The Yoga rules

By Paul Jerard

Yoga instructors need to work closely with diabetic students in order to maximize the health advantages from yoga. Recent findings reveal the many positive effects that yoga has on diabetes.

Yoga cannot "cure" diabetes, but there are several ways yoga can be beneficial in controlling diabetes. If medically prescribed regimens are followed by diabetic students, they can safely add yoga to their treatment. Due to the potential impact on their glucose levels, and overall body function, great strides can be made through regular committed yoga practice.

The benefits of yoga on circulation are tremendous. This is one of the reasons yoga is so healthy for people suffering from a variety of ailments. Circulatory problems, in diabetics, are the primary cause of many devastating side effects. Yoga's focus on breathing, stretching and rotational movements, by nature, improves circulation.

Yoga also helps maintain the elasticity of blood vessels. This further assists in good circulation. In turn, increased oxygen is supplied to internal organs and the important glands of the endocrine system. When the blood vessels remain elastic, this means better heart health and decreased risk of stroke.

Back bends are especially good for the cardiovascular system. Yoga teachers should encourage diabetic students to incorporate back bends into their postures. If a student has mobility problems, because of age or obesity, consider assisted back bends with props to support his, or her, body, neck, and head.

Digestion is improved through movements and breath control of yoga (pranayama). Pancreas and liver operation is also enhanced. The rotations of certain postures also massage the glands of the endocrine system, encouraging hormone production.

ฉ Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

By Dev Sri

Yoga, the twin sister of Ayurveda is one unique science that deals with the physical and mental health of a person. Since ancient times, Yoga and Ayurveda were natural part of one's life. Over time, both sciences got buried in the history. A newfound enthusiasm on Yoga is visible all around the world, especially in the US, Germany, Australia and the UK.

Different universities in India today offer Graduate and Diploma programs in Yoga. There are only a few universities that impart training on Yoga. The certificate one gets after successfully completing the courses include BA, BSc and Diploma certificates, based on the intensity of Yoga training one has undergone.

Employment Opportunities for Yoga Professionals

Today Yoga has worldwide acclamation and people from all over the world today practice Yoga. Yoga instructors are now from almost all countries of the world and these Yoga instructors impart scientific yoga knowledge to people. These Yoga instructors conduct basic Yoga awareness classes and Yoga workshops. These are the most common type of employment opportunity in Yoga. Being a certified Yoga instructor takes dedication and hardwork for good reputation.

Yoga Ashrams set up in different parts of India is another place where Yoga instructors get employment. These yoga ashrams are usually situated at secluded locations, at scenic spots full of greenery and calm atmosphere. These are real places of practicing yoga as the atmosphere itself is relaxing and people find it easier to concentrate, learn and find peace of mind.

Tourist resorts like hill resorts, beach resorts, backwater resorts, forest side resorts too offer excellent employment opportunities for qualified yoga masters. Such tourist resorts are expected to grow large scale in the coming years in India. Tourism sector in India shows a continuous upward trend. The interest in Yoga is also increasing all around the world. Thus qualified yoga masters will be in great demand.

If you are interested in practicing Yoga full time, you can join reputed Yoga training programes offered by a university in India or the training programmes offered by recognized training centers.

Dev Sri provides insider information about Ayurvedic herbal medicine practices and Ayurveda in Kerala. Find more about Ayurvedic medicines at http://www.KeralaAyurvedics.com.

Site Developed, Hosted and Promoted by Aienet Communications. Website: http://www.aienet.com

By Bea Scott

So Valentine's has come and gone, and from hearts, flowers and candy, my focus has now flown to somewhere else. Specifically that somewhere, or more succinctly, something else is getting healthy.

Yes, the struggle to get into my Valentine's number has left me with the desire for a more toned body. That, and my uncontrollable urges to stuff all the valentines chocolate in my mouth!:p I must confess though, that I really don't enjoy the gym. Lifting weights make me feel like a sweaty, rather unattractive, and I'll say it again, sweaty male. Running on the treadmill doesn't make me think of pounds lost, but rather, it leaves me pondering why I'm wasting precious time running nowhere. All those heavy gym machines just scare me into thinking I'll lose an arm or a limb in some crazy and bizarre freak accident!

What I've discovered about myself is that I hold this fascination for bizarre body contortions. Another self-discovery is I relish activities that don't really seem like exercise but end up as being exercise anyway. With these 2 loves combined, I've gotten it into my head that the way for me to lose the unwanted jiggle is to get into Bikram Yoga.

For the unfamiliar, Bikram is a series of 26 Yoga Positions done in a heated room (about 105 degrees Fahrenheit). From what I've seen of it, its relatively simple (its just those 26 positions over and over!), its fun, its feminine ( I did not witness any male grunting), and it makes you sweat like crazy! (which in my book equals to losing weight!). Another fact that helped a lot was when I saw all these people doing Bikram, call me biased but does their skin have this uncanny glow? And do all of them seem, leaner, taller and generally more fit? One other thing that did not escape me was that they all seemed to carry this inner tranquility in them! I was, and still am so jealous!

All this talk about Bikram, and Yoga, and relaxation, of course, left me drooling for a vacation. One that involved all these elements and more! Thanks to trusty luxurylink, I found a clearer vision for my ultimate dream va-cay (for now anyway!). They have these amazing vacations to India where I imagine will be filled to the brim with all the things I just mentioned, with a wonderful resort and spa to boot! AAAHHHH...heaven!I'll probably go nuts with the amazing scenery,the Taj Mahal,the colorful costumes, the gorgeous saris, those glass bangles, the exotic trinkets!!! And let's not even go to the food. India, is after all known for its vegetarian delights- the garlic flavored Naan, the Papadums, the curry! Sheer gastronomic delights even for a picky eat like myself!

But wait! I'm getting ahead of myself. I thought I wanted to get into Bikram to lose weight! And here I am, dreaming about the food. First things first, better find myself a Bikram gym fast, so I can Yoga away all the yummy Indian food I'm definitely looking into consuming anyway!

Bea Scott is in-love with life & secretly dreams of traveling to Hawaii and wear a pink grass skirt! Her current crusade is to limit paper wastage and has since been bugging her officemates and friends to stop printing unnecessarily.

Read more of her views at her blog Romancing Nature

By Colette Halberstadt

Yoga is not a recent practice. It is a practice which through time, has developed and increased in significance and appeal worldwide. The rationale behind the appeal is greatly to do with the physical and psychological benefits experienced when integrating yoga into one's daily schedule. Yoga can be viewed as a breath of fresh air in this fast paced lifestyle that we live in.

The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit language and means "to integrate". Yoga promotes a harmonious working together of the body's components leading to both physical and mental training. Despite the fact that there are numerous forms of yoga; Hatha Yoga is still presently seen as one of the more commonly practiced yoga styles. Hatha Yoga consists of non strenuous physical exercise which aids in strengthening, stretching and balancing the body's joints. Regular breathing is performed at the same time which aids in providing oxygen to the muscles, and in turn positively affects bodily structures and organs. The awareness required during yoga practice, ensures that mind and body have to work together to create a mind-body harmony which in turn promotes healing.

Yoga will not be a quick fix for all your aches, worries and pains. However, with regular yoga practice your body will rebalance slowly and steadily, leaving you discovering the results for yourself. Physical benefits which you can anticipate are improved efficiency of the lungs, better use of your respiratory muscles, improved flexibility of the joints, improved coordination and muscle tone, maintenance of bone density, reduced risk of injury as well as the prevention of weight gain. Psychological benefits can also include an increase in self-confidence, decreased cravings for tobacco and food, better sleep, an increased ability to relax, improved concentration as well as a reduced likelihood of depression. Yoga differentiates itself from other exercises as it draws on the entire person as a whole.

Half an hour of yoga a day, or 15 minutes of yoga twice a day, can easily be incorporated into any daily schedule. Some breathing techniques can even be practiced while working or driving home after a long day. A short routine for those of you spending hours staring at a computer screen is to take a few moments every day to glance at a distant object. This allows your eyes a moments rest from glare and a change of focus. Look left and right, up and down at least 5 times, blink at least 8 times to moisten your eyes and if it is at all possible, rest your elbows on a comfortable surface and close your eyes whilst covering them with the palm of your hands. If you can incorporate this with or without some breathing exercises, you will already be on the way to a healthier and possibly more focused lifestyle.

Baby steps everyone ... no one expects you to transform overnight.

For more information on health related topics please visit: http://healthspaguru.com

By Victoria Woollaston

What is Yoga?

Yoga is a gentle workout made up of poses, stretches and breathing techniques designed to strengthen your bum, tum, thighs, back and pelvic muscles, improve flexibility and help you relax.

Who is Yoga good for?

Yoga is good for people of all ages, mobility and fitness levels because it's a slow and gentle practice with low risk of injury. The health benefits are endless and can help the following:

Stress, high blood pressure, headaches, insomnia: Yoga is especially good for people suffering from stress and stress-related illnesses because of the way it brings the body and mind into deep relaxation, causing the heart rate to drop and breathing to slow down.

