Archive for the ‘ Yoga ’ Category

Many Yoga instructors have years of teaching experience; but no matter how many years of training we have, there will always be a unique ailment that we are not so familiar with. Not every Yoga teacher is familiar with creating a modified lesson plan for a student with Scoliosis, Multiple Sclerosis, or Rheumatoid Arthritis.

You could take a specialized Yoga teacher training intensive for each ailment, a group of ailments, or take an online course. If you have the time to leave work for a specialized continuing education course, you have no worries, but what if your employer is not very understanding about taking time off?

Should you tell a cover story to receive time off? After all, how many employers will endorse your continuing education in a field that has nothing to do with your job? This is just one of many reasons why Yoga teachers from around the world are taking Yoga courses online.

Even if you teach Yoga full-time, you may not currently have the flexibility in your schedule to take off a week, or a month, to attend an intensive. You could read books and watch DVDs at home, but an online Yoga teacher course will guide you toward key points in your training.

Online Yoga teacher courses tend to operate in a number of different ways. Some of them use the Internet to send you all of the materials, and then you send your assignments back by Email. Practical exam videos can be sent back by streaming video.

Some online Yoga courses will send you a combination of books, DVDs, CDs, and e-Books. They might also have online videos, podcasts, and resources, which you can research any time of the day or night. The main purpose of online Yoga courses is to make learning a stimulating experience.

The rewards of online Yoga teacher training are convenience, significant savings, and the ability to apply newfound knowledge to a constructive purpose. When you have students who need help, they could possibly hang for your next Yoga vacation, but online courses allow you to assimilate knowledge, as quickly as possible. Technology enables Yoga instructors to help students in need, when they need help.

Knowledge gathered from online training courses will allow Yoga teachers to enrich all of their classes. This ultimately helps each student, who attends classes – from the young athlete to a senior who may be in a wheelchair.

Copyright 2010 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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Yoga techniques and counseling help adults who struggle with anger management. Yoga can also help teens learn to find themselves during the most confusing time in human life. There is research which indicates that hormonal changes may also contribute to aggressive behavior during adolescence.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, there was a study conducted by Warren MP and Brooks-Gunn J., at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital, in New York City, of 100 adolescent girls between the ages of 10.6-13.3 yrs. The last line of the study states: “These data suggest that hormonal changes may be more important than the physical changes as determinants of certain mood and behavior patterns at adolescence.”

The older adults become – the less familiar they may be with the causes and solutions for anger that some teens feel. There are a multitude of reasons why teens feel angry. Hormonal changes are not the only factor, as relationships at home, in school, and with friends, are part of the equation. Below are four solutions for anger management, which are commonly found in Yoga.

1. Identify the Problem: In Yogic self-analysis, we learn to identify problems and create solutions. For a teen to identify the problem requires honest discussions with family members, a counselor, or both. The chances are that this method will require a series of discussions with a mediator, who is not emotionally involved with any anger flare-ups.

2. Identify the Trigger: During Yoga meditation one learns focus and quiet the mind. Each of us has triggers, which enhance states of anger. For example – adults may feel anger in a traffic jam. By the time the adult commuter arrives to the workplace, he or she is carrying emotional baggage from the daily commute.

For teens, it is much more difficult for them to precisely identify emotional triggers that cause anger. For example – a teen may accept a certain amount of peer pressure during the course of a week, without mentioning any of this to his or her parents. Also, teens (from broken families) may resent the fact that they are not able to obtain instant feedback from both parents.

3. Make Time for Therapy: It is easy to put constructive tasks aside for the daily situations in life. However, a teen, who is dealing with anger management, is a teen who is at risk. Therapy could resemble any number of possibilities. Traditionally, families dealt with teen anger management from within.

These days, more families find solutions through professional counseling or adjunct therapies, such as Yoga. The benefits of Yoga practice for teens are many. For example – teens who participate in Yoga sessions learn how to develop inner calm, build self-confidence, and to use reason in potentially emotional situations.

4. Resolution: To resolve inner conflicts requires teens and their family members to settle their problems over the long term. In other words, once a resolution is reached, there is a need to let go of anger. In fact, anger is another form of self-imprisonment, which can bring much grief to us during our lifetime.

