What You Need to Know About Getting a Yoga Certification
December 18th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Yoga certification should not be all that easy to acquire. After all, the whole point of certification is to ensure quality and certification loses all meaning when instructors with low levels of competence and questionable yoga schools get certified. Poor certification standards will hurt the students as improper technique could lead to injuries and the student will surely not be able to get their money’s worth.
With the yoga craze sweeping the world, the ancient Indian practice has been co-opted into being the basis of a multi-billion dollar industry. In the United States alone, people spend more than 3 billion USD a year on yoga classes and yoga related equipment.
It’s no wonder many people with just a little know how on yoga are trying to get a piece of the action. As a result, many McYoga schools or yoga schools of low overall quality have been popping up like pimples on a teenager all over the country. The need for would be practitioners of the ancient practice to find out which schools are legitimate and which to avoid has led to the practice of yoga certification.
Accreditation of Yoga Schools
Yoga certification bodies themselves are a very eclectic sort. Some will certify if a school can really teach just a certain form of yoga, for instance. Some research will help one uncover which yoga certification bodies will be of most help for the kind of yoga that one is interested in. There are also general practice yoga certification groups such as Yoga Alliance in the United States that may even help one find schools they accredited of any form of yoga in your area.
When looking for a yoga school or a yoga instructor, always take the same precautions that you would take if you were going any other school. Yoga certification should always be checked and double checked. If certification is given, always do your homework on hat certification.
Some yoga certification can be bought online without there being any real guarantee of competence from the instructor or quality from the school. When your own health and your own money is at stake, you could never take too many precautions.
Often, some instructors will claim to practice a certain form of yoga that they will claim to have developed on their own. As such it is unlikely that this kind of practice will be given yoga certification from any body that certifies orthodox practices.
While there may be some instructors who are offering genuine benefits with their system, it will be hard to tell which as many others will just be hucksters who claim to have developed their own system in order to dodge questions of certification.
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Educating Yourself About The Numerous Types of Yoga
December 16th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Celebrities swear by yoga and more specifically, pilates yoga, as the ultimate way of putting the finishing touches on an exercise regimen and toning all those difficult areas. If you’d like to get started, you might not know where to start. There isn’t just one type of yoga, in fact there are several. This article examines some of the different styles so that you can select which yoga class would best suit you.
Many beginners like to start with Iyengar yoga, where positions are held longer to provide maximum stretching and minimal injury. Unlike “flow” yoga styles, there are breaks between positions and an emphasis on long, deep stretches for people of all levels. Props like mats, blankets, straps and blocks help take some of the strain off the body.
Fitness yoga aims to increase flexibility, muscle strength and improve energy and cardiovascular systems. This is a more modern approach to the ancient principles and targets certain areas like the gluteus muscle or abdomen to tone and strengthen. Similarly, Pilates yoga is one of the most popular forms, with over 11 million regular practitioners in the US and over 14,000 teachers. The core postural muscles and spinal cord are emphasized, in addition to utilizing flowing movements to strengthen and define.
Ashtanga Vinyasa (also known as “power yoga” or “Raja yoga”) is derived from an ancient Indian manuscript called “the Yoga Kurunta.” The word “ashtanga” literally translates to mean “eight limbs,” which refers to eight positions: yama (moral codes), niyama (self-purification and study), asana (posture), pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (sense control), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (contemplation). Vinyasa means “breath-synchronized movement.” After warming up with “Sun Salutations,” the different postures are repeated with smooth flowing movements and specific breathing patterns. This advanced style of yoga attracts people who may typically be the cardio types, participating in kickboxing or step classes, and is intended to help extroverted high-stress personalities find their inner quietude.
A couple of forms of yoga are used for therapeutic purposes. Bikram yoga (also known as “hot yoga”) occurs in a sauna-like room maintained at 95-100 degrees to induce sweating, leading to body cleansing and additional weight loss. These twenty-six positions loosen the muscles in a relaxing way. The Forrest style meditation yoga from Santa Monica California is intended to release inner emotional pain, purify the body of toxins and strengthen the abdomen through deep breathing and stretches.
