yoga teachers

Oil Pulling For Your Health

2008-09-17T15:18:11Z

Indian medicine, Ayurveda, has long hailed the practice of oil pulling for healing the human body. Many illnesses and diseases can be prevented and potentially cured with this method. The concept of oil pulling is not new. It has been discussed in the Ayurvedic text Charak Samhita ( Sutrasthana 5, 78-80) as kavalagraha or kavala gandoosha. It was Dr. F. Karach, M.D. who popularized the concept of oil pulling in the 1990s.

Dr. Karach presented a paper before the All-Ukrainian Association. The meeting was attended by oncologists and bacteriologists belonging to the Academy of Science of the USSR. Dr. Karach explained an unusual simple healing process using cold-pressed oils. In this paper, Karach said the oil pulling totally heals “head-aches, bronchitis, tooth pain, thrombosis, eczema, ulcers and diseases of stomach, intestines, heart, blood, kidney, liver, lungs and women’s diseases. It heals diseases of nerves, paralysis, and encephalitis. It prevents the growth of malignant tumors, cuts and heals them. Chronic sleeplessness is cured.” He warned that if these claims sound exaggerated, try out the process yourself.

THE METHOD

First thing in the morning, before eating, before brushing your teeth, take 1 teaspoon of refined or expeller pressed sesame oil (NOT toasted sesame oil) into your mouth and DO NOT swallow during this process. You swish the oil in your mouth, tiling your head back so that it can get to the back molars. You suck and pull the oil through your teeth and chew the oil so that it activates the saliva. You do this for 10 -15 minutes (at least 10 min). The oil will turn white in your mouth as you do this. If it is still yellow after the 10 min, then you are not swishing and pulling and chewing enough.

Spit the oil out in the toilet. Again, DO NOT swallow the oil. If you were to see one drop of this oil magnified 600 times under a microscope, you would see microbes in their first stage of development. The oil pulls toxins and excess Kapha (mucus) out of the blood through the mucus membranes in the mouth.

After spitting, swish your mouth with a pinch of salt and warm water. And then immediately brush your teeth thoroughly, making sure to brush your tongue and the roof of the mouth too.

THE RESULTS

One of the obvious first results is the fixing of loosened teeth, the stoppage of bleeding gums, and the whitening of the teeth. Other healing indications: fresh, relaxed feeling on waking up, disappearing dark circles and puffiness below the eyes, renewed appetite, increased energy, better memory, and deep sleep.

Dr. Karach says that man lives to be only half the age which he could be. He says men and women can live easily up to 150 years old.

A study done by the Meenakshi Ammal Dental College & Hospital in Chennai, India is as follows:

Results:
Study 1
1. Significant reduction in S.mutans count in oil group after 1 and 2 weeks (p = 0.01; 0.008 respectively) and in chlorhexidine group in all time periods (p = 0.01; 0.04; 0.005; 0.005)
2. Significant difference in S.mutans count between the two groups after 1 and 2 weeks (p = 0.02; 0.002 respectively)
Study 2
1. Significant reduction in plaque and modified gingival index scores in both study and control group (p = 0 in both groups)
2. Reduction in colony count of microorganisms in plaque sample from both groups.
Conclusion: Oil pulling therapy, 5 to 6 times cost effective than chlorhexidine, can be used as an effective preventive home therapy in maintaining and improving oral health especially in developing countries like India.
(A. SHARATH, J. JEEVARATHAN, M.S. MUTHU, V. RATHNAPRABHU, E. PAMELA, R. RAGHURAMAN, and G.S. CHAMUNDESWARI, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College & Hospital, Chennai, India; Efficacy of Oil Pulling on Oral Health Status; http://iadr.confex.com/iadr/2008Toronto/techprogram/abstract_105440.htm)

A paper in India reported results of an oil pulling survey:

In 1996, after continuous publication of a regular column for three years in their Sunday edition on OP, Andhra Jyoti, a Telugu daily news paper, conducted a survey to find out the types of diseases cured and the effectiveness of OP. Out of a total of 1041 respondents, 927 (89%) reported cure of one or more diseases. People who did not report any cure were 114(11%).The analysis indicated cure of the following types of chronic diseases:
Pains in the body and problems pertaining to neck and above 758 cases
Allergy and respiratory problems of lungs like asthma, bronchitis etc191 cases
Skin problems like pigmentation, itching, scars, black patches, and eczema etc 171 cases
Digestive system-155 cases
Constipation-110 cases
Arthritis and joint pains-91 cases
Heart disease and B.P-74 cases
Diabetes-56 cases
Piles-27 cases
Diseases pertaining to female reproductive system reported by women-21 cases
Diseases like Polio, Cancer, Leprosy, polycystic kidney, neural fibroma, paralysis etc -72 cases

PRECAUTIONS

(a) Do not swallow. The oil should be spat out. But inadvertently if you swallow a little bit there is nothing to worry. It will go out through feces. Nothing is to be done.

