Posts Tagged ‘hatha yoga’

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Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga for Improving the Endocrine System

Monday, July 4th, 2011

yoga certificationBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Most individuals, who practice Yoga, are seeking some type of improvement – be it spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, or a combination of all four. That is the beauty of Yoga: one simple practice balances all of the body’s systems in a synergistic manner. The individual is healthy, calm, and pain is released or reduced.

Hatha Yoga is commonly just referred to as “Yoga” outside of India, despite the fact that there are several different varieties of Yoga worldwide. Hatha is a gentle type of physical Yoga, which focuses primarily on stretching and gentle movements into Yoga postures (asanas). Other movement-based Vinyasa varieties of Yoga can be fast paced and focus on breath control and flow.

Each movement-based style of Yoga has its benefits, and all are known to have a profound impact on the endocrine system, in particular. In order to understand how beneficial this is, it helps to have an understanding of just how vast the endocrine system truly is.

If asked which system in the human body is most important – many people would respond with the nervous system. No system is able to exist in a vacuum, and in that respect, all systems are of equal importance because they are equally valuable parts of the body as a whole. With that said, the endocrine system is a huge factor in overall health.

To put it simply, the endocrine system is, for the most part, a bunch of glands throughout the body. Initially, this seems a little underwhelming, until one realizes that those glands influence every other organ and system through the gland’s ability to release hormones. Many different chemical hormones are secreted by the endocrine system, and they are able to communicate their unique message to cells hours after their initial release. The endocrine system can easily be compromised by stress, fluid, and oxygen levels in the blood, and infection.

The nervous system is strongly influenced by the endocrine system, because when hormones are released into the bloodstream, the entire body is impacted. That’s where the healing power of Hatha or Vinyasa Yoga comes in.

Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga were developed over thousands of years by many enlightened masters, who crafted each asana with careful wisdom, that modern science is just now beginning to understand. The poses of physical Yoga styles actually massage and stroke the glands that make up the endocrine system, which cleanses and purifies the body. When done properly, Yoga is a powerful preventative medicine that keeps the endocrine system balanced and healthy, which, in turn, impacts the nervous system indirectly, but in a powerful way.

In addition to experiencing more radiant health and vitality, practitioners also report heightened emotional well being, due to the regulating effects of Yoga on the baseline hormonal levels within the human body.

Therapeutic Hatha and Restorative Yoga are gentle and slow – very suitable for most individuals of all ages. It makes a wonderful addition to anyone’s daily routine, especially when practiced under the careful supervision of a competent Yoga teacher.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

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

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Posted in Yoga for Health, Yoga for Physical Health | 2 Comments »

Yoga for Asthma Relief

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Faye Martins

For thousands of years, people have been trying to find the link between the body and the mind. There has been a question as to whether, or not, the mind can be used to heal the body from diseases and disorders such as asthma. As long as people have been trying to understand this link, people have been practicing Yoga for therapeutic reasons.  Although Yoga has also been known to reduce or eliminate breathing disorders, the exact reason has not officially been pinpointed. Many studies have claimed that practicing Yoga regularly can have a significant affect on asthma.

When practicing Hatha Yoga to help improve the condition of asthma, there are many types of poses that can be utilized, but they generally involve an effort to correct poor posture and learning breathing habits. Many people do not realize that they are not breathing properly. Even though it is considered something that should be second nature, the way a person breathes can weaken their lungs and cause health problems.

Poor posture also prevents air from entering and leaving the lungs as effectively as possible. By learning the correct posture and breathing habits, asthma suffers can significantly increase their comfort level.  Yoga can also help to reduce mucous, which can greatly impede breathing. Some of the more advanced poses can help to loosen up the mucous that may have built up inside the chest and nasal cavity. A therapeutic Yoga session a couple times a week can eliminate this impediment and prevent build up.

