The Yoga rules

By Paul Jerard

If you think, for a second, that there are enough Yoga instructors available already - think again. Each geographic area has different needs, but optimum health is needed everywhere.

When looking at the needs of students with Multiple Sclerosis, Arthritis, Parkinson's disease, Ataxia, and students who are recovering from a stroke, this need is only the "tip of the iceberg."

The need for instructors, who can teach Yogic health maintenance, from a chair, goes far deeper than any of us thought ten years ago. Here are just a few reasons why this is a growth opportunity for competent chair Yoga teachers.

We know the population is aging. The number of people crossing the age of 50 is growing worldwide. Some of us are very mobile, and some of us are not, but Yoga in a chair makes perfect sense because it is a safe form of cross training.

How often have you heard about someone getting hurt during an activity? The truth is - you can be injured while golfing, jogging, skiing, walking, playing tennis, or getting out of bed. However, if you are properly warmed up, you are much less likely to be injured, while participating in your favorite activity.

With all of the cut backs in physical education, and the super-sizing of our youth, Yoga should be a strong consideration in our public schools. The sad fact is - many children cannot run around the block once, because they are too far out of shape, or just plain too big. Yoga in a chair, proper diet, and a regular walking program, has the potential to prevent health problems for obese children.

Negligent health habits have gone past the point of humor. When you watch re-runs of television shows from the 60's, look at the characters that we thought were big. Do you remember Skipper, Hoss, and Schultz? They are just average sized men by today's standards.

As a result of a worldwide obesity epidemic, there is definitely a need for more office Yoga classes, and a chair is the primary prop. Companies and governments are slow to change, but statistics tell the true story: Carrying extra weight, leads to many health problems, and is a health risk factor, which leads to a lack of production.

This scenario results in a tremendous financial drain on companies and governments. Therefore, a fitness program that is a combination of low impact and low friction movement, along with changes in one's lifestyle, is required. As you already know, Yoga in a chair is exactly what is needed.

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