Yoga Teacher Certification Training

Why do yoga practitioners become teachers?

Many people who practice Yoga eventually feel the desire to go beyond practitioner and expand into a role of instructing. Although the reason for wanting to become a yoga instructor varies from person to person, one of the most common reasons is the desire to spread the benefits of Yoga to others. For others the motivation may be that becoming a teacher provides a means for making a living. Regardless of the reason, having a teacher certification is something that will make it easier for you to accomplish your goals as an instructor.

In the following paragraphs I will briefly cover the benefits of being a certified Yoga instructor, the requirements needed to become certified, and provide information on various means available for attaining a certification.

Benefits of being a Certified Yoga Teacher

In any career field a person with some sort of credentials tends to have more credibility than someone without any credentials. The same applies to someone pursuing a career as a yoga teacher. Being able to show potential students that you are certified will add to your credibility and make the process of recruiting new students a lot easier. Even if you aren't interested in owning a private school, being certified will still be of great benefit. For those of you who would prefer to work for someone else, having a certification will increase the likelihood that you will be hired to work at a recreation center, a gym or health spa, or possibly even a hospital or rehabilitation clinic. With proof of certification in hand you will not only increase your chances of landing employment but will be able to demand a higher wage for your services. With the motivation to get certified now well seeded in your brain, you must be wondering what the requirements for certification are.

Yoga Teacher Certification Requirements

To join the ranks of the certified yoga instructors you are required to complete either a 200 or 500-hour teacher training course costing around $3,000. The course curriculums will vary depending on the specific program and course level but typically they cover the following topic areas: teaching methodology, anatomy and physiology, nutrition and health, philosophy, ethics, meditation, and spiritual practice. Such courses may be offered by a formal school or perhaps even a private instructor. In either case, the course offering entity should be registered with an organization such as the Yoga Alliance or other certifying agency. If a teaching program is in compliance with established minimum educational standards, the individual teacher or school is granted the right to include RYT and RYS, Registered Yoga Teacher and Registered Yoga School, respectively after their names.

How To Get certified

As mentioned above, getting certified starts with taking a teacher training course. There are several means available for getting such training and included are face- to- face training in your local area, correspondence courses, online courses, and even home study courses. Now you have to decide if getting a certification is something that you really want to do.

Is Certification For You?

Now for the big question: Is certification for me? The answer might not be clear at this point but the information provided here should give you a foundation upon which you can make an informed decision. You have seen that attaining a yoga teacher certification can be beneficial. You have an idea of what to expect with regards to a typical teacher training curriculum and you know just about how much you will have to spend to get certified. Although I wouldn't suggest that you make a decision based solely on this information, I do think this information can help you decide if you want to look deeper into the matter. If by chance you have already concluded that you want to get certified, then you know that there are several means available for attaining a yoga teacher certification. At this point, all you need to do is find a course offering that is suitable for your needs then make a commitment to complete the course.

Harry R Lawrence III.
harryzbiz.com/yogaforlife/category/yoga-teacher-certification harryzbiz.com/yogaforlife/category/yoga-teacher-certification

Let's Stretch!

As we age, our muscles tighten and range of motion in the joints can decrease. This can have a negative effect on active lifestyles and even hinder day-to-day, normal motions. Tasks that used to be simple, such as zipping up a dress might become rather difficult. A regular stretching program can help lengthen your muscles and make daily living activities easier.

Everyone can learn to stretch, regardless of age or flexibility. Stretching should be a part of your daily routine, whether you exercise or not. Simple stretches done while sitting down, watching telly, or waiting for a bus. If you are performing strength training exercises, you can stretch in between sets. It feels good and prevent muscle shortening!

