Posts Tagged ‘in yoga’

The Importance of Verbal Guidance in Yoga

Sunday, January 15th, 2012

yoga distance learningBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Yoga is such a calming, rejuvenating experience; it is often nice to practice in silence. You can focus on breathing, hearing the air enter and leave your body. You can quiet your mind, allowing your thoughts to come in, then go out with the breath. When you are practicing Yoga by yourself, it is feasible to do it in silence. When you are teaching a group, however, the verbal cues you give are an integral part of a Yoga class. Experienced students may not need any prompting or advice on flowing through a series of poses, but others need those cues in order to practice the postures correctly and safely.  To some Yoga students, your words create a picture within their minds.

To demonstrate the importance of verbal guidance in Yoga, picture Mountain pose. To most novices, it looks as though you are standing there, arms at your sides, looking straight ahead.  Yet, any Yoga instructor knows there is so much more going on within the body than simply standing there. The shoulders are pressed down, with the shoulder blades pressing back, the feet are planted firmly, weight is distributed evenly, the spine is as straight as possible, and your gaze rests in one spot. In order to correctly perform Mountain pose, there is a lot that needs to be said. The same is true for the other postures.

Yoga instructors should try to be concise when giving verbal cues. This comes with practice, and by imitating what more experienced instructors say. Try not to falter with your words; give short, clear explanations that lead your students into each pose. When you demonstrate a pose, students can learn a lot by looking at your body. However, some things are hard to see, such as the act of straightening your spine, lowering your shoulders, and expanding or contracting your abdomen.

Remember to speak in terms that the entire group of students will understand. It’s fine to use the Sanskrit names, but teach the students as you go, by giving reminders. There is no need to speak elaborately. Students, who are taking Yoga sessions, in order to relax and unwind at the end of a long day, will appreciate few words that are spoken concisely.

The words you speak, as well as the way you say them, will set the tone for the class. Speak softly, and use “soft” phrases when reminding students to breathe, or go deeper into an asana. For example, “Take a deep breath.” or “Reach a little farther.” sound a bit like commands.  However, “Breathing deeply,” or “Reaching farther,” have a softer delivery.  Like so many other aspects of becoming a great Yoga teacher, your verbal guidance will improve as you do.

© Copyright 2012 – 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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Tips for a Successful Yoga Meditation Session

Saturday, December 24th, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Amruta Kulkarni, CYT 250

In Yoga practice, everyone wants to have the most successful meditation session possible, but sometimes it seems that the harder we try, the less relaxing and meaningful the meditation becomes. We want too much from our meditation, and we tend to want it now. In order to reap the benefits of meditation, it must be enjoyed for what it is and not what it can do for you. This shift in focus might sound difficult at first, but it’s actually more natural than achieving peace and tranquility through an iron fist. The following tips may serve to bring the joy back into meditation for those struggling with their practice.

For starters, a Yoga meditation session will become free, light and joyful when it’s taken one moment at a time. Yes, meditating tends to reduce stress levels and blood pressure along with cultivating deeper and higher levels of consciousness, but in the end those are all future destinations. Meditation is a journey happening right now, so take the time to enjoy the step you’re currently on. Focus on the act of meditating itself and give it your utmost consideration, appreciating it for what it is right now, not what benefits it could lead to later on down the road. If you attempt this and it seems impossible, something needs changing. Perhaps a different form of meditation is needed. Individuals don’t score bonus points for meditating using methods that are especially against their nature. The ego loves this type of thing because it takes something as simple as meditation and makes it into some act of super human discipline and restraint. This is compelling in fiction, but ultimately useless in real life. This is not to say that meditation should always be easy, and there will be days when individuals just don’t feel like doing it. If this happens more often than not, something has got to give. There are a variety of different meditation methods to choose from, and the ultimate goal of each one is to simply wake people up and bring them more deeply into life itself. If individuals feel bored and uninspired with their current meditation practice than by all means shake things up and try a different technique. It all leads to the same Source.