Also, by simply decreasing the stress and anxiety in one’s life through the practice of Yoga, an asthma attack is less likely to flare up. A healthier body often creates a healthier mind, and this is especially true when it comes to Yoga, which has been known to decrease the impact of daily pressures. By decreasing the stress in one’s life, it is more likely that asthma attacks will not be triggered or worsened by emotional flows.

Yoga techniques can be used to compliment the traditional medical management. Thus someone may already be using meditation, asana, and pranayama to control his or her asthma. It is not advised to discontinue any medication or a doctor’s advice. Yoga should be viewed as an adjunct therapy for treating asthma.  However, with regular practice and dedicated training, it is possible to lessen the amount of prescription drugs that are needed. This alternative treatment can allow an asthma sufferer to not be controlled by their condition and feel internal relaxation.

The following Yoga techniques are recommended for asthma.

Anuloma Viloma Pranayama

Pavanamuktasana

Bitilasana

Urdhva mukha svanasana

Ustrasana

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana

Warning: The following postures are contraindicated for asthma.

Paschimottanasana

Halasana

Janu Sirsasana

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

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

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Teaching Yoga: The Importance of Asana Alignment in Yoga

Friday, June 17th, 2011

become a yoga teacherBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

For teachers and practitioners of Yoga, it is easy to get caught up in the challenge of a pose. You strain muscles and stretch limbs to reach the perfect expression, demonstrated by a teacher, a video, a picture, or just depicted within your mind’s eye. Yet, by striving for perfection in your poses, you can often lose sight of what is much more important in practicing Yoga – whatever your perceived level: The alignment of the asana.

Asanas, positions, or poses in Hatha Yoga, can be practiced at many levels, from easy to difficult. Making sure that your asana is aligned, means paying attention not only to the shape your body is trying to make, but what muscles and leverage it is using to get there. In Downward Facing Dog, for example, the general shape of the pose is a triangle, with one line formed by your torso and arms, and the other line formed by your legs, as you face the ground. The value of the pose, however, comes from the alignment of your limbs and your muscles, with feet, hips, shoulders, and hands all in the same line, and equal support coming from your upper and lower body.

Alignment is crucial to a beneficial Hatha Yoga practice for several reasons. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, proper alignment is essential to avoid injury during practice. If your shoulders, hips, knees, or neck, are out of line with the rest of the pose, straining or spraining becomes much more likely – no matter how experienced you may be. Especially, when asanas increase in difficulty for more athletic Yoga practitioners, proper alignment is even more important. For those who “already know what they are doing,” the ego may push them further than they should safely be.

Additionally, proper alignment in a Yoga pose helps you to get the most out of your practice. Your body can take shortcuts in the way that you approach certain poses, even when you are consciously trying your best. In Warrior I, for example, checking to make sure that your shoulders are aligned with your hips, as you reach for the sky, engages your lower and upper back muscles. This engagement not only makes your pose more stable in the moment, but it also strengthens more muscles with the same amount of practice. In turn, this will speed up your physical results and produce a more toned physique. Every Yoga practitioner, from the most experienced teacher to the most novice beginner, can benefit from focusing on alignment.

© 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/

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

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Posted in Asana, Hatha Yoga Safety, Yoga Teacher Issues | No Comments »

Yoga and Cultivating Compassion for Others

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

yoga certificationBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

New students to Hatha Yoga are sometimes stumped by the idea of setting intentions for themselves and their practice. They usually want to focus on the purely anatomical challenges, such as “setting an intention to loosen my hamstrings.” Yet, one of the powerful things about Yoga is its ability to address mental states, as well as the physical body. Practicing Yoga, to cultivate compassion, is a wonderful way to improve one’s own life and the lives of others and is an excellent intention for practitioners of all levels.

Compassion, or “sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others,” is important to wellbeing, in a very basic sense. Those who practice compassion, produce 100 percent more DHEA, a hormone that counteracts the aging process, and 23 percent less cortisol, sometimes known as the “stress hormone.” Beyond that, compassion and altruism elevate mood, help you to live longer, and deepen your spirituality.

