Director of Yoga Teacher Training, Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 demonstrates several variations of Cobra Pose in this instructional video. Filmed at Aura Wellness Center.
Director of Yoga Teacher Training, Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 demonstrates several variations of Cobra Pose in this instructional video. Filmed at Aura Wellness Center.
By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500
Many young people, who practice Hatha Yoga, feel they can absolutely control the quality of their lives. While this may appear to be true, there is a bit of luck involved. If you feel indestructible, you have not had a near death experience, sudden trauma, or been bed ridden with a terminal illness. Good health requires wise choices, good habits, and a bit of luck.
The condition of our health, and the quality of our life, hinges on our habits. There are genetic factors as well, but we can alter inherent conditions to a point. For example: If we have diabetes, we have been given a specific diet. We can choose to follow medical advice or ignore it. Either way, we could still be a diabetic for life, but making wise dietary choices will make a difference in the quality and longevity of our lives.
When we consider our health, there are four planes of existence to contemplate. Our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health has much to do with each other and form our complete health (holistic) profile. If for example, my emotional state is out of balance, it will affect the other three planes of existence and my overall health picture. Let’s look at combinations of Yoga techniques for optimum health.
Asana and pranayama are often practiced exclusively, without meditation, by fitness Yoga practitioners. Even if a Yoga class focuses on asana and pranayama exclusively, there are physical and mental benefits. The same could be said for any other Yoga styles that focus, for the most part, on physical mastery.
While it is obvious that exercises, which focus on physical mastery, alone, will yield physical and mental benefits, the long-term physical practitioner of Yoga will also discover emotional and spiritual benefits. The reason being is that, with time, all forms of Yoga expand one’s awareness (consciousness).
There are a few Ashtanga Yoga, and power Yoga, classes that focus on mastering the physical body only. Interestingly, Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is the root of most of the flowing Vinyasa styles, and the physical offshoot of Raja Yoga. A student benefits, in every aspect of health, when an Ashtanga (Raja) curriculum completely corresponds to the teachings of Patanjali.
Meditation and pranayama, alone, will yield mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits. Physical benefits will result from pranayama practice. Daily pranayama practice will keep vital organs healthy, but the physical body needs the resistance that asanas offer. Asana practice is healthy for the muscles, joints, connective tissue, and the skeleton.
Therefore, a new or experienced Yoga practitioner should practice a complete style which focuses on all eight limbs, as described by Patanjali. A Yoga practitioner, who has never bothered to practice yamas, niyamas, and meditation, is a beginner – regardless of physical prowess.
© Copyright 2011 – Paul Jerard / Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division
To see our complete selection of Yoga teacher training courses, please feel free to visit the following link.
http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/Teacher-Courses/
FREE 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
By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500
Yogic philosophy is based upon living in the moment. In a Hatha or Vinyasa class, students are taught pranayama (Yogic breathing) to create a connection with the mind and body. This mind and body connection makes the Yoga practitioner mindful of life as it is right now.
What is the significance of being mindful or more aware of life? To many people, this Yogic jargon about awareness or mindfulness is a mystery. Is there an easy way to explain this? Yes, mindfulness or awareness can be easily defined as “appreciation.”
How many people take the time to appreciate the little things in life? How many of us take our relationships for granted? Unfortunately, it is human to take good relationships and situations for granted. It seems the more humans have – the more humans want. Below are five steps to enhance inspiration through the practice of Yoga.
1. Waking up with gratitude should be easy for any of us. We can be happy and inspired by being thankful for all that we have. A bird wakes up with a song in his or her heart, and so should we. To focus on happy thoughts brings states of bliss and inspiration.
2. Stop to notice people, objects, or moments we usually take for granted. This could be as simple as enjoying a good laugh or stopping to appreciate nature. Over the years, children, pets, loved ones and friends deserve time for us to focus on them. If you take the time to notice, your life will change for the best.
3. Let go of judgment. Drop the comparisons to others. This happens in life and even happens in some Yoga classes. Competition will not disappear from our lifestyles, but we do not need to become obsessed with it. The drive for material competition can take happiness out of life.
4. We attract what we think. If we think about doom and gloom, we will attract like minded people. The same is true for inspiration. If we are inspired we will attract people who are kindred souls. A person who is positive will not be attracted by a negative personality and vice versa.
5. Appreciate the magic in life. In the course of life, we see miracles happen. Some people recover from illnesses, trauma, and near death experiences. Many adults are living full lives, who would not have survived without the medical technology we see today. This is just one example, but small miracles are happening every day. It is good to appreciate these magical moments in life.
Ultimately, we practice Yoga in every aspect of our daily lives.
© Copyright 2011 – Paul Jerard / Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division
To see our complete selection of Yoga teacher certification 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
Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 (Director of Yoga Teacher Training) speaks to you in this short lecture about Yoga and Spiritual Beauty.
