About Yoga Meditation for Anxiety

By Sangeetha Saran

Anxiety is something that most people deal with on a daily basis. While some people have the tools that are needed to deal with the anxiety that comes on a daily basis, others don't. The thing is, different people deal with different types of anxiety in their life. While some of it is situational and will simply go away as the day goes on, other people don't know how to get rid of their anxiety in a healthy way, and instead let it build up and build up, kind of like they a balloon that is being filled. 

The more that someone has to live with this pressure on a daily basis, the more they are going to feel as if the world is out of control. With this in mind, it is important that one finds the necessary tools to deal with anxiety in a good way. This is where the practice of meditation can really help.

Here's the thing about meditation: most people are not able to master it right away. If you asked the average person to sit quietly and clear their mind of all of the stress that is in their way, they would feel even more stress. If someone tells you that they were able to clear their mind the first time that they tried meditation they are either in the large minority, or they are simply lying to you. 

The best way to master meditation to treat anxiety is to ease into the process and learn the tools that are needed to properly clear your mind. While there is more to meditation than being able to clear your mind, it is the incredibly important first step.

Finding the right yoga instructor is vitally important to being able to meditate to relieve stress. The last thing that you want is to have a teacher who "pressures" you to clear your mind for meditation. Instead, you need an instructor that can work with you to teach you the "tricks" to proper meditation. Anyone can meditate; they just need to learn the tools to do it. 

No matter how much stress or anxiety you deal with on a daily basis, it is fairly easy to clear your mind, meditate and do yoga if you know what you are doing. Finding the right instructor is something that you need to make sure that you take care of before you even think of mastering meditation.

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Yoga Training for Peace of Mind

By Faye Martins

Why is it that we believe a little pill can change our minds from frazzled to content, but we ignore the fact that Yoga can improve our whole lives? The information has been around for thousands of years, but we continue to look for a quick fix.  Just what would it take to create peace of mind?

The Yogic path, as taught in the “Sutras,” consists of the breathing techniques, poses, and meditation that we practice, but Yogic methodology and philosophy goes far beyond those three limbs. Yoga is a way of living that involves attitudes, habits, morals, and connection to the universe. 

While our individual spiritual journeys may not allow us to fully embrace all Yogic teachings, we can draw from them to bring contentment into our daily routines.  The great American author Ralph Waldo Emerson said: "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us."

Could it be that peace comes from the way we look at our lives, not what happens in them? If so, we can find peace by changing our perspectives.

Simple Techniques that Calm the Mind

·    Three Simple Poses

1.   Lotus Pose is the classic, cross-legged pose frequently used for meditation.  Yogis say it helps to open us up to the meditative process.

2.   Standing Forward Bend expands the hamstrings with each inhalation, releasing tension from the body and soothing the mind.

3.   Corpse Pose usually comes at the end of a Yoga session and involves lying on the back with the mind and body totally relaxed.  It helps to relieve depression and restore energy.

·    Benefits of Yogic Breathing

1.   Yoga breathing is slow and deep and uses the full capacity of the lungs.

2.   Controlled breathing gets rid of toxins and aids in digestion.

3.   Yogic breathing improves concentration and synchronizes the left and right sides of the brain.

·    Meditation Facts

1.   At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, research showed that meditation strengthens the immune system and increases electrical activity in the brain.

2.   Other studies showed that the part of the brain associated with positive thinking becomes more active during meditation.

3.   One of the most effective ways to calm the mind is to focus on the breath.

All of these exercises are simple, and each can be practiced alone or in conjunction with others.  They all have one thing in common. They remove the focus from the busy mind, taking it from chaos to peace.

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Is There An Affordable Yoga Teacher Certification?

By Geoff Foster

Over the past three decades, more and more people have become aware of the great value that yoga offers to the fitness conscious. This is why so many people will seek out a certified yoga instructor. For someone wanting to know how to become a yoga instructor, questions might arise regarding what qualification is needed to be seriously considered by the many fitness centers and clubs offering yoga training sessions. There certainly will be a number of qualifications a person must meet in order to be hired. Among the most important would be a yoga teacher certification.

