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Wednesday, December 19, 2007

The Purpose of Yoga- Yogic Walking for Anxiety

Lets look at more solutions, which yoga can give you, for anxiety and stress management. All of these solutions will take a bit of practice, and in some cases, you may need the guidance of a competent yoga teacher.

After Pranayama (Yogic breathing techniques), there are still a large number of techniques to choose from. The next one that comes to mind is Asana (Yoga Posture). In a typical hatha Yoga class, you will learn Asana on a mat, but you can learn to practice good posture all day long.

You can practice good posture in a chair, when eating a meal, standing, and walking. You can even use pillows to sleep in good posture. Most people prefer to multi-task these days, so Yogic walking is a wonderful way for those of us, who just have to do many things at once. This is not to be confused with walking meditation, which is an entirely different technique.

Put on good walking shoes, comfortable clothes, and begin to walk your course. Always watch the road, but keep your spine straight, and your gaze should be at eye level, while you visually take in the world around you. Close your mouth and breathe only through the nose. Breathe naturally, and do not force your inhales or exhales.

As you continue to walk, maintain your personal pace, and be mindful of your posture. The recommended time for Yogic walking is, at least, 20 minutes. Once breathing is natural, and not strained, some practitioners of this method practice walking meditation or silent Japa (Prayers).

This is a complete mental, physical, and spiritual practice, but you must pick a safe course and be ready to react to traffic, animals, and other pedestrians. Just because you meditate, or practice Japa, is not a reason to ignore people who wave or say hello.

Some people carry dog snacks for dogs and squirrels - while others may stop and chat to friends in the park. To accept life, people, animals, and the changes around us, without judging everything, is a treasure of life. If you can avoid judging everything, while you go for your walks, your health will change for the best in a multitude of ways.

Yogic walking is good aerobic exercise and prevents many diseases, anxiety, and depression. Your heart, vital organs, bones, joints, connective tissue, and muscles will benefit from Yogic walking. You may control, or lose weight, by practicing Yogic walking.

Maybe you were only looking to reduce your anxiety levels, but you are now convinced that Yogic walking is the way to go. Talk to your physician and get advice, which is specific to your body. Choose your course wisely and have fun.

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. To receive a Free e-book: "Yoga in practice," and a Free yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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What is Chair Yoga?

Chair yoga is a gentle form of yoga. With so many types of yoga available, here is one that most of us can practice. Inversions and complicated maneuvers are not necessary in a Chair yoga class.

All it takes is the motivation to get started. most Chair Yoga classes dont use a yoga mat, but the main prop used is a chair. This helps with balancing poses, and most common Yoga postures can be modified for the chair.

We have one particular Chair yoga class, in Pawtucket, RI, that uses both chairs and yoga mats. Within this type of yoga class, you can cover standing, seated, supine, and prone postures. most of our classes use the chair only, due to the difficulty of getting up, or down, on the floor.

Chair yoga sessions are most commonly seen in senior centers, assisted living complexes, nursing homes, adult day care centers, and physical rehabilitation units. Clients can learn any number of yoga postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and stage-by-stage relaxation, with the aid of a chair.

Standing postures, such as Triangle and Warrior variations, can be practiced seated, or standing, with the aid of a chair. You can practice sun Salutations or Vinyasa, (flowing postures), from seated or standing positions.

Contrary to popular opinion, Chair Yoga is not for seniors only. most of us take our good health for granted. The physically handicapped have no age boundaries, and they are very enthusiastic students.

due to trauma, or a debilitating disease, at any time, any one of us could become physically handicapped. most of us drive cars every day, and there is always a risk of an auto accident.

Some younger family members of seniors, and the physically handicapped, get involved in classes and private sessions. When family members participate in a class, or private session, it is always a good quality time for everyone.

Chair yoga teachers must continually educate themselves, be knowledgeable of body mechanics, use of props, and a variety of ailments. This field requires teachers with compassion and the patience to help those who are doing their personal best.

It is also a field with growth opportunities; as the population is aging, there are not enough Chair yoga teachers to go around. Some estimates indicate there are 1.5 million, or more, yoga practitioners, over the age of 55, within the United States. Therefore, the demand far outweighs the supply of yoga teachers for this particular field.

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of yoga teacher training at: Aura wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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