Archive for June, 2007

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Many people are looking for stress management in Yoga classes, but cannot find it in the area where they live. If you are looking for relaxation techniques, it is unlikely that you will learn them in a room full of “young hard bodies,” in which the room is heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

In truth, a hot room may do many of us some good, but for some people, a 105 degrees Fahrenheit Yoga class, may have just the opposite effect. Some of us are comfortable in warm weather climates, while others dislike the heat. In the end, Hot Yoga is a matter of personal preference.

When Aura Wellness Center was located in North Providence, there was a Hot Yoga studio just a few blocks away. We would often receive some of their students, who no longer wanted heat.

Many of them would tell us of students who vomited in the parking lot after 90 minutes of Yoga at 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Well, that’s one way to get the toxins out of your body, but there are less radical methods.

So, what do you do if the only styles you can find are aerobic, cardio, hot, or fitness Yoga? These days, many people may find initial exposure to Yoga in a health club. Yet, Yoga is still being taught in ashrams and Yoga studios.

Yoga teachers, in local Yoga studios, usually have, at least, two styles, which they teach to the public. If you have never heard of the style, or styles, at your local Yoga studio, you can still research the style in books or on the Internet.

What if there is nothing in your area to help in the area of Yoga for stress management? Then, it is time to visit your local book store or library. You should research Yoga books, stress management books, Yoga audio books, until you find the stress management course, which is right for you.

Yogic Relaxation Techniques can be practiced any time you need them, but most people practice them before sleeping or before meditation. Your body and mind need rest every day, but dreams do not allow your mind to rest.

Let’s discuss two Yogic methods for relaxation, which you will easily find in your books. One is the Stage-by-Stage relaxation technique and the other is a variation of the Body Scan Technique. Both of them incorporate breath awareness; we will focus on the body from the toes up.

You should take the time to decide which relaxation method is best for you, by practicing each method a few times, over the course of seven days.

Stage-by-Stage relaxation takes a bit more time, but each method could also be practiced before meditation, bedtime, or on nights when you experience insomnia. The worst that can happen is you fall asleep.

Do not judge yourself – Just practice, observe, and enjoy.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

——————————————–
Yoga Teacher Training in Massachusetts: http://www.riyoga.com
——————————————–
FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
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The next Aura Yoga Teacher Training will be held in our Attleboro, MA facility, located at 21 Park Street, Suite 202 in downtown Attleboro.

Orientation night for Yoga teacher training will be Friday, September 7, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

——————————————–
Attleboro Yoga & Pilates Classes are closed for the first two weeks of July.
——————————————–

Dear Yoga & Pilates Enthusiasts of Attleboro,

The next session will start on Monday, July 16, 2007

Each month the Tuesday night class will show case a different class. There will be no Tuesday classes in July.

Monday: 6 PM – 7 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Tuesday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM – No Class in July
Wednesday: 6 PM – 7 PM Pilates/ Body Sculpt
Thursday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga

Aura Wellness Center
21 Park St.Suite 202, 2nd Floor
Attleboro, MA 02703

Phone: 508-222-0092

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

If you are deciding which Yoga book to buy for your collection, choose a book that will captivate your imagination, and suit your needs. On the subject of reading Yoga books: It has been a life long passion for some of us. Yet, it is not the number of books you read, but how you apply them to your life and the lives of others around you, which makes a difference.

The practical application of what you learn is more important than the quantity of Yoga books you read. So, the question is: How will you put the knowledge you learn to good use? To take an extreme view: If a homeless man reads personal finance magazines every day, he has educated himself, but he has not applied any of the advice.

You would be surprised what the homeless know. I knew a man who was homeless, yet he was very familiar with the “ups and downs” of the stock market. How did he learn so much? He pulled the Wall Street Journal from the trash and mentally absorbed it. Unfortunately, he never applied the knowledge he learned.

This is a critical point to understand. Knowledge is like a bank savings account – You have to save, but you also have to put your savings to good use. In the words of Andrew Carnegie, “I resolved to stop accumulating and begin the infinitely more serious and difficult task of wise distribution.”

