Strength Training Is Important As We Age

Getting regular exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It helps keep our weight in check, keep our muscles strong, overall it helps our minds and bodies function better even as we age. There are two main types of exercise, cardio and strength training otherwise know as resistance training or weight-bearing exercise. They are both important because they offer different benefits, but sometimes strength training is overlooked.

Why Is Strength Training Important?

As we age we start to lose muscle and this can lead to a number of health concerns. Loss of muscle can result in a decrease of bone mass, decrease in muscle strength which can lead to injury, loss of balance and an increase of aches and pains as we age. But strength training can help reduce and even reverse these things as we age if done regularly. It can help us maintain a fit body, improved functioning and it can help us maintain and even improve quality of life.

Finding A Routine

Of course for best results it is important to blend exercise with a healthy diet. But with a healthy diet and a regular exercise routine, three strength training sessions a week, twenty minutes each, will provide positive results.

If you are new to this type of exercise it is best to start slow; you will be able to build up over time as you build muscle strength. You may even consider finding a personal trainer to help you get started with a routine that will help you reach your goals, whether that means six pack abs or simply staying in shape. A trainer can make sure you are doing the exercises correctly and set you on the right path.

Find a way to add this type of exercise to your existing exercise routine. If you normally walk for exercise add ankle and wrist weights or after your walk do some exercises with dumbbells. You may want to find an exercise partner this way you can share results with each other and be accountable to each other to stick with it.

Find a form of strength training you like so you will do it regularly whether that means weight lifting, yoga, a fitness DVD or using exercise equipment. Finding something you enjoy is critical to make this a regular part of your lifestyle.

After doing this for even a couple of months you should start to notice a difference in the way you feel and in your strength.

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Unlock the Secret of Shaolin Qi Gong

This is what the Shaolin Temple mean when they emphasise the importance of internal and external. The external is the kung fu, the things we can see, the internal is what is going on inside of us, and when we get to the highest level we are mixing internal and external together.

Shaolin Steel Jacket

A good example of this is one of my special skills Shaolin Steel Jacket. In order for me to be able to do this, I have to have very good stamina but I also I need to practice Qi Gong. It is the Qi that protects my body. I direct it to my ribs or my back and I deflect the pain away so it acts like a mirror, when a person kicks me, their power is deflected and turned back on themselves so it hurts them instead of me. That is the amazing power of Qi.

The Competitive Edge

The majority of people use Qi to unblock the channels and optimize the efficiency of the body. In China, top-level businessmen and women practice Qi Gong so that they can focus and have full energy for the day ahead. They believe it gives them a competitive edge. Martial artists use it to make their bodies into weapons or simply to give them a stronger and longer martial art's life.

The balance of yin and yang

When I first went to the Shaolin Temple to begin my training, I was fourteen and 90% of my training was kung fu - external - training and only 10% was Qi Gong - internal - training. To be honest, I used to find internal training boring. But I wanted to learn Shaolin Steel Jacket and in order to do this I had no choice. It was only when I saw the effectiveness of the Qi Gong movements that I became interested in Qi.

As I get older I don't need to practice 90% kung fu, and if I did I would soon burn myself out. The reason boxers and footballers usually retire in their thirties is not only because their stamina is not as strong but also because their body feels weaker, and this is one of the ways in which martial arts differs from sport. As martial artists, our thirties are the time when we have the maturity and experience to go deeper into the internal techniques. We change the yin and yang of our training so that we may do 60% kung fu and 40% Qi Gong but as I get older this may become as much as 90% Qi Gong and 10% kung fu.

The key to staying young isn't to work out until our endorphins makes us happy but to be clever and learn how to balance our martial art's external training with our internal training.

How far can you go?

If we have a car, every now and again we check the air pressure, especially if we are about to go on a long journey. We need to do the same thing with our body. What is it telling you? How much can you do today? How much can you push yourself?

This is something, which is difficult for a martial artist to judge because we know we have to push ourselves to improve. Martial arts are all about taking us beyond our limits. The training challenges us and this is one of the reasons why we love martial arts so much. It takes us away from the smallness of our self and connects us with a tradition that is thousands of years old and it also gives us unity with our fellow martial artists. There is something exhilarating about our body being able to do something that we never thought possible.

But no matter what martial arts you do, if you want to sustain your martial art's life then you need to do internal training. If it's not part of your tradition then take it from another tradition.

Right Now

The history of the Shaolin Temple was built on monks going out to different provinces and taking the good things then bringing them back and finely tuning them. It's important that we don't stay stuck but we keep evolving. Remember the lesson of impermanence. Nothing is fixed and solid. Just as our bodies are impermanent and constantly changing so should our training change and adapt to where our bodies are right now in the present moment.

Less is more

My advice is at the end of your martial art's session, finish with some Qi Gong. In the beginning, you may - like I did - feel bored. But if this happens remind yourself that Qi Gong has been around for thousands of years. If it were rubbish then it wouldn't be practiced. It is a time-tested technique of putting energy back into your body but it yields nothing to an impatient bored mind. The practice needs to have quality so it's best to start off with doing less, just five minutes a day.

The Eight Treasures Qi Gong

The Eight Treasures Qi Gong is possibly the most popular Qi Gong form in China. It consists of eight sections so it's easy to break them down. Take one section from The Eight Treasures Qi Gong and practice this movement, and then build up a little bit more each day until you are working through a whole form. Try to get into a daily routine. We don't think about brushing our teeth because it's a habit. Try to make a habit of doing Qi Gong.

It's important to have patience. Our minds are like puppies, we know when we bring a puppy into the house it's naughty and we have to train it. This is the same with our mind. We have to give it direction and leadership and soon our body will start to enjoy the increase in energy and we will want to do Qi Gong.

Beginner's mind

Shaolin Qi Gong comes from a Ch'an or Zen tradition so we don't think about where the energy is going. The important aspect of this is to have a no thinking beginner's type mind. Practice with a heart and mind placed firmly on the practice and from this your own experience will grow. You will become aware of energy naturally; your body will direct you. Don't complicate things. The secret to a successful Qi Gong practice is to make sure your breathing is one with your movement.

The Shaolin Energy Massage

Just as top-level Olympic athletes have regular massages, we also finish our Qi Gong practice with a self-massage. And we use The Shaolin Energy Brush to do this. I use a metal one because I practice Shaolin Steel Jacket but The Shaolin Energy Brush that my students use is made from bamboo and consists of 108 bamboo rods. It is designed for a person seeking health, and for martial artists it is also the first step to body conditioning.

