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By Bhavan Kumar Many athletes turn to yoga to provide a balance to their usual vigorous and demanding workout routines. Yoga training gives athletes' muscles and ligaments the necessary stretching that they need after intense work. Postures help prevent soreness, strain or injury. Power yoga combines the best of both worlds by giving athletes a more intense, cardio-based workout combined with the stretching and lengthening of muscles. In addition to the physical aspects, physically challenging classes help athletes work on focus and concentration through breathing and meditative practice. Power yoga teachers can pinpoint some key areas of the body to work on to give students a satisfying workout.

By Amruta Kulkarni, CYT 250 If you have ever seen a master yoga teacher at work, you probably gazed in wonder as he or she created an inviting, calm class atmosphere; put people at ease with a smile, gesture, or comment; or flowed through a series of poses, detailing modifications and potential risks, without a hitch. Although, for some of us teaching yoga comes naturally, there is much to be learned about teaching skills and methods simply by observing others. The best yoga teachers are never satisfied with their own methods, but seek to constantly improve by watching other master yoga teachers in practice. Teachers themselves, then, are nothing more than lifelong students. This is a point that Paulji makes many times.

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 Are there any difficult Yoga students? For the most part, our students are the best part of what we do. Many student / teacher relationships are friendships as well. However, at least once a week, I receive an Email about how to handle difficult Yoga students. Unfortunately, you could be the kindest and safest teacher within a 100-mile radius, but eventually you will run into a difficult student. One common reaction to being verbally assaulted by a student is to think, "Why me?"

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 Are there reasons why someone should not be a Yoga teacher? Truthfully, there are no reasons why any of us cannot be, or do, what we want, as long as you are not hurting anyone. You should always strive to be the best you can be. However, you may find that many people create obstacles, in front of themselves, to avoid success.

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 How important are communication skills? Here is an oxymoron for you: Some of the best Yoga teachers are great listeners. This is a general guideline for students who aspire to teach Yoga some day. Listening skills, in Yoga, start when you take your first class, as you learn by hearing, watching, and doing.

By Kathryn Boland Do you recognize ways in which your students could have richer yoga practices experience if they could release their strongly held views of "wrong" and "right"? Do you wish they could just trust what their inner knowing can tell them is best for them as individuals? In the first part of this series, I introduced this dynamic through describing a student of mine who presently seems unable to look to herself for her own answers, instead constantly seeking reassurance from me that she's doing it "right". I suspect, dear readers, that you've encountered similar students.

By Jenny Park Yoga has become more popular worldwide in the last two decades, with classes popping up in gyms, and fitness and community centers across the country. Its popularity is exciting to those of us who have been reaping the benefits for years and want to "share the wealth." However, along with its newfound popularity comes an increase in yoga-related injuries. In some cases, inexperienced students might be pushing themselves too far, and in other instances yoga instructors might not be doing the best job of educating participants on potential risks of each pose. Both instructors and students need to make sure they are doing all they can to prevent injuries when practicing yoga.

By Faye Martins As a hatha yoga instructor, you might always include hip openers in your classes, and they are needed now, more than ever. The majority of our yoga students spend all day sitting behind a desk and staring at a computer screen. Even those, who don't have an office job, spend a disproportionate amount of time sitting. All of this sitting leads to some very tight hips. What yoga poses are best for restoring hip health? Take a look at these three hip-opening poses below and modify the directions to accommodate your students.

By Bhavan Kumar Yoga teacher training is not only a big decision but also a commitment to change your life in a profound way. Yoga certification courses for a trained mind as well as a trained body will help you to create your best future. Since ancient times, yoga has been considered a method for whole life cultivation. While studying yoga as a student brings numerous rewards, teacher training is a unique, special, and practical way of learning yoga so as to be able to share this knowledge with others in a way that is easy for them to grasp.

By Kathryn Boland Many people set New Year's Resolutions with optimism and a good plan in place. Some of the most common are to lose weight, quit smoking or drinking alcohol, or even to improve one's relationships with loved ones and/or friends. Unfortunately, however, come February, several of these individuals find themselves struggling to keep with their resolutions - and their best intentions are left behind, to return to business as usual, not long after.

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 Gentle forms of Hatha Yoga can help anyone who suffers from arthritis. Depending on the type, stage, and where arthritis is located in the body, a Yoga session will have to be modified to match the needs of the student. This can make the search for the right Yoga class, and a compassionate teacher difficult, at best.

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 Students who seek peace of mind, from chronic anxiety and mood disorders, are often seeking a natural solution to a problem that has existed for years. If possible, it is best for the student to schedule one private Yoga session before attending classes. In this way, there is a level of comfort and familiarity when he or she attends sessions with other students.

By Rachel Holmes Praised for years as perhaps the best physical and spiritual exercise, yoga has become known almost as much for its benefits as a mental exercise. Along with reducing stress, yoga also increases concentration and clarity of thought in a person's professional and home life. In fact, some studies have suggested that yoga techniques may improve concentration and thought not only in adults suffering from stress, but children as well.

By Kimaya Singh How can yoga poses relieve back injuries? A back injury or severe back pain can be extremely debilitating and take the joy out of life. One of the best ways to strengthen your back and get out of pain is to establish a simple, gentle, and regular yoga training routine. Back pain can comes from a wide range of causes such as trauma, strain, sprain, osteoporosis, herniated disc or discs, scoliosis (lateral curvature of the spine), sciatica, or osteoarthritis, to name a few.

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 Kimaya Singh Stress and mental health issues are unfortunately a part of our lives. They can affect your relationships and even your physical health. Many people suffer from panic attacks. They often occur during times of high stress, such as a major life change or a traumatic event. Panic attacks often feel like heart attacks. The symptoms include dizziness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and even fainting. Although it can be very frightening, it is a common and treatable condition. The best way to reduce or prevent panic attacks from occurring is to reduce the amount of stress in your life and find better ways to deal with the stress and anxiety that you do have. One of the most natural ways to do that is through Yoga.

By Amruta Kulkarni, CYT 500 Like any other workplace, it is important for yoga teachers to stay up-to-date on harassment prevention, whether it is physical, sexual, verbal, or another form of harassment. With recent headlines seeming to indicate that harassment in the studio is on the rise, it's especially imperative that instructors take steps to protect themselves and their students. One of the best ways to prevent harassment issues in the studio is to regularly engage in continuing education courses involving harassment recognition and prevention. Learning about the different types of harassment is key to preventing messy harassment scenarios in your own classes. Taking classes and educating yourself will ensure that all your students feel at ease in the studio, whether they are completely new to the practice or have been visiting your studio for years.

By Jenny Park Many people who practice yoga regularly are much healthier than those who don't. However, our bodies are different and not every person who decides to become a yoga instructor will be the best example of a person with an optimal immune system. Yet, there is a perception among students that yoga teachers never get sick.

By Jenny Park Ever since you decided to become a yoga instructor, you've dreamed of teaching a full class of athletic students. Now that you have them, you're concerned about safety and you want your students to have the best possible experience in your classes. Below are five tips that you may want to pass on to your students.

By Amruta Kulkarni, CYT 500 Perhaps you love taking yoga and have felt a calling to teach it. Your best course of action, then, begins with a period of reflection on the subject. If you decide to pursue this plan, you'll need to enroll in an excellent yoga teacher training program.