Border Line Purge To Fitness

Yoga teachers often discuss subjects such as self-realization and transformation in great depth, but where does the average Yoga student start this journey? How can we take control of our lives? How can we design a life plan, which gives us direction, purpose, and meaning every day?

Let's look at where to start first. Designing a list of daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly objectives, which are realistic, will give us direction. This method always works, because a list is hard to avoid, and the objectives become embedded in your subconscious mind. Writing your aspirations, goals, and objectives, down is a contract with the "witness" within you.

When a day goes by without daily objectives, it is usually an unproductive day. This is fine, if we are supposed to relax on vacation. All of us need healthy down time, but some of us are on down time every day.

How does this happen? In general, people are just not pro-active. If you practice Yoga for a few years, you start to become pro-active about every aspect of life. Your diet, posture, exercise, breathing, meditation, and prayer time have all changed. The result is a new reality and a healthy perspective of life.

If you are just starting to practice Yoga, you will need to design a list, but I must admit a list of long, and short-term objectives, does make life a lot more productive.

No matter how much drive and ambition you have, the direction you travel in should be designed to make the best use of your time. The time spent planning will actually prevent mistakes and help you to avoid wasting time.

Therefore, you should review your list of objectives daily. Take the time to do some soul searching, when you write your list. Here are some questions to consider.

Can you design smaller and measurable goals? Are your objectives ethical and positive? What are your unique life skills? Can you visualize the outcome of your objectives? How much control do you have to determine the future?

It is important for you to reflect on these questions, because you can carve out your own path in life, with your vision. This is a Yogic exercise in self-realization and transformation.

Whatever you do; your ideas must be your own. You can listen to good advice, but you cannot live your life trying to complete another person's vision of what your life should be.

Lastly, it is wise to have a Spiritual leader, Yoga teacher, Swami, Guru, mentor, consultant, coach, relative, or a trusted friend, as a confidant. This must be someone, with integrity, who inspires you to succeed in life.

He or she will not be difficult to find, because you will easily feel and see the positive energy in this person's speech, behavior, actions, and gestures. All of us need some guidance from someone who sincerely cares about us.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Where did this ball come from? Is the stability ball a legitimate Yoga prop or just a marketing gimmick for equipment sales? Who could benefit from the use of the ball in a Yoga class? When can the stability ball fit into a Hatha Yoga class?

Where did this ball come from? Stability balls have been around since 1963, originating in Italy. The first time I saw a stability ball, we called it a, "Swiss Ball." Yet, the "Swiss Balls," at that time, were all made in Italy. American Physical Therapists saw the ball, in use, within physical therapy Swiss units.

As a result, the ball was "nick named" the Swiss Ball by Americans for decades. The first balls we used at Aura Wellness Center were made by Gymnic Balls in Italy. We tried many brands, but my personal ball is an old Gymnic Ball, which has taken more abuse than it deserved.

Now, these balls are commonly referred to as stability balls, exercise balls, or balance balls. They are used in physical therapy, Pilates, Yoga, and health clubs. Many elite and professional athletes use them for coordination.

Is the stability ball a legitimate Yoga prop or just an exercise marketing gimmick for equipment sales? Any piece of equipment can be termed an exercise marketing gimmick, but the stability ball has hundreds of uses.

In Yoga, you can perform a standing warm up, Sun Salutation, seated series, prone series, table series, supine on the ball series, and supine on the floor series.

Who could benefit from the use of the ball in a Yoga class? Beginners can use the stability ball for many poses. For example: In wheel posture (Chakrasana), holding this position is not for everyone, but the stability balls, and a wall, make it possible for everyone. With a stability ball, beginner Hatha Yoga students can gain the benefits of Chakrasana for minutes.

Just this one pose is fantastic for improving elasticity of the spine and your daily posture. It is also said that this posture gently stretches the heart, pancreas, liver, and kidneys.

Yet, this posture is classified as an inversion, and may not be advisable for Yoga students with high blood pressure. Students with back problems should get their doctor's permission and study under the guidance of a competent Yoga teacher.

When can the stability ball fit into a Hatha Yoga class? To be completely safe, you should consult a physician before entering a Yoga class where Yoga postures or Yoga exercises are practiced. The same warning applies to the use of a stability ball in any class.

With that said, Yoga ball videos are great for Yoga teachers, but can be risky for the unsupervised public. So, if you want to learn to use the stability ball in your Yoga practice, you should join a Yoga class and seek the guidance of a competent Yoga teacher.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Yoga teaches us how to make life changes from within. Within all Yoga styles are the tools of self-realization and transformation. Once a Yoga practitioner has managed to empower him or herself, a positive direction will become the easiest path to follow.

Everyone is subject to outside pressures, even adults. There is always somebody who is willing to give you advice you did not ask for. When we are children, we think that outside pressure will stop, when we are "grown up;" we will be independent and in control of our lives.

As young adults, we soon find out that we have limited control of our lives, when there is always someone to answer to, in the form of a parent, college professor, supervisor, customer, drill sergeant, or someone else. In fact, we have limited control because we do not control nature.

How can Yoga empower you to take control of your life? How can you stop others from attempting to control your life? Let's look at how Yoga can help you to create your own manifestations and change your destiny for the best.

