Om Repair

Essential Readings for Aspiring Yoga Instructors

2009-08-19T18:14:00.001-07:00

Here is a list of books that will prepare you for not only a deeper personal practice, but also for your journey as a yoga instructor. This list has in mind the yogi who has not yet decided on a yoga teacher training program, but who wants to get a head start on the reading. At the top of the list are books that will more than likely be required readings for almost any yoga teacher training, while further down, are selections that will get you started on anatomy for yoga, Sanskrit and popular yoga books that will come up as you delve into yoga more and more. The links take you to my Amazon store, "OmRepair Yoga Store." Please feel free to order directly from my site.

There are many yoga anatomy books. For the anatomically challenged, like myself, I found this to be helpful:

Here is another thorough anatomy book for yoga:

This is one of my absolute favorites! (At some point, you will need to learn a little Sanskrit.)

Here is a classic:

And another:

For those learning to live in the now:

This is just the beginning of the list! You might have some books that you would like to see listed here for those thinking of entering a yoga teacher training program, or who just want to deepen their understanding of yoga. Please let me know via the comment section! Thanks!

Yoga.com

2009-08-18T19:33:00.000-07:00

Yoga.com carries yoga props, yoga mats, jewelry and music for meditation or for teaching yoga classes. They also have yoga clothing and apparel. Please check them out when you get a chance.

I like them because they also give yoga studios free listings across the country!

2009-07-17T10:59:00.000-07:00

Thanks again for visiting my blog!

I'm currently keeping very busy as the new Richmond Yoga Examiner and with writing various articles (many yoga related on eHow).

For your convenience, here are links to my favorite yoga articles (some geared toward yoga instructors and some for yoga students):

How to Survive Teaching Your First Yoga Class

How to Sequence Yoga Classes Around One Pose

How to Teach Kids Yoga Classes

How to Sequence Yoga Classes Around a Theme

How to Practice Pregnancy Yoga

How to Hold Your Yoga Poses Longer

How to Get More Students to Come to Your Yoga Classes

How to Enjoy Your Yoga Practice with a Yoga Towel

How to Make Beginners Feel Welcome in Your Yoga Classes

How to Choose Yoga Pants

How to Choose a Yoga Teacher Training Program

It's time to practice yoga outside

Finding unique yoga mats, apparel and more

I appreciate your feedback and comments. Enjoy your yoga practice!

Information for New Yoga Instructors

2009-06-21T17:45:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to share some links to articles I've written on eHow.com about teaching yoga. It's easy to get burned out or discouraged once in awhile, so I hope these articles help you enjoy your yoga teaching to the fullest.

How to Sequence a Yoga Class Around One Pose

How to Get More Students to Come to Your Yoga Classes

How to Teach a Kids Yoga Class

Let me know what you think. Namaste!

Yoga at Health Plus in Midlothian, VA

2007-04-06T19:10:00.000-07:00

If you got to this site from my business card, then you're probably looking for more information about my classes. I am trained through YogaFit. Their style is geared to making yoga accessible and safe to people of all ages and levels. Because many people come to yoga for physical benefits, I usually start them there. Sooner or later, students crave the exploration of the mind/body connection through deeper relaxation and meditation. Many people are uneasy about the thought of meditation because of stereotypes. My classes are not designed to teach a religion or belief system of any kind - how spiritual a class becomes is up to the student. In other words, classes are personalized for each student (the benefit of small classes). I like to think of meditation as checking in, and sleeping as checking out. As you can see, that leaves a lot for interpretation.

If you're curious about YogaFit's particular style in relation to other Hatha Yoga, it is a blend of Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Iyengar and Viniyoga. In other words, my classes go through flows of poses as well as strength-building segments where poses are held. Because my classes are small, I can tweak alignment and find poses which will draw out the best in each student.

I have room for daytime classes - especially M, W, and F. A free, or donation trial class is on the other end of your phone. Like everyone else, I had to start at the beginning (which is the hardest part). Please don't let that stop you from starting your new or renewed yoga practice. Feel free to call with additional questions - or to post them in the comment area here.

Welcome Yoga Enthusiasts!

2007-01-11T17:48:00.000-08:00

I'm doing my blogging about yoga at Families.com at this time. Thank you for clicking the link!

Namaste!

Yoga for the Cubicle Confined

2005-11-29T12:05:00.000-08:00

8, 9, 10 hours sitting at a desk? How natural can it be? We can kind of get used to this stationary lifestyle, but our necks, backs, shoulders and behind usually have a lot to say about it. You may also feel like you become more susceptible to cold after a few hours in front of the computer.

Yoga is perfect for fighting the effects of working in an office all day. Try some of the following:

1. For the Neck: *(Always be gentle with the neck. A little stretching goes a long way.)

Drop your chin toward your chest. Tilt your head back until your forehead is facing the ceiling. Let your eyes glance up. Don't compress or cramp your neck too far back! Come back to a neutral position, with eyes facing forward. Turn your head slowly from side to side. Repeat this process.

2. For the Shoulders: Roll shoulders back, trying to get the shoulder blades to touch. Roll the shoulders forward, trying to get the shoulder blades to separate.

3. After relaxing your shoulders, do a seated or standing mountain posture. Hands lay on thighs with palms outward. Straighten your back with shoulders completely relaxed. Focus on your abs and core body as if they were a tree trunk holding your branches (top of you body) up. Imagine the blood flowing throughout your entire body, focusing on it reaching your toes and fingertips. Breathe slowly and deeply.