If individuals are pretty content with their meditation style but find the joy and passion for the practice ebbing, it may be time to examine what exactly they are expecting from their meditation time. Paulji often mentions that many people become frustrated and irritated with themselves for thinking during their meditation sessions, but that’s actually a pretty natural thing for the mind to do. The mind tends to think, and that’s okay. Ultimately, the goal of most meditation practitioners is to silence the mind and bring it to stillness but another gift meditation brings to the table is intense self reflection; those who meditate know their minds well because they are quiet enough to listen to themselves. So let the mind think if that’s what it really wants to do; there is no shame in this. Meditation is not a super human achievement and getting to know one’s self better is the gift that keeps on giving. It’s hard for the ego to be taken too seriously when it’s being watched; its antics often look silly when examined by the higher consciousness, which enters into the mind during meditation. This opportunity for deep reflection is often lost when striving for perfection in technical aspects of a Yoga meditation practice.

When one is happy with their meditation style but still somehow reluctant to meditate when the time comes perhaps discomfort is to blame. It’s good to develop the ability to meditate no matter what else is going on in the outside world, but it’s also wise to eliminate any outside distractions beforehand whenever possible. For example, if an individual has an important phone call to make, they should consider getting it done before meditating. Removing things to worry about can lead to better and more enjoyable meditation. Also, pay attention to how the physical body feels during meditating and be honest about the feedback the body is giving. If the physical body experiences discomfort, the mind will do whatever possible to avoid the situation that caused it, leading to unconscious resistance to the practice. If there is pain present, correct it. Better to sit in a chair than to put the body through prolonged periods of pain in order to sit in a more ‘enlightened’ position such as Lotus or even Half Lotus.

Finally, there are many people who simply carry a lot of unconscious guilt about taking the time to meditate and this translates to distraction, boredom and a depressed mood during the practice. For those individuals, the only solution is to work through the problem itself. Do they feel like they shouldn’t be spending so much time away from their family and obligations? If so, perhaps the meditation session could be made shorter (5 minutes), but if it’s only 20-30 minutes a day there is no logic or common sense in such a feeling. Observe the guilt and allow it to be and it will eventually pass.

In short, Yogic meditation is a gift that should be imbued with a sense of peace, joy and bliss. If those sensations aren’t present in your current meditation routine, it’s time to bring your bliss back by implementing some of the tips above.

© 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 Meditation, yoga and meditation | 5 Comments »

Why Yoga? Why Now?

Saturday, December 10th, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Susanna Kilty

Why is it that as technology and its instant access progresses at an epic pace, people find that they have less time than ever before? In a society rampant with multi-taskers, plugged into digital gadgets 24/7, living a fragmented life of instant gratification, communication, and consumption, is it any wonder that stress-related disorders are more prevalent than ever? With our brains over-crowded, resembling the Buddhist “monkey mind,” and with the instant availability of information at our fingertips, North Americans have become more sedentary than ever. Many suffer from the fatigue and imbalance that comes from chronic stress without sufficient recovery. In fact, as reported in an article by Michelle Trantina, 70-90% of all visits to practical physicians are due to stress related problems. In our quick-fix society, a visit to the doctor and a fix of anti-depressants or sleeping pills prove to be the solution for many. As the general public searches for answers of their own to decrease stress in their lives, they often seek out Yoga as a natural approach to stress release, and give it a go. People in Yoga practice soon discover the healing benefits of soothing mind and body, initiating the release of a constant state of overdrive.

Brain research, as reported in the work of psychologist and researcher Elizabeth Gould in an article by Jonah Lehrer, scientifically supports the harmful effects stress has on the brain. “From the brain’s perspective, stress is primarily signaled by an increase in the bloodstream of a class of steroid called glucocorticoids, which put the body on a heightened state of alert” (Lehrer 2). Glucocorticoids are toxic for the brain, and when stress becomes chronic, the hippocampus, a part of the brain essential for learning and memory, begins to deteriorate. Although the brain and human body are designed to be able to deal with stress in terms of survival, failure to deal with stress can deplete the prana stores (Vishnu-devananda 200-201) and lead the body into an alarmed state, known as flight or fight (Trantina). Because stress is such a huge part of the lives of North Americans, it is important to look at the impact it can have on people’s lives. The fact that the nervous system is under constant pressure when stress is present leads to the body producing extra stress hormones over an extended period of time. “This can wear out the body’s reserves, leaving us feeling depleted or overwhelmed. Over time the immune system weakens causing illness and fatigue, mood swings, lack of focus, and irritability” (Trantina). Many health problems stem from stress in modern society, including headaches, muscle soreness, migraines, insomnia, poor digestion, weight gain, high blood pressure, and even heart attacks. Stress can be said as one of the main factors in diminishing our quality and enjoyment of life.