Not only does it relieve tight muscles but it also assists in unblocking the acupuncture channels, and helps the body to detox through the stimulation of the lymphatic system. This is a natural battery charger for the body. We do this massage when we have finished our Qi Gong training and it takes about five or ten minutes.

The future of exercise

The future of exercise is changing, just as yoga has become more mainstream, I believe Qi Gong will follow. New research is proving its effectiveness and I hope to see not only martial artists use it but boxers and athletes and runners and footballers. It amuses me that these techniques that have been around for thousands of years are being called "the future" of exercise over in the states where it is starting to enjoy a huge following as more and more people discover how simple and effective these methods are.

Life is about energy. When we love something or feel passionate about something then we have a lot of energy. Our love for martial arts gives us the mental energy to keep training. The Qi in our bodies gives us the physical energy to keep training.

I like to think that even when I'm in my sixties I'll still be kicking and punching bags and running up mountains. I'll still be discovering more and more about martial arts because martial arts is like the ocean, it's never ending and I feel like I am a beginner who is always learning. It is only through the Qi that I can continue to do this.

Go for it!

If I explain to you the taste of an apple, it's not the same as you actually taking a bite from an apple.

It's the same with Qi Gong. I believe it will help you to run faster or punch quicker and it will give you more energy not only for your martial art's training but your day-to-day life. But I ask you not to take my word for it but go and try it out for yourself.

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Kettlebells For Weight Loss

Lately kettlebells have been getting a lot attention by the media. They have recently been featured in Prevention, Shape, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, there was even an article in US Weekly about how Jennifer Love Hewitt used them to lose weight and tone up. You may be thinking yeah ok they are just the new popular trend in fitness and will be replaced in a few months by the next hot piece of exercise equipment.

However, unlike many exercise gizmos and trendy programs kettlebells are here to stay. They were first used many years ago in the Eastern European Block countries to train athletes, military personnel, and power lifters. Because of the way kettlebells were first used they did not catch on in mainstream fitness; they were viewed as too hardcore and only for highly skilled and trained individuals. However, in reality they are actually the opposite of hardcore training.

They were designed to teach the body proper movement patterns focusing on fluid, rhythmic, and controlled movements, much like yoga. Why not just do yoga then you ask? Well, with kettlebells you are providing the body with an external resistance that will increase muscle tissue and increase you bodies' ability to burn calories all the while providing a cardiovascular workout. You could pretty much say that kettlebells are a one-stop fitness shop.

However, we have been using them as another tool to include in our clients programs. We have been using them over the past six months with clients and have noticed that their bodies are moving much better and are less injury prone. They also work great in our group fitness classes where we only have a half hour to get our class members through a good workout. By incorporating the kettlebells we can get their heart rates up and build functional strength all to help them lose weight.

If you have been trying to lose weight or are just looking for a new exciting way to workout you need to incorporate kettlebells into your workout. After using them for only a few weeks you will wish you had started using them sooner.

Josh Proch is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He is the owner of Defined Fitness a semi-private fitness coaching facility located in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He specializes in coaching clients looking for weight loss. For more about Josh go to defined-fitness.com defined-fitness.com or definedfitnessblog.blogspot.com definedfitnessblog.blogspot.com

Why Do Weight Loss Camps Work?

The real reason why you keep hearing about weight camps is because they actually work. People are actually going to weight camps losing weight and coming back. If you are feeling out of shape and need to take some time off work and do something interesting that will help you get back in shape then weight camp is the best way to go about doing so. But if it works and is so interesting then you would wonder why people even waste time in gym and not go ahead joining weight loss camps. The reason behind this is there are many misconceptions about a weight loss camp that deters people from joining it.

Most people think weight loss camps would be about strict regimes and continuous workout. When you generally tell people about weight loss camps, they would envision a semi jail like environment where people are kept in seclusion and not given food. However, people with such a vision could not be more wrong. Fitness camps today consist to luxurious retreats with emphasis on physiotherapy and other activities that will rejuvenate the mind body and soul. You are self motivated in a fitness camp to perform the best you can and encourage at every step to bring the best out of you. Going to a fitness camp is a life changing experience, as you break the monotony of daily life and catch up with your fitness, you take back with you habits that you pick up from your fitness camp and integrate it into you daily life. This will lead to a healthier lifestyle and help to improve the quality of your life.

A fitness camp will bring about a lot of physical activity, but on the other hand you are put on a strict nutritional diet that will give you all the energy that you require to perform all these activities. Also there is great emphasis paid on passive forms of strengthening your mind and body. Yoga Tai chi and meditation are some of the exercises that will strengthen you from the inside and make sure that you are self motivated for the more physical exercises of the weight camp.

In a weight camp, no one will force you to do anything. Nor is there any form or comparison or a bar to reach when you are working out. You need to focus on your game and on your fitness alone. You will be encouraged and set towards yourself set goals so that you can achieve and cross the bars that you have set for yourself.

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Yoga for Back Pain - Pose Your Way to Less Back Pain

Yoga for back pain? If you suffer from back problems implementing yoga into your treatment might be beneficial. Before starting any exercise program it is wise to consult your doctor first especially if you are having back pain issues. You will want to look for a yoga teacher who has been trained to help those who have back issues, so you do not further injure your back. A decent yoga instructor will be able to work with you through your limitations.

Strength and flexibility are usually one of the bigger issues that people have when they start experiencing back problems. Yoga strikes a balance between strength and flexibility. Exercise systems such as yoga help increase flexibility and strength, while relieving tension in your muscles. This can help you back feel much better, and become stronger and more resistant to future back problems.

Yoga will help stretch your muscles and soft tissues in your body, including tendons and ligaments. Stretching will help to release lactic acid in your muscles which causes stiffness, pain, and tension. It also helps to increase the range of motion in your joints, and also helps to lubricate them. No matter what your experience level is, the benefits usually come quickly.

Many of the poses in yoga will help strengthen parts of your body, including your back. Even less rigorous styles of yoga will help to increase your strength. Strengthening your back will help with long-term issues, stopping back problems in the future.

A lot of back issues come from poor posture. The increased flexibility and strength that comes from yoga will improve your posture. Improved posture will take a lot of the pressure off your spine, decreasing your back pain.

