Yoga Teacher Training Blog » yoga

Yoga Mudras

admin — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:13:18 +0000

Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, Director of Yoga Teacher Training at Aura Wellness Center speaks to you about an upcoming video series on the Mudras and their effects on individuals.

Teaching Disabled Yoga Students

admin — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 10:01:03 +0000

By Jenny Park

Most yoga teachers are drawn to this field by a desire to reach out and help others, but some may feel inadequate or overwhelmed at the idea of extending their reach to encompass all students, including those with disabilities. Not every yoga teacher is cut out to teach those with disabilities, but the few with the special skills necessary will benefit from the experience as much as their students.

Disabled yoga students have very different needs than average students in more ways than just the purely physical. In addition to needing assisted and heavily modified poses, disabled students will require a special teaching style that takes into account their unique mindset and outlook. In order to meet these needs, a teacher will ideally have a lot of empathy for those in life situations vastly different from their own. Before undertaking this challenge, ask yourself honestly whether or not you are able to relate well with those that are physically challenged. It’s okay if the answer is no; empathy is often the result of age and experience. Complete honesty is the important factor here. If the answer is no today perhaps it could become a yes tomorrow.

Those with physical disabilities have to deal with having most of the world look down on them, literally and figuratively, especially when wheelchair-bound. Sometimes what they need the most is to be treated like everyone else because mentally, they are. A good candidate for teaching yoga to those with disabilities is an individual who can remain sensitive to their physical limitations without becoming condescending or underestimating their capabilities. It’s a delicate balance.

One of the joys of sharing yoga with others is having the opportunity to promote a mind-body connection in students, grounding and awakening them to their own deeper inner self. Individuals with a physical disability usually need no such guidance; their physical state makes them more than aware of their bodies at any given time. For them, yoga will be an opportunity to love and honor the physical body for exactly what it is. Learning to appreciate a body that has limitations is the gift yoga has to offer disabled students.

Another very valuable thing yoga has to offer those with disabilities is the opportunity to reach out and touch another human being. Those of us that are without physical limitations often take human contact for granted; even the most standoffish person knows that they have the freedom to hug a friend or lay a hand on their shoulder if they choose to do so, but those with disabilities usually don’t have those kind of opportunities. Wheelchairs and such have improved vastly, but they are still large and bulky, effectively barricading the individual from human contact on a physical level. Contact between the yoga teacher and student during assisted poses helps fill the gap created by these deficiencies naturally. Even something as simple as gripping the wrists in order to help a student stretch their arms above their head is valuable contact between two human beings; it doesn’t take much to feel accepted, respected and cared for.

Yoga teachers have the opportunity to explore what the student’s body is capable of, rather than what it’s unable to do. Exploring these possibilities gives the student a greater sense of control over their life situation and is a very rewarding experience for any yoga teacher to be a part of. Being able to transform another person’s life in a profound way is a very humbling experience.

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

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

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Yoga for Kickboxers

admin — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 14:52:28 +0000

By Jenny Park

Kickboxing and yoga seem to be on opposite ends of the spectrum at first glance. One is all about beating an opponent into submission, the other emphasizes that ultimately there are no opponents at all. One is aggression in the purest form possible, the other is bliss and peacefulness. How could two disciplines work together in harmony when they appear to be so at odds with each other? Like the yin and yang, they actually serve to complete each other by bringing about balance.

Kickboxing is a hybrid between boxing and traditional Eastern martial arts. The physical punches, jabs and footwork were divided from the spiritual aspects of the martial arts to create a purely physical style of fighting. Kickboxing provides a powerful cardio workout which makes it an effective way to get the body into shape and this has fueled its enduring popularity among those seeking high levels of physical fitness.

Yoga for kickboxers makes a lot of sense, because kickboxing is quite lacking in restorative movements which would compensate for the explosiveness of the practice. Traditional martial arts incorporate restorative practices that serve to rejuvenate participants in order to stave off fatigue, injury and muscle strain but this has been removed from modern kickboxing techniques. At best, most kickboxers will finish off their explosive training sessions with a few cool down stretches at the end of their workout, but this is insufficient. Yoga makes a great addition to an existing kickboxing regimen to fill in this gap.