Affordability

Is it possible though, to be able to find an affordable yoga teacher certification program? The answer is: "yes," as long as you are willing to look for one. There is no reason to pay excessive fees for a yoga instructor certification program that comes with excessive or unnecessary costs. Unfortunately, there will be costly programs that promise ease of access to a certification ranking provided you are willing to pay a high price. Honestly, concerns should be quickly raised when a certification program promises a mix of high fees and an easy path to a certification. 

Teacher Development 

More than anything else, you want the certification program to actually develop, build and test your knowledge on yoga. You will also want the program to help you apply the knowledge you gain. In other words, you want the path to acquiring a certification as a yoga instructor to help you become a much better teacher. This means you can become a teacher capable of conveying the knowledge the program instills. If neither of these goals is achieved, then the certificate becomes little more than a piece of paper with no actual value.

Shop Around

So, you want a reliable and legitimate certifying agency to award you your teaching credentials. Do the costs associated with such a service really have to be high? You might be surprised to discover some truly outstanding certification programs actually come with fair fees. This is not to suggest you will find extremely low costs. You will still have to make an investment of some kind. Luckily, there are legitimate services that do not need to overcharge for the certification that they offer. The program itself will be a serious one and once completed, the program should instill vital skills necessary for success as a certified instructor.

Distance Learning

One option to consider is a 200 hour online or distance learning course. Certification and insurance is enough to get you a teacher's position. From there you want to continue your education and improve your craft every day. Continuing education is a major part of a teacher's professional development in every field of knowledge.

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How to Inspire Yoga Students

Prenatal yoga teacher training

By Gopi Rao

Does yoga come naturally to you? Are you passionate about yoga training? If you answered yes to one or both of these questions, you may be wondering why anyone would need inspiration to practice. You love it. Why wouldn’t everyone love it? The problem is you are a yoga teacher who needs to think from a student’s perspective.

Most people realize yoga has a lot of health benefits. However, yogic methodology doesn’t come naturally to a lot of people and not everyone is passionate about it from the start. You can help your yoga students become passionate about yoga by finding ways to inspire them. If you are looking for some ideas on how to inspire yoga students, consider some of the following suggestions.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere of the yoga school makes a huge impact on your students. The studio should be a warm, welcoming, and relaxing place. Being greeted by a friendly, smiling face can make all the difference in the world when someone walks in the door. Low lighting and calming music can provide relaxation to students who may be seeking a place of refuge from the outside world.

Kindness and Encouragement

Kind and encouraging words can make students feel more comfortable. Beginning students may need a lot of coaching, so be prepared to help them with poses and let them know that they need not struggle alone. You are there to guide and encourage them. Intermediate and advanced students also need encouragement from time to time. Words of encouragement go a long way for students at all levels.

If you sense someone is having a bad day, make sure to offer an encouraging comment. Pull them aside after class and ask them how they are doing. Lend a listening ear if they need to vent about their day for a few minutes. Be kind and encouraging to your students and you will inspire them to not only be better yoga students, but to be better people as well.

Attitude

Keep a positive attitude and your yoga students will keep coming back for more. Your attitude will rub off on your students. The smiling face that greets them at the door and the kind, encouraging words that students hear are all part of the positive attitude you want to convey to them. End your class with a positive affirmation so that your students will leave class feeling inspired and ready to take on the world.

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Yoga School Etiquette

By Rachel Holmes

If a yoga teacher has taught classes for any length of time, he or she will have at least one story about a student who struggles with in-class etiquette. Fortunately, most practitioners have no problem catching on to the generally unspoken rules of a studio that other students' behavior makes apparent. On the other hand, it not uncommon to come across that one student who seems oblivious to the codes of conduct others are following.

