The Concept of Yoga

By Faye Martins

A concept is an idea. The title of this article would have you think that Yoga is a singular concept or that Yoga was founded upon one concept. In fact, Yogic methodology and philosophy are a combination of many different concepts. In this article, I will cover two different ways, in which, Yoga changes lives by goal setting and the energy that teachers bring into classes. Those who choose to follow the yogic path are quite often interested in fulfilling their greatest potential. Setting goals (sankalpa) is an effective tool to achieving your best self.

Goals Bring Growth

When a person steps into the role of teacher, they also accept the role of mentor. Your students will often look to you for guidance. By setting intentions, you will have a blueprint that you may want to share with others. Putting your goals into categories will make them easier to manage.

Physical Goals: You are teaching a physical activity, so a great objective is to be in the best physical condition possible. This can only enhance your practice. Sometimes teachers set aside their own personal practice and only teach. Try to make time to perfect your postures and learn new sequences. Good health is imperative in the industry. Set a good example by following a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Professional Goals: You should have some idea and a loose plan about what you expect to achieve financially as a yoga instructor and plan accordingly. Do you dream of having your own studio one day? Would you like to travel the world hosting retreats? Do you want to produce a series of DVDs? There are many paths to success in the field. If you set your sights on something definitive, it is easier to create an outline of how to get there.

Spiritual Goals: As a yoga teacher, you should always remember to look inward. It is important to work time into your schedule for a regular meditation practice. Knowledge is power. Keep an ongoing list of philosophical books that you want to read and study. As daunting as it seems, keep a copy of the Bhagavad Gita handy, and make a goal to read a few pages a week. The Upanishads and the Yoga Sutras can also be part of your reading list.

Personal Goals: If you are aware of your personal goals, you can make sure they mesh with your professional goals. For example, if you want to raise a family, then jetting off to Bali for retreats might not work. Life is spontaneous; however, it is good to have some idea of what direction you are heading.

Set goals and growth will follow. Just remember to always leave some wiggle room for the unexpected. Once we have achieved a level of self-mastery, we tend to share what we have learned with others. This is why people become Yoga instructors, but after a time we may ask, “How can I instill energy within my students?”

How to Energize your Yoga Classes

Energy is a word with multiple meanings in the yoga community. If you are contemplating ways to energize your yoga classes, you can take several different approaches. You might focus on life force energy, chakra energy fields, or maybe the more tangible physical condition.

There are varieties of ways to activate energy, which overlap into all three categories.

• Chanting: One of the most powerful ways to harness energy is through the vibration of sound. Have you ever seen a video of an opera singer breaking a glass with their voice? It certainly is proof of an energy force.

• Breathing: Conscious breathing is very energizing. Most people are shallow breathers and pranayama exercises will increase oxygen levels. Begin a class using Ujjayi or Bhastrika breathing techniques for a quick boost.

• Aromatherapy: Frequently overlooked is the power of scent. Energy boosting essential oils include basil, rosemary, and peppermint. Create your own unique blend and spritz in your studio before class begins. You can also offer to dab a drop on the hands or forehead of students before class.

It is possible to harness specific energies by exploring the following exercises:

• Chi Energy (Prana) – The Life Force: If you want to show your students something tangible as proof of life force energy, try this. Have them clap their hands together 10 times and then rub their palms together for 30 seconds. Most people can separate their hands slightly and feel a squishy ball of energy.

• The Seven Chakra Energy Fields: Yoga postures can open up the seven energy centers of the body. You can incorporate an asana sequence starting with the first chakra and moving up to the seventh. An example of a chakra energizing sequence might be: Root Chakra – Bridge Pose; Sacral Chakra – Cobra Pose; Solar Plexus – Bow Pose; Heart Chakra – Camel Pose; Throat Chakra – Fish Pose; Third Eye and Crown Chakra – Seated Mudra.

• Physical Energy: If the main objective is just to kick it up a notch, and get your students out of the fog, then put on some upbeat music. Search the web for downloads of upbeat yoga or kirtan tunes. A few minutes of freestyle dance is a fun way to invigorate the class.

After trying some of these exercises, it is likely that the energy in the studio will be palpable. Your students will feel alive and ready for a great session.

• The Life Force: If you want to show your students something tangible as proof of life force energy, try this. Have them clap their hands together 10 times and then rub their palms together for 30 seconds. Most people can separate their hands slightly and feel a squishy ball of energy.

• The Seven Chakra Energy Fields: Yoga postures can open up the seven energy centers of the body. You can incorporate an asana sequence starting with the first chakra and moving up to the seventh. An example of a chakra energizing sequence might be: Root Chakra – Bridge Pose; Sacral Chakra – Cobra Pose; Solar Plexus – Bow Pose; Heart Chakra – Camel Pose; Throat Chakra – Fish Pose; Third Eye and Crown Chakra – Seated Mudra.

• Physical Energy: If the main objective is just to kick it up a notch, and get your students out of the fog, then put on some upbeat music. Search the web for downloads of upbeat yoga or kirtan tunes. A few minutes of freestyle dance is a fun way to invigorate the class.

After trying some of these methods, it is likely that the energy in the studio will be palpable. Your students will feel alive and ready for a great session.

© Copyright 2010 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

See our testimonials to find out what our graduates have to say about teaching therapeutic yoga sessions and our selection of online yoga instructor training intensive courses.

If you are a teacher, yoga school manager, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is. Namaste!