Asthma: The breathing techniques and stretching open up the lungs and improve breathing.

Joint pain, back pain: Yoga eases joint pain by improving flexibility, mobility and building strength in muscles around the joints.

Depression: Yoga promotes self-confidence and lifts your mood to help combat depression.

Indigestion, constipation: Twisting poses massage internal organs helping digestion.

Memory and concentration: Yoga can improve concentration so it's great if you want to keep your brain young.

Detox: Breathing techniques, stretching and sweating all help to detox the body.

Types of Yoga

Finding the right one for you can be tricky. It's important to know your limits and to start off with something easy, working your way up once your flexibility and strength improves with experience.

The main forms of Yoga are:

Easy:

Hatha: The most common form of Yoga focuses on your posture and breathing and is great for beginners.

Bikram: Also known as Hot Yoga and takes place in a heated studio. Gets rid of toxins in the body and is excellent for beginners as the heat makes it easier to stretch into the positions.

Medium:

Ashtanga: A fast-paced style of Hatha Yoga and good if you want to lose weight, improve flexibility and strength.

Vinyasa: Similar to Ashtanga, this style has lots of movement and a variety of poses and stretching. Great if you want a bit more of a workout.

Hard:

Iyengar: Another form of Hatha Yoga. It encourages the use of Yoga props to perfect poses. It's harder than other forms and is best for people who are more experienced in Yoga although it's safe for beginners to try.

How long does it take?

Classes only last for an hour to an hour-and-a-half so it's easy to fit one into your day and you'll feel so relaxed afterwards!

Where can I do it?

Find your local class at www.yoga.co.uk.

You can find more information about easy exercise at goodtoknow - for all your health, diet, food and family needs

By David E. Morgan

Building a web site for your yoga business is an important and effective means of bringing in new students.

It can be a costly endeavor, however, especially if you hire someone to build the site for you. Building it yourself, on the other hand, can be time consuming, especially if you are new to web marketing.

Here are a few tips to help new and experienced yoga teachers and studio owners get the most from a web site.

1. Yoga business marketing starts with your web site's domain name

Most yoga teachers and studio owners spend far too much time deciding on a domain name for their web site.

One of the first places search engines like Google look for keywords is in the domain name. So it makes sense to put words in the domain name that people will actually look for.

People most often search for yoga classes on the Internet by typing in the name of their city and the words 'yoga' or 'yoga class.' Unless you or your studio have already established a well recognized brand name that people will actually search for on the Internet, it's a good idea to incorporate the name of your city with the word 'yoga' into your domain name. You can then register a second domain with the actual name of your yoga business that redirects to the first domain name.

Whenever possible, use '.com,' for your site because it is the most respected top-level domain (TLD) and the easiest for people to remember.

2. Flash is the number one killer of yoga web sites

Flash is a powerful program that can produce stunning graphic displays and play music on web sites. Many web designers build beautiful yoga web sites completely in Flash.

Unfortunately, Flash can sink a web site's chances of success before the site is even launched.

Search engines like Google can't read text saved in Flash. If Google can't read what's on your site, it certainly won't rank you very highly in search results -- even if you offer exactly what people are looking for. And if Google doesn't rank you on page one of its search results for key phrases related to your business, your site might as well not exist. People rarely scan past the first few search results.

The solution: Have your site built in HTML so that search engines can read your content. Use Flash sparingly for visual effects on part of your page, or not at all.

3. An 'autoresponder' is an effective yoga marketing tool, turning web site visitors into paying clients

Incorporate a sign-up form on your web site for a newsletter to send by email periodically. The best newsletter programs include automatic responder or 'autoresponder' capabilities, which send prewritten messages to subscribers at set time intervals.

For instance, when someone signs up for your newsletter, you can have a thank-you message sent automatically. The next day have the autoresponder send your class schedule. Two days later, send a message about the health benefits of yoga. On day four, your autoresponder can send a coupon for a class discount or private session, and so on.

It takes repeated contact to turn web site visitors into paying clients, building your yoga business slowly but surely. An autoresponder system is an inexpensive and effective method of automatically staying in touch with your prospects. Write your messages once and you're free to concentrate on other things.

4. Slow and steady link-earning ensures long-term success of your yoga business's online presence

Earning links from other people's web sites will make sure that search engines recognize your site as an authority on whatever topic your web site covers.

In the past, people submitted their sites to 'link farms,' where all kinds of web sites were included with no organized theme. Next, people engaged in reciprocal linking schemes to trade links between two or more unrelated web sites in an effort to game the search engines.

These days the search engines are smarter, so increasing your yoga web site's authority isn't simply a matter of submitting your link here and there all over the Internet and getting links back.

The best way to get links is to earn them. This is a slower process of creating content on your site that other site owners will naturally want to link to, earning what is called a 'backlink' or 'in-pointing link.'

Link from your site to other sites sparingly, and only link to sites related to your site's theme. A rule of thumb is to consider whether the site you're linking to adds value for your web site visitor. If not, don't link to it.

For example, it may be a good idea to link to a site with a yoga article you want your site visitors to read. It may also be a good idea to link to a national or international yoga directory so that your students can find a yoga class when they travel. Even linking to your favorite local massage therapist or Reiki practitioner could be a good idea (so long as they're not also yoga teachers -- as a general rule don't send hard-earned traffic to your competition) as these fields are complementary to your yoga business and may also get you some referrals from those businesses. These types of links add value for your visitor.

On the other hand, linking to a used car lot or your friend's brother's daughter's baby pictures, cute as they may be, are not such hot ideas.

For details on how to put these yoga business tips and many more into action immediately, sign up for the free e-course at Yoga Class Hub, a new international yoga directory.

By Paul Jerard

There are several conditions, classified under the heading of arthritis, which all involve joint pain. Studies reveal that yoga can cause significant relief from this debilitating condition.

Although anyone with arthritis will tell you, that to move at all, sometimes hurts, remaining completely sedentary is not healthy either. Arthritis patients are encouraged by their doctors to participate in low impact exercises to improve movement.

Many higher impact activities can cause further damage and discomfort. As a result of this, yoga has increased in popularity, among doctors and patients, alike.

Studies have shown the importance of moving affected arthritic joints. Doing so has significant long-term effects on relief of pain and increase in mobility. Exercising the joint has the overall benefit of health for the entire body.

Movement of the body is necessary to provide essential nutrients to joints and circulation to muscles. Yoga is the best activity there is to strengthen, nourish and heal, the body with arthritis.

Before you begin to work with any student that has arthritis, understand their reluctance to move. The pain can be excruciating, and it will take time and patience to improve.

There must be patience, both on behalf of the patient, and you, as the instructor. Never force a student, with arthritis, to push past the point of pain. The student must keep pushing their limits, but never force the arthritic joint. This could cause damage of the joint.

Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in people over fifty-five. People as young as 20 years of age are also affected, with rare cases of children having some form of arthritis. Scientific studies have been sparse in the past, though plenty of real life evidence is prevalent anywhere you look.

These early studies show promising improvement in joint health, physical mobility and mental and emotional health. That is reason enough for many to try yoga for their arthritis. This is why we are seeing a heavy increase of students with arthritis.

ฉ Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

By David E. Morgan

Knoxville, Tennessee is home to a growing community of yoga enthusiasts, including many excellent yoga teachers. This is great news whether you're an advanced practitioner interested in trying out different yoga styles or you're a beginning yoga student shopping for your very first yoga class.

Whether your interest in yoga is for physical fitness, for the health benefits yoga offers any number of conditions and illnesses, or purely spiritual, you will surely find a yoga style and teacher you like with a little shopping.

The number of yoga styles and traditions can be daunting, so here is a list of what yoga you can find in Knoxville, TN with a brief description. To find a studio that offers what you think you'd prefer, simply search on Google or your preferred search engine.

Ashtanga Yoga: Ashtanga is one of the more athletic forms of yoga still rooted in tradition, emphasizing movement through a prescribed series of postures.

Hatha yoga: Hatha literally means 'forceful,' though it is often attributed to gentle yoga in the West. Any form of yoga incorporating body postures and breath control could be said to be hatha yoga, including all the other types of yoga listed in this article.

Iyengar yoga: Iyengar yoga emphasizes precise alignment of the body while holding postures.

Kripalu Yoga: Kripalu Yoga integrates yoga postures and breathing with meditation, making it as much an inward experience as it is an outward exercise. Classes range from gentle to vigorous.

Kundalini Yoga: Kundalini Yoga is an intense combination of purifying, energetic movements with breathing and chanting to awaken energy centers called chakras.

Prenatal and Momma-Baby yoga: Yoga can enhance a healthy birth and keep mom in shape afterwards.

Vinyasa yoga: Vinyasa, flow, and power yoga is the movement from one posture to the next connected by the breath. Usually the flow is based on the sun salutation and the pace of movement between poses is fairly fast, but that is not always the case. The classroom is sometimes heated for increased flexibility and body purification.

Yin Yoga: Yin Yoga targets the connective tissue - tendons, ligaments, and cartilage - for increased flexibility. Postures tend to be held for longer periods as a restorative technique.

