Teaching Hatha Yoga Contraindications For Standing Asanas

There seems to be no single text that lists the contraindications for each Yoga technique; the reason being – the monumental task of listing, categorizing, and matching up each technique, with a corresponding contraindication, would be a feat that would take years to complete. Therefore, let’s look at techniques, in groups, and match them to corresponding advice.

Standing Postures seem easy enough for most of us, but can still be quite challenging for your legs, regardless of age or physical condition. Many commonly seen standing poses are Warrior (Virabhadrasana) postures.

Here are some cautions, which will open your eyes to modify your practice and that of your students. At the same time, always research and remain current in your knowledge of Yoga posture contraindications, because medical and sports medical research changes by the day.

General Guidelines for all Standing Postures

If pregnant, do not stand for prolonged periods of time. If you are in your third trimester, please use a chair and modify your standing and warrior poses. Most of all, unless you are an expert teacher, please work with a certified and competent prenatal Yoga teacher specialist.

Never stiffen, or apply extra isometric force, to the muscles in your legs and arms. These postures give wonderful results without pushing the limits. People can collapse from over exertion while performing standing asanas; especially when practicing on warm days, in hot rooms, and in the sun.

Never lock the joints. Hyperextension of any joint tends to lead to premature skeletal wear. Who wants arthritis earlier? You should not be locking joints in any activity, especially Hatha Yoga practice, which is designed to enhance long term health.

If you have high blood pressure, or heart problems, you should be moderate in your practice of standing postures and consult your physician or cardiologist. Why are there precautions here?

People often hold their breath when practicing strenuous postures. Never hold your breath if you have high blood pressure. Be cautious about keeping the hands over the head for prolonged periods of time. The heart, of a person people with high blood pressure, pumps less blood with each beat, than someone without high blood pressure.

When performing Warrior I, do not look up at your hands if you are experiencing neck problems or have a pre-existing neck injury. Warrior II: Avoid if you have diarrhea, and do not force your head or neck forward, if you have neck problems.

Warrior III and all Standing Postures: Use your core muscles, rather than place excessive stress on your joints. Proper head, neck, shoulder, spinal, back, hip, knee, and ankle alignment is essential. Never place excessive stress on any joint. When in doubt, always consult with a physician or specialist.

© Copyright 2009 – 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.aurawellnesscenter.com

He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/member-offer.html

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Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga is believed to originate from an ancient text called the Yoga Korunta, although those who know the way Indian communicated things within their traditional system question whether this is really true. The small fact that no-one has found the Yoga Korunta tends to support this. Which is not to say that Ashtanga yoga is not a legitimate and beneficial type of yoga. The tradition of Indian yoga is itself dynamic and evolving. Thus in the field of yoga Ashtanga is also referred to as vinyasa yoga.
What characterizes ashtanga yoga is the dynamic interconnecting postures that create a sense of flow and movement between the static asanas of hatha yoga.  There is also a particular type of breathing that is done with each movement.  And the movements between the postures are just as important as the postures themselves.
Ashtanga yoga posturesa are a series of postures that are always done in the same order and performed with particular breathing patterns.  The exact definition of vinyasa is movement synchronized with breath.  The purpose of vinyasa is to purify the body by increasing circulation and body heat, leading to an increase in sweating.  Vinyasa really facilitates flexibility, and tendon and muscle strength. 
Ashtanga yoga is demanding style of yoga, and it is known to be successful in regulating excess energy in young people.  People who practice this style of yoga regularly can learn to calm their minds and focus on the present while easing stress.
pTo sum up, ashtanga is a popular type of yoga because of its capacity to build both strength and flexibility.  It is a popular practice that has become a modern and it is an excellent way to relieve stress and stay in shape.  If you need to relax as well as get exercise and stay healthy, you could do a lot worse than trying ashtanga yoga.

Yoga helps slow down aging…

Yoga And Anti Aging – One of your best defenses against the aging process. When you want to slow the aging process naturally, you should consider adding yoga to your daily regimen.
Yoga involves postures and breathing techniques that are known to heal certain types of disorders. It is performed slowly that others think that it will not have as much effect into the physical body like what conventional exercises can do. Although exercise is good for the body, yoga can complement your fitness program and bring added benefits including keeping your skin supple and helps you looking young as well.
Yoga benefits are good if your goal is to slow down the signs of aging. It is a form of meditation and therefore keeps you calm and reenergizes your body even without physical, strenuous exercise involved. More importantly it is particularly helpful in de-stressing tired minds and body.  And starting yoga is also one of the best a natural anti aging you can do.
What can yoga do for you? It increases flexibility, increases lubrication of the joints, ligaments and tendons and has a massage effect on all our organs (You know how calming a massage is, right?). It also aids in complete detoxification of the body. Its movement techniques increase blood circulation which makes way for optimum blood supply all over the body. If your organs are functioning well, it will delay the onset of aging. Remember that your skin wrinkle because of decreased elasticity brought about by age. Not only that, yoga also helps in toning of the muscles. 
p With all these benefits, incorporating yoga in your present a target natural anti aging program can definitely boost your quest for healthier mind and flexible body. Plus it aids you in achieving supple, younger looking skin courtesy of your calmer and more relaxed lifestyle.  You should consider yoga before you start shelling out hundreds of dollars in anti aging creams that may or may not work.
and-anti-aging-one-of-your-best-defenses-against-the-aging-process.

