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Can a Yoga Prop Help 'Prop' Up Your Practice?
Some people may wonder if using a yoga prop can help them get more out of their practice. My personal opinion is yes.
B.K.S. Iyengar introduced the yoga prop as a means of supporting proper alignment of the joints and bones during postures....
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Human beings need relationships. Your relationships, past, present, personal or professional, represent a major source of stress in your life. Chronic stress causes breakdown of your immune system. This leads to many emotional and physical disorders...
Yoga Clothes for Comfort, Functionality – and Let’s Not Leave Out Fun!
Yoga clothes should be comfortable and functional. They should allow you to move freely and not distract you from your practice. They should feel good against your skin so they don’t cause any irritation. Ideally, the clothing should be absorbent...
Yoga Meditation For Pain Relief
The purpose of this article is to provide information on methods and techniques on how to cope with pain, or in some instances, possibly even overcoming pain with the use of techniques derived from Yoga meditation. Chronic pain sufferers spend...
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How to find the right Yoga teacher?
I am often asked by beginners about how to evaluate a Yoga Teacher?
The following is the “CALM check list.” These factors are basic criteria that your Yoga Instructor should meet before you continue on to a second Yoga class.
CALM gets it name from four main factors: Communication, Assist, Listen, and Modification. For the right Yoga teacher, you should be answering with a “yes” to all questions.
• Communication: Does your Yoga teacher talk to you, and other students, in a manner of mutual respect? Can you ask a question during class time?
Does your teacher show compassion for you and other students? Does your Yoga teacher take the time to lead you through a guided meditation or relaxation? Meditation and relaxation are major aspects of Yoga practice.
There are Yoga teachers who just want to get "their workout" done. Beware of Yoga teachers, who are so important, they don’t have time for you.
Some students love this air of superiority and, unfortunately, some people love abuse. If you want to learn Yoga, you need an open line of communication with your Yoga teacher.
• Assist: Does your teacher care about your form? Will your teacher give you a verbal or physical assist during your Yoga class? Are props encouraged in your Yoga classes?
Some students never have major problems with alignment and some do, but if your teacher doesn’t give verbal cues, what does that tell you?
• Listen: Does your Yoga teacher take the time to listen to your feedback? Is your teacher "in the moment" with the class?
Once in a
while, there is a Yoga instructor who runs, “The-it’s-all-about-me-show.” You are not going to learn anything from this type of teaching. Beginners will be put at risk, trying to keep up with a seasoned Yoga teacher who doesn’t explain anything.
• Modification: Does your Yoga teacher allow modifications and props? If your teacher discourages props, you are in the wrong place.
Some students will need props for life depending upon their range of motion. Just because a teacher can do a posture without props, doesn’t mean every student can.
Summary: Stay away from abusive Yoga teachers, and if you are attracted to abuse, there is always professional help. Some students crave “the stern, but loving parent” types. They will push you harder, but how much pushing do you really need?
Respect is a two way street, and you deserve as much respect as your Yoga teacher does. Let common sense be your guide. You should feel good after a Yoga class, and you might even feel muscle soreness days after a vigorous class.
Make sure your Yoga teacher meets the above criteria before making a commitment.
About the Author
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. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in Providence. 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.
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Yoga Journal : Home Page - The Voice of Yoga Online. The trusted ... |
Reports developments in the world of yoga; provides step-by-step information on practices (poses, breathing, meditation); includes profiles of personalities ... |
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Yoga :: Yoga Books :: Yoga Videos :: Yoga Mats :: Yoga Clothing |
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Yoga - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
Yoga (Devanagari: योग) is a family of ancient spiritual practices ... Outside India, Yoga has become primarily associated with the practice of asanas ... |
en.wikipedia.org |
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Yoga Basics: online guide to the practice of yoga, pranayama ... |
Introduction to Yoga history and practice (asanas and pranayama), downloadable music, teacher finder, products for sale. |
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Yoga Site -- source for yoga mats and props, yoga information ... |
Yoga mats yoga props and everything else you need for yoga”> |
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Yoga Postures |
The chart below describes some of the fundamental yoga postures. The sequence can be performed in order. When you are familair with the psotures, ... |
www.yogasite.com |
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Sivananda Yoga - Om Page |
Official site of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers. Includes a worldwide directory of centers. |
www.sivananda.org |
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Yoga Info, News, Shop, Travel & Community @ ABC-of-Yoga |
Information and news resource featuring articles on various aspects of Yoga. |
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Free Yoga DVD Video Information Yoga New Zealand |
Offers information on the practice of yoga. Includes free yoga video downloads and uses flash animation to show yoga moves. |
yoga.org.nz |
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Largest Yoga Directory to find a Yoga Classes :: Yoga Events ... |
Largest Yoga Directory to Find Yoga Classes, Events, Yoga Retreats, and Yoga Products! |
www.yogafinder.com |
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Yoga, Online Yoga, Animated Hatha Yoga Postures, Stress and Yoga ... |
Free Online Yoga, Animated Yoga Postures, Stress Relief Exercise & Animated Breathing Techniques. Learn All Aspects Of Yoga Online With Our 75 Free ... |
www.hathayogalesson.com |
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Santosha.com - Tools for Yoga, Meditation & Conscious Living |
Though some parts are unfinished, the site includes much information on Yoga philosophy, and the practice and benefits of postures, meditation and ... |
www.santosha.com |
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Yoga Postures Step-By-Step - Index to Poses |
Yoga Postures Step-by-Step is a complete interactive guide to the practice and benefits of Yoga postures featuring animations, photographs, illustrations, ... |
www.santosha.com |
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Eco Yoga Mats - Natural - PVC Free - Yoga Mats - shop online |
A directory of Yoga classes and events in the United Kingdom. |
www.yoga.co.uk |
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Yoga Home Page, yoga breathing, yoga postures, Pranayama ... |
Information about yoga in an easy to understand format with recommendations for beginning practice. |
www.holisticonline.com |
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YogaClass.com - YogaCentral |
Online YOGA CLASS in RealAudio. DO YOGA HERE NOW FREE! |
yogaclass.com |
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Yoga |
A comprehensive introduction to yoga basics, including a glossary of yoga terms. Features an introduction to popular types of yoga and basic poses for ... |
yoga.about.com |
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B K S Iyengar - Home |
Yogacharya BKS Iyengar with his intellectual and spiritual practices has masterminded the techniques which can be used by all practitioners of yoga. |
www.bksiyengar.com |
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Yoga |
Are you looking for a workout program that's easy to learn, requires little or no equipment, and soothes your soul while toning your body? |
www.kidshealth.org |
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BWY - The British Wheel of Yoga, Governing Body for Yoga in Britain |
The British Wheel of Yoga is a registered charity and is the largest yoga ... BWY has launched its Yoga DVD 'A Spectrum of Yoga' with a complete yoga ... |
www.bwy.org.uk |
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