Yoga is Self Improvement

After five thousand years of written documentation, Yoga may well be the oldest self-improvement system that ever existed. We don't know what Yoga knowledge may have been lost before man started to record it. In the time period beyond 5,000 years a fair amount of knowledge would have been passed on by word of mouth, and as a result, some of it would be missing.

There are many different types of Yoga, but all of them contribute to mankind's self-improvement. So, mankind has been a work in progress for thousands of years and has organized systems to constantly improve. Let's look at some Yogic principles that are often recognized as "modern" self-improvements.

Activate your mind and body together through daily Yoga practice. The mind is more powerful than the sum of its thoughts and it must be controlled. The mind that is allowed to wander usually produces random and unproductive thought.

In varying degrees, most styles of Yoga tie the physical postures, proper breathing, and focused concentration, together, in one single session. This constant bonding of mind and body, creates inner harmony. This in turn, results in a productive mind-set. This gives the average Yoga student an advantage in productivity, organizational skills, creativity, and self-preservation.

You can enhance positive energy with daily Yoga practice. After each Yoga session, many students commonly mention how good they feel. Yoga classes, or Yoga sessions, give the practitioner a chance to discard negative feelings, worries, tension, and stress. This gives the average Yoga student a simple way to prioritize life's daily problems.

As a result of this, the Yoga student is able to set and prioritize goals. Whether it is a serious goal or a whim, ideas that produce seeds of thought become reality, especially when followed by action. This formula will produce even more bursts of positive energy within the mind, resulting in a productive and positively charged mind-set.

Yoga students should be taught to identify, and when possible, remove negative energy from within the mind. Negative thinking is contagious and should be purged or quarantined, just like a disease. Identify those people who have it. If possible help them, but if not, avoid or isolate them. Negative thinking produces nothing of value and contributes to self-destruction. Therefore, you should learn to identify or leave negative surroundings that will stifle your self-improvement efforts.

Finally, listen to your heart and this will tell you if a decision is right or wrong. Some people call it a "gut feeling," but you can feel it, "in your heart," if a decision is morally correct, and know, if you can live with your actions.

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.ht ml

---

Yoga and Christianity a Conflict?

Being a practicing Christian myself, there are very few things... Read More

Ayurveda and Yoga, Ancient Sister Sciences

Ayurveda and yoga are sister sciences that have been united... Read More

Paths of Yoga I

With dozens of Hollywood celebrities following in their Guru's lotus... Read More

What is Self Mastery? - Part 1

Self Mastery, alone, sounds like a selfish term; but if... Read More

Yoga and True Self

The great sage Patanjali in his work Yogasutra codified all... Read More

Yoga in the Office

Spending eight or more hours a day in an office... Read More

Yoga Mats ? Are They All Created Equal?

Yoga mats are a basic part of every practice. What... Read More

Yoga for Every BODY

We all want to feel loved, open, free and peaceful.... Read More

Nine Things You Should Know About Yoga for Children

Here are some guidelines and realistic expectations for parents, who... Read More

Muscle Fitness ? Can Yoga Make You Stronger?

Many people wonder if yoga can improve their muscle fitness.... Read More

Yoga Position ? What Does Each Type Do?

I often wondered what the value of each type of... Read More

Understanding the Different Types of Yoga

Yoga is becoming a more and more popular activity in... Read More

Yoga For a Beginner

Yoga for a beginner is an exciting time when you... Read More

Yoga is Self Improvement

After five thousand years of written documentation, Yoga may well... Read More

A World of Infinite Opportunities

Many people feel that there is a limited amount of... Read More

Are You Willing To Follow Eight Yoga Exercises For the Lower Back?

EXERCISES FOR BACK RELIEFMany people believe that rest is best... Read More

Yoga Your Way To A Happy Vacation

Yoga Your Way To A Happy VacationThere have been many... Read More

Eating Wisely and Weight Loss

Please bear in mind that I am not a dietician,... Read More

Can a Yoga Prop Help Prop Up Your Practice?

Some people may wonder if using a yoga prop can... Read More

What is Self Mastery? ? Part 3

The next large component of self-mastery is mental health, and... Read More

Yoga and Low Carb Diets

Yoga is an ancient system of movement designed to generate... Read More

Yoga, Do Not Knock It Until You Try It

Are you one of those folks who have never tried... Read More

Yoga - The Solution for Insomnia

At one time, or another, all of us have experienced... Read More

The Fountain of Youth & Your Hormones

Everyone has heard of the mythical "Fountain of Youth", but... Read More

The History of Yoga

The history of yoga is long and steeped in tradition.... Read More

Yoga for Fun and Profit

Stress levels around the world are on the rise. In... Read More

Positive Energy

Cultivating positive energy: Most of us who study Yoga have... Read More

Yoga is a Safe Solution to Weight Control

One more study tells the world, that Yoga can help... Read More

Secrets of Teaching Yoga

What you are about to read applies to teaching, in... Read More

How to Use Yoga DVDs and Videos to Round Out Your Practice

I absolutely love using yoga DVDs and yoga videos during... Read More

Discover How Yoga Will Help You Reach Your Goals ? Part 2

At this point, let's break down the major components of... Read More

Yoga for PMS

Most women experience PMS symptoms at different points of their... Read More

Yoga: A Beneficial Exercising Regimen

Yoga is an ancient proven tradition that exists for thousands... Read More