Some styles focus on the spiritual side, with chanting, meditating and contemplating, borrowing inspiration from the eight principles of ashtanga. Jivamukti and Kundalini use chanting and rapid repetitive movements to free trapped energy. Karma yoga is derived from the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient sandskrit Hindu scripture and is based around the idea of “union through action.” It is believed that one can express love for God by giving up selfish desires and participating in “detached, selfless action,” which will eventually result in liberation. The Anusara style is a form of meditation yoga for beginners because teachers believe in positive communication to open the heart and mind. All levels are welcomed and there’s a philosophical belief in the intrinsic goodness of humankind. This light-hearted approach to alignment is a good springboard to more intense forms.
Whether you’re looking to free up some energy the natural way or to find a sense of tranquility, yoga is a great complimentary exercise to your normal routine.
There are many different forms of Yoga that people around the world practice. Some use it primarily for its low-impact workout whereas others love the feel of meditation and concentration required in some of the many poses. Yoga is a great way for those suffering from injury or unused to a cardiovascular workout to start their path to becoming physically and mentally fit. Exercise is an important part of our daily lives and the added benefit of learning relaxation techniques is enough to entice anyone onto a mat. Find your relaxation and work out by clicking here for more information: Hatha Yoga Techniques and at What Is Yoga also at Yoga Mats
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Hatha Yoga - The Most Popular Version Of Yoga
December 13th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
There are many forms of yoga these days, but the predominant religious and exercise movement is known as Hatha yoga, a style that attracts roughly 30 million Americans. In the most basic sense of the term, this style focuses on posture and breathing as a way of attaining spiritual enlightenment.
Traditionally, Hatha yoga (pronounced “ha-tuh”) translates to “sun-moon.” It is believed that each person harbors a “sun” energy channel and a “moon” energy channel. The sun channel is stated to govern our thought processes, while the moon channel governs our emotions. The millions of chakras (literally translated from Sanskrit to mean “wheels” or energy centers) swirling around us keep the sun-moon channels in motion. On a deeper level, practitioners believe in a moral code based upon self-restraint, quietude, concentration, regulation of breathing, uniting body and mind through action, withdrawing from the senses and studying religious texts.
The first step is the practicing of the different asanas (poises) to help the mind and body align with one another and open the inner channels of communication. By finding the right posture, one can remain comfortable for long periods of time while meditating. Secondly, proper breathing techniques (sometimes referred to as “pranayama”) are taught. Next, some students might select to delve more deeply into the philosophical roots. Yoga instructor David Williams (from Hawaii) once noted, “Before you’ve practiced, the theory is useless. After you’ve practiced, the theory is obvious.”
The end result of practicing this style of yoga is markedly noticed almost immediately. Suddenly you can stretch a bit further and touch those toes. You’re not huffing and puffing carrying laundry up to the top floor of the home anymore. Your bowel movements are even more regular than usual and you find that stomach aches and head aches rarely occur these days. Your abdomen, legs and gluteus are looking more defined too. When you’re at work and begin to feel stressed, you take a deep breath and reconnect with the relaxation techniques you learned in class, although the anxiety rarely reaches you on a physical level anymore. Your energy levels are revitalized, your hormones are balanced and a calm sense of euphoria and appreciation for each day takes root in your soul. Life is good, thanks to Hatha yoga, a practice that goes back thousands of years to some infinite source of knowledge the West generally seemed to have overlooked.
There is certainly something to be learned from ancient Indian religions and yogi sages. The practicality of Hatha yoga appeals to many Westerners who aren’t entirely sure how to go about physically and mentally reaching spirituality and a true understanding of oneself. While magazines like Vogue may have us believing yoga is for celebrities and athletes, the essential nature of Hatha yoga encompasses a philosophical level too. “The beauty is that people often come here for the stretch, and leave with a lot more,” states Liza Ciano, co-owner & co-director of Yoga Vermont. Check YogaFinder.com to find your class today.
It might surprise you to learn that Yoga dates back to 3300-1700 B.C.E. and has long been a practice of Buddhists, Hindus and other Eastern religions. But what should not be surprising the tremendous benefits that this form of exercise and meditation can bring to your life. Working professionals, students, home-makers and the retired alike are finding how wonderful they feel after participating. The sense of calm that prevails as well as the satisfaction of muscles well worked all make Yoga the perfect blend of philosophy, religion and exercise. Even if you do not practice the spiritual aspects of this ancient practice, you can still benefit. Click here to see more: Laughing Yoga and at Types Of Yoga also at Yoga Teacher Training Courses
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Yoga Classes - Which Ones Are Right For You?
