TULSA, OK -- 10/19/07 --
Yoga has been around for hundreds of years, but
it's starting to gain more popularity in the U.S. In 2006, 16.5 million
adults in the U.S. practiced yoga, and 25 million more said they intended
to try it within the next year.
Laurie Desjardins, meditation expert and creator of the Zen Stick,
discusses red flags that indicate an inept yoga teacher for people looking
for a yoga class.
"Yoga and meditation are two of the few things in life that can be relaxing
and challenging at the same time," said Desjardins. "However, not all
instructors are created equal. Most are good, but there are a few careless
ones out there.
"One of the first signs that you might have an instructor who is not up to
par is if they are busy or absent right up until the moment class is
supposed to start," said Desjardins. "Teachers should take the time to
greet all students, and they should display a positive attitude toward the
class."
Another red flag is if the teacher expects the class to be able to get into
poses without walking and talking students through the steps, or encourages
injured students to do poses that will aggravate the pain.
"Teachers should keep students' injuries in mind when they are choosing
poses," Desjardins said. "They should choose poses that won't stress
injuries, but will still challenge the uninjured students."
The teacher also shouldn't make the class hold poses while they do
something else, like talk with somebody who's come in. Teachers who
embarrass students or get an attitude if students need clarification on a
pose or question their directions should also be avoided.
"The most fundamental principles of yoga are peace, gentleness, tolerance,
grace and compassion," said Desjardins. "Good teachers will consistently
display those traits in their yoga classes."
Fortunately, Desjardins says, most yoga teachers are good ones, and the bad
ones are very rare.
"Find a class with a knowledgeable, respectful teacher, and you'll get more
out of yoga and meditation than you ever dreamed," she said.
For more information about yoga and meditation, including a list of signs
of a good yoga teacher, visit http://SleepingTiger.org.
About Sleeping Tiger, LLC
Sleeping Tiger, LLC created and produces Zen Sticks™, a meditation tool.
Sleeping Tiger is dedicated helping people find peace and tranquility in
their personal environment. They also strive to protect the world's natural
resources. A portion of all proceeds earned by Sleeping Tiger, LLC go to My
Brothers' Keeper, an organization that provides habitats and healing for
wild animals that are abused or abandoned.
Press release provided by Xeal Inc. http://www.xeal.com
Contact Information:
Laurie Desjardins
Sleeping Tiger, LLC
My Brothers' Keeper Animal Sanctuary
PO Box 280
Sperry, OK 74073
918-288-2073
Email Contact
http://SleepingTiger.org
