High Blood Pressure Treatment - Medication, Diet and Alternative Therapies
If you have high blood pressure, you will have to take action to treat it. If ignored, hypertension can lead to very serious health problems including stroke, heart disease and kidney failure. So what high blood pressure treatments are the most effective? Find out what works best to keep blood pressure under control.
Healthy lifestyle is the best treatment for high blood pressure

No drug can ever help you to win a battle against high blood pressure for good. The best they can do is to give a temporarily relief. However, by changing your lifestyle habits you can keep your blood pressure under control.

There are 3 major aspects of your life that affect blood pressure

    * Exercise

    * Diet

    * Stress management



Making your heart beating slightly faster than normal from time to time is very important. This doesn’t mean you will have to go the gym every day. Many everyday things count as exercise - house chores, gardening, walking your dog or playing active games with your children are good examples. Walking is the best exercise for high blood pressure, even 15 minutes a day will do wonder.

Most important you should do some exercise every day.

Another essential thing you will have to evaluate is your diet. Do you like souses, pickles and pre-cooked meals? Than you will have to cut it down, because all of the above are extremely high in sodium and sodium affects blood pressure very badly. Add more veggies and fruits to your diet, remove your salt shaker from the table and you will feel much better as your blood pressure lowers.

Every time you stress out, your blood pressure jumps up. And if stress is a permanent part of your life it can constantly keep your readings high. Don’t ignore stress; there are many effective ways to deal with it. For example, you can enroll in a stress relief class or take a yoga or Tai Chi class. Try to find time to do things that you enjoy.

High blood pressure medication

When it comes to high blood pressure drugs, you should never get one without consulting a doctor. If a particular medicine works well for your friend it doesn’t mean it will suit you. Most high blood pressure drugs are prescription drugs, so the only way to get them is to visit your physician first and ask for prescription.

Medication used to control high blood pressure includes:

    * ACE inhibitors

    * Calcium channel blockers

    * Beta-blockers

    * Angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs)

    * Alpha-blockers

    * Diuretics



In the past a lot of high blood pressure medications were unsafe and had side effects. Luckily they improved in recent years, so modern drugs that help to lower your blood pressure are more effective and safe.

Alternative high blood pressure treatments

If you don’t trust conventional drugs and prefer alternative medicine, there are several treatments that can help to lower blood pressure.

Natural herbs for high blood pressure are very popular. Most effective are Hawthorn and Ginkgo Biloba. Several studies have shown that garlic also helps with hypertension control. Garlic thins the blood (reduces its ability to clot).

Garlic supplements work just as well as fresh garlic.

Among the alternative therapies, most common are acupuncture and magnetic high blood pressure therapy.

Acupuncture relaxes your body and releases some of the strain on the heart. There is no hard scientific proof that acupunctures works, but many people who tried it, swear that it helped to decrease their blood pressure.

Treatment with magnets can also help. Copper and iron bracelets reduce the effects of blood pressure, but scientists don’t know how and why. However, this treatment is painless and safe, so it is worth the try.

There are many ways to treat high blood pressure. You should never ignore it, because this condition doesn’t just go away unless you do something to control it.

Tanya Turner is an editor of High Blood Pressure 101 where you can reliable information about effective high blood pressure treatments including herbal and alternative high blood pressure medicine

By Tanya Turner
Published: 4/19/2007
 

 Discover The Difference Between Hatha And Vinyasa Yoga
Find out the difference between hatha and vinyasa yoga, and how these differences translate into benefits for your yoga practice. Learn which style is better for beginners, and more.
Yoga is a form of exercise that offers a range of benefits to those that practice it, from improving flexibility and stamina to increasing muscle tone, strength, and joints, and cleansing the body and mind. Yoga can help to increase circulation and reduce stress and fatigue levels, and can help you to relax, bringing together your mind, body, and spirit. There are different levels of yoga to suit different people, so no matter what your experience with yoga, and no matter what your age, you can find one that suits you perfectly.

In fact, the health benefits of yoga are so highly regarded that even those with illnesses such as arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid problems can benefit, and many say that the symptoms if such health problems can be ease through the correct practice of yoga.

