Posts Tagged ‘teaching hatha yoga’

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Teaching Hatha Yoga – Explaining the Hidden Benefits of Yoga Practice

Sunday, October 10th, 2010

By Sanjeev Patel, CYT 500

Explain the benefits of Yoga to your students might not have been covered in your Yoga teacher training. Did you expect that every potential student would know what Yoga is? Think again – you might find yourself explaining the benefits of Yoga to a potential student before he or she takes a class.

Many people have no clue as to what Yoga is; and some who attend classes think it is a gymnastics fashion show. Below are some features and benefits to enlighten your beginners with. In this way you can educate your students about the many rewards that result from making Yoga practice a lifestyle.

Reduce mental, physical, and emotional ailments: Yoga has been shown to help with many different conditions that are common in today’s world. Among these conditions are: headaches, back and neck pain, low energy, sexual dysfunctions, emotional mood swings, fibromyalgia, anxiety, insomnia, depression, and many more health problems.

Breathing: We can live without food or water for long periods of time, but we cannot live without oxygen but a few minutes. Learning how to breathe properly is probably one of the biggest benefits people get from practicing Yoga. Most of us breathe shallow and don’t send enough oxygen to supply all the cells in the body.

By learning, or I should say: remembering how to breathe deeper, we can generate more vital energy (prana) and prevent emotional or physical problems. Air is the number one food we need to survive and Yoga can be used as a tool to be conscious of our breathing. When we meditate, pray or focus inward, naturally we become aware of our breathing. Breathing allows us to be still, listen to our body’s wisdom, and to prevent disease or internal disharmony.

Yoga is an excellent practice to detoxify the body: By stretching all the joints and massaging the organs; Hatha Yoga can help to regulate blood circulation which can help flush the unwanted toxins in the body. This can help us experience more vitality and extend life longer.

A yoga life style is conscious living. By becoming more conscious of our bodies and mind, Yoga can help us become more aware of the world around us. All forms of Yoga can guide us to work for a better world with less violence, more peace, and more conscious global living. By living and practicing Yoga we can emanate the peace that comes from within to everyone that surround us and become a more harmonious global society.

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/

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 Emotional Health, Yoga for Health, Yoga for Mental Health | 2 Comments »

Teaching Hatha Yoga – Optional Tools for Yoga Meditation

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

By Sanjeev Patel, CYT 500

What tools and props might be useful for meditation? Sitting in a position that keeps the spine straight is a key element in meditation, but Paulji has also mentioned a position he refers to as “Legs Through the Chair” pose.

By elevating the lower legs through the back of a chair with an open back, the spine is straight while a student is in a supine asana. Although this is more relaxed than sitting on the floor – It isn’t easy to fall asleep when the legs are in this position because the student still has to mindfully hold the knees and hips at 90 degree angles.

Below are some other ideas for optimum Yogic meditation.

Although there is some debate on this subject. Incense (creates smoke) or oils can be used to evoke calm mental states that are beneficial for meditation.

I personally don’t like smoke, but a candle flame, or oil lamp, can symbolize your readiness to tune into the inner light.

Japa Mala beads can be used for counting during meditation. Traditional Roman Catholics often use Rosary beads, which can also be used for counting prayers, chanting, or focusing.

Fresh flowers will always lift your mind by encouraging a mood that is conducive for meditation.

A Himalayan style singing bowl, Rin gong, or a standing bell, will provide the ideal beginning or end to a period of meditation.

Mantra – a mystical symbol encased within a sound structure, a mental tool, through repetition helps the mind in its journey to transcend normal limitations.

Select your clothing carefully. Wear nothing tight or restrictive so as to be uncomfortable. Tight clothing will only make you focus on being uncomfortable. Your body temperature will drop during meditation. In some cases a robe, shawl, or blanket might be necessary to keep warm.

Meditation requires a supportive seat, zafu cushion, zabuton meditation cushions, seiza benches, meditation benches, meditation chair, a meditative stool, pillow, or a special rug. You must be comfortable to concentrate. In some cases a simple chair and a blanket may be good props for meditation.