Best wishes in finding the right yoga class for your particular needs, and welcome to the Knoxville yoga community!

David E. Morgan teaches Knoxville yoga classes. See his yoga class schedule and sign up for his mailing list at Yoga with Santosh The next complete beginner series is enrolling now, and no previous knowledge or experience is required to join.

By Paul Jerard

When a student, with arthritis, joins your class, make sure you ask them if their doctor has put any specific limitations on their movement. You want to make sure that you can provide the proper modifications to poses, if necessary. Yoga should be a safe and healthy exercise for your arthritic students. It is the responsibility of students to communicate with their instructors, but make sure you stay observant to their difficulties.

Make sure that you encourage students with arthritis to begin with what is comfortable. Some students may have limited flexibility or may not be able to kneel. Remind them that overcoming difficulties, while accepting your capabilities, is an essential part of yoga. Yoga is not about competition; this should be a core value already present in your instruction.

Single leg raises, shoulder stretches, and neck exercises, are a good start to get the student ready for more challenging poses. Hand clenching, and wrist bending, will help those with arthritis in the hands and arms. Ankle bending and rotation increase circulation and flexibility in the lower legs. These very basic movements, along with full body poses, such as the corpse pose, are a good place to begin.

Care should be taken in the number of repetitions and the length of time a position is held for students with arthritis. Poses recommended for osteoarthritis include Trikoasana (triangle pose), Urdvha Mukha Svanasana (upward facing dog), and Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward facing dog). Also recommended are one and two-legged forward bends, Navasana (the boat), twists, and resting in Savasana (corpse pose).

Rheumatoid arthritis differs from osteoarthritis in its manifestation and can require different poses. Encourage students with Rheumatoid arthritis to focus on breathing pranayama and smoother, wavelike, movement.

ฉ Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

By Caroline Selfe

Doing yoga for stress relief doesn't have to be an involved routine. If you don't have time to do a full yoga routine, use the separate parts of yoga to relax and rejuvenate.

Deep breathing, meditation and poses can go a long way toward conquering stress. Simple yoga techniques take minutes to do and can be incorporated into your exercise routine. You can also do them whenever stress takes its toll to regain your balance.

Try doing yoga for stress relief by doing parts of a full routine. If you are pressed for time, these techniques will fit into your life well.

ท Deep Breathing - If you want to instantly unwind and revive, do deep breathing. Most people most of the time breathe through the chest. This shallow breathing is caused by tension and stress. Breathing deeply through the belly oxygenates the muscles thereby relieving tension. Fill up your lower abdomen by breathing in. Contract the same area by breathing out. Do the breathing through your nose. This is the easiest part of doing yoga for stress relief.

ท Meditation - Spend a few minutes a day quieting your mind. It sounds difficult with a hectic schedule. Take a few minutes to sit in a quiet place. You can close your office door at work or go in your bathroom at home and lock the door. Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Breathe deeply and focus on the area between and just above the bridge of your nose. This is the third eye (eye of the soul). When a thought comes to your mind, envision it with wings and let it fly away. Do this until you are relaxed and centered.

ท Poses - Yoga poses are a sort of meditation since focus on the movements is key. Try these two simple poses to relax your body and mind.

1) Baby Pose - Sit on the floor with your knees bent. Make sure you are sitting on your heels. Hang your arms at your sides. Slowly lean forward at the waist until your forehead touches the floor. Rest your arms at your sides on the floor. Keep your neck relaxed and straight and breathe normally. Hold the pose for however long it feels comfortable - a few minutes, perhaps.
2) Butterfly Pose - Sit on the floor with your knees out and soles of the feet touching - like a butterfly. Keeping your back straight and holding your feet, slowly raise and lower your knees several times. Then, lean forward from your hips. Hold this pose for a few minutes while breathing normally.

If you don't have time for a full routine of yoga for stress relief, try deep breathing, meditation or poses instead. They are ideal for quick relaxation and regaining balance.

To receive a valuable free report and newsletter click here: Free Report

Learn more simple yoga techniques at: Yoga for Stress Relief

Learn more about healing music here: Stress Relief Music

Caroline Selfe has been a passionate seeker of natural and holistic stress relief methods for the past 25 years.

By Fred Field

Yoga is an ancient and extended system of psychotherapy. The points of difference between the psychotherapy of the East and that of the West are the emphasis laid by the East on body poise, breathing, and the objectification of the body. The spiritual aspect of Yoga is only in part frowned upon by psycho-analysts, as there is a school of psychologists who accredit their cures to the establishment in their patients of a renewed sense of well-being and of confidence in God. That Yoga is a system of psycho-therapy created over two thousand years ago and successfully practised ever since, with amazing results, is a fact that brooks no argument; that Yoga's system should be dissected and adapted for the Western world and practised by Western psychologists is my fervent hope.

This is not to infer that the medical profession never achieve satisfactory results in such cases. On the contrary, the doctors cure with consummate skill the majority of sufferers, but they fail lamentably with some who apparently suffer from the same functional disorders as the majority they have cured. Medical science, with its present curative devices, must then step aside for the psycho-analyst, a man whose specialized knowledge is ever becoming more frequently sought by those who are in danger of succumbing to the unnatural circumstances of modern life.

All this, though it is well in the domain of psychotherapy, does not constitute the main urge for the existence of Yoga-therapy. The main urge is one that Western psycho-therapy fights shy of absorbing, yet it is more general than any functional disorder; it is the urge for that knowledge whereby the individual may be brought to a full realization of his true self and his vast potentialities.

Few people can have the sincere conviction that they are exploiting to the full their physical and mental attributes, and the knowledge of this works insidiously throughout all they endeavor to accomplish in life. Half the sterile lives in the world are due to the unconscious (or sometimes conscious) realization of the inadequacy of the individual to reconcile his life with what he feels should be the true method of living. The result is a sense of frustration, for the individual wants something which he cannot identify. A knowledge of what a man wants is gained only after searching self-analysis, and the true Self is only revealed when its potentialities are made apparent. The postures, breathing exercises, and objectification of the body induced by Yoga therapy automatically bring into being a state of mind perfectly attuned to the world around. In other words, Yoga makes the patient his own psycho-analyst, and it is from the study of Yoga-therapy itself that a satisfactory system is cultivated, with its consequent poise and peace of mind.

The nervous diseases reflected in so many disorders of the body and mind are the outcome of straining and tension of the faculties in a conscious or unconscious effort of the individual to adapt himself to his environment. The psycho- and Yoga therapeutists endeavor by their own particular methods to relieve this tension and substitute a true relaxation of the mind and body disciplined to work harmoniously. The psycho-therapeutist discriminates from the flowing thoughts and ideas released in the main from the subconscious and applies those that will affect beneficially the ailment of the patient. In the majority of cases the application of these thoughts is the means of bringing about relief from repression in the subconscious.

Fred Field have a free website about Alternative Medicines and Natural Healing. Check it out today and receive a Free report. You can also read more about Yoga Therapy, Reiki, Aromatherapy Reflexology and much more.

By Hema Murty

Are you looking for a way to get lean with an easy, indoor routine? Are you looking to get some stretching in after shovelling a lot of snow? Yoga and meditation should be your answer to solve all that ails you in today's world. The meaning of yoga has been lost to mean exercise. In fact, exercise is only one part of yoga. The word yoga means integration. We integrate the body, mind and spirit of our personality into an integrated whole. We present this whole being to the world and operate at a more efficient level.

Imagine performing better at work with very little effort. Yoga can accomplish that. There are many techniques to obtain this integrated sense of self. One of them is to keep the mind with you during your stretches. Don't let your mind drift as you move. Keep your mind always with you. Practicing this process is yoga.

Meditation is also a misused word. It means understanding or measuring the mind's contents. How do we do this? Closing your eyes is one way. However, most of us would probably fall asleep. A better way is to simply sit in a comfortable position and practice a short minute of breathing. Then, take pen to paper and write down all the thoughts you had. This gives you a snapshot of the mind's activities. Stuff you are wasting energy on. Every thought you have is an energy drain if it is not a positive thought. These thoughts deplete your energy source. You have less left over to do constructive work. This is why you don't shine in the workplace. Your mind is always busy pointing fingers and trying to tell you what is wrong with the rest of the world. Instead, tell your mind to stop it and focus on your own activities. Focussing on yourself enables you to shine at the workplace. Your mind is more in tune with productivity.

Writing is one easy way of practicing meditation. In fact, if you are angry at someone, best to vent on paper and then come back to the real world. After you have vented, you can think more clearly. You can address your issues in a more constructive fashion.

In today's hectic, fast-paced world, it is a good idea to see what your mind is up to everyday. Make a habit of getting up and doing the minute breathing followed by a data dump on paper. It doesn't have to be long; it just has to get done. This is a great way to start your day. You will feel more focussed on constructive things. You will feel more passionate about the things that matter to you.

Live life a little more fully as you practice meditation. This week do things a little differently. Live it like you can throw your whole heart and soul into it. Don't accept anything less than a perfect effort from you. Remember the key word here is effort. Just put your whole soul into it. Ace it. See how you feel. You should feel a little more energetic than doing things in a routine fashion or entertaining a feeling of "good enough".