To learn knowledge, without applying it to life, is a waste. It is not intentional, in most cases, but what a shame it is to know so much and not be able to help anyone with it.

Within Yoga, today, are so many books to read, which were not accessible to many of us a few decades ago. Some Yoga texts have been in existence for thousands of years, but local libraries did not have much on the topic of Yoga.

At that time, we did not have VCR’s, DVD’s, Internet access, e-Books, MP3 Downloads, or Yoga audio books.

So, what did we do? When we acquired a Yoga book, or any book, we analyzed it by hand, and read a little. We made sure it would suit our needs, before we checked it out of the library, or purchased it from a book store.

The reason is simple – If we buy or borrow any kind of a book, the value of our time is magnified by our complete comprehension and the ability to put it to practical use.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

——————————————–
Yoga Teacher Training in Massachusetts: http://www.riyoga.com
——————————————–
FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
——————————————–

The next Aura Yoga Teacher Training will be held in our Attleboro, MA facility, located at 21 Park Street, Suite 202 in downtown Attleboro.

Orientation night for Yoga teacher training will be Friday, September 7, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

——————————————–
Attleboro Yoga & Pilates Classes are closed for the first two weeks of July.
——————————————–

Dear Yoga & Pilates Enthusiasts of Attleboro,

The next session will start on Monday, July 16, 2007

Each month the Tuesday night class will show case a different class. There will be no Tuesday classes in July.

Monday: 6 PM – 7 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Tuesday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM – No Class in July
Wednesday: 6 PM – 7 PM Pilates/ Body Sculpt
Thursday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga

Aura Wellness Center
21 Park St.Suite 202, 2nd Floor
Attleboro, MA 02703

Phone: 508-222-0092

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

How can Yoga help you convert anxiety into something positive? How can you take charge of your life and declare self-mastery? Can Yoga really empower you to master anxiety?

Anxiety can be created by any number of situations, including your alarm clock, the commute to work, being in a large crowd, or traveling to an unfamiliar place. Mild anxiety can help us mature, and learn when to speak up for ourselves, but severe anxiety can shorten our lives.

Therefore, Yoga can enable you to respond to anxiety with solutions to protect your body and mind from the harmful effects of excessive stress. One of the greatest benefits, of all forms of Yoga, is the ability to become ‘self aware.” Self awareness is called by many things, but this state of mind is most often called self-realization.

Yogic self-realization is being present, and mindful, of the present moment. It also allows you to recognize minor stress from severe stress. Some people feel major stress going to work on Monday. Maybe their supervisor is chronically demanding, an influential co-worker is toxic, or the “high pressure atmosphere” has taken a toll on the health of their co-workers, deadlines are unrealistic, or their job security is threatened every waking minute.

In this case, self-realization makes us realize that we can take steps to find another job. You may think, “What else can I do?” “I have no other skills” or “Easy for you to say.” In truth, family physicians often tell their patients that a job change may improve their health because excessive stress is a major cause of death.

Consider this: Would you rather leave your job, or die right now? Stress causes many heart problems, suicide, high blood pressure, and more. Excessive stress will lower your immunity levels – which invites an entourage of life threatening diseases. Have you ever noticed a co-worker who is out sick all the time? Unless that person loves to take time off, the odds are, that person has a low immunity level, due to excessive stress.

Stress and anxiety can disrupt vital organs and their basic functions. Excessive stress can also cause psychological problems, which may be seen as anger, rage, and temper tantrums.

In just one Yoga class, you learn “life saving breathing” techniques (Pranayama), which can help you control anxiety – before anxiety causes you serious mental and physical harm. Pranayama literally transforms anxiety to self-mastery, but it must be practiced daily.

Anxiety is nervous energy (fuel) – while Pranayama serves the body and mind, much like a furnace. Use anxiety as fuel, with Pranayama and regular Hatha Yoga practice.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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How to Become a Certified Hatha Yoga Teacher
——————————————–
FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter.
Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”
Visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org
Affiliates: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/signup.html
Sister Blog: http://yoga-teacher-training.blogspot.com/
On-Site Training: http://www.riyoga.com
——————————————–
FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
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By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Yoga teachers are some of the best “story tellers” of our time. Telling stories, and capturing the imagination of a crowd, is an art. In ancient times, this was the way news traveled from village to village. Cultures differ, but stories, prayers, and songs, were a big part of ancient communication.