Yoga for back pain is incredibly effective. However the benefits of yoga go way beyond just that of improving your back issues. Besides helping you with back pain, it can also help your heart, improve your concentration, improve your mood, reduce stress, and numerous other things.

You do not have much to lose if you want to try out yoga. You could improve your back issues and also help improve other areas of your life. So, what are you waiting for, give yoga a try.

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Cross Training Basics - Helpful Details You Should Be Aware Of

Most people think that exercising in one type of activity is enough. Some are devout free weight enthusiasts, others are walkers, still others confine their workouts to the water. While any form of exercise is always preferred to staying in the couch and watching television, nothing beats the better overall fitness achieved if you cross train.

Cross training is a type of exercise regimen which combines different disciplines in one workout session. Instead of working out only your cardiovascular system through jogging, you include weight training to your workout. The best example of cross training is a triathlon. In this sport, triathletes compete in three disciplines: running, swimming and cycling. A total body workout is achieved since running exercises the core and leg muscles; swimming exercises the upper body and arms and cycling also exercises both arms and legs. The three workouts combined make for a great cardiovascular workout.

Aside from the benefits gained in terms of the workout the whole body gets when you cross train, it also has the added benefit of helping you progress in your training. Your workouts become more challenging and your body reacts to this challenge. With more intense workouts, you allow your body to get fitter and leaner. Also, it prevents the dreaded exercise plateau from happening as you strive to perform well and outdo your previous records. It also has the added benefit of making your workouts more fun, motivating you to exercise more and reap more benefits.

Because cross training exercises more muscles and different muscle groups, you avoid any overuse injuries that usually stems from focusing training only on one body part. With all around conditioning, your body becomes healthier and more fit. Individuals who are bent on losing the extra pounds they carry stand to benefit a lot when they cross train. Aside from the obvious calories burned through the sessions, individuals who cross train develop different muscle groups and as a result, the metabolic rate is constantly up, leading to more weight loss.

So when you're in the gym, don't just stop your workout at the treadmill, try your hand at the rowing machine and the stationary bike as well. Take advantage of boot camp workouts. Stretch after each session. Enroll yourself in a twice a week Yoga class. Do dance aerobics. Power walk one day and jog the next. If you want to try your hand at ballroom dancing, do so. If you live near a pool or beach, incorporate swimming or snorkeling in your regimen. You have to mix up your routines so you get the variety that you need to always keep your muscles guessing.

Finally, always make it a point to increase the intensity of your workouts. Challenge your body each time with more reps and sets or longer exercise periods. Try to lift heavier weights if you're up for it. The more challenging a workout becomes, the more your muscles are going to work to cope with the added challenge. You'll reap the benefits of stronger muscles and a better toned body overall.

Cross training is the ideal total body workout, highly recommended!

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Yoga and Empowerment to Reduce Worrying and Stress Levels

Many people attend Yoga classes to stop worrying and eliminate stress. The truth is - we can reduce stress levels and worrying to manageable levels. When you consider the results of attending regular Yoga classes, in comparison to other methods for stress reduction, the Yogic path has done well over thousands of years.

Stress and worry exist, in everyone, to various degrees. If you talk to war veterans, they will readily admit feeling fear and courage at the same time. Courage made them take action in the face of fear. We may not be on a battlefield, but excessive worrying and chronic stress will kill us, as well as any weapon.

Therefore, look deep into the style of Yoga you practice and realize which methods give you empowerment to reduce worry. For example: Bhakti, Karma, Raja, and Jnana Yoga may endow you with a state of mental or spiritual empowerment.

Fitness-based Yoga may provide you with feelings of physical mastery. Regardless of which Yogic path you choose, there are rewards along the way. The point is to recognize, and act upon, the rewards you discover.

After years of practice, some students take happinesslifetime.com Yoga teacher training courses just to link all of these Yogic concepts together. For one reason, or another, we humans want to find answers to mysteries that leave us puzzled. We want to know the mysteries of life, we want to feel worthy, and we want to act on courage.

Yet, only a rare few of us come to the realization that manageable stress creates success. If we live without any stress, will we be creative or innovative? If you give a child every possible luxury, and a stress-free life, will that child be a productive part of society? It is unlikely that a person without stress will become a great contributor to our world.

Stress and worry can be used the same way we use intense heat to forge steel. Too much, or too little stress, can cause problems. How do we know how much stress is necessary? There is a saying, "Necessity, who is the mother of invention." Plato seems to be the first to have said these words.

When we know ourselves, we know how much stress we can tolerate. Yoga enables each of us to look internally to find solutions. At that point, we should know how much action is required for a given situation.

(c) Copyright 2009 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Yoga - More than the "Aerobics of India"

Originating in India over 5000 years ago, yoga is the Sanskrit word for "union". It is a scientific technique for spiritual development. Yoga is a practical aid, a living experience -- not a not a set, rigid thing or religion. It's no longer only for the flower children of the '60s, yoga is now mainstream.

Yoga is much more than sitting in a lotus position and chanting in unison. Yoga is not aerobics, not gymnastic: unlike stretching or fitness, yoga is more than just physical postures. Many people have the misconception that yoga is not really a workout. Yoga is absolutely advantageous for you, but it won't substitute i.e. weight training. In practice, yoga is an applied science of the mind and body. Yoga is considered by many to be the best health maintenance system in the world.

Now you will wonder if learning yoga is really advantageous: some practitioners state that yoga is the meeting of the mind with the divine. Yoga is a form of body conditioning that places emphasis on strengthening the body and the mind while stimulating the soul. It's a wonderful method for exercising the body and mind. Yoga is the oldest known holistic system of personal development.

Yoga is a wonderful tool for becoming better acquainted with your body, says Jyothi Larson, author of Yoga Mom, Buddha Baby (Bantam, 2002). For example, yoga is one of the best activities you can do when you're pregnant: it's gentle to the body while helping you build endurance and flexibility.

What is the difference between meditation and yoga? Meditation is one of the five principles of yoga. For the hindu god Shiva, meditation is a favorite way to pass the time.

How many times a week should I practice yoga? Practice at least 15 minutes a day, for 5 days a week. Discover for yourself why yoga is thought of as a total body healing system.

Can I practice yoga with an injury or medical condition? Anyone can practice yoga, regardless of age, ability or level of health!

