...The fact that you answer your telephone is an advantage over most Yoga studios in your geographic area. Many Yoga teachers do not follow up on phone messages, have a phone answering system, or have a live person fielding inquiries.

Many Yoga studios are part-time businesses, but this is not an excuse for lack of professionalism. If you look around, you can find many businesses with poor customer service.

However, do you want your Yoga studio to be compared with them as just marginally better, or would you prefer to be known as The best Yoga studio in town?

If you want to be successful, you must instill the desire to offer a premium Yoga teaching service, in your staff, and within you. Most of us have other Yoga studios in our areas and cannot afford to give off a less than profe...more

Sweatin' with the Yogis

...I'd say one of the successes of Bikram yoga is this immediate result. I've never sweated so much in my life. Before even starting the postures sweat was pouring off my body. This may sound awful, but the heat quickly escapes your mind as your focus is redirected to maintaining the 60-second poses. A 60 second hold is quite difficult because it involves balancing and holding your own body weight, resulting in a serious workout that reaches muscles never worked before.

Fortunately, Bikram yoga is easier than other yoga programs. It isn't usually necessary to skip postures because you are unable to do them. Each posture is performed in sets of three so it's no trouble to learn and perfect them faster. Bikram yoga requires two sided mirrors, and detailed, repetitive instructions so it isn't necessary to look at the instructor. I was able to adjust my own posture and correct myself, providing an added benefit to yoga self-confidence.

What if I'm not flexible? Yoga isn't all about flexibility. The aim of Bikram yoga is not to twist the body into bizarre pretzel shapes, but to strengthen the body's natural range of motion, to restore flow throughout all bodily systems. The heated environment ensures a safe stretch as you loosen up over time. It isn't necessary to reach all these positions in order to do yoga. All that matters is to attempt to go to your personal 'edge'. As Khun Karoonkornsakul said, "Don't expect so much. Yoga is not co...more

Branches Or basics of Yoga

...Raja Yoga are inter-related and dependant upon each other. Western practitioners associate yoga with the hatha branch to attain mental and physical wellbeing.

Raja Yoga
Raja translates as royal and meditation is central to this branch of yoga, which has eight side branches or limbs in an order that must be strictly followed. We start with Yama meaning ethical standards, Niyama self discipline, asana posture, pranayama breathing control, pratyahara - sensory withdrawal, dharana meditation, samadhi - ecstasy or final liberation. Those inclined to introspection or meditation are best suited to Raja yoga.

Though members of religious orders and spiritual communities devote themselves to this yoga branch, one does not have to embrace a monastic lifestyle to gain from the benefits of practicing Raja Yoga.

karma Yoga
The fundamental principle of karma Yoga is that what we experience now is created by our past actions, whether in this life or a previous one. Once we understand this principal, then we can ensure all our present actions help create a future free of negativity and selfishness. To practice karma Yoga is to lead a life of selfless service to others.

Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti Yoga is yoga of the heart, a branch of devotion Bhakti is the Sanskrit term for selfless love of God and mankind. Bhakti prin...more

The Purpose of Yoga- Choosing a Yoga Teacher and a Yoga School

...Choosing the right Yoga teacher, and a compatible Yoga style, is more complicated than most people realize. Most Yoga students should first research through the many Yoga styles available, in their local area, to determine which will best suit their needs.

There are many to choose from, when you consider there are nine main Yoga styles from India. These nine main styles are: Bhakti, Raja, karma, Jnana, Hatha, Kundalini, Tantra, Yantra, and Mantra Yoga. Each of these Yoga styles places different emphasis on the methods for union of mind, body, emotion, and spirit. There are also many hundreds of sub-styles of these forms of Yoga.

Outside of India, Hatha Yoga, and its many sub-styles, is most commonly seen. With all of this in mind, researching...more

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