So what are these unspoken rules? The following is a list of basic guidelines that teachers wish all of their students would abide by:

Follow the instructor's lead.

Some teachers prefer their students arrive focused and ready to meditate while others enjoy chitchatting with students. If the instructor actively facilitates a social environment, participate and get to know your fellow students. If, however, the teacher has set a quieter mood, pay attention and take advantage of that pre-class time to mentally prepare.

Turn off or put away technology.

To me, this is a no-brainer, but many students struggle with the idea of detaching themselves from their smart phones. To these students, I want to stress that one of the benefits yoga offers is the opportunity to unplug and tune out the external trappings of a busy life. This is very difficult to do with a phone next to your mat, constantly drawing your attention back to the outer world, and the even the most occasional text or email notification remains very distracting to those around you.

Be considerate of others.

Practitioners should think of others with regard to personal hygiene. One easy guideline is to avoid putting off strong smells. A student who follows this recommendation will be sure to wear a mild deodorant, even if that is not a normal part of the morning routine. He or she will also avoid wearing heavy cologne or strongly scented body lotions and will similarly be sure to brush teeth or use mouthwash if halitosis or the lunch menu might make bad breath a problem.

Avoid leaving before class is over.

I understand that some students simply do not value Shavasana or have to leave a class early, and that is just fine. However, it distracts those that do value this time of relaxation and meditation when students get up to leave as the class transitions to relaxation and meditation.

My question is: Why bother to come to class if all you want is asana practice. My feeling is go to a Pilates class and do the physical exercises. Meditation, relaxation and pranayama are part of Yogic methodology and if you don’t like it - go to Pilates. Yoga instructors, like me, feel disrespected by students who do not stay for the whole class. If you must leave for some reason, make arrangements in advance with the instructor and prepare your things so as to make the least noise as you depart.

Dress appropriately.

Most yoga schools have a place to put shoes close to the entrance, and most yoga instructors prefer their students practice shoeless. Similarly, students should wear comfortable, breathable clothes, keeping in mind that some poses require movement or other forms of twists. Students should avoid clothing that may be too revealing during poses like these.

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Yoga Training: Yogic Fitness Classes

By Lisa Beasley

It doesn't matter what you are taught during your Yoga instructor certification course, some people will always see Yogic practices as a form of exercise that is used to achieve different goals. Some people use it as their main form of exercise. There are numerous types to choose from, ranging from the gentle stretching and low impact of Hatha to the very intense and invigorating Power Yoga. Athletes often rely on Yogic methods as part of their training regimen and as a way to increase flexibility and strength. The bottom line is that anyone, regardless of fitness level, (or lack thereof) can benefit from doing Yoga. A certified Yoga teacher will be able to communicate with his or her class to see what the students are expecting, as well as offer variations on different poses.

Exercising the body, as well as the mind, is a key element in staying healthy. Yoga is a way to combine what is good for the body and connect it to the mind in ways that other forms of exercise simply can’t do. Physically, it can help you to improve your posture and alignment, which can help to reduce aches and pains throughout the body. It can also help to improve balance and flexibility. Yogic techniques are also known to reduce stress levels and contribute to better sleep. Taking care of your body by practicing regularly can help enhance your life in a number of different areas that you may not even be aware of yet.

We already know that fitness and great health cannot be achieved by simply taking a pill or some other type of “quick fix.” Being healthy requires regular exercise and a well-rounded diet, as well as trying to maintain a positive attitude. Yoga training is a simple yet powerful tool that can be used to tie all of that together. Whether you are looking to boost your energy levels, increase your strength or contribute to a positive mental outlook, Yoga can help you achieve many of those goals and more. You can decide on specific goals or let your practice guide you toward what you need. Since there are so many variations within Yoga, there is always room to evolve and grow, physically, mentally, and emotionally. From the meditative low impact forms all the way through the challenges of Hot Yoga, there are certainly enough physical styles to cater to anyone’s fitness needs.