It does not have to involve a huge time commitment, but stretching can end up giving you huge results! Here are just a few of the benefits you can expect from a regular stretching program:

o Reduced muscle tension

o Injury prevention

o Increased range of movement in the joints

o Enhanced muscular coordination

o Increased circulation of the blood to various parts of the body

o Increased energy levels (resulting from increased circulation)

o Delayed onset of muscle fatigue

o Enhanced performance in daily life, sports, or other physical activity

o Improved posture

o Mental relaxation

o Added variety, enjoyment, and a sense of satisfaction with your exercise program

Stretching often neglected is important for all of us. One of the greatest benefits of stretching is that you're able to increase the length of both your muscles and tendons. Good muscles' flexibility leads to an increased range of movement in your joints which plays big part in avoiding injuries. Stretching can help to prevent an injury by promoting recovery and decreasing soreness, and ensures that your muscles and tendons are in good working order. The more conditioned and supple your muscles and tendons are, the better they can handle the rigors of sport and exercise.

Stretching comes naturally to all of us. You might notice that if you have been sitting in a particular position for a long time, you stretch unconsciously. It feels good! In addition to the latter, doing regular stretching exercises will increase your flexibility and joint movement.

How to Create the Best Bodyweight Exercise Circuits

Bodyweight training is simply the act of working out with your own bodyweight. This form of training has existed since the time men began to engage in sports. In fact, bodyweight exercises were really the only method that one could improve their strength and conditioning to face the rigors of life.

Weapons training and the act of lifting heavy objects to get stronger came much later on. But before that, it was just man and his/her bodyweight.

Over the years, bodyweight training has evolved from just simple pushups, pullups, and bodyweight squats. New exercises and training methods have been introduced. And although pushups, pullups, and bodyweight squats can take you far, one should always try to expand their knowledge and learn new ways of moving their bodies.

A New Era of Bodyweight Exercise: CST

CST, or Circular Strength Training is a training style developed by Coach Scott Sonnon. CST is famous for two important breakthroughs in fitness: the 4x7 progression method, and 6 degrees of freedom. The 4x7 progression method is a unique progression method that teaches you to program your fitness schedule based on a varying degrees of intensities to prevent burn out and to encourage positive changes in your strength, conditioning, and fitness.

The Six Degrees of Freedom idea is a unique concept which teaches your body how to move through, literally, 6 different directions. These degrees of freedom include:

Heaving: Moving up and down the vertical axis
Surging: Moving along the front-to-back axis
Swaying: Moving along the side-to-side axis
Yawing: Moving around the vertical axis
Rolling: Moving around the front-to-back axis
Pitching: Moving around the side-to-side axis

As you can see, pushups, pullups, and squats only cover 1 degree of freedom: heaving. I have realized that a full training program must include exercises that target each degree of freedom. Ideally, you want to hit each degree of freedom within a single workout.

And it is possible to hit two degrees of freedom within one exercise. It all depends on what you add to the movement. Many CST movements are derived fromPrasara Yoga. In fact, one of it's most commonly used movement, the Quad Squat, is derived directly from Prasara Yoga.

Creating a Better Bodyweight Circuit

Out of all the unique training methods I've talked about on this website, Circuit Training is the basis of them all. Circuit training is simply the act of performing a number of exercises back to back with little to no rest in between each set.

From this simple idea, you can come up with dozens of variations including supersets, tabata intervals, trisets, giant sets, pha, and interval circuits. But, the main theme is to keep your body moving and always guessing.

I have written many articles on this concept.

Some of my earlier circuit workouts were based around pushups, pullups, and bodyweight squats. But now, I try hard to incorporate other movements that train other degrees of freedom. In order to take your fitness to the next level, you need to choose movements that train each of the degrees offrom.

These will be your "next generation" of bodyweight circuit workouts.

Sample Circuit Workout

Using some CST movements, I've created a very simple circuit workout you can use to get started with your CST bodyweight journey:

5 rounds of:

Ellipse Quad Squat, 10 repetitions
Half Spinal Rocks, 10 repetitions
Screwing Press, 10 repetitions
Quad Hops to Squat, 10 repetitions
Rest 1 minute

Complete 10 repetitions for each exercise, then rest 1 minute at the end of the circuit. Repeat four more times.