We live at a time, when Internet communication is instant, but social skills are hampered by technological advancement. It is unfortunate that with all the tools at hand, for brilliance, some of our children, and young adults, are growing up socially handicapped. The gift of communication has been taken for granted – but why?

There is an old saying, “The best things in life are free.” This saying was also the title of a movie, and later, a song. Does the world listen? Absolutely, not! Let’s look at a short list of free things the world takes for granted.

A smile, a laugh, good health, loved ones, real friendship, intelligence, innovation, the ability to communicate with each other; all of these comprise a brief list of things, which are taken for granted, and cost us no money. Yet, we value machines, which break down.

Now, let’s look closely at communication in modern Yoga. Whether you are a student, or you teach Yoga classes, communication is important. In some of the physically active forms of Yoga, a Hatha, Kundalini, or Ashtanga Yoga student, should be able to let a teacher know when physical limits have been reached.

No matter how much knowledge a Yoga teacher has – he or she cannot feel what is going on in a student’s body. Students should not feel guilty, or remorseful, for limited range of motion or having an “off day.”

In addition to this, students should never be harassed, due to their limitations, by a Yoga teacher. This is a clear signal to find a competent and compassionate Yoga teacher. Never stay in an abusive relationship. Life is too short to waste and to be taken for granted. Students should be able to ask Yoga-related questions during a Yoga class. Without communication, Yoga classes become militaristic exercise classes. This is fine, if military exercise is what you want; but why not take part in a martial arts class instead?

Martial arts have a wonderful physical and mental health value, but the militaristic view point is not hidden. Why would a Yoga student seek to study Yoga from “a wolf in sheep’s clothing?” When a Yoga teacher becomes a strict disciplinarian, the ultimate goal of Yoga is lost.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

——————————————–
How to Become a Certified Hatha Yoga Teacher
——————————————–
FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter.
Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”
Visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org
Affiliates: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/signup.html
Sister Blog: http://yoga-teacher-training.blogspot.com/
On-Site Training: http://www.riyoga.com
——————————————–
FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
——————————————–

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Yoga classes, of any style, require persistence and fortitude. Many students try a class, but they do not stay long enough to learn that Yoga is deep, and can be very rewarding, beyond the physical level. Many Yoga instructors have been teaching so long that they forget to mention the character building components of Yoga training.

Good character is a skill set that a Yoga student can carry around for life. Unfortunately, aging is a major factor in our physical appearance and we do not always maintain complete control of each health situation, through out the course of our lives. If that were possible, we could “cheat death.”

The character building components you should be learning from your Yoga teacher are the foundation of good health. If we cannot sleep well at night because of guilt, envy, or greed, this will have an adverse, and possibly a long-term, effect on our physical health.

It is obvious that our mental, physical, and emotional health will be improved by good character, but it can also be said that our physical health will be improved? How can this be? Feelings of fun, gratification, kindness, happiness, and forgiveness, are just plain healthy. The opposite feelings will cut our life spans short.

The building blocks of good character are integrity, patience, tolerance, respect, and compassion. If your Yoga teacher does not have these qualities, you should consider finding one who does. Why would any of us want to waste our precious time with a cruel, sarcastic, arrogant, greedy, and impatient, Yoga teacher?

If we feel the need to be around a powerful negative influence, we are on the short path of self-destruction. Some of us are magnetized to negative energy. A compulsive need to be around dominating and negative personalities is counter productive to improving our lives.

Psychological counseling and therapy can steer us in the proper direction, before it is too late. If, for some reason, it is not possible to receive professional help, we must still get direction from a trusted friend, or relative, who is of noble character.