4. Raise the arms up while inhaling, press palms together at the top, exhale and release the arms. Repeat several times. Do this from a standing or seated mountain. (Standing is preferable)

5. With your chair far away from your desk (so you don't hit your head!), fold your body into a forward fold. Exhale as you come down. Feel the tension flow out from the crown of your head. Inhale up. This is also optimal in a standing position.

6. Place your hand on your opposite knee and twist your body so you are peering back, as much as possible, at the wall behind you. Repeat on other side. Keep your back as straight as possible throughout. Use your back, rather than your neck, to implement the spinal twist. You can also place one hand on your desk.

7. (standing only) With legs slightly further apart, go into a forward fold, but instead of coming straight down, hinge from your waist. Feel the stretch in the back of the legs. Pretend that you are trying to keep a cup of coffee balanced on a flat back. This is a 'Sunflower'. Raise back up the same way -- with a hinged, flat back.

These simple yoga inspired moves should get you rejuvenated, and hopefully get your blood flowing again.

Quick Yoga Routine

2005-11-01T13:46:00.000-08:00

Many people find that fitting in a full yoga routine can take too long. Excuses are no longer necessary, because there are quick yoga postures (or asanas) which can be done within a period of 5 to 15 minutes. These small spurts will give the body some refreshment and even make you feel more awake. Keep in mind that you must pay extra attention to keeping yourself from stretching too deeply, since you will not be fully warmed up in such a small period of time.

1. My Daily Yoga Has quick routines and movements which can be done while sitting at a desk or while waiting for a flight at the airport.

2. Canadian Living has a great, 5-step routine for relaxing at bedtime.

3. Shareguide.com offers a little longer routine of 15 minutes.

4.The University of Alberta has a concise page full of several 12 minute routines if you want something in between 5 and 15.

Remember to breathe and take all of the stretches carefully! Namaste!

Basics - Getting Started

2005-10-12T10:35:00.000-07:00

Just a few friendly tips on starting yoga for the first time:

1. Think "Om" or "Breathe". A fluid, even breath throughout your yoga practice will optimize your yoga time.

2. No competition. In other words, go at your pace. Yoga is not supposed to hurt or pull muscles. Build up to more complicated poses and start out with beginner classes. *If you don't stretch all the way to the floor, then make reaching to the knee or mid-thigh the goal -- you will still benefit from the pose.

3. If you practice at home, try to compare your poses to your book, DVD, audio or internet class by performing the pose in front of a mirror. You can also go to trial classes, sometimes for free, at yoga studios, the YMCA or other gyms where you can ask the instructor to let you know where you need adjustments.

4. Breathe some more.

Here are some links to help get your yoga practice started.

www.yogabasics.com

www.kundaliniyoga.org/index.html
They have downloadable classes for free.

www.abc-of-yoga.com/

www.healthandyoga.com

Modifications and Variations -- For Beginners and All

2005-10-10T10:52:00.000-07:00

Many people who have had injuries or who have chronic conditions are afraid to try yoga. Yoga seems may seem like something which only flexible people are able to do. I always tell people who are afraid of yoga, because of injuries or a perceived eternal rigidness, that yoga creates flexibility -- it is not a club for flexible people. Once that road block has been discussed it becomes very important to offer modifications as much as possible. If someone is given options, they are much more likely to feel less intimidated. Although yoga teacher trainings, like YogaFit's, offer modifications for most of the postures, it is difficult to find resources on the internet which are as detailed (especially ones that include pictures!). I have included below, the best sites I have found, so far, for modifications:

1. http://www.spine-health.com/topics/conserv/yoga/yoga02.html
Spine Health

2. http://www.yogalearningcenter.com/asanas/
Yoga Learning Center offers online classes and shows modifications of various poses.

3. http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/index.cfm?ctsrc=tnavinchan
Yoga Journal

If anyone knows of other sites that include thorough descriptions and pictures of yoga postures and their respective modifications or variations, please post a comment with the link. Thanks!

What Does "Om Repair" Mean?

2005-10-08T07:21:00.000-07:00

First, "om" is the breath. Om has a slew of interpretations, including the "breath" being an expression of the essence of all living things, but in an effort to express the benefit of yoga and Om Repair to people who are skeptical at best, I'd like to keep things simple: yoga focuses a lot of time on breathing. Achieving a fluid, slow and even breathing while practicing yoga (and throughout the day) helps achieve one of yoga's primary goals - to unify the body with the spirit and mind.

The control of breathing, incorporated with "asanas" or combinations of postures and poses, moves one toward a more complete and healthy self. "Yoga" actually means "yoke" or "union". The rejoining and unifying of all elements of a person is quite a repair job. The mind likes to wander, the body likes to be lazy and the spirit likes to take a long hiatus from the forefront of our lives. When one practices yoga, the lines between the different aspects of being human (the flesh and the spirit/or mind) begin to blur.

I will be adding as many links as possible to Om Repair which outline simple and accessible approaches to yoga for those who would like to give it a try. As a new instructor of yoga, I have already noticed that at least 95% (non-scientific estimate :) ) of people who try yoga for the first time, are impressed by the renewed sense of self, physically and mentally, they feel. Yoga is not the only road to a better self, but it has quick results in all departments of the human entity.

If you like, you can take the words that "Om Repair" play on, "home repair," and think of it precisely that way -- the repairing of the home base or the place that no matter where we go, we always are -- (with ourselves).

The Launch of Om Repair!

2005-10-07T12:20:00.000-07:00

The author of Cherrystew (www.cherrystew.blogspot.com) is happy to announce the launch of a yoga website. My goal is to find lots of useful links for those who are interested in what yoga is all about.