...e spiritual movements solely to get our bodies into shape.

There are many different forms of yoga throughout the east, though westerners have only adopted a few types. Many believe that those ancient Hindu priests were not built as we are today, which allowed them to be incredibly flexible and supple. Modern society has made our bodies stiff and rigid, which is why many people have a hard time with yoga poses. Still, yoga is not out of your reach if you only try and remember the key purpose of these movements.

Keep in mind that yoga was invented to center both the body and the mind ... it was not a form of physical exercise. If you can push past all those little voice in your head that are telling you to perform yoga poses in order to lose weight, you may just find that your true inner self is revealed. When you start to learn yoga, sign up for a c...more

Anatomy Of Yoga - Getting A Solid Foundation

...Anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology are things that every competent Yoga teacher needs to know about. The anatomy of Yoga is a comprehensive subject, but also of interest for all students of the art. It is also very important for the Yoga students safety that preferably both he and his/her teacher possess sufficient knowledge in this regard.

The postures held during Yoga practice are called asanas, and some of them can be physically strenuous. Teachers of Hatha Yoga (includes ashtanga, bikram etc.) do not have to know hundreds of Asanas to teach a Yoga class, but they should obviously be very familiar with what they do teach and ho...more

The Perseverance of Teaching Yoga, Part 2

...ovement.

The rewards for Yoga teachers are many, but giving Yoga instruction requires determination. You will run into obstacles, like any other profession, but how do you want to be remembered? Think about this: Every person you help will help someone else. You are causing a positive chain reaction by teaching Yoga classes at a time when positive energy is in big demand.

As a Yoga teacher, you have the potential to do enormous good, but you must focus your attention on your faithful Yoga students, your family, and friends. It is normal to take people we are familiar with for granted, but you must persevere to appreciate what you already have.

Copyright 2006 Paul Jerard / Aura Publicationsmore

Learn The History Of Yoga

...Who the first yogi really was is lost in the sands of time, but when we learn the history of Yoga the roots can be traced as long as 5000 years back. The earliest reference to Yoga was found when archeological excavations where made in the Indus valley - the most powerful and influential civilization in the early antique period. This sophisticated culture developed around the Indus river and the long gone Sarasvati river in northern India, on the border towards Pakistan.

Archeological findings from two of the largest cities, Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, revealed (among other things) a portrait of a human being or god meditating in what looks like a Yoga posture. The Rig-Veda work, that describes different Yoga methods, is believed to be derived from the Inus-Sarasvati people and has been dated to 3000 to 5000 B.C.

Yoga as we know it today, is thus the result of a complex evolution that has been going on for at least 5000 years. However, according to most scholars, Yoga can't be recogn...more

Can Yoga And Pilates Alone Help You Lose Weight