Yoga Mat - All You Should Know About A Yoga Mat

Written By Bertil Hjert

When practicing yoga, you need to make certain investments. These investments would do a lot for your flawless performance, benefits that you obtain from performing various asanas and overall health.

One of the most important investments you require to make even before you start off with your program of doing yoga is purchasing a yoga mat. This is one of the most crucial investments you need to make.

A) The mat is beneficial to you in the following aspects:

a) It prevents you from falling and provides you good amount of grip.

b) It provides you safety and it lets you perform all the asanas without any difficulty.

c) It allows you to stay away from sweat and the distraction caused by sweat while performing yoga.

d) A yoga mat provides good support for your back when you lie down.

e) The yoga mat lets you perform all your asanas just the way you should.

B) There are several things you need to consider prior to purchasing a yoga mat. This will make sure that you have made the best possible deal:

a) Learn

Try to gain sound knowledge on different types of yoga mats available. You need to know what material these are made of, what each mat specializes in and how they differ from each other.

b) Research

In order to get the best deal, you need to do a little bit of homework on your side. Try to make a good research on various shops selling yoga mats, the quality they deal in and prices each dealer offers you. Compare and then make a choice.

c) Comfort level

When choosing yoga mat you must see your comfort level. Check out whether your height and width fit well into the mat you are planning to purchase. The yoga mat should be able to provide proper grip and lay flat on the ground. Don't buy if it sticks to your feet when you lie down.

d) Allergies

Latex yoga mats are very popular and most commonly used. However, if you are allergic to latex products, simply stay away from it.

e) Don't fall for cheap options

Don't purchase a yoga mat just because it offers you good amount of discounts. Purchase a yoga mat only if it fulfills all your needs and specific yogic requirements.

f) Ask your instructor

If you are learning yoga from an instructor, ask him to provide superb tips for purchasing a yoga mat. He would be the best person to provide you great suggestions.

g) Look for these basic points

Make sure that you look for the basic points when purchasing a yoga mat.

1. Health and environment safe

2. Durability and comfortability

3. Accepted by your teacher

4. Non-slippery and light and easy to roll up

h) Tests

Here are some tests that would prove useful for you when purchasing a yoga mat.

a) The Quarter test

The edge of a quarter will tell you a lot about its durability. The more the strokes, the longer will be the life of yoga mat.

b) The wet friction test

Just wet your hands and bear down laterally on the mat surface. This will let you compare wet traction.

c) The pinch test

Just pinch the mat between thumb and forefinger and you will come o know about compression resistance.

For more Articles, News, Information, Advice, and Resources about YOGA and MEDITATION please visit YOGA TIPS and MEDITATIONBUZZ

---------------------------------------------------------------

Attleboro Yoga / Pilates Schedule

Yoga & Pilates - Spring Session (2008)

(37 Available Classes)

Beginning: April 2, 2008

Ending: June 26, 2008

Holidays: May 26, 2008 - Memorial Day - There will be no class on this day.

The Spring Yoga / Pilates Session starts on April 2, 2008.

Spring Class Schedule:

Monday: 6 PM - 7:15 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga

Tuesday: Private Sessions by Appointment Only

Wednesday: 6 PM - 7 PM Pilates / Body Sculpt

Thursday: 6 PM - 7:15 PM Beginner / Gentle Yoga

Friday: Private Sessions by Appointment Only

30 Classes = $240

20 Classes = $180

10 Classes = $ 97

Walk-in Rate: $15

On-Site Yoga Teacher Training - Attleboro, MA

(For distance yoga teacher training click here)

The Aura Yoga Teacher Training is currently in progress at our Attleboro, MA facility, located at 21 Park Street, Suite 202, in downtown Attleboro.

Experienced Yoga teachers, Yoga teacher interns, and serious students, may attend any Yoga teacher workshops (see schedule).
Fall 2008 - Spring 2009

Our next Yoga teacher training camp begins on September 5, 2008. Candidates should have, at least, two years of steady training in Aura's Restorative Hatha Yoga Style or comparable training within a similar style. Restorative Yoga is a gentle style that fits the needs of everyone.

Client safety is our number one concern.

We meet the 200 hour Yoga Teacher requirements, and contact hour guidelines, set by Yoga Alliance. The teacher trainer is Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500.

Yoga Teacher Training classes meet on Fridays from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

You should make a commitment to be at all of the teacher training classes and go through an internship. Level I Yoga teacher training is based on 200 hours of intensive study within the many aspects of Hatha Yoga.

Some flexibility can be built into your Yoga Teacher internship, based upon hours with your mentor and teaching Yoga classes. We will cover this on orientation night or you can call ahead.