To bring compassion to practice, try including asanas that are known for opening the heart. Some Yoga poses to try include:

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana, or Upward-Facing Dog

Sukhasana, or Easy Pose

Ardha Bhekasana, or Half Frog Pose

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, or Bridge Pose

In addition to these chest openers, which literally draw the focus to the core and heart, backbends are an excellent tool in cultivating compassion. Practitioners must heed their body’s own limits in backbends, seeking a pose that is stable and comfortable, rather than a “movie star” pose worthy of a magazine cover. Backbends require careful attention to breath and focus on the process, rather than the end result, much like compassion itself.

To cultivate mental compassion, encourage Yoga students to imagine they are borrowing the body of someone they love for their practice. If that body were stiff, or unable to complete some poses, would they be angry? Would they be gentle with their borrowed bodies? If so, why are they less gentle with their own physical selves?

To cultivate compassion for others, there is an excellent five-step practice from Ode Magazine – a print and online publication about positive news, which was founded in the Netherlands in 1995. When meeting a new person, with attention geared to the other person, tell yourself:

Step 1: “Just like me, this person is seeking happiness in his/her life.”

Step 2: “Just like me, this person is trying to avoid suffering in his/her life.”

Step 3: “Just like me, this person has known sadness, loneliness, and despair.”

Step 4: “Just like me, this person is seeking to fill his/her needs.”

Step 5: “Just like me, this person is learning about life.”

Over time, these exercises will help compassion. For one’s self and for others, gradually cultivate a Yogic mindset and make Yoga a daily part of life – on and off the mat.

© 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!

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Posted in Yoga for Inspiration | 1 Comment »

How to Prevent Common Yoga Injuries

Sunday, June 5th, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

We all think of Hatha Yoga as a healing activity; but in the case of asana practice, like every form of movement, injuries can happen. It is also true that anyone could be injured while walking. However, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 5,500 Yoga-related injuries were treated in 2007. Injuries are most commonly sustained when students have pre-existing medical conditions, poses are done repeatedly, practitioners push themselves too hard, or poses are performed in poor alignment.

Back injuries are common: Upward Dog and Cobra asanas require back- bending movement, which can cause pain in the spine. Poses that elongate the back, like Seated Forward Bend, can aggravate discs. Plank and Chaturanga put pressure on rotator cuffs and wrists, while knees are at risk when practicing the Hero’s pose, the Lotus position, and the Warrior series.

Avoiding common Yoga injuries can be as simple as listening to your body. Here are some of the most common injuries and how to prevent them.

1) Ham string tears and low back pain. Small tears of the hamstring, that attaches at the sitting bone, are due to overstretching in Forward Bends – and left untreated, can cause persistent pain.  Forcing the back into a Forward Bend can also tear muscles in the back.  At the same time, the Forward Bend has therapeutic applications when practiced mindfully, gradually, and without force.

Drawing in your lower belly to stabilize your core, and tilting your pelvis downwards before moving into Forward Bends, can help prevent this injury. Avoid locking your knees, which strains the hamstrings. In fact, beginners should be encouraged to bend the knees, so that the hamstrings don’t absorb all the tension.  Beginners should also train under the guidance of a competent Yoga teacher.

2) Shoulder pains. Aching, or sharp pain, can result when the shoulder is hunched forward, and the wrists can be hurt, if the arm is not in alignment.

Good posture should be practiced in daily life.  Try standing with the elbows bent by your side, and with wrists flexed, as in a push-up position. Open the shoulders to feel the shoulder blades slide down the back, and the tops of the arm bones move up and back. Watch how your arms form a straight line, without the wrists turning in or out. Notice the space that is created in the chest, and preserve this space when you move onto the mat in position.