(b) If you are allergic to sesame oil, change the brand of oil.

(c) Sunflower and sesame oil have been found to be equally effective in curing diseases. Other oils were not found to be as good. Do not blame oil pulling by practicing with other oils. Use refined oils.

CONCLUSION

It is said that oil pulling helps to massage the internal organs as all our internal organs are mapped out in our mouth. It also pulls toxins out of the blood. It dissolves plaque and bacteria from the teeth.

Dr. Karach, in his article, reports that in terminal diseases such as cancer, Aids and chronic infections, oil pulling has been shown to successfully replace all others. Dr. Karach has successfully healed a chronic leukemia patient with 15 years of harsh treatment methods behind him and healed acute arthritis within three days in one patient who was totally bedridden.

Article written by Jennifer E. Jacobsen, LMT, RM and originally posted on A Meditation In Motion

Yoga Month/Yoga Health Festival

2008-09-04T05:31:33Z

Is anyone else going to try to attend these events in September? Or already attended the ones that happened in August?

Feedback? Good times?

http://www.yogamonth.org/index.php

Connective Tissue & Female Hormone QUESTION

2008-08-21T16:38:03Z

I've been told (and it seems that it is well known) that women are more likely to strain their tendons and ligaments immediately before their periods, that is, during the end of the luteal phase when progesterone and estrogen from the corupus luteum are declining and near (or at) their nadir, and FSH and LH are low as well. I have also confirmed this assertion in my own experience: I have to stretch much more gently before my period to avoid a strain. So, can anyone explain to me what the relationship is between the female cycle, hormones and connective tissue?

Thanks in advance.

Yoga

2008-08-18T01:27:14Z

What is your definition of Yoga?

I have an idea what Yoga is, according to my teacher, but I would like to know what the common definition of Yoga out there is.

So, how would you define it? Coming up with as many definitions as you can...

Thanks :)

Out studio on TV!

2008-08-12T01:34:56Z

Fellow Yogis!

We were interviewed for a local tv station fr a spot on getting healthy by doing yoga.

Here's the link!

Hope you enjoy it!

yogateachers @ 2008-08-02T16:58:00

2008-08-02T21:00:52Z

For this last hour before I have to meet baby and daddy again, I want to write about last night's experience.

All of the feelings of the rape had been up for me. It's been three years since the big event of violation had happened to me, and as brave and strong as I am, I realize now that i have NOT healed from this. I am a Healer, YES, however, just because I am a Healer does not make me perfect and does not mean that I can heal every piece of me instantaneously or as quickly as I want to. I need to take as much time to heal as everyone else, and now being a mother and a Healer for others, in a way it may take me longer. I accept this graciously, however, my determination and desire is to be rid of all delusions, mis-perceptions, fears, and all feelings of not being safe in the world. Last night was one of those nights.

I was noticing yesterday during the day that I had the feeling of not being safe, being more protective, introverted, on guard per say, quiet, shy and timid. I was talking to my friend Nic about going to First Friday vs. going to the Yoga Studio to hear the live performance, be in the energy of other Yoga Teachers, do a meditation and see some pretty amazing art. He was suggesting that i go to the Yoga Studio. He felt that it would be the more gentle and healing energy that I was needing and looking for. We were debating on the First Friday. He said how the friends that were going were in some pretty bad places in their lives, that they wouldn't be putting off the kind and gentle energy that i was needing, and that it was really hot, and that the attendance of First Friday in July and August is nothing compared to the fall and Spring. He said most people don't show their art because of the heat. mostly because the doors are opened and there is no air conditioning and the artists that show are in college and in classes when the majority of the people come. He said that I would like it better if I waited to come in the fall and to go to the Yoga Studio.

i am SO glad I listened to him! I had the most amazing evening last night. It was so profound. I met up with some friends i hadn't seen in months or years, and all in the kirtan, bhakti, bhajan practices i went to before Sach was born and where I LOVED to sing...endlessly for hours. Well, we got to sing. "I" got to sing last night, and I poured my heart out into the music...the sounds, the vibrations, and the silences. It was transcendental!

