related to work stress, diet, lifestyle, poverty, and lack of quality water, cannot be blamed on those who suffer as a result.

It is easy to take a view of youthful arrogance toward life, but as we become more aware of the world around us, we should be more thankful for our good health. If we are too poor to eat well, we will eat anything to survive. In many parts of the world, the quality of drinking water is extremely poor.

Never look down on someone in poor health. It is easy to be arrogant when you are in peak physical condition. Beware of arrogance; it distorts your vision and focus. Anyone can become involved in an accident. A sudden head or spinal injury can cause severe brain and nerve damage.

This can change one’s life direction completely. Symptoms from head or spinal trauma can vary from minor headaches, to migraines, dizziness, concussion, coma, or forms of paralysis. As a result of an accident, life is instantly changed. We learn to appreciate each precious moment of life.

With all that said, if we practice any form of Yoga, we are living proof of the holistic approach toward life. We are supposed to be representatives of moderation. This means – avoid extremes such as: overbearing pride and living out fantasies of self-importance.

“A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject”–Winston Churchill. Some of us cannot stop our obsessive enthusiasm for Yoga. To a point, this is fine – if we are humble and quietly lead by example. One who leads by example will help others find the Yogic path.

© 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 Education

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

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Yoga for Inspiration | No Comments »

« Older Entries

SEARCH