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Yoga Teacher Training: Indian Culture

By Kimaya Singh

Yoga was born from Indian culture thousands of years ago and is still deeply entwined with it today. Although it has made an impact on modern culture, it is still not as widely practiced in other places as it is in India. That's not to say that it is any less powerful a practice in other parts of the world, but there's no doubt that the traditions of Yogic methodology are still largely prevalent even in today's modern Indian culture. In fact, those traditions and views add to the mystical yet calm practice of modern practitioners.

Around the world, there are Yoga schools, studios, and classes are often taught within fitness centers and gyms. However, the ashrams in India are dedicated solely the practice. Pranayama, japa, mantra, asanas and meditation are a daily part of many people's lives within India. It isn't just a fad or a form of exercise, it is a central influence. It is closely linked with Indian history and many of the words associated with Yoga are taken directly from Sanskrit. It is practiced from a very young age, and the values that are inherent within the practice of Yoga training can be seen in many different facets of life.

Maintaining traditions is a very important part of Indian culture. This importance is deeply ingrained into those who practice in ways that many modern practitioners don't always readily understand. Many people from other countries who go to India to experience Yoga instructor training, walk away with a newfound understanding and respect for their practice that they didn't have before. 

That's not to say that everyone needs to go to India in order to get the full experience of Yoga. However, studying the traditions, the beginnings and the philosophy can definitely help to deepen someone's practice. For this reason any course designed for teacher training should be well-rounded and contain an overview of all Yogic aspects.

A healthy respect for the body and the importance of treating it well are just two of the many aspects of Yogic philosophy. Yet, those directives can mean something quite different from culture to culture. The careful guidance of one’s guru (Yoga teacher) can help a person build a larger awareness of the outside world while helping to built or sustain inner strength and peace. That and many other reasons are why it is still so integral and widely practiced within Indian culture.

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Become a Yoga Instructor as a Lifestyle

By Rachel Holmes

Although the last ten to fifteen years has seen an explosion in the number of yoga teacher training intensives around the world, many of these interns began studying yogic methodology as part of an exercise trend that has swept across world since it started to become popular. Yogic exercise was praised for being a low-impact physical activity and marketed to people across various demographics that needed something less cardiovascularly demanding than an aerobics class or a long morning run. People began to understand yoga training as an activity that would help them lose weight and relax at the same time, and many became avid practitioners who soon advanced to more complex and demanding sessions.

It is true that with this popularization of yogic practices, many gyms and studios began to offer sessions strictly for exercise, adapting some of the Ashtanga style sequences to create a more generalized form of power yoga. But even these students soon realized that yogic methodology is not simply an exercise routine, it is a lifestyle.

The Lifestyle

Physical fitness is one of the most popular parts of the yoga lifestyle. The promise of increased bodily health has been one of the main reasons yoga has become so accessible to such a wide range of students. The asana sequences practiced in classes strengthen muscles while increasing flexibility and cardiovascular health, an attractive combination to young and old alike who are looking for ways to get active.

A calm interior is another attractive promise yoga training gives to its students. The breathing and focus strategies introduced in even the most basic classes allow students a way to calm their minds and relax their bodies. In a stressful, fast-paced world, this is becoming ever more necessary.

Healthy diets seem to be an offshoot of regular practice. Gurus attribute this to the fact that students become more in tune with their own bodies, and they begin to actively seek out the nutrition their bodies crave. Another positive associated with a healthier diet is increased physical fitness and mental alertness.

Ethical living is another important idea that anchors the practice of yogic methods to daily life. Yoga's code of ethics include ideas about honesty and nonviolence along with contentment and self-discipline - These principles, known as the yamas and niyamas, guide practitioners toward ethical living.

Attainment of wisdom is associated with yoga's ancient practices. The connection of the individual to the universal through stronger mind-body awareness is a primary tenet of yoga wisdom, going back through the centuries. Practitioners use meditation combined with asanas and ancient knowledge to achieve personal transcendence.

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