Part III: Yoga teacher training tips for interns and practicing teachers. Learn how to assist Yoga students in seated forward bend (paschimottanasana).
By Emma Leeuwrik
Pregnancy is one of the most amazing and beautiful experiences a woman can have. For some women this beautiful experience is not so amazing in the beginning. Morning sickness – which can be all day sickness, fatigue, fluid retention, varicose veins, back pain, abdominal discomfort, depression, not to mention teenage acne or dry flaking skin from racing hormones and frustration. The list goes on, however there are ways to help your pregnancy along and help the way you feel, childbirth and the baby.
Pregnancy is a time to be cherished, at peace and nurtured. The baby is influenced both physically and emotionally in the womb. Yoga gives attention to positive emotions through exercises that work with your heart. The quietness allows you to become more sensitive to your unborn child, bonding.
Yoga is fast becoming a popular form of exercise for expecting Mothers. Yoga and meditation have the ability to give a healthier maternal environment, a higher quality of understanding, less stress and a more harmonious childbirth. Yoga is a gentle way to keep up your fitness and can be practised through out your pregnancy.
Pregnancy Yoga teaches poses and breathing techniques that can be used to help relieve discomforts and also give helpful positions for labour and your delivery.
Yoga techniques help your pregnancy be a joyful experience and create more of a stress free environment for childbirth.
Why practice yoga?
Pregnancy is a time of high stress with everyday life, mental, physical and hormonal changes and some anxiety about childbirth. High stress levels can be associated with miscarriage, high blood pressure, premature delivery, the list goes on.
However Yoga is safe and effective way to reduce stress and nervous energy through a series of postures, breathing, stage by stage relaxation, mediation or chanting.
Yoga increases your energy levels, through movements and breathing whilst reducing physical and emotional stress.
Balancing and stretching keep the muscles toned, improves posture, increases strength whilst gaining flexibility without placing strain on your joints.
The breathing and relaxation of yoga helps to keep both body and mind calm. Being trained in Yoga will help ‘Mums to be’ stay relaxed through pain being taught how to breathe through it. The breathing techniques are not only useful through childbirth but throughout stages of motherhood and life. Your sleep will be improved sleep through relaxation techniques and breathing.
Precautions
Whilst Yoga poses are extremely helpful throughout your pregnancy there are some to avoid. Poses that require you to lay flat on your back, this decreases blood flow to the uterus and excessive stretching to the abdominal region. The hormone relaxin enables the uterus to expand also acts on other connective tissues, so be aware not to push yourself as you can more easily tear or strain your muscles.
Some handy hints for the class;
Avoid breathe retention as this can change oxygen levels.
Only stretch until you feel resistance, due to the relaxin you may feel you can go further which can cause tearing or muscle strain.
If you feel pain or dizzy stop immediately and do not raise to quickly from sitting/standing.
Avoid poses that could lead to falling, or use a chair or wall as support.
Wear loose clothing to help prevent from over heating, if you get to warm, relax and have a drink. Extreme temperatures, particularly heat can have an affect on the foetus.
Always keep well hydrated, drink water regularly by taking small sips.
Always check with your doctor or health care professional before taking up Yoga during pregnancy. Always inform your teacher you are pregnant if you are in a general yoga class, this way he or she can show modified versions or a different position for you to practice if the asana is not appropriate. A ‘pregnancy yoga class’ is more desirable over a general class, as the lesson plan has been designed especially for pregnant women.
During the first trimester you wont have many restrictions, just don’t over do your stretches. (that goes for any Yoga students)
In the second trimester joints are looser so more precautions need to be in place. Your balance may start to get a bit wobbly stay close to a wall or chair.
In the third trimester standing positions will require the support of a chair or a wall as balance is affected.
Obstetrics and midwives recommend pregnancy yoga to their patients after finding that women who practiced yoga in their pregnancy cope better with the challenges of labour. It is not necessary to have done previous yoga to attend pregnancy yoga classes.
In Summary
The practice of Yoga will help keep you fit, healthy, calm and focused whilst preparing your mind and body for labour and birth. It promotes flexibility, strength and improves circulation. Yoga postures are a gentle way of keeping you active throughout your pregnancy and can help minimise morning sickness, constipation, lower back and abdominal pain.
A pregnancy class includes postures that align the spine to make room and help position the baby. Standing postures which help strengthen the legs and back to help how you carry your baby to keep muscles strong to provide support after birth. Squatting postures that develop awareness to the structure of the pelvis, will assist in relieving aches and pains. Breathing exercises to calm, both you and baby.
An example of a class can include;
Cat stretch posture
Horse posture
Palm Tree Posture
Shoulder Rotations
Squat posture
Butterfly posture
Golden Thread Breath
Side relaxation posture
Each trimester is different so the postures you do will vary, however prone postures, and inversions are discouraged. Minimal twisting can be explored, for example twisting from the shoulders.
