...e benefits of practising postures and breathing. Having modelled his distribution methods on the mould of franchising, Bikram Yoga soon became an American phenomenon while making its founder enormously wealthy.

More recently, the founder of Bikram Yoga hit the news headlines when he decided to obtain legal rights for his Yoga franchises. Most Yoga purists would sneer at this attitude, as this goes against the very foundation of post classical yoga, which aims at the liberation of all individuals. One could argue that Bikram Yoga is a form a physical therapy based on traditional Yoga without the constraints that the practise of traditional yoga impose. Having westernised his type of Yoga, its founder reaps the benefits and rewards for his strategy. Alas, he also has to confront the dangers that come with the commercialisation of his product.more

Yoga: A Legacy That Enriches Your Well Being

...performing the Yogic asanas.

Yoga is misconceived as a series of steps to be followed but actually it is an ever-evolving process that refines your self more as it itself gets evolved. Over time, Yoga enriches your soul & enhances the self-awareness as you practice it. Yoga improves your body & strengthens control on your body and mind. Yoga enhances your capability to direct your mind and to interact with the object of your concentration. However, Yoga requires a real dedication in order to achieve these goals and enjoy its corresponding benefits.

Starting its journey from India, Yoga has become a widespread practice nowadays and has influenced & benefi...more

What Else Should a Hatha Yoga Teacher Know About Teaching Yoga Classes?

...itation leads to tranquility. All Yoga teachers should practice meditation twice per day. Guiding Yoga students is one thing, but a Yoga teachers meditation practice should be regimented.

A Yoga teacher should also be familiar with relaxation methods, specially, stage-by-stage relaxation. This relaxation method should be practiced privately, and Yoga teachers should make their students familiar with this technique.

With all of the above points mentioned, you can now see why the jump from Yoga student to Yoga teacher will take some time and serious practice.

Copyright 2006 Paul Jerard / Aura Publications<...more

What Is Yoga - History and Origins

...vad Gita is believed to have been written between the 5th and 2nd century BC. In the Gita, the goal of yoga is the realization of Brahman, or the Divine Essence. Whilst the paths to achieve this for individuals may be different, the essence of coming to an unequivocable knowing of the Oneness of the Divine, and oneself within this fundamental reality, is the same.

"The Gita addresses the discord between the senses and the intuition of cosmic order. It speaks of the Yoga of equanimity, a detached outlook. The term Yoga covers a wide range of meanings, but in the context of the Bhagavad Gita, describes a unified outlook, serenity of mind, skill in action, and the ability to stay attuned to the glory of the Self (Atman), which is of the same essence as the basis of Being (Brahman)." (Wikipedia)more

4 Yoga Blocks