How is pilates connected to yoga? The concept of the pilates exercise systems has really taken off in the last few years. Pilates and yoga movements are uniquely combined to create a powerful, yet relaxing workout promoting strength, body awareness, flexibility, and focus. Pilates is followed by restorative yoga, an inwardly directed class meant to restore, revive, and revitalize. People who do pilates regularly feel they have better posture and they are less prone to injury.

Yoga is definitely more than just the "aerobics of India". For many Hindus, yoga is a way of life. Most everyone in India knows that yoga is beneficial for the health in many different ways. Yoga is extremely powerful stuff. If yoga is the key to a longer life then I'm all for it!

Jeanette Pollock is a freelance author and website owner of justyogabasics.com justyogabasics.com. Visit Jeanette's site to learn more about justyogabasics.com yoga.

Second Limb of Yoga - The Second Niyama - Santosha

Santosha, the second observance, is contentment or happiness. What is the largest obstacle to contentment? Why is happiness so illusive for so many people? Let's look closely at this very important Niyama.

To some people, happiness is a fantasy. This type of thinking is what makes contentment so hard for some of us to find. You must first see the illusion of life: Everything that brings true contentment is right in front of us. Our family, friends, spouse, health, skills, and knowledge, are all close at hand.

Yet, we want glitz, material, shallow relationships, power, riches, and fame. In life, true contentment or gratification, must have a purpose. When we find our true, and noble, purpose (Dharma) in life, we are filled with gratification.

Our true purpose, in life, can be felt from within our heart. Natural or "God given" skills will often open doors to our true destiny. Skills and practical application are a powerful combination.

All the riches, in the world, have no purpose, if we do not put them to good use by helping others. If we constantly spend money on "toys," we will still be unhappy, until the next new toy is invented. The temporary feeling of contentment evaporates again, because this is just superficial happiness.

This is the continuing cycle of unhappiness we can easily observe in some of the "rich and famous." The more material a person acquires, the more frustrated he or she becomes with life. Complete contentment is free for anyone to choose, but you cannot buy it.

Money and power are not evil. Both can be used to fuel worthy causes, feed the hungry, cure disease, stop violence, and save the planet. Worthy causes breed true contentment.

© Copyright 2007 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA.
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He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book:
"Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit:
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Just Breathe - Yoga Certification With No Stress

The ever-increasing awareness about fitness and benefits of yoga has led to an increased demand for fitness trainers. If you are a personal trainer who wants to take a yoga fitness instructor course, online courses will work very well for you. The courses have been developed specially for fitness enthusiasts who are looking forward to a career in the fitness industry. Depending on your interest, you can choose primary, advanced or hatha yoga certifications. The online course works very well for individuals with jobs to keep as the course can be taken online from the comfort and convenience of your home or office.

Jump Start Your Yoga Training Career

Yoga is an age-old practice which has proven benefits for a number of physical and mental ailments. People across the world are adopting yoga to beat stress and reduce lifestyle-related health issues. However the need for yoga experts who can train individuals has increased. To cater to this need, courses are being developed to help fitness professionals get their skills formally certified. The courses have been designed to help beginners understand the concepts of yoga. With internet access you can purchase study material and register for the course online. The course material includes detailed descriptions and photographs which show the postures. The course textbooks feature leading yoga experts and valued and effective qualities of a yoga teacher also. Once you have completed the course, you can take the exam online and receive your grade following that.

Once you have completed the course you may work as a home trainer or train clients at a gym. With the certification you can look forward to a well-paying career as a yoga instructor.

FiTOUR provides both fitour.com/certifications.cfm Fitness Certifications and Continuing Education opportunities to fitness professionals around the world. All FiTOUR educational products can be obtained by attending a FiTOUR Educational Program in your area or online via an in-home course. We provide high-quality, convenient and affordable certifications and continuing education that enables fitness professionals to lead their participants to improved health and wellness, fitness levels and quality of life.

Stefano Grossi
FiTOUR Leaders in Health and Fitness Education

Yoga and Personality Development

What is personality?

Human personality is a very complex topic by itself. There are many

definitions of personality. For the sake of simplicity we can consider it as a

collection of physical, mental and behavioral traits and patterns that we

exhibit in our life.

Often personality development is either misunderstood or ignored. It is

acknowledged mostly in professional fields. Companies conduct training programs

on communication skills, leadership skills, and creativity and so on. They

collectively call these trainings as "Personality Development". Unfortunately

they are talking about only one side of the coin. No doubt that these traits are

important but they are just "external". These programs miss the more important

factor - body and mind. There are hundreds of books available in the marked who

are supposed to tell you "how to win" or "how to be happy" but how many really

get benefited just by reading the books? Books will tell you to think positive

but the poor individuals do not know how. Just by thinking that "I will think

positive" you can not be positive. It requires practice and fine tuning of body

and mind. Unless you have proper foundation of body and mind you simply can not

build any superior personality infrastructure.

Do I need personality development?

Majority of people feel that they already have a developed personality and

they don't need to enhance it further. After all they are working in

professional and personal sector for years! But let me tell you that if you are

thinking on the same lines then its time to introspect. The first step in

personality development is to acknowledge that you need to improve your

personality.

How do you know whether you need fine tuning of the personality? Just sit

peacefully and try to answer the following questions:

Do you feel that you work hard but still don't get expected returns?

Do you often feel that you deserved a promotion but somebody else
grabbed it instead?
Do you feel drained after your job hours?
Do you feel stressed - physically and mentally?
Does your job affect your health?
How are your interpersonal relationships?
Do you feel void ness in your life?
Do you often feel unhappy (many times not knowing why)?
Do you feel that you can not deliver 100% of your potential?

The answers to the above questions will tell you whether there is any

friction within yourself.

The yogic view of of personality

As per Yoga the human body consists of five sheaths or layers. They are:

Conscious physical sheath (Annayama Kosha
Subconscious physical sheath (Pranamaya Kosha)
Mental sheath (Manomaya Kosha)
Intellectual Sheath (Vigyanmaya Kosha)
Blissful sheath (Anandamaya Kosha)

The Annamaya Kosha is related to our conscious physical deeps including

walking, talking, viewing and other such functions. These are the functions that

we perform using our physical body deliberately.

The Pranamaya Kosha deals with physical activities that we do in subconscious

state. Digestion, movement of the heart and lungs fall in this category. We

never do any deliberate efforts for these actions; still the body knows how to

perform them.