In the beginning of the evening I saw some new people, L - the artist and leader and connected to him, then Amy and her husband, Rhoni, and more new faces. Then Jen showed up. Yay. :-). I saw Stephen. He greeted Sach with a big hello. I saw Rama and got to talk to him about getting together to practice and sing on a regular basis. Awesome, and he was the one who lead the music last night. :-) Then Yvette walked in after it started -- another big YAY! A couple ladies just adored Sach and he crawled around like a little champ. Then he went over to the drums that were sitting on the floor and started hitting it like a pro, and then crawled over to the gong. I showed him how to hit it with the big gong stick, and then he went to town on it, and it kind of got the evening started. He so loved hitting that gong that everyone started coming into the room as though it was our warning call that it was time to get started. Haha. So funny!

This woman I just met that night was adoring Sach and after we started meditating wanted to hold him. i was holding him first and we were singing at first and i held him during the music. I held him when it was time to meditate, but he wanted to move around. So, I just let go, and let him crawl around. He did not want to be tied down, so I let him explore. And everyone's eyes lit up with brightness and joy to his little body exploring and greeting everyone with such innocent love! Then L was leading us deeper into meditation, and Sachi was still crawling around. Sach started climbing over to L as though he was a long lost friend! It was so cute. He was the only man he crawled up to. He must has known how clear and sacred his energy was and he felt like home being close to him. So, eventually L held Sach and was walking around with him while he was leading the meditation. Sachi was pointing to everything in the room and L was smiling and agreeing with him to explore all the things Sach was pointing to. I noticed and smiled under my breath! Then it was time to go deeper into the meditation, and the woman who looked at me earlier to hold him peeked at me again. Sach was on the floor at this time, after L had handed him back to me. But Sach wanted to move around more. So, she picked him up. He almost came back to me because he was getting sleepy and almost dozed off, but she slid into this perfect moment and took him from me. He fell asleep within minutes. It was a chance for me to go deeper into the meditation.

The gong went off. At first i was really antsy. i could not get still in my body and every position was uncomfortable. Then the gong was getting louder and louder, and i couldn't take it anymore. I walked out of the room to sit away from the group, however the gong was just as loud on the other side of the wall as inside. The wall does not go all the way up to the ceiling. So, the sounds are just as clear inside as outside of the room. i was in the main entrance of the yoga studio at this time. So, i sat on the couch, and put my feet up into lotus position, as I always do. I sat there, and within minutes, my body started shaking, and eventually I started sobbing, and then crying, and just a few tears came, but it was enough to get me in touch with my body and my feelings. I wanted to be clear of this rape, and I was/AM ready to be clear. It was time to get started to heal. I wasn't ready to come back in, but the woman holding my baby, came to see me. She tried putting him back in my arms, but I looked down, still feeling inward and not ready to look at anyone else. Then eventually I came back into the room.

The gong was so loud that I didn't think anyone could have heard me over the wall, but when I re-entered some girlfriends that knew me peeked over at me. They were sitting across the room, and gave me a brief smile. It was warming, but I was still feeling really sad. I wasn't quite ready, but the woman put Sach back in my arms. He was out cold, so I layed him on my lap so he could continue sleeping. I just sat there, in a place of rest and did some deep breathing.

When the night was over, I was inspired to look at the Yin-Yoga Teacher Training Flyer. I had already done a Teacher Training, but because I was going through a Kundalini awakening in the middle of it, the Yoga Teacher at the other studio had suggested I wait to finish the rest of it. My body was going through awakenings of release and energy surges for days on end and he did not want me freaking out the other students at the time. This was 2 years ago (the fall right after the rape happened). This Yoga Teacher Training would complete my hours. I only needed 1 or 2 weekend left and 4 Wednesday's. And, the Yin Yoga is a deep practice of holding poses for almost 1 minute each, instead of a few seconds like other yogas. I like the intensity of holding poses. This is my kind of yoga anyway, so it might be a perfect fit! I spoke to Amy for a little bit and inspired her to take an Art Class. she is a Yoga Teacher friend of mine. She's known me for years.