If you're looking for specific fat burning bodyweight workouts, then check out Bodyweight Blueprint for Fat Loss. To learn more about this incredible program, check out my blog shahtraining.com/bodyweight-exercise-revolution/bodyweight-blueprint-for-fat-loss ShahTraining.com

If you want an overall manual to CST Bodyweight Training, check out Bodyweight Exercise Revolution. To learn more about this incredible program, check out my blog shahtraining.com/bodyweight-exercise-revolution/ ShahTraining.com

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So You Want to Practice Yoga?

You want to practice yoga because of the many things you have heard it can do for you, some bordering on the miraculous. But you haven't got the foggiest idea what yoga is besides the image of a human pretzel and this scares you. First of all, if you think that yoga is some esoteric and difficult art, banish the thought because it is nothing of the sort and is in fact as natural as breathing, stretching or yawning. The main guiding principle is that it should feel good while you are doing it and if it hurts or doesn't feel good, you are doing something wrong. Further, it doesn't matter how old or how out of shape you are-yoga will benefit you no matter what your present condition is.

At its core, yoga is a series of structured exercises that involve the whole person-physical, mental, emotional and spiritual-with the object of bringing all of those dimensions together into a harmonious whole. The word 'yoga' literally means 'to join'. Only a very small minority practice all of the yogas however, with the vast majority opting to practice only one yoga depending on their individual needs and compulsions.

The different branches of yoga are:

Hatha Yoga-Physical.

This is the most commonly practiced yoga and involves exercises that are composed mainly of physical poses or 'asanas' and breathing exercises or 'pranayama'. In an asana, the practitioner assumes a pose and holds it for a few seconds. In pranayama, the practitioner regulates the breath according to prescribed routines. Practicing either of both of these yogas has an effect on the other dimensions, viz. mental, emotional and intellectual.

Raja Yoga-Mental

Raja means 'royal' and this yoga concerns itself with the modification and control of the mind, mainly through exercises in sense withdrawal (Pratyahara), concentration (Dharana) and meditation (Dhyana) which lead to super consciousness (Samadhi).

Gyana Yoga-Knowledge

Also knows as 'Jnana' yoga, this is the path of wisdom in which the practitioner intellectually peels the onion of reality, so to speak, by slowly removing the veils of delusion and leaving only enlightenment and understanding. One technique in achieving this is called 'neti, neti' or 'not this, not this', in which every thought, image, concept, sound or sense that does not ring of the true reality is discarded one by one, eventually leaving only reality.

Karma Yoga-Action

Karma means action and this yoga is based on the fact that what goes around comes around that is enshrined in the Law of Karma. Recognizing this law and the fact that action is unavoidable, the practitioner endeavors to perform only the right actions and that too, only in the right spirit. One learns that every action should be free of any expectation of reward and this non-attachment to the fruits of action makes one fearless of any outcome.

Bhakti Yoga-Devotion

In this yoga, the practitioner understands that his human intellect is limited and cannot realize the ultimate reality without surrender to the highest power. In this spirit, the practitioner cultivates one of the most powerful motivating forces available to human beings, viz the power of devotion through a regimen of discipline and training for worship.

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Yoga Past and Present

Yoga's history has many places of anonymity and ambiguity due to its oral transmission of sacred texts and the secretive nature of its teachings. But the roots of Yoga can be traced back to more than 5000 years.

The Past

The earliest reference to Yoga was found when archaeological excavations where made in the Indus valley. Where old carvings depict a figure that some archaeologists think represents a yogi sitting in a traditional cross-legged yoga pose with its hands resting on its knees meditating.

Yoga's long rich history can be divided into four main periods of development: the Vedic Period, Pre-Classical Period, Classical Period, and Post-Classical Period.

Vedic Period

The existence of the Vedas marks this period. The Vedas contains the oldest known Yogic teachings and as such, teachings found in the Vedas are called Vedic Yoga. This is portrayed by rituals and ceremonies that try to go beyond the limitations of the mind.

During this time, the Vedic people relied on rishis or dedicated Vedic Yogis to teach them how to live in divine harmony.

