The Yoga rules

By Paul Jerard

Practitioners of Yoga are shaping their future through daily practice. Change will be a constant factor throughout life - whether you recognize the effects of change, as it occurs, or afterward.

Yet, humanity's search for happiness never changes. We desire happiness from the moment of birth, to our last day; but how do we find, gather, and keep happiness? Let's take two simple steps toward making happiness a part of your daily life.

Consider the most common questions students of Yoga ask, as they become self-aware. Why am I here? What is my purpose in life? The answer is: Happiness. Due to our awareness, most of us want more than food, shelter, and clothing. So, where do we start and how do we acquire happiness for good?

1. Happiness comes from within. It is not an acquisition. If you could have unlimited money, there is no guarantee of happiness. In the case of unlimited funds, you are only guaranteed that you will not worry about money, but your relationships with everyone you know would change.

Recognition, of what is truly valuable, is the first step toward happiness. Most of what makes us happy is intangible. Healthy relationships, giving to others, good health, and feelings of accomplishment, make us happy.

Giving affection, or performing selfless service (Karma Yoga), does not require be material. Smiling at others, saying hello, sharing a laugh, good gestures of affection, a flower, a card, or an Email, can uplift another person as much, or more, than material acquisitions.

2. Recognize that you have a right to be happy. This is a fact, which most people are in complete denial. Often, this is the most common road block to finding happiness. We control our destiny by what we envision. If we see a gloomy future - that will become the path we expect in life.

Why do people deny their right to be happy? Even, within some Yoga circles, there is a belief in denying the right to happiness, because it is viewed as self-centered motivation. Please consider this: Are the happy people in this world doing harm to others and spreading evil? You already know the answer, but let's look at our history for proof.

On a massive scale: When a government, religion, or society, makes rules to prevent happiness, it will not be long for it to subject its followers to torture, imprisonment, and executions.

On a much smaller scale: One person, who is unhappy, can spread a lot of negativity. One person has an effect on a family and the community. Why not spread happiness, instead of gloom and doom? There is no joy in making misery for others.

Never feel guilty for being happy. Enjoy each moment, and your life will change the world around you - for the best.

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 Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/member-offer.html

By Paul Jerard

The benefits of Yoga practice are obvious to those who have a firm commitment to take positive action. The difference between empowerment, and failure, is that successful people never give up. Yoga is a mechanism by which practitioners gain mastery over their lives.

Once this is realized, you can take responsibility for your path in life. Never doubt your success by depending on others to take responsibility for you. It is true that we need others, so we should recognize that we are interconnected, but we should still take responsibility for our own lives.

In the words of John Donne:

"All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated...As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon, calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come: so this bell calls us all: but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness....No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

It should be remembered that we do not reach our fullest potential in isolation. However, it is also worth noting that we will not thrive while in the company of pessimists and negative influences. Yoga teaches us to look within and find solutions.

With that said, a negative influence is easy enough to recognize, but we also have to put some distance between us and negative energy. This is easier said, than done, because our negative influence may be a co-worker, relative, friend, or a spouse. Maybe we have tried to let him or her know that pessimism is dragging us down, but the message never gets through.

A little bit of distance, away from a negative influence, can do wonders for your mindset. If you cannot get away, a steady routine of positive affirmations, prayers, or mantras, will also create positive energy from within.

If you are in the company of an eternal pessimist, and he or she refuses professional help, you have some hard decisions to make. One question to ask yourself is: "Will I be able to control my own sanity, in the company of this person, who is refusing help?" The answer will come from within.

Finally, take a look at your short- and long-term goals. Some people say there is no room for goals in Yoga. Tell that to a Chair Yoga student who manages to get out of his or her wheelchair because of setting goals.

Since when were goals bad? The scriptures of every religion, and philosophy, were written by people who made it a goal to complete their writing. Most of the world is free, because freedom and democracy were the goals of free societies.

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 Constantine George

Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) is part of Hatha Yoga (the "physical" part of Yoga).

Sun Salutation has multiple mental and physical benefits. In only ten minutes you can achieve a low impact workout that combines both Resistance Training (e.g. weight lifting) and Cardiovascular ("Cardio") Training.

The fitness community accepts the fact that cardiovascular exercise has reduced benefits (e.g. fat burning ends once the cardio exercise stops). It also has disadvantages like tear and wear of joints.

Resistance Training on the other hand, has multiple benefits: increases muscle mass hence more fat burning capability, increases bone density to mention just a few. The drawback: it is painful (I know I don't like the feeling of burning in my muscles, even though I know it is good for me). Resistance training is also time consuming and it may increase blood pressure momentarily if not done properly.

A good compromise is Interval Training that consists of hard alternated with light pace cardio exercise. And this is exactly where Sun Salutation comes in. It is similar with Interval Training by combining a low impact resistance training (push-ups, squats) with cardio exercise. Even better, the benefits of Sun Salutation don't stop at the physical level: your mind benefits as well.

Regular practice of Sun Salutation benefits your body with:

• Increased blood oxygenation by copious lung ventilation and this is great news for your heart.
• Stretches and tones your muscles keeping them supple and flexible.
• Clears your elimination channels helping your body rid itself of toxins. This is especially good in the morning after many hours of lack of movement during sleep (the lymphatic system eliminates toxins through movement).
• Stimulates and tones your Endocrine system (especially the Thyroid, the master gland that controls all the other glands).
• Tones up the internal abdominal organs by alternate stretching, compression cycles that results in better digestion and bowel movement.
• Increases spine and waist flexibility.

The mental benefits of Sun Salutation are similar with meditation. You can look at Sun Salutation as meditation in movement. It is not random that Tai-Chi (Chinese) or Kata in Karate, have a similar focussed mind on movement approach at the core of their practice. Sun Salutation helps to:

• Increase your mental focus and concentration.
• Reduce depression, anxiety and stress by reducing key markers like Cortisol.
• Increase the quantity of "good mood" neurotransmitters like Serotonin.
• Increase mind to body coordination which is very good especially for older persons.

If done properly, twelve repetitions of Sun Salutation (six pairs of Sun Salutation starting with one leg and then the other), go a long way. It takes roughly 30-40 seconds for one complete cycle (twelve postures flowing from one to the other). Add two minutes of relaxation at the end, to allow your body implement the "reset" you just performed, and you are ready for the new day.

Ten minutes all together in the morning will help you look at the unwinding life from a different perspective.

Among many Sun Salutation techniques, Sivananda Sun Salutation stands out as an graceful flow of twelve postures developed by Swami Sivananda, a practicing medical doctor (MD) before taking up monasticism, therefore developed by a person with knowledge of the human body.

For more details and similar techniques inspired from thousands of years of humankind wisdom check: Sun Salutation