Then after everyone left, Jen and Yvette walked me outside. L was still there and cleaning up the studio. One amazing thing was that the event was free this night. What a gift from the Universe! :-) So, Jen carried my bags and I carried Sach. I was about 9:30pm by this time. I was talking to Yvette at my car. We spoke about so many things...the healing journey, clearing blocks of energy, how she felt how powerful I am and that my presence is so amazing and that I need to heal this because people love me and love to see me shining. She said how important it was to heal my relationship with my mom and agreed for me that when I take space from my family it is a good thing - that I am trying to change the family legacy and everyone else in my family is shut down and blocked to the awareness that this is important. I told her some of my mom and she couldn't believe someone like my mom had manifested a daughter like me. she said I was the Warrior Healer who came from a completely destructive and abusive family and how unconscious my mom was of herself from not healing ANYTHING, and how I want to heal EVERYTHING! She also said I had every right to not want to spend time with her if she was going to drink. and, she acknowledged that it was amazing that all three brothers of mine have never had girlfriends and have been celibate almost all of their lives. I told her i think they are afraid of woman but that they're in denial. She was stunned. I told her how they always do anything and everything she asks them to do, and that they want her love more than anything. She said how she sees that I don't need her acceptance, but they do, so when I disappear on events or holidays when I'm healing, it's understanding, because I don't need to be there like they do. She felt that they were waiting for something from her...like approval. She asked me to please call her, and to please get help. She was so glad that I'm reaching out now. She said to definitely call the police and report the rape. She said that would help empower me and that it is important for me to be empowered. And the rape counseling, and the referral to the woman who healed (another Tantra Teacher) of her rape. She liked the sound of all of it.....so my journey begins. I've reached out, I've told friends, I am honest to clients when I need to be. Elie is supportive of me taking space to heal, Sach needs me to heal this, and I need me to heal this.

During my therapy session today I expressed these feelings to my therapist. I told him my experiences, the quick to anger, feelings of isolation, protection, fear, safety, sadness, being quiet or shy, and so on. I told him about my yeast infection and how it has been 4 months and has not gone away, and the pain inside after having sex or even using a vibrator. So, we did some clearings on the feelings of protection and safety, and then on the yeast infection to clear my body's need to have the infection as a way to protect myself from the rape. Then we discovered that my body experiences pain after sex or the vibrator as a way to not experience joy during sex. I realized that it's my heart that is blocked and my yoni is the manifestation as the proof that my heart does not want to feel. He said the best way to heal the pain in my womb/yoni is to heal my heart and the pain with my mom and roots. He believes that the rape is an after-affect of my mom and grandmother abusing me as a child. i was the one who said this to him. I suppose he really believes that i am smart enough to know these things and agrees with me. He said this is going to take some time. So, this pain in my yoni (vagina)/womb is going to have to wait to heal completely and take the time it needs to take before this pain I experience after sex goes away. However, I haven't had sex in almost 2 months now, so I suppose waiting a little longer to heal won't hurt me.

I also brought in all my paintings to my therapist. We had talked about me bringing them in today for him to look at. He liked several pieces; some more than I thought he would, and some I thought he wold like where he didn't say anything. It shows me that everyone has their own style and appreciation for art and not one person's opinion is better than another. He also recognized through some paintings how they show the level of patience I have. He said he wouldn't have had the patience to put all the beads on the one painting I added crafts to. He liked about ten of my paintings, so that is a pretty good sign. I don't want to list all of them here.Maybe one of these days i can learn how to scan or take a picture of them and post them on here.

My anger feels less. My overwhelming energy I had felt around my head feels less intense. I feel lighter and a little happier than before my session. Although I could really take a nap. Napping helps me to integrate after these sessions I'm realizing, but I'll have to wait to see after i call Elie if I have time to nap. I might have to go pick up Sach (my baby), right away.

Love,

Asttarte

Healing emotions with yoga

2008-08-01T17:09:49Z

Hello all! This is my first post to the community. I've been on the path of healing and spirituality for years. I've been practicing Yoga since 1999, and did a Teacher Training in 2005. I also am a Tantra Yoga Healer, Teacher and Practitioner. However, I got on this path to heal myself (starting in 1995). I have been receiving Homeopathic Medicine the past couple months to help me heal from being raped in May of 05 and some seriously consistent and persistent abuse that I went though as a child. I noticed the emotion of anger that came up this morning very strong. I was looking through some of my yoga books to address this with a gentle yoga asana or practice. Does anyone suggest this being a valuable method? I've had resistance to my spiritual practice since the event of 05 happened to me, and really want to get back into my Spiritual Practice (for myself; not just for healing and giving to others), so that I can be more balanced, healthy, feel more bliss and love once again that I did before the event in 05 happened.

Blessings to all!

Namaste, and much love!

Asttarte

a teacher training question

2008-07-28T15:21:59Z

hello everyone...

i am finally looking into teacher training programs and i have decided to take some time off of life and go through a month long program.

the one i am kinda interested in at this point is 7 Centers in Sedona, AZ.