Adding yoga to the exercise routine will give kickboxers increased levels of flexibility and will also serve to boost their range of motion. Both of these give a kickboxer the competitive edge over their opponents who likely train in the same old ways, resulting in a less robust range of motion on their part. Because kickboxing is a contact sport, it requires a heightened level of focus in order to stay one step ahead of the opponent. Yoga teaches inner stillness and laser focus by constantly drawing the attention into the present moment and this is extremely important for anyone playing a contact sport. Having a hyper-awareness of the environment and the opponent is essential for success in a sport which requires lightning fast reflexes.

Yoga also works muscle groups that would remain dormant and undeveloped with only kickboxing being used for physical conditioning. This increases the overall strength and endurance of the kickboxer as a whole which is yet another advantage to using yoga to diversify the fitness regimen.

Yoga need not take up too much time in the kickboxer’s schedule; short 20 minute sessions every other day is sufficient enough for individuals to reap all the benefits yoga has to offer when used in tandem with a traditional kickboxing training routine.

Adding yoga to the fitness regimen of a kickboxer is a great way to give them the competitive edge over their opponents and serves to prevent burnout and injury. It’s a great combination.

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

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

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Yoga for Lifelong Youthfulness and Vitality

admin — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 20:45:18 +0000

By Faye Martins

Making yoga a daily practice leads to beautiful aging that is full of grace, vitality and enduring youthfulness, but why is this? Long time yogis still grow old along with the rest of the human race, yet they remain fully functional well into their later years and retain a certain spark that even some younger individuals lack.

It’s been said that we lose what we don’t use, and this appears to be very true. One of the key ways that yoga promotes long term youthfulness is the fact that it works the entire body, keeping it in good condition. During youth, it’s easy to take the body and all its myriad functions and systems for granted, but if they aren’t maintained they will eventually fall into some form of disrepair. It’s not so much about the intensity of the practice; frequency is a more important consideration. Caring for the body by using it on a daily basis through yoga is an easy way to maintain optimal functionality of the form as a whole. Yoga was designed holistically with the entire body in mind.

Yoga’s effects are more than purely physical, setting it apart from other fitness routines. In order to properly perform any of the asanas, one must be fully aware of their body. While some other physical exercises may encourage people to hunker down and ‘work through the pain’ by essentially ignoring their body’s signals, yoga is quite the opposite. The state of the body is observed, accepted and honored during each and every yoga session. As a result, no two workouts are the same since yogis automatically adjust each asana to the needs of the moment. This makes yoga the perfect practice to carry with you throughout your entire life. The body will never reach a point of burnout from yoga practice if one is being mindful of the body. Yes, you may reach a point where a few of the more advanced poses become something that you either modify or replace from your routine altogether, but never will you wake up one day unable to do the practice. By cultivating strength and vitality now, you have stored it up for later.

The conventional wisdom that says we should work hard for the better part of our lives in order to do as little as possible at the tail end is thankfully being reevaluated in light of new studies. It turns out that those who do not retire tend to be healthier, happier and live longer than those who do. People need a purpose and a daily routine in order to remain grounded and happy, and retirement is often the antithesis of this. Some people have careers that can’t be continued passed a certain age; others may have reached their full potential with a career path and find themselves needing to move on, but yoga is something that can remain constant throughout all of those life changes. Yoga, especially in a class setting, can fill the void left by a career, counteracting the tendency people have to slow down after passing a certain age. The key to staying active and vital is to have a reason to be. For many people, yoga can be that reason.

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.”

Teaching Difficult Yoga Students

admin — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:35:45 +0000

By Sangeetha Saran

The majority of yoga students have a vested interest in cultivating their yoga practice but there is the occasional student that is less than happy or enthusiastic about it. These students pose a unique challenge to yoga teachers since they can be very hard to integrate into a classroom setting. What is a yoga teacher supposed to do when faced with these difficult students?

