Teaching Hatha Yoga - Methods for Improving Student Motivation

Many times, a lack of student attendance has nothing to do with the Yoga teacher. For example: When students experience job changes, divorce, illness, a death in the family, or an automobile accident - these are circumstances, which are beyond the control of a Yoga instructor.

Yet, student motivation is an area where we can definitely help. The following are some methods for raising the motivation level in our students, in anyone we meet, and within oneself.

Record keeping, or documenting goals achieved, is a great way to measure our progress toward our objectives. When students have a track record of all their successes in life, they become inspired and motivated. This not only applies to Yoga, but to life itself.

It is easy to lose the will to go on, if we believe we are not worthy of anything. One's inner vision can easily become so distorted, that we believe we are failures, and we do not deserve to succeed. If we believe anything about ourselves, it should be positive, inspiring, and raise our spirits.

Yoga must become a lifestyle for students to experience complete health. Students should be constantly reminded to practice Yoga at home, while traveling, or in any place they go. Sitting up straight, walking tall, and standing erect, are every day examples of correct posturing and proper alignment (asanas). Good posture can be practiced at any time.

The same can be said for Yogic breathing techniques (pranayama). We breathe all day; therefore, why not make a conscious effort to breathe correctly? Bastrika, Udgeeth, Nadi Shodana, Shitali, Ujjayi, Dirgha, and Kapalabhati pranayama can be practiced throughout the day. Granted, we may not want to practice all of them in a public place, but breathing correctly, and fully, will increase the quality of our lives.

Are students learning anything about Yamas and Niyamas in your classes? They do not have to learn them all at once. You could briefly cover one aspect, over the course a week, at the end of your class, or after meditation. This would give your Yoga students motivation and encouragement.

Mantra and Japa can be practiced mentally, at home, while traveling, or in between tasks. Regardless of religion, prayer is a universal concept. We live at a time when people say they are too busy to pray. They are busy working and making money. While it is true we need money to survive, it is false to claim we have no time for prayer.

Most Hatha Yoga classes do not discuss religion or prayer. In fact, praying and spiritual growth are not covered in detail, because there have been many conflicts over religion. Yet, the concepts and benefits of prayer are universal to all religions. Praying is good for spiritual health and motivation.

Making quiet time for a short meditation is something very few people do. Meditation can help us in many ways, but mental focus also brings about a new state of awareness, and the motivation to make positive changes.

Yoga teachers should also develop a handout - to cover living a Yogic lifestyle. This would provide information about the benefits of developing a "home Yoga practice." Students can then make healthy changes gradually, as a result of the information you provide.

© Copyright 2008 - 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. aurawellnesscenter.com aurawellnesscenter.com 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: yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Really Great Low Back Pain Exercises!

If you suffer from lower back pains, you should try some exercises to easy away the pain instead of taking medication that may do bad things to your stomach lining and liver. If you don't suffer from lower back pain but are looking for exercises that don't cause a lot of back strain then this article is the one for you.

Yoga is one of the oldest forms of exercise and is the best at keeping you lithe, limber and flexible. One of the best positions for your back is the downward dog which stretches all the muscles in your back as well as your thighs and calves and shoulders and arms. You begin on all fours, elbows and knees equal widths apart then you begin to push up with your legs and then your arms until your body forms a triangle basically with your hips and waist as the apex and your arms and legs at the two ends, you hold the pose for a few seconds and then return to all fours and repeat a few times.

Another good yoga exercise for your back is the triangle pose. You begin with your legs spread out to be in line with your shoulders. Then you tilt slightly to the side to bring your left palm in line with your knee and lift your right arm above your head with the palm facing your body. Hold this pose for fifteen seconds or as long as it is comfortable for you and feel the stretch. Switch sides and repeat for a few times.

Another good exercise for your back and your posture is the tree pose. You begin this exercise standing straight then bring your left foot up to rest against your right calf, knee, or thigh whichever is the most comfortable for you, of course increasing the height of your foot every couple of times you exercise. Once you have achieved this pose you bring your hands together in front of you palm to palm, with your elbows sticking straight out. This position stretches your back, your calf muscles, increases your balance and stretches your triceps.

