Put Ideas into Action: Procrastination in, and of itself, can cause many poor outcomes. Setting goals, and writing them down, was discussed earlier, but those steps are worthless without putting your plans into action.

The “dreamer” who comes up with a great idea, and watches someone else put a similar idea into action, is truly depressed. Sometimes, great ideas are being worked on at the opposite side of the Earth, and it’s just a matter of who puts the idea into action first.

There are also co-workers and supervisors who will gladly take the credit for your ideas. Therefore, do not waste time or procrastinate in any way. If you make a mistake, use it to your advantage and learn from it, but don’t “sit on an idea.”

One last point to cover on this subject is how often we judge ourselves harshly. In my Yoga classes, I often mention “non-judgment” of others, but we are our own worst critics in this life. No one else will ever be as harsh as we can be to ourselves. So, stop criticizing your own ideas, before they get started, and put them into action.

Pranayama: Simple breath awareness alone can help relieve anxiety and depression. When you combine this with meditation, Pranayama can be a powerful tool. As a Yoga practitioner, you know many Yogic breathing techniques, but students should have a few “go to” Pranayama techniques for daily stress and some for severe stress.

Ujjayi Pranayama would be the first selection; translated to English this means, “victory or victorious breath.” Therefore, it is no accident that this particular Pranayama will purge depression and inner fears. As a matter of fact, Ujjayi Pranayama will instill confidence.

If Yoga students practice Ujjayi Pranayama, with an Asana sequence such as Sun Salutations or a Vinyasa series, they will conquer mild depression and develop new found confidence in themselves.

There are many more Yogic solutions for anyone to get rid of depression and gain confidence in his or her self, but these ten methods are familiar to Yoga teachers and most Yoga students. Yoga practice needs to be taken home, just like homework. If a Yoga student truly wants to see results, the practice of Yoga has to be maintained on a regular basis.

Within Yoga are many facets, but all of them lead to good health. A Yoga student who practices “once in a while,” is better off than never having practiced at all, but should not expect to see significant results. This is why Yoga teachers have to tell their students the truth about expectations.

Do not “sugar coat” a Yoga student’s responsibility to practice Yoga on an almost daily basis. This is also how a medical prescription works. Can you imagine what would happen if patients took their prescribed medicine once in a while?

Continuity is the key to good health and a steady Yoga practice will yield good mental, physical, and spiritual health. This is also true for everything worth attaining in life.

© Copyright 2006 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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

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Everyone learns differently, learning about yoga and meditation is no
different. Some people try out yoga because their friends are trying
it - word-of-mouth is enough to get them started.

Others choose to start yoga and meditation driven mainly by a health
scare, or a chronic health condition such as back pain, arthritis -
even temporary conditions such as weight loss and pregnancy can
benefit from yoga and meditation.

Then, there are those (and I happen to fall into this camp) who like
to understand WHY something works. Not necessarily a scientist, but
we would like to know enough about the premise of yoga and meditation
to be able to satisfy our own minds and more important, any skeptics
out there, why yoga and meditation has an impact on your mind and body.

I just finished reading “Anatomy of Hatha Yoga” by H David Coulter,
and let me say, this was a perfect level of explanation and detail
that helps me to better understand (in lay man’s terms) how the
various aspects of yoga impact our bodies.

One of the most common problems I’ve experienced is tight shoulders
or shoulder “kinks” and stiff necks. Early on, it became obvious
that yoga and meditation helped tremendously with this chronic 20+
year-old problem.

Yoga helps back, shoulder and neck pain in two main ways: reducing
stress leading to chemical build-up in your muscles and joints and
stretches that keep muscles loose and limber. A combinaton of
meditation, breathing and yoga asanas that focus on upper body
stretching are extremely effective in reducing this pain.

Its a great book worthy of anyone who is still skeptical or simply
just interested in a psuedo medical explanation of how yoga impacts
your body.

Reach true peace of mind by easily introducing yoga and meditation into your life. With just a few minutes each day you can look better, feel better, lose weight and increase your energy while reducing anxiety and negativity in your life. Visit http://www.yogasuccess.com Now!

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Why are doctors referring their patients, who have chronic back pain, to Yoga classes? How many studies have been conducted on back pain and Yoga? Is Yoga a “cure all” for back pain? What kind of Yoga class is best for back pain? Let’s look at all of these issues and see if we can clear up some answers.

It is conservatively estimated that more than half of the world adult population suffers from some sort of back pain. Yoga, for back pain, is the most popular subject that teacher interns write about at our Yoga teacher training center.

However, this does not explain why so many doctors, within the United States, refer their patients to Yoga studios as an additional alternative to medication and physical therapy. The truth is, that within the U.S., there have been very few studies, and I only know of one in particular, which was the Group Health Cooperative study, which recently took place in Seattle, Washington.

Therefore, one study is not the answer; especially one study which just happened. The truth is, most of the studies on back pain and Yoga, as a form of therapy, are taking place in India. So, why does your family doctor, chiropractor, or orthopedic doctor, take a leap of faith outside the view of traditional western medicine? To put it simply, doctors read and continually educate themselves. They do not look down the narrow path of medicine that is laid down by bureaucracy.

Yoga is relatively inexpensive, in comparison to prescription medicines, so why bother to do a study? In comparison to the joint ventures, and potential profits involved in pharmaceutical studies, Yoga can’t promise a “big pay day.” Yet, the fact that physicians, within the United States, are willing to “look outside the box” for answers, speaks volumes in regard to their integrity. Doctors are often accused of being too quick to prescribe medicines, but the public often demands quick and effortless solutions in regard to health care.

Is Yoga really a “cure all” for back pain? In short, the answer is “no.” How can I say that? Nothing is a cure all for back pain, but Yoga helps most of the students I work with. No prescription can claim 100% patient satisfaction either. Odds are that most people, with pre-existing back pain, who take up Yoga classes for relief, will reduce the number of pain killers needed. This fact has been stated by my Yoga students over the years.

If you have pre-existing back pain, which style of Yoga should you seek out? Regardless of style, you may want to observe a Yoga class before trying it. You should seek out a gentle style, and you should talk to your prospective Yoga teacher ahead of time.

Stay away from vigorous Yoga classes. I would advise against taking part in my Vinyasa Yoga class, but I would welcome you with open arms in my Restorative Yoga class. Why do I say this? Yoga styles, class formats, lesson plans, and teachers differ.

My suggestion is that you get a private session first, and your Yoga teacher will work with you “first hand.” If possible, get a referral from your doctor, or from a friend, who practices Yoga. This will help you avoid the guessing process.

© Copyright 2006 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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

Bookmark to: