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By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 Constant demands on our time - from work, spouses, children, and worrying about the future, can create a subtle background hum of chronic stress. It may seem invisible and inevitable, lurking just beneath the surface like an iceberg. Yet, chronic anxiety wears the body down, curtailing immune function and giving rise to more frequent illnesses, as well as conditions, such as neck and shoulder aches and tension headaches.

Yoga practice has long been believed to be the most comprehensive whole body fitness regime around. But it is the benefits of yoga that are of value to...

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 Extreme stress-related health problems are so prevalent in our society, that the United States Public Health Service has actually set a goal to see that changes are made. While some stress can be motivating, no one benefits from long-term anxiety, extreme stress, and chronic worry.

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: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed. Can you think of effective themes for Yoga sessions that are based on the seasons? Although many of us visualize the carefree days of summer, the summertime can also be filled with long "to-do" lists, as many of us plan assiduously to fit in all of the activities we had planned to do, during these supposed "lazy days." The same is true of many of the seasons during the year. For instance, during the fall many Yogis and Yoginis rush to fit in that final trip to the wilderness or to the ocean. In a similar fashion, the holiday season, as festive as it is, is also often a time of heightened stress, because of all the extra gatherings with family and friends.

By Kimaya Singh Can yoga help a global population that is stressed out by technology and the struggle to survive? It is beyond dispute that people living in computerized and industrialized societies are currently undergoing unprecedented levels of stress. Media images of violence, constant messages, having problems with the level of multitasking, and daily commuting to and from work are all examples of stress-inducements that our ancestors of only a few generations ago never imagined having to deal with.

By Faye Martins When we take a yoga certification course, each style has a different answer for dealing with anxiety. As a Yoga teacher, you may wonder about how to dial up a specific routine for each student's anxiety level. One idea is to have a gentle and a vigorous class (two separate classes) for specific personality types to help yoga students release mental, emotional, and physical tension.

By Faye Martins It is not a new idea that yoga can alleviate and even eliminate tension in one's life. People have been practicing yoga training for thousands of years. Some devote their entire lives to their practice. It is no wonder these days that people seem more stressed, and that more people are seeking out medications and other ways to feel more energized and happy. In an age of long work hours, technology leaving us hypnotized, and a culture of bad dieters, it is especially important to make sure that some time is set aside to let it all go, center ourselves, and move beyond the stress in our lives.

By Faye Martins Everybody struggles with stress these days. For many of us, Yoga is the perfect remedy, but what makes it so effective? Stress operates in a cycle. To prevent it from escalating, we need to recognize our triggers and reactions in their early stages. Doing so requires self-awareness and skill. Yoga increases our awareness, but it helps us to control our physical and emotional reactions.

By Faye Martins How much time did you spend on perfecting pranayama techniques during your yoga teacher certification course? Let's face it; most trainers emphasize asana during a yoga instructor training. We could blame the trainer for the rest of our lives, but it is our responsibility to participate in continuing education and independent research. There are too many therapeutic benefits to be gained to ignore pranayama.

By Kimaya Singh It has long been discussed, in the medical and yogic communities, that yoga can help to reduce the levels of stress in the body, and the good news is that this can potentially lead to a reduction in body weight as well. Lower stress can lead to lower levels of cortisol, a hormone found in the body that is secreted from the adrenal glands. When our bodies are stressed, extra cortisol is released into the blood stream, and for a short period of time, this can be beneficial to the body. It can provide increased energy, increased immunity, as well as lower the body's sensitivity to pain. However, over time, if the body is experiencing chronic stress, too much cortisol is produced, and the balance of the body can be jeopardized.

By Faye Martins For most people, stress is an occasional annoyance. Though extremely discomforting, stress generally goes away after a short time. Chronic stress sufferers see things differently. In chronic cases, stress is a constant companion which has serious impact on virtually every aspect of daily life.

By Kimaya Singh Our modern world is a hotbed of stress inducers - from traffic jams to long lines at the grocery store, it seems as though triggers of anxiety and frustration constantly surround us. The hectic life we live is one of the reasons that the regular practice of yoga is essential for our well-being. Using pranayama, we can learn to breathe in rhythmically and breathe out all of the stress that's present in both our body and our mind.

By Sangeetha Saran Restorative yoga is a form of passive asana, pranayama and meditation practice. Students who practice restorative based yoga sessions use props to support their bodies while they hold asanas. These props include blankets, chairs, pillows, straps, blocks and bolsters. While practicing this form of yoga training, students hold each posture for several minutes.

By Brooke Olive Yoga has long been believed to be the most comprehensive whole body fitness regime around. But it is the beneficial side effects that are of real value to the individual. Practicing yoga tones the body, stimulates the nervous system to work more effectively, aids digestion and increases flexibility. However it also works on a deeper level by creating a new mindfulness that leaves the individual feeling calm, relaxed and more at ease.