The Maniomaya Kosha deals with mind, emotions and thoughts. All our gross

thinking and emotions fall in this category.

Intellect is that faculty that decides what is good and what is bad. It is

the ability for rational thought or inference or discrimination. The Vigyanmaya

Kosha helps us to identify true from false. We can choose the correct path in

this "maya" filled world with the help of nourished Vigyanmaya Kosha.

Anandamaya Kosha or bliss is a pure state of happiness and joy which is

beyond any material pleasure. Samadhi or deep meditation gives such a joy.

The Anandamaya Kosha is the innermost sheath wrapped by other sheaths in

succession.

If you observe carefully you will realize that each sheath affects certain

part of our personality. Accordingly we can classify our personality as follows:

Conscious physical personality
Subconscious physical personality
Mental personality
Intellectual personality
Spiritual personality

How Yoga can nourish these personalities?

The conscious as well as subconscious physical personality can be greatly

improved by Yoga postures. Yoga postures stretch your body and induce

relaxation. They affect the vital force or Prana and cause it to flow in

specific parts of the body. They are excellent remedy for back aches, digestion

problems and heart problems. The modern life forces us to sit at a place without

much physical activities. Yoga postures can strengthen the joints and various

parts of the body.

The mental personality is greatly affected through Pranayama and

concentration. Our mind remains focused at our work and in home enabling us to

do the things with full dedication and interest. In naturally results in better

personal and professional gains.

Meditation enriches the intellectual personality. Your mind becomes calm and

clear. You can think with more care and affection for others. Maya can not

delude you any more. Your decisions prove to be correct.

Finally, the deep meditation or Samadhi brings you the ultimate bliss. The

joy that is impossible to achieve through worldly enjoyments. This is the final

aim for any Yogi.

In summary practicing Yoga regularly nourishes all these five personalities

and makes your life joyous, happy and healthy.

Bipin Joshi is a .NET Trainer and consultant by profession and run his own consulting firm - BinaryIntellect Consulting. His serious journey with Yoga started in the year 1995 when he came across Hathayoga Pradipika. Inspite of his busy professional schedules he studied many texts on Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Upanishads and Bhagvat Gita. He runs a web site dedicated to Yoga, well-being and spirituality at [binaryintellect.info] When away from computers he spends time in deep meditation exploring the Divine.

Yoga And Weight Loss

Many people in America today try all sorts of things in pursuit of healthy, permanent weight loss. Unfortunately, they mainly seem to try fad diets, diet pills, celebrity diets, the grapefruit diet...you name it. In fact, stick an adjective or noun in front of the word "diet", and you might be the creator of the next diet craze.

while a someone might temporarily lose a few pounds with a "diet", diets are not successful when it comes to permanent weight loss and healthy weight loss.

As they say, I have some good news and some bad news.

The good news is that there IS a known and proven way to achieve significant, healthy, permanent weight loss. More good news is that, although some modification to what you presently like to eat will be necessary, extremely drastic changes are seldom required. Oh, yes, you might have to learn to substitute something you don't like that much right now for something you do like, but, in time, you can get accustomed to this, and even learn to like the new flavors and foods. I know. I've been there.

The bad news is that, along with modifications to your eating habits, you are going to have to become more active. Dare I say it....?

You will have to exercise!

The benefits of exercise is an article in itself, and I have written elsewhere about how exercise can take many forms, so there is no need to lock yourself into an unpleasant or painful exercise regimen. What I really want to do here is give a small pitch for the practice of yoga as my exercise program of choice. Remember, however, my exercise program of choice might not be yours. As much as I like yoga, you will have to decide if yoga is right for you.

Before I speak specifically about yoga, let's just list some of the known benefits of regular exercise in general.

Exercise...

Reduces the risk or affects of many illnesses and conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, arthritis, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis to name a few. Some studies even show possible reductions in the risk for some cancers.
Elevates mood and reduces depression.
Helps maintain healthy bones, muscles, joints, and nervous system.
Delays affects of aging, making seniors more mobile and self sufficient and less likely to fall prey to injury or illness.
Reduces risk of premature death (sounds like a big one to me).
Helps maintain a healthy weight.

Okay, since any good exercise program can provide these benefits, what does yoga have to offer that makes it special?

In addition to providing the basic benefits of exercise in general, yoga does have a few specific things going for it.

1. Despite the apparently agonizing contortions seen in every yoga book, the benefit is in the attempt to achieve the position. The models in the books arrived at their present level of ability over time, and many a skilled practitioner of yoga today began in the same shape you're in right now. It is okay to modify a position or to come out of it a little early if your body is not ready yet. The regular practice of your best version of the movement or position (asana), combined with yoga breathing techniques (easily learned) will produce progress over time.

2. No personal trainer or special equipment is needed, nor is it necessary to go to the gym or even out in public at all. You can do yoga naked if you don't have a pair of gym shorts, and a carpet is just as good as a yoga mat...at least at first. Yoga is actually so simple that it CAN be learned from a book, although it certainly wouldn't hurt to get guidance or training from a certified instructor.

3. Yoga is relaxing and relieves stress. Not only is this of great personal value in today's world, but if any part of your weight loss problem is stress related, and I can almost guarantee some relationship, the stress relief offered by yoga can ease that portion of your weight loss journey.

4. In addition to being good for your health for several reasons, simply learning yoga breathing and practicing it regularly can help you burn fat.

5. As you begin to progress in your ability to better perform yoga poses (asanas) you will notice a sense of control, of mastery of life and self, which will become more evident. This new inner strength will aid you in facing difficulties, including temptations concerning eating and your new eating behaviors. You will also find yourself more forgiving, not only of others, but of yourself as well, and when you slide a little, you will be better able to shrug it off and get back on your path to success.

6. With more progress in your yoga practice, you will begin to experience new feelings of health, strength, and well-being. These feelings will in turn motivate you to take even more control of your life so that you can continue your progress with no desire or temptation to return to the way things used to be.

Nothing is perfect for everyone, but, as you can see, the practice of yoga does have some benefits to offer which may make it valuable in the pursuit of healthy, permanent weight loss.