Pre-Classical Yoga

The creation of the Upanishads marks the Pre-Classical Yoga. The Upanishads further explain the teachings of the Vedas.

Yoga shares some characteristics not only with Hinduism but also with Buddhism that we can trace in its history. During the sixth century B.C., Buddha started teaching Buddhism, which stresses the importance of Meditation and the practice of physical postures.

Later, around 500 B.C., the Bhagavad-Gita or Lord's Song was created and this is currently the oldest known Yoga scripture. It is devoted entirely to Yoga and has confirmed that it has been an old practice for some time. Just as the Upanishads further the Vedas, the Gita builds on and incorporates the doctrines found in the Upanishads.

Classical Period

The Classical Period is marked by another creation - the Yoga Sutra. Written by Patanjali around the second century, it was an attempt to define and standardize Classical Yoga. Patanjali's Eightfold path of Yoga also called Eight Limbs of Classical Yoga. These are:

1. Yama, which means social restraints or ethical values;

2. Niyama, which is personal observance of purity, tolerance, and study;

3. Asanas or physical exercises;

4. Pranayama, which means breath control or regulation;

5. Pratyahara or sense withdrawal in preparation for Meditation;

6. Dharana, which is about concentration;

7. Dhyana, which means Meditation; and

8. Samadhi, which means ecstasy.

Patanjali believed that each individual is a composite of matter and spirit; he believed that the two must be separated in order to cleanse the spirit - a direct contrast to Vedic and Pre-Classical Yoga that imply the union of body and spirit.

Patanjali's concept was prevailing for some centuries, so much so that some Yogis focused exclusively on Meditation and neglected their Asanas. It was only later that the belief of the body was sacred was revived and attention to the importance of the Asana was revitalized.

Post-classical Yoga

A great number of independent yoga schools and forms that where developed during the period after the Yoga sutras. As opposed to Patanjalis's Yoga, the Yoga of this era was, very much like the post-classical and Vedic traditions, characterized by the unification of body and mind.

Yogis of the past had not paid very much attention to the (physical) body, as they focused all their energy on contemplation and meditation. The new generation of Yogis however, developed a system where different exercises - in conjunction with deep breathing and meditation, would help keep the body young and prolong life. This also paved the way for the creation of Hatha Yoga, and other branches and schools of Tantra Yoga.

The Present

Modern Yoga is said to have begun by the young Swami Vivekananda from India made a deep impression on the American he introduced to. Yoga masters began to travel to the west, attracting attention and followers. In the 1920's, Hatha Yoga was strongly promoted in India with the life long work of T. Krishnamacharya . Krishnamacharya traveled through India giving demonstrations of yoga poses and opened the first Hatha Yoga School.

During the 1950s one of the foremost Yoga teachers of his time, Selvarajan Yesudian, wrote the book "Sport and Yoga", and it was through this book Yoga entered the world of sports. Today we can observe many athletes and sports teams that has incorporated Yoga in their injury reducing, strengthening and focus oriented training regimens.

In the middle of the 60s, Yoga got a real promotional boost when the Yogi Maharishi Mahesh taught Yoga to the famous pop-stars in the Beatles. Many other artists and musicians where influenced to take up Yoga as well.

Yoga became especially popular in Hollywood when Russian born Indra Devi, opened a Yoga studio in Hollywood in 1947. She taught movie starts like Gloria Swanson, Jennifer Jones and Robert Ryan, as well as educating hundreds of Yoga teachers.

Yoga today

Yoga today has gained tremendously in popularity and has a following over 30 million people from all over the world and is the most rapidly growing health movement of today. From celebrities to the common man everybody is now aware of the health and mental benefits of yoga, in fact many doctors recommend yoga especially for stress and relaxation. New studies have shown a high success rate up to 73 percent for treating depression with sudharshan kriya, a pranayama technique taught in the U.S. as "The Healing Breath Technique."