Empathizing and trying to understand the difficult yoga student is a good first step. No matter how negative they get or how unpleasant their attitude becomes, try to remember that there is a person under that bristly exterior that could use some love. Teaching these students becomes less of a burden when looked at from this perspective.

Another thing a yoga teacher can do is try to look for clues as to what could be causing the negative mood. If the student was initially happy about being a part of the class but their outlook dramatically soured after one or two yoga classes, it’s possible that something in life or the classroom itself disheartened them. Is this student placed near one or more intermediate or advanced students? If so, that could be the answer. Advanced yogis and yoga teachers alike are guilty of making yoga look easy and beautiful, and so it can come as a harsh shock to find out that yoga is a lot harder than it looks. For beginners, directly comparing their progress to the skill of a more advanced student can lead to dissatisfaction with their own skill level. In these cases, it might be helpful to move the student closer to other beginners in the classroom. Give it a try and if their mood lifts, that was likely the problem.

Many individuals have a low pain tolerance and this leads to increasing negativity when faced with aches and pains in the classroom. Ideally, there should be little pain during yoga if everything is in proper alignment. Watch for grimacing and other outward signs of discomfort in difficult students, especially beginners and those actively trying to advance their practice. If it appears that they are causing themselves excessive discomfort, it may be time to do some one on one work in order to correct their alignment and gauge their readiness for more advanced poses. Yoga is not a race and every student needs to go at their own pace without comparing their speed and progress with others.

Sometimes the source of negativity won’t be found in the classroom. Students are often dealing with issues and problems outside of the classroom and happen to bring their dim outlook to the mat where it is obvious and palpable to those around them. For these students, yoga class may be the only outlet for the release of these stressful emotions. Hopefully with continued yoga practice these individuals will begin to vent their negative energy through the poses themselves rather than through a poor attitude. Only time will tell.

If a yoga teacher has done everything in their power to help a difficult student become a happy participant in the classroom but the negative vibe has continued despite their best efforts, it may be time to take the needs of the entire class into account. The direction and tone of a class shouldn’t be tailored to the needs of a single student at the expense of everyone else. Yoga is great for everybody, but not everyone is meant to do yoga. Maybe this student isn’t ready for the practice yet or perhaps their path involves them taking up another physical activity. Either way, this is ultimately not the concern of the yoga teacher.

Yoga teachers should focus most on maintaining their own passion and enjoyment of the practice above all else. This may initially seem counter intuitive since yoga teachers seek to instruct and impart their knowledge to students but nothing could be more natural. Leading by example is often the most powerful form of teaching imaginable and conveys the true essence of the practice more than words ever could. Enjoy doing yoga with your class and your students will respond accordingly. The occasional difficult student may choose to move on to something else and that’s okay. This will leave teachers with students that are meant to be there practicing with them.

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

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

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Yoga Poses to Release Neck and Shoulder Tension

admin — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 11:53:31 +0000

By Kimaya Singh

Many of us struggle with the discomfort of accumulating neck and shoulder tension throughout the day. Neck and shoulder tension can be caused by too much time on the computer or behind the wheel of a car. Neck and shoulder tension may also be caused by anxiety, stress or bottling up our emotions. Tension in this area can easily block of the flow of chi or life force energy and leave us feeling uncomfortable, drained and exhausted. The optimal alignment of our spine and neck may also be compromised.

There are many Yoga poses that target and tease the tension out of the neck and shoulder areas. Practicing the Sun Salutation Series is a vigorous way to warm-up the entire body and begins the process of relieving tension throughout all of the major muscles groups. Standing poses such as Triangle Pose and Eagle Pose are very powerful at releasing muscular tension in our neck and shoulder areas. Dolphin Pose is great half-inversion that is also very effective for releasing shoulder and neck tension.

Trikonasana or Triangle Pose

Before practicing Triangle Pose: Warm-up with at least five Sun Salutations. If you have the time, practicing five rounds of Sun Salutation A and five rounds of Sun Salutation B will effectively warm up your body so that you can practice Triangle Pose more deeply. After warming up with a number of Sun Salutations, stand at the top of your mat in Mountain Pose. Take one complete Yogic breath and with your next exhale, jump your feet three and a half to four feet apart. Your feet will be parallel to the ends of your Yoga mat. Extend your arms to shoulder-height above your feet with your palms facing the floor.