In addition to living in a society where people perceive themselves to be busier than ever before, Westerners develop shallow, chest breathing, which also negatively affects health (Hewitt 68). When people begin a Yoga program, they need to learn how to breathe all over again. Deep pranayama breathing is a basic foundation to all Yoga. “Yogic breath control operates at several levels, from the exoteric boosting of vitality and health to esoteric approaches to mystical states of consciousness” (Hewitt 56). Through practice, this deep breathing begins to become habitual for Yoga practitioners, and their minds and bodies function more efficiently, dissolving tension, relaxing mind and body. “Through controlled Yoga breathing you will raise your level of vitality, clarify consciousness, tone your nervous system, brighten your eyes, put bounce in your step, feel light and buoyant, and float along with the flow of life, in harmony with Nature and the Universal Energies” (Hewitt 68). Yogic breath is the pathway to other aspects of Yoga practice, and breath control is so vital to a Yogi’s life as to elicit the philosophy that: “The yogi’s life is not measured by the number of his days but by the number of his breaths” (Iyengar 23). A simple technique that can reduce stress immediately, and be practiced anywhere, is to lengthen out the exhalation or Rechaka in relation to the inhalation or Puraka (Hewitt 72-82), working toward a ratio of 1:2. This in turn will stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which increases relaxation and decreases the ‘fight or flight’ response (McCall).

As newcomers stroll into Yoga classes, often as a way to deal with stress in their lives, they soon experience the benefits of pranayama breathing and stimulation of the central nervous system through asanas. Soon after beginning regular practice, Yoga practitioners report feeling less stressed and more relaxed to the point that any physical ailments connected to their stressful lives dissolve away. “Asana brings steadiness, health and lightness of limb” (Iyengar 20). Programs of asanas are designed to stimulate the central nervous system and work every muscle, organ, nerve and gland in the body, reducing fatigue and calming the nerves. By stimulating the central nervous system and maintaining spinal flexibility through Yogic postures, practitioners experience increased circulation, an increase of the supply of nutrient and oxygen to the nerves, and hence a more youthful body. According to a Chinese proverb: “Truly a flexible back makes a long life” (Vishnu-devananda xi). Asanas awaken key pressure points to increase the flow of energy and massage and stimulate internal organs to have them work more effectively. Heart disease, stroke and respiratory illness are among the leading causes of death in America (“Leading Causes of Death”), and Yogic exercise can help keep arteries clear and the blood flowing efficiently (Visnu-devananda 52).

The Yoga Journal is helpful in outlining many postures that can be presented to the Yoga practitioner as stress relieving. Some postures with the therapeutic benefits of relieving stress include; Savasana or Corpse Pose, Sukhasana or Easy Posture, Marjaryasana or Cat Pose, Bitilasana or Cow Pose, Setu Bandha Sarvangasana or Bridge Pose, Balasana or Child’s Pose, Halasana or Plough Pose, Utthika Trikonasana or Extended Triangle Pose, Uttanasana or Standing Forward Bend, and Salambia Sirsasana or Supported Headstand (“Poses: Therapeutic Focus”). According to the ancient Indian healing system known as Ayurveda, everyday stress can lead to ‘vata derangement,’ an excess of nervous energy (Levy). This imbalance, often caused by stress and stress disorders, call for Yoga practice that is calming and grounding (Halpern 3-4). This includes most of the postures listed above.

