Archive for July, 2009

Power Yoga Video – choose the appropriate one

There are different choices on the market today that allow students to learn power yoga. There are power yoga videos, classes and even power yoga CD’s. It is important to choose a power yoga video carefully to make sure that the instructor is qualified to teach the class. Two famous yoga teachers are most often credited with the near simultaneous invention of power yoga: Beryl Bender Birch, based in New York, and Bryan Kest, based in Los Angeles, both have trained under with Ashtanga master Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. There are power yoga videos that give the instructors all that they need to be able to instruct their students. Good power yoga videos are the ones that are led by qualified instructors and also have more than one version of the workout depending on the level. The power yoga video should also offer modified versions of the various poses so that the beginners can use a modified position to make it easier and more advanced practitioners can use a harder position.

Equipment

Once a power yoga video is purchased, there are a few other things that are necessary in order to fully participate in the workout.

One of the items to focus on is proper yoga clothing when doing your yoga video class. The clothing should be loose and comfortable so that the different poses can be done without hindrance. Most people prefer some sweat pants or tights and a tank top which allow movement without hindrance. It is very important that the clothing used during yoga should not be so loose so as to move around too much and have to be readjusted during a pose, interrupting the flow of the asana.

The other important item needed is a yoga mat and can be purchased for about fifteen dollars. Yoga mats (also called sticky mats) are used in most yoga classes to provide cushioning and traction. Students’ hands and feet get sweaty when participating in the power yoga video and the rubberized mat helps to prevent slippage and mistakes. The yoga mat helps the students to keep their feet and hands in place when participating in the power yoga video. The cushion that is offered by the mat allows the individuals to have more comfort when participating in some of the floor poses, but it is not so thick that the students lose their balance when doing the balancing poses of their power yoga video.

A good power yoga video will leave the person feeling exhausted yet stretched out and relaxed at the same time.The poses in the power yoga video flow from one to the next, yet are held for about five slow breaths each to give the strength part of the workout. The poses are so difficult because they require the students to hold their own body weight, which gets tiring over time.

{Yoga Teacher Training – Become a Yoga Teacher – Part I}

Yoga teacher training is one of the best forms of having a career, in a field that you have a passion and belief for. There are of course the added benefits of yoga teacher training, like ones own health being maintained, apart from the financial benefits.

We are currently going through a touch time financially and this are trying times hence taking on the course of Yoga Teacher Training is a good way to add to your income. But this is a career that needs a total commitment and more than that , a belief in this way of life , and the benefits that yoga adds to ones life.

One should ask oneself some questions, before one takes on the Yoga Teacher Training course.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE BECOMING A YOGA TEACHER

Heres some things that you should check, look into before going down this career path….

1.  do you, yourself actively follow a yoga program

2.  do you consciously look into improving your own health and well being with regular practice of yoga and its beliefs.

3.  to follow the path of yoga teacher training, you should yourself set a high standard for healthy living, and be a good example of a person living a healthy lifestyle , and avoiding substance abuse etc.

4.   Commitment to a Personal Yoga Practice and a Personal Physical Conditioning Program

5.   If you already have done a basic course in yoga teacher training , and are looking to go up to the next level, ask yourself if you have enjoyed the earlier classes you have given , your commitment to them & your students , and if you would like to continue down this career path.

STARTING ON THE PREPERATIONS FOR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING

If you feel that you fulfill the above criteria, and would like to proceed with this career path, then there are some things that you should look into.

1.  if you are looking to do an advanced course , beyond level one , then study the different types of yoga genres that you would like to teach/ qualify in—e.g. bhakti yoga, hatha yoga, vinyasa yoga, iyengar yoga etc.

2.  Look at the options of the courses available. In today’s date there are a variety of choices in the mediums that you can do your course in- like the internet, or teaching DVD/CD etc or books.

Apart from attending physical classes of yoga teacher training, you also have a wide variety of choices in e-yoga classes on the internet, and long distance home study yoga teacher training courses that you can do.

3.Its always a good thing to study the opinions and feed backs from other users that have used the site for yoga teacher training. The feedback we get from these are quite valuable in choosing a correct course.

4.  Ensure that the course for yoga teacher training, is certified by recognized institutions e.g.  National Yoga Alliance or other such recognized yoga bodies.

Learning Power Yoga Poses and Asanas

Power yoga videos can be valuable tools to help students to learn power yoga poses without investing in an expensive class until they are sure that they enjoy it. Students need to choose the videos carefully to make sure that the instructor is certified to teach it. The poses are called Asanas in Sanskrit, the ancient Indian language. At the first instance, power yoga poses can be quite difficult to learn. Hence some students are more comfortable learning the poses in the comfort of their own home so that other people cannot see their mistakes. One caution in using a video to learn the power yoga poses is that the instructor on the DVD might not be fully trained to teach power yoga.

