By Amruta Kulkarni, CYT 500 In the modern world, the term "yoga" has become something of a catch-all term, which encompasses a dizzying array of styles, practices, techniques and even environments. Just a few of the many types of yoga practiced today are Vinyasa, Hatha, Prenatal, Hot, Therapeutic, Restorative and Yin Yoga.

By Seema Deshpande Practising yoga consistently under the guidance of a trained and a qualified teacher can be extremely rewarding. Yoga has the potential to purify your mind, to keep you physically fit, and to equip you with energy to keep you going in this crazy, fast-paced world. Yoga in the form of yogasanas or yoga postures and pranayama or yogic breathing techniques can not only help you stay fit, but researchers have started to examine their therapeutic impact on various medical conditions as well. In fact, research studies have started to show that pranayama can have positive impact on anxiety and stress-related disorders. In this article, we will specifically focus on whether yoga, through its various forms, can help improve one's spinal health.

By Kathryn Boland, E-RYT 500 Recently while enjoying hot coffee and a good book at a local Panera Bread café, I heard another patron say to his friend (something to the effect of, I'm paraphrasing), "You say you're in this special area, specifically, and they say 'You're the guy for this'. " His comment got me thinking about being a "specialist" versus being a "generalist" as a yoga instructor. I believe this consideration is an important one in the profession because of yoga's countless number of "schools" of thought and styles - from Kripalu to Bikram to Viniyoga forms (and that list certainly continues).

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 Not all of the styles mentioned in this series will be popular with every teacher, but the objective is to provide you with a variety of options. Some of them will be extremely physical and some will be less taxing on the body. Power Yoga: Many things come to mind when we hear these, but the roots of this style are usually related to Ashtanga Yoga. This is not always the case, but more often, than not, Power Yoga is a physical offshoot of Ashtanga.

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 What should teacher know beyond how to run a class? At the very least, a Yoga teacher should have knowledge of the latest trends in classes, and the latest continuing education options for teachers. If something does appeal to you, there are many different continuing education options available for experienced teachers. There are a number of workshops, seminars, and camps around the world for interns and established teachers.

By Seema Deshpande Practising yoga consistently can be extremely rewarding. Yoga can be practised in various forms such as pranayama or breathing exercises, meditation, and yogasanas or yoga postures. Furthermore, yoga can be practised by anyone - young or elderly, athlete or a normal person-yoga can be suitably modified to match everyone's need. While yoga can improve your physical and mental fitness significantly, research studies are being conducted to study the effectiveness of yoga in preventing and/or treating various physical and psychological disorders. In this research article, we will see whether yoga can lower blood sugar level in diabetic people.

By Kimaya Singh Once in a while, you meet a person who refuses to see the value of pranayama. When you finish yoga teacher training, you have an arsenal of stress reducing techniques, but the public has a right to choose to do them, or not. Doctors, nurses and therapists are also amazed at the mindset of their patients. The point I'm diving at is nothing works, if a person refuses to put the effort into it.

By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed. One definition of fear is to be anxious about an unpleasant or painful event that you feel is likely to happen in the future. For instance, if you are pursuing your Yoga teacher certification, you may be afraid that you are going to fail your final anatomy exam because you have not spent an ample amount of time studying. This fear may be completely reasonable and understandable, or this fear may be largely exaggerated if you have spent an adequate amount of time preparing for the anatomy final, but you are prone to anxiety.

By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed. Spring is a quintessential time to detoxify. This means detoxifying the extra items in your car, your closet and, of course, your body! Engaging in a systematic process of detoxification on a seasonal basis will help you to release toxic chemicals, emotions, and experiences from your body and mind. You may even find that you are confronted with a toxic work environment or a relationship that no longer serves your highest good. If this is the case, you may also wish to find a compassionate way to move on from those situations and/or relationships.