Telephone 508-222-0092.

This Yoga certification program includes hands-on development with Paul Jerard, the director of Yoga teacher training, independent research, and the home-study of teacher texts. We adhere to the International standards for Yoga teacher training hours.

All Yoga teacher training sessions are held with Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500.

Technical Training, Features, and Course Benefits

Eighteen (18) intensive sessions
Eighteen (18) more hands-on classes to develop your teaching skills

Guidance during your internship
Practical Exam
Written Exam
Syllabus
Kriyas
Asanas
Modifications for Asanas
Yoga philosophy & Yoga Teaching Methodology
Assisting with Asana alignment
Working with special populations
Chair Yoga & Office Yoga
Yoga for Seniors & Yoga as Therapy
Using Yoga Props
The Pilates Connection to Yoga
Yoga Teaching Tips
Yoga Business Development
Yoga Teacher Marketing
Networking with Yoga Teachers
Anatomy
Kinesiology
Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga
Communication with Yoga Students
Chakras
Bandhas
Mudras
Yamas, Niyamas, and Yoga Sutras
Pranayama Methods
Meditation Methods
Relaxation Techniques
Yoga teacher Ethics
Benefits of Teacher's Training
Continued Technical Support
Certification
AURA Teachers Training Materials worth $497.00
Three Foundational Yoga Teacher Training Texts
Free Liability Insurance for classes you teach at AURA
Job placement, as it becomes available
Many more Free Yoga Teacher Handouts
Business & Marketing Materials

In 2007: This training was sold out by July.

Total Cost (Due at Time of Registration):

Early Bird Pre-registration by June 1, 2008 for only: $2000
Pre-register by July 1, 2008 for only: $2100
Pre-register by August 1, 2008 for only: $2200
If any space is available, at the door: $2300.

Installment plan will be scheduled as follows:

$600 down payment
$600 due October 7, 2008
$600 due November 7, 2008
$600 due December 7, 2008

To receive an application, to attend your Teacher Training Course, please Email us.

This is the most reasonably priced, and comprehensive Yoga Teacher Training Program, in the Southeastern New England area.

Space is limited to 12 candidates.

Yoga Myth - Advanced Physical Prowess

By Paul Jerard

There are many myths which surround Yoga. Most of them are circulated by people who have never practiced Yoga of any kind. Yet, there are some myths about Yoga, which have been accepted as fact, by Yoga practitioners. It is difficult to shatter an "urban legend, but let's look at one of them.

"An advanced Yogi can perform amazing postures and feats of physical prowess."

While this can be true, and Hatha Yoga practice can lead to physical mastery, feats of physical prowess can be performed by young people, who never practiced any form of Yoga before. Please bear in mind that there are many forms of Yoga, which are not based upon physical exercise.

Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Karma Yoga, are primary forms of Yoga, which have advanced practitioners, who do not have to perform physical feats to be known as "advanced." Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, was an advanced Karma Yogi, who inspired non-violent civil rights movements within India, and around the world.

The flaw in all of this "labeling" of Yoga practitioners as advanced, intermediate, and beginner, stems from the idea that Yoga is a physical exercise. Pilates and weight lifting are physical exercise systems, and they require a mental presence in their practice. All forms of Yoga require a mental, physical, and spiritual presence in the practice.

Hatha Yoga (union by physical mastery) does not represent all forms of Yoga. If Hatha Yoga were the only style in existence, it still would require teachers with experience and deep knowledge on a vast subject.

Any child can perform amazing athletic feats of flexibility, but would you place your absolute faith in the ability of a child to teach you Hatha Yoga? Would you be concerned about your safety, your physical limits, and the teacher's experience level?

"Experience" is a keyword, because experience is what really separates the advanced Yoga practitioner from the rest. An experienced Hatha Yoga teacher will guide you through the many aspects of Yoga, such as: Asana, Meditation, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha, Yama, Niyama, and much more.

If you are practicing in a Hatha Yoga class, which contains postures, but does not contain meditation or Pranayama, you are probably practicing "Yoga Fitness." There is a saying: "Half a loaf is better than none." This has never been truer than it is in the case of Hatha Yoga's exposure to the world.

It may take generations before Yoga practitioners stop to read the Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Swami Swatmarama. The Yoga Sutras, by Maharshi Patanjali, also deserve more contemporary attention. At this time, there are many Yoga books to read, but the classics are worthy of note, and should be "required reading" for advanced Yoga practitioners.

© Copyright 2007 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA.

http://www.riyoga.com/

He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit:

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html