Yoga is a wonderful low impact exercise program that increases your limberness and agility. It decreases back pain by building strength and flexibility in your muscles by stretching them and strengthens you mentally and physically. You should try yoga to alleviate your back pain before purchasing any expensive back exercise equipment or pain relief medications.

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How Hatha Yoga Can Help Anger Management

The idea of practicing Yoga, as an adjunct to anger management therapy, has promise, but it also has disbelievers. Those who would prefer to stay as they are have "short changed" their chances at achieving success through any form of therapy. If we do not believe in a form of treatment, there is not much chance of success.

In standard therapeutic forms of anger management therapy, a patient sees a professional mental health counselor. This decision, to seek counseling, could be voluntary or court mandated. If someone voluntarily seeks professional help, he or she sees the reality of the problem.

When anger is out of control, it can turn violent in an instant. Relationships and jobs take a back seat, while anger plays itself out. If it is left unchecked, anger destroys families, friendships, and careers. Through violence, anger leads to crimes of passion.

How can Hatha Yoga help?

Yet, the goal of all forms of Yoga is tranquility of mind through training. Some people claim that Yoga should have no goals. This is a ludicrous concept, because generations of people would not continue to practice Yoga, over thousands of years, without goals.

Make no mistake about it, Yoga will train the mind. Even, the person, who goes to a Yoga fitness class, for years, without learning anything more than postures (asanas), will eventually notice his or her mind has become calmer. The urge to have fits of anger begins to disappear as a Yoga practitioner continues to stay with the practice.

The benefits from a complete style of Yoga, which practices pranayama (yogic breathing), asana, mantra, meditation, and relaxation techniques, cannot be understated. The reason for a state of tranquility is quite simple: Yoga allows the practitioner to control his or her mind.

There are many reasons to go off into a fit of anger. We may not have reached a state of maturity, where we are able to control our actions. For example: Children do not consider the consequences of their actions. When adults react in a cycle to the same "triggers" of the past, they lack the coping skills to deal with daily situations that occur in relationships and in the workplace.

Hatha Yoga gives one all the tools to train the mind in a positive direction. Anger is, in fact, a complete waste of time. If someone hurts us, it is better to find a logical solution to end or lessen the pain. When the mind is in the middle of a temper tantrum, no logical solutions will be found.

© Copyright 2008 - 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.

aurawellnesscenter.com aurawellnesscenter.com

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/member-offer.html yoga-teacher-training.org/member-offer.html

Anger Management Techniques For Beginners

Anger management is a terminology usually used in reference to a set of therapeutic psychological techniques that and exercises that enables a person with excessive anger to control the trigger factors, the level of anger and the impact of the anger. Such services may even be backed by the law in some countries.

Anger management techniques are often specific to the individual because of the varying trigger factors. Because anger is often a result of lack of conflict resolution within a person or between people, the most applied techniques is that of mediation between two parties to eliminate the trigger factor. Other interventions include relaxation by meditation and having a deep breath. Proven anger management techniques include developing empathy and stress management skills. The most powerful however is the ability to forgive. Forgiving is therapeutic for both the person who is aggrieved and the one that is an aggressor.

Psychologists recommend a set of anger management techniques that are aimed at controlling the emotions while allow expression of the anger in a healthy way. This is important because anger is a natural part of body language and cannot be avoided completely.

Here are a few of the prescribed anger management techniques:

Being honest about the feeling: Admission of disappointment or annoyance from a behavior is a good step towards anger management. Anyone who has a problem should be trained to be express their anger through body language and words without being violent.

Considerate or tolerant: This is another very important anger management skill. The person who is angry is encouraged to express their anger in a manner that will not lead to a feeling of manipulation or blackmail from the other person. The bottom line is that the human rights and dignity of the other person must not be abused.

Sticking to the specific issue: More often than not a person who is expressing anger may invoke previous disappointments or dwell on issues that are not directly related to the particular event that caused the anger. Anger management techniques encouraged a person to express their anger and voice their disappointments reference to the particular issues at hand. This will encourage corrective measures than trying to create guilt feeling.

Explaining your anger convincingly: This is important as a means by which the angered person deals completely with the anger. It also enables the aggressor to learn how not to cause anger next time.