Students need a calm, relaxed, or sacred room, where one can find inner peace.

A Yantra, which is a geometric picture used by Yogis use for focusing one’s attention during meditation.

Below are Three Basic Methods of Yoga Meditation:

Body Witnessing: Simply mindful watching and observing what is unfolding during meditation within our bodies.

Mind Witnessing: This is of the same nature, but one is witnessing one’s thoughts, emotions, and reactions to such things.

Energy Witnessing: One is witnessing the energy levels present in the body.

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/

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 and meditation, Yogic Meditation | No Comments »

Teaching Hatha Yoga Classes for Children

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Teaching Hatha Yoga to children requires specialist skills. On the surface, it would seem easy enough to teach children about the foundational aspects of Yoga. Should one decide to teach children, it is wise to realize that they are not “little adults.”

Children like to laugh, have fun, play games, and they have an abundance of energy, in comparison to adults. Yoga teachers, who spend time teaching children, must be patient, fun-loving, and compassionate. If one does not have these primary ingredients ingrained in his or her personality, it would be wise to keep teaching adults.

If an instructor has all the necessary ingredients to teach children, he or she still needs to enter into a Yoga teacher training course, which specializes in teaching children. Depending on how much training, or experience, a Yoga teacher has – the course for teaching children may be in the 200-hour range.

The skills taught to children in Yoga classes will last a lifetime. Many of these skills may be referred to as “life skills.” Children become more relaxed, confident, coordinated, and learn the ability to focus on a task. Kids Yoga classes give children a haven to meet peers who come from well-adjusted families.

It is not easy to find young people, in a small group, who are consistently nudged in the right direction. There is always the argument that children will find their own way. However, what parent wants to let their child enter the world with no foundational guidance?

The point is that if we want our children to be guided in the right direction, we have to set limits on video games, television, Internet access, and any other potential hazards. With this in mind – children, in Yoga classes, are learning how to appreciate the finer things in life.

© Copyright 2010 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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/

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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, Paul

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Posted in kids yoga, yoga for children | No Comments »

Cat-Cow Pose

Monday, September 20th, 2010

In this demonstration by Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 – Director of Yoga Teacher Training, you will learn how to perform Cat-Cow Pose

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Preparations for Warrior III

Monday, September 13th, 2010

Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 demonstrates with student Yong Yang how to prepare for and preform Warrior 3 posture.

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Posted in Videos | 1 Comment »

Variations of Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana)

Monday, September 6th, 2010

Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 demonstrates several variations of Half Moon Pose with guest student Yong Yang.

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Posted in Videos | 1 Comment »

Teaching Hatha Yoga – About Non-Dualism

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

By Sanjeev Patel, CYT

What is non-dualism? When attending my first Yoga teacher training course, I asked my teacher to explain about this concept – I was confused. The answer seems simple, but still it is a puzzle. Paulji’s answer was, “Non-dualism is the logical deduction that things seem to be distinct, while not being separate at all.” My reaction was, “I’m sorry, but could you say that again.”

I wrote it down, and I still didn’t get it. He could see I was troubled, so he re-phrased his answer to: “Everything is connected, but it may not be apparent on the surface.” Now, I understood, but how could I connect the dots? Beliefs, qualities, and theories seem unique, but there is a connection most, or all, of the time.

The concept of non-dualism is Universal – no matter what size an object is. As Paulji explained, “A small atom is a sphere surrounded by smaller particles. Galaxies and solar systems are also surrounded by smaller spheres. People look at the universe as if they were the center of the universe.”

It is only natural to see things from our viewpoint, as our eyes are our personal windows to see the universe. We then focus on what looks different from us and categorize it. As time goes by, we might not be very comfortable with new ideas, beliefs, qualities, or theories. We could forget that we are connected to each other in any way, shape, or form.

According to the late Carl Sagan, we are all “star stuff.” Life forms, on this planet, are made up of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, which is produced at very high temperatures in the cores of stars. Carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen are released from a star when it explodes. This is how Carl Sagan made the connection.

If we look at religion and philosophy, we see connections, but some people will deny this to their death. Some people would rather live a violent life, than try to understand or make friends with someone who they see as foreign, different, or unique.

