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Yogi Bruce: Yoga Teacher
Yoga Basics
Older Entries
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Sun, 12 Feb 2006
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| What the Heck is YOGA? |
Y
OGA is a science (5,000+ years old) practiced as
an art. YOGA is a Sanskrit word meaning “union”
or “bring together” – it is an ancient practice
of self-discovery, uniting the body, mind, and
spirit; finding the “oneness” that exists at the
core of every being. YOGA is NOT a religion. Our
Western culture has embraced YOGA as a fitness
tool. The physical practice of YOGA (Hatha)
balances strength with flexibility and tones the
muscles along with the vital organs of the body.
It is non-competitive and always geared to your
personal needs at that particular moment. This
will make sense as your practice matures.
Practice is the term used for “doing” yoga; one
never masters it. YOGA is a phenomenal tool used
for self-discovery. While practicing yoga –
LISTEN to your body. Focus on your breath and
allow your body to speak to you. If something
hurts, don’t do it.
General Structure of the yoga class
1) Centering: Settling in and connecting with
your breathing, state of mind & body
2) Warm-ups: Warming muscles & joints for an
effective & safe session
3) Postures (asanas): Learning alignment,
strengthening & toning
4) Cool Down: Stretches to further improve
flexibility
5) Deep Relaxation (savasana): The time to rest
focusing on the breath and relexation
How to prepare for class
1) Have a sense of humor. You will find yourself
in positions you never thought possible. That's
where the sense of humor comes in. Yoga is non-
competitive. Yoga is not about being perfect in a
posture: that's why we call it "practice."
2) Wear comfortable clothes that will not come
over your head if you bend over, or split when we
do leg stretches. Yoga is done with bare feet so
you stick to your mat and are able to feel the
floor and maintain balance. A hand towel is good
to have as well.
3) Avoid eating less than two hours before class.
It’s smart to drink plenty of water throughout
the day to stay hydrated.
4) To help you learn and to keep you from being
injured, we may come around to do hands-on
adjustments. If you are not comfortable being
touched, please let us know quietly or with a
gesture to keep from disturbing others.
5) Yoga is non-competitive—it’s all about YOU—how
you feel—it’s your chance to be totally selfish.
It is okay to rest whenever needed during class;
we’ll show you some great poses to do so.
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Posted 11:40
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Fri, 28 Oct 2005
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| How to get started on your yoga journey |
Take to heart the Nike slogan--Just do it.
Whether you're going to a "formal" yoga class at
a studio, gym, or community center,or loading up
a video/DvD, or contact me and say "I want a
private lesson," keep with you compassion for
yourself and a sense of humor. If this is your
first time to yoga, you will find yourself in
positions you never thought possible. That's
where the sense of humor comes in. Yoga is non-
competitive. Yoga is not about being perfect in a
posture: that's why they call it yoga "practice."
Instead, focus on becoming more self-aware,
notice the changes in the body and breath, and
what you are able to do and how you feel.
Let your teacher know if there are any health
issues you are dealing with, specifically
injuries or recent surgeries.
Wear comfortable clothes that will not come over
your head if you bend over, or split. Being naked
is usually not an option. Bare feet helps you
stick to your mat and discover your balance.
Try to avoid eating a meal less than two hours
before class. Digestion requires tremendous
energy and can greatly interfere with your
practice. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of
water after before and after a class. It's a good
idea to drink plenty of water throughout the day
anyway.
If your in a group class setting, refrain from
talking. Many yoga students use the time before
class time to go "inward" and to get centered.
I or other teachers may do hands-on adjustments
to help you become more aligned or to feel how a
posture is supposed to be done. It's common to
feel uncomfortable initially about being touched
by a stranger. If you are not comfortable being
adjusted, let the teacher know.
Remember that each day brings a new perspective
to your practice; honor whatever you can give at
the moment. Yoga is not supposed to hurt--if you
feel pain, do not try to push past it. Finally,
it's okay to rest whenever needed during a class.
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Posted 10:15
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| Whatz this yoga Stuff ? |
The word Yoga comes from Sanskrit, the scriptural
language of ancient India. Its root is the verb
yuj, meaning to yoke or unite. Yoga unites us
with ourselves, our surroundings and the Divine.
The yoga practiced by most Westerners is Hatha
yoga, or the physical yoga. Yoga postures when
applied consciously, encourage concentration,
inner stillness, perseverance, patience, self-
acceptance, objective self-observation and a
sense of humor, all of which benefit the mind and
overall health.
Hatha Yoga focuses mainly on one of the eight
limbs of yoga: restraints (yamas), observances
(niyamas), posture (asanas), breath control
(pranayama), sensory inhibition (pratyahara),
concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana) and
absorption (samadhi). A consistent practice of
these eight elements leads to deeper experiences
of awareness until consciousness is transcended
in the bliss state of ecstasy...doesn't that
sound great? For most of us, ecstasy is a long
way off—but if you want to get there, you have to
start somewhere.
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Posted 10:03
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| In the Beginning... |
If there was ever proof anybody can do yoga, I'm
it. When I began in 2003, it was of the most
humiliating days of my life...in the mirror of
that yoga studio was a fat middleaged guy who had
no flexibility, a shoulder with limited motion
due to war wounds, and a mid-life attitude of
hating the world. However, thanks to a caring
teacher, a great friend,and support of family and
friends, I persevered to the
point that I wanted to share my expereinces as a
teacher.
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Posted 09:52
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