Has anyone been through this program, or do any of you have another month long program you have been through and would recommend? I am looking for somewhere preferrably in the US. :)

Thanks

clean yoga studio

2008-07-01T12:24:59Z

hello everyone! so i work at a yoga studio as a studio helper. i keep the place as clean as possible and we have 4 studios, so its not easy keeping them always in order. our biggest issue is the prop walls. the 2 of us who clean are very anal about keeping the studio looking nice, however, even when we ask our students to put the props back on the wall as they were found, it never quite works out, folding blankets, rolling mats, or even just stuff on the right shelf just never seems to work.

so my question... anyone who owns a studio or is a teacher or works at one..

how do you guys keep your studios looking like well put together, and neat studios?

Track the miles you walk/run for breast cancer!

2008-06-16T14:34:55Z

http://www.beewellmiles.com/?gclid=CI-8n6-X-ZMCFQOjFQodmEXPVQ

How to choose?

2008-06-05T19:53:48Z

Hi everyone,
I'm currently in graduate school and started yoga to help with the stress. It was completely wonderful and I have been harboring dreams of becoming a yoga teacher for the past few months!
I'm wondering how you all decided what program to pick. I know I'm most interested in hatha yoga, so I can probably narrow it down to that, although I would love to learn some other styles as well (it's hard because I'm in a small city). There aren't any training centers close to me that I could use as a resource. Did you just decide to do a program that was near you, or did you travel (or even move) to get trained? I'll graduate next year, and will hopefully be able to find a job pretty much anywhere (social worker), so if there was a really awesome yoga program somewhere I might be able to go work near it and get trained there.
Sorry if this is rambly. Any advice, information, or stories that you could share with me would be very appreciated!

M3: MUSIC MOVEMENT MEDITATION at iTunes

2008-05-31T16:10:05Z

Fellow Yogis!

Just about every month we put on our M3 classes at our studio, Portland Power Yoga.

Last night's M3 was amazing!

I am literally in tears as I write this from the joy, energy and transformation that I witnessed in those who joined us for this incredible class. These get more and more powerful, increasing in intensity and spirit with every M3 we put together.

Now you can get the music from the M3's online at iTunes!!!

So far, I have put up just the April M3 and the May M3 playlists. I pour a great deal of my heart, soul, blood, sweat and tears into these and I am so pleased that so many people like them enough to beg for copies of them. Well, beg no more!!! In the coming weeks I will put the rest of the M3 playlists there on iTunes to share with everyone. This is about 15 M3's, which is somewhere near twenty hours of music!

If you missed last night's M3, fret not! We will have another in June. This will be a very special M3 as it will be on the Summer Solstice, Saturday, June 21st!!! In a fit of excitement, buoyed by your powerful performance last night, I've already made the playlist, too!

Enjoy the playlist's and maybe I will see you next month at the Solstice M3!!!

Namaste!

Village Building Convergence Yoga

2008-05-30T06:59:59Z

Today I taught my first class at the 2008 Village Building Convergence. It was an AMAZING and good experience, even though most of us would consider it to be teaching under less than ideal conditions: the "room" set aside for such things is really part of a bigger room divided a bit using fabrics (and entirely open!), dinner is served as class begins (tummy grumbles!), and small children run through the middle of the class while we are practicing. Oh, and also one of the main staircases leads right through the space we used too.

What makes this such a treat--aside from the participants and the event's warm hospitality--is that it is a very real external illustration of what the practice of yoga (asana and otherwise) actually is for most people. Under less than ideal conditions, with less than "enough" time (not quite an hour), with distractions and sounds and smells, without enough mats or props, we come together, we focus, and we do our best to concentrate on what we are doing.

Today we had me, competing with a microphone presentation and the aforementioned children. We had the volunteer massage therapist, 4 months pregnant; the health/wellness coordinator; a few other volunteers; at least one person who had never done any yoga previously. While I like to have A Class Plan, I went in and simply asked everyone "what do you need? what do you want?" and made yoga from there. We chanted om three times. We breathed. The asana practice was simple: cat/cow, child's pose, the arms of garudasana, the arms of gomukhasana, some standing forward bends. I had us partner up for one back release, and some manual shoulder loop action. Then we used what was available to create a passive chest opener and I adjusted each person one at a time. A brief savasana, followed by a minute of sitting together and my gratitude.

I wasn't sure how I felt it went. Afterwards everyone said thank you, and later one participant gave me some very positive feedback in private. I am invited to stay for dinner each night I teach, and the programs that follow.

I am so glad that I chose to volunteer at the Village Building Convergence. If you haven't volunteered to teach yoga to a group that otherwise might not have it, I highly recommend it. Especially, I think, if the conditions are "less than ideal." You may discover yoga you didn't know existed.

Welcome to mystical Caucasus!

2008-05-17T16:04:37Z

Namaste!

