Can Kids Yoga Help Relieve Stress?

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Kids live active, stressful lives. They attend school, do homework, participate in competitive sports, play video games, and meet their friends at the mall. In addition, they deal with divorce, new schools, tough neighborhoods, illnesses, bullying, and pressure to get excellent grades. Whatever the burdens might be – kids need to learn how to manage stress. Yoga is a practice often cited for helping adults cope with stress. Can Yoga help kids, too?

Positive Results of One Study

According to a 2011 article, published in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, researchers at Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health say: “Yes.” They studied 97 fourth and fifth graders, half of whom participated in a 12-week Yoga program. The researchers found that the students, who practiced Yoga, demonstrated improved overall behavior and ability to concentrate. In addition, the Yoga kids were less likely to ruminate on negative thoughts or engage in a brooding contemplation, often associated with depression and anxiety, than those who did not participate in the Yoga program.

Changing Thinking Patterns

Yoga may help kids on different levels. Practicing physical postures (asanas) can increase the production of endorphins, which generate feelings of well-being. Breathing techniques (pranayama) help regulate the nervous system by activating parasympathetic (relaxation) neurons and calming sympathetic (flight or fight) neurons. Guided relaxation techniques benefit kids by giving them an alternative way to respond to the stressors in their lives. Instead of responding with anger or anxiety, kids learn to relax and breathe through their negative emotions. Yoga students also learn how to manage the mind and perceive stressful situations in a different light. They begin to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.

Teaching Yoga Life Skills to Children

Teaching Yoga to kids, however, is not like teaching adults. The biggest challenge may be keeping their attention. Songs, music, and games all help keep kids focused on learning Yoga. In addition, kids love to move and make sounds, and they can make noises while in the poses; for example, kids bark while holding Downward Facing Dog pose or squawk while in Eagle pose. The poses help relieve physical stress, while making sounds, which also help to relieve stress on the emotional and mental levels.

Learning Yoga at a young age, can give kids a set of tools for managing stress in a positive way, for the rest of their lives. Non-competitive in nature, Yoga teaches children compassion and collaboration, rather than anger and divisiveness, which are valuable instruments for navigating the stresses of life.

Opportunities for Yoga Teachers

Yoga instructors reach out to many different age groups. If, or when, we decide to teach Yoga to children, we create a positive impact on global society. Children need valuable life skills to progress and cope with an ever-changing world. Children gather in schools, clubs, and sports leagues. It is easy for local Yoga teachers to reach out to these groups and give the next generation skills that will last a lifetime.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

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Yoga Teacher Retention Tips

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

How can Yoga teachers make new students realize the value of long-term training? Is it just luck, or where you are located, that draws appreciative students? Is there a method for teaching Yoga to new students, without scaring them off? Let’s look at many solutions to keep the interest of your established students and those new Yoga students, who just walked in the door.

When a new student arrives to learn Yoga, he, or she, may not have any previous Yoga experience. When teaching Yoga to new students, it is wise to see it from their viewpoint. Everything is new, including your staff, your system, and your method of teaching. It is up to the teacher to make of all these components “user friendly.”

Here are some tips for you, your staff, and the way your facility is run. Remember that these guidelines also apply to your existing Yoga students too. Never take them for granted and your students will stay with you “through thick and thin.” Always show appreciation to your existing Yoga students.

Always give Yoga students your complete attention and make sure your teaching method for Yoga is the best it can be. If you are feeling ill, or are in pain, you may have to let a substitute Yoga teacher, teach your Yoga class, in your place. All of us want to teach our own Yoga classes, but the quality of your teaching should always be the best it can possibly be.

Do not get caught up in “penny pinching.” Some teachers become adversarial about fees for every little thing. If you teach Yoga for a living, charge a fee that you can live with. Do not “short change” yourself, but avoid the perception of a “money hungry” salesperson. Do not hire pushy sales people either. Your Yoga teaching service depends on a professional image that is seamless, compassionate, truthful, and a pleasure to work with.

Make sure you can deliver on all of your promises. Never talk about Yoga as a cure. This implies that we cure our students of ailments. Yoga definitely does help with many ailments, but when you make guarantees, you leave yourself open for “legal grief.” A promise is a guarantee, and can potentially put you out of the Yoga business permanently.

When you teach Yoga, stick to the facts, and know the exact sources of research, before making a statement. Most Yoga teachers do not have a medical degree, so avoid medical opinions, unless you are a medical doctor. A wise Yoga teacher would tell his, or her, Yoga students to seek medical advice from a physician. Yoga students should also look into the value of a second opinion from a qualified medical professional.

