Archive for the ‘Yoga’ category

How Does Yoga Reduce Your Stress?

June 23rd, 2011

The human body is a wonderful thing. It can take an unusual amount of punishment and stress, and still heal itself. But it needs your help to accomplish this cure. In order to rejuvenate your body’s natural defense system, you need to relax. Relaxation and rest will cure many diseases.

Certain yoga poses will help to stimulate glands in the brain, and will put the body into the Alpha state. The Alpha state will help increase the creative thought process, as well as help the body heal itself. The Alpha state is often attained during savasana, the final resting pose in yoga practice.

Yoga exercise consists of smooth stretches and twists combined with deep symmetrical breathing to help the body loosen up tight strained muscles, stretching the spinal column and relieving stress on the discs and joints. The muscles are stretched out releasing the poisons and toxins in the body. Pranayam (breathing exercises) help flush the lung tissues, allowing an increased oxygen level to enter the bloodstream, which fights off infection and helps the body heal itself.

On a physical level, yoga will increase strength, flexibility and grace. But equally important, yoga exercise will reduce stress levels by the process of healing and cleansing the mind along with healing the body. Yoga views the body as having multiple levels or layers, and the various exercises and postures help create an energy flow throughout the mind and body. » Read more: How Does Yoga Reduce Your Stress?

Yoga Teachers And The Yoga Alliance

June 23rd, 2011

Registering with the Yoga Alliance has many advantages for the yoga professional and offers more credibility to those who teach yoga. Their global registry acknowledges your training and knowledge and your ability as a yoga teacher. Being a member will also help when applying for a job, as being a member of the Yoga Alliance instills confidence and respect in your students. As a member of the Alliance, you will have achieved certain recognized standards, and those students who know of the Alliance respect its work and will seek out members as teachers. By using their designated registry marks – RYT or E-RYT after your name on business correspondence, business cards and advertising, your membership will be instantly recognizable.

The Alliance offers many networking opportunities, as the founders realize that in order to spread the word about the benefits of yoga, their members need to be able to communicate with others on a business level. The Yoga Alliance is very aware that those who run their own studios or those who are independent yoga teachers can become cut off from the main stream. Through their networking opportunities, yoga professionals can learn about opportunities for further education and interact with others on a professional level.

As many aspects of yoga are acknowledged by some in the medical community to help with weight loss, stress, high blood pressure and other medical conditions, having the designated registry mark RYT or E-RYT after your name, means you are more likely to be recommended by another health professional.

If you have a website you use for advertising purposes, those searching for a yoga teacher or studio in their area will also be more attracted to those with bona fide qualifications. By offering a link through to the Yoga Alliance website, the searcher will be given an in depth look at what the Alliance sets out to do, and be given salient information about the many benefits of practicing yoga themselves. It is a good selling point for those who have an established business and for those wishing to build clientele for a new yoga studio. » Read more: Yoga Teachers And The Yoga Alliance