Key differences between Hatha And Vinyasa Yoga

There are various different types of yoga, some more advanced than others, but all work towards the same goal. That is, they all seek to unify the mind, spirit, and body; and to increase strength and flexibility. Asanas, or physical postures, are emphasized when the body is out of shape, in need of healing, or not flexible enough. The different styles of yoga, however, approach the practice of asanas in individual ways.

Two of the most popular styles of yoga used today are Hatha Yoga, and Vinyasa Yoga. Although vinyasa yoga is derived from hatha yoga, classes are very different. One of the features that make it unique is the pace. Another is the way postures are linked together in a series of movements. This produces effects in the body, especially in the cardiovascular system, that hatha yoga does not.

Hatha Yoga is a gentle and slower paced form of yoga, although it can be quite challenging physically when you move deeper into the practice of it. The word Hatha, when split in to 'ha' and 'tha', means 'sun' and 'moon'. This style is ideal for those that are new to yoga, and haven't yet built up experience or confidence. Due to its' slower pace, it is easier for people to learn the principles, postures, and the breathing methods involved in yoga.

Vinyasa Yoga, on the other hand, is a far faster paced, and more advanced form of yoga. Instead of simply doing individual exercises on the mat, with pauses in between, the asanas are linked together in synchronization with the in-flow and out-flow of breath. This produces a very dynamic effect, and it allows heat to build up in the body. An increased body temperature helps loosen the muscles, and people find they can go deeper into a stretch than if they were doing the posture in a more traditional way.

Both Hatha and Vinyasa yoga offers a range of health benefits. There is certainly no reason why you cannot start off using the slower paces Hatha Yoga, and once more experienced and flexible, move on to practice the more challenging form of yoga, Vinyasa. Both offer a great way to increase mobility in the joints, tone up your body, and find a sense of peace and stillness often lacking in daily activity.

Ashtanga vinyasa yoga is where this flowing style was originally developed. Learn more about it here, and other aspects of a yoga practice here.
           By Rebecca Prescott
Published: 5/1/2007

Learn Ashtanga Yoga For Strength And Flexibility
Ashtanga is a dynamic practice that allows you to build strength very quickly. If you want to learn ashtanga yoga, there are two main ways to approach it.
Ashtanga is a more physically intense form of yoga than most, which is one of the reasons for its' immense popularity. This can make it more challenging to learn however. There are two main ways it is taught - a more traditional approach pioneered by Pattabhi Jois in India, and an adapted form of the primary series developed by teachers here. One of the questions many beginners may have, is do they actually need a class to learn this style anyway? An associated question is what makes it so different? By addressing these issues, it is much easier to learn ashtanga in a way that promotes true benefits, as well as avoiding some of the frustrations that beginners may face.

Pattabhi Jois was a lifelong student of Krishnamacharya, one of the most well known Indian yoga teachers this century. Krishnamacharya may have developed the system of ashtanga, but it was Jois who adopted it as his own. Through Jois' patronage, ashtanga became popular in India and the West. When students traveled to Jois' school in Mysore, India, they were taught as much as they could do of the Primary Series at a time.

The Primary Series is the first series of asanas. There are later, more advanced series, but everyone starts with this one. However, because of its' dynamic and athletic nature, the Primary Series is generally too much for a beginner to learn in one session. So, Jois would teach one, or a few, poses, and once a student had mastered those, he would give them another. Thus, new asanas were gradually introduced, until the whole series was completed.

This was a somewhat slow way to learn ashtanga, and perhaps influenced by the way other styles of yoga are taught, many Western teachers taught beginners a different way. They maintained the essence of the series, but left out some of the more challenging poses until later, and included adaptations of some poses so beginners could do them. Thus, they were able to give beginners both standing and floor postures in one abridged session, all linked by the characteristic vinyasa flow.

In many ways, this approach is actually more true to the way Jois' teacher, Krishnamacharya, taught. Krishnamacharya had a great belief in the principle that yoga was not a 'one size fits all' proposition. He tailored it to people's individual needs and circumstances. Indeed, the reason he created the ashtanga practice to start with was because it was intended for adolescent boys for whom the more introspective hatha yoga practice would be unsuitable due to their energy and teenage distractibility.

