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By Lisa Bradford As we age, our bodies go through numerous changes. Senior citizens often face health challenges such as arthritis, which affects the joints and decreases flexibility. Also, bone density decreases and energy levels may not be what they used to be. All of that can affect fitness levels and limit the types of exercises in which they can take part in. High impact activities, such as jogging, might be replaced with walking or swimming. Another great activity for seniors is Yoga training. The gentle postures (asanas) and slow, centered movements of Hatha Yoga are the perfect way to loosen tight joints and relieve pain. Low impact exercise (and the right type of exercises) is crucial for staying healthy - not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well.

By Kathryn Boland Have you experienced trials with the business of modern Western yoga? Have you seen yoga instructors facing such trials? Did you support them? Were you supported? In most locations, more yoga instructors are being trained in, and interested in, teaching than there are available teaching opportunities. The result is a market oversaturated with teachers.

By Jenny Park It is such an accomplishment to complete your first teacher-training course. Unquestionably, making the decision where and how to become certified was no doubt a major one. You had to choose whether it would be online, local, abroad, intensive, or spread out over several months or years and cost was certainly also a factor. Therefore, at the end when you completed the education, you probably exhaled a sigh of gratitude and relief, while mentally checking the achievement off the list in your mind. Nevertheless, remember the education is never over.

By Kathryn Boland Do you notice how the shifting nature of yoga practice in the West is opening up opportunities for new health/wellness enterprises? Have you dreamt up such an enterprise that brings together yogic practice/other wellness practice and your unique passions and interests? Perhaps you're unsure of how to get started? I'll detail the building and operations of a unique health/wellness business that demonstrates a true actualization of passion, and through that true seva (selfless service).

By Michael Gleason Life is getting faster and faster - both physically and virtually. And while getting a lot accomplished in the course of a work day is good, as is completing many overdue chores on the weekend that does not mean we as human beings experience anxiety and burnout. Thankfully there is yoga for anxiety.[1] Sally Susinno, RYT-200 of Wellesley, Massachusetts, pointed out that more and more people are waking up and drinking larger and larger flagons of sweetened coffee drinks and diet colas which make their bodies more and more wound up. Caffeine is also a diuretic which can lead to dehydration, or just not enough water consumption over the course of the day. At the end of the day, the sweeteners and the stimulants have people reaching for sleeping pills - both over the counter and prescription strength.

By Kimaya Singh Life can certainly be stressful at times. It seems that we are always on the go, always trying to juggle multiple things at once. Family, work, and school are just a few of the responsibilities that most people deal with on a regular basis. Worrying about financial obligations or health issues are also common contributors to high stress levels. All of that takes a toll on us. Today, more than ever, it seems as if people are constantly in states of high anxiety or even depression. Practicing Yoga might be a viable and healthy way to decrease stress and lower one's blood pressure while strengthening the body. It is a form of mental and physical exercise that can be both invigorating and calming. A Yoga training session helps us to focus on what is going on around us in a more constructive manner.

By Azahar Aguilar Unrealistic yoga claims. As teachers, you've all been there before. Either to overhear others or to hear the words come out of your own mouth, "Yoga is like a natural sleeping pill, an anti-anxiety medication, a weight-loss goldmine, prevents heart attacks, and will make you live past 100 years-old with the face of a 20 year-old. It's true! My sister's best friend's brother's neighbor is 101 and swears by it."

By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed A daily Yoga practice offers a practitioner many benefits. These benefits range from an increased range of flexibility to a more positive outlook on life. On a physical level, a daily practice of asanas, pranayama exercises and meditation will energize your body and calm your mind by balancing the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. Of course, a regular practice of asanas increases flexibility and muscular strength and helps to prevent injuries due to misalignment and repetitive stress. There are even Yoga postures that help to undue some of the tension and stress that ultimately lead to Carpel Tunnel Syndrome!

By Junaid Ghouri Yoga is a holistic practice that has been around for thousands of years. There are many of us who have given up of the spiritual side of the yoga exercise program, and have used its methods to embrace many physical, emotional, and mental advantages. You will notice that there are ways in which you'll be able to use the stretches and strength building exercises for you to improve upon your self-image.

By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed As we rapidly approach the zenith point of the Summer Solstice, the temperatures are rising steadily and the deep-green color of the leaves is expanding into its fullness. By aligning yourself with the expansive and abundant energy of summer, you will feel energized and rejuvenated. The warmth of the sun's healing rays also helps to increase the function of the immune system, lower inflammation throughout the body and boost your mood naturally. By exercising out in nature under the warmth of the sun's rays, you will increase the benefits of your exercise regime substantially.

By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed In the ancient Yogic system of the description of the energy centers that lie along the central axis points of the spine, the Throat Chakra is the fifth major energy center. It is the seat of our ability to speak up for ourselves by verbalizing our own unique truth. It is also intimately connected to the sense of hearing. Additionally, verbalizing our intentions, dreams and goals imbues us with the ability to harness the creative power of the manifestation of reality through language, by connecting with the impulse of Matrika Shakti.

By Gopi Rao Yoga needs few accessories. It implements your own weight instead of dumbbells. No machines are necessary. When you are travelling, it is easy to wrap up your mat with a yoga belt and throw it in the car or tie it to your carry-on bag. Your phone will always be there to provide the soothing music you may want to incorporate into your routine.

By Faye Martins Body shaping is not an exact art. Athletic bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Those who lift weights have bulky chests and arms; runners have lean legs, but often lack in upper body strength. Swimmers have broad shoulders, and dancers have thick muscled thighs.

Sun Salutation, commonly referred to as Surya Namaskar, is a sequence of 12 powerful yoga poses. Besides being an excellent cardiovascular workout, Surya Namaskar is additionally known to possess an immensely positive impact on the body and mind.

By Faye Martins When it comes to exercising for a healthy heart, most people envision running, kickboxing or cycling. While these cardio activities certainly do give the heart some good exercise, new research suggests that activities such as yoga training may actually yield even greater benefits overall.

Meditation helps you relax in a stressful lifestyle. Meditation works to empower your brain and thoughts.

By Sangeetha Saran and Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, YACEP Yoga poses for medical professionals are needed now more than ever. Hospitals, clinics, and doctor's offices are busy and pressure packed. Unlike many jobs, there is no room for error. At this time, we have a worldwide epidemic that is filling medical facilities with record numbers.