Yoga, however, is certainly not limited to breath and posture. Iyengar outlines the eight stages of Yoga as introduced in Patanjali’s work. These are: “1. Yama (universal moral commandments); 2. Niyama (self-purification by discipline); 3. Asana (posture); 4. Pranayama (rhythmic control of the breath) 5. Pratyahara (withdrawal and emancipation of the mind from the domination of the senses and exterior objects); 6. Dharana (concentration); 7. Dhyana (meditation) and 8. Samadhi (a state of superconsciousness brought about by profound meditation, in which the individual spirit (sadhaka) becomes one with the object of his meditation – Paramatma or the Universal Spirit)” (Iyengar 3). The first three stages are the outward quests or bahiranga sadhana which prepare the body for inner quests through moral and clean living, and strengthening and purifying the body through asanas. “He conquers the body and makes it a fit vehicle for the soul” (Iyengar 3). The next two stages, breath control and withdrawal of the senses, help control and clear the mind, and are known as inner quests or antaranga sadhana. The next three stages of Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi represent the quest of the soul or antaratma sadhana (Iyengar 3-31). The Yogi looks within through deep concentration and meditation in order to find God within himself. When Samadhi is achieved through asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana and dhyhana by an individual who lives a yogi lifestyle: “The yogi has departed from the material world and is merged into the Eternal. There is then no duality between the knower and the known for they are merged like camphor and the flame” (Iyengar 31).

For practitioners new to Yoga, the concept of letting go through sense withdrawal, concentration and meditation can be difficult. The mind and external distractions can get in the way of the path to self-realization. One of the most difficult postures for newcomers to Yoga practice is said to be Savasana or Corpse Pose, because it involves relaxing the body and letting go of any tightness anywhere. Relaxation and meditation are often taught in Yoga classes in this posture, and once a practitioner is able to embrace the art of completely relaxing, the mind will follow (Hewitt 227). Practitioners can also be guided to meditation outside of class, whereby they set aside 20 to 30 minutes of uninterrupted time during the day to sit with a long, neutral spine and meditate on an object (Tantra or Yantra Yoga), function (drumming or dancing, for example), or sound (Mantra Yoga) (Jerard). “You can be the creator of your own manifest destiny through daily meditation and focus on changing your life for the better” (Jerard 8).

Thus, when a 21st century stressed-out person ‘gives Yoga a try’ to reduce stress and stress-related illness in their lives, they will be rewarded ten-fold and keep coming back for more. The new Yoga practitioner will soon realize that Yoga is much more than ‘exercise’ in releasing stress, and that a Yoga lifestyle of moral and clean living, combined with asanas, Yogic breathing, and the path to release and meditation, will ultimately unlock the soul and lead to a stress-free life of harmony and well-being.

Works Cited

Halpern, Mark. “Ayurveda and Asana.” Yoga Journal. (2011): n. page. Web. 11 Nov. 2011. <http://www.yogajournal.com/health/55>.

Hewitt, James. The Complete Book of Yoga. New York: Pantheon Books, 1977. Print.

Iyengar, B.K.S. Light on Yoga. 3rd. Hammersmith, London: Thorsons, 2001. Print.

Jerard, Paul. “The Meditation Chronicles: A Concise Guide to a Trained Mind.” Aura Publications. (2008): 1-26. Print.

“Leading Causes of.” FASTSTATS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007. Web. 10 Nov 2011. <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lcod.htm>.

Lehrer, Jonah. “The Reinvention of The Self.” Seed Magazine. February 22, 2006 : 1-3. Web. 8 Nov. 2011. <http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/the_reinvention_of_the_self/P3/>.

Levy, Allison Rose. “An Ancient Cure for Modern Life.” Yoga Journal. (2011): n. page. Web. 11 Nov. 2011. <http://www.yogajournal.com/health/647?page=2>.

McCall, Timothy M.D. “Yoga For Stress and Burnout.” Yoga Journal. (2011): n. page. Web. 11 Nov. 2011. <http://www.yogajournal.com/for_teachers/2365>.

“Poses: Therapeutic Focus” n. pag. Yoga Journal. Web. 10 Nov 2011. <http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/finder/therapeutic_focus/t_stress>.