Don't accept that from yourself. You can be way better. You know it. Don't create frustration. Just do it. Do it right and do it with passion. This is real yoga and real meditation. Understand that and use it.

For the past 20 years Hema has worked with many individuals, including executives at large corporations, to reduce stress, improve general health and workplace productivity. A variety of personal interests and professional paths have led Hema to her current role as a certified personal trainer, yoga instructor and nutrition and wellness specialist. Hema is listed in Who's Who in the World and is an author, lecturer and Can-Fit-Pro certified personal trainer who specializes in body-mind-spirit consulting and training women.

Hema offers keynote speeches, group workshops, and sees clients one-on-one in the Ottawa/Toronto area. Sign up for her free newsletter at http://www.getshanti.com

By Thomas T

Yoga instruction can be the first step in changing and improving your life and creating a whole new you. When one comes to the decision that they are in need of a real life change, there are many ways to accomplish this, but few will be as beneficial as Yoga. Yoga is a means in which you can improve yourself mentally, emotionally, spiritually as well as improving your physical body. The benefits of Yoga are immense; you will become stronger, healthier and feel better about yourself when you commit yourself to Yoga instruction.

The health benefits alone are enough to get many people started with yoga instruction, but there are many reasons why yoga can help you to change your life for the better. Yoga is a type of all in one approach to life change, though alone it cannot work miracles to help better your life, it can be a great foundation for a start.

Aside from health, there are other ways in which yoga instruction can help to improve your life. It could help you to earn more money. Yoga can provide you with the ability to manage stress, and this alone can assist you in the workplace, but it can also aid you in your concentration skills. The better you can concentrate, the more you can get accomplished. Another advantage of learning Yoga is increased energy. Many people claim that they begin to feel more refreshed and energized after they begin practicing Yoga. This translates into more energy to devote to your interests, as well as family and friends. There is little doubt that our loved ones and those things that absorb our interest is what really make life worth living. Imagine a life in which only a small portion of your energy and thoughts are used for work, and the rest is saved for what is most important to us. This alone could help change your life for the better.

Coping with depression is another area in which Yoga can be of use. Yoga postures are designed to stretch, compress and massage your internal organs and glands. This stimulation is thought to help balance hormone levels in the body, which can help to attain a more balanced emotional condition.

Maybe you would like to stop smoking, or conquer some other habit that may be harming you. Yoga will increase your motivation, energy and focus, which will aid you in changing whatever habit you set out to change.

Yoga instruction can truly be beneficial for those who are looking to make some meaningful life changes.

Thomas T is the owner of http://www.Yoga-Instruction.NET Lots of free info about Yoga Instruction at http://www.Yoga-Instruction.NET

By Paul Jerard

More and more people are seeking out yoga for relief from their pain and ailments. Yoga has become a real option to the doubting public. This will result in yoga instructors seeing more students, in their classes, with disorders, such as sciatica.

Sciatica is the name of a class of symptoms, which result from compression of the nerve roots of the sciatic nerve, or the sciatic nerve itself. The symptoms that result from this compression are most often pain, numbness, or tingling. These symptoms usually occur in the back, legs, and buttocks, but can appear elsewhere in the body.

Other symptoms can include weakness in these muscles and problems with control and coordination. More often, than not, the symptoms occur on just one side of the body.

It is important to remember that sciatica is just the name for the symptoms. The causes can be more complex. As a yoga instructor, you must get the whole story, from your student, with sciatica. When you know the cause of their sciatica, you can more accurately instruct them about which yoga poses will best benefit them.

Due to the delicate nature of the nerves in the lower part of the spine, yoga poses must be done carefully and correctly. Certain asanas (Yoga postures), which include straight-leg forward bends, can often aggravate sciatica and should be avoided. However, any asana can be modified for the specific needs of the student. Forward folds can easily be modified, by allowing the knees to bend.

Encourage students, with sciatica, to be patient and steady with their yoga practice. The areas around the sciatic nerve, and nerve roots, must be strengthened and stabilized.

Through specific sequences of poses, and moving properly between poses, circulation is improved in the pelvic region. Simultaneously, the muscles are strengthened. This approach will effectively begin to relieve the sciatica symptoms, resulting in less pain and freer movement.

ฉ Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA - http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com - He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

By Thaddeus Johnson

Try doing yoga exercises for stress relief and keeping the body in shape. Have you been searching for a program or practice to help make a healthier and better you? Yoga has been practiced for many years and found to be very effective in stress reduction as well as keeping the body fit. This is a wonderful and fulfilling way to build a foundation of inner peace when experiencing difficult times and at the same time transform the body to have more range of movement and strength.

Find a yoga instructor and class that will work best for you

Being a newbie to yoga, it will not be a quick cure for any difficult situations you may be experiencing. Yes, it does amazing things to the mind and body but it takes time to embrace its importance. Simply put, yoga is a way of life. You become part of yoga as yoga becomes a part of you.

It is very important in selecting the right style/class and instructor to help guide you on your path of well-being. There are different styles being taught, so it would be wise to do some research. You can find information online, advice and referrals from family and friends, or go to the studios and observe a class. Take the time to get information from the instructors if time permits. Check to see if the instructors are certified. A good certified instructor might be able to help with certain range of movements in the event of past injuries or surgeries and to prevent undue injuries in class.

Inner peace and flexibility

Yoga is not a competitive exercise. You might find other students quite flexible way beyond what you can perform but that is their level of skill. Your attention should be focused on what your capabilities are and how you can create more expansion both mentally and physically. Yoga gives you the opportunity to become "one" with yourself through relaxation, meditation, breathing and stretching, making it possible for the mind and body to be in balance and harmony.

The exercises will make it easier to let go of the "mind chatter" that can clutter much thought and will allow space for higher consciousness and flexibility in the body. As this unfolds, you may experience calmness and clarity. This can be quite beneficial in that it may give you greater insight in managing difficult situations effectively. As you become relaxed when doing the exercises or poses, you will find that the body is able to transcend limits of movement. Yoga is important because it helps lengthen, strengthen and creates room for the body to move freely.

Find your balance

Though there are other ways to combat stress and tone the body, yoga has been instrumental in improving the lives of many individuals. Let yoga be the gateway to finding your balance and a healthier life.

About the author:

Thaddeus W Johnson is a writer who enjoys providing online shoppers with valuable information for purchasing and the benefits of shopping online. Discover great savings on products such as yoga t-shirts, health, beauty and much more.

C 2008 Thaddeus W Johnson

By Conrad Raw

Yoga is a discipline for self-development that is more than 5000 years old. There are many types of Yoga, but most include physical postures, breathing control and meditation. Stress reduction techniques include mental imagery, stretching, controlled breathing and physical movement in the form of postures. The goal of any Yoga discipline is to improve flexibility and obtain peacefulness in the body and the mind. This will have the over all effect of leaving you with the ability to deal with everyday stress in a more productive way.

Understand that Yoga is not a cure-all. It can help with certain medical problems such as depression and combined with a healthful diet, aerobic exercises and medication, has benefits in a reduction in some cardiovascular disease and blood pressure levels. Yoga is an important part of the Hindu religion and is a way of life for them, but it doesn't necessarily mean that you would need to change your life style in order to reap the benefits of Yoga.

One of the most popular Yoga discipline in the U.S. is Hatha Yoga. Hatha Yoga is designed to increase flexibility and to calm the mind. It focuses on poses or postures along with controlled breathing. In a Hatha Yoga class, you will probably learn a number of poses that induce stretching and twisting. Some poses are meant for calming the mind as well as increasing flexibility like the Viparita Karani pose or the legs up the wall pose. The Cat Cow stretch will have you on all fours on the floor with your wrists underneath your shoulders with the knees underneath the hips. This pose will increase spinal flexibility and strengthen the stomach muscles.

Hatha Yoga is called the Yoga of postures and includes relaxation exercises designed to open the nadis or energy channels which will allow the energy to flow freely through the body. Other poses are designed to relax internal organs, which can prevent diseases such as hypertension or high blood pressure and diabetes. Hatha Yoga requires concentration on postures, called asanas and pranayama or controlling the breath.

In Hatha Yoga, mastering a comfortable pose where you will be able to keep that pose for a certain length of time is important in the practice of real meditation. The more poses you can master, the better you are able to develop inner meditation techniques. Also mastering the breath is important because controlled breathing will eventually allow the balancing of the right and left hemispheres of the brain.

Conrad Raw is an expert in practical techniques for personal and spiritual development. He is the author of "Forbidden Secrets Of Personal And Energetic Development." He travels the world to learn and teach and is the founder of Greater Human Potential, a website devoted to bringing you easy to learn techniques to increase your human evolution. Visit his website for a free newsletter filled with tons of great tips and advice.

By Paul Jerard

Causes of sciatica can stem from several things. Spinal disc herniation is one of them. This occurs when the soft center of a spongiform ring of cartilage between spinal vertebrae bulges out. This effectively tears the tougher outer ring. The nerve is no longer protected and gets compressed. A herniated disc occurs usually from some rotational movement. Students with spinal disc herniation must be more cautious than others with any poses involving rotation of the spine.