Though ashtanga is different to hatha in a number of ways, it would be a mistake to think that it did not develop introspection. The asanas may not be held for as long, but they still require practice and focus. The acrobatic nature of some of ashtanga actually requires a certain degree of coordination, focus and strength. Though beginners may find these aspects challenging initially, if the practice is modified in the way many local teachers do, then these qualities can be developed gradually. In this way, all the benefits can be enjoyed as we learn ashtanga yoga.

Finding a teacher is highly recommended. It is very difficult to describe the way the vinyasa sequence is done, even more so when explaining the use of the bandhas (also called a 'root lock'). Even with the visual aid of a DVD, nothing can quite replace the way a beginners class or workshop provides the opportunity for feedback and corrections with postures. For those more experienced students however, DVD's are perfect.

Ashtanga is an energetic sequence that provides many of the benefits of a traditional fitness program. By approaching it in a way that takes into account any personal injuries, and initial limitations with strength, it is possible to learn ashtanga and enjoy every minute of it.

If you'd like more information on general aspects of ashtanga including the asanas, click here. For other types of yoga and related articles, click here.
           By Rebecca Prescott
Published: 4/19/2007 

Yoga Retreats And Golf - Strange Bedmates Or Not?
Yoga for golf? It's not as crazy as it sounds. Find out how some top golfers believe yoga really helps their game, and why for many, a yoga retreat with golf is the ultimate holiday.
In the same way that golf is becoming more open to women players, yoga is beginning to be more appealing and acceptable for men. The discovery that certain yoga postures are an excellent way to improve your golf swing, has led to the formation of retreats that combine yoga classes with access to a high quality golf course, to create the perfect relaxing holiday.

So can yoga really help your game? Top golfers such as Jesper Parnevick certainly believe so, and he should know as he uses yoga as part of his regular exercise regime. As well as improving your general physique, the frame of mind created by yoga, which is calm and concentrated, is perfect for a good game of golf.

One of the things a golf focused yoga course will concentrate on is controlling your breathing. The pressure and competitiveness of a golf game can cause erratic breathing, which makes playing much more difficult. Being able to release all negative thoughts and feelings using yoga techniques will allow you to be focused on the game without any destructive tension.

Physically there are many ways yoga can help your golf game. Initial courses will concentrate of increasing flexibility as a huge proportion of golfers are actually not flexible enough to achieve a really effective swing. As your proficiency in yoga increases, you will become more aware of what your whole body is doing during your swing.

There are various poses used in yoga programs aimed at golfers, and as well as flexibility, these focus on balance and correcting the posture. The repetitive nature of the golf swing can lead to a body imbalance that yoga can easily correct.

The cat pose is often used for golfers to work their spinal muscles, to increase flexibility and range of motion, and to develop a balanced stance. In addition golf programs usually include warrior poses which also work on a maintaining solid stance, whilst increasing rotation and extension capabilities at the same time.

Other postures used in golf specific yoga include the extended table pose and twisted straddle prose. The extended table will help you to keep your back straight, reducing back ache during a long game. The twisting straddle will increase a golfer's range of motion as well as improving their hamstring flexibility.

So if you are a golfer looking for the ultimate holiday where you can relax and balance your body and mind, whilst working on your golf swing, a golf and yoga retreat may be just the thing for you. Most packages include accommodation, course fees and daily yoga classes specially tailored to meet your golfing needs.

For more information on what you can expect at a yoga retreat center, click here. Rebecca presents information on ashtanga and other forms of yoga here.
           By Rebecca Prescott
Published: 4/12/2007 

How Yoga Positions For Fertility Can Help Couples Conceive
Whilst it's not surprising to hear yoga devotees talk about how beneficial it is for conception, the support of a Harvard study is. Find out how asanas can benefit couples having trouble conceiving, and a little about some of the poses involved.
With more and more women delaying having children until later in life, there are a growing number of couples having difficulties conceiving. From their mid thirties onwards, women's chances of getting pregnant drop dramatically and many are turning to medical intervention to assist them in having a baby.

