Yoga is a great form of exercise that helps us deal with depression and anxiety. Yoga teacher training uses different body posture or poses, breathing exercises and meditation to stretch, strengthen and bring balance to your body and mind which provides a sense of inner harmony. Yoga teaching is not a replacement for psychiatric or psychological treatment. Many forms of depression and anxiety will need more treatment and medication, but yoga can become a tool to help. (more…)

Adults are not the only ones that need to exercise. Yoga teacher training is beginning to put emphases on children and their need for exercise too. Studies show that children should have at least one hour of physical activity each day. Yoga teaching is another source of exercise for children. Yoga can provide exe3rcise and it also helps our kids relieve stress and improve their concentration levels. Our children will have the benefit of more flexibility, strength, coordination and body awareness. (more…)

We all have busy schedules and jobs that require us to be on task and constantly ready in order to succeed. It does not matter where you may work or what you do but putting in a full day at work can lead to stress, fatigue and body aches. If you want to try to stay ahead of falling into that dilemma there are a few yoga poses that we learn through yoga teacher training that you can practice while at work to help revitalize your mind and body.

You may not know when during your busy schedule you could have the time to fit yoga into your busy day but some of these poses are so simple and adaptable that you can do them in your office or at your cubicle. With yoga teaching there is always a way to make it through your busy schedule but making a point to add wellness into it too. (more…)

The yoga plow, or Plow Pose, is a challenging posture in yoga teaching. Many yoga experts recommend this pose for the mental and physical benefits it provides while some exercise experts warn of the potential physical complications. Just like with any form of exercise, yoga teacher trainingwill tell you to consult with a doctor and decide if this pose is right for you or if you have a reason to avoid it. (more…)

Some of us look in the mirror and wish we had the perfect butt. We are not happy because it is either too flat or we wish it were a little more firm. Through yoga teacher training we learn all kinds of poses and techniques so when you are in charge of teaching a class and a student asks you how to improve the look of their back side you will have the perfect answer. (more…)

As with any kind of exercise there can be moments when our body does not want to be 100 percent and we have limitations. If you suffer from bad wrists or hand from outside injuries or just from practicing yoga, you can modify your routine instead of stopping it. Yoga teacher training makes us aware that if you experience any sudden or lasting pain in your hands or wrists you should stop and see a doctor. (more…)

Through yoga teacher trainingwe learn of all the wonderful benefits to expect with a strong yoga practice. One of these benefits is that a regular practice of certain yoga poses will actually increase our digestive efficiency.

Some of the yoga styles that incorporate these kinds of poses are Hatha, Integral, Sivananda and Iyengar. There are more rigorous yoga styles that also use the poses such as Vinyasa or Bikram yoga where the rooms are heated and help to increase flexibility and detoxification at the same time. (more…)

Treating our headaches can sometimes be difficult due to the wide range of headaches and causes we experience. In some cases we can try running or other forms of exercise to relieve our headaches while for others doing those exercises will make your headache worse. The main idea is to find out if simple lifestyle adjustments do not make those headaches go away you should consult with a doctor. If exercise and getting your blood flowing helps then yoga teacher training can provide steps to help you with a good yoga practice.

Migraines

If you are someone that suffers from migraines you may be in pain for hours or days at a time. You may also have extreme sensitivity to light, sound or smell that comes along with the headache. Some factors that could be the cause are changes in a major pain pathway or an imbalance in the brain chemicals such as serotonin. By doing some muscle relaxation exercises with a yoga teacher you can begin to alleviate migraine pain.

Viparita Karani

This pose also known as the legs up the wall pose is done beginning on the floor. Make sure you are lying on the floor with your lower back supported by a bolster or pillow and your legs are up against the wall. The distance between the wall and the height of your back support will depends on your flexibility. If you are not very flexible you should start farther away from the wall and have a good lower back support. Make sure to sit sideways on the right end of your support or to the left if you are left handed. Now you should begin to exhale and in one move swing your legs both up onto the wall while you put your shoulders and head onto the floor lightly. Stay in this pose for five to 15 minutes. Yoga teacher training will stress the importance of support under your back to avoid injury.

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana

This pose is also called the Bridge pose and you begin by lying on the floor on your back. Slowly bend your knees with your feet planted on the floor and your heels as close to your tailbone that is comfortable. While you slowly exhale, press both feet and arms into the floor and push your tailbone up, firming and lifting your buttocks off the floor.  Make sure to keep your thighs parallel to the floor and your knees should be directly over your heels. While your arms are straightened clasp your hands underneath and below your pelvis to keep your position on the tops of your shoulders. Try to keep this pose for 30 seconds up to one minute. When you begin your exhale, slowly release the pose by rolling your spine down back onto the floor.

Pashimottanasana

This pose is also known as the seated forward bend and begins by sitting on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you. Begin by pressing your thigh into the floor and placing your palms or fingertips onto the floor next to your hips. When you inhale, lean forward from your hips and reach with your hands, elbows extended, and grasp the sides of your feet. During this movement yoga teachers should explain that your belly should be touching your thighs, then your ribs and lastly your head. As you exhale move deeper into the bend without force. Stay in this pose for one to three minutes. To release from this pose, lift your belly away from your thighs and inhale as you release.

Savasana

This pose also called the corpse pose is a neutral body position. Begin this pose by sitting on the floor with your knees bent. Slowly lean back onto your forearms and left your pelvis off the floor. Try to push your pelvis towards your tailbone and back onto the floor. Slowly inhale and extend your legs one at a time. With your hands, lift the base of your skull from the back of your neck and release it down towards the tailbone. Slowly stretching your arms up and away stretching your spine. Position your arms on the floor with your shoulder blades resting evenly on the floor. Use bolsters, pillows, blankets to make sure that you are completely relaxed. The key to this pose is to have complete relaxation. Remain in this pose for five to 30 minutes.

Yoga teacher training will help guide you to poses that will help areas that tend to be responsible for headaches. There is a great benefit to being able to get your body relaxed and the blood flowing to bring you comfort.