Trantini, Michelle. “Yoga – A Cure for Modern Day Stress.” Mental Game Coaching Association. International Assocation of Coaches, n.d. Web. 8 Nov 2011. <http://www.mentalgamecoaching.com/IMGCAArticles/Yoga/YogaCureForStress.html>.

Vishnu-devananda, Swami. The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga. 2nd. New York: Three Rivers Press, 1988. Print.

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When Not to Do Inversions in Yoga

Friday, November 4th, 2011

yoga certificationBy Amruta Kulkarni, CYT 250

Inversions are powerful tools in Yoga. Like elevating the feet when a person is in shock as part of first aid, inversions send the blood from the extremities back to the core and the head. These asanas bring enormous benefit to the lungs, heart and circulation system. The effects of gravity, temporarily reversed, mean that during an inversion, the lungs experience greater blood flow to the upper lobes, and lymph flows more easily away from the ankles and feet. People with varicose veins, for example, are frequently told to elevate their feet.

However, Yoga practitioners who suffer from several pre-existing conditions should approach inversions carefully, or not at all. As beneficial as inversions can be, they can trigger problems for those with vulnerabilities. The most common conditions precluding inversions are:

Pregnancy

Menstruation

Neck pain

High or low blood pressure

Neck injuries

Of these conditions, neck pain and neck injuries are the most poorly understood in their relationship with inversions. Shoulder stands and head stands place enormous compressive force on the upper spine and can cause nerve irritation and compression. Numbness and tingling in the hands and arms may result, along with pain and potential nerve damage. Those with old neck injuries must be careful not to re-injure, but even those without a history of problems must carefully observe correct posture and resist the temptation to perform over-long inversions.

In pregnancy, inversions are generally avoided because of the risk of falling. For experienced Yogis, who practiced inversions before pregnancy, these poses may be continued so long as feelings of shortness of breath or heaviness are not experienced. Some experts even recommend inversions as promoting blood flow to the uterus.

During menstruation, instructors have typically advised against inversions because of a fear of congestion, or even increased risk of endometriosis. However, scientific evidence to back up these risks is not available. Many women do practice inversions during their cycle and do not experience any problems.

Those with high or low blood pressure may react negatively to the increased blood flow to the brain brought on by inversions. At its most dangerous, this can increase the risk of stroke, but evidence has shown that gradually introducing inversions can strengthen the circulatory system and normalize pressure.

In conclusion, a blanket statement forbidding inversions for a group of people cannot be made. Individual differences and experiences must be taken into account, and above all, the body must be listened to during Yoga.

© 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 Health, yoga safety, Yoga Teacher Issues | No Comments »

Life Skills Gained from Yoga

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

online yoga teacher coursesBy Jenny Park

We bring our lives into our Yoga practice every day: tension from a hard day in the office, a tight hamstring from a weekend soccer game or just our own expectations. But what kind of skills from practice can we take back into our lives? Considering how you can transfer lessons from on to off the mat can be very rewarding.

Here are some of the lessons and skills I have learned from my own practice.

1) It is not about competition. Just as there are no prizes for being the first one to finish an asana, or for taking the deepest pigeon pose, there is no reason to worry about being the first one in line at the grocery store. Constant pushing and its attendant anxiety can even take a toll on health. The skills I have gained in Yoga for letting go of my need to be the first or the best, help me stay calm in traffic and listen respectfully to critical comments.

2) Remember to breathe. As Yoga practitioners, we constantly remind ourselves to breathe and to be aware of our breath. Providing the body with oxygen is beneficial in strenuous and restorative poses; it is also valuable in daily lives. The tendency to hold the breath and “clench up” when angry or surprised is natural, but actions and decision-making are both improved by breathing. When a disobedient child challenges me, the first thing I do is take a long, slow breath.