According to ilchi-lee.com Professor Ilchi Lee forgiveness is a very powerful emotion that encourages the aggrieved person to express their feeling. Upon expression of the disappointment, the person learns to completely remove it from his or her mind. Most anger management techniques border on improving communication skills. It encourages courageous and persistent communication and good listening skills.

Jeff Brendan is a Dahn Yoga student and enthusiast. Always willing to share his experiences and help others by sharing his knowledge.

Do You Know How Hypnotherapists Train?

Typical sessions with hypnotherapists begin with an initial consultation, where the problem is assessed. Perhaps a patient wants to lose weight, quit smoking, control anger, assuage surgery fears or think more positively. Next, the therapist will tell the patient more about hypnosis and what to expect. During the session, the patient will be put into a state of trance and hypnotic suggestion or other special techniques are used to transform a person's condition. While it may seem like mumbo-jumbo magic spells, therapists say their work affirms a patient's innermost desires, unblocks any reservations the person may have about achieving their goals and uses mind over matter to inspire others to greatness.

Hypnotherapists are, first and foremost, self-motivated entrepreneurs. They are also naturally positive people who have a strong desire to help others. Since the job itself is so flexible, many therapists start off part-time, seeing people on the weekends or evenings while building a client base. They may team up with healing centers, physical therapy offices, counselors, reiki yoga centers or acupuncture clinics to gain business.

Marketing and networking are central to the success of a hypnotherapist. Some professionals run home offices to keep overhead costs down, while others gain employment at a hypnosis center. Later, experienced specialists usually branch off to hold weekend workshops and retreats, teach classes or offer group sessions. Some even take their talents to the stage.

While not required, gaining hypnotherapy certification can be a great way for aspiring hypnotherapists to build rapport with prospective clients, gain added marketing exposure and prove themselves as a cut above the rest. The American Society for Clinical Hypnosis Certification and Approved Consultant Program holds national prestige as an emerging standard for hypnosis training. Professionals will receive a diploma from the American Board of Medical Hypnosis, the American Board of Psychological Hypnosis, the American Board of Hypnosis in Dentistry, or the American Hypnosis Board for Clinical Social Work.

There are many schools specializing in training hypnotherapists. In Southern California, the Hypnosis Motivation Institute offers an intensive four-week course in hypnotherapy certification. Local residents can receive their training completely free and out-of-state individuals can take a distance course at no charge as well.

In Illinois, The Alternative Practitioner Academy (Apatoday) offers several different hypnosis training certifications, including stage hypnotism, National Guild of Hypnotherapy certification, medical hypnotism and clinical hypnotherapy. They have free marketing training too. The Hypnotherapy Training Institute of San Francisco, California is another respected school where people can learn about hypnosis through meetings, classes, workshops, mentoring and courses.

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My Secret Workout!

I can say I am in the best shape of my life! Not because I am a fitness personal trainer and not every personal trainer is in the best shape of their life. My fitness training has come a long way. This is how it began for me. When I was ten years old, my grandfather was the first one who taught me how to do push ups in my small bed; and when I was 14 years old, my father had bought me my first two pairs of dumbbells. At 19, I was in the Taiwanese army for two years and we ran 5kms almost every morning at 6am and 100 push ups every night before we slept.

At 25, I picked up my first barbell and I fell in love with body building style weight training, I became a certified personal fitness trainer when I was 28 and continually lifting heavy weights in the gym had caused subsequent shoulder joint injury and back pain for many years. I can bench 120 KGS and squat 120 KGS at the time. (I only weighted 70kgs).

Nowadays I abandoned traditional body building style training (sorry Arnold but you are still my hero!) I developed my own style workout which I call hybrid workouts and I have no routine! I still bench and do squat but I mix it up with different type of techniques like jerk, clean and flips. I also mix it up with interval training technique but other then that, I do cross training! (a link to cross training page) I would play tennis for an hour (a great method for muti-dimension functional training!). I would do boxing for an hour (great cardio workout - exercising coordination and functions!). I would also include swimming in my workout once a week (I don't play in the swimming pool like children. I do swim to sweat out!). I have also included biking in my workout routine but not for a whole hour - it all depends on how I feel. Like I said, I do not have a routine but the idea is to mix everything into a good workout. By the way, I would attend a yoga class if my body feels like it!