Turn your left foot in at a 45-degree angle facing the front of your Yoga mat. Turn your upper body to face your right hand. Extend your torso several inches to the right. When your reach the limits of your stretch, gently bend your upper torso and tilt your body so that your arms are at a right angle to the floor. Without compromising the correct alignment or your spine, i.e. hunching over or twisting, extend your right hand down to your knee, shin or ankle. Hold this asana for three to five breaths. Repeat Trikonasana for the same number of breaths on the left side. You may wish to finish your practice of this asana by moving through a vinyasa and coming to rest in Samasthiti before proceeding to the next asana.

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

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

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When Not to Do Inversions in Yoga

admin — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 10:19:28 +0000

By 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.

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.”

Yoga for Seasonal Affective Disorder

admin — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:55:51 +0000

By Sangeetha Saran

Can Yoga really help seasonal affective disorder? Everyone has heard of the winter blues and most people associate the term with a longing for the sun to return, but for some people the winter blues are much more than that. For those with seasonal affective disorder, their longing for the sun is characterized by real, measurable changes in thinking patterns and dramatic shifts in mood. Individuals who were once warm and vibrant become cold, emotional or emotionless shells of the people they once were, with some impacted so severely that they begin to display suicidal tendencies. Seasonal affective disorder can be a serious issue, but yoga offers some valuable symptom relief for those suffering from this problem.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a fairly new disorder that was first documented in the early 1980′s. It is believed that SAD is triggered by a lack of essential light exposure on a daily basis during the cloudy, rainy months. This theory is further supported by the fact that there are more cases of SAD in cloudier regions of the world. It is likely that SAD has a strong link with vitamin D levels in the human body since the body needs exposure to sunlight in order to synthesize this essential nutrient. Vitamin D is critical to brain function and bone health, among many other things.

Yoga is a low impact exercise that may be done indoors during the doldrums of wintertime easily and effectively. Studies show that exercise has a positive impact on the health and function of the brain, leading to happier and more balanced thinking. Studies conducted specifically on SAD further support this theory with patients essentially countering their lack of sunlight by exercising liberally instead. Yoga boosts blood flow to the brain and triggers the release of endorphins, which are the neurotransmitters associated with feelings of well being and happiness. Yoga essentially acts as an antidepressant for these individuals.

The most important thing for individuals with SAD will be to make the commitment to practice yoga everyday, whether they feel like it or not. The myriad side effects of SAD include fatigue, excessive sleepiness and lack of motivation; none of these are helpful when it comes to creating new habits. The benefits make the extra effort to drum up the motivation worthwhile since yoga alone has the power to ward off the worst of the SAD symptoms.

Practicing yoga will get individuals through the dark, dreary months of winter until the sun comes out again. A positive side effect of treating SAD with yoga is a fitter, trimmer body come summertime. It’s a perfect fit.

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.”

Yoga for Obese Children

admin — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 10:42:32 +0000

By Gopi Rao

Childhood obesity is a condition that is becoming far too common. Parents and healthcare practitioners often wonder what can be done to alleviate the issue. Yoga for obese children could be a natural starting point when facing the problem. It is widely known that moderate exercise and healthy eating habits are just a few of the ways the childhood obesity can be treated, or better yet, prevented. However, overweight children might not have the strength or energy levels needed for many different types of exercise. Yoga, however, can be used to help kids get up and start moving.

It is widely known that obesity can cause diabetes and heart disease. It can also contribute to physical stress on the body as well as mental and emotional stress.

Using Yoga as an exercise regime for obese children can provide the child with a sense of focus and accomplishment. Learning the poses and coordinating the breathing techniques can help to instill self-confidence as well. Self-confidence is often a missing component for overweight children and restoring it might help them make better decisions in regards to food, exercise and healthy living choices.