3) If it doesn’t feel good, try something else. Differences in muscular and skeletal construction mean that some poses are easy and comfortable for some people and difficult or inaccessible for others. In Yoga, we learn not to make value judgments about asanas, and that modifications are natural and beneficial. Why, then, are we so hard on ourselves when we need a modification in our daily life? Letting go of the way things “should” be done, to focus exclusively on what the need is, has been very freeing. For example, trying to break the habit of eating in restaurants for lunches meant packing a lunch every day. But getting up earlier, locating ingredients and then taking the lunch seemed to cause trouble each morning. Each time the lunch was forgotten, pangs of guilt accompanied my midday meal. Instead, I decided to focus on the goal: eating more healthfully and saving money. Then I budgeted to eat out twice a week in one of several places serving healthy meals, and spent an hour on Sunday afternoons packing three lunches to be ready for the upcoming week. By letting go of the idea that I had to pack the lunches every day, I allowed myself to find a new way that worked out much better.

Think about the ways your practice has grown since you began doing Yoga. Now, how can the positives come 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 Lifestyle and the Yogic path | 2 Comments »

Inner Peace with Yogic Breath Awareness

Monday, July 25th, 2011

yoga certificationBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

In Yoga, there are many paths to inner peace. The one path most often taken for granted is pranayama. Many people assume pranayama is just breathing, but it can stand alone as a science and a path toward inner peace. The difference between simply breathing and pranayama is vast.

One might say it is ratio, mindset, mindfulness, or purpose, which makes the difference, but very few people are able to create states of bliss by becoming aware of their breath, without formal training. It takes time and constant practice, but eventually, Yoga practitioners manage to discover inner peace through breath awareness.

Peace is hard to come by as long as we hold a minimum of control over ourselves. We are tossed about on the waves of emotion, this way, and that. By being aware of, and in control of, the breath, we may regulate the more basic and primal emotions associated with the reptilian part of the brain.

By becoming masters of our breath, which is an essential thread that runs constantly through all our living days, we hold the utmost control over ourselves. This control stems from an unshakable and unflappable inner peace, which we know as: Yogic breath awareness.”

This continuous connection of mind and body, through passive pranayama, is a source of inner peace that can surpass most forms of emotional turmoil. The breath is always there, and always constant, but complete awareness or control over it is another matter. Our breath connects us to life in every moment, which makes it a little more complex than we initially assume.

One step toward finding true inner peace through breath awareness is to start feeling the connection with everything that is. The rooms we sit in, the earth below buildings we dwell in, the birds that fly overhead, and the people walking around outside, are parts of our connection to life in this moment. In this state of complete connectivity, there is no conflict and no strife. There is no clinging and no grasping. There is nothing but peace.

In day-to-day life, we are overrun with multitasking, but we are also completely out of touch with our natural breathing patterns. Modern humans tend to take shallow, uneven breaths, which lead to an oxygen deprived state in the body.

In addition, short, shallow, and fast breathing tells the brain that we are in a desperate situation, while corresponding hormones are released as a result. This underlying state of panic is a direct result of our inattention to proper breathing patterns, but fortunately is easy to rectify through Yogic breath awareness. If one wishes to bring balance and inner peace to his or her life, Yoga breath awareness is a great tool for promoting lasting states of inner calm.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

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Meeting the Yoga Teacher Within

Monday, September 13th, 2010

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

In Yoga, and in some realms of psychology, there are names for the teacher within each of us. Some people refer to the inner self as, “The Observer” or “The Witness.” Yet, how can we be sure that the voice we are listening to is the right one? The Observer is, in fact, your inner Yoga teacher. The inner teacher has to be impartial when making decisions.

One way to tap into your inner Yoga teacher is to mindfully consider an action before taking it. Do you have second thoughts about this decision? Does it make you feel unsettled when you consider the results of your potential action? These questions should be considered any time we have time to weigh up our decision-making process.

This does not apply to instant decisions that may concern instant actions. One example of this would be when driving a car. The rules of the road are designed for the safety of all. This includes drivers and pedestrians. Therefore, there should be no long, drawn out decision-making process, when facing a Stop sign.

With that said – when we have time to make a decision, our decision should be the “right” one; and hopefully, we will not do harm to anyone or ourselves. The Yoga teacher, within each of us, takes actions, based upon logic and intuition. Many times, these feelings of intuition let us know if we are taking the right action. Some people may refer to this intuition as a “gut” feeling.

