...Most people do yoga to be flexible and strong. Some do it to be in shape, some do it to firm their bodies or simply slim down. Some do it as a 'springboard' to change their lives in a positive way.

My Story: I stumbled upon doing hatha yoga in a college gym many years ago. It was in the mid 1970s.

The yoga session consisted of half an hour of unfamiliar postures and me trying to flex, move and hold as instructed. I just followed the instructor and as was suggested by him, pushed myself reasonably hard (but not too hard) to align to the postures. I was a little uncomfortable, but not too much. I suppose it seemed a little strange, but I liked it.

The end of the yoga session. As the thirty minute session concluded, the lights were dimmed and we closed by laying on our backs in the corpse pose or `savasana for 10 delicious minutes of a guided `letting go. At the very end we were gently prompted to arise to a sitting position where we slowly 'reanimated'. Then on that spring evening, I walked out of the gym towards home, feeling quite relaxed...

I had `an experience'! In the five minute walk back home, the relaxed feeling kept deepening and at the same time I became very energized. I stopped under a tree in the courtyard to reflect on what was happ...more

Why is Teaching yoga so Rewarding? Part 1

...practicing Jnana yoga, (Union through knowledge), even if you are a Hatha yoga teacher. How can I state this? yoga knowledge is infinite and the pursuit of Yogic knowledge is a daily task. Continuing education is an integral part of every Yoga teachers life.

Otherwise, yoga instructors will become stale and unsafe in our teaching methods. You see, yoga is an evolving system of health maintenance, where nothing is carved in stone. Therefore, we must learn and share the latest methods for a safe yoga class.

Copyright 2006 Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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The Benefit of Yoga - Fight or Flight?

...roblems arise when this condition is long term. The "flight or fight" scenario is only meant to be a very short term event. One can see that long term exposure to this situation will have very adverse effects on the body. Yoga can change that.

In nature, the countermeasure for "fight or flight" is known as the "relaxation response" or parasympathetic nervous system. The main nerves of the parasympathetic system are the tenth cranial nerves, or the vagus nerves. They originate in the medulla oblongata. Parasympathetic stimulation causes a slowing down of the heartbeat, lowering of blood pressure, increased blood flow to the skin and viscera, and peristalsis of the GI tract - the exact opposite of "fight or Flight" symptoms. Yoga induces this response by teaching the pupil to breathe deeply and relax muscles. The benefit of yoga is clear. The body recovers faster, and the harmful effects of stress are reduced.<...more

Yoga - An Easy Way To Stay Healthy - Part 1

...le exhaling your breath. Repeat the posture several times.

Forward bend posture/ Uttanasana II:

This posture helps in stretching the legs and spines and rests the heart and neck muscles too. Begin the posture by tadasana, next inhale and raise the arms overhead. Exhale while bending the hips, and bring the arms forward and down until they touch the floor. Either grasp the ankles or just leave the hands on the floor and breathe several times.

The Cobra/ Bhujangasana:

This exercises stretches the spine, strengthens the back and arms and opens the chest and heart. Lie down on the stomach keeping legs together and arms by the side close to the chest raise your head and chest as high up as possible while inhaling. Breathe several times in this posture before relaxing to the previous posture. Repeat the exercise several times.

There are several other asanas that we shall be discussing in our next approach.<...more

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