Types of Poses

This style allows for a lot of variety, but will almost certainly include Sun Salutations or “Surya namaskar ” in Sanskrit. There are power yoga poses that require the individual to hold on one hand and one foot, or even some that are all on the hands or on the head and hands. These balance poses require a lot of concentration and strength to hold it the entire time. There are other standing power yoga poses that are done in a balance position. Although all the power yoga poses require some degree of balance, there are some that are done on one foot with the other leg held up in the air in an asana position.

The word Vinyasa means “breath-synchronized movement.There are also some power yoga poses or asanas that are done while standing up. These poses require the students to hold their body weight in a variety of stances, from wide lunges to straddles. These poses help to develop the leg muscles and also help to make the person more flexible in those areas. There are also some twisting poses that use the upper body in a twisting hold so that the stretch is even deeper and the hold is more difficult.

Power yoga poses are also done on the floor, utilizing the hands and feet at the same time. Other poses are done more for flexibility and to open passageways rather than for the strength part of yoga. Some power yoga poses are done in what looks like a push-up position or some modified push-up position. There are others that are done lying down on the mat in various positions. Some of the power yoga poses or asnas are done for sheer relaxations, allowing both body and mind to relax completely for a matter of minutes.

Power yoga poses help to train individuals to concentrate fully on one thing and to learn to control their bodies in the various positions. It allows them to relax the parts of their body that are not working in that particular pose, and also teaches them to breathe properly.

Yoga Teacher Training – Become a Yoga Teacher – Part II

One facet, sadly that one sees often are the “quick certification” courses offered to being an instructor, be wary of any such course. This is one of the problems with yoga teacher training today. The sad thing is these teachers end up paying all over again for a proper course as they realize later that they been taught only the basic few asanas .A good yoga teacher training course should cover not just the Yoga aspect of it but also special sections like teaching the physically challenged like the aged or children and natal groups, in addition to teaching you detailed Anatomy and meditation etc

Yoga Teacher Education

The fact is, Yoga is much more than an exercise program. With a linage of thousands of years, yoga is the most complete health maintenance system known to mankind. Unfortunately, a lot of yoga teacher training courses are often trained to teach Yoga as an exercise program by learning a dozen or two dozen asanas, and not much beyond this. IN a good yoga teacher training course , the whole health needs to be addressed of body and mind.

On-site training is not cheap and can vary from the low $2000.00 range to very expensive. When you consider travel, lodging, and all of the expenses involved a typical Yoga teacher training may well cost you $6000.00 or more at a credited asharam or institute.

Yoga Teacher Correspondence Courses

On the other hand, Yoga teacher correspondence courses are much more reasonable, but be vary of short courses. A 50 hour course is just not enough time for anyone to safely learn a good yoga teacher training course. Once again, you should research the syllabus and get a complete Yoga teacher training course like a grade I  or grade II

If you are considering a Yoga teacher training correspondence course, you should have sufficient knowledge of Yoga. While you are at it, make sure that you are calling a Yoga teacher training center and not a “diploma house.Do you really think they would specialize in yoga and its vast teachings if they certify everything from cake icing diplomas to plubming ?

Most importantly, once you have received the study material, there will undoubtedly be questions, concerns, or need for further assistance, via email, or telephone, from the intern who has purchased the Yoga teacher course. Make sure you get answers if you are “stuck” during your Yoga teacher internship.

Check the options available here and study the various types of certifications on offer.

Hatha Yoga Postures

Hatha Yoga Postures

If you are wanting to learn Hatha yoga postures a good starting place is a Hatha yoga video or DVD.  Take care when choosing your video or DVD though to ensure that the instructor has adequate qualifications to teach Hatha yoga poses to students.  

What to Expect

Comfortable clothing that is easy to move around in is important when performing Hatha yoga postures and poses.  The clothing should not be too loose, otherwise it may slide around too much and get in their way when performing some of the postures in the class.  Usually pairs of tights or sweatpants are ideal along with a snug fitting tank top.  Shorts are also allowed in classes.  

Beginners in Hatha yoga postures can bring their own mat or can usually borrow a mat from the gym where they will be participating.  Although the mats at the gym are fine, they are not always the most sterile, and when there are bare feet, sweating and faces to the mat in some cases, this is not a fine proposition that many people want to do where other people have done it there beforehand.  These Hatha yoga posture mats can be found in various sporting goods stores for around fifteen dollars, so it is not an expensive buy if the beginner wants to purchase one. The mats are essential so that the feet and hands do not slip when doing the various Hatha yoga postures, as well as giving the user some padding when the buttocks or stomach are on the mat during the course of the class.

One of the advantages of a Hatha Yoga DVD is that yo can perform the Hatha Yoga postures in the connivence of your home and any time that suits you.

If you want to learn more about Hatha Yoga poses or just general information regarding yoga visit HealthyYogaInfo.com