3) Knee injuries. Knee joints are meant to open and close, rather than move side-to-side. Twisting the knee laterally, rather than opened and closed, can cause pain and injury. In addition, the leg functions as a whole, divided into segments. By straining the hips or ankles, the tension can be passed on to the knee and result in aches at that joint instead.

Don’t move abruptly into hip openers, and pay careful attention to keeping your knee behind your foot in Warrior asanas.

Although freak accidents are still possible – according to the New York Times, one woman fell forward in Bakasana, or Crow Pose, and broke her nose. With strict attention to detail, most injuries can be prevented. For most Yoga teachers, organized safety procedures are in place from the moment a new student is interviewed, to the end of class.

Yoga teachers, who establish a track record of educating students in safety protocol, should be recognized by the establishments who hire them. Although it is often underrated, a track record of safety is just as important as attracting student numbers when factoring a Yoga teacher’s value.

© 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!

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What Kind of Yoga is Good for Back Injuries?

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Kimaya Singh

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Americans spend over $50 billion on back pain every year, and that figure does not include lost wages or costs to employers of absentee workers. Treatment is complicated by the fact that causes are wide-ranging, and the level of pain is not always indicative of the actual damage to the spine itself. Usually, treatment involves a variety of different modalities, and Yoga has proven to be one of the most effective methods of keeping the spine flexible and healthy.

The spine is made up of 33 bones, or vertebrae, that extend from the head to just below the belly button and is divided into four regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. Most back problems are caused by strained muscles and ligaments; others are more serious. Because the spinal column acts as a tube to hold the spinal cord as well as to support the body’s trunk, back pain can be excruciating. Disks, jelly-like rings of cartilage between vertebrae, provide spaces for the nerves that radiate from the spinal cord. When these “shock absorbers” are damaged, the pain from “pinched” nerves is referred to different parts of the body – depending on the location of the disk.

Poses that relax and strengthen the body’s core are essential to keeping the back flexible and strong, as well as preventing injuries. Although Yoga can be useful for managing discomfort caused by ruptured disks and other damage to spine, special care should be taken to ensure that poses are appropriate for existing conditions and not likely to exacerbate back problems. Several kinds of Yoga tend to be safer when it comes to injuries, but circumstances differ for each individual.

Yoga for Back Injuries

Iyengar Yoga uses props, such as blocks or belts, in order to adapt traditional poses to compensate for injuries or disabilities. This style focuses on proper alignment and well-defined, deliberate movements.

Viniyoga is individually adapted to suit every participant. Gently flowing movements and specific modifications make it a good choice for neck and back injuries.

Therapeutic Hatha Yoga generally includes slow breathing, gentle stretching, and basic poses appropriate for beginners or people with injuries.

Restorative Yoga uses many props like Iyengar, and in most cases can trace its roots of origin to Iyengar. However, this contemporary offspring is more apt to tailor the practice toward the individual student. Precise alignment is replaced by the best possible alignment.

Exercises appropriate for back injuries are not limited to these four kinds of Yoga. Regardless of the style chosen, it is important to work with an experienced Yoga teacher who is aware of individual medical challenges or injuries. With the proper assistance, traditional poses can be adapted to fit almost any need.

© 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!

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Posted in yoga for back pain, Yoga for Health, Yoga for Skeletal Health | No Comments »

Yoga Knee Safety – Part III

Monday, May 30th, 2011

Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 Speaks to you about proper movement of your knees in Warrior I. Demos given by Yong Yang. Part 3 of a 5 part series.

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The Five Most Popular Yoga Asanas Today

Sunday, May 29th, 2011

yoga teacher training

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Although we refer to Yoga in the singular (“Yoga is practiced…”), there are, of course, many styles of practice. In the United States, we refer most often to Hatha Yoga when we discuss Yoga generally. Hatha is a style of Yoga linking breath, movement, and meditation. Yogi Swatmarama, a 15th century Indian Hindu sage, is often credited with developing this style of Yoga, which became well-known in western countries, starting in about 1850. Hatha Yoga involves a series of asanas, or positions, performed with specific breathing patterns. Some of the asanas have very picturesque names, such as Ardha Matsyendrasana, or Half Lord of the Fishes. Others have less flashy names, such as Chaturanga or Plank pose.