In summation, Hatha Yoga offers many techniques, which stabilize the mind. Pranayama, asana, Yogic philosophy, meditation, and relaxation techniques are priceless tools to rid oneself of excess anger, regardless of age.

Copyright 2010 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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How often do people wish for changes? How can people make more effective resolutions? Where do beginners go wrong in maintaining a steady Yoga practice? There are many benefits that occur when practicing Yoga, but these benefits are not instant. Yet, those who stay on the Yogic path, experience benefits because of Yoga’s systematic plan of action.

How often do people wish for changes? The answer is: Most of the time, people wish to improve their lives, but wishing or wishful thinking, without action, leads nowhere. Whatever one does, says, or thinks, is karma to some degree. Yet, failing to take action (non-doing) is also a form of karma. Simply wishing, without action, is not enough to change oneself or the world around us.

A decision to do something (resolution) is sometimes taken very seriously. The beginning of the year is often a time of self-reflection because of time away from work. Depending on where we live, with respect to our culture and our climate, each of us has precious time during the course of the year. When we have time away from the daily grind, we are able to think more clearly about our purpose in life.

How can people make more effective resolutions? Developing a strategy of motivation and inspiration is the key to making great changes within us and the world around us. What inspires you, burns within, like an eternal flame. Inside each of us is an inner voice that would like to make a difference.

We cannot just wish for a cleaner planet, world peace, social changes, or a better diet. We have to take part in it. We have to feel good about what we do. We have to be inspired by a cause to be a part of a lifestyle change. True inspiration is what gives each of us gratification, and it can move the world.

Inside the philosophy of Yoga is a strong belief in tolerance, loving kindness, forgiving, and self-realization. The first to change must be oneself. In order to help others, we must help ourselves. This change from within is an age old process, but it always works.

Where do beginners go wrong with maintaining a steady Yoga practice? Beginning Yoga students want to change themselves in an instant to make up for lost time. The Yogic path must be a gradual walk – not a sprint. Time is not our enemy because it is eternal. When you enjoy each second of your existence, you have achieved the state of self-realization.

Yoga’s systematic plan of action requires us to enjoy life – one step at a time. Enjoy all that is good in life and always focus on the positive. There is no need to worry about making up for lost time if you are on the Yogic path.

Copyright 2010 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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Traditional Yoga teacher training requires years of direct face-to-face study with a competent Guru. An essential part of learning how to teach Yoga is to maintain a bond with one’s Guru for life. Within many Yoga schools, the Guru has the final say in most matters. He or she decides when a student is ready to ascend to Yoga teacher.

The Guru’s competence level is never in question, because it is accepted that he or she is always right. If one seeks to become a Yoga teacher, by studying under the most accomplished Guru, this process could take years to be recognized as a formal student.

This step of formal Yoga study is taken, before consideration is given to any aspirations of teaching, on the part of the student. Due to the many social changes around the world, and within India, the traditional process of teacher training has evolved over time.

In fact, what we westerners might label “traditional” today did not exist 60 years ago. One did not study a form of Yoga for a month, with a Guru we never met before, learn a few dozen postures (asanas), become a certified Yoga instructor, get back on a jet, and open a teaching practice at home.

The study of Yoga is a much deeper process. A teacher of Yoga is a student for life. Some of us spend hours studying, practicing, and networking with other Yoga teachers – every day – for life. To safely teach students with different health profiles is not accomplished, unless we see the value of continuing education.

There is nothing wrong with the evolution of teacher training, but the traditional form of training took many years and is much less common today. There are many reasons for this. Family, work, and financial obligations, often top the list. Travel to India, to live in an ashram, may also tax one’s pocketbook and time.

With a variety of Web 2.0 tools, applications, and technologies, the ability to enhance one’s education has expanded opportunities for Yoga enthusiasts, students, and teachers – worldwide. No matter how far you live from the nearest town, you can find high-speed Internet access via satellite.

While some may criticize online Yoga training, it should be noted that many respected institutions and colleges have Internet-based education programs. To spread education worldwide, can only help humanity. People are learning more about languages, history, science, and many other subjects.

Therefore, the volume of Yoga education, training, and information will continue to grow in the future. It is almost a magical experience to see the present and future opportunities available for the education of humanity.

