All About Yoga and You...To Be Or not to be a Yoga Teacher
All About Yoga and You
Yoga is both a physical and mental exercise involving the body, mind, and spirit. This meditation technique originated in India, and is designed to create awareness, balance over one’s well-being; it was also designed to cleanse, heal, and strengthen the body, as well as develop a person’s physical fitness.
The most common form practiced nowadays is the Hatha yoga, which has specific movement or postures called Asana, various breathing exercises called Pranayama), and some meditation or (Dhyana).
Yoga was traditionally a spiritual practice, for an individual to be one with the absolute or the divine. The word “yoga” means to join or bind together. And the exercises in yoga bind together the body, mind, and spirit.
The exercises and movements in yoga provide very low-impact workout for people in almost any physical condition. They can ease and relax the muscles, improve flexibility, and enhance strength, balance, and endurance.
Because of the proven benefits it has given, yoga is now practiced all over the world. Over seven percent of American adults practice yoga!
There are other types of yoga, of course, aside from the Hatha. One is the Raja, or the “Royal Road.” Its primary focus is on meditation and it incorporates exercise and breathing techniques with meditation and study. Another is the Jnana, or the path of knowledge or wisdom. It mainly involves the study of texts.
The Bhakti is a form of yoga wherein the path of love and devotion focuses on the guru or chosen deity. It often includes chanting. Karma is the yogic system of action and service while the mind is centered on the divine. One would say that these are activities done selflessly for the greater good. The Tantra is a path of ritual, and is based on the principle of embracing life to unite with the deity. It uses all the energies of the body to transcend worldly attachments.
What’s great about yoga is that you don’t necessarily have to do all the positions. You can work with your own limitations and focus on your specific needs.
Finding a teacher won’t be hard if you decide to try yoga. Ask your regular health care professional or doctor for suggestions first so that you may focus on your specific needs in yoga.
You can also take individual lessons. It’s either you employ a private yoga teacher or you avail yourself of books and videos. However, these would be costly and will not necessarily supplement what you will learn in a class.
You should be aware that the level of training for a yoga teacher is important. May yoga teachers have done little more than complete a weekend training. Make sure to check with the Yoga alliance when choosing one.
SOURCE:
Yoga: Overview. NWHRC Health Center – Yoga, May 25, 2005
Yoga is both a physical and mental exercise involving the body, mind, and spirit. This meditation technique originated in India, and is designed to create awareness, balance over one’s well-being; it was also designed to cleanse, heal, and strengthen the body, as well as develop a person’s physical fitness.
The most common form practiced nowadays is the Hatha yoga, which has specific movement or postures called Asana, various breathing exercises called Pranayama), and some meditation or (Dhyana).
Yoga was traditionally a spiritual practice, for an individual to be one with the absolute or the divine. The word “yoga” means to join or bind together. And the exercises in yoga bind together the body, mind, and spirit.
The exercises and movements in yoga provide very low-impact workout for people in almost any physical condition. They can ease and relax the muscles, improve flexibility, and enhance strength, balance, and endurance.
Because of the proven benefits it has given, yoga is now practiced all over the world. Over seven percent of American adults practice yoga!
There are other types of yoga, of course, aside from the Hatha. One is the Raja, or the “Royal Road.” Its primary focus is on meditation and it incorporates exercise and breathing techniques with meditation and study. Another is the Jnana, or the path of knowledge or wisdom. It mainly involves the study of texts.
The Bhakti is a form of yoga wherein the path of love and devotion focuses on the guru or chosen deity. It often includes chanting. Karma is the yogic system of action and service while the mind is centered on the divine. One would say that these are activities done selflessly for the greater good. The Tantra is a path of ritual, and is based on the principle of embracing life to unite with the deity. It uses all the energies of the body to transcend worldly attachments.
What’s great about yoga is that you don’t necessarily have to do all the positions. You can work with your own limitations and focus on your specific needs.
Finding a teacher won’t be hard if you decide to try yoga. Ask your regular health care professional or doctor for suggestions first so that you may focus on your specific needs in yoga.
You can also take individual lessons. It’s either you employ a private yoga teacher or you avail yourself of books and videos. However, these would be costly and will not necessarily supplement what you will learn in a class.
You should be aware that the level of training for a yoga teacher is important. May yoga teachers have done little more than complete a weekend training. Make sure to check with the Yoga alliance when choosing one.
SOURCE:
Yoga: Overview. NWHRC Health Center – Yoga, May 25, 2005
posted by YOGATEACHERESSENTIALS at 2:13 PM
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