My point is that if you have hit a plateau or has an injury, don't feel you can't exercise, just simply change your routine and make comprise with your workout, learn a new technique for your new workout! I only learn to play tennis this year (hey I paid for a tennis coach too!). And I never learn how to swim until the age of 33. I can now do breadth stroke for an hour, without stopping!

After all, you don't have to play tennis or kick boxing like I do, but you can simply alternate your workout by using a stationary bike or even go out for a bike ride on a Sunday! Once a week, go for a run in the park or treadmill at least! Attend a yoga class occasionally! If you don't have a swimming pool at home, try the public swimming pool or join a health club! You can also jump rope for half an hour in the gym or in the park.

Here are a few suggestions for a routine I've tried out lately and you can use it as your own.

Monday - weight training whole body

Tuesday - swimming 30 min non-stop

Wednesday - break

Thursday - running on treadmill for 15 min. Speed at 12-14kms then lower body part workout alternate with upper body part workout

Friday - break or try something different like tennis

Saturday - stationary bike 15-20 min on level 10-15 then core muscle training

Sunday - running and sprinting in the park with body weight training like push-ups and pull-ups

Russell Lee is an international qualified fitness personal trainer. He?s trained people from 14- 80 year olds all over the world. He has more then 6,000 hours hands one on one personal training experience. 2,000 hours of group fitness training with over 800 clients from all over the world. He speaks through his professional experiences. He is the founder of Revolution Fitness ? bangkokpersonaltraining.com bangkokpersonaltraining.com

Benefit of Yoga As Meditation

Nowadays, yoga is becoming a new trend. A lot of gym offers yoga classes for their members. By practicing yoga, you can create a balance between the body and the mind. It also helps you to maintain internal and external strength. Yoga symbolizes the balances of yin and yang. It teaches about balancing a healthy body with a healthy mind. In short, yoga keeps you healthy as well as the perfect way of meditation.

As described previously, yoga helps you maintain a healthy body and mind. There are a lot of yoga variants that can give you various effects. Yoga itself is divided into two big groups. They are body focused yoga and mind focused yoga. Just like their names, each group gives different effects. The mind focused yoga can also be said as meditation. One group will keep you healthy physically while the other mentally. Below are details of each group along with their advantages.

1. Body focused yoga

Body focused yoga includes bikram yoga, ashtanga yoga, lyengar yoga, and vinyasa yoga. They offer different benefits for your physical body. Body focused yoga can increase your muscle strength and flexibility as it emphasizes more on exercising the physical body. There are various movements of yoga; however, the basics are the same. First you need to do movements and then hold them for a couple of second so that you can feel your muscle contracting. You also need to control your breathing. It is just like pumping oxygen into your muscles. Maybe your muscles will not be as big compared to doing bench presses. But you will get some effective, flexible, and strong muscle. Even professional basketball players from LA Lakers, Jordan Farmar, do yoga to increase his muscle strength and flexibility. Jordan stated that since he started doing the yoga after his regular basketball training, he felt that he became much faster and much stronger.

2. Mind focused yoga

Mind focused yoga include bhakti yoga, mantra yoga, and raja yoga. The benefits of mind yoga are just as much as body yoga. For example, mind focused yoga allows you to be more patient, more focused, and relaxed. Mind focused yoga has similar effects than that of meditation. You will feel light and fresh after doing this kind of yoga. The mind focused yoga is usually done after a tiring day of work, as it can help you drown your fatigue and deal with frustration. It also helps clear your mind and manage your anger, so you have more control over your emotions. The most important thing in mind focused yoga is to control your breathing. It is just one kind of meditation that will give many benefits. The movements are minimalist and give little impact to your physical body, but the benefits for your mind are undoubtedly great.

There are lot more the benefits of yoga that cannot be explained. Yoga could be an alternative exercise for you, especially if you are the type of person who works in an intense and stressful environment or unable to do intense physical exercises due to physical restrictions. Yoga is also a great way to relax. You can do yoga anytime anywhere.

If you are searching for enlightenment or want to learn how to effectively meditate visit healthwithmeditation.blogspot.com Health with Meditation This site give you more deep information about how to meditate better than you ever thought possible. visit healthwithmeditation.blogspot.com healthwithmeditation.blogspot.com