Integrity, patience, tolerance, respect, and compassion, are more than “hollow” keywords or sales slogans to building your character. To have control of any one of them is a major feat. Each character-building aspect is an avenue toward our higher purpose in this life. All of them contain gratification and rewards. The most obvious reward is that you will influence others toward a better life.

Kids Yoga programs, and classes, work on many aspects of Yoga; but the most important aspects are those that build character. The importance of all of the character-building aspects should be mentioned by your Yoga teacher. As the saying goes, “You lead by example.”

Integrity is complete honesty. To be completely ethical in behavior, traditions, and relationships, has never been the “easy road” to follow. To hold your tongue, when tempted to engage in gossip, is a genuine display of good character.

“Patience is a virtue.” This saying will be around as long as humans walk the earth. If you display impatience, almost everyone who is present will remember it. You could have been patient for ten years, but one eruption of impatience is what most people will remember.

However, the importance of patience is clear thought during stressful times. To willingly wait, without showing anger, requires a trained or good-natured personality. Yet, patience can be a life saver in a critical situation. If you are performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), there is a specific sequence of events, which must take place, to save a person’s life. The person on the ground cannot afford for you to be impatient.

Tolerance is a difficult quality to achieve. To be tolerant of age, religion, race, gender, ethnic origin, color, gender, or any reason, which makes someone different, is a work in progress. It is surprising how many people in leadership roles display intolerance, but that does not make it right.

Respect is in short supply sometimes. Common sense is integrated with respect, but the obvious eludes some of us. How often have you heard a cell phone go off in a Yoga class? This happens, despite the fact that there are signs, which tell people to turn their cell phones off.

When cell phones ring off at funerals, and a person answers it casually, you have to wonder what has happened to etiquette and respect. Technology is not an excuse to be disrespectful. Children need to learn social skills, by socializing with each other, instead of playing video games for five hours per night.

Compassion is helping those who suffer. To take the time to understand someone else’s bad situation, in an empathic sense, is a noble quality. Compassion is also directly related to mercy, which requires ethics, higher thought, and a deep moral sense.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

——————————————–
Yoga Teacher Training in Massachusetts: http://www.riyoga.com
——————————————–
FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
——————————————–

The next Aura Yoga Teacher Training will be held in our Attleboro, MA facility, located at 21 Park Street, Suite 202 in downtown Attleboro.

Orientation night for Yoga teacher training will be Friday, September 7, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

——————————————–
Attleboro Yoga & Pilates Classes – June 2007 Schedule
——————————————–

Dear Yoga & Pilates Enthusiasts of Attleboro,

Below is our June 2007 – Yoga / Pilates Class Schedule:

Each month the Tuesday night class will show case a different class. There will be no Tuesday classes in July.

Monday: 6 PM – 7 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Tuesday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM – Introduction to Yoga on the Ball *
Wednesday: 6 PM – 7 PM Pilates/ Body Sculpt
Thursday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga

Tuesday Night Classes will become the featured class of the month.

Introduction to Yoga on the Ball, will meet on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.

This class will focus on firming the mid-section, toning the body, enhanced coordination, and improving balance.

All Yoga and Pilates Classes at Aura Wellness Center will be closed for the first two weeks of July 2007.

Aura Wellness Center
21 Park St.Suite 202, 2nd Floor
Attleboro, MA 02703

Phone: 508-222-0092

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Many Yoga classes end on a positive note. Some of the methods a Yoga teacher might use, to end a class, are relaxation, meditation, affirmations, or a reading of profound philosophy. These methods may be used separately, or in combination with each other, but let’s take a closer look at the power of positive affirmations.

Once upon a time, a business associate told me, “You can’t just put on rose colored glasses and wish the world to be a good place.” My answer was, “You have to start somewhere.” An eternal optimist will cause more positive changes to the earth than a perennial pessimist. Yet, we must realize that affirmations are much more than wishful thinking.

Yoga teaches us to develop a healthy mind, and positive affirmations will do just that. Physical, emotional, and spiritual health are enhanced with the use of affirmations. Many elite athletes, politicians, and successful business people, have used positive affirmations to visualize an objective.

