Yoga Teacher Training

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

ABCs of Yoga

500-hour yoga instructor certification program

By Shahid Mishra

Hatha yoga has been globally accepted and adapted to become one of the most popular methods for achieving physical and mental well-being. Its long lasting existence and the positive effects that are touted by yogis has led to curiosity in the scientific and medical community. Many studies have taken place and have only further solidified the claims that this physical discipline, possibly the oldest in the world, can transform your body and mind.

Asana is Part of the Pie

Asana (posture) is not everything, but many beginners start by focusing on asana first. Asana is the term for the poses through which a practitioner flows during a practice. Whichever method one decides to take (holding or flowing through postures) depends on what they wish to achieve.

Hatha yoga is perhaps the most common style, offering a plethora of asanas to provide a complete fitness and mental boosting routine. Ashtanga and power yoga are more vigorous, for those ready to move on to more challenging practices. These are only a few of the options available; basically, there is something for everyone.

It doesn’t take much to develop an asana practice; a good mat to prevent slipping, snug but comfortable clothes, and perhaps some blocks and straps to aid certain poses. Just leave the shoes at the door and your mind wide open.

Breathing and Books

Yoga is for people who think, read, study, practice and do it all over again. The term yoga derives from Sanskrit and it means “to join”, “merge”, or “unite”, as in the merging of the movements of the body and the pranayama. Pranayama is also Sanskrit, meaning “extension of the breath or life force”. This breathing technique is a vital part of yogic methodology, keeping one’s body calm during the strenuous flow of the poses. To do this, one breathes deeply through the nose; extending and matching each inhale and exhale to each asana.

With all that said, a person who doesn’t enjoy the learning process, will leave yoga quickly, as he or she will be required to learn more than stretching. Yogic methodology and philosophy are vast subjects with many rewards, but these subjects may be boring to a person who just want to show off a few challenging poses.

Careful

Nearly anyone is capable of doing some form of yoga, but be careful not to push through pain. It can help alleviate pain, lower the heart rate and reduce blood pressure, improve flexibility, and lessen inflammation. It can also improve posture, coordination, and balance, as well as boost neurotransmitters in the brain that aid in mental clarity and that general sense of well-being.

Before one begins a practice, they should assure they are not healing from injuries nor have any other spine or muscle problems that might be worsened. Most postures can be modified, or skipped all together, to adjust to each individual. Don’t push yourself; this is not about ego. It is about harmony. Do what feels right.

© Copyright – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see find out more about yoga or see our selection of affordable yoga teacher training intensives, please use the yoga resources on the right side of this page.

If you are a teacher, yoga studio manager, 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. Namaste!

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Yoga Breathing For Anxious Moments

By Sangeetha Saran

There are people who will tell you the best way to get through an anxious situation is to do some deep breathing. This isn't just an "old wives" tale, or some cliché way of thinking, the truth is that there is medical fact that backs up this advice. The more stressed a body gets, the less it takes in oxygen. Someone who is panicking is apt to not take deep breaths, meaning that they are not getting all of the oxygen they need for their body. By deep breathing, a body doesn't just get the oxygen that it needs; it also is a therapeutic act that gives the body, and the brain, something to focus on instead of the stress that they are feeling. With this in mind, one of the best ways to help lower one's anxiety level is to learn basic breathing techniques, and to also learn yoga techniques for breathing.

A lot of people have the wrong idea when it comes to yoga training. They think that it is all about putting themselves into weird poses, and totally clearing their mind so that they can reach "Nirvana." The thing is, while someone will eventually learn how to clear their mind in order to meditate, yoga is as much about learning how to properly live as much anything else. Living a Yogic lifestyle allows one to enjoy all of the small details in life. Most people do not know how to properly breathe, especially when it comes to stressful situations. Yoga will teach a person different breathing techniques, from simply getting the most out of a single breath to learning how to breathe to reduce anxiety levels.

Where Should I Start?