People's attitude towards health, spirituality, way of life and our place in society have changed quite radically. As we suffer more and more from physical and psychological stress, and fight with new and old diseases, yoga seems if not the answer a friend indeed.

Ashish Bhattacharya is an exponent of oriental and alternative medicine. Armed with a degree in East Asian Therapies from China, he has worked in a shantiananda.com Destination Spa Mauritius, and is an expert in Mauritius resorts [shantiananda.com/main.html]

The Art of Losing & Finding

Two years ago I lost my job to the economic tsunami called the recession. A month before that, my mother, my only surviving parent, died due to a sudden heart condition. I had to move out of my beautiful, massive, sea view pent house on the 35th floor, to a shanty little locality and live in a musty ground floor apartment that felt more claustrophobic than a moldy steel vault. I was completely frustrated about where life suddenly took me. I was forty and had enough. But had I? My wife decided to leave me exactly ten weeks later. She said something about having "fallen out of love"... but to be honest, she needed to go find someone who could provide her all the creature comforts that I could no longer afford. I was devastated, depressed and confused. I had no siblings and all the friends I had mustered along with my high flying life, were jet setting in an orbit far away from Loserville.

I was so alone that even saying hello to a passerby on the street seemed comforting. Heck, even my reflection in the mirror felt like company. I just needed to be around people. To feel some warmth. To be comforted. But none of this could be ordered online. I sat all day watching TV and one day I saw a documentary on India....there were so many people milling about on the streets. Brushing against one another as though it was the most normal thing. There was colour, sunshine, warmth. It seemed so overwhelming, so alien that it became magical. All this time, I never once considered going to India as I much rather preferred the south of France, Spain or Tuscany. But at that moment I just knew I had to get there. I got rid of most of what I had, took the money and headed to India.

India assaulted my senses. Overpowered them. Captivated them. Everything that happened to me seemed so distant, as though the vibrancy of India made it fade to a pale past. I decided to explore the country from the south to the north... sort of like a metaphor of my own life, which would someday head northwards again from this bottomless southbound spiral. I spent the first few weeks in Kerala, Goa and Tamil Nadu living in really cheap places spending not more than ten dollars a day on food, travel and stay. It was tough. And it was horrible. I spent nights in the most depressing places, travelling in the most overcrowded public transport and falling sick as a dog time and time again. And it was hot, humid and sticky almost everywhere I went.

I finally moved up north and landed in New Delhi on a low cost air carrier. The train ride would have taken over two days and at this point, I needed some semblance of dignity in travelling. I spent two nights there and left for Rajasthan. En route I stopped at the Taj Mahal in Agra.Standing in front of this monument of love, I saw more couples huddling and posing together for pictures, than I had ever seen anywhere in India. New married couples, middle aged ones, old ones...just people who were on a journey of togetherness and love. Neither of which I had any more. Something in me just snapped while I was there. From nowhere, the flood gates of my memories crashed opened and tears streamed out like the burst fire hydrant of my heart. I just sat there and sobbed while people gathered, laughed, giggle, pointed and even took pictures of me.

What followed were some of the darkest days of my life. I got back to Delhi and checked into a hotel and stayed in the room for days. Just crying mostly. And drinking whiskey in between. When both the tears and the booze ran out, I pulled myself together, took a shower, wore some clean clothes and headed out. Something dawned on me. I was in India, so why on earth was I just travelling here and there instead of actually doing some spiritual programme that might really heal me and help me cope with my losses. I did my research. Looked like everyone was heading to Rishikesh or Dharamsala. I chose the first and went there. I did the "India thing", lived in an austere ashram with many foreign tourists who all seemed to have attained nirvana. Slept o the floor, went to an Indian style toilet (hole in the ground with no running water), listened to lectures by bearded mean in saffron robes, ate lentils and rice all the time and felt worse than I had to begin with. This was clearly not for me. I wanted to be healed in a more calm, less chaotic, more comfortable environment, by someone who spoke my language (more than verbally). Someone who could make me relate to and consider what they are saying. This was just a hippie haven! Ashrams dotted the landscape like ants. There was no peace here.