What is the purpose of a positive affirmation? Affirmations cause a form of manifestation from within. When you make a sincere declaration of intent to change from within, you make a quantum leap forward toward your goals and aspirations. Affirmations create subconscious programming, whether they are good or bad.

So, why not make sure your affirmations are positive? You will sleep much better at night. The worst that can happen is you will be accused of wishful thinking and being optimistic.

Here are a few examples of positive affirmations: “I attract kind and loving people into my life.” “I freely give and receive the universe’s bounty without effort.” “I show loving kindness to others and love always comes back to me.”

In each case, you are reinforcing self-worth and appreciating life for what it is. You are accepting people, the world, and the universe, without conditions.

Affirmations run parallel to Yoga practice, in that, they bring about a state of tranquility. You can use the power of affirmations to enhance mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health. Here are some tips for practicing affirmations.

Much like mantra practice, you should repeat your affirmations often. This is a form of mental programming. Therefore, make sure your affirmations are always positive. Focus only on positive outcomes to situations, when practicing affirmations. Never practice affirmations to wish suffering on others.

Be very specific about your affirmations. You should mentally be able to see, feel, and touch your affirmations. Experience the positive emotional lift of heart felt affirmations and your passion will manifest itself. Realize that affirmations must be followed by progressive action on your part.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

——————————————–
Yoga Teacher Training in Massachusetts: http://www.riyoga.com
——————————————–
FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
——————————————–

The next Aura Yoga Teacher Training will be held in our Attleboro, MA facility, located at 21 Park Street, Suite 202 in downtown Attleboro.

Orientation night for Yoga teacher training will be Friday, September 7, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

——————————————–
Attleboro Yoga & Pilates Classes – June 2007 Schedule
——————————————–

Dear Yoga & Pilates Enthusiasts of Attleboro,

Below is our June 2007 – Yoga / Pilates Class Schedule:

Each month the Tuesday night class will show case a different class. There will be no Tuesday classes in July.

Monday: 6 PM – 7 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Tuesday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM – Introduction to Yoga on the Ball *
Wednesday: 6 PM – 7 PM Pilates/ Body Sculpt
Thursday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga

Tuesday Night Classes will become the featured class of the month.

*Starting June 5, 2007, Introduction to Yoga on the Ball, will meet on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m.

This class will focus on firming the mid-section, toning the body, enhanced coordination, and improving balance.

All Yoga and Pilates Classes at Aura Wellness Center will be closed for the first two weeks of July 2007.

Aura Wellness Center
21 Park St.Suite 202, 2nd Floor
Attleboro, MA 02703

Phone: 508-222-0092

By Harjit Singh

Yoga is a system of spiritual, mental and physical training that is suitable for people for all ages. It calms the mind, attuning us to the environment and concentration and mental ability are enhanced thus reducing stress and anxiety. Yoga helps fell people more relaxed and calmer as well as making them mentally alert and energetic. Although yoga is a self-form of self help therapy, and you can get the maximum benefit under the guidance of well-experienced teacher. You can find yoga classes in cities and towns all over the world. Very little is need in terms of equipments and the greatest advantage is that you can attain best of the advantage even if the sessions are for small period of time. It is however beneficial if you can manage session of 30 minutes or an hour. It is recommended that session should take place in morning or evening. Do not take a bath before or after practice, have a break of at least 30 minutes.

The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit for union, and all form of yoga have as their aim the realization of oneness with the universe. Yoga originated in India more than 5000 years ago and played an integral part in the growth of Hinduism, Buddhism and Indian civilization as a whole. Yoga was first introduced to the west in the 19th century when translation of Hindu text began to appear. However it is not until 20th century that yoga began to attract attention among people searching for alternative health.

Yoga purpose is to strengthen the body and make it more flexible as well as awake the spirit. – In effect to provide mental and spirituals system of health. Yoga improves posture, increase the intake of oxygen and enhance the functioning of the respiratory, digestive, endocrine, reproductive and elimination system. It does it through physical poses (asanas) breathing techniques and meditation practice. Yoga has lot of advantages over exercise and other form of sport, fitness technique, as exercise is hard work yoga is gentle because your mind and heart are involved. People off all ages can do yoga, and asanas can be adapted for people with disabilities or special need. Almost every one can do yoga including the elderly, children, pregnant women and those with chronic health problems. However people need to select asana depending upon there ability to perform.

