Yoga Articles

Fitness » Yoga | By Paul M. Jerard Jr. @ Thursday, 8th November 2007 @ 6:49 PM

The ancient Yogis created a science of breathing, which we know as Pranayama, but very often new Yoga students do not see the higher value in this practice. The new Hatha Yoga student may only see a value in the physical Yoga postures. Therefore, it is up to Yoga teachers to guide their students toward happiness with the aid of Pranayama. The body and mind become linked, in awareness, through the steady practice of Pranayama. Awareness brings about a realization of the true value o... more...

Fitness » Yoga | By Paul M. Jerard Jr. @ Thursday, 8th November 2007 @ 6:49 PM

Yoga teaches us how to make life changes from within. Within all Yoga styles are the tools of self-realization and transformation. Once a Yoga practitioner has managed to empower him or herself, a positive direction will become the easiest path to follow. Everyone is subject to outside pressures, even adults. There is always somebody who is willing to give you advice you did not ask for. When we are children, we think that outside pressure will stop, when we are "grown up;" we wil... more...

Fitness » Yoga | By Paul M. Jerard Jr. @ Thursday, 8th November 2007 @ 6:48 PM

Yoga teachers often discuss subjects such as self-realization and transformation in great depth, but where does the average Yoga student start this journey? How can we take control of our lives? How can we design a life plan, which gives us direction, purpose, and meaning every day? Let's look at where to start first. Designing a list of daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly objectives, which are realistic, will give us direction. This method always works, because a list is h... more...

Fitness » Yoga | By Paul M. Jerard Jr. @ Thursday, 8th November 2007 @ 6:48 PM

Is "ultimate" too strong or competitive of a word to describe a Yoga teacher? After all, there is a lot of competition for Yoga students in some geographic areas. In San Francisco and Los Angeles, California, there seems to be a Yoga studio on every block. Yet, many potential Yoga students do not know the difference between Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Restorative Yoga, or Pilates, for that matter. How could these same people make an educated judgm... more...

Fitness » Yoga | By Paul M. Jerard Jr. @ Thursday, 8th November 2007 @ 6:47 PM

Recently, a Christian-based Yoga class, taught by Sylvia DiLorenzo, was banned from a Roman Catholic Church, in South Fort Myers, Florida. Based upon a story by "The News-Press," it seems that Yoga classes were taking place in an adjoining chapel, which was going to be converted to an activity center at Blessed Pope John XXIII Church. The following is an account, which was posted by The News-Press, on March 31, 2007. "In the past few weeks, a couple of people have accos... more...

Fitness » Yoga | By Paul M. Jerard Jr. @ Thursday, 8th November 2007 @ 6:47 PM

Upon successful graduation from a Yoga teacher training course, many new Yoga teachers feel they still need some direction. After spending five months, up to years, with a Master Yoga teacher, Swami, or Guru, the new Yoga teacher has left the nest, but where should he or she go from there? Let's look at an organized way for new Yoga teachers to expand their knowledge, while pursuing their passion. After all, Yoga instructors cannot share the same interests all the time. With so many ... more...

Fitness » Yoga | By Paul M. Jerard Jr. @ Thursday, 8th November 2007 @ 6:47 PM

Some people claim to find themselves after practicing Yoga faithfully - but how can this be? Yoga is an art of living. In fact, Yoga is a 5,000 year old archive of solutions for the many forms of suffering, which plague mankind. What causes most of mankind's suffering? A lack of "something" can cause suffering. Which is worse: Lack of food, lack of water, lack of a job, or lack of good health? All of them are bad, and some of these situations are potentially fatal. We now kno... more...

Fitness » Yoga | By Paul M. Jerard Jr. @ Thursday, 8th November 2007 @ 6:46 PM

What would you do if you had to substitute your Yoga class for an Aerobic Step class? What if one of the Step Aerobics students gave you a case of misplaced aggression because he or she was disappointed the Step Aerobics class was canceled? If you are considering teaching Yoga in a fitness center, or health club; imagine the following situation. A Power Yoga teacher is called, by the fitness center she works for - to substitute her Power Yoga class for the regular Step Aerobics Class; thi... more...

Fitness » Yoga | By Paul M. Jerard Jr. @ Thursday, 8th November 2007 @ 6:46 PM

Yoga, in all of its forms, creates positive energy. Positive energy will cause you to become successful, and live a life where powerful visions become reality. Your complete health will improve exponentially, as a result of regular Yoga practice. Yoga has so many good health aspects for a person to benefit from. Yet, some people see it only as a "workout," and as a result, Yoga has become classified, in the west, as an exercise. Although Hatha, Kundalini, and Raja Yoga contain man... more...

Fitness » Yoga | By Paul M. Jerard Jr. @ Thursday, 8th November 2007 @ 6:46 PM

Which asanas and techniques would work best in an office, when space is an issue for office Yoga classes? Pranayama is most important, but let's look at solutions for Yoga posturing, and getting better blood circulation in the legs, within a finite amount of space. If you are limited to the confines of your cubicle for space, you can still take care of your back, release muscle tension, and get some circulation into your legs with Office Yoga. There are many Office Yoga postures (asa... more...