Copyright 2010 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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Two things that go together well for the ultimate in luxurious relaxation are eye pillows and yoga. There are a lot of different things that these little cushions can be filled with, including ice, water, or nothing at all but cotton. Different fillings offer different perks and benefits, so you will want to be sure that you choose the right ones for your moods and needs. Following are some of the most popular stuffings and fillings for eye pillows.

Using eye pillows along with yoga go right along with many of the other accessories that people use, like blankets, mats and rugs. Not only do they differ as far as their fillings go, but they also have outside coverings that are different too. The most common ones for the outside cases include silk and satin, mostly because they are smooth and soft, which of course is much more relaxing than coverings that are scratchy or itchy. Tense muscles find relaxation and relief with silk and satin, and it is said also that bags, puffiness and swelling can find refreshing vigor by using the pillows on a regular basis. Some people find that they do deliver improved skin health under the eyes and others find that they are not sure about seeing any improvements. For total relaxation, most people use them in environments that are quiet and relaxing, such as in the bath or at bed time.

When these masks are filled with water, they can often be heated up in the microwave, they can be used at room temperature, and they can also be placed in the refrigerator or even the freezer. If you are more interested in choosing some herbs to fill your eye pillows with, you should know that probably the most popular herbal filling is lavender. Not only does this herb smell good, but that smell has long been known to soothe stressors and to relieve tensions. It is even used in lotions, creams and soaps of all kinds, mainly for babies too. Parents use lavender for fussy babies at bed time to help soothe them to fall asleep easier.

Other popular herbs that are used for fillings include sage, mint, rosemary, thyme and many others as well. Although all of these herbs have different properties and are used for different targeted purposes, they all share one common goal, and that is to provide soothing relief to eyes and the tired, stressed skin underneath them. Eye pillows of all kinds are recommended by many different doctors, therapists, yoga instructors and relaxation professionals around the world for tension relief.

To learn more about eye pillows, please visit http://www.pillowcompany.com.

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Practicing yoga is a great way to start seeing good health of mind and body. People are talking more today about all the benefits yoga can give. The psychosocial and physical benefits are very real and are felt almost immediately. If you are new to the world of yoga, don’t worry. It is easy to begin. You will want to find yoga for beginners yoga classes. Start by searching local newspapers for gyms, spas or recreation centers that offer these classes. You may even know somebody who teaches a class at his or her home.

Getting involved can be a great step towards feeling better- mind, body and soul. What can be gained through yoga is so complete. Just thinking about all there is to gain from yoga is exciting and motivating.

Yoga starts by improving breathing. This helps reduce stress and improves circulation of the blood. Less stress makes you better able to build muscle and keep it toned and flexible. Posture and balance are improved. It works at keeping the body’s internal functions running smoothly, like the digestive and immune systems. This can help with possible health problems like high cholesterol and sugar levels. Overall health is better.

The stress relief will aid back, neck and shoulder pain. It will reduce muscle soreness and stiffness. Without this extra tension, your mind and body are more relaxed. The brain is able to work more quickly and efficiently. Concentration will improve.

The first thing you will learn form yoga is that the body is one complete unit. Every part of it is connected to every other part. One thing cannot function without affecting all the other parts. If you experience stress in one finger, it will have a negative impact on the whole hand. When that stress is relieved, the hand will feel that relief.

Relieving stress and tension is one of the basics taught in yoga classes. This will start with correcting the breathing. Proper breathing leads to better utilization of oxygen and will have an immediate effect on your entire body. Just after a few breathing exercises, you will feel better than before.

Yoga also teaches stretching and balance exercises. You will find the right ways to make sure that every single muscle is being stretched. This will not only improve flexibility but also make muscles stronger. Flexibility and strong muscles mean good balance and posture. Good balance and posture mean better breathing and more results from strength exercises. It is easy to see how this everything works together! When you work on one thing, the others are improved, which makes it easier to improve that first thing all over again.

When the body is working properly, the state of mental well-being is higher. Saying good-bye to stress and tension improves circulation. The heart and lungs are bigger and stronger and so is the brain. The mind is sharper and more alert.

This is just the beginning of what you will get out of yoga for beginners yoga classes. You will become in tune with your body and self-aware. People in yoga classes are generally relaxed and open, so don’t feel awkward your first time.

Practising yoga Toronto is an excellent way to keep your body in shape. Alternatively, you may prefer personal training Toronto for a further enriching fitness experience.

http://www.extremefitness.ca/yoga

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