An important aspect of yoga is beliefs in Prana(life force)which is the universal energy that gives structure and form to mater, life and spirit.

——————————————–
Yoga Teacher Training in Massachusetts: http://www.riyoga.com
——————————————–
FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
——————————————–

The next Aura Yoga Teacher Training will be held in our Attleboro, MA facility, located at 21 Park Street, Suite 202 in downtown Attleboro.

Orientation night for Yoga teacher training will be Friday, September 7, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

——————————————–
Attleboro Yoga & Pilates Classes – June 2007 Schedule
——————————————–

Dear Yoga & Pilates Enthusiasts of Attleboro,

Below is our June 2007 – Yoga / Pilates Class Schedule:

Each month the Tuesday night class will show case a different class. There will be no Tuesday classes in July.

Monday: 6 PM – 7 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Tuesday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM – Introduction to Yoga on the Ball *
Wednesday: 6 PM – 7 PM Pilates/ Body Sculpt
Thursday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga

Tuesday Night Classes will become the featured class of the month.

*Starting June 5, 2007, Introduction to Yoga on the Ball, will meet on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m.

This class will focus on firming the mid-section, toning the body, enhanced coordination, and improving balance.

All Yoga and Pilates Classes at Aura Wellness Center will be closed for the first two weeks of July 2007.

Aura Wellness Center
21 Park St.Suite 202, 2nd Floor
Attleboro, MA 02703

Phone: 508-222-0092

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Yoga training for interns and teachers can differ, but so can the mindset of the participants. For some Yoga instructors, the initial training is a “spring board” toward future achievement.

There are Yoga teacher graduates who get more out of the same Yoga teacher certification program than others. So, what are the secrets to their success? The following are useful tips for interns seeking a Level 1 Yoga teacher’s diploma, but they will also be of value to existing Yoga teachers, who seek continuing education credits for re-certification.

Set realistic learning goals and deadlines. How much time do you really have? What are your other obligations, which take most of your time? It is difficult to manage a job, family, housework, evening classes at college, and studying to become a Yoga teacher. You need to assess your obligations and determine your free time. Knowing this will help you plan how many pages to read per night, how much time to practice, or how to plan your next assignment.

Never cram your studies. Be honest with yourself and get the most out of your Yoga certification course. If you study at the last second, your long-term memory will store very little of what you learned. Many students who cram cannot remember much of what they learned over the long haul. Permanently remembering facts is much different from learning facts for an exam – especially if last second learning is the method used.

Join Yoga teacher associations, Yoga instructor networks, and Yoga teacher forums. Some people wait until they become Yoga instructors to join any “clubs.” Do not put this off. You can always upgrade to a teacher’s membership at a later date. Use every learning resource possible, without causing “information overload.”

Do your own homework. This sounds simple and honest enough, but students of all vocations have been known to take “short cuts.” There is nothing wrong with getting help from a Yoga teacher, your tutor, a Yoga friend, or getting ideas from dependable Yoga sites.

However, if you turn an assignment over to someone else, you have short changed your own foundation of knowledge. The result is that your students will suffer from your lack of knowledge. It is true that we cannot learn 5,000 years of knowledge and scripture, in one lifetime, but we should learn what we can.

Yoga is constantly evolving, and we all need to keep our education up-to-date. Keeping current with safe methods is one of the biggest dividends of continuing education for Yoga teachers. Ultimately, Yoga students would be the ones to suffer the most, if Yoga was a “dead system.”

Patanjali, and Yogis of the past, recognized Yoga as an infinite system. Yoga teachers of the present will build on the foundations of past knowledge. The study of Yoga is a lifetime journey and cannot be learned in a single weekend intensive. The longer you study Yoga, the more there is to know.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

——————————————–
Yoga Teacher Training in Massachusetts: http://www.riyoga.com
——————————————–
FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
——————————————–

The next Aura Yoga Teacher Training will be held in our Attleboro, MA facility, located at 21 Park Street, Suite 202 in downtown Attleboro.

