...Yoga has been shown, throughout its ancient practice, to provide innumerable health benefits to those who practice it. More recently Yoga has been shown to benefit people with specific health issues, such as fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, and scoliosis.

Fibromyalgia is a condition originating in the body's connective tissue, causing inflammation and soreness in the tendons and ligaments. In addition to the pain, resulting from fibromyalgia, sufferers can experience sleeplessness and poor quality sleep, often times resulting in a chronic fatigue. This leads to depression and anxiety in many people. Many times, these problems are aggravated by drugs prescribed to fibromyalgia sufferers; they become avoidant of movement and grow increasingly weak.

Yoga benefits fibromyalgia in several ways. As Yoga exercises increase core muscle strength, there is a reduced amount of fatigue and a decrease in muscle pain. Greater levels of endurance and stamina lead to a less depressed physical and mental state. Yoga has also been shown to improve sleep and concentration levels. Also, while some higher impact types of exercise can sometimes worsen symptoms for sufferers, Yoga is low-impact and strengthens connective tissue, while allowing a more free range of movement.

What instructors need to be aware of is that because of the nature of this condition, there is a certain level of pain almost consistently. While this discomfort exists, students must learn how to work through this and to also know their personal limits. It is up to the student to know when to rest, and the instructor must...more

Teaching Peace in Yoga Class

...en do you teach peace in a yoga class?

Pranayama or breath practice lends itself to the quest for peace. Guide your students to slow down their breath and become aware of the peaceful rhythm of the inhalation and exhalation. Teach your students to passively accept their breath rather than force it to become deeper. You can be more literal about it as well encouraging students to draw peace into their body with each inhalation and release tension with each exhalation. Simply following the breath brings peace to the body and mind.

When leading guided relaxation help students to become aware of the spaces in their bodies where peace already exists. Then use breath and yoga postures to expand that feeling of peace throughout the class.

Mantras are a particularly effective way to shift our minds towards peace. I love Tich Nhat Hanhs mantra from Peace is Every Step Breathing in I calm my body, Breathing out I smile. Tich Nhat Hanh teaches that peace and happine...more

Yoga instructor Training - Mastering Your Communication Skills

...aces. Some students will favor learning by sight, sound, or touch. No two students are exactly alike.

Your demonstration, cueing, and assisting skills, will be challenged to their very limits, when facing a group of individuals who want to learn every detail about Yoga. So, now you see that communication is very important, but where do you start? How do you reach a group of students, and make each one of them feel as if you are addressing them personally?

It should always be remembered that each Yoga teacher began as a student. The same can be said for public speaking - a good orator has taken the time to study the...more

Yoga instructor Training - Teaching multiple Levels in the Same Class

...Have you ever felt overwhelmed by students, with a variety of ailments, in the same class? Are you looking for student solutions to your class scheduling? Do you have time constraints? Let's look at a question and answer session.

Q: Each student is unique, but what do you do with students of different physical abilities, within the same class? How do you handle one or more students with a pre-existing injury?

Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed by the variety of needs within a Yoga class. Really, I am in need of advice about too many special cases, within one yoga class. On top of this, there is an elite athlete in the corner who is...more

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