Sciatica can set in during late pregnancy in some women due to the uterus pressing on the sciatic nerve. Women who already have sciatica before getting pregnant will suffer an increase in symptoms during their pregnancy.

For anyone with sciatica and especially pregnant women, it is important to keep a slight bend in the knee during any forward fold. As mentioned previously, it may be best to avoid these types of poses. If the student is comfortable doing these poses, make sure they are modified to avoid further pressure on the sciatic nerve roots.

Poses suggested for sciatica suffers are the cat-cow pose and pelvic rocks. Have students' alternate arm and leg raises while focusing on breathing. These poses and the pelvic rocks can be done several times a day to alleviate symptoms.

Yoga has many poses (asanas). With proper guidance asanas can relieve pain. The pigeon pose helps to open the hips and stretch the muscle in the gluteal region, the piriformis muscle. Both the locust pose and the cobra pose effective stretch the sciatic area, improving circulation and lifting pressure.

All students should be continuously encouraged to listen to their bodies. This is even more essential for students with sciatica. Remember to make sure that they only push each pose as deep as it comfortable for them. Yoga students with free range of movement are able to push their limits.

Sciatica sufferers, however, must take care not to further damage their backs or cause additional pain. Remind students to continue to regularly practice their yoga poses even after pain is gone. Regular yoga exercises maintain health all around for a higher quality of life.

ฉ Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

By Cindy Heller

It is very beneficial to pay careful attention to the breath and to learn to control it in various ways. It is beneficial in the areas of physical health and in your practice of yoga. Apparently, the breath, the mind and the body are intricately link, that whatever you do to one will affect the other.

In yoga, it is vital to learn how to use the correct patterns of breath in order to get the most out of your yogic endeavors. Correct breath patterns must be practiced and observed before meditation and asanas. Correct breathing alone, can unwind your whole body, rid your body of unwanted toxins and rid your mind of anger, stress, tension and worry.

Do not risk harm by attempting to perform these exercises without consulting a trained yoga teacher or without seeking medical advice from a doctor. A yoga teacher can teach an appropriate breathing pattern to cater to your needs and your condition. To perform the pranayama and gain the most out of them, it is best to integrate it with the two of the three holistic approaches, asanas and meditation.

Helpful Notes

- Breathe in and out through your nose.

- Clear any blocked nostril. If your left nostril is blocked, lie on your right side for a few minutes and vice versa

- Never perform pranayam after asanas.

- If pranayam is to precede your asanas routine, set aside a time when you won't be interrupted.

- The idea is to lead yourself to a relaxed state so do not force your breathing and never do it in haste.

Long Deep breathing

The most basic and natural of all breathing techniques is the long and deep breathing as it relieves stress and tension. It brings down toxic buildup in the mucus linings of the alveoli of the lungs, cleanses the blood and as a result of increased oxygen flow to your brain and body, your health improves in many ways.

Technique

Do sit in a comfortable manner. Relax your shoulders and chest. Breathe in, relaxing the abdomen, pushing your belly forward, expanding it. Then, as you breathe out, allow the abdomen to shrink back in, tightening your belly muscles and pushing the air out. Do this and not straining yourself. Open up and release the breath. You may put one hand on your belly to feel the abdomen expanding and contracting as you inhale and exhale. Perform in even lengths. Exhale for the same length of time as you inhale.

When To Do This:

- Before meditation

- Before going to bed

- Before a meeting, presentation or a big decision

- Before studying, before an exam, or an interview

- And whenever you can think of --- in the car, at work, or while waiting in line

Alternate-nostril breathing

Alternate-nostril breathing encourages mind to heighten levels of discrimination, concentration and thoughts. It also boostmore energy and oxygen to the physical body and helps calm your nerves and improve circulation.

Before You Begin

For a more advanced technique, seek advice from a yoga teacher or an acarya (spiritual teacher). Your acarya will coach the pranayama technique that will be most beneficial to your mental and physical health and prepare you to complement the pranayama with mantra and meditation. No one should risk harm by practicing these techniques without seeking advice from a trained yoga teacher.

Technique

Sit in either Padmasana or Siddhasana. Close your eyes. Press and close the right nostril with your right hand thumb. Inhale a deep breath through the left nostril. After taking a full breath, close the left nostril with the middle, taking the thumb away from the right nostril and slowly releasing the air out, expelling the breath fully and inhale through your right nostril. After a full inhalation, close your right nostril with the thumb and release the fingers from your left nostril and exhale through your left nostril. This finishes one round. Start off with three rounds each time and gradually step up the rounds as you progress through the weeks.

When To Do This

- Do this in a well-ventilated, clean, smoke-free, dust-free, odor-free room.

- Do not perform this technique after asanas (yoga exercises).

Cindy Heller is a professional writer. Visit I Learn Yoga Online to learn more about yoga diet and yoga symbols.

By Paul Jerard

Not all students will learn in the same way, when you teach yoga classes. Many students will be able to listen carefully and learn from verbal cues. Others still will further benefit from you personally assisting them with a pose. Visual learners will best learn by observation and will be able to copy a pose by watching you.

Every teacher must be aware of the different learning styles, which individuals may possess. A good teacher will operate accordingly. This means you must be adaptable in your teaching style, while remaining accurate.

There are certain elements that should be taught, in proportion, during each session with your students. The four minimum elements requisite of the Yoga Foundation are asana, meditation, breath, and mantra. The order and proportion is decided by the instructor from their learning and individual class structure. Feel out the class, and decide what rhythm and sequence of poses will best benefit the group you are instructing.

Although we know the benefits of mantra for controlling mind chatter, some students may be resistant to seeing the value of verbal mantra. In this case, teach them the option of mental mantra, or positive affirmation, in their native language.

Another issue to consider, as a yoga instructor, is the ethical side of teaching. The practice of yoga is very intimate, physically and spiritually. The atmosphere, that an instructor creates, needs to be based on the welfare of the students.

Students will experience physical and emotional shifts during their progress. An effective yoga instructor can be there to guide them, but the guidance must be focused on disciplined and ethical alignment. Select carefully the tone of words and music used in the class. Balance of the mind, body, emotion, and spirit, is the ultimate focus of a yoga class.

The role of a yoga instructor can be a very rewarding one. Assist your students with proper yoga techniques and you will see amazing changes. Follow the essential knowledge you have learned in your own training, and you will be able to help your own students find their path. Be patient with the process and treat all of your students with the same level of respect and courtesy. Remember that they are looking to you for guidance on a life long path to optimum holistic health.

ฉ Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

By Thomas T

Hot Yoga or what is also known as Bikram Yoga is getting more and more popular. So what are the benefits of this form of Yoga?

Some of the many benefits of Bikram Yoga include, body strengthening, building endurance and emotional balance as well as improving your health. Some of these benefits can be contributed to the use of heat while performing the posture series.

With the help of a heated room, you are able to get into your postures better, and your muscles stretch more readily. In a heated room you will also find that you will lose weight more rapidly if this is your goal. Another advantage is that your metabolism speeds up and this helps to breakdown glucose and fatty acids.

The heat also helps to move oxygen to your body tissue and organs, which promotes healing as well as aids in removing harmful toxins. Another great benefit of Bikram Yoga is unlike many other forms of Yoga; it will raise your heart rate and promote cardiovascular health. Beyond the obvious benefits of Yoga, this form has been known to actually help repair damaged tissue and ligaments as well as helping to cure those who are plagued with chronic ailments.

The health benefits alone may be a good reason to try Bikram Yoga, but this is by far not the only benefit to this form of Yoga. There are many others, including a means in which we can find balance in our lives.

Additional areas in which Bikram Yoga may be helpful include, relieving stress. This is important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Stress can be a killer and the better we learn to manage our stress, the better our health can be.

The endurance required in Bikram Yoga helps you to learn how to focus your energies. This is undoubtedly a good trait to master. The better we can focus in our everyday lives, the more we can accomplish and the better we will feel about ourselves.

Though Bikram Yoga is not necessarily a highly spiritual form of Yoga, it can help in spiritual transformation. When we feel better about ourselves, it is easier to reach to a higher spiritual self.

Bikram Yoga is a wonderful form of Yoga, but it may not be for everyone. Essentially, the postures can be performed by most anyone of any age, though you may find it difficult at first unless you are in good shape and have a high tolerance for heat. It might be a good idea to begin with Hatha Yoga first and then move on to Bikram Yoga. Once you have mastered Hatha Yoga, you can be fairly certain you are ready for Bikram Yoga.

Once you reach the point that you feel you are ready to begin Bikram Yoga, you may be truly astounded by how good you begin to feel.

Thomas T is the owner of http://www.Yoga-Instruction.NET Lots of free info about Bikram Yoga, and more about Yoga Instruction

By Ambily Gopinath

Nature... An infinite treasure of beauties and joys.
Flowers and pebbles, sunlight and starlight,
bird song and butterflies...
and you and me.

