Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, YACEP, Author at Aura Wellness Center - Page 15 of 58

Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, YACEP

Yoga for Cancer Survivors

Cancer survivors who are not yet able to practice the physical portion of yoga find benefit in pranayama. It helps them to feel more energized and less fatigued. Fatigue was described by breast cancer survivors as being “debilitating”(2) Studies showed that levels of depression dropped among participants who practiced conscious breathing exercises. There is evidence to show that breathing exercises can lead to control of physical functions such as blood pressure, heart rate and relief from disease symptoms (3). Sleep disturbance and insomnia are also residual effects of cancer treatment. It has been shown that yogic breathing practice minimizes or eliminates sleep problems in lymphoma survivors (3,2).

Read more

Modified Yoga Poses

Some students may even feel fear when they step onto the mat because they are afraid they will not be able to meet their own high expectations of themselves or the perceived high expectations of their teacher or the class at large. For instance, in some Yoga teacher training classes, there is a strong emphasis put on being able to drop back into Upward Facing Bow from a standing position. However, dropping back into this challenging backbend may not be appropriate for all teacher trainees, during every class.

Read more

Establishing Yoga Student Safety Guidelines

The therapeutic benefits of Yoga can be magnificent, but over-extension of the muscles can occur if the poses are performed incorrectly or held for a time period longer than a student can handle. Many yoga students are able to recognize easily when they are having a problem, but it is important for yoga teachers to understand the signs that accompany a potential injury, as there are quite a few new students who may not have the ability to recognize a problem or who wish to push themselves as much as possible in order to keep up with the crowd.

Read more

Yoga for Skeletal Health

Yoga poses align the body and improve balance. Because yoga allows the use of props, people with disabilities or physical ailments can perform poses that otherwise would be impossible. Yoga instructors familiar with the proper use of props are able to individualize the various routines to fit each person’s age and condition.

Read more

Throat Chakra Balancing – Singing Kirtan

Chanting mantras and the sacred names of Gods and Goddesses with the ragas is an important element of Kirtan singing in the context of a Yoga practice. The musical arrangements of the notes themselves deeply impact the chakras. There are a number of Kirtan musicians who have recorded a variety of devotional chants in a classical Yogic fashion.

Read more

Origin of Yoga Nidra

The meditative sound of “aum” is composed of three letters—a, u and m. The “a” is the state of wakefulness, and external awareness through the mind and sense organs. The “u” represents the dream state, composed of internal experiences. The “m” represents the Yoga nidra state of deep, lucid sleep, being the third of four levels of consciousness. (The fourth level—absolute emptiness—is that of no sound with neither inward nor outward consciousness. This fourth level lies beneath the other three states.)

Read more

Yoga and Neck Problems: What’s the Risk?

Chair Yoga sessions or classes may be advisable in some instances. Yoga postures practiced during chair Yoga classes will not put pressure on the neck. Contrary to popular belief Chair Yoga is not for Seniors only.

Read more

Sequencing a Yoga Class – Harnessing Shiva’s Power

In the same way, using a sensitive and appropriate krama of asanas will assist your students in making steady progress in their Yoga practice. One method of designing an effective sequence of Yoga poses is to choose a pinnacle pose to work towards. A pinnacle pose is an asana that is usually the most challenging for the students in a given class. In terms of harnessing Shiva’s energy of creation, working towards a pinnacle pose increases the energy and flow of the class until the pose is practiced.

Read more

Your Cart