Of course, not everyone is going to be able to walk into any yoga school and just learn how to properly breathe, meditate, and stretch. In fact, most people are not going to be able to learn how to tackle anxiety, either through action or breathing, the first month that they take lessons. What they can do, though, is slowly ease into learning. Yoga is not something that you master overnight; it is about training your mind and body how to properly act. When it comes to breathing in stressful situations, you will be surprised just how much you can learn as time goes on.

The key to finding the right yoga teacher is to trust your intuition. There is a level of comfort that needs to be present in order to get to the place where one can focus on their breathing and use it to help their anxiety. If you meet a teacher who displays compassion, patience, and ethics, you are off to a good start.

© Copyright – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see find out more about yoga or see our selection of online yoga teacher training programs, please use the yoga resources on the right side of this page.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

About Yoga and the Eyes

how to become a restorative yoga teacher

By Sangeetha Saran

When we talk about Yoga, we seldom mention the eyes and the major role they play in our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Located in the sixth chakra – the area associated with the pineal gland and intuition – the eyes work with the brain to control the central nervous system.

Our eyes work better when they are rested and relaxed. That’s why we close them when we need to concentrate or calm down. In addition to being linked to our mental acuity and physical health, they also help us express our feelings and emotions. In William Shakespeare’s words, they are “the window to the soul.”

To function effectively, eyes need strong muscles and good circulation, two benefits provided by a consistent Yoga practice. There are also specific exercises that target the eyes.

Yoga Techniques for the Eyes

Repeat each series of exercises 3-5 times, being careful not to strain eye muscles.

· Palming

Rub your hands together until they are warm. Then cover both eyes with your palms, crossing your fingers across your forehead. The energy, or prana, in your hands will soothe the optic nerve and increase circulation. Your body needs to be free of tension to get the most from this exercise.

· Tracking

Move your eyes from left to right and then from right to left. Cover with your palms to relax. Then move the eyes diagonally, starting with left to right and then going from right to left. Relax.

· Massaging

Warm your hands by rubbing them together and massage the area around the eyes, nose, and temples. Massaging the face, neck, and shoulders makes the eye massage even more effective.

· Rotating the eyeballs

Close your eyes and roll your eyeballs clockwise three to five times. Rest and roll them counter-clockwise.

· Resting with closed eyes

Avoid staring at books, televisions, or computers for long periods of time. Take short breaks to close your eyes and rest them before returning.

Psychologists cite the success of EMDR, a process by which they use an eye tracking system to relieve traumatic memories, as further evidence of the link between the eyes and the psyche. Scientists, on the other hand, continue to discover more about the relationship between the eyes and the brain.

There may be a stronger link between the eyes and the mind, body, and spirit than we realize. If so, Yoga for the eyes could benefit far more than eyesight. It may ease emotional distress and increase brain power, too.

© Copyright – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see find out more about yoga or see our selection of affordable yoga teacher training programs, please use the yoga resources on the right side of this page.

Tuesday, April 09, 2013

Yoga and Healthy Sleep

500 hour yoga instructor certification intensive

By Faye Martins

Yoga has been shown to alleviate stress and help relieve tension for centuries. However, it has become apparent in more recent years how beneficial yogic methods can be for eliminating problems associated with insomnia. There are a variety of reasons that yogic practices can help you sleep better. One of the most prominent reasons is related to the relaxation techniques that are a major part of yoga training sessions. These techniques help people who practice yoga to relax and let go of tension, which helps them get to sleep easier and sleep soundly for longer periods of time.

The Insomnia Problem

There are many reasons to stay up at night. Some of us worry, some of us don't get enough physical activity during the day to be tired at night, some of us are addicted to lousy television programs, and some of us wake up in the middle of the night with an over active mind. Additionally, many of us consume caffeine before bedtime. Chocolate, coffee, tea, and many soft drinks, contain an abundance of caffeine, which activates your mind, as a stimulant should. I haven't been totally fair with teas as there are many different types and some of them will help you sleep..