Trying to conceive can be a very stressful and emotional experience, particularly when it involves undergoing fertility treatment or IVF. Many doctors are now recommending women use yoga in conjunction with their medical treatment, both to assist them in de-stressing and to enhance their possibilities of becoming pregnant.

A Harvard based study found that women who were trying for a baby were three times more likely to conceive if they took fertility focussed yoga courses than those who did not. But what is it about yoga that prepares the body so well for conception and pregnancy?

As we have already mentioned, stress can be a major problems when a couple are having trouble conceiving. Stress can interfere with a woman's menstrual cycle and delay ovulation, as well as reducing sperm production in men. The emotional release of yoga can ease stress and anxiety, enhancing a couples chances of conceiving.

This is most effective if both the male and female participate, and a couple might consider partner yoga in this situation. As well as deepening and strengthening their relationship, partner yoga can teach them how to cope together with the strain of trying for a baby.

There are numerous other ways that a fertility focussed yoga course can help a woman to conceive. In yoga the body is seen as an energy system, with a number of different areas or chakras. Certain yoga positions focus on increasing the energy flow in the second chakra, known as the seat of creation, which is where the reproductive organs can be found.

There are many yoga positions that increase energy in the second chakra. Certain restorative poses are perfect to prepare the body for conception. They can help to soften the abdominal region and remove any tension from the area of the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus. Reclining poses are used to elongate the abdominal region, allowing more blood flow to the reproductive organs.

There are also specific yoga positions that a woman can use after sex to increase her chances of conception. One of the most popular is a legs up the wall pose, known as Viprarita Kirani. This ensures that the sperm remain in the optimum position for fertilisation for as long as possible.

A final way that yoga can assist conception is by correcting irregular hormone levels that may be limiting fertility. Certain yoga positions can improve glandular function, which helps to normalize hormone levels.

Although nobody would claim that yoga alone can make you pregnant, following a course of fertility focussed yoga can significantly reduce the stress and emotion of trying to conceive. Used in conjunction with medical treatment, it can prepare your body and mind for pregnancy and greatly increase your chances of creating that longed for baby.

For more information on the best prenatal yoga exercises, click here. Rebecca has an online yoga site suitable for beginners here.
           By Rebecca Prescott
Published: 4/4/2007 

Partner Yoga Explained
What is the difference between partner yoga and regular yoga classes? And is it only for couples? Find out more here!
Yoga is a form of physical and mental exercise that is ever increasing in popularity. There are a wide variety of types of yoga, all designed to balance the mind, body and spirit. The most popular in the western world is hatha yoga, which concentrates on physical poses or asanas, and breathing control or pranayana.

Asanas are individual poses designed to increase your flexibility, strengthen your muscles, and often have the welcome effect of limiting the build up of fat. Each asana focuses on a particular area of the body by increasing blood flow to that area and improving function of certain organs. Each individual requires a specific program of asanas to address their own personal needs.

In addition to the physical benefits of yoga asanas, they can bring psychological rewards. They are designed to promote relaxation, and to reduce stress levels. They teach concentration without tension and calmness of mind.

Although most people think of yoga as a solitary activity, many yoga schools now offer classes for partner yoga. Generally your partner will be someone you already know such as your spouse or friend. Partner yoga can help to deepen your relationship with this person and create new levels of intimacy. However, many people prefer go to partner yoga classes alone and meet up with a new partner each time.

During a partner yoga class a number of asanas are performed. These can involve both people doing the same pose at the same time, the two partners intertwining to create one pose, or one partner supporting the other in their pose. They focus on building trust and sensitivity to your partner's needs.

Most of the asanas used in partner yoga are traditional poses with some adaptations to make them suitable for two people. Performing asanas with a partner can create more of a challenge than performing them alone, as the partners may differ in ability, flexibility, weight, height and experience. A certain amount of creativity and exploration may be necessary to make the asana work.

On the other hand, the support provided by their partner can help people to tackle more complex and demanding asanas. This can enhance the effects of the asana, increasing blood flow and energy into the targeted body area.