Donovan Baldwin is a 66 year-old freelance writer and self proclaimed exercise and fitness nut, is retired from the Army after 21 years of service, has worked as an accountant, optical lab manager, restaurant manager, and instructor. He was a member of Mensa for several years, and has written and published poetry, essays, and articles on various subjects for the last 40 years. He developed an interest in health and fitness in the '70s after reading numerous books, including Dr. Kenneth Cooper's "Aerobics". This has led him to continue his personal research into health and fitness for over 30 years, and to pursue course work on the subjects of health and fitness, including yoga, which he practices regularly. Learn more about yoga.4mg.com Yoga at yoga.4mg.com yoga.4mg.com.

Exercise Ball - Learn 5 Uses For Your Ball and Why You Should Do Them All

Everyone thought that the exercise ball was just another exercise fad. But once people started using it, not only did they feel why it made sense, but they started to see it as well. Now, this fantastic versatile ball is breaking into your life, and making itself useful in tons of different ways, here are just 5 uses for your new training tool.

Ab Training

When you do crunches on these balls it will increase the difficulty, making you use more muscles than you normally would have, to not only do the crunch, but to keep your balance as well. And as an added bonus, if you continue to do your crunches like this, you will notice your body muscles working together to complete a common goal.

Weight Training

When you increase the difficulty of an exercise you have to recruit more muscles to do it, this not only trains more muscles at once, but allows them to learn how to work together to complete a given task.

Playing Around

Ever seen those bouncy balls with the handle? Well these are pretty close, minus the handle, just grab it with your legs, and give it a good bounce. Not only is this fun, but it will give your leg muscles a very good workout in the process. Try it out, and see if you tell me any different

Flexibility and happinesslifetime.com Yoga Training

This ball is a great way to start any exercise with stretches, it gives you a little something extra to be able to get those more difficult stretches out of your system, and give your muscles even more flexibility than they already did.

Sitting (Chair Replacement)

A regular chair, even an ergonomic one, over a period of time is bad for you. As eventually circulation stops, and nerves do start to get pinched. However, if you sit on an exercise ball, you your muscles will constantly be trying to balance you, thus promoting better circulation, as well as a way to exercise while you are sitting down. You never know, soon these might even replace ergonomic chairs in the future. Of course, I could just see it now, a bunch of people bouncing around the office instead of working. But at least it will be fun right?

As you can see, the Exercise Ball has many great uses, and these being only 5 general ideas for you to try. This device can be a lot of fund, and actually make you want to exercise even more because of how fun it actually is. I know I find it fun, and I think you will too.

An Exercise Ball Doesn't Cost Much...And Here's FREE Information!

Exercise equipment can indeed help you get fit and slim, but gosh, some of that equipment is way expensive!

Not to worry, because the exercise balls are truly inexpensive, and there are also DVDs to get you started (also inexpensive -- how good is that?).

So here's the totally free information for exerciseballabworkouts.com exercise ball ab workouts for you to browse.

Click on over, use the info and get ready for a new you!

Has Your Yoga Teacher Certification Expired?

Recently, a fellow Yoga teacher mentioned a startling concept. She went on to say, "The vast majority of Yoga instructors I meet are not certified." I was surprised to hear this; but she regularly hires Yoga teachers and reviews their credentials.

For some teachers, the reason is simple: They traditionally trained under the close supervision of their Guru; they were approved, as a result of their competence; they received no diploma at that time; and they began teaching Yoga, well before certification ever became as important, as it is today.

This is the way it was - until the past 20 to 30 years. At this time, the Yoga teacher training relationship, between trainer and intern, may not be based on years of tutelage. Some of the training, in fitness styles, of Hatha Yoga, may be specifically geared toward teaching in health clubs.

These styles might teach 24 postures and two pranayama techniques, or they may teach very specific sequences and one pranayama technique (usually Ujjayi). Meditation, philosophy, the subtle body, mudras, mantras, and all the other facets of Yoga are left to independent research or continuing education.

The casual relationship, between teacher and training center, has also led to expired Yoga teacher diplomas. Many liability insurance companies feel confident in training programs that require continuing education.

Hence, the certifying bodies of Yoga require teachers to renew their diplomas, based upon proof of continuing education. The registering bodies (registrars), of Yoga, have similar policies regarding continuing education for teachers.

If you are insured, have a registration card that is current, and a Yoga teacher diploma that expired, are you safe? Maybe, but liability insurance companies tend to prefer "all their ducks in a row." Here is one example: If you are insured for theft of your automobile, and have a working anti-theft device, will you be covered for theft if you leave your keys in the car?

The point to understand is: Keeping your certification up to date is of the utmost importance, because it is proof of your track record, in keeping current with your continuing education. Learning more about the wider aspects of Hatha Yoga is a lifelong journey for a teacher.

Beside the fact that we should learn more about Yogic techniques, we should also learn more about safety in the class room, modifications, props, working with special students, anatomy, kinesiology, physiology, and sports medicine. Why should Hatha Yoga teachers be so concerned with safety?

Hatha Yoga is popular to a global audience, because students feel and see the physical results. People tend to be more familiar with their primary physical senses, before noticing improvements - emotional, mental, or spiritual well being.

At the same time, Hatha Yoga teachers should provide a safe environment for all students who attend classes. Some of these students have limited flexibility, ailments, pre-existing injuries, and special needs. Setting Yoga class safety policies, in place, is important to student and teacher alike.

? Copyright 2010 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

True Essence of Yoga

Yoga is the most prestigious field of spiritualism. People think about 6 wheels (Chakras) or lotus flowers present in the spinal card, which are not seen by the eyes. They are imaginary and so they carry some inner meaning. When you say a face as a moon, fools search for moon in that face. But, wise people see similarity in the face and moon. Similarly, wheels and lotus flowers should not be searched in the spinal card. Spinal card is the main nerve, representing mind, which is the base of love.

All these wheels or lotus flowers are the bonds of love in the various relatives like parents, wife or husband, children etc. They are compared to wheels or the revolving whirlpools in the ocean, which attract a swimmer and drown him. Similarly, these love wheels are compared to lotus flowers, since the lotus flowers attract the bee by sweet fragrance and bind it. Similarly, these love flowers attract any one and bind them. "Kundalini" is the mind which is the energy travelling as waves like a serpent, should cross all these love wheels connected to 7th lotus flower in the head called "Sahasrara", which is Buddhi or intelligence that takes the decision, which is the firm love on God.