You are welcome to the "place of power" in the Mountains of Northern Caucasus - Mezmai. Please, see the mezmai.okis.ru

Strange Pain

2008-05-05T21:53:31Z

I attended a new yoga class on Friday and the instructor had us doing a pose where we went from cobra to down dog to happy child, back to cobra then bringing the right leg up to mountain pose. She had us doing this at a pretty fast rate. I can keep up in classes (I can't always hold it, especially holding poses for 15 minutes in kundalini. I'm still working on that! but I can at least keep up) but this woman had me all over the map. After that sequence (we did it 6 times) I had this pain in my right leg about 4-6 inches above the knee in my quad. It is moving pain that shoots to the hip and I feel an almost cracking sensation when I put all my weight on that leg. I'm not finding any information as to what type of "injury" it is. I've tried heat, ice, stretching, lightly working out but nothing is working. It's getting to the point where i'm almost limping on that leg. It doesn't really hurt until I put weight on it. I stayed off of it all day saturday and did some walking around Disney on Sunday but nothing strenuous. Does anyone have any ideas or stretches they could recommend to alieve this? Thank you!

Free Sanskrit Course

2008-04-21T19:04:51Z

This was posted over in the yoga community, but it is such a valuable resource that I thought I would re-post it here. This is a free online course to learn Sanskrit, and basically it just started (there are materials posted for week one, with more to come).

The support materials alone are worth the time it will take to visit this site. They include a basic Sanskrit text (156 pages), alphabet flashcards, basic word flashcards, and pronunciation files.

The week one materials focus on a few initial letters. For each letter there is a .wmv file showing the teacher using MS paint to draw the letter. It begins with the flashcard page, so you can see the printed letter and its English transliteration. As the teacher makes each stroke to draw the letter, he says the letter and explains what he is doing. Each letter is repeated many times. After viewing the first three files, I am finding it MUCH easier to draw the Sanskrit letters.

I'm so excited I can barely contain myself!

http://bhaktistudies.ning.com/

Yoga Journal Estes Park conference

2008-04-17T08:24:37Z

Registration opened for the Yoga Journal conference in Estes Park, which is why it is on my mind. I've never gone to a big yoga conference before, mainly because they are so expensive. This year is different because the Estes Park conference is going to have the First North American Anusara Yoga Grand Gathering, which I would really like to attend.

Fantasy: I really want to go to the WHOLE THING.
Reality: if I am lucky and work hard, I can swing the Anusara Grand Gathering.
Fantasy: if I win the lottery, I can go to the whole thing!
Reality: you can't win the lottery if you don't buy tickets...

$525 tuition for Anusara Yoga Grand Gathering
$200 lodging and meals at YMCA ($50/day x Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday night)
$$$ plane ticket (assumes I can't use a freebie I've earned on Southwest)
$? books (since I know I won't resist)

Basically, I think I'm looking at a minimum of $800 (assumes free plane ticket) to $1,000 (assumes I have to eat the plane ticket but can find a cheap airfare). The worst part--and the main reason I don't think I can go to the whole thing--is that tuition is due in full for the entire event at the time of registration. No payment plans. The main conference adds another $650 or so ($500 tuition, $150 three nights in the YMCA)...so much for that.

I'd like to register right this second, but that's not exactly possible (as in I don't have the money to register right now--most of my teaching is done for a private membership organization and I do it for free...also I'm underemployed and seeking a full-time "real" job). I'm hoping that the Anusara Gathering does not sell out quickly, and I can register later. All the teachers are rocktastic, so if I don't get my first choice sessions I will not be upset. In fact, I will be happy to attend at all.

So, fellow teachers: if you can spare a positive thought, think: "RBF attends Anusara Yoga Grand Gathering!"

New Member

2008-04-07T18:56:53Z

Hello all! My name is Cheri. I am a nutritionist and an aspiring yoga instructor in training. I currently work at a ladies only fitness facility in Longwood, FL. I have recently found health and fitness to be my passion and have started over at 26. A little change of direction is never too late right? I just wanted to say hello and hope to get to know everyone and hope to learn as much as I can from all of your expertise! Thank you and have a happy, healthy day!

Yoga for larger bodies

2008-04-05T22:58:46Z

Can anyone point me to resources about yoga for larger bodies, and specifically teaching yoga for larger bodies?

I am already aware of basic modifications, Megan Garcia's Mega Yoga and DVD "Yoga Just My Size," and the bigger body yoga LJ group.

Thanks.

OM or AUM

2008-03-29T23:13:58Z

I'm a bit confused about the pronunciation of OM or AUM. In class we chant OM, with equal parts given to Ooooo and mmmm. However, in many writings I've found attention paid to AUM with the focus on all three vowels, such as Aaaaaaa, uuuuuuu, mmmmm.

