Border Line Purge To Fitness

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

Every Yoga teacher should make it a point to practice Jnana Yoga, on a daily basis, regardless of his or her style. The practice of Jnana Yoga is the continuing education of every Yoga teacher.

Jnana Yoga is union by knowledge. A Jnana Yoga practitioner may spend his or her life in the pursuit of knowledge, scripture, and truth, but what can any of us do if we do not hold the power to make changes within mighty governments and global corporate empires?

What can you do if you see the truth, but are unable to make governments, banks, corporate giants, or health care systems respond to it. In relation to this: A modest sage once told me, "Knowing is enough."

Knowing is enough - Is a saying that tells the poor and the middle-class to accept the truth, but we will not have the influence to make the "mighty" see the truth. A similar saying is, "Grin and bear it."

However, we no longer have to accept the unbearable with a grin. You and I can make changes in our governments and on this planet. They may be small changes, but you can make them on a regular basis.

For the very first time, people from anywhere in the world, can communicate through the use of the Internet. An American Yoga teacher and an Iranian Yoga teacher can have a conversation about Yoga, philosophy, how to play guitar, or anything else that people do.

If you realize that most people are generally good, then you also know that many different governments have foreign policies, which are wrong. Global warming is real, health care should be for everyone, and banking practices could be made to help the poor and middle-class.

There are many illusions, which the mighty would have you believe. So many politicians want peace in an election year, but why is history so full of wars? There must be profit in the manufacturing of weapons systems because the poor and the middle-class never seem to see the benefits of war.

Getting back to Yoga, the Internet, and what you can do. There are forums and blogs full of people from around the world. As Yoga students and Yoga teachers, we have a common bond with any Yoga practitioner from anywhere. Take the time to read the threads on the Yoga forums.

You will find that people, on the other side of the earth, have the same concerns about life, as you do. Then, introduce yourself and begin to inject your own opinions.

This is the reason for Yoga forums, or any forum, for that matter. A forum is a place for people to help other people in a small way, by sharing information about their dreams, passions, hobbies, or Yoga.

One of the reasons why wars occur is that common people from different cultures, do not know each other. If you know someone well enough, you may develop a friendship, and nobody wants to quarrel with a friend.

© 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