Orientation night for Yoga teacher training will be Friday, September 7, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

——————————————–
Attleboro Yoga & Pilates Classes – June 2007 Schedule
——————————————–

Dear Yoga & Pilates Enthusiasts of Attleboro,

Below is our June 2007 – Yoga / Pilates Class Schedule:

Each month the Tuesday night class will show case a different class. There will be no Tuesday classes in July.

Monday: 6 PM – 7 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Tuesday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM – Introduction to Yoga on the Ball *
Wednesday: 6 PM – 7 PM Pilates/ Body Sculpt
Thursday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga

Tuesday Night Classes will become the featured class of the month.

*Starting June 5, 2007, Introduction to Yoga on the Ball, will meet on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m.

This class will focus on firming the mid-section, toning the body, enhanced coordination, and improving balance.

All Yoga and Pilates Classes at Aura Wellness Center will be closed for the first two weeks of July 2007.

Aura Wellness Center
21 Park St.Suite 202, 2nd Floor
Attleboro, MA 02703

Phone: 508-222-0092

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

When we are around children, and watch them grow over time; we can see the change from a happy child to a moody young adult. What happens to humans, as we grow into adults? Why does a child enjoy life so much, and then, suddenly start worrying about everything?

Yoga helps us recapture our youth and enjoy each moment of life. Yoga has many methods to bring about states of joy and tranquility. Dr. Madan Kataria, from Mumbai, India, has a reliable method for getting in touch with your “inner child” through Laughter Yoga. The truth is adults and teenagers waste a lot of time being too serious and reinforcing their egos. There is a time to be serious, but there is much more time for humor.

In fact, laughing will stimulate your immune system and is a very dependable relaxation method. Laughter Yoga may seem foolish, but the opposite of laughing is crying, sadness, and despair. Let’s put hopelessness on hold, while we work on laughing and smiling more often. Laughing is also an effective tool for ridding ourselves of negative energy.

Maybe a Laughter Yoga class is not for you, but you can watch a short comedy, or share a few laughs with friends. The truth is we all need to laugh throughout the day. If this is still difficult, you can practice smiling. Your reward will be the attraction of good friends who also smile and have a sense of humor, which is much better than attracting friends who scowl at everything.

Why is it difficult to laugh, even when we know laughing and smiling are good for our health? The ego, which is our “social mask,” does not want to lose control of the mind. The ego does not want to share power with your inner child. The reason is obvious: When we enjoy ourselves too much; we take power away from the ego, and the ego may have to take a “back seat.”

Happiness is not for children only. If you want to raise your spirits, just watch children. Simple things bring about feelings of joy within children. Despite all the technology, children have fun with balls, hand made creations, paper, and crayons.

Adults can afford to learn from children, because the simple pleasures in life are there for us to appreciate. Adults, who have little material wealth, must avoid becoming cynical and depressed, but the rich have their problems too.

Who is happier, the child with just enough or the child with every technological toy known to man. You already know the answer. People will not embrace a spoiled, arrogant, and miserable child. Remember the fifth Yama, Aparigraha, and avoid selfish behavior.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

All forms of Yoga deliver tranquility to us, but what if life is not happy right now? How can the average person learn to change his or her attitude by practicing Yoga? What is the Yogic method for dealing with failure and keeping your spirits up? Let’s look at some Yogic methods to change our lives for the best right now.

Life is exposure to many situations and people, but we do not always have control over everything. Some people feel helpless, depressed, and stressed out by life, but their Yoga practice gives them a small sanctuary during the course of the day.

First, we must realize that Yoga practice can last all day long. In fact, life can be one constant Yoga session, if you want it to be. The choice is really up to you.

You can practice your breathing, positive thought, good posture, forgive, pray, be kind, and eat correctly on a daily basis. You do not have to do all of these tasks at once.

