Yoga Mentor - Your Free Online Yoga Guide

Benefits of Chair Yoga – Part 2
by Paul M. Jerard Jr.

We have all heard the saying, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Those words are extremely profound, when thinking about correcting poor posture and alignment. It takes years to create poor alignment.

Therefore, poor posture cannot be corrected in a single day. A more appropriate saying, when thinking about posture and alignment might be, “The leaning tower of Pisa cannot become straight in a week.”

However, improvements to posture can be made through Chair Yoga exercises and through daily “posture awareness.” In my classes, I refer to posture awareness as “homework.” It usually draws a chuckle from students, but they also know that class time is the time to learn and practice Chair Yoga together.

Time away from the Yoga class is when you put the principles you have learned, in motion, and adapt them into your lifestyle. I cannot promise Chair Yoga is a “cure all,” but you will see improvements in every aspect of your life. However, practicing your homework separates the fantastic success stories from those who see some modest improvement.

So, what is posture awareness? This is taking the time to be aware of your posture, on a daily basis. The first thing you want to do in order to open your awareness is look at your side profile in a mirror and any photographs of yourself. At this point, look at your spine from top to bottom.

Do you see slumping, forward tilting of the neck, or extra large curves? Your spine should be aligned so that it is fairly straight at all times. During a number of daily activities such as: Standing, walking, reading, eating, sitting, lying, typing, and more, you should make a conscious effort, to keep your head and back straight.

Now, we can all remember a schoolteacher who preached, “Keep your back straight,” but now we know that he or she was absolutely correct. Take the time to adjust your spinal alignment, from this moment on, and every time you can remember to do so.

If possible, you should also attend any workshops about Chiropractic and Orthopedic medicine. Educate yourself about your body, your spine, and your choices. You can usually find these workshops and many more valuable meetings at your local senior center. These workshops are usually free, you are under no obligation, and it makes for a good “Fact finding mission.”

The alignment and posture principles, you learn in a Chair Yoga class, can be as simple as, “Pain or no pain.”

About the author:
Paul Jerard, is a co-owner/director of Yoga teacher training at Aura Wellness Center. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher.
http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

• Pilates, Yoga, Yoga-lates, Stretch classes start soon
  
  Pilates, Yoga, Yoga-lates, Stretch classes start soon in Ridgefield Continuing Education. These classes help participants develop core strength and flexibility; build bone density and strength; improve posture and sense of balance and meet fitness goals.
  


• Yoga studio to focus on Manchester
  
  Samadhi Yoga Studio is closing its South Windsor branch on Saturday to focus its energies on its Manchester location, owner Anne Falkowski said Tuesday.
  


• Yoga-Paws Launches Next Generation of the "Yoga Mat You Wear"
  
  Yoga-Paws have been completely redesigned to offer yogis and instructors enhanced comfort, safety and mobility while practicing yoga anywhere. Whether they are used in a studio, while traveling or in the great outdoors, Yoga-Paws help practitioners stay confidently locked in place with slip-free, moisture-absorbing mini-yoga-mats worn on the hands and feet.
  


• Stefanie Symans Yoga History, The Subtle Body
  
  Stefanie Symans book examines how yoga, the centuries-old spiritual discipline, became a fitness routine for American athletes, C.E.O.s, movie stars and soccer moms.
  


• Laughter Yoga may be good for what ails you
  
  Jody Ross, a Laughter Yoga instructor from Minnesota, will be in Rock Hill in August to