Although I know the intention is the most important factor, I would like to know how others chant OM and perceive it

the usefulness of yoga

2008-03-19T22:50:39Z

I'm planning to teach a 7-week Chakra Yoga class starting in April. I've been trying to brainstorm ways this could be helpful to people (I need to do this in order to have conviction that it will manifest and I'll get paid for it). Someone mentioned Kundalini yoga to me recently, so I thought I'd look into it again.

My Integrative Yoga Therapy training taught me poses, mudras, affirmations, and imagery for the chakras, and that's been my approach. However, I find an affinity with Kundalini Yoga. It aims to awaken the potential energy stored at the base of the spine and move it into the upper chakras, increasing mental clarity, creativity, and awareness. The class I've been taking at Sacred Ground Yoga has helped move my energy to the 6th and 7th chakras, and I do feel much more aware and creative. The exercises of Kundalini Yoga include sitting with the legs crossed, uniting movement and breath, mental concentration, and "verbal utterances" (mantras?).

Anyway, I've been trying to think how I can help people with chakra yoga, or just yoga. A general theme in my own spiritual growth, and one that is taught by Integrative YOga Therapy, is self-awareness. By becoming aware of ourselves physically, emotionally, etc., we learn to accept our strengths and our weaknesses. What a simple explanation of a long drawn-out and often painful process! It is true though, that only way to be more self-realized and transcend your limitations is through accepting the limitations of being human.

I think my desire to be of service is finally starting to overcome my desire for validation. I want to be there to facilitate healing and growth in every moment, starting now--not just teaching yoga. Itrust the universe to connect me with people/situations where I can be helpful.

Practice Yoga Teaching #03

2008-03-19T06:10:17Z

Once again, I thought I'd see if anyone had any feedback on my class sequence, and some of what I got out of my practice teaching. I'll be doing the same script again on Thursday (hopefully better, though :) ). Thanks to everyone who helped with my question on the backbend theme, too! :)

Sequence:

Opening

sukasana w/ meditation
agnistambhasana (teach external rotation and feet)
agnistambasana w/ forward fold (teach external rotation and spinal elongation)
uttitha hasta in tadasana (teach quads and spinal elongation and shoulder blade/upper traps elongation)
dandasana w/ gomukasana arms (teach quads, spinal elongation, and shoulder blade integration; use strap)
marjaryasana/bitilasana (teach spinal elongation)

General Warmup

adho mukha svanasana -> balasana x2 (teach arms, shoulders, and spine)
bhujangasana -> floor x2 (teach shoulder blades and spinal elongation)
urdhva mukha svanasana x2 (teach shoulders, spinal elongation, quads, and feet)
surya namaskara C w/ high lunge
surya namaskara C w/ high lunge and backbend
surya namaskara C w/ high lunge and twist

Targeted Warmup

virabhadrasana II (teach knee, quads, spinal positioning)
trikonasana (teach quads, side hips, pelvis action, spinal elongation; use block)
virabhadrasana I (teach knees, quads, pelvis, spinal elongation; use block)
utthita parsvottanasana (teach quads, side hips, pelvis, spinal elongation; use blocks)
prasarita padottanasana (I left this one out, just skipped over it on the script I was following)

Peak

tadasana -> adho mukha svanasana -> urdhva mukha svanasana -> salambasana (teach spinal elongation and use of erector spinae)
ardha dhanurasana(teach quad, spinal elongation, shoulder blades; use strap) -> balasana
eka pada rajakapotasana (beginner, back foot on ground) (teach front leg foot and external rotation, back leg quad and foot, pelvis position, spinal elongation, and shoulder blades; use bolsters and blocks if needed)
setu bandu sarvangasana (teach feet, knees, quads, and pelvis)

Cooldown

pavana muktasana -> easy twist
supta padagustasana -> utthita supta padagustasana (I left this one out, as it seemed too intense and too much work at the time given the group; we were also running late)
janu sirsasana (teach pelvis, torso rotation, and spinal elongation)
paschimottanasana (teach spinal elongation; use strap)
upavista konasana (teach quads and spinal elongation)
baddha konasana (teach external rotation and spinal elongation)
savasana (use bolsters under knees if necessary)

I didn't get a whole lot of feedback this time, but a few things:

