...Here is a story, which has been heard a lot lately. It does not apply to everyone, but it has become a common theme. You have been practicing Yoga for six to thirty years. Ever since your Guru retired, you have noticed a sudden influx of young, unseasoned Yoga teachers.

Suddenly, young flexible gymnastic bodies have decided to "change careers." As a bonus, you learn their brand of Yogic philosophy. After a few months of Yoga practice, and a three week instructor's intensive, they have all the answers to why we wake up with stiffness in our bodies, and where we went wrong in life....more

Yoga Teacher Training Aspects - How to Teach Your Students About Presence

...l of awareness since they were children. Better yet, some students have admitted that they were living on auto-pilot, until they discovered this level of mental and physical awareness.

At this point, some literature about the values of Yama and Niyama will benefit your students. Please consider that we have not yet discussed basic meditation or higher levels of meditation. Is a student ready for meditation, if he or she has not learned to be present for the physical practice of Yoga? Truthfully, it is doubtful that he or she will be able to relax enough to meditate.

Beginner Yoga students have to learn to "unplug" from the technological world around them, and develop a basic level ...more

Yoga - The Perfect New Year's Resolution

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There is a case to be made for the practice of yoga as the perfect or universal New Year's resolution. Stop and think about the focus of most resolutions and the various reasons people chose to make them part of their New Year goal setting. An acquaintance recently shared, that a study done in Pittsburgh found that the number one New Year's resolution was to send more time with family, friends and to work on relationships. I have not tried to verify that, but I will admit to being a bit surprised, as I would have bet serious money that weight loss, diet, fitness and all of the getting healthy resolutions would have nailed the top spots before relationships. Since I tend to make pre...more

Yoga in practice: Train Your Mind for Empowerment, Part 2

...path of life, including the Yogic path.

Affirm the positive aspects of your life every day. Let your family know that you love them. Appreciate what you have, and give thanks to God for your existence. There is always someone who has a harder life than we do. Appreciate this fact, and show loving kindness to every person you meet, regardless of their status.

Do not draw comparisons about material wealth. Most of the materially affluent people I know are very unhappy and worry about money all the time. The sad fact is material wealth does not equate to empowerment.

Copyright 2006 paul Jerard / Aura Publications<...more

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