Partner yoga has some other advantages over traditional individual yoga in that it promotes fun, laughter and creativity as well as relaxation, concentration and balance. It can be very rewarding to share your yoga experience with another person, particularly if that person is your partner in life as well as yoga.

Depending on the asanas used, partner yoga can be very intimate and loving and is ideal for couple trying to reconnect and regain closeness in their relationship. A partner yoga workshop makes a great romantic gift for a birthday or anniversary, or can just be a fun alternative to the usual night in front of the television.

If you'd like to find out more about yoga asanas, click here. Rebecca presents online yoga information here.
           By Rebecca Prescott
Published: 3/24/2007 

Medication Depression Alternatives Ideas
Are you depressed often? Does it seem like there is always something going wrong in your life? Many people suffer from depression. In fact, everyone faces depression in some degree on a regular basic and this is normal. However, if you find that depression is interfering with your job, your personal relationships or even your friendships, then you need help getting your depression back under control. Have you been seeking help for your depression but would prefer to stay away from anti-depressant medication? If so, here are some medication depression alternative tips that may be of some help to you.

Depression is something that can be bought on from a traumatic event or something as simple as just being overloaded by work and responsibility. The secret to ease depression is to get to the root of the problem and one way to do that is by talking to someone. Therefore, tips for a medication depression alternative would be to enlist the help of a therapist to help you sort things out. At the very least talk to a good trusted friend that is also a good listener. By finding out the source of the problem you can work to make changes that will help you to overcome the depression.

People become depressed for a number of different reasons. Many times it is from having low-self esteem. This is why tips for a medication depression alternative can also include exercise. Exercise can help to improve your physical and mental health. It can give you more energy and improve your physical appearance. When you are healthier and physical fit you tend to feel better in other areas as well. Therefore, exercise can help relieve some of the symptoms of depression. Just make sure that you don't set your sites to high in the beginning or you may not be able to accomplish your goals.

When it comes to choosing a medication depression alternative you can also get a hobby that you enjoy and practice good eating habits. Hobbies provide you with a way to escape the pressure and stress of everyday life. This gives you the chance to regroup and get a grip on things. Proper eating habits can also make a difference in the way you feel. Overeating can add to the depression by making you feel tired and some people may even have a feeling of guilt. People that are trying to lose weight can become very depressed when they overeat. Having a proper diet means more energy and having a good feeling for doing something good for your health.

Get more information on Medication for Depression Alternatives and other ways on how to Overcome Depression here.

By Chelsea Aubin 

Cialis: Safe & secure alternate for Erectile Dysfunction
Cialis was launched in market from the house of Eli-Lilly and ICOS corps,( Lilly ICOS ) and now we have third anti impotency drug called Levitra, which is the result of combine effort of Bayer and GlaxoSmithKline.
Sex is very useful for all creature of the world. It is the process through which both party understand each other’s physically and mentally.

Erectile dysfunction or ED is the biggest sorrow that can befall a man of useful age. It is also known in common idiom as impotence. Erectile dysfunction can lead to an unsuccessful marriage and even a strong emotional and social bonding cannot stop the snapping of the memorable knot. Some countries even grant divorce to the affected party when required on grounds of sexual deficiency.

Erectile Dysfunction arises when there is a lack of blood flow to the penis. This means that a man can have trouble getting and keeping an erection long enough to have sex. It may happen only once in a while or more often.

The causes for Impotence could be either physiological or psychological. Being depression, nervous about sex, stress related to family or work are some psychological reasons which could lead to E.D. Physiological conditions could include cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

So erectile dysfunction is a disease which creates so many problem in human life. By erectile dysfunction whole family is suffered. However the main good news for every person who is suffering from erectile dysfunction is that it is treatable easily and more than 16 million men of this planet improved their sex lives. You have so many pills to improve your sexual-performance. Viagra, the first E.D. drug made headlines all over the world. It strikes the market in 1998. The pharmaceutical company Pfizer, who launch viagra, saved so many marriages and men who had beyond the excitement of a sexual –intercourse has experience again their sexual ability.