December 11th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Life moves too fast. One lesson we have the ability to all benefit from is the ancient Indian practice of yoga, which reminds us that each day is sacred and we are comprised of a connected series of energy channels that can be manipulated to regulate body processes, improve strength and facilitate mental clarity. Yoga classes are offered all across America — and in fact, attract over 16.5 million participants! Adding yoga to your weekly workout can give you the muscle toning and mental stamina you need to succeed in all other areas of your life. Continue reading to figure out where to find a class near you.
First of all, you might be wondering what kind of yoga classes you should be looking for. There are nearly limitless options and traditions and the best way to discover your favorite is to just try them! But basically, most beginners start with Hatha yoga, but Iyengar yoga is often appealing because it focuses on proper body alignment, allows instructor-student interaction and uses props like mats, buckles and blocks. Intermediate to advanced yoga enthusiasts get into Ashtanga and power yoga, which are more physically demanding. Bikram yoga is focused on internal cleansing and is practiced in a room that’s 95 to 100 degrees, which causes a purifying sweating process. Kundalini is a type of yoga meditation and practice based around “spiritual awakening.”
YogaFinder, the largest world wide web directory of its kind, can match you up with classes, events, retreats, products, jobs and instructor training opportunities. You can get the yoga center address, phone number, website, browse available styles and read a general description of what’s offered. This directory pulls results that others might not have and worldwide retreats are listed. The site is colorful, easy to navigate and very comprehensive!
Yoga. website lists studios and classes near you by address, phone number, styles, levels, cost and certification information. You can also check out yoga vacations, read articles, browse the store and participate in forums here. It’s a simple site but can give you all the basic statistics swiftly and easily.
FindYoga website is another expansive, well-designed site with multiple search engines to find yoga workshops, teachers, retreats, classes and training centers (within the US). If you’re really busy, you can even search for classes by the days and times you have available! Results are listed by school, suburb, day, time, style, level type and instructor. There are lots of resources for people looking to learn more about yoga, get their corporation involved in a yoga program, or to find a mentoring program.
If yoga classes seem daunting, check out some yoga videos on YouTube.com or purchase a yoga DVD to try at home before arriving in class. Since this form is generally slow and methodical, most people have no trouble getting started.
It might surprise you to learn that Yoga dates back to 3300-1700 B.C.E. and has long been a practice of Buddhists, Hindus and other Eastern religions. But what should not be surprising the tremendous benefits that this form of exercise and meditation can bring to your life. Working professionals, students, home-makers and the retired alike are finding how wonderful they feel after participating. The sense of calm that prevails as well as the satisfaction of muscles well worked all make Yoga the perfect blend of philosophy, religion and exercise. Even if you don’t practice the spiritual aspects of this ancient practice, you can still benefit. Click here to see more: Types Of Yoga and at Yoga Classes also at Yoga Instructor Training Courses
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History of Yoga
December 11th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Yoga is a system of breathing, stretching exercises, and meditation that helps the individual join with the Universal Self. Even if you aren’t a fitness fanatic you should already know that yoga is both relaxing and healthy. There have been a number of studies that show you can lower your heart rate and blood pressure if you do yoga, and will help to suppress other body functions so that you can achieve a state total relaxation. People of all ages can get involved as there is yoga for older people and yoga for pregnant women.
The meaning of yoga is to yoke or to unitu. If you feel that you aren’t as healthy as you should be then go along to a yoga class and see how you get on. It’s widely beleived that yoga does a great job of cleansing and strengthening the body while allowing the mind to focus on connecting with the Universal Self. It is not a creed and does not oppose any world religion.
Although yoga in itself isn’t a religion, there are strong links to Buddhism. It predates the religion by several centuries. Seals have been found from ancient times that show the gods doing yoga. These were discovered in the Indus Valley which is one of the first known civilizations here on Earth. What we call India and Pakistan is what used to be this area. So despite some people calling yoga “new age” you will find that this couldn’t be more wrong as it’s estimated to be about 5,000 years old.