Fitness » Yoga | By Paul M. Jerard Jr. @ Thursday, 8th November 2007 @ 6:45 PM

Many times, Yoga teachers refer to the inner self or the observer from within. In a Yoga class, you may be instructed to observe without judgment, but how can we stop judging? We judge things all day long. If you drive a car, you are judging timing, distance, and speed. In this case, judging is a matter of life and death, which concerns you, other drivers, and pedestrians. You have to judge, whether you like it or not, but you are told not to judge yourself in a Yoga class or during a med... more...

Fitness » Yoga | By Paul M. Jerard Jr. @ Thursday, 8th November 2007 @ 6:45 PM

Most Yoga practitioners, and teachers, begin to realize the anti-aging benefits of Hatha Yoga, within a short time. However, with all of the anti-aging scams in abundance today, most Yoga teachers hesitate to utter the words "anti" and "aging" in the same sentence. The many benefits of steady Yoga practice, to all age groups, are enhanced, when we explore the physical limits of our bodies. There are times when we surprise ourselves with what we can, and what we cannot, do.... more...

Fitness » Yoga | By Paul M. Jerard Jr. @ Thursday, 8th November 2007 @ 6:45 PM

Yoga is a 5,000 year catalog of health solutions and an evolving science of life. Therefore, here are some "age old" Yogic solutions for releasing anxiety. To make them work, you must realize that you have to make a habit of releasing a little anxiety, within acceptable limits, all day long. Physical practice of Yoga postures (Asanas) will release muscular tension. Make a habit of physically practicing as you sit, stand, or lie down. You do not have to put on a "Yoga show"... more...

Fitness » Yoga | By Paul M. Jerard Jr. @ Thursday, 8th November 2007 @ 6:45 PM

Yoga has always contained ethical guidelines and methods for people to co-exist in harmony. The Yamas and Niyamas have changed a little over time, but the guidelines are there to keep humankind in place. How often do you hear the following statements? "Relationships are not what they used to be." "Dating is different nowadays." "Nobody wants to make a commitment any more." Consider these words, "Children nowadays are tyrants. They contradict their ... more...

Fitness » Yoga | By Paul M. Jerard Jr. @ Thursday, 8th November 2007 @ 6:43 PM

What's next; will we have to pay a toll to meditate? How can it be morally correct to gain a US patent on a 5,000 year old system founded in India? Who should have the right to claim Yoga? What about the "cultural heritage of the Indian people?" It is obvious to see, Yoga is definitely part of the heritage of Indian culture. Most of us believe that the theft of intellectual property is wrong, but let us combine this wrong, with theft of someone else's cultural h... more...

Fitness » Yoga | By Paul M. Jerard Jr. @ Thursday, 8th November 2007 @ 6:43 PM

Could Yoga really empower you enough to conquer your worst fears? Very few people are able to overcome fear, without a serious effort. Fear holds us still, stifles our progress, and distorts our view of reality. Worse yet, some of our fears stem from childhood - whether they are rooted in reality or not. Yoga offers every practitioner the gateway to self-realization. This newfound awareness allows anyone the opportunity to help focus his or her mind. In turn, a focused mind can separate f... more...

Fitness » Yoga | By Paul M. Jerard Jr. @ Thursday, 8th November 2007 @ 6:42 PM

There is a need for us to accept changes, but not at the cost of compromising our ethics. This is a "tough call" because, as times, change morality can change to. What is acceptable today was forbidden yesterday, but the opposite can be said, if we look into our history. If we observe the Yamas and Niyamas, or The Ten Commandments, we should not change our morality because it is in fashion. On the other hand, our neighbors may be of a religion, which we do not really understand.more...

Fitness » Yoga | By Paul M. Jerard Jr. @ Thursday, 8th November 2007 @ 6:41 PM

Many people compare the Yoga teacher certification process to a big hurdle in life, but the day an intern receives his or her diploma, for teaching Yoga, is only the beginning of the journey. The day of graduation, from student to Yoga teacher, could be compared to a butterfly coming out of a chrysalis. For a new Yoga teacher, this is the beginning of a quest to learn about the body, mind, and spirit. Each is a vast field, within itself, and you could compare Yoga subjects to flowe... more...

Fitness » Yoga | By Paul M. Jerard Jr. @ Thursday, 8th November 2007 @ 6:40 PM

Where did this ball come from? Is the stability ball a legitimate Yoga prop or just a marketing gimmick for equipment sales? Who could benefit from the use of the ball in a Yoga class? When can the stability ball fit into a Hatha Yoga class? Where did this ball come from? Stability balls have been around since 1963, originating in Italy. The first time I saw a stability ball, we called it a, "Swiss Ball." Yet, the "Swiss Balls," at that time, were all made in Italy. Americ... more...

Fitness » Yoga | By Paul M. Jerard Jr. @ Thursday, 8th November 2007 @ 6:40 PM

You hear so much about Yoga these days, and there are so many Yoga styles to choose from, that it is advisable to research a particular Yoga style which suits your needs. Some Yoga classes are gentle, athletic, cerebral, religious, meditative, or hot. Therefore, research the style of Yoga which attracts you most. Then visit a local Yoga studio, or wellness center, for further information. If you have any concerns, you could set up an appointment with a potential Yoga teacher, and share yo... more...