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By Faye Martins What is pet yoga all about? According to a 2004 BBC article, New York City-based yoga teacher Suzi Teitelman invented doggie yoga, or "doga" as it's sometimes called. As an instructor for the fitness chain Crunch, she had an inspiration and decided to include her cocker spaniel in the class, since he frequently joined her on the mat during her home practice and "Ruff Yoga" was born. Since then, a flood of doga classes have emerged across the United States. There's even a book, called "Doga: Yoga For Dogs," by Jennifer Brilliant and William Berloni.

By Faye Martins What should yoga teachers know about pregnant students? Pregnancy is a wonderful experience for women, but it comes with its fair share of discomfort and pain. Few things are as taxing on the female body as creating and supporting another life. Yoga practice is an effective way to strengthen and eliminate stress in the pregnant body, but there are some special considerations to keep in mind when teaching pregnant students.

By Faye Martins How can yoga help children coping with anger? Children are at a stage in life where they are still trying to learn to manage and control their emotions. Any challenging situation, which frustrates them, can lead to anger; and before they, or their parents, have a chance to prevent it, they can fall into a full-blown temper tantrum. Learning to manage intense emotions, and to control their reactions, will help children face challenges, without frustration and anger. Yoga is one tool which can help them manage their lives with less emotional turmoil.

By Faye Martins Is yoga for attention deficit disorders like ADD/ADHD a sensible solution? ADD and ADHD are on the rise, and experts fail to agree on a reason as to why this is. Whatever the cause, the fact remains that having a complete inability to focus is a major problem throughout life. School, work and social settings can become a personal hell if one is completely unable to control the attention of their mind. Tension between everyone involved can run high, damaging relationships and having a negative impact on the self worth of the afflicted individual.

By Bhavan Kumar Depression is a scary thing. Pouring medication on top of the depression can result in more fear and side effects such as weight gain, insomnia, and fatigue. Thankfully, Yoga therapy can help treat depression with side effects such as weight reduction, better sleep, and increased vitality. Many studies have agreed that Yoga is a safe alternative to drugs and is a healthy first step in trying to regain the part of yourself that depression has stolen.

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 Many teenagers, today, struggle with a degree of anxiety and depression unknown to previous generations at the same young age. There is a great deal of pressure on teenagers from their parents, teachers, and work obligations. In addition, there is a substantial amount of peer pressure surrounding many teens - both at school and during extra-curricular activities. Some of these causative factors of anxiety and depression have not changed much from generation to generation.

By Gopi Rao, CYT 500 What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? The carpal tunnel is a narrow channel in the wrist, which encases tendons, bones, and the median nerve. When inflammation or injury - such as repetitive use - causes tendons to swell, the median nerve is compressed. Pressure on the nerve results in numbness, tingling, or pain in the hand, wrist, and arm. Although this is not a new condition, it has become more common as both children and adults spend increased hours slumped over computers and videos games.

By Charu Mehta How about beginning a day with the blessings of ancestors? One biggest gift and blessing to the new generation is the art of living with Yoga. This ancestral and traditional way of exercising is not only making the body free from various diseases, but is also making it possible for the people to avoid drugs and other medicines. The universally accepted benefits of this art form is making it popular and is also being recommended by the medical professionals for minimizing the use of medications in curing diseases.

By Leah Nagy The difference between a mediocre yoga class and a completely transformational one starts with the instructor's intention. By focusing on only the physical practice of the asanas, a true yoga practice is incomplete. A meditative theme that runs throughout a class is helpful in creating a sense of well-being for the body, mind, and spirit. There are all different types of themes that yoga instructors use. Some are for the type of students in the class, i.e. gentle yoga. Others are structured around a specific body part or type of pose, like backbends. Preparing the class for one difficult pose by opening those specific areas of the body first is the way of Anusara Yoga. The meditative theme is helpful in the connection between the teacher and student and ties the class together.

By Gopi Rao Sometimes mixing yoga and money can feel about as unlikely as mixing oil and water. Many begin their practice from a personal and spiritual level, which evolves into the desire to pursue yoga as a career. Making the transition from an inward pursuit to a moneymaking opportunity is tricky.

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 Kids Yoga stories fall naturally into the lives of children. Parents often begin introducing children to books and stories during infancy, and continue to share throughout childhood. Upon entering school, children find that stories continue to play a huge role in learning a variety of skills and concepts. Stories nurture the imagination, provide an outlet for discussing emotions, and make life a bit easier to understand for children. It would seem natural, then, to find stories in a Yoga class for children.