Bhagavat Gita is called as the main scripture of Yoga (Yoga-Sastra). Why there is not even single reference to these wheels or lotus flowers in anywhere in Gita or even in Upanishats? Since they are not real, they are not even mentioned. The author of the Gita was Krishna, who was called Master of Yoga (Yogeswara). Krishna also says that the real yoga was lost since long (Sa kaleneha mahata....). This means that in the beginning, Sages in India knew the real yoga and loved God only crossing all their family bonds. In due course of time only, this true yoga was lost. Why? The middle age Indians were unable to cross their family bonds and so failed to succeed in Yoga.

They wanted to cover their in ability by twisting the very concept of yoga. The family bonds were removed from the concept and only wheels or lotus flowers are left fixed. Now, they close the eyes and say that they have seen the lotus flowers or wheels, which are only imaginary. Now they cross these wheels by their imaginary "Kundalini" and say that they have succeeded in Yoga. These blind teachers are also not to be blamed, because they were trained like that by their blind teachers. This misinterpretation was done long time back and hence, even at the time of Krishna, He told that yoga was lost since a long time.

We cannot catch those original culprits, who were the top most twisting masters and so the present tradition also cannot be blamed. Only rectification is the way left over. Some say that they see light, which is only an imagination. After all, the mind is a form of energy and on its concentration imaginary light can be imagined. Instead of such a week light, you better see a strong light with your open eyes. What is the use of these imaginary lights and colours, without achieving the Lord through your love, which excels the various worldly, loves.

I pity the foreigners, who are trapped in this false imaginary line of yoga, who are wasting their precious lifetime and energy. In fact, they are the best to succeed in yoga, if the reality of the yoga is exposed. Their family bonds are very weak and their love towards God is real, which is proved by their huge sacrifice of money to God's work. Money is the fruit of work and its sacrifice for God's work is "Karma phala tyaga" as mentioned in Gita. Again, the middle age Indians twisted this word "Karma phala tyaga" as sacrifice of the fruit of the work like praying God instead of sacrifice of money.

The reason was that these Indians were unable to sacrifice money to God due to their strong love on their children. Foreigners ask their children to earn after certain age. Indians store money even for ten generations and still continue to store only. Since prayers, meditation and knowledge are very much diverted to God, India was blessed by God with good language, good mind and good knowledge.

Since foreigners are good in sacrifice, God blessed them with good wealth. Even Indian spiritual centres were strongly funded by foreigners only. Swami Vivekananda cried, "Why my India suffers with poverty in spite of so much spiritual knowledge?" Sacrifice of money (Karma phala tyaga) and sacrifice of work (karma Sanyasa) put together constitute the God's service, which is the real Yoga (real proof of love) called "Karma yoga" in Gita. Foreigners are the best in this karma yoga and so they easily succeed in yoga. Throughout Gita, this karma yoga was explained as yoga and wheels or lotus flowers are not at all mentioned.

Datta Swami

Yoga and Meditation India Tours

Yoga and Meditation are practiced in India for centuries. Old maharishis devised this system for taking acre of their health and is mentioned in Vedas and Upanishads, ancient scriptures. Unlike other things from ancient India, Yoga and meditation is not a dying knowledge. In fact, increasing number of people are learning it and enjoying its benefits to cure their health problems. These days, due to spreading awareness of Yoga and meditation in far off lands in the world, millions of people come to India every year to learn it and have its advantages. There are many learned gurus, instructors and training centers where one can learn this ancient skill. Several tour operators in India are offering well-designed yoga and meditation India tours.

The purpose of each position in Yoga is to help the person achieve rejuvenation, longevity and self-realization. Yoga is the science of union of body and spirit. Patan jali, the father of Yoga described eight important areas of Yoga; the natural regulation of the nervous system; cleansing; discipline; postures; the awakening of awareness; concentration; and state of perfect equilibrium. Foreigners are also getting aware of importance of Yoga in their life. Thus, many of them come to India and stay there for several days or months to have its advantages. They come here for rejuvenation of their body, mind and soul and get relaxation from their stress.

Rishi kesh is regarded as the most prominent place in Yoga tours in India. Besides, Kerala also is popular destination of Yoga tours. You can combine your Yoga tours to other places such as Rajasthan, North India, Goa and more. To make your travel to India more relaxed and hassle- free, you can book your travel package online. Many reputed tour operators offer good options and discounts on Yoga and meditation tours in India. You can compare the packages offered by different travel operators and choose one that satisfies your needs more and within your budget.

To know more about dialgurgaon.com/health-beauty-and-fitness/yoga-instruction.html Yoga Centers in Gurgaon or to view swatitravel.com India Travel Packages check out swatitravel.com

Is Yoga Good Or Bad For You?

Yoga has been around for about 5,000 years. It was created in India. It came to the United States in 1893. Yoga is thought by some to be a religion. It is not. It is a technique that uses poses to observe the breath, to quiet the mind and to learn focus. It is a mental, verbal and physical practice.

The postures are referred to as Asnan, the breathing techniques are called Pratyahara and the concentration techniques are called Dharana. Hatha Yoga is the type of Yoga typically taught at fitness facilities. Hatha Yoga is a slow-paced gentle Yoga that is a good intro to the basic Yoga poses. It is good for strength training, flexibility training, posture training and to develop mind-body awareness.

Vinyasa Yoga is also popular. It is a more fluid, vigorous practice. Ashtanga Yoga is often called "Power Yoga". It too is practiced by many people in America. It is a very vigorous, athletic type of Yoga best for the advanced student. Bikram Yoga referred to as "Hot Yoga" has 26 poses students do in a room that is 90 to 100 degrees. The thought is that the muscles will be loosened by the warm room so further stretching can occur.

Keeping your body toned and flexible is very important. The poses offered in Yoga can do that if done correctly. Most Yoga practices do not work your cardiovascular system. Power Yoga may be able to challenge your cardiovascular system if the instructor formats her routine in a manner which encourages the aerobic effect.

There are some safety precautions that will help you avoid being injured in your Yoga practice. Some of the poses can place too much strain on the spine. Your neck has smaller vertebrae than your lower back so caution should be used with neck motions. The lower back although stronger also can be injured if the poses are done incorrectly or you already have a bad back.

Forward flexion of the neck (bringing your chin toward your chest) should occur by simply letting go in the back of the neck. No straining or pulling should occur from the muscles in the front of your neck. Your head is pretty heavy and favors going forward so just allowing it to do so is the best way to do forward flexion.