Sports and exercise can help children, yet obese kids might not be able to compete with other kids and feel comfortable at the same time. That’s yet another reason that incorporating Yoga can be a positive contribution. Yoga is a way for children to use exercise as a tool to help them instead of seeing it as a competition with their peers. It can be taught to them in a comfortable and non-judgmental environment so that they associate positive feelings with Yoga practice.

One of the best things about Yoga for obese children is the fact that it can be taught to all age levels. It can help to restore balance (both physical and emotional) as well as provide a calming sense of security. Incorporating Yoga into a child’s schedule can be a building block in which to add other healthy lifestyle changes. The pride and sense of accomplishment an overweight child can feel after finishing a Yoga session might just go a long way toward helping parents and healthcare practitioners reduce the effects of childhood obesity and the many health issues that are associated with it.

Obesity in children has sprung forth in computerized societies. This may not be the entire source of the problem, but computers and video games have taken the place of many outdoor activities. Yoga for children is a logical choice for parents and educators.

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.”

Cultivating Thankfulness With Yoga Meditation

admin — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:23:00 +0000

By Bhavan Kumar

When we start Yoga practice, we are taught that meditation is the ultimate Yogic experience. When we are young, it is hard to see beyond the benefits of asana, but as the years go by we find an appreciation for the finer things in life. With self-realization we transform gradually toward wisdom and inner happiness. One way to appreciate life is gratitude for the chance we have to live it.

Many of us go through periods of time where we feel like there is nothing to be thankful for. This is a normal part of the human experience and feelings of guilt over it are not helpful in the long run. Instead of feeling bad over a lack of thankfulness, why not practice the art of cultivating a thankful spirit on a daily basis? Thankfulness is intrinsically linked with happiness and joy, making it a very worthwhile thing to pursue.

First, let’s talk about what thankfulness is not. Thankfulness is not something outside of ourselves and it is not dependent on an external factors. Thankfulness is not a destination in the distant future; thankfulness is here and now. Often we get into the mindset that if we accomplish this or that we will be truly happy and thankful. The problem with postponing thankfulness and gratitude is that there will always be another goal, destination or event. If we decide that we will be thankful when we reach the destination, we miss out on the joy of the journey itself, along with all the beautiful experiences it is willing to give.

Individuals forget how to be thankful upon reaching adulthood. This state of inherent gratitude is why kids Yoga classes are catching on everywhere. When we are children, everything is something to be thankful for. A sweet candy treat, the joy of blowing bubbles in the afternoon sun, the softness of a kitten’s fur, all of these things are worth being thankful for. Young children dwell in a perpetual state of thankfulness because they are so intensely aware of the present moment. Children are so new to the world that they can’t help but give their full attention to every little thing; this is how they learn and develop the skills necessary to function as adults. When children develop their own ego, the wonder of life begins to fade and a loss of innocence is the result. They turn their attention from the here and now and start putting their focus on other things like social status, future goals or memories of the past. That’s when the inherent thankfulness for all that is disappears.

In essence, thankfulness comes from noticing things to be thankful for. If we are in a constantly distracted state, is it any wonder that we start having a hard time remembering what we’re thankful for? Thankfulness is the direct result of maintaining a constant dialog between yourself and the present moment.

Simply meditating on a daily basis cultivates thankfulness automatically because it awakens an individual to the present moment which is the source of all good things. Any meditation style is effective, though mindfulness meditation is particularly suited to drawing one’s attention to the little things worthy of gratitude.

Finding thankfulness is made simple through meditation but the key to success is consistency. In Yoga, we are taught that meditation must be done every day if an individual wishes to maintain a thankful state on a daily basis. The sessions need not be long; the goal is to simply get in touch with the present moment each and every day. This will profoundly transform your life, making thankfulness the default state of being. No longer think about thankfulness; be the thankfulness and feel the thankfulness. It’s a beautiful thing.

Conclusion

A steady routine of yoga practice will instill feelings of self-confidence and enhance one’s self image. Learning to appreciate ourselves as we are is a yogic life skill, which brings about states of happiness and contentment.

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.”