Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, YACEP The space exists, at the start of class as you introduce yourself, to ask for students with any injuries to raise their hands and let you know of any injuries or health concerns. Another option for shyer students is to close their eyes and place hands over their hearts for a more anonymous approach. Create your own opportunities to find out more about your students to further establish safety in the studio.
By Michael Gleason Can Yoga help women suffering with postpartum back pain? The literal meaning of yoga is to join or to yoke. And after a life-changing event, such as giving birth, resuming your yoga practice is very important in order for a mother to feel whole again – especially in the singular sense. During …
Yoga has many healing properties and can do many amazing things. From mind to body and the energy in between, it is a sacred practice for a reason. When a practice incorporates body, mind and spirit, it’s little wonder most of the claims have a base in truth.
Flexing the knees: tennis players tend to move a lot around the court at a fast pace in order to keep up with serving and returning the ball to the opponent. The knee is a hinge joint and therefore a very crucial joint for this game. If the player’s waist is rigid and cannot move to its full potential, all the stress goes to the knees. Loosening the hips and flexing the knee is one of the most important yoga lessons that will help the tennis player prevent injuries. The body must be flexible in order to move in any possible direction.
As the sun travels toward her yearly zenith point, her warmth and energy begin to permeate the earth, coaxing new life to emerge from its winter stasis. With each passing day, we begin to witness the perennial growth of abundant flowers and plants. The sunshine and warm temperatures also bring bears out of hibernation and the bees back to the business of making honey! Traditionally, the Incas worshiped the yellow color of the sun as a symbol of optimism, happiness, pleasure, and wealth.
The central chakra that forms the very root of our seat on the earth is the Muladhara Chakra, which is also aptly named the Root Chakra. According to ancient seers and Yogis, this chakra emanates the deep-maroon color of the red tulip. It is the first of seven chakras that follow our spinal column from the pelvic area all the way to the crown of the head. A balanced and healthy Root Chakra is integral to allowing us to stand in a balanced and healthy way on the earth.
You could spend years analyzing the words of Mahatma Gandhi. In a Yoga teacher training course, he is often mentioned as the example…
To look at pranayama simply: We inhale and exhale for a specific ratio, getting valuable oxygen and stress reduction. This is often enough for most people, who barely realize that their breathing has been altered by situations, which naturally occur during the course of a day. However, serious Yoga practitioners may wish to go deeper into pranayama itself. For these practitioners, it is essential to find good and reliable information. Pranayama, while very beneficial, can be harmful if practiced improperly. Some of the dynamic pranayama techniques can cause hyperventilation, which may do more harm than good. Through gaining control of the breath, one gains control of one’s inner self by truly connecting the mind and body.
One of the most important and significant lessons that a Yoga instructor teaches his or her students is the healing potential of Yogic methods. By healing potential, I mean the ability to transform one’s negative situation.
Yoga is meditation. Whether it’s fast or slow, hot or cold; all forms of yogic methodology rely on the principles of meditation to exist. It’s true that yoga is a form of exercise as well, but yogic exercise is exercise at its most evolved level, which means that yogic exercise itself is a form of meditation.