Extension of the neck (bringing your head backwards) needs to be done by lengthening the neck not tilting the head back. Your eyes should be looking forward or slightly rolled upward. In the past some yoga positions like the Cobra had your neck tilted way back which is very hard on your cervical spine.

Neck rolls should always be avoided they place a lot of strain on your neck. Small tipping or turning of your head with each motion returning to an upright position before going to the next position is safer for your neck.

Inverted poses like the Plough are very tough on your neck. They put a lot of pressure on your cervical spine. Misalignment can occur as well as injury. If you already have neck issues they will be aggravated. Even poses that are indirectly inverted (where your head is lower than your heart, but you are not completely upside down) like the Down dog, Standing forward fold or Child pose is unwise for those with glaucoma, ear problems or heart and circulatory issues. Women should not practice inverted poses during menstruation or pregnancy. The most problematic poses are the Plough, Shoulder stand, and the head stand.

Poses that use unsupported forward flexion (bending your torso toward your thighs) puts a lot of stress on the lower back. Most people do not have the strength in their lower backs to do this without injury. The idea is to stretch the back of your legs and to strengthen your back but many people never get to the back strengthening benefit because their backs are injured while doing the pose.To add to the problem many poses like the Sun Salutation require you to have your legs completely straight.

To help ease the strain on your back during the Sun Salutation pose keep your legs shoulder width apart. For the Standing Forward Fold keep a slight bend in your legs and support your back by placing your hands on your thighs. When doing forward folds in a seated position focus on feeling the stretch behind your legs and not on trying to lay your chest on your thighs. Lengthen and extend your spine.

Make sure that you do not feel pain when doing your poses. It is wise to watch a few classes before you take one to make sure the instructor does not push students to go past their comfort zone. An instructor should not touch you and try to push your body past its abilities.

So Yoga is a good thing if done with caution and a very bad thing if you push yourself past your capabilities.

By Lynn Hahn

My name is Lynn Hahn. I'm certified by the American Council on Exercise as a fitness instructor and a Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant. I'm also a certified Third Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo.

I produce and create very effective fitness DVDs designed for women. Come and visit my website getrealfit.org getrealfit.org to get more fitness information and to see my products.

Yoga Teachers, Prepare for the New Year's Rush - Part 3

This is the last article of this series, and by now, you should be getting some fresh ideas that will help you design a couple of new Yoga classes in your studio.

Yoga on the Ball: This has been around for awhile, but it still can add some excitement to a Yoga class. Whether you use it in a workshop, or to break up a class, the stability ball can put some life into a class.

However, not everyone will like it, especially those students who have difficulty just sitting on one of these balls. Make sure anyone who is unsteady is made aware of the hazards. It is best for some to practice near a wall, or in the corner, for stability. In this case, the wall is a secondary prop. Suzanne Deason has some interesting information on using the "Balance Ball" as a prop, in DVD format

Family Yoga: This is a great concept for most families, but it is worth noting that this type of class can attract some parents who desire to be in control of every aspect of their child's life. This type of parent will be easily noticed from the start, when he or she corrects their son's or daughter's every move.

Therefore, it is best to establish who will do the cueing, assisting, and correcting. One unchecked parent can ruin the entire class. Kids acting like kids are understandable, but when parents act like kids, it is time to put your diplomatic skills to the test. That's why it would be wise to have guidelines in place.

Partner Yoga for Singles: My wife, Marie, and I taught classes like these, and they do "break the ice." Helping and assisting someone breaks down all the barriers. This class works better as an occasional workshop.

Laughter Yoga: The first I heard of this was when a friend of mine attended a Laughter Yoga class in Ireland. Some of the Chair Yoga classes I teach have a little humor injected into them. With all the stress people get these days, this is a stress management method that will allow Yoga students to be less serious about everyday situations.

Pet Yoga: This is a nice idea, but this is for friendly and "house trained" pets, only, unless you teach the class outside. Dog Yoga has been referred to as "Doga." This is a great workshop concept, as long as there are no hostile pets present.

Chair Yoga: Most of these classes are held at senior centers, assisted living complexes, nursing homes, and physical rehabilitation facilities. It will be hard to establish a following at most Yoga studios, as this group is less mobile and transportation is a big issue.

© Copyright 2005 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Why You Should Get the Best Yoga Mat?

Shari had trained extremely hard all summer, as her goal was to run a half marathon in the fall. She spend a lot of hours running the nearby sidewalks, the trails, and the gravel road. However, by the time she ran the race, her body was in some serious pain and needed to recover from all the miles, which is why her friend Sara suggested a yoga class.

Yoga wasn't as hard on the joints and muscles, but it would keep Shari's body in shape and toned. The problem was Shari didn't know what she needed to bring to class. She looked online and found you needed certain clothes and a mat. Her goal was to buy the best yoga mat possible.

What are qualities of the best yoga mat?

- Buy the right mat for the class you are attending.
- Quality mats will have the extra padding to help you do the yoga positions.
- Mats should be around four millimeters thick.
- The best mats are eco-friendly.
- Mats are designed with extra friction.
- Find mats that can handle extra moisture and have extra durability.
- Choose patterns and colors that display your personal style.
- You can find more ideas online at blogs or yoga stores.

You will discover that there are two different kinds of mats available. You can find them online or at the store, but it is important to buy the appropriate one for your class. There is the Bikram yoga mat and the Ashtanga yoga mat. You should buy best yoga mat to help you thoroughly enjoy your experience.

The mat should be four millimeters thick, although the thickness depends on the person. Extra padding will protect someone from the floor when completing the yoga poses. A quality mat is created from material that prevents you from slipping or sliding.

Plus, you don't want in a mat that has been created with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), as it prevents the mat from being recycled and can cause cancer. A quality mat won't have PVC in it and is created out of eco-friendly materials.

The best yoga mat should be durable, because most don't want to get another one right away. Some of the lower quality mats could fall apart in a short period. It is important to research and read the available reviews. You need to make sure the mat handles extra moisture, because otherwise they could make you slip.

Carla Faulkner is a writer and researcher on products for households such as the yogapositionsover40.com/yoga-equipment/what-are-qualities-of-the-best-yoga-mat best yoga mat. Save time and money by getting a FREE in depth review of this product and many others including discounts and best prices at Carla's blog: yogapositionsover40.com yogapositionsover40.com