You decide what you can do during the course of a day, but realize that you do not need a Yoga mat to do it. Within Yoga practice, teachers often refer to the power of self-realization. Each student develops this awareness gradually, but this is a fundamental part of yoga practice.

Some Yoga teachers approach awareness and self-realization in different ways. Breath awareness, or Pranayama, (Yogic breathing techniques), is the easiest path for new students to develop self-realization. If taught properly, a new Yoga student could develop the foundation of self-realization in one Yoga practice session.

So, what is the benefit of self-realization? The beginning of the Yogic path is different for all of us. We come to our first Yoga class for a multitude of reasons, but self-realization is empowerment. We learn that we become what we think.

This is not meant in an arrogant way. Consider this: If I think my life is a lesson in defeat, and hopeless, it will be. On the other hand, if I see opportunities in life, and seize them, at the right time, I will live a life of success and abundance.

There is no special entitlement to the path of success. The power to find it is in your mind, and a positive attitude will help you when the time is right. The practice of Yoga will turn any attitude into a positive one.

When a Yoga student is taught how to practice Yoga off the mat, self-realization will change his or her perspective of life. People, who are successful, do not wait for opportunity to come “knocking on their doors.”

This is a major shift in mind-set from the average person, because the average person hopes for an opportunity, instead of pursuing it. The difference between a seeker and a finder is very vast. The seeker searches for opportunities, but the finder locates them.

So where are these hidden opportunities? The fact is – daily opportunities are not hiding anywhere. Most of us are not looking for them, or do not recognize an opportunity when we come face-to-face with one.

If you have difficulty with this concept; watch a person who inspires you, and observe his or her formula for success. There is nothing wrong with imitating success. There is no need to “re-invent the wheel.”

Sages, Gurus, Swamis, and Yoga teachers, are available to guide you in a positive direction. Consult with one who is where you want to be. For example: If I want to be a better tennis player, I need a coach who understands how to improve my game. Coaches, teachers and mentors, help us find our way in life.

As you continue being coached, you should censor your viewing of television, the Internet, books, and information. Why should you do this? Bad news sells lots of copy, but it is not good for the mind. We live at a time, when we know almost every bad news story on the planet. This has a toxic effect on us and our children.

Yet, there is a lot of good news happening, but most of it will not get much coverage. It is up to us to be restrictive in our viewing, listening, and monitoring of the news, and other forms of entertainment.

Use your free time to be entertained and educated in a positive way. Be accountable for your time and focus on yourself. Claim responsibility for your lifestyle. You do not have to make ten major changes today, but one change, in lifestyle, per week, is thirteen changes in three months.

Yoga practice is the same principle – whether you are in a Yoga class, with your teacher, or practicing Pranayama on a bus. When you put Yoga into practice, on a daily basis, it has a positive and cumulative effect on the outcome of your day.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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Yoga Teacher Training in Massachusetts: http://www.riyoga.com
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FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
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The next Aura Yoga Teacher Training will be held in our Attleboro, MA facility, located at 21 Park Street, Suite 202 in downtown Attleboro.

Orientation night for Yoga teacher training will be Friday, September 7, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

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Attleboro Yoga & Pilates Classes – June 2007 Schedule
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Dear Yoga & Pilates Enthusiasts of Attleboro,

Below is our June 2007 – Yoga / Pilates Class Schedule:

Each month the Tuesday night class will show case a different class. There will be no Tuesday classes in July.

Monday: 6 PM – 7 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga
Tuesday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM – Introduction to Yoga on the Ball *
Wednesday: 6 PM – 7 PM Pilates/ Body Sculpt
Thursday: 6 PM – 7:15 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga

Tuesday Night Classes will become the featured class of the month.

*Starting June 5, 2007, Introduction to Yoga on the Ball, will meet on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m.

This class will focus on firming the mid-section, toning the body, enhanced coordination, and improving balance.

All Yoga and Pilates Classes at Aura Wellness Center will be closed for the first two weeks of July 2007.

Aura Wellness Center
21 Park St.Suite 202, 2nd Floor
Attleboro, MA 02703

Phone: 508-222-0092