Having had enough of the Hindu ashrams, I thought a nice tranquil Buddhist town may just the place to get my shot at spirituality. My next stop was Dharamsala. Little Tibet, as it's called, home to the Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama is exile. Visited by Hollywood celebrities. I arrived there by bus, with a hundred images of the tranquil town floating through my head. And lo behold --- traffic jams, horns, crowds, shanty buildings like little cardboard boxes erected on every square foot of space available.

I checked into one of the many shoddy hotels and strolled around to see what I could do here. Posters, banners, leaflets jostled for space on walls and on counters of shops and restaurants. Each one with a different spiritual offering. I made my way to the Tushita centre and booked myself into a meditation and Buddhist study course. Soon I found it's claim to fame was its "western teachers". I found it completely odd that one needs to come all the way to India to learn from the western teacher. The centre was spartan, devoid to anything much except a load of attitude given by the few Tibetans who were obviously used to having their egos pandered by the wide eyed, almost completely western followers. In fact the one Indian student there seemed to be invisible to all of them and all her questions will always brushed aside. I felt quite sad for her and I realized that this was just another devoid of any genuine love and essence of spirituality.

I was glad when the course got over and spent another day observing the functioning of this Tibetan refugee town. Everywhere I could see, the white man was looked upon as a ticket to a brighter future. Monks latched on to bewildered Caucasians in the hope of getting a ticket out of here, literally. One monk befriended me and even offered to make me meet the Dalai Lama if I could afford his "fee". This was bollocks. This place was just a full blown scam, where modern monks (if one must call them that because of the robes they wear) carry laptops, talk non stop on their mobile phones and don the latest accessories creamed off the gullible and "mis-giving" tourist. Is this what I travelled all the way form across the world for? So when I get back home I would have absolutely no money or peace of mind. Was this whole spirituality deal in India just a well marketed sham?

I took the bus back to Delhi, dejected yet determined to find the one place where I could really go and find spiritual solace and peace. This was just the foothills of the Himalayas. What about further up. I had seen such fantastic pictures...there had to be something there. Since I did not really have any local knowledge, I went back and got connected to the net. I sent Tweets. I put a posting on Facebook, asking everyone if they had experienced something spiritually worthwhile in India. I mostly had stupid replies coming from FB "friends" most of whom I did not remember. And some time later I got a tweet that asked me to check out 'Blue Mango in the Himalayas.' There was a pure, beautiful ring to it.

I went to their website, by now used to seeing the tacky sites that these places usually have. But after a long time, and for a huge change, I saw something that instantly brought about a feeling of calmness, serenity...rightness. It was strange but it gave me the right "vibe".

I thought this world just existed in expensive Hollywood films. In books and fables. But there it was, right is front of me. Perhaps the reason for my coming to India in the first place. I had to get there. Blue Mango in the Himalayas turned out to be a spiritual retreat that is all that I want it to be. It's so well thought out, the programme is beautifully structured to actually gives a person something concrete to take back and also something real to work with. In my experience most places make you just do yoga followed by meditation (where one sits quietly with a hundred thoughts in the head...wondering if all the others have managed to "still their minds"...and feeling to insecure to confess that you have not! And then you get back, never having addressed any real issues that took us there in the first place.

How do we deal with those? What about getting rid of emotional baggage? And being able to do all this in a clean, comfortable environment...with more than watery lentils for food? And can someone just not assume I can meditate just because I diligently followed the instructions to breathe and sit quietly?! I like that at Blue Mango in the Himalayas they have thought of every single detail --- food, though vegetarian, is varied and interesting and based on ancient traditions. The accommodation is in the form of luxurious tents with your private sit-outs. The views are spectacular. Location is so right for an inward journey. Unlike Dharamsala and Rishikesh, this place really has a tranquil feel to it. And unlike those places, it's nowhere close to being a commercial spiritual slum. It's pristine. The therapies are powerful.