When doing yoga you will find that meditating is very much essential. In order for you to acheive the best results, you need to stop your mind from over-thinking about life in general and focus on uniting the body, spirit, and mind. Yoga is a common activity and you get out of it what you put into it. So do your exercises and deep breathing, the results will sow themselves off.
Much of yoga was taken from ancient tests called Hatha (the physical body). There were many philosophers that enjoyed the activity and a variety of styles you could choose. Although yoga is practiced for practical purposes, there are many people who swear by it for dealing with stressful lives. Yoga can be done by anyone. Even if you don’t feel capable to sitting on the floor, you can always find exercises to do in a chair. Chances are you have stiff muscles and stress so you really need to get into yoga as soon as possible.
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A History of Yoga and Pilates
December 9th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Yoga and pilates can have a profound impact on the body — not just by reshaping muscles or helping you to rest, but also by providing the organs with clean oxygenated blood and stimulating beta-endorphin release. Practitioners in India have known yoga to be the key to mental and physical wellness for thousands of years. Now that the practice has come to the Western world, many celebrities, athletes and each day people are adding a yoga pilates class to their work week.
There are some similarities between yoga and pilates, notably that they both work towards sculpting the body and increasing flexibility. Neither exercise will work the heart or lungs like a cardiovascular workout will, but they both add to an overall state of mental and physical wellbeing. Yoga and pilates are so similar that they’re often fused together in workout videos and yoga pilates classes across America, although it’s sort of a Western fusion. In India, yoga is something entirely different than the German-created pilates.
Clear differences between yoga and pilates include some of the following: First, yoga is an ancient Indian practice that dates back approximately 5,000 years, whereas pilates is an adaptation of yoga dating back eighty years to a German athlete, Joseph Pilate. Secondly, in addition to physical activity, yoga is an entire holistic program that encompasses diet, meditation, breathing techniques, religious edict and a moral code; Pilates is simply a form of exercise and body sculpting technique. Thirdly, yoga aims to unite mind and body, as well as sanitize the body of toxins, while pilates is fashioned to strengthen, define and improve posture. Additionally, in yoga, you’re taught to inhale and exhale through the nose, whereas pilates employs the traditional athletic mode of breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth while performing an action. Lastly, yoga can generally be done with just a mat (although sometimes props are used), while teachers ensure everyone’s in proper form; pilates, on the other hand, has specific machinery designed to assist practitioners.
Athletes and dancers often engage in “pilates for sports” classes, either in huge groups or one-on-one with an instructor. However, one needn’t attend a class to get started with pilates — in fact, there are many videos (Eleonora Goya, Dian Ramirez, Leslie Sansone, Kathy Smith, Denise Austin, Karen Voight, The Method yoga, MTV, Prevention, etc). Of course, you won’t get quite the same workout without the elaborate weight systems, but it could be a good launching point for people who are curious but not quite ready to commit to a gym or studio. Some of the most popular yoga videos include: “Yoga Zone,” “Living Yoga - AM/PM,” “Basic Yoga Workout For Dummies,” “Total Yoga: The Flow Series,” “Yoga: Mind & Body with Ali Macgraw,” “Crunch Yoga Mama: Prenatal Yoga,” “Yoga Practice For Strength,” “Ashtanga Yoga with Richard Freeman,” “The Power of Hatha Yoga” and “Kundalini Yoga: With Grace and Strength.” For yoga practitioners seeking spiritual teaching as well, classes and yoga center training are ideal. Choosing between yoga and pilates classes or videos is all just a matter of preference.
Perhaps more than any other form of exercise, Yoga has been around the longest. Originating in India, this popular form of exercise has been practiced around the world. Why? The physical portion of the workout is very low-impact and can be performed by anyone of any age. The same cannot be stated of kick boxing classes or Jazzercise. But there’s more to Yoga than just working out the body. It is also a lifestyle that can bring clarity to the mind through spiritual exercises of meditation and concentration. Are you ready to start your path to a healthy body and mind? Click here to find out more: Yoga Certification and at Laughing Yoga also at Yoga Positions For Beginners
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