When faced with a decision that is difficult to make, there is a method which will help you communicate to the Yoga teacher within. One example of this is to create a “mind map.” You will need a pen and at least one piece of paper. At the center of the paper, write down the problem. Surrounding this perceived problem, write every possible solution – no matter how ridiculous.

Generally speaking, you will find one, or more, solutions that can be combined toward an optimum resolution. Usually, the best decisions are non-harming to all the parties involved. Showing compassion and avoiding judgment are extremely difficult for some people.

Terms such as, “The Witness” or “The Observer” are commonly used in Yoga. Yet, it is hard to make an important personal decision as an observer. Yoga practice enters into every facet of our lives. It takes time, practice, self-analysis, and the ability to truly know one’s self to reach the inner Yoga teacher.

© 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

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Posted in Yoga for Emotional Health, Yoga for Mental Health, Yoga for Personal Growth | 1 Comment »

Three Methods for Teaching Yoga Students How to Cultivate Positive Energy

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Students often attend Yoga sessions for relief from a constant barrage of negative messages during the day. If you listen to the news for ten minutes, you are likely to feel puzzled as to why so much social injustice still exists. Anyone can change the world for the best, by cultivating positive energy, and teaching others how to do the same thing.

Just like anything else, cultivation of positive energy requires a plan of action; otherwise, we will spend the vast majority of the day reacting to bad news. One method is to visualize and plan the day ahead. Some people feel they have no control over their lives. In fact, they do not have control over their lives because they have envisioned it.

Visualize Tomorrow

This requires a little time on the night before, but it is much similar to packing your lunch for the next day. Another way to make visualization more real is to write down your tasks and objective, while allowing some time for the unexpected surprises that life gives us.

Avoid Energy Drains

Unfortunately, there are people who sap energy from everyone else. One person I know refers to them as “time bandits.” They manage to fill the day with self-created obstacles, engage in lengthy pessimistic conversations, or talk about the flaws everyone else has.

You could compare them to human land mines. You can be hurt, the longer you spend time with them. You feel the energy being sapped away from you as their list of grievances grows. You may have tried to help before, but their goal is to complain about everything.

In reality, you choose who you associate with. If you associate with someone who drains your energy, you have to make some decisions to improve your life, or stay in a life boat with an energy drainer, drifting aimlessly through oceans of pessimism.

It is not easy to turn your back on anyone. However, if you show someone there is light at the end of the tunnel, and they refuse to see it, you have to move forward or allow someone else to hold you back.

Define Your True Self

In Yoga, we learn to identify one’s true self. Some call the cosmic self: “atma.” We also learn to avoid judging ourselves and others harshly. It is true that we are not our thoughts, but our thoughts have a way of defining us – in the form of self-criticism, regret, and negative thoughts.

Yoga teaches us to honestly look inside, to see the good and the bad. We can change today for a better tomorrow, but we cannot change anything until we stop engaging in self-criticism.

© Copyright 2010 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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The Most Important Quality in a Yoga Teacher

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

SukasanaBy Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

When the public sees or hears about Yoga, a wide variety of images come to mind. Usually, Yoga teachers are considered to be mindful of their words and actions. Yet, some teachers read the headlines, which report the public’s demand for weight loss, discipline, and hard core fitness, through Yoga practice.

It seems that a few teachers have risen to the occasion with harder, hotter, and louder classes. The truth is: If a teacher wants to run aerobic fitness or martial arts classes, the classes should be labeled correctly. If we sign up for Okinawan karate, we can accept getting kicked and jumped on by our Sensei.

For a rare few teachers, the new credo seems to be: “The riskier the better.” Yoga, in all of its forms, has never been white water rafting. Many students attend classes because they have pre-existing physical or emotional injuries. They come to class because they seek the healing properties of Yoga.

What should students initially look for in a Yoga teacher, Swami, or Guru? The answer is simple, and the quality is easy to detect. The most important quality in a teacher is “compassion.” Compassion is an overlooked quality. Yet, many teachers are shining examples of compassion.