Do you ever have a co-worker who enjoys making others feel inferior? Consider this: We have to give permission to those who insult us, in order for them to make us feel less worthy. Without our permission, they hold no power over us.

If you believe that your existence is a problem, mistake, or error, then you really do have troubles. Self-doubt leads to self-defeat. Yet, all is not lost - because, in this case, the trouble can be found and purged from within you.

The solution to this problem is also within you. Once you understand that you have to respect your own self-image at all times, you will manifest positive energy from within. You must forgive yourself for past mistakes, make positive changes, and never speak poorly of yourself. You will receive nothing by thinking less of yourself, and you will leave the door open for those who feel gratification in your unhappiness.

About people who want to control you: Remember the saying, "Just say, 'No'." Many people feel that life is not so simple, but "No" can be a powerful word, which prevents complications and trouble. You do not have to feel obligated to every request - just because somebody asks you.

This is not a "free pass" to refuse people in need, but you should use your best judgment about how you will spend your time and energy. Yogic philosophy teaches us to live in the moment, while performing acts of mindfulness, loving kindness, and forgiveness.

It is easy enough to waste time and energy, without experiencing peer pressure along the way. The correct path is universal, and your heart is your best guide.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Any time you are sitting at the front of the Yoga class, in a teaching capacity, your role must fit comfortably into Yoga teacher / Yoga student relationship guidelines. This concept of "role playing" is a difficult transition for any Yoga intern, regardless of past experience.

It is one thing to make sure you are concentrating on your breath, alignment, mantra, bandhas, or Mudra; but when you teach Yoga, you must focus on a room full of students with separate thoughts. With responsibility, changes come from within you.

Suddenly, the standard of your classes are in question – within your own mind. This is the real issue, within your own mind; your classes may be criticized, but do not criticize yourself in public.

If you have taken the time to develop a lesson plan, and guided a Yoga class from start to finish, do not ask any of your students for criticism. If another Yoga teacher offers some tips, you can always listen and learn, but your students have never taught.

You will also reinforce doubts from your students by asking them for a critique. Many new Yoga teachers go through a "learning curve," but you do not have to make an announcement. Consider this: Every Yoga teacher, before you, went through the same leaning curve, so learn and avoid "beating yourself up."

You must avoid self-doubt, and the appearance of self-doubt, when you teach Yoga classes. Learn to separate friendships from professional relationships. This is a "hard line to walk;" especially, if long-time friends are in your Yoga class.

However, you have a mission, a task to perform, and a Yoga class to lead. If you want your classes to be flawless, forget about special relationships during class time. You will be a better Yoga teacher, when you treat everyone the same.

Remember that if you praise one student for something, it would be fair to praise all of your students for something else. Yoga teachers, who take the time to show positive reinforcement to their students, cultivate an atmosphere of positive energy.

When you teach a Yoga class, your mission is "to serve." The Yoga class is for the student's benefit. Think about this, from the beginning, to the end, of your class. Be mindful of your words and be careful not to offend anyone.

When your students leave feeling better than when they came in – that is your reward. Do not seek praise; it is the natural product of a good Yoga class.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

How do you find tranquility and inner-peace? The answer is simple, but for the masses to practice regularly, is another matter. The answer is take a Yoga class.

Yoga contains many physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional, aspects for the holistic health of mankind. Yet, how many real pro-active people do you know? If you visit a Yoga studio, Yoga class, or an ashram, you will meet many people who take care of themselves.

Some of the more well known Yogic techniques are asana, meditation, pranayama, mantras, mudras and bandhas, but there is a lot more to Yoga than techniques. It is the "Yoga off the mat," which causes life changing results. For example: Let's look at meditation a bit closer.

Many people practice meditation in the morning or evening, when the rest of their family is in bed. If you wake up early, the morning should suit you. However, if you go to bed late, then meditate at night.

This is the easiest way to develop a regular routine, create a steady practice, and calm your mind. It will take a few weeks to feel results, but they come from practice. What kind of results can you expect from meditation?

Some of the many Yoga meditation benefits include: happiness, emotional stability, creativity, and clear thought. You can also reduce stress, anxiety, moodiness, and depression, with a regular meditation practice. There are many more benefits from meditation, which can be measured on the physical and mental levels.

When you are not meditating, you can forgive others, give to others, be mindful, avoid judging others, show loving kindness, and do not seek rewards. You will see that rewards will come back to you, which is fine, but do not refuse loving kindness from others.

This is the Law of Karma. You perform an action and the universe responds with a reaction. You accept the reaction. You help people and people help you. We do not have to hoard our possessions, but we have a moral obligation to help those who need us.

Yoga and meditation have sometimes been accused of having self-indulgent practitioners by religious fundamentalists. This is interesting because Yoga and meditation have practitioners from every religion.

Self-indulgent materialism often occurs, when people are spiritually disconnected. Yet, Yoga opens the spiritual connection to God, which will result in the unification of mind, body, and spirit.

So, how do you find tranquility and inner-peace? Forgive the foolish because it will do no good to hate them, and it is a waste of energy. Give to those who need because giving is the greatest reward in life. Become a "fountain" of loving kindness and good things will be magnetized to you.

Some will ask, "Why should you forgive, give, be mindful, or show loving kindness?" The answer is: Because it is right; every religion agrees, and it is too much work to avoid helping those who need it.

© Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications