Published documents by Paul M. Jerard Jr.

2009

On a worldwide scale, many people practice Hatha Yoga daily to compensate for chronic stress. While anxiety and stress are nothing new to humankind, this recent state of economic instability, and uncertainty, has caused people from every part of the world to worry about the economy. At the same time, people are taking a pro-active stance toward their health. During the Great Depression, many...

Yoga and the Path to Prosperity in Difficult Economic Times Published on 03/06/2009

How in the world can Yoga help you find prosperity? Where does the path to prosperity begin? It\'s a tough economy out there; how can I think about anything other than survival? These questions are asked more often lately, than most of us have heard in a lifetime, but let\'s address each one and you will find your path toward prosperity. Where does the path to prosperity begin? Much like...

Yoga For Prosperity - Define and Cultivate Abundant Energy Published on 03/06/2009

Why do some Yoga Gurus frown on the concept of prosperity? What does a prosperous life mean to them? How do you define prosperity? If you want to be prosperous, how would you go about cultivating abundant energy? Let\'s take a journey into Yogic philosophy and the energy surrounding the cultivation of prosperity. Is a prosperous life bad? Is abundance the reason for a miserable existence?...

Questions About Back Pain and Yoga Published on 03/06/2009

The exact cause of back pain can sometimes be a mystery. If your physicians cannot come up with a solid reason for your pain, after a battery of tests, you may want to try an alternative method. Below is a case when Yoga has helped a back pain mystery. Q: I have been getting pain in the L-4 and L-5 area of the Lumbar spine for the past six years. Sometimes, the pain is in my sacrum, but it...

Hatha Yoga Techniques For Prosperity Published on 03/06/2009

Contrary to popular opinion, within different forms of Yoga, there are combined methods of meditation, mantra, and affirmation for prosperity. The world could use some prosperity right now. Should you become too prosperous, as a result of the following practices, you can always donate your surplus to the nearest charity. There are a variety of mantras for prosperity. For example: Bhakti Yoga...

The Purpose of Yoga - Is the Path Toward Prosperity Un-Yogic? Published on 03/06/2009

Since the humble beginnings of humankind, we have prayed for prosperity, abundance, and happiness. Why have so many Yoga teachers scorned the path of prosperity? Many people equate prosperity with material possessions. Too much material abundance has created the desire for more and more possessions. Consider these words by the Buddha: \"To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing...

Chair Yoga and the Mobility of Seniors Published on 03/06/2009

Chair Yoga classes make a definite change in the stride or gait of seniors. The shortening of our stride can have a negative effect on self-confidence. Yoga gives seniors an opportunity to naturally lengthen each stride. In turn, the increased mobility enhances self-confidence and independence. You might think that walking would give seniors the required mobility needed to live a quality...

Teaching Hatha Yoga - Contraindications For Inversions Published on 03/06/2009

What is an inverted posture, or an inversion, in a Hatha Yoga class? Technically, any posture (asana), in which the head is below the heart, is an inversion. Whether you stand on your head, bend forward, or bend back, if the head is below the heart, you are performing an inversion. This also means that Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) and Fish (Matsyasana) are also inversions - although...

Teaching Hatha Yoga Contraindications For Standing Asanas Published on 03/06/2009

There seems to be no single text that lists the contraindications for each Yoga technique; the reason being - the monumental task of listing, categorizing, and matching up each technique, with a corresponding contraindication, would be a feat that would take years to complete. Therefore, let\'s look at techniques, in groups, and match them to corresponding advice. Standing Postures seem easy...

What is an Advanced Yoga? Published on 03/06/2009

Is becoming a contortionist the primary objective of Yoga? Is advanced Yoga performing nearly impossible poses for the applause of crowds? Is an expert Yoga practitioner an example of good health or just another \"health nut?\" There seems to be some conflicting ideas about what a beginner, or an advanced Yoga practitioner, are. In all forms of Yoga, energy within the body is channeled for...