Top 10 Reasons to Try Yoga Choosing a Yoga Teacher - Yoga Journey

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Choosing a Yoga Top 10 Reasons to Teacher Try Yoga Find a Style That Suits Your Lifestyle 1. STRESS RELIEF: Yoga reduces the physical effects of stress on the body. By encouraging

When choosing a helps yoga style, thinkthe about what youstress hopehormone to gain from your Related yoga class. relaxation, yoga to lower levels of the cortisol. benefits Helpful ask yourself include: includequestions loweringtoblood pressure and heart rate, improving digestion and boosting the  Dosystem you want vigorous practice that builds strength orsuch wouldasyou prefer depression, a gentle, immune as a well as easing symptoms of conditions anxiety, restorative to help you relax? fatigue, asthmapractice and insomnia.  Is meditation or a spiritual focus important to you? 2. PAIN RELIEF: Yoga ease pain. Studies have room? demonstrated that practicing yoga  How do you feelcan about practicing in a heated asanas meditation part or aof combination of theregimen? two, reduced pain for people with  Is(postures), yoga a cross-training a larger workout conditions such asjoint cancer, multiple sclerosis, auto-immune diseases  Are injuries, problems or other health conditions an issue? and hypertension as well as arthritis, back and neck pain, and other chronic conditions. Some practitioners report thatask even emotional painbefore can beparticipating eased through the practice ofteachers yoga. and You might to observe a class or enrolling. Most studios offer drop-in classes and some may allow you to attend a trial class, perhaps at a 3. BETTERrate, BREATHING: Yoga teaches people tooften take include slower, classes deeperinbreaths. This helps to reduced before committing. Health clubs their membership improve lung function, trigger the body’s relaxation response and increase the fees so you can try yoga in a familiar setting. It’s a good idea to spend some timeamount trying of oxygen available to theteachers body. and different studios to determine where you feel most different styles, different comfortable. 4. FLEXIBILITY: Yoga helps to improve flexibility and mobility, increasing range of movement and reducing aches and pains. Many people can’t touch their toes during their first yoga Choose Your Teacher Carefully class. Gradually they begin to use the correct muscles. Over time, the ligaments, tendons Don’t be afraid to ask questions. are amaking few to discuss with your prospective teacher: and muscles lengthen, increasingHere elasticity, more poses possible. Yoga also helps to  Do they practice themselves? How often? A dedicated, committed teacher improve body alignment resulting in better posture and helping to relieve back, neck, joint regularly – at least four times a week. andpractices muscle problems.  How long have they been practicing yoga? At least three years of regular practice isSTRENGTH: important prior teaching. This allows aspiring teachers to acquire the 5. INCREASED Yogato asanas (postures) use every muscle in the body, helping to experience and knowledge basetothat become effective teachers. increase strength literally from head toe.helps And,them whileto these postures strengthen the body, With whoman did they trainbenefit and forofhow long?toTraining as a yogatension. teacher takes theyalso provide additional helping relieve muscular a great deal of time and effort. How did your prospective teacher obtain his or her 6. WEIGHT MANAGEMENT: Yoga (even less can aid weight training? Ask about training schools or vigorous programsstyles) completed and who control their efforts by reducing theteachers cortisol levels as well as by burning excess calories and reducing stress. Yoga primary have been. alsoencourages healthy eating habits andskills? provides a heightened sense of well Does the teacher have specialized If you have special needs or a being and self esteem. particular health condition, you will want to seek out a teacher trained to work with your needs or condition. This may include prenatal yoga, seniors yoga and even 7. IMPROVED CIRCULATION: Yoga be helps to improve circulation a result of various yoga for kids (teachers should well-versed in the needs ofand, their as growing bodies). poses, efficiently moves oxygenated blood to (www.iayt.org) the body’s cells. Themore International Association of Yoga Therapists is the professional organization for yoga teachers who focus on therapeutic practice. 8. CARDIOVASCULAR CONDITIONING: Even gentle yoga practice can provide cardio Are they still studying yoga? Yoga offers lifelong learning and it’s important that vascular benefits by lowering resting heart rate, increasing endurance and improving teachers continually broaden their vision by attending classes or seminars taught by oxygen uptake during exercise. more senior teachers. Yoga Alliance requires teachers to complete such continuing education in order to remain registered. 9. FOCUS ON THE PRESENT: Yoga helps us to focus on the present, to become more aware Could your teacher become Teachers moreconcentration, than just their coordiandto help create mind body health.a Itmentor? opens the way to bring improved asana instruction to the mat. They bring their approach to yoga including their nation, reaction time and memory. philosophy and tradition. Make sure you study with someone you can trust and respect. 10. INNER PEACE: The meditative aspects of yoga help many to reach a deeper, more  Are registered with YogainAlliance®? RYT®who designation a symbol for of other spiritual andthey more satisfying place their lives. An Many begin tois practice experience, dedication and theyoga part has of your teacher. reasons have reported this to becommitment a key reasonon that become an essential part of their daily lives. Yoga offers tremendous variety and you may find you enjoy more than one style and/or For more information please www.yogaalliance.org and www.yogadayusa.com teacher. Take the opportunity to attend workshops and seminars. These can help you broaden your vision and expand your practice.

© Yoga Alliance 2006 2006 / Effective June 2005 ©Yoga YogaAlliance Alliance 2006 / Effective June, 2005

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