Soon Cialis was launched in market from the house of Eli-Lilly and ICOS corps,( Lilly ICOS ) and now we have third anti impotency drug called Levitra, which is the result of combine effort of Bayer and GlaxoSmithKline. All these anti ED drugs block an enzyme called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5 ), which calm down the muscle cells and permit increased blood flow into the penis. As a result the penis erect full and perform well in sexual intercourse.

The victory of anti ED drugs can be estimated from the sales of Viagra, which collects around $1.5 Billion every year. The total impotence drug sale is estimated to be over $ 6 billion in the next eight years. These all drugs have almost similar side effects. Some of them are headache, upset stomach, so it is essential to discuss with a doctor before taking performance enhancing drugs.

By Richard Gary
Published: 3/3/2007 

 Guide To Yoga Supplies And Props
Do you really need to go out and buy yoga supplies? Learn why props were introduced, an overview of the different ones available, and what they tend to be used for.
Whilst yoga can be practised without any props or special equipment, sooner or later most people decide to invest in some supplies for their home practice. Equipment can generally be divided into two categories. First, there is the basic equipment. This can include things like mats, blankets, and perhaps eye bags. The next tier in terms of priority might include straightforward supportive tools, such as belts, bolsters, and blocks. Finally, there is a range of specialized tools that can give very precise support to the positions for which they were designed. This article will discuss some of the different yoga supplies available, and what poses they are generally used for.

Yoga mats could be classed as essential, except that they can be substituted by a large towel, or a cotton rug that isn't slippery. The most important thing it does is help facilitate a student's grip as they move through, and hold, different asanas. It is much easier to use a proper mat compared to a towel or rug, but if you are short of funds, you can certainly make do. Mats are generally inexpensive, with 'sticky mats' being the cheapest. There are higher quality synthetic mats, but even these can be bought for the cost of a restaurant meal. Generally, it is suggested that mats be hand washed, but I have washed mine in a machine with no problems.

Cotton mats tend to be used in some Indian yoga centers, and are also available on the internet. There are also 'ecological' mats, made out of rubber, or other natural materials. These are quite popular with yoga practitioners who are sensitive to their effect on the environment.

Blankets can be used in relaxation at the end of a session, or to provide gentle support when doing some poses such as shoulderstand and headstand. Blankets tend to be thin and lightweight. This is especially important when they are used to support the neck in the above mentioned asanas.

Eyebags are usually made of satin, and filled with an organic, lightweight material like linseed. They are used in relaxation.

Props were introduced by B.K.S. Iyengar, although they are used in many different disciplines now. The reason was that it made it easier for beginners and those with physical limitations to experience the benefits of some postures they may not yet be able to do. They can also help students become more aware of the subtleties of a pose, by allowing the body to align as it should. The props that particularly help with this are blocks, belts, bolsters, chairs, wall ropes, and special props developed for specific poses.

Bolsters are excellent for certain floor poses, and are often used to support the back. Blocks are typically used in standing poses, are and very useful when students are not yet flexible enough to reach the ground. This is particularly true in standing poses that involve twists. Belts are used in a variety of poses, including foward bends, and others that help keep the arms in the correct alignment. These are not usually expensive items, and are worth having on hand. They may allow you to really spend a lot of time in a particular pose.

The most expensive yoga supplies tend to be the very specialized props that can be used in headstand and backbends. They are certainly not crucial, in that you can use cheaper props to gain support in those poses. But they may offer particular benefits that are worth the cost to those than can reasonably afford them.

Good yoga props can make a home practice more enjoyable. It is particularly gratifying to be able to extend one's ability in a pose, and practicing at home certainly provides the luxury of time sometimes not available in a class. Props, in this instance, would be very beneficial. But whether you need anything beyond the basics, a mat, is an individual call.