Make sure your staff, and the person who answers the phone, are very friendly. If this is not the case, find replacements. A rude receptionist will scare off existing, and new, Yoga students. Your receptionist is the “keeper of the gateway” to learning Yoga from you, and gives the first impression of what you are all about. You will never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Lastly, always return phone calls. At our wellness center, we constantly get calls from new, and eager, Yoga students who called another school first.

However, the first call was not answered, and then, we get the second call. I cannot complain about this, it works to the advantage of my staff, but not answering phone calls, at any Yoga studio, gives all Yoga teachers a bad image.

If you follow these basic guidelines, you will keep more of your existing Yoga students. New Yoga students will want to repeat a good experience, so you do not have to preach them about the value of long-term Yoga practice. They will eventually see it for themselves and will come to appreciate your teaching method.

Always remember: Becoming a successful teacher is not luck, it is a formula that you must practice every day.

© Copyright 2006 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

Yoga Instructor Training: Why is Teaching so Rewarding?

By Paul Jerard

Can teaching Yoga really be that rewarding?


Why do Yoga teachers love their job? Will your Yoga teacher training open up doors for your dream job? Let’s look at some of these questions and see how you can make your dream job become a reality. Even if you have no desire to teach, the practice of Yoga can be your gateway to satisfaction, fulfillment, achievement, and a successful life.


Is teaching classes really a rewarding occupation? After the first student comes up and thanks you for class - that is only the beginning. Some Yoga students have pre-existing ailments and pain. Yoga cannot promise a cure for any ailment, but it can offer less pain, pain management, and sometimes, pain goes away altogether. Your students will definitely tell you what Yogic methodology does for them.


The gratification of helping others, on a daily basis, is spontaneous. This cultivates positive energy from within the core of your inner being. You give the gift of Yoga, but you share positive energy, and usually walk away with more energy than you had before you taught a class.


Being able to make your own hours is a priceless benefit for teachers. You do not have to be in traffic during peak times. You choose the time and place you want to work. If you want to teach Yoga in the morning at a corporate fitness center, senior center, health club, or teach a private session, you can choose the best option for your schedule and “pocket book.”


As a Yoga teacher, you are a perennial student for life. You must pursue knowledge every day, for the safety of your students, to enhance your Yoga teaching practice, and to improve the lives of all those who learn from you.


Teaching any style of Yoga is akin to practicing Jnana, (Union through knowledge), even if you are a Hatha style teacher. How can I state this? Yogic knowledge is infinite and the pursuit of Yogic knowledge is a daily task. Continuing education is an integral part of every teacher’s life.


Otherwise, Yoga instructors will become stale and unsafe in our teaching methods. You see, Yogic methodology is an evolving system of health maintenance, where “nothing is carved in stone.” Therefore, we must learn and share the latest methods for a safe class.


Independence, from the daily grind, is total freedom to meditate, be your own boss, and live the dream of teaching Yoga to others. If you teach Hatha, you will be in the best possible physical shape, due to the physical aspects and living with a moderate diet. You can stop and visit your local bookstore at any time, while the world is in “9 to 5 mode.”


Having time to spend with your family, enjoying life, and having the “time to smell the flowers,” are newfound parts of a Yoga teacher’s life. What is more important than the quality time you have to spend with loved ones and friends? Yogic methodology gives all of us time to reflect on the real priorities in life and could be compared to a brief vacation in your daily life.


Being able to reconnect your spiritual side is a part of Yoga training. Regardless of your religion, you will gradually gravitate back toward “your roots.” You do not have to look outside your religion for answers. The answers to life, and the divine, are within the religion you were brought up with. Yogic methodology is a tool to improve your spiritual health. Yogic philosophy does not discriminate and does not condone intolerance.


All Yoga teachers will pursue the path of self-improvement. It may start as pursuit of physical prowess at first, but will end up being much more. This is why Hatha Yoga is a gateway toward many other forms of Yogic philosophy that benefit the complete health of mind, body, and spirit.


Why do Yoga teachers love their job?


With all that has been stated up to this point, Yoga teachers and their students are some of the happiest people in the world. This comes at a time when the vast majority of humankind is stressed out, having anxiety attacks, and feeling aggression. Words like tranquility, harmony, success, and gratification, seem like a myth to those who do not practice Yoga on a regular basis.


On another note, you have control over your job. Yoga teachers choose the age group they want to teach. You can teach a particular age group or all ages.


The time and place are up to you. If you are a late riser, you can stay in bed. If you are an early riser, you can teach in the early morning and “close up shop” earlier in the evening.


What if you do not want to become a Yoga teacher?


Will your Yoga training open up doors for your dream job? The fact is - Yogic methodology gives all of us the power of self realization. We become aware of the real priorities in life. There is no better gratification than self-help and being able to help others.


© Copyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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

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

Free report, newsletter, videos, podcasts, and e-Book: “Yoga in Practice.”

If you are a Yoga Teacher, studio owner, 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!