Compassionate Yoga teachers rarely manage to “grab the headlines.” A juicy story, “filled with dirt,” is more apt to make front page news. If a teacher is actively working to help the homeless, that story might not make it in the newspaper at all. Teachers who take risks with their student’s mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual health, gain public awareness.

An instructor who puts his or her students in harm’s way does damage to the reputation of every past, present, and future Yoga teacher. In classes, students put their trust in their instructor. Teachers should never violate this sacred trust with abuse, ethics violations, or dogma.

Where is the compassion in dogma? There are some Yogis, who feel that Yoga should not be taught to the public at all. They see the true light and they teach “real” Yoga. Yogic knowledge should only be taught to the enlightened followers of this specific group. Everyone else does not understand the true path.

Does this sound familiar? If so, run as fast as you can from the sound of that voice. If you think about it rationally, there is no place for dogma in Yoga. Whether it is fueled by political, spiritual, or is philosophical in nature, dogma creates division and intolerance.

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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Teaching Yoga – Real Mastery and Listening

Monday, March 9th, 2009

Written By Steve Atlas

As of late there have been a series of thoughts that I have felt compelled to share with you. Permit me a few moments of your precious time to give you the things that have been on my mind. This is a little philosophical, but perhaps entertaining all the same.

In teaching others there are lessons that one teacher hopes to convey to their student. In fitness, self-defense, Yoga, and most of the physical realm that I’m involved in- many lines of teaching and learning are the same. However a great epiphany has recently happened and I’m embracing it 100%- it is the road to mastery. We’ll get to that shortly.

The very best teachers I have been around have a great gift to not only understand their own craft on such a level of mastery- they also teach you something about life. Being student-minded when we learn allows the flood gates to open wide and to potentially allow the deeper lessons to be realized. I’m not talking about how to perform proper biceps curls, or execute a self-defense move, or how to do triangle pose in Yoga. I’m talking about being a spiritual student.

By listening to the intentions of the teacher, observing the example of the instructor, one can learn far beyond the monetary lessons they (the student) are there for. Be slow to judge and learn to observe ‘everything’.

My recent quest in devouring the knowledge of Yoga has left me almost always having to go back into fierce introspection- to fulfill the desired effect to the students attending. This trait is teaching me to do the same with the martial arts and in fitness coaching. As a result, there is a development of real friends among my clients. True relationships formed and human potential is being realized. Support, acceptance, allowing the ego to fail, patience, all temper: assertion, focus, and the drive to be better.

I am convinced that Real Mastery or the title of it: belongs to the teacher who wants more for their students than they want for themselves. It’s no different for a parent who wants more for their children- the same here. Yet, I have watched with great amusement the aggrandizing of skills and abilities that only the master is able to perform, yet is unwilling to share the essential elements of ‘life’ to help the student understand their potential. I mean, is it any secret that the real answers are not going to come from the teachers skills but rather the dialogue-(from the teacher) that points the student in the direction to find their own path?!

In this highly competitive, ego-centric environment we live in I can think of fewer, more important things that cultivate the personal growth of a person than sincerity, and honesty from a respected teacher to their students. This has been evident over the last few months. Where Karmic Law has dictated that same level of return 10 fold= positive intentions come back to you.

Steve Atlas is the owner of Atlas Training Systems in Spokane, WA. For 15 years he has devoted his life to helping others reach their potential in various physical activities: personal training, self-defence/martial arts, cycling, Yoga, etc,. With Degrees in Sports Medicine (B.Sc.), and Kinesiology (M.Sc.)- Steve has accented his education with nine national certified accreditations, and has earned Full Instructorship in Continuous Movement Martial Arts, and a third degree black belt from Datu Kelly Worden’s Natural Spirit International. Currently Steve is pursuing Paul Jerard’s (E-RYT) Vinyasa Teacher accreditation from Aura Wellness Center and hopes to continue to inspire, lift others, and be a student of light.

“We must continue to learn, apply, and walk the path to find our true purpose”- Steve Atlas

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