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For many yoga aficionados, there is little that sounds more fun or more fulfilling than a career as a yoga teacher. Just imagine wearing yoga clothing as your version of “business attire.” Just think about the work hours, the sense of gratification and how great it’d be for your office to be a yoga studio. Not to mention, the pay is not too shabby. Before you can consider pulling your mat to the front of the class, however, teacher certification is required. It takes much more than merely avid class attendance to become an instructor; yoga classes, classes on technique, philosophy, ethic, anatomy/physiology and methodology are all required first. Here are a few things to consider. Do you want the 200 hr level certification or the 500 hr level?–both are great and adequate for teaching, but to make better money and to have more teaching options, the 500 hr is preferable. Do you have the time?  In most cases, the 200 hr level teacher training involves 200 hours of contact time–aspects that must be completed at your training school–and then another 50 or so hours of self-study. For the 500 hr leve, it’s 450 and 50, respectively.Also, there are a variety of course options, but all are time consuming. Intensive courses usually involve 4 weeks for 200 hr level and 9 weeks for 500 hr level. During this time, you live at the school and participate in coursework/yoga classes 6-7 days a week for 8-12 hours a day.Weekend courses are usually 16 hours a weekend for either 11 weeks or 21 weeks–200 hr/500 hr. Also, these numbers, 11 and 21, are only if you work at an extremely fast pace and complete your self-study very quickly. Can you afford it?  Yoga teacher training is very pricy. The cheapest program I’ve seen is $2000 for a 200 hr level/weekend training. Though this price does include study materials, unlimited yoga classes throughout the duration of your program, a certificate at the end and the training itself, it is still a hefty price to pay.  Here are a few questions to ask your perspective training program: Are you registered with Yoga Alliance?  Yoga Alliance–YA–is the organization that’s responsible for creating the guidelines for teachers, training and classes. Participating in a training program that’s not registered with YA is essentially pointless. You will have a hell of a time finding work without the RYT–registered yoga teacher–through Yoga Alliance. How many graduates has your program had? Are all you instructors certified, at least, at the 200 hour level? How long has the Teacher Training Director taught? How long has the program existed? Becoming a yoga teacher can be a great experience and lead to a limitless future, but please don’t rush into it thinking it will be a cake walk. Yogis are serious, and yoga student have a great deal of faith and trust in their teachers. So to expect for a training program to be anything less than rigorous and demanding is crazy. After all, these programs are teaching those who will hold in their hands, other peoples’ spiritual, physical and mental well-being, health and enlightenment.    

A few months ago, I wrote a post regarding SoulCycle on a weight loss website, but I think it’s a relevant subject here as well. Essentially, SoulCycle is a form of spinning–cycling class on stationary bikes–that removes the woes of spinning and adds a touch of yoga. It was created by three women in New York City who were sick of evil spin instructors, bright lights and blaring techno music. Classes are held by candle light and spinners can pedal away to soothing, relaxtion-focused music. Then, for a special touch, the instructors teach yoga breathing techniques that participants use while cycling. So, even though this class is held on bikes rather than mats, does the idea behind SoulCycle reach yogis?Here’s my conclusion. It can’t replace a traditional yoga class, as there is none of the strecthing aspects, and there are no postures and poses taught; however, I believe this activity does speak to yogis on a relaxation level. The atmosphere provides a meditative aura, despite the fact that your legs are working up a frenzy. The use of yoga breath also promotes a calming state of mind. In my opinion, this activity would be great for yogis who are looking for a supplemental cardio work-out. It speaks to yogis’ search for relaxation, calm and meditation, while furthering leg strength and cardiovascular health. 

I have been suffering with Migraines since the age of eleven. When I began practicing yoga years ago they have improved greatly. I found this article at www.abc-of-yoga.com and found it extremely enlightening. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I also hope to bring more of these kind of informational articles to you so you can see just how beneficial yoga can be if you incorporate it into your daily routine. Namaste.

There is so much health information available nowadays-it’s a real challenge trying to keep up with it…I’m sure you feel the same way. And it’s easy to overlook many important health issues that can be very beneficial to your health and longevity.

That’s why Healthy Answers helps to provide you with answers on topics that don’t get all the attention they deserve

That brings me to the topic of Flexibility.

Image by: Gary and Kitty

ncreased flexibility provides you with a number of health benefits. When you are more flexible, you feel better. Your body works better. You are less likely to become injured. You can exercise without discomfort and without getting too sore the next day.

Here’s another post with Tara Stiles showing us her amazing flexibility. Backbends aren’t the easiest maneuvers in Yoga class, so when trying these moves, please have a little discretion. We don’t want anyone ending up in the hospital!

If you aren’t familiar with Tara Stiles, you should be. She’s a Ford Model and loves to do Yoga. We’ll be showcasing a few of her videos here. To get to know Tara a little better, check out here IMDB profile.

The Classical Yoga of India is Raja Yoga, the “Royal Yoga” of the mind. Because the mind is traditionally seen as the “king” that rules the life of the human being, the union with or awakening of the mind to the true and higher Self is the ultimate goal of Raja Yoga.

Established by the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Raja Yoga is one of six orthodox schools of Hindu philosphy that are described by Patanjali. The term Raja Yoga was introduced in the text of the 15th century Hatha Yoga Pradipika to distinguish Raja Yoga from the newer Hatha Yoga.

People have been proclaiming the many benefits of yoga for centuries. Some of the praises for this ancient discipline include greater flexibility and strength, improved energy levels and sleep, and a calmer more contented mind. People love it because it is not only a powerful way to get into shape physically; it is also a fantastic way to feel more emotionally harmonious. It offers a holistic approach to cope with the challenges of daily life.

I love yoga. The way it makes me feel is so amazing I sometimes can’t believe it. There is a reason why so many people, from yogis to celebrities to your average Joe are raving about this form of physical and mental exercise.

While experiencing the benefits of yoga first hand is enough of a reason to make this practice part of my routine, a recent scientific study has further validated the benefits that have been talked about for centuries.

When non-yogis hear the word “yoga,” they usually think of slow, deep breathing, stretching and odd-looking postures that resemble pretzels. Even many semi-yogis often forget about the meditative aspects of this activity. When in a class, the instructor will usually end the session with a short meditation, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. I guarantee you that the instructor meditates much more often than just those 10 minutes at the close of class, and he/she expects the passionate students to do the same.