Yoga has gained in popularity – to the point where asanas have become recognizable even to non-practitioners of Yoga. The following five most popular, or at least familiar, Yoga asanas, according to an unscientific poll, could be considered as high ranking candidates for the list.

1) Adho Mukha Svanasana, or Downward Facing Dog

The name of this asana finds its way into blogs, books, and other popular media, as synonymous with Yoga itself. Practiced at least once in nearly every Hatha class, bringing the heels to the floor is a goal for everyone new to Yoga. Yet, skeletal compression may prevent the heels from coming down to the floor.

2) Balasana, or Child’s pose

Child’s pose has been adopted by other forms of exercise, and even dance, as a gentle stretch and resting pose between muscle movements. It has become so common that even Zumba instructors rarely need to explain when saying, “Now push back into Child’s pose.”

3) Savasana, or Corpse pose

Much like Downward Facing Dog, Savasana is part of nearly every practice. The quiet, relaxing, resting pose is the high point of class for many practitioners of all levels. People, who are unfamiliar with Yoga, sometimes refer to this pose as “when you just lie there.”

4) Virabhadrasana I, or Warrior I

This pose, preferably done on a beach, or in a tropical setting, is the archetype asana for promoting Yoga. The long lines created, photograph very well, which perhaps, explains why all class brochures seem to feature it.

5) Sirsasana, or Headstand

This pose finds its way into the plotlines of movies for character development, when someone needs to be shown doing something difficult. It can also be seen during chase sequences, when a bad guy must be pursued through a Yoga studio full of students in headstand.

All joking aside, the recognition of Yoga poses, in general society, is a positive development. Encouraging everyone to think of their “five favorite asanas” could be a great conversation starter at your next social event.

© 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!

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Yoga Techniques for Shoulder Pain

Saturday, May 21st, 2011

yoga certificationBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

The regular practice of Hatha Yoga is a great way to relieve shoulder pain. Pain in the shoulders often comes from the somatic holding of stress and tension in the musculature in that area. Shoulder pain can also develop from the misalignment of the spine and shoulder bones.

Repetitive activities, such as long hours of driving, or working while hunched over a computer console on a daily basis, can contribute greatly to shoulder pain. Additionally, pre-existing ailments and injuries can also cause shoulder pain, which sometimes need surgical intervention. For example: a rotator cuff tear will not heal without surgery, but satisfactory function and reduced pain, might be achieved without surgery.

In such a case, therapeutic Hatha Yoga will help; but whatever factors caused the initial tear must be eliminated. If the tear was caused by a required repetitive motion at work, and a person cannot change his or her line of work, then surgery may be a viable option. Yoga cannot change one’s job, but it may teach a person to move without causing further injury.

The regular practice of Yoga will help to release stress and tension in the shoulder area, while repositioning the body in proper alignment. The combination of cutting back on repetitive activities that cause shoulder discomfort, and a consistent practice of Yoga techniques to relieve shoulder pain, is also a viable solution. These changes will be the most effective non-surgical way to maintain health and ease pain in the shoulder area. The following are Hatha Yoga techniques to release tension and ease shoulder pain.

Hands over Head

This exercise is a basic Hatha Yoga warm-up (Palm Tree Variation) to realign the shoulder blades and spine. It is wonderful for releasing deeply held tension around, and behind, the shoulder blades. Start with your feet hip width apart, standing at the head of your mat. With your inhale, slowly raise your arms parallel to the floor, at shoulder height, with your palms facing each other.