I thought that it wasn't as coherent of a class this time. They said it was a lot better. Huh.
Adding just a little bit of flowing movement from one pose to another really seemed to help the 'impression' of the class.
They liked the instruction of the class a lot more. I thought it was very repetitive, but it was definitely simplified, and I only hit a few major things in each pose.
I did more demonstrations before a new pose. It was *very* hard to keep them from doing the pose with me. Sometimes, they wouldn't follow step by step instructions terribly well and I had to remind them to do so more carefully on the other side. My wording on doing this could use some improvement, though. It passes for this setting, with friends, but needs work.
They liked the minor "assists" where I came around and pointed out the areas of action without making an actual assist, particularly the subtler actions - shoulder blades down and in the back with gomukasana arms or bottom ribs elongating in trikonasana.
Every student thinks something different about savasana, and how much time is spent in that final relaxation. If there was ever a "can't please everyone all the time..."!
My teaching needs to be more organized, particularly when it comes to directing the use of the props before getting into a pose or moving students in space before they do it (in a less helpful way)

Abandoned Toys!!

2008-03-13T06:52:45Z

If you don't already own "The witch's garden" by Abandoned Toys, I highly recommend picking it up. Its beautiful music for yoga, meditation, etc.

Abandoned Toys

yogateachers @ 2008-03-12T10:14:00

2008-03-12T17:24:16Z

I've been doing yoga teacher training for two months (out of five) now, and decided to do some practice yoga teaching with friends who were generous enough to be "yoga guinea pigs". (Obviously, full disclosure on how far along I am in my studies and all that.) Anyway, here's the post I put on my yoga-lj, and if you happen to have a moment for feedback on the sequence (which was changed on the fly as I discovered that the 'students' needed a bit more instruction and were having a bit more trouble with some of the poses than I originally expected), or any of the rest of it, please chime in.

Thanks!

(And let me know if I should/shouldn't do this again in the future - possibly with a bit more exposition on the class itself - as I find it helpful to do for myself, but if it's not appropriate here, I'll remove or not post this sort of thing again. And, yes, feel free to borrow the script.)

Three 'students'.
Beginner class - level 1.
Students had little to no experience.

Script, as taught (approximately):

* Opening

1. sukasana (w/ meditation)
2. sukasana (teach torso)
3. dandasana
4. dandasana w/ block between arms overhead (teach torso, shoulders)
5. balasana
6. balasana w/ arms overhead (teach shoulders)
7. adho mukha svanasana (thoroughly teach hands, shoulders, legs, feet) -> balasana -> adho mukha svanasana x2
8. tadasana (thoroughly teach feet, legs, pelvis, torso, shoulders, balance)

* General Warmup

1. ardha surya namaskara x4 (teach breath, torso, pelvis)
2. surya namaskara C w/ straight lunge (teach sequence)
3. surya namaskara C w/ backbend lunge (teach pelvis)
4. surya namaskara C w/ twisting lunge (teach torso)

* Targed Warmup

1. virabhadrasana II (thoroughly teach feet, knee, pelvis, torso, shoulders)
2. virabhadrasana II (brief) -> utthita parsvakonasana (w/ block) (teach knee, back leg, torso)
3. prasarita padottanasna

* Peak/Theme

1. tadasana -> vrksasana (teach standing foot, lifted foot, pelvis, torso) -> tadasana
2. ardha chandrasana (at the wall, w/ block, press back foot into my hand) (teach standing foot, back foot, torso)
3. ardha chandrasana (briefly, center of room, w/ block)

* Cool Down

1. adho mukha svanasana -> floor
2. salabasana (first arms, then legs, then both) (teach torso)
3. balasana (arms extendend, assist)
4. virasana (teach torso)
5. virasana w/ a twist (teach torso)
6. baddha konasana (teach torso, breath)
7. reclining, supported bound baddha konasana (for savanasana)

Things to remember:

1. demonstrate poses first, rather than having them hold a pose.
2. if you want them to understand the points, demonstrate, have them come into it, bring them out, demonstrate again discussing the points, them bring them back into it.
3. pass out props before the class starts!
4. examine people from the beginning, and make it obvious you're doing so
5. offer more corrections
6. remind people they can come out at any time sooner
7. be aware of literal instructions

Summary:
All in all, the class went fairly well. I was probably a little too informal, and more freely admitted my mistakes on time overruns and modifications of the schedule/plan than I have been taught to, but it seemed to help the 'students' know how things were going. They seemed to like the use of anatomy in the lesson, so I should spend more time on memorizing that and better incorporating that into my instructions - and be aware of going to far on that.

ayurveda community

2008-03-12T15:34:12Z

Hey, if anyon'e interested in ayurveda, the ancient healing tradition of INdia, visit http://community.livejournal.com/ayurveda/ . It has not currently active but has many members. I'm hoping to poke it back to life.

Namaste!
Andrea