And behind the marvels and mysteries of nature, beyond the mirage of molecules and the maya or illusion of physicality, is the inherently invisible consciousness. The consciousness that silently orchestrates, guides, governs and compels nature to express itself with infinite creativity, abundance and exactitude. Playing the celestial melody of the cosmos.

The spring that calls the buds to break and swallows to return, the ebb and flow of earth's seas, the breathing of all beings living, the rhythm of our hearts beats.... All play to the same melody.

Health and disease, happiness and misery.... are all variations on the same melody. Just that disease and misery are wrong variations. Distortions of the theme...

When we tune in to the cosmic theme, when our biorhythm is in harmony with the biorhythm of nature, our being is in a state of dance to the celestial melody of the cosmos. And when this happens, the inner energies and hidden potentials wake and work miracles for us, effortlessly, naturally....

Yoga is an ancient science that preaches the means to tune in to the whole. Yoga means union. A union that encompass many levels of our existence. It brings about union of different splintered aspects of our self and the union of ourselves with the whole. It also brings about union of movement and breathing, union of mind and body, union of thought and action, union of desire and intent....

It's the result of thousands of years of experimentation and observation by omniscient sages, enlightened gurus and ordinary people like you and me. There is vigour, objectivity and revelation in its method. There is harmony, beauty and inspiration in its expression. Yoga is existential, experiential and experimental.

From the very first session of yoga practice we will experience greater relaxation and calmness, increased freedom of movement, improved balance, enhanced concentration and alertness, increased self confidence, determination and contentment. And as we go deeper into the practice, the profoundness of human potential is realized more and more, making available, powers that lie beneath the patterns of restriction that limit and define us.

So now, stop what you are doing, for a moment. Stand up, take a deep breath and have a really good stretch. Stand on tiptoes, make yourself as tall as possible with your hands reaching up to the sky and your fingers spread. Breathe out slowly and slowly resume your standing posture. Doesn't that feel good? Do the muscles in your arms and legs feel relaxed and yet energized? Does your mind seem to have taken a breather from its daily round of thoughts and worries, for a moment? If your answer is yes, then you are feeling the benefits of a simple yoga stretch, already.

Yoga is a journey unto oneself. One to divide that which is not you and that which is you, to come to a clear cut division so that you can see yourself in pristine clarity. Once you have a glimpse of your nature, who you are, the whole world changes. Then you can live in the world, and the world will not distract you. Then you can move anywhere you like and you remain unmoving, because you have reached and touched the eternal, which never moves, which is unchanging...

Ayurmana yoga studio

http://www.dreamfitness.net

By Paul Jerard

Can Yoga therapy help people with Multiple Sclerosis? In 2004, an Oregon Health and Science University study found that Yoga significantly reduced fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis. Data and studies regarding Yoga therapy for Multiple Sclerosis are scarce, but physical activity is definitely important for anyone with MS.

What is Multiple Sclerosis and how can Yoga help? Multiple Sclerosis, also known as MS, is generally classified as a neurological disorder. To be a bit more specific, MS is a chronic disease in which there is loss of myelin (the covering and insulation of our nerve fibers), in the central nervous system. MS is often characterized by speech defects, problems with vision, and loss of muscular coordination.

Yoga has managed to fill the gap for many who have MS, because the physical practice of posture and breath can be modified for any individual, regardless of their condition. With the right teacher, you can learn posture (asana) and breathing techniques (pranayama) from a wheel chair or a hospital bed.

What can we realistically expect Yoga therapy to do for those who have MS? Yoga enables anyone to set goals. The physical practice of postures can strengthen the legs. In turn, a person who has sat in the wheel chair and put their walker aside, for a while, may develop the strength to stand with an assist and hold this posture with less fatigue.

Meditation is also a valuable component of every complete Yoga practice. Meditation releases muscular tension, instills positive energy, and enhances body awareness. As a result of this holistic approach to MS management, Yoga will work well in conjunction with medication and western medicine's approach to Multiple Sclerosis treatment.

ฉ Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

By Paul Jerard

The roles and responsibilities of being a competent, and effective, yoga instructor are up to the individual. Teachers should obtain sufficient training and education in yogic philosophy, anatomy, asanas, and pranayama. Reach a competent level in your own practice before taking the step to instruct others.

A strict set of guidelines, for the certification of yoga instructors, has yet to be established in the United States. The implications of this situation are many. What it means, essentially, is that each yoga instructor has a responsibility, that is, the obligation to conduct themselves in a way that represents the yoga community in a positive light. The other responsibility is to safely, and effectively, teach yoga students the correct and healthy way to practice yoga.

Yoga certification guidelines are in place so that instructors don't unwittingly produce injuries to their students. Instruction must be executed with the a sufficient amount of knowledge and personal practice. Hatha yoga instructors must deeply understand the fundamentals of posture and alignment.

Teachers must know how to build, and modify, a pose for a less flexible or beginner student. An instructor also needs to be able to quickly spot incorrect postures. This is so their students do not injure themselves or exacerbate pre-existing conditions, which they already have.

Instructors must be able to accurately verbalize a pose to students in a way that they can understand. In the same way, communication must be clear in the correction of common mistakes. Often, beginners of yoga practice are not as familiar with their bodies, as someone who has been practicing for years. For this reason, you must be able to notice incorrectly executed techniques, then clearly and gently correct them.

ฉ Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

By Paul Jerard

How often have you heard that money creates power, and power will corrupt you absolutely? Some Yoga instructors sincerely believe they do not deserve to make money from their teaching skills. After all, earning money will make you less spiritual - right?

Once you become a Yoga teacher, you have to come to grips with reality. Is it true that the wealthy are greedy? Many of them give to charity, but some do not. Therefore, having more money does not affect the behavior of giving. Many of the poor give to charity, and some do not.

Is money (earning a living) the root of all evil? If this is true, then we should give up and do our best to live a poor life of bad health and starvation. Wait a minute: Yogic philosophy is about ending suffering, not creating it.

So, where did all of this negative talk, about a earning a salary as a Yoga teacher, come from? I have no idea, but if you want to teach free classes, there will be a never-ending line to your studio door. The trouble is: How will you keep the lights on and the doors open?

If you think it is bad to take money for teaching Yoga, that's fine. Please save yourself the trouble of opening a Yoga studio, because you have to take student tuition to keep the doors open. You can work full time, for an impossible-to-please boss, at a job you do not like, and teach in your basement for free.

There is nothing wrong with this, until you run yourself ragged. How can a poor, stressed out, and over-worked teacher, on the verge of a nervous breakdown, be a good example of the benefits that Yoga has to offer?

The truth is: Everyone needs money to survive. If it is that easy to make so much, please give it away to the homeless on the street. You will be creating good karma and setting a good example, as a Yoga teacher.

ฉ Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

By Colette Halberstadt

Nude yoga is not a mainstream yoga form. It ignites great contradiction and controversy by way of challenging individual's ideas and customary ways of thinking. Although naked yoga is not suited to everyone, those practicing the art find their naked yoga classes an approach that aids in further developing and advancing their experience and unity of mind, body and soul.

So why substitute nude yoga as an alternative to the 'normal' everyday yoga class, and what really is the difference? In fact, the yoga poses are not any different to what you would find at your more common Hatha yoga or Bikram yoga classes, but you would be performing the usual poses completely naked. Although this may make many of us almost have a heart attack at the very thought, naked yoga is naked for a number of reasons. Firstly, not only does it strip away competition and superficiality allowing you to focus more on your yoga than on what people around you are wearing, it also aids in developing self esteem for those individuals aspiring to become more comfortable with their body image. Performing yoga positions naked can also provide you with greater motion and flexibility as well as allowing you to achieve proper alignment during poses.

So how do you know if you are suited to this form of yoga and what should you be aware of prior to seeking out a naked yoga class? Generally speaking, the people that benefit from and enjoy nude yoga are individuals that enjoy trying out new things, aspire to improve their body image, want to learn more about yoga and most importantly understand that nudity in yoga has a very different meaning to that of sexuality and sexual behavior. It is very important to gather information about nude yoga centers or classes in your area prior to booking a session. Nude yoga should be run by a qualified yoga practitioner that is devoted to creating a safe and non-threatening environment. The atmosphere should be non-sexual in nature and the atmosphere should be a comfortable and relaxed one. In certain nude yoga classes lights are dimmed, clothes are removed as part of a yoga ritual and focus is always kept on the yoga practice and not those practicing around you. There are certain nude yoga classes that do not follow these guidelines and are groups that have changed the art into a sexual experience. If you are seeking yoga with a hint of sexuality, rather seek out information regarding tantric yoga or classes for couples in your area than joining the first group that you stumble on.

Wrapping up, Nude Yoga is not for everyone but for some it can aid in allowing one to accept one's body in a natural state and improve the body, mind and soul unity experience desired from yoga practice. I know that for many, even with understanding the benefits of Naked Yoga, the only time they may come close to a 90 minute class of naked yoga would be in the form of an embarrassing and shocking nightmare. The idea here is that you should choose a yoga class that suits you best and allows you to benefit from the art in a setting that makes you the most comfortable, whether it be naked or not.