By Faye Martins Why should yoga teachers and serious practitioners study healing methods? To many enthusiasts, yoga is more than the mastery of asanas, pranayama and the rest of the eight limbs of yoga. The practice and study of yoga is a lifestyle that pervades all aspects of living rather than a selective application of principles. This is even more so if you aspire to share your knowledge and passion by leading a class of like-minded people. For some people, it will be enough to teach classes, but for others the power of healing attracts them like moths to a light bulb.

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 The following are questions that Yoga teachers still need to answer, despite overwhelming evidence that Yoga is "the mother of all health maintenance systems." Mainstream thought is finally catching up, with the progress Yoga is making, but it has taken 5,000 years for us to get this far. Seriously, How Can Yoga Make You Lose Weight? Finally, some of the "Yoga and Weight Loss" studies have come in, and even, a little bit of Yoga is much better, than none, for weight control, but there are a number of reasons why. Yoga is a lifestyle change that includes a safe diet; exercise, adjusting posture, breathing, and a whole lot more. Most of the practitioners, I know, consume more water, eat more moderately, and take more care of their bodies, in comparison to the many who don't want to leave the couch.

By Faye Martins How much impact does yoga have on the recovery of cancer patients? Yoga is an art form that is greatly appreciated for its positive effects on the body. Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health are each enhanced through the practice of yoga and other holistic methods. Yoga is a calm and relaxing method of strengthening the body and ridding it of toxins, making it an ideal exercise for patients who have long-term or terminal illnesses. Cancer is a disease that is growing rapidly in today's world, but few know the benefits of yoga to cancer patients.

By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed In every living being on the earth, there is an internal pulsation of expansion and contraction, which is linked to the breath. This pulsation of life is deeply and inexorably connected to the resonant rhythm of the earth itself. By teaching Yoga outside, you will support your students in aligning themselves more fully with the natural rhythms that surround us all the time. When we are more aligned with the expansion and contraction of natural energy throughout the day, we are more deeply able to relax and feel supported by the earth.

By Kimaya Singh Why is Aura Wellness Center spending time developing a yoga app for children and families? The benefits of yoga have been enjoyed for thousands of years. Enthusiastic practitioners have shouted from rooftops far and wide for decades, yet only recently have schools begun to integrate yoga as an educational program. Once considered solely a self-beneficial mind-body-soul activity, the impacts for interrelationship bonding are now being explored, and that includes family time. Parents can now practice yoga with each other and their kids, ensuring that the whole family takes time for healthy activities, while also having fun together. In response to recent technological developments, taking these practices home has never been easier.

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 Many Yoga teacher training interns envision classes with fit students, who want physical challenges. Hatha Yoga training is well known as a form of exercise designed to build flexibility, strength, and general fitness. What is less well known is that practicing Yoga can improve your ability to deal with stress. As many of us realize, stress is a very corrosive aspect of our modern society, and it takes an especially heavy toll on our children. Students often find themselves under severe emotional stress and have a difficult time coping with the feelings and problems this can create. Yoga training is an excellent tool to teach students how to integrate all aspects of their lives.

By Rachel Holmes With millions of people practicing the art of yoga worldwide, people everywhere are experiencing such benefits as improved strength and flexibility, reduced tension, lower blood pressure, and much more. However, while many people who practice yoga are able to stay injury-free, others who are new to the practice may try to do too much too quickly. As a result of their enthusiasm, they often suffer various types of injuries that may hinder their progress. However, as yoga instructors gain experience and knowledge through continuing education, they can often help students' progress at a safer pace and allow them to avoid many nagging injuries.

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 When you are teaching a Yoga class for kids, it's important to be ready to interact with the parents, as well as the children. If Yoga is a new activity for some, the parents are sure to have questions and concerns about what Yoga is, how it's taught, and what they can expect their kids to experience during each class. If the parents have little experience with the practice and philosophies of Yoga, they probably have a few preconceived notions about Yoga. It is your job as a Yoga instructor to provide a positive experience for both the children and their parents.

By Faye Martins How do we start to train the mind and body? Many people practice yoga for its fitness benefits. However, this ancient system of complete health maintenance should be comprehensive when we train the mind and body. If you take specified yoga teacher courses that focus on training the mind and body, then you can help your students obtain the complete art from their practice.