Random Thoughts XVI: A little something for Yoga Teachers in Training.

27 02 2009

I wrote this on my Twitwall today, for a couple of YTT (Yoga Teacher Trainers) this morning. I liked it so much that I decided to share it with all of you. Just a little something for people to understand what goes on when you learn how to teach Yoga. You will realize that unlike other schools of learning, when you learn how to teach Yoga, you will come to realize that you are the teacher and the student at the same time. Enjoy this amazing phenomenon. (and besides…I feel really bad not being able to post anything this week…2 jobs will do that to you )

When I was in Yoga Teacher Training, I learned about all these new and wonderous things that amazed me and terrified me at the same time: chakra, kundalini, tantra, etc.

My teachers would talk about these things, especially in relation to the Yoga Sutras. Before going any further, they would always say, “this is NOT for your future students.” I would look at them like, “why not? this is great for anyone to learn!” Going deeper into my Teacher Training, I understood why.

Learning about chakras, etc. is for your use because you are no longer at a Beginner Level when you do teacher training. However, unless you’re doing a 500 hr. TT, your “demographic” is going to be true beginners – people who don’t even want to do asana, much less learn about chakras and kundalini. I guarantee you that if you introduce chakras to someone who knows nothing about Tadasana, they will leave faster than they came in, before you can finish the last “a” in the word chakra.

Then why learn about them then? This was one of the many smart mouth questions that my ego asked inside but my heart knew not to speak out loud.

When you teach, you are providing a service, whether you get paid or not. You are sharing a part of yourself with your students. Teaching classes (even teaching one class) a day can take a lot out of you mentally and emotionally (physically too, if you’re teaching more challenging Hatha Yoga styles). Everytime you teach, a bit of prana leaves you and permeates throughout the class, into their bodies.

Learning about chakras, kundalini and the like is a way for you to replenish your prana and conserve it for these times when it is released. You can share and share and share but what happens when you’re drained or burned out and you have no more to share? You can’t teach nor learn anything.

So it’s great to learn new things but at this point in time, you have to separate yourself. You are now the teacher and the student. You are the beginner and the intermediate. You must remember that you are going to teach those who may know nothing. As you teach, you also have to remember that you are a student too (because you learn about your students from each class). :d

Balance is the key and so is pranayama. Teach a student pranayama properly and their knowledge of the chakras, kundalini, tantra and whatever else will come with ease. Soon, you won’t have to tell them anything. They will come to you, asking feverishly for the knowledge you can’t wait to impart.

Jai TTs! Om Shanti.

Until next time…stay strong, stay healthy, and fight dis-ease!

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Random Thoughts XII: What is Holistic Health?

4 02 2009
Recently, someone asked me “what is holistic health?” and “is it right for everyone?” Of course, I gave her a general answer but I feel it’s important for me to give an official and specific answer.

Let’s look up the word “holistic” in the dictionary:

holistic

Main Entry:

ho·lis·tic Listen to the pronunciation of holistic
Pronunciation:
\hō-ˈlis-tik\
Function:
adjective
Date:
1926
1 : of or relating to holism
2 : relating to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems rather than with the analysis of, treatment of, or dissection into parts <holistic medicine attempts to treat both the mind and the body> <holistic ecology views humans and the environment as a single system>
— ho·lis·ti·cal·ly Listen to the pronunciation of holistically \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

So “holistic health” would look at the complete system of the body rather than the analysis of the dissection of its parts. To holistically heal someone (or yourself), you will have to look at you ailment from the mental, physical and spiritual “systems” instead of just from one aspect (usually the physical).

Yoga is an example of a holistic way of healing. Yoga incorporates mental, physical, and spiritual health so that you can become a better human being by Self-Realization. Asana deals with the physical, meditation deals with the mental, and pranayama deals with the breath. When the breath is extended or controlled, the mind and the body are one. The mind is calm and the body is nourished with oxygen. This opens the door for spiritual healing.

You don’t have to do Yoga to have holistic health. Holistic health only maintains that you treat the complete systems – the mind, body, and soul – to achieve and maintain health. It doesn’t make sense that your dietary habits are on point but you’re stressed out and feel like you have no true purpose in the world. Stress is the underlying reason for 85% of all dis-eases we are faced with today.

There are numerous ways to heal the physical body and various ways to treat and eliminate mental dis-stress. People choose a number of faiths to connect with their soul and the Divine spirit within. The unfortunate thing is that most people don’t do these things at the same time. They may start to workout but because of that, it takes away time to go to church or spend time with family. They may eat right but neglect their mind by continuing to deal with negative energies and decisions that bring them down, mentally and spiritually.

Holistic health is a good choice for everyone. Wellness is being well. Completely and fully.

My job, as a health counselor and owner of this blog,  is to help you figure out which processes of healing is right for you. The end result is that you are bathing in the fountain of wellness.

It’s time to enjoy being Whole.

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Before I go, I’m going to mix up Matt Stokes’ Health Tips a little bit. I’m going to add #5 to the Health Sidebar and #4 to this one. When you read it, I think you’ll understand why :

#4
Primary Food

Food comes in two different forms.

-  Secondary Food is what we traditionally think of as food.

-  Primary Food is a combination of all of the other things that keep us going (healthy relationships, physical activity, desired career, spirituality, etc, etc,).

It is important to pay attention to both of these food groups. They are irrevocably linked.

If we are not balanced in one of them, we won’t be balanced in the other one. 
Next time you attempt to incorporate better eating habits, make sure you don’t forget to pay attention to the primary foods you are lacking as well.
 Courtesy of

Until next time…stay strong, stay healthy, and fight dis-ease!


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Categories : Fight dis-ease!, Health, holistic health, meditation, Random Thoughts, Yoga

Random Thoughts IX: The New Motto for 2009

3 01 2009
SAVE YOUR ENERGY! CONSERVE IT AND UTILIZE IT WHEN NECESSARY!

I’m talking in regards to all forms of energy. Conserve your sexual energy. That doesn’t mean to not have sex. That means to save your sex for someone that deserves it. Be responsible and use condoms everytime, unless you want to have children (and make sure you get those checkups too…I’m talking to the youngings here – and some adults as well!)

Conserve your financial energy! Save your money. Start investing it in things that will benefit you in the long run – paying the bills, getting the food, saving for later.

Most importantly, conserve your mental and emotional energy. Take less things personal. Don’t get caught up in the drama. Be responsible for your actions. Apologize if you really mean it. After apologizing, learn from the mistake. Keep it in mind so that you can move forward. Clean house! That includes your physical home as well as your mental one. Do spring cleaning of relationships early! Don’t wait for the heat to come upon you. The sun still shines in the winter time (and the weather is sometimes spring like).

Keep your mind focused on things that matter which are NOT trivial. Keep the emotions focused on love, compassion, hope, and caring. Keep the body focused by exercising and eating the right foods for you. Keep the body healthy by taking herbs and supplements that are best suited for you.

But no matter what. Save some of that love and energy…for yourself. You deserve it.

Bless!

Stay strong, stay healthy and fight dis-ease!


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Categories : change, Fight dis-ease!


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