With awareness, move your arms back into your shoulder sockets a few inches. You will feel the shoulder blades lying more firmly on the back. Hold for five seconds, and then gently (if comfortable) raise your arms straight up into the air, while maintaining the realignment of the shoulder blades. You will not be able to raise your arms as high as usual. The height of your arms does not matter, the “flatness” of your shoulder blades against your back is what will release the deep-seated tension behind the shoulder blades and realign your spine. Repeat this exercise two to four times. When you are finished, you will feel a sense of ease and expansion in the shoulder area.

Raising Arms Overhead with a Belt

This exercise is another very simple Hatha Yoga technique that is great for releasing shoulder pain. Stand on your Yoga mat with a belt or towel in hand. Grasp the belt or towel with your hands approximately two to three feet apart, depending on your level of flexibility and the size of your skeleton. With your in-breath, slowly raise your hands up, over and behind your head.

Keep your arms fairly straight, but do not lock your elbows. Only go as far as is reasonably comfortable. With your exhale, bring your arms back down in front of your body. Repeat five times. This Hatha Yoga technique will help to release tension in your shoulders, and arms, while exercising and lubricating the shoulder joints.

Conclusion

As an option – These two exercises could also be incorporated into Warrior I asana practice.  Never practice any exercise that causes pain within the joint. If you feel pain within the shoulder joint, you are pushing too far, or the exercise must be eliminated altogether. Any movement in Yoga, which causes pain within a joint, is usually not helping. Always consult with your physician or specialist to find solutions. Hot and cold therapy, acupuncture, massage, and medication, may also be viable solutions for pain reduction.

© Copyright 2011 – 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!

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Posted in Yoga for Health, Yoga for Pain Management | No Comments »

Yoga for Self-Transformation

Saturday, May 7th, 2011

yoga certificationBy Gopi Rao

Yoga changes all of us for the best. The benefits of our practice are completely holistic. Below is a simplified way to explain Yoga for self-transformation. If you are a student just read on. If you are a Yoga teacher, please feel free to explain these concepts in your classes or print this for a student handout.

There are many benefits that come with the practice of Yoga. Yoga can help clear the mind, reduce stress, help in weight loss, help to tone muscle, increase strength, and promote restful sleep. These are just a handful of the many benefits of Yoga practice. Physical and mental benefits are often the main reasons for practicing Yoga. However, Yoga, which means unity, should also be viewed from a holistic perspective in order to reap the full range of benefits of this sacred practice.

Yogic Meditation

Meditation is a basic element of Yoga. Through meditation you are able to free your mind of the day’s anxieties and stresses which will recharge you and prepare you to confront the new stresses of the next day. Meditation will refresh you and help you enter into a restful slumber. You will wake up, the next morning, focused and ready to face the day. This focus will help you to achieve short-term and long-term goals.

Yoga meditation will give you a sense of renewed internal strength and focus. You can use this renewed strength and focus to balance the things in life which are most important to you, such as: your family and your job. You will have the proper balance between the things you enjoy in life so as to enjoy them to the fullest.

Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga Cause Physical Changes

The poses (asanas) in Yoga practice, change your metabolism and can help you to gain lean muscle and reduce body fat. The act of stretching and holding Yoga asanas help you to tone muscle, which will enable you to achieve the physical appearance and healthy body you desire.

The various postures of Hatha Yoga help you to maintain hormonal balance. This, in turn, helps you to maintain mental and spiritual balance. Such poses have a positive impact on the glands and organs of the body, which bring about the hormonal balance.

Yoga Lifestyle

Repeated practice of Yoga is motivating and can give you the inspiration and strength needed to continue practicing while you learn to step away from destructive habits that you may have. You will be refreshed and ready to face the challenges of life.

The benefits of Yoga are not limited to physical and mental ones. If you practice Yoga on a regular basis, you will experience harmony and balance in all phases of your life. You will be able to make major changes in your life that will benefit you and the loved ones you care most about. As you incorporate Yoga into your daily life, the gradual changes that you make through steady practice will become a way of life and will no doubt allow you to reap many more benefits.

© 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!

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Posted in About Yoga, benefits of yoga | No Comments »

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