The Yogic Solution

Yoga training practices are based on the ability to control the body's response to stress by focusing on the breath as an effective means of remaining calm, even in the face of stress. Individuals who practice this method (pranayama) have learned the ability to produce a controlled response to stressors, as opposed to panicking when something unexpected happens. Practitioners of yoga have better control over their response to stress, and therefore they are better able to combat the negative effects that stress has on sleep. This in turn helps them sleep better.

Moreover, the physical aspects of practicing yogic methods may help promote healthy sleep through physical activity. Almost any kind of physical activity helps promote better sleep habits, and therefore helps people to live a healthier lifestyle. Sleep is vital for individuals to remain healthy and be able to cope with each day that lies ahead. It is essential to develop healthy sleep habits to combat disease and maintain energy levels. Poor sleep may be responsible for a myriad of health problems ranging from heart disease to weight gain. In addition, people who do not get enough quality sleep simply cannot function as well cognitively as those who have developed healthy sleep habits. When the benefits of physical activity and stretching are coupled with effective relaxation techniques, stress is reduced and restful sleep is promoted. This is essential for optimal health.

Sleep and Breath

As if that weren't enough, the breathing techniques that are used in a typical hatha yoga class are especially effective for promoting healthy sleep. Participants learn how to control their breath, and how to connect their breath to the body as a means of controlling both physical aspects of the body and thought processes. By thinking through the breath and focusing on it, people can begin to alter the physiological responses to mental, physical, and emotional stress. Healthy sleep is promoted as individuals learn to use breath control to relax and drift off to sleep.

To see find out more about yoga or to see our selection of affordable online yoga teacher training programs, please use the yoga resources on the right side of this page.

If you are a teacher, Yoga studio manager, 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. Namaste!

Tuesday, April 02, 2013

What Should a Yoga Teacher Know About Mantra

By Kimaya Singh

Like many aspects of yogic science, the mantra is one that is not widely used by yoga teachers outside of India. There are a number of reasons for this. Some teachers consider the mantra to be an unnecessary throwback to earlier times; others are unclear on just what benefit using the mantra brings to the modern yoga classroom. Additionally, some students are offended by the practice of mantra because they feel Sanskrit syllables or words may have religious overtones.

Every yoga instructor should have at least some familiarity with the practice of mantra and what its role in the yogic tradition is. Some teachers may choose to incorporate mantra in their own activities, while others may not. At the very least, all teachers should be able to speak knowledgeably on the subject of mantras when called upon to do so.

The simplest western equivalent to the mantra is the positive affirmation. A simple form of mantra takes the form of an encouraging word or short phrase spoken regularly to bolster positive thinking, a cheerful mood, and self-confidence. While the yogic definition of mantra is far more nuanced, this simple definition can serve as an introduction to the concept of mantra to the student. For students that choose to create their own mantras, teachers should remind them to keep mantras positive and affirming.

Yogic science is like a body. Each component supports the rest in a comprehensive whole. Take away the smallest and most insignificant seeming part, and the body is less capable of functioning. Though not well understood in the west, mantra is an essential element of yoga.

The body of yoga relies on many small parts with simple functions working together to perform more complex tasks. In its purest form, the mantra is a simple word or phrase that is repeated for the duration of yogic exercise. Though seemingly simple, using the mantra focuses the mind and eliminates distractions. Through the deeper levels of concentration provided by the mantra access to deeper levels of yogic meditation are achieved.

In yogic philosophy, everything resonates with its own energy. Concentrating on a mantra creates a mental form of energy. Although the mantra may appear to be mindless chanting to the uninformed, it is in fact the very essence of mindfulness. The mind tends to chatter when left alone, but mantra trains the mind to focus on one task.

Yogic wisdom is a house with many doors. While some students may readily embrace the mantra, others may choose to omit it. Recognizing that each student can have their own preference, yoga teachers should share the knowledge of mantra with those students who wish to experience it.

To see find out more about yoga or to see our selection of distance learning yoga teacher training courses, please use the yoga resources on the right side of this page.