Autumn Light…

The light in the Hudson Valley is spectacular. Living as I do only 13 miles from the Hudson River I get to experience the magestic changing of light through the seasons. Using the Hudson River school as my inspiration, I have been framing shots of this spirtual light.

Belmont Stakes 2008..

A crowd of 94,476 came out to Belmont Park on Saturday for the 140th running of the $1 million Belmont Stakes (G1), the final leg of the Triple Crown, contested at a distance of 1 1/2 miles on the main track. Undefeated Big Brown was attempting to become racing’s 12th Triple Crown winner, after winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, and was sent off as the 3-10 choice. In to challenge the Richard Dutrow stable star were 7-1 second choice Denis of Cork, third in the Kentucky Derby last time out, and 14-1 third choice Tale of Ekati, winner of the Wood Memorial before finishing fourth in the Kentucky Derby. Peter Pan Stakes winner Casino Drive was scratched the morning of the race.

Big Brown broke awkwardly from the rail post and moved to the outside, while Da Tara was hustled to the lead right away by jockey Alan Garcia and angled over to the rail to save ground. Da’ Tara set an easy pace of 23.82, 48.30, 1:12.90, and 1:37.96 while as many as 3 lengths ahead of Tale of Ekati who stalked him in second. Big Brown sat third just to the outside of Tale of Ekati. On the far turn, Denis of Cork, who was unhurried back in 6th early, moved to to challenge for the lead, as jockey Kent Desormeaux tapped Big Brown with his left-handed whip asking for the favorite to make his move. However, Big Brown did not respond, dropping back to 8th as Da’ Tara continued to lead, opening up a 5 length lead at the 1/4 pole after 10 furlongs in 2:03.21. Desormeaux eased Big Brown through the stretch as Da’ Tara easily pulled away from Denis of Cork late to win by 5 1/4 lengths in 2:29.65 over the fast main track. Anak Nakal, who had raced in midpack fourth early, and Ready’s Echo, who rallied from eighth, dead-heated for third, 2 3/4 lengths behind Denis of Cork.

Winning jockey Alan Garcia said, “On the back side, he was comfortable and he was playing with his ears and I was so happy by the 5/8 pole, I was looking and thinking I have a shot and when I move my horse to the 1/2 mile pole, he takes off and I said, “Oh, my God, Da’ Tara, you can do it.”

If the thunder doesn’t get you…

If the thunder doesn’t get you the lightning will…I had emailed that to my yoga instructor in the morning before going to class. It’s a classic dead line and it refers to the vicarious nature of karma. If one thing doesn’t get you something else will so you might as well soldier on. She had been talking about moving forward with certain projects with trepidation. We all encounter that emotion at different times and I am sympathetic to it. Not today, however, as the internal warmth I have built from my yoga practice has given me a certain fortitude as concerning this winter which has been extremely cold. Not to mention the economic crisis which echoes like a big bring down everytime you turn on the tv set. Today alone came the announcement of so many job layoffs. Yikes! Just as I am ready to get my act totally get together the country falls apart. Typical. If the the thunder doesn’t get you the lightning will…

We can’t hold onto that space…as the song progresses Jerrry sings bound to go a little bit further which indeed was echoed by the lesson Diann was teaching today. She was illustrating how back bends can be found in one form or another in the yoga postures…

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Patti Smith at The Bowery Ballroom…

Videopoem..Patti at the Bowery Ballroom gig first night she rumination on William Burroughs “Wild Boys.” …green lizard boy jockstrap slung in the sun line…not many got it, I did…Burroughs prophesizes of a world over run by mad adolescents who battle against the tyranny of the modern corporate disease through acts of sexual deviance and moral terpitude…Patti swagger, full rock n’ roll vibe…Lenny and the band right on…slipped into groove space…the live music raw and uninhibited.
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Winter Light In the ‘Qua…

winter light in the ‘qua bright off the shimmering snow…it’s the one thing that makes up for the fantastic cold we have been experiencing…without leaves on the tree the light can streak mad through the trees…shadows extending their bony fingers in expressionistic glory….

Insight into Israeli-Palestinian conflict…

Once again Noam Chomsky sheds light on a stiuation which is so neglected by mainstream corporate media.

Saturday Yoga Jan. 24 2009

I made it to the Saturday yoga class at the White Plains City Center. Before I stopped up Whipporwhill and did a couple of one hits so I could get in the vibe. Flashing back to my old hippie self, I had loaded my ipod with nothing but vintage live dead and drove down Whipporwill taking in the striking scenery. Right now there is snow over the landscape and today the sun was out real bright so it sent these amazing streaks across the land. Usually there is no traffic up on Whipporwhill and today was no exception. As sang mountains on the moon I drove over that road lost in a Hunter Thompson fantasy.

I came down to the difficult turn onto 120 and it was back into civil
aztion with the smegma of upper middle class cars moving all so slowly. The only saving grace is that the resiovoir is iced off so there is white frosty covering over the water which was reflecting this stunning light today.

It was then into White Pains on 22. Once into White Plains you can really taste the smegma. People here move real slow and act like rejects from a 1950’s Hollywood set. In other words, their idea are very out of date and they like it that way.

It was then into the City Center and up into the club. This experience is always a trip because people drive crazy in the garage, usually talking on their cellphone and completely immersed in themselves. Saturday is always difficult as well because the family nazis are out in full force with their shining progeny spreading their virus all over the place.

So I finally made it into the class. I never had had this teacher before. She taught the class as if it were advance pilates class. It wasn’t bad and when I left my body was humming with that type of training but I woudln’t exactly call it a yoga moment.

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