Figuring out the style of yoga that is most enjoyable is just as important as finding the right yoga teacher. There are many different styles of yoga, but there are even more teachers out there and every teacher brings their unique touch to the class. Here are the five things to consider in the search of a yoga teacher assuming you are aware of the style that fits you best.

1) Experience. How many years of experience does the teacher have teaching yoga? Does the teacher have experience working with what you are looking for? For example, if you have Multiple Sclerosis, does the teacher have experience working with MS patients?

2) Training. Where did the yoga teacher do his or her training? Who is their teacher? Are they certified by Yoga Alliance?

3) Practice. Does the teacher have his or her own practice? True yoga teachers will have their own practice outside of teaching. How often do they practice? What are their expectations from their students in regards to practicing outside of classes?

4) Personality. Is the teacher open? Does he or she speak loud enough? Are the instructions clear? Is the teacher approachable? Is he or she taking the time to listen to and meet your individual needs?

5) Ask for Recommendations. The best way to understand the teacher and their style is to ask their students for recommendations. Current, active students are the best source for a recommendation because they will tell you why they are taking the classes.

In order to enjoy and gain maximum benefit from a yoga practice, the style must resonate and so should the teacher. The student-teacher connection is very important for the experience and practice of yoga.

Health and happiness,

Varsha

Being optimistic is similar to the principle of the Law of Attraction. By being positive, you attract more positivity. And likewise, negativity attracts negativity. An optimist sees the brighter side to every picture regardless of how gloomy the current picture looks. Optimists see illness or the presence of an imbalance as a temporary situation, which will go away soon. Pessimists define their imbalance as a misery that will never end. Law of attraction states that you become what you perceive yourself to be. Your mind is a very powerful tool.

Many of you have heard of “The Secret.” There is a book and a movie, so whether you read it or watch it, you will get the same message about the secret to life and happiness is using the law of attraction. So how does the law of attraction work? Its simple…all you have to do is think and believe. So when it comes to utilizing the law of attraction for your health, believe that you shall be well and you shall be well. Paramahansa Yogananda, who is an Indian Guru and the author of my all-time favorite book, “The Autobiography of a Yogi,” states, “I could show you that whatever your powerful mind believes very intensely would instantly come to pass.” That’s true. Whatever you put your attention on will grow stronger in your life. Its like how when one thing goes wrong, everything goes wrong and when something goes right, everything goes right. As long as you focus on the positive, things will continue to go well.

The more positive outlook you have on life, you will be happier and are statistically known to have a healthier life. If you have a cold, focus on how great you will feel once you recover, rather than focusing on how terrible you are feeling and you will feel better sooner. Those who only focus on the illnesses they have tend to attract more and more sicknesses than those who focus upon their health in a positive light. Use the law of attraction to bring about radiant health. Use affirmations, such as “I am healthy and vibrant,” rather than, “I am sick.” Although there is a benefit in just saying it, there is a greater benefit when you believe that you are well rather than ill. They say, be careful with what you wish for, cause you never know, it just may come true. That my friend is the law of attraction. Use it wisely and really, the law of attraction is the secret to a happy, healthy life.

Health and happiness,

Varsha

Holistic Health. Integrative Medicine. Integrative Health. These are just a few of the words that are used to name a new type of medicine or approach to health care. But what is it and what does it really mean? The future of health care and medicine lies in the integrated practice. Lately, all I have been doing is writing more about the politics of health and health care, rather than actual remedies. The reason is that besides being passionate about natural health, I am also very much in favor of a true medical integrated approach to health care.

There are many integrative health centers of wellness centers out there, but how many of them are truly “holistic?” Holistic is not just alternative medicine or natural healing; holistic health is all forms of medicine, eastern and western, and includes healing of the mind, body, and spirit, and not just one of them. Only working with the body is not holistic, just like only working with the spiritual Being is also not considered to be holistic. Holistic really does mean whole and not only one part or another.

When you walk into an “integrative medical center,” it is important to recognize what they actually do. There are some integrative centers that treat only according to western medicine and might incorporate a little bit of Ayurveda for example. Also, let me ask you this. What really is a “wellness” center? Again, a wellness center has a huge variety of services from meditations, to spa treatments, to classes, massages, yoga, and the list continues.

Holistic Health is often misunderstood to be only complementary and alternative forms of medicine. But really, it Holistic Health encompasses all healing modalities, whether its an eastern of western approach. True holistic healthcare means that the health of the mind, body, and spirit are taken into account. Holistic health treats not just the individual’s disease, but all the person, the state of mind, the spirit, and also takes into account the environment of the individual as well. That is where the future of health care is headed towards. It is heading towards holistic healthcare and not just one form of medicine over another. An ideal health care system will include all forms of healing and one form will not be falsely stated as being better than another form of medicine. As all forms of medicine has its own benefits and works in its own way. The integration of medicine into one holistic healthcare model is what is needed and that is where we are headed.

Health and happiness,

Varsha

Reiki is a Japanese form of energy healing. Vedic sound therapy is also the Indian form of energy healing. Massage may also constitute as energy healing. So really, what is energy healing? Again, energy healing is one of the forms of healing modalities that has many definitions. Stating positive affirmations according to “The Secret” and even using the Law of Attraction are all forms of utilizing energy healing.

We are surrounded by energy, because without energy we cannot function. For example, it takes energy to lift a heavy box, and it takes energy to come home and cook after a long day at work. The body needs energy to digest the meal and energy is also needed for the nerves within our nervous system to function. Blood circulation and the beating of the heart also takes a lot of energy.

There is a book called, “The Hidden Messages in Water,” and the examples of the hidden messages are also in the movie, “What The Bleep Do We Know.” The book and movie speak about how water forms crystals according to the messages written on the container of the water bottle. For example, if anything negative is stated on the bottle, such as “you make me sick,” then the water crystals become very dark and ugly, and ultimately, that is what you are drinking. Whereas, if the water bottle states “love and happiness,” beautiful crystals are formed. It is hard to see the difference with the naked eye, so a more realistic example are plants. If you play heavy rock music, the plant is more likely to not survive, then if you play classical music.

It really is all about what you put out there. It is the energy you give off that is absorbed by your surroundings. Food made with love always tastes better. It is all forms of energy. The first time I spoke to a friend of mine about Reiki and energy healing, he understood it to be as a form of positivity and optimism. Which is true. Remember, positive energy attracts positivity and negative energy attracts negativity. When I do Reiki or energy healing work for others, really, all that I am doing is sending them positive, clearing, healing energy to clear out the blockages and negativity. Meditation is another form of energy healing and so are positive affirmations. Energy is in your thoughts and in your actions. Use your energy wisely. There really is no exact definition of energy healing. The best way to define it is to describe it and as my friend stated, it really is a form of bringing about positivity. For example, the more negative you are, the darker and gloomier you are and thus your energy will be darker and dull. On the other hand, the happier you are, the more positivity you have, and therefore, your energy is much clearer.

Therefore, the next time you fall sick, try energy healing on yourself, by remaining positive and being happy and watch how much more quicker you recover.

Health and happiness,

Varsha