By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed. Is music generating enthusiasm in your classes? There is nothing quite as unsettling in a Yoga class as showing up for a Power Yoga class and having melodic new age music playing in the background, or attending a Yin Yoga class with hip hop music playing at a high enough volume that you can feel the reverberations through the floor boards. As a Yoga instructor, a very simple and straightforward way to generate enthusiasm in your classes is to choose appropriate musical selections that match and enhance the postures and breathing exercises through which you are guiding your students.

By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed. How can you start teaching Yoga by example? One of the most transformational aspects of Yoga "on the mat," is how this practice transforms our lives "off the mat." As a professional teacher, you are probably well aware of how your own practice of asanas, pranayama exercises and breathing techniques has transformed your own life. This may have been one of your main reasons for pursuing a teacher certification, so that you are able to share the profound physical and psychological benefits of this practice with others in your community.

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 What are the secrets of teaching Yoga? What you are about to read applies to teaching, in general. In fact, we are all teachers, to some degree. You teach your friends, coworkers, strangers and family members on a daily basis. The example you set teaches someone in some way. Whether you are a positive role model or not, people, and the world, react to you. Sorry to say, you have more responsibility than you thought possible.

By Lisa Beasley It doesn't matter what you are taught during your Yoga instructor certification course, some people will always see Yogic practices as a form of exercise that is used to achieve different goals. Some people use it as their main form of exercise. There are numerous types to choose from, ranging from the gentle stretching and low impact of Hatha to the very intense and invigorating Power Yoga. Athletes often rely on Yogic methods as part of their training regimen and as a way to increase flexibility and strength. The bottom line is that anyone, regardless of fitness level, (or lack thereof) can benefit from doing Yoga. A certified Yoga teacher will be able to communicate with his or her class to see what the students are expecting, as well as offer variations on different poses.

By Kimaya Singh Yoga studios are places of meditation, spirituality and fitness. They are places where people can feel safe, and where the fundamentals of yoga can be taught. They can also be places were accidents are waiting to happen. It can be tough to know where exactly an accident is going to happen, or what part of your studio is unsafe, but there are some signs that you can look for.

By Rachel Holmes If a yoga teacher has taught classes for any length of time, he or she will have at least one story about a student who struggles with in-class etiquette. Fortunately, most practitioners have no problem catching on to the generally unspoken rules of a studio that other students' behavior makes apparent. On the other hand, it not uncommon to come across that one student who seems oblivious to the codes of conduct others are following.

By Amruta Kulkarni, CYT 500 Offering hands-on assists in a yoga class can be an incredible gift. Through the power of touch, you can connect with students and help them connect with themselves. While it is important to focus on the positive aspects of providing touch, understanding where an assist can go wrong is also critical.

By Gopi Rao With a struggling economy, a lack of good jobs, and rising costs of living what is one to do when considering raising your spirits. Let's be honest, you can't afford to get sick in this economy. Co-payments for anything are through the roof and employers are just waiting for an excuse to terminate us, but there is a bright light that doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg.

Is there any job security these days? There is a growing need for more Chair Yoga teachers. Education about the mental and physical benefits of Yoga has spread like "wild fire" in the past couple of decades; but what about the needs of those who are not so young and limber? In some parts of the world, the number of seniors will outweigh the working population. Italy, the United States, and the rest of Europe, will see senior populations grow rapidly.

By Faye Martins How can yoga help young athletes? The American Heart Association recommends that all kids ages two and over participate in at least 30 minutes of medium-intensity physical activity every day. Children enjoy physical activity, and many get involved in competitive sports, but more and more, parents and whole families are coming to see the value of cooperative activities. Yoga helps children increase balance and body awareness, and relieves social pressure from trying to "win."

By Faye Martins Yoga has been shown to alleviate stress and help relieve tension for centuries. However, it has become apparent in more recent years how beneficial yogic methods can be for eliminating problems associated with insomnia. There are a variety of reasons that yogic practices can help you sleep better. One of the most prominent reasons is related to the relaxation techniques that are a major part of yoga training sessions. These techniques help people who practice yoga to relax and let go of tension, which helps them get to sleep easier and sleep soundly for longer periods of time.