Good yoga supply shops have an excellent range of hatha yoga DVD's. Read this guide before you buy, and check out more on a yoga practice here.
           By Rebecca Prescott
Published: 2/24/2007

Tips For Choosing Yoga Training Courses
The plethora of yoga training available makes it confusing for prospective students to choose one that will meet their needs, as well as provide a good foundation for teaching when they are qualified. Learn more here.
Yoga in Western countries may have started life as a something of a hippy niche, but over the last 20 years, it has entered the mainstream at a phenomenal rate. With this popularization of an ancient Indian tradition, there has been a huge growth in organizations offering yoga teacher training. Gone are the days when students had to travel to India to gain qualifications. But the plethora of courses has created its' own problems - not least in the question of quality and whether a course is recognized by the appropriate local and international associations. The prospective student must also ask themselves a number of important questions, the most fundamental of which is the type of yoga they wish to be trained in. But also, the wider question of what direction they wish to take their training in once completed. This article will address all of these points, and help provide a framework with which students may better choose amongst the many courses offered.

There are more styles of yoga available today than there has possibly been ever. Some represent a continuation of older traditions, that are relatively unchanged. This includes hatha yoga, and styles by Desikachar and Iyengar. Others represent a synthesis of different methods, even whilst being shrouded in mystical origins. For example, some have suggested that Ashtanga yoga is not derived from the yoga Korunta, but from a synthesis of traditions that may have included early acrobatics!

Some styles of yoga are very modern, and evolved more out of an adaptation to the West. Bikram yoga is a good example of this - and perhaps a very extreme one, given that Bikram copyrighted 'his' yoga poses and they way they were taught, despite yoga being essentially in the public domain.

Most people who train as teachers in yoga do so in a discipline that they have been practising already. This does make logical sense, as it's important to be passionate about what you do for a living. There is the additional experience that people will have with a particular style of yoga that no doubt makes it easier than starting from scratch in a different style.

But other issues may come into play when choosing a yoga school. Is the style of yoga you like well supported in your area? Is there sufficient demand for that style? Understanding who these particular styles of yoga appeals to will help later on when you set up your own yoga business, as it will guide your marketing, choice of location, logo, and business identity. It's worth thinking a little bit about these things before you make a time and financial commitment to getting qualified.

Finding out whether your course is accredited nationally and internationally is an important step. There are various governing associations at different levels around the world. For example, in the UK there is the British Wheel Of Yoga. In Australia, the government keeps a list of accredited training courses through the Australian National Training Authority. For a yoga specific association, try the Yoga Teachers Association of Australia. Globally, there is the International Yoga Teachers Association, which is available in many countries. There is also the American Yoga Association, Yoga Scotland, and the European Union Of Yoga.

Each of these organizations may have different standards by which they measure courses. But they do provide a good guideline for selecting providers with a minimum level of professionalism, integrity, and quality. You could look at contacting teachers who have gone through their training to find out what they thought of the course, and perhaps go to a few of their classes to get a feel for what is being taught.

Before going into any course, it's a good idea to have some sense of the bigger picture. For example, are you looking at combining yoga with other healing modalities, such as massage, nutrition, meditation, or some combination of all of these. There are some teaching colleges that integrate yoga with other modalities, both locally and abroad in India. For the sake of continuity, and ease of integration, it may be easier to look at this before any study is actually done. It may prove easier to study with an all-in-one provider who will provide a clearer way to integrate these different aspects of health.

In some ways, this broad integration of yoga with health is more closely aligned with the true nature of yoga, according to some teachers such as Desikachar. But Indian style yoga is not the only one that offers this approach, with the Japanese ki, or Ki yoga often integrated with macrobiotics and shiatsu.

If you're interested in going more deeply into yoga training for your own personal practice, as opposed to a prelude to teaching, studying abroad can be a truly rewarding experience. If you're looking for teaching qualifications, it may be wiser to choose an institution in your own country, at least initially. Because it should be adapted to Western learning styles, the structured environment it provides will be easier to learn in.

Yoga training can be intensely rewarding, and life changing in many ways. Provided you choose a course that is accredited, in a style of teaching you like, and that has good community support, it could be the start of a great new career.

If you'd like to explore the option of studying yoga in an Indian school, click here. If you'd like to read more yoga articles, click here.
           By Rebecca Prescott
Published: 2/17/2007