Until we understand non-dualism, make the connections (connect the dots), and apply them to our lives, we can’t fully appreciate all the good this world has to offer.

© 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/

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 Teacher Training, yogic philosophy | No Comments »

Teaching Hatha Yoga – How Do You Become a Yoga Teacher?

Saturday, August 28th, 2010

By Sanjeev Patel, CYT

Traditionally, Yoga teacher training was an ongoing process for dedicated students who practiced under the guidance of a Guru for years. During the early phases of Yoga training, students learned the fundamentals of their particular style. These years of questions and answers are invaluable for any student, even if he or she has no desire to teach any form of Yoga.

These days, one may become a Yoga instructor in much less time. Technology and the ability to travel great distances has changed the way we learn and has created a global society that is constantly changing. Technology will continue to change everything, whether we like it or not.

If you decide to become a Yoga teacher, nothing can stop you. In this time, a new Universal truth has been spawned. Contrary to traditional thinking, a new system of free thinking beliefs exist where anyone can become anything they want, if they work hard enough.

There are a few flaws in this belief of a short apprenticeship. Teaching Yoga classes requires constant study. The quality of our classes depends upon our own study, continuing education, practice, and application. If we refuse to develop our knowledge, our students reach a finite level of understanding and never fully develop beyond aspirants.

There are also other ingredients to becoming a better Yoga teacher. Do we know ourselves? If we do not understand ourselves, how can we understand our students? Another valuable quality is: The willingness to share everything is in the heart of top quality Yoga instructors. Class time is for our students and it is not “our time.”

One final point to mention is that my Guru teaches you to find the teacher within. As my Guru would say, “Lead the horse to water.” We cannot drink the water for our students (or for our horses), but we can gently guide them toward their ability make self-discoveries.

© 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/

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 Teacher Training | No Comments »

Modifications for Seated Postures Part III

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 demonstrates in this final lecture, more modifications for seated posture. This video was filmed in Aura Wellness Center’s Onsite Yoga Teacher Training studio.

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Teaching Hatha Yoga – Safe Yoga Class Openings

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

By Sanjeev Patel, CYT

Sometimes the opening of a Yoga class is very much like a brief blip on a radar screen. Some Yoga teachers are in a big rush to get going with the class, but where are they going to? As a Yoga teacher, you must have an intention to make your class the best and safest experience your students ever encounter.

Based upon student feedback from over 650 classes, which I have already instructed, I have come to realize that it is the physical and relaxing aspects of Yoga that most appeal to westerners. With that in mind, among the many steps which I would suggest teachers incorporate into a Yoga class would include an initial period of relaxation.

Here you could introduce diaphragmatic breathing and invite students to continue, throughout the practice, inhabit their bodies, practice present moment breath awareness, and maintain a mind-body connection, while using their breath as the vehicle for this connection.

You would then lead them through a series of limbering and warming up postures, however I may not use all of the same warm ups suggested by a typical Hatha Yoga teacher training, since I have found that most students prefer more active postures even for limbering up and warm up.

I did find my foundational teacher training useful in regard to warm ups very effective for a beginner’s class as long as modifications are included for those students that are stiff, out of shape or older. Since the classes that I am instructing at the present moment are all levels classes at local health clubs and morning classes at the beach, I have found that modifications, which also make the postures more possible or more challenging, make the classes themselves more interesting, engaging and appealing to a wider range of students.

I have yet to introduce beginners to any of the muscle controls or bandhas into any of the classes. Although I do practice bandhas myself, teach advanced students the same techniques and find them complimentary to the postures. I also include a few basic balancing postures in all of the classes that I instruct.

In general we start with the centering, setting an intention, and relaxation (Yes, relaxation). After that we move on to warm ups, then sun salutations, and limber ups. This is followed by all body stretches, standing poses which would include forward bends and minor back bends and some minor twists, sitting poses which would also include forward bends, deeper back bends and deeper twists, kneeling poses, and basic inversions.

© 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/

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 Recent Articles, Yoga Teacher Issues, Yoga Teacher Training | 3 Comments »

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