Yoga gives attention to positive emotions and peace in your heart. Women have found comfort, encouragement and formed special friendship during yoga classes.
If you would like to feel more energy, less fatigue, increased strength, flexibility and balance, improved posture, relief of physical and emotional tension and to help bond with your baby then try pregnancy yoga.
Yoga is not just for pregnancy but for life. Relax, distress, feel great and enjoy!
By Emma Leeuwrik
Resources:
Virtual media centre.com
Health and Yoga.com
Yogababies Toowang QLD
The Complete Book Of Yoga – James Hewitt
Cool Yoga Tricks – Miriam Austin
The Complete Illustrated Book Of Yoga – Swami Vishnu – devananda
Yoga For You – Lucille Wood, Di Lucas
By Sanjeev Patel, CYT 500
There are many physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual benefits realized through the consistent practice of Hatha Yoga. Below are five of the physical benefits that students will receive from diligent practice. It is agreed that there are many more benefits that result from regular Hatha Yoga sessions, and I will address them in future articles.
The benefit of controlling prana: Prana is the vital life force that is carried in the air, food water and oxygen. It comes from an infinite source of energy in the universe. Through the practice of breathing, posturing and meditation, more prana is stored in the body.
Through the cultivation of prana, we can become more vitalized, peaceful, and live in better state of health, in body, mind and spirit. Most of us use the benefits of pranic energy without being conscious we are using it. The purpose of Yoga is to use pranic energy consciously to heal and maintain health for themselves or others.
As James Hewtt mentioned in the book “The Complete Book of Yoga,” Yogic energy is called prana, this “is the force behind the renewal of the body cells, and that disease is unlikely to get a hold on a body whose every cell is permeated with pranic energy.”
Some of the symptoms that can improve using pranic energy are: asthma and bronchitis, colds and sinus troubles, nervous tension, neurosis, insomnia, headaches, indigestion, abnormal weight, constipation, and smoking addiction.
Proper body alignment is enhanced in every phase of life. Yoga can help us achieve a better alignment of the spine, walk better, and prevent ailments like: sciatica, lower back pain, neck pain, foot pain, and ankle pain. Many of these problems can result from not having a proper alignment.
Hatha Yoga will increase the lubrication in all the joints, ligaments and tendons by practicing the asanas. This fact is pointed out more when a practitioner enters a Yoga teacher training course, but many students have only been trained to focus on the appearance of their muscles.
Physical Yoga practice will Increase flexibility. Asanas (Yoga postures) can act on the various joints of the body including those joints that are not used to being stretched.
Physical forms of Yoga massage all the internal organs. Although massaging vital organs is probably not one of the reasons why someone from the modern world would take Yoga, it is an important thing to mention. Yoga is one of the few body practices that can massage all the organs in the body, including the ones that are hardly stimulated during our entire lifetime. This massaging keeps the organs cleaner and healthier throughout our lives.
Hari Om Tat Sat
© Copyright 2010 – Sanjeev Patel / Aura Publications
Sanjeev Patel is a certified Yoga teacher and an exclusive author for Aura Wellness Center.
http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/
Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, Director of Yoga Teacher Training at Aura Wellness Center demonstrates preparation for Warrior 3 pose with guest student Yoga Yang.
(Part II)
In this demonstration by Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 – Director of Yoga Teacher Training, you will learn how to perform Cat-Cow Pose
By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500
Are we ever too old to start practicing Hatha Yoga? What is the definition of old? Are we old when we get stale in our thinking? Are we old when we are 50, 65, 80, or 95 years of age? There are many myths about life after 65, and the state of retirement.
Some people never retire because they love what they do, or they simply cannot afford to exist on a fixed income. There is also a myth that Yoga is only for the young. People who think, “I am too old to practice Yoga,” have been misinformed.
Photographs of young pretzel bodies doing a “mission impossible” pose are splashed over the covers of every Yoga and wellness magazine. When was the last time you saw a picture of someone, over 65 years old, practicing a Yoga posture on the cover of a magazine?
The public image of Yoga can be discouraging to the average person who is over 65, even though Yoga is an activity for people of all ages. Seniors often remark how Hatha Yoga makes life worth living. They feel healthier, expand their knowledge, and open the flood gates to Yogic consciousness. Hatha Yoga is a balanced activity, which can be modified for people who have difficulty getting up-and-down from the floor.
In fact, Chair Yoga classes accommodate people of all ages, who have difficulty with mobility. Those students, who are wheelchair bound, appreciate the finer points of Yoga practice. Many of them are interested in the deeper healing aspects, such as – Pranayama, Meditation, Relaxation, Mudras, and Mantras.
© 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