Find health spas and more articles on Health and Wellness at: http://healthspaguru.com

By Robin Brain

This means relying on the Divine Will, by ascribing the effects of whatever one does to Divine Providence. This attitude, if properly and faithfully developed, relieves an individual of tension, because of the habit to accept everything as the will of God. It is a good means for those who have faith in the existence of a Supreme Being as a Creator and Governor of the whole universe. They can relinquish the burden of fear and worry by developing a reliance on God's will.

It may be said that the list of the positive and negative aspects of viragya as considered above, is not exhaustive, and we can add many more qualities to the list. But that is not very important, as all such qualities, in fact. exhibit one and the same basic fact namely, peace of mind.

We shall now consider the third behavioral aspect, which, although inseparable from vairagya as such deserves a few words. This is the aspect called pratyahara. It indicates a withdrawal of the senses and mind from the objects of enjoyment. The five cognitive senses,' namely, the organs of sight, touch, hearing, smell and taste, grasp specific stimuli alone. For example, the organ of sight grasps light rays, the organ of hearing grasps sound waves, and so on. Pratyahara means a withdrawal of the sense organs from their respective areas. This does not, of course, mean that a student of yoga actually stops seeing, or hearing, or touching objects of experience. That is not the idea implied in pratyahara. It really means a detachment of the mind. i.e. a complete cessation of the urge for enjoyment, which is exactly the meaning of viragya.

Such viragya has been described in the Gita as a powerful and pointed instrument useful in cutting the tree of samsara It is said further that "wise men whose minds have become pure by washing away all the impurities accruing from attachment, infatuation, cravings, etc., and who have become free of all opposites like pleasure and pain, can reach the highest place of God, from where there is never any return." Vairagya is thus the beginning of yoga. It is indispensable for those whose interest in yoga is deep is profound. Everyone who aspires for making progress on the spmtua pat must, therefore, see carefully how far he has acquired this quality of detachment and peace, because as long as this quality has not developed in one's mind, whatever he does in the field of yoga has really no meaning at all.The great Shankaracharya has rightly declared (Viveka Chudamani, ) that "even though one is well-versed in all the branches of knowledge, he does not become fit for liberation unless he is a man of vairagya." Vairagya is thus the most essential mark of a yogi.

Read more on Yoga for weight loss. Check out for folding treadmills and arthritis treatment.

By Paul Jerard

What exactly is Yoga therapy, and what are its origins? Should a Yoga teacher consider becoming a Yoga therapist? Where will Yogic therapy go in the future?

If we look at a simplistic definition of what Yoga therapy is, it might be described as: A Yogic practice, which uses breathing techniques (pranayama), postures (asanas), hygienic duties (kriyas), proper diet, meditation, and many more methods, which treat mental, emotional, and physical ailments.

The origin of Yoga is, at least, 5,000 years old, but a contemporary school of therapy can be traced to Sri Tirumala Krishnamacharya, who is often regarded as a teacher of master teachers. Among his students were T.K.V. Desikachar, T.K. Sribhashyam, K. Pattabhi Jois, B.K.S. Iyengar, Indra Devi, and more.

If a Yoga teacher considers becoming a therapist, there are a number of requirements to become competent. One priority is to develop in-depth knowledge of anatomy. This will require extra training and study. Some physical therapists, and physicians, are also Yoga teachers, so the jump to Yoga therapy is a logical one.

However, the average instructor does not have a medical background. Continuing education becomes the next logical step in this case. Another point to mention is that therapy, of any kind, requires compassion.

If compassion is not a natural ingredient built into the personality of an instructor, why pursue teaching Yoga as therapy? The truth is: A personality without compassion should not be teaching classes in any subject. There are a rare few people, who derive pleasure from pushing others into pain. They should not be working with the public in any type of care-giving capacity.

Where will Yoga therapy go in the future? It is only a matter of time for Yoga to be integrated into standard medical therapies. Being cost efficient, and without negative side effects, has made a very strong case for proponents of Yoga therapy. As studies continue to reveal the results of a holistic and pro-active approach to health, standard medicine will evolve.

ฉ Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

By Robin Brain

This indicates a complete absence of sex desire. It is held with very high esteem in the yoga texts. For example. it is described in the Mats)'a pttrana as the highest austerity. Sex urge is one of the very strong urges. It causes great uneasiness whenever it remains unfulfilled.It is perhaps a need which is next in importance only to the vital needs of air, water and food. Desire for sex enjoyment equally overtakes the laymen as well as the learned. Celibacy involves absence not of the sex act alone, but rather a total absence of any thoughts about sex also. It may be said to indicate a complete cessation of what may be called the 'sex complex'. This sex complex has been described in the Katharudropanishad by saying that the sex act has eight aspects, all of which must be avoided by an aspirant of yoga.

This means that abandoning merely the physical act of sex does not serve any useful purpose, because having an urge to watch the members of the opposite sex, or to talk to them whenever an opportunity arises, or to go on thinking about them by engaging the mind in thoughts concerning them, is also often observed to create disturbance and tension in one's mind. But it is a fact of experience that it is almost impossible for an average human individual to keep away sex-enjoyment for all times. In religious literature we find many stories of great rishis (who wanted to obtain the title of Indra), who were deceived and distracted from the rigorous discipline necessary for reaching their goal, when Indra sent one or more beautiful damsels to allure them. It is said in the Manusmriti that women can allure the ignorant as well as the highly educated, and throw them away from the path of mukti. It is, therefore, that the individual who can keep the sex urge well under control, has been praised highly in traditional texts.

It may be argued that an average individual need not abandon sex altogether. It is not a sane attitude to condemn sex as something bad or harmful. Sex has a very important place in the life of an individual, and it should not be denied its proper place. But the overwhelming effect of sex on the minds of modern youth,caused by the world of cinema and advertisement, is definitely posing a serious problem today. Proper training concerning the working of sex, and proper social atmosphere in which the sex urge can be modified by some other useful and strong urge, are the two things which will help a great deal in solving the tremendous problems of sex in the life of modern youth.

A jivanmukta completely overcomes all passions and desires, and with them, the sex urge, too. He is ever free as described by Jnanadeo, (Anubhavamrita) of any tension or disturbance produced by sex.But all other students of yoga. have to struggle with themselves to greater or smaller extent, according to the extent of vairagya in their minds, with a view to overcome the disturbance created by the sex urge. Brahmacharya is no doubt a very arduous but paying aspect of vairagya. As declared by patanjali (Yoga Sutra) it increases tremendously the mental strength (veerya) of an individual which is very useful in silencing the mind.

Read more on Yoga for weight loss. Check out for folding treadmills and arthritis treatment.

By Robin Brain

Purva and paschima are the Sanskrit words for the east and west. In the context of the human body purva means the front side or the ventral side, paschima meaning the dorsal or back side. Tana means to stretch. Thus the name of this asana indicates that in it the back side is stretched. It is also called Paschimottana because the back side faces up (uttana). A third name often given to it is Ugrasana, ugra meaning fierce. This posture is highly talked about in the yoga texts. The description of it in the Shivasamhita as follows: "Keeping the legs straight in front of the body and holding the feet fast with the hands, the forehead is placed on the knees. This is called Paschimottana. One who masters it and practises it every day makes the vayu (air) flow through the dorsal path."

Making the vayu flow through the dorsal path has a great significance in connection with the arousal of the dormant spiritual power called Kundalini. This asana is very important for that because of the stretching influence on the lower back where the Kundalini power is said to reside.

Sitting on the seat, the legs are kept straight in front of the body with the heels on the ground and toes pointing upward. The hands are kept on the thighs with the palms facing downward. The hands are then advanced slowly forward, at the same time bending the trunk forward, and without allowing the knees to be raised even slightly, the toes are grasped with the hands. The forehead is then lowered on the knees. Many people find it impossible to achieve this in the beginning because there is much strain on the hamstring muscles (on the inner side of the knees). But these muscles can be trained to bear the strain within two to three weeks by subjecting them to a steadily increasing stretch every day for a few seconds. If one fails to grasp the feet with the hands on the first day, one should take the hands as near the feet as possible, and remain in that state for a few seconds. The hands may then be brought back to the starting position, and after relaxing for a few seconds the procedure may be repeated again.

There should be no haste and no feeling of undue strain. When one starts grasping the feet with the hands without raising the knees, the head should be kept on the knees and the elbows should be kept on the ground by the two sides of the knees. The duration of the final pose may be increased gradually from a few seconds to begin with, to one minute. This posture exercises the muscles of the limbs and the back, especially the base of the back by stretching them, and improves the tone of the organs in the abdominal cavity. This influence on the abdominal viscera can be enhanced by contracting the anus and pelvis with a deep exhalation during the final pose, and hulding the breath out. This asana helps to reduce the fat accumulated on the belly.

Read more on Yoga for weight loss. Check out for folding treadmills and arthritis treatment.

By Paul Jerard

There are times when Yoga students are temporarily struggling with negative thoughts. This happens to many people because moods can change over the course of hours, days, or weeks.