And quite importantly for me, I am in safe hands. The retreat is run by people who have lived in the world we relate to, studied and woven spirituality with practical day to day life in the most deft and amazing manner. They say that "Blue Mango in the Himalayas is the world's highest meditation, inner work and spiritual rejuvenation retreat" but I can simply say that it's my soul destination. Life has guided me here. I hope to find some answers. Some Shanti (which means deep peace in Hindi).

It's been a long journey for me but after losing everything, I have found the one thing that truly makes me smile and say "Life is Beautiful"... By any chance, did I mention that "one thing" is actually a beautiful girl I have fallen in love with ï Strangely enough her name is Shanti ïï More on her later!

Fighting Yoga

Personally I am pleased and grateful to be able to say 'I have not been involved in a physical combat situation for twenty plus years'. Although I teach self defence, I did not decide to become a Self Defence Trainer because I was always getting attacked.

I have practiced Yoga for nearly twenty years and whilst I had frequently promised myself 'one day I will learn to fight' I hadn't done much about it. Yoga was my martial art and it kept me safe. I didn't want to learn a martial art or something similar which was going to take years and didn't really work in a real life potentially life and death situation.

What I wanted was a quick learn, inexpensive way of learning how to defend myself and my family. The thought of someone messing with one of our kids led me to take the matter seriously and really make the commitment to learn self defence.

I examined all of the systems and training courses I could find. The one I was looking for needed to be quick to learn, inexpensive and highly effective. Once I found the right system I trained and studied and trained and studied until I new my stuff.

After my first session I was a different person. I gained a large increase in confidence due to being better able to look after myself, and an increase in both mental and physical fitness levels. My awareness increased too.

Khrisha instructed Anjuna to fight. Zen Warriors, Sumarai... Immediately I knew that merging self defence fighting with yoga, tantra, meditation etc was working for me.

But I appreciate this is probably not the case for everyone. I guess typically yogis don't like to fight, or learn how to fight... But, what's typically got to do with anything? There is only now and you have to do what's right and true for you in this very moment. All I can say is that as a yogi learning to defend myself has made me feel a whole lot better. It works on the may and off!

Learning to fight is learning to fight. And it's good to know how to fight for Yoga right? Enlightenment I believe requires an effort & effort is fight, right?

There comes a time in all of our lives when we have to fight. Maybe not physically but certainly verbally and mentally and possibly even spiritually.

Life has within it injustice, aggression and hell. In my experience sometime or other we all have to fight with all of them. It's only dead fish that always go with the flow. Someone living in hell wants you to join them. Someone living in heaven wants you to join them. It helps to be aware of what's what and who's who. Your instinct is your best guide.

When someone is prepared to attack you, armed or unarmed, or break into your property knowing you are there, there's a good chance they don't care too much for your well-being or safety. You are responsible for yourself.

By learning self defence you will certainly learn how to fight. It may not be pretty or stylish but if you pick the right system it works. Your self defence training should also help you fight in other ways. With the unreasonable bank manager, wife, husband, friend...

I sincerely hope the majority of any self defence or martial art training you do will never need to be used in a real life situation. But it's better to have it & not use it than it is to need it & not have it, right?

Fighting is at one with Yoga. If you can not stand up and fight you are not the same sort of warrior as Arjuna. Being a Zen Warrior is a long way off... Fighting like a Ninja is just a dream... As Yoga gives you balance and peace so self defence gives you the ability to fight, on all levels.

We hope you have enjoyed reading this article & sweey yogis I hope you always fight for what's right. Fight for your yoga. Discipline is a fight. Yoga is a discipline, certainly in the early days, weeks and months at least.

To your health, wealth, enlightenment and safety.

OM SHANTI,

Johnathon Martin

bestchanceselfdefence.co.uk bestchanceselfdefence.co.uk

Johnathon Martin is the head trainer at BEST CHANCE SELF DEFENCE, West London.

To contact him of for further information on learning self defence please visit bestchanceselfdefence.co.uk bestchanceselfdefence.co.uk.