There are also times, when some people have a natural negative default mechanism in their thinking. For Yoga students to see reality, and experience self-worth, they must develop their awareness skills. A person who is constantly negative may not even realize it.

For anyone to change, they must first be aware of the need to change. However, developing a presence, in the moment, is rare, if the mind is untrained. To train the mind toward self-realization requires daily practice and meditation.

Once awareness is established, a person must want to change. If we are comfortable thinking the sky will fall, why should we change our thinking? For some of us, negative thought becomes a habit and eventually, an addiction.

The person, who carries a "cloud of doom" around, wherever he or she goes, is comfortable with that cloud overhead. If you suggest positive thoughts, you may see a natural resistance to them. Any thought can be twisted into negative energy. It is only natural to go back to thoughts which one is conditioned to think.

So what do you do in the case of a Yoga student who appears to be a natural born pessimist? Do not waste time by lecturing him or her. Do not allow an atmosphere, where students can engage in negative conversations. All students should be discouraged from negative talk or gossip. Strangely, pessimists often attract the worst behavior from dominant personalities.

Make sure your classes are well-rounded, by practicing a variety of Yogic techniques, which will create positive energy flows throughout your class. Whether you are teaching asanas, Pranayama, mudras, mantras, bandhas, or anything else, you want to emphasize positive energy. Avoid focusing on mistakes or poor form. Praising correct technique will create a positive atmosphere.

You can create positive thought, and make a big difference in your students' lives, just by giving general praise, when most of the class is performing a technique correctly.

Most of all - make positive visualization, affirmation, Pranayama, mantra, and meditation, part of your class. It should also be noted that certain Pranayama methods seem to naturally create collective positive thought, when performed in a group setting.

A suggested list of Yogic breathing techniques for positive energy would be: Bhastrika, Kapalabhati, Ujjayi, Anulom Vilom, Bhramari, and Udgeeth Pranayama. There are many more to choose from, but these six techniques would be a very good start.

ฉ Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

By Dustin Bartholomay

Yoga helps depression in many ways. There is no doubt that yoga helps depression. Because of the somatic relationship between the body and mind yoga is perfect for addressing depression. The attitude of depression affects the overall structure of the entire body. When the body takes on the minds depression it takes the posture of depression. Yoga is effective in treating depression because it takes the whole being into consideration rather then only one part. Typically western medicine treats the symptoms of depression instead of going to the root of the problem. Depression starts with a thought. The mind takes on the attitude of this pattern and then body soon follows repeating the pattern of the mind into the structure of the body.

Four ways that yoga helps with depression:

1. One of the main ideas of yoga is to bring balance into our lives. Yoga creates balance in the structure of the body that leads to balance of the mind. Depression is like leaning to far of to one side, it only becomes easier to fall into it the closer you get. Being depressed causes the mind to become obsessed with a particular thought pattern. So in yoga we stand evenly on both feet. This balances our body that leads the mind to balance and out of depression.

2. Practicing asanas makes us strong, flexible and resilient. As these qualities move into our body the mind takes on the similar patterns. With time yoga helps us develop strength to push through depression, flexibility to accept changes in how we believe things should be and resilience to get up every day and carry on.

3. All body fluids and tissues are oxygenated through yoga practices. Watch your breath and notice if it is shallow. Because depression is shutting down our ability to absorb life it is closely related to our breathing pattern. The more depressed you are the shallower breaths you will take. Just try to take a few deep breaths while you are depressed. You will notice instantly you feel better. As you breath deeper can you feel the weight of depression wanting to shut down the breath? Don't let it continue to breath deep.

4. Yoga changes our body's alignment. Notice when you are depressed that it's hard to sit up straight. This downward pull is depression. In fact if you could just sit up straight for a while your depression would gradually ease. It's impossible to have a upright posture and be depressed at the same time. If you really want to be depressed hunch over and drop your head forward, this is depression. Body is not separate from the mind. With yoga practice you don't only understand this concept you put it into action.

Depression is a serious condition that is capable of worsening over time. Get help and surround yourself with friends and family. You can do it! Remember you are not alone we are all here together. We are the same and what one of us goes through we all experience on some level. Remember breath deep, take a yoga class, go for a jog or go dancing. Take one step at a time you will make it through your depression.

Dustin B. was born and raised in Mount Shasta CA. He has practiced yoga for over seven years and is a certified Ashtanga Yoga teacher.

For more information on yoga practices Click Here http://www.squidoo.com/yogaarticles

By Kevin Phoenix

The Pilates exercise and Pilates equipment as we understand it was created by Joseph Pilates.

Pilates was a character and a pugilist who lived in England at the beginning of the 20th century. At the onset of World War 1, he was placed under forced internment along with various German nationals in Lancaster, England. There he taught fellow inmates the concepts and exercises that he had developed during 20 years of self-study and practice in yoga, Zen, and old Greek and Roman bodily regimens.

The exercises are a methodical routine which is intended to develop your body's constitution with balancing, stretching, strengthening and breathing. Devotees testify it can dramatically reshape hips, thighs and backside, improve upon abdominal strength and muscle length and benefit vertebral alignment.

Pilates exercise can not only dramatically alter the way your body looks, but also the way it feels and performs. The exercises set free natural hormones called endorphins in your body which fight pain, stress and relieve depression.

Yoga

Pilates based his teachings on other exercise methods from all round the world, amongst them the mind-body formats of yoga and Chinese martial arts. Resolved to overcome his own ailments, he began to investigate anatomy as well as Eastern and Western forms of exercise, together with Yoga, weight training, gymnastics and acrobatics.

In many regards the conditioning is comparable with yoga, although some declare it is superior to yoga overall since it strengthens the body naturally, improving posture tone and resilience through stretching. The core difference is that whilst yoga requires moving from one static pose to the next without repetitions, Pilates exercise flows via a succession of movements that are more dynamic, systematic and anatomically-based. It's a well-choreographed yoga workout that moves gracefully between static poses and more flexible moves, that are both challenging and relaxing.

Equipment

After a few years, Joseph Pilates was transferred to a different camp where he worked as a nurse/caretaker. It was here that he started developing equipment that would permit his patients to exercise whilst in a prone or sitting position; thereby avoiding heavy strain on the heart and lungs.

This early equipment was made by using springs from beds and rigging them, using timber, so as to allow the confined patients to benefit from movement and resistance.

Although there are more than 500 different exercises described in the Pilates routine, the basic exercises can be performed on a simple floor mat. The exercises can also be performed in your home using ordinary fitness equipment.

Nevertheless there are many pieces of equipment that may be used to advance the benefits of the exercises. Some exercises are performed on specialized Pilates equipment including the Reformer, Cadillac and Ladder Barrel.

Some Pilates equipment, like the classic Pilates Circles, proffer spring resistance, others like the Spine Supporter, offer support, and a diversity of unique exercises for the entire body can be performed on each piece. Often, a purely mat-based practice is a genuine and successful workout by itself, but if you have the occasion to explore some Pilates equipment under the tutelage of a qualified professional, do so.

The most common piece of equipment in any Pilates studio is the Reformer (a movable carriage for pushing and pulling). However a fully equipped specialist gym would have other spring and gravity based resistance equipment, e.g. Reformers Circles, Cadillac/Trap Table, Wunda Chair, Pedipull Barrels and Ladder Barrel

Attire

Unlike other forms of exercise, you are unlikely to get too hot when practicing, so clothing should be light and stretchable. Most people practice in bare feet as you are unlikely to slide on the floor mat.

Fitness

Although you should always follow advice from your doctor before starting any fitness routine, a Pilates workout is measured and controlled with no sudden jarring actions and, unlike many fitness programs, Pilates exercises are not based on the principle "more is better". The moves are very simple and slow, perfect for any fitness level and very likely to be appealing to beginners.

How quickly you get fit depends on several intrinsic factors: your existing degree of fitness, how quickly you understand the concepts, how often you do the workout routine and even how committed you are to continuing.

Pilates exercise is also said to ward off varicose veins, haemorrhoids and low back pain and helps to boost self esteem, maintain fitness levels and prepare the body for the physical demands of motherhood.

You'll probably find that many fitness centres and YMCA's offer Pilates classes, mostly in mat work. Fitness balls are available anywhere exercise equipment is sold, from all the big discount stores, to fitness stores, gyms and studios, and of course, online.

One of the advantages of going to a studio is that you will find it hosts a big family of health-minded people supporting each other in losing weight and improving fitness levels. Professional athletes and dancers, pre- and post-natal women, senior citizens, weekend warriors, and couch potatoes alike are enjoying his unique method of attaining physical fitness.

Conclusion

Pilates exercises improve the body's core, which includes the muscles in the abdomen, back, and buttocks. Pilates exercises can be performed on a mat, with literally hundreds of beginner to advanced moves available in the repertoire for a well-rounded workout on the floor. Pilates exercise does not jar the joints and is particularly useful for those having a history of joint problems.

Pilates exercises also improve the mind's ability to concentrate.

It is not necessary to join a gym or studio to benefit from the exercise, but if you do you will find a wealth of equipment and advice to assist you.

Learn more about Pilates and see demonstration videos at Healthy Body Matters