Gentle Yummy Restorative Yoga and Cancer – The Dessert of Yoga Classes

 

Restorative yoga is one of the most underrated of all the kinds of yoga out there but one of the yummiest, the dessert of yoga.  You won’t get Taylor Lautner’s abs from doing this kind of practice since there is no jumping and hopping around like some of the power yoga classes out there.

There are various adjustments to traditional yoga that allow for a gentle, therapeutic practice. This is called restorative yoga and classes generally consist of poses, breathing and meditation.

Yoga may also assist in managing depression, anxiety, insomnia, pain, and fatigue.   It can increase the quality of life for those directly affected by cancer and those who care for them. Complementary therapy such as yoga can be crucial in helping those affected by cancer develop a solid physical, emotional and mental base as they make- the sometimes difficult- transition from being a person with cancer to living as a cancer survivor. Yoga might not affect your recovery on a physical level but it can change your perspective so that you are able to face difficult situation with less fear and more control and emotional mastery.

Cancer patients often find themselves in distracted states of mind—bombarded as they are by frightening, sometimes contradictory, information, subjected to invasive, painful procedures, and not-always-compassionate medical care. When our minds are so grievously disturbed, we may find it impossible to make crucial decisions or relate satisfactorily to our family and friends. Practicing controlled breathing exercises (also called Pranayama), meditation can help in relieving tension. When the tension is released, energy can flow more easily in the body and allow patients to experience a sense of well-being, emotional mastery and strength. In healthy people when practiced appropriately with an experienced teacher, yoga is generally considered to be safe.

People with certain medical conditions should not do certain yoga practices or should consult a medical pratitioner that is also knowledgeable about yoga poses and contraindiciations. For example, people with disc disease of the spine, extremely high or low blood pressure, glaucoma, retinal detachment, fragile or atherosclerotic arteries, a risk of blood clots, ear problems, severe osteoporosis, or cervical spondylitis should avoid some inverted poses.

Although yoga during pregnancy is safe if practiced under expert guidance, pregnant women should avoid certain poses that may be problematic and should only practice with a teacher trained in prenatal yoga.

Yoga can boost a woman’s quality of life while she’s being treated for breast cancer.  According to recent research, women who did yoga classes had better emotional, social, and spiritual well-being compared to women who didn’t do yoga. Women who were not having chemotherapy got more benefits from yoga. This could be because fatigue and other chemotherapy side effects may make it harder to participate in a yoga class.

Maintaining balance in your life while dealing with breast cancer can be difficult. Yoga focuses on the interactions between your mind, your body, and your behavior.  While scientific research on yoga is relatively new and the studies are small, early results have shown that some yoga may help ease physical and emotional symptoms in some people. When combined with conventional medicine, complementary therapies may offer a more integrated approach to healing.

Sleep disturbances and fatigue are an enormously burdensome problem among cancer survivors; 30 to 50 percent of newly diagnosed or recently treated cancer patients have trouble sleeping, and 70 to 96 percent of recently treated cancer patients complain of fatigue. The reasons for this aren’t clear. Experts cite psychosocial factors as well as physical ones.

Restorative yoga, which is the most gentle kind of yoga, may provide some relief of fatigue and depression problems for women with breast cancer. In restorative yoga you can hold the poses for longer because you’re being supported.  Researchers found women who practiced this gentler version of the popular mind-body therapy had a 50 percent reduction in depression and a 12 percent increase in feelings of peacefulness.

Practicing  continuous flowing movements has a positive impact on the lymphatic system, and in particular Lymphedema. When lymph fluid is disrupted through breast cancer surgery, trauma or infection there may be an excessive fluid build up.  This stagnant fluid can play havoc on the tissues and create swelling. There also can be a reduction of the oxygen intake or absorption to the lymphatic system; all of which increases the chance for infection.

Practicing a flowing yoga keeps the lymphatic fluid pumping throughout the body’s channels, rather than accumulating or backing up. It is great for maintaining healthy breast tissue.  To keep this fluid moving, we need to also foster relaxation. It will facilitate renewed or restored strength, and flexibility.

Flowing yoga movements develop a supple spine and a strong nervous system so when the nervous system is in balance the parasympathetic and sympathetic system work together creating great calm.

When flowing in the practice the poses encourage digestion, assimilation and elimination.  The body’s immune system is stimulated to maintain health. When flowing from a backward bend to a forward bend, the spine will roll vertebra by vertebra, either in an ascending or descending order, while following the natural wave of the spine.  Here it will recognize naturally that a backbend (extension) will flow from a forward bend (flexion) and vice versa.

There is so much to learn from survivors about being in a warrior pose. Living with fear helps make a warrior. It is the first lesson cancer teaches a survivor, being prepared for the uncertainty of their new life. Having worn the coat of a life-threatening diagnosis, practicing savasana is no longer just an “idea” or an abstraction, but can be an unavoidable part of daily life. I believe this is the biggest difference in teaching yoga to cancer survivors. A life-threatening illness can help us all learn how to live fearlessly. Another difference is that it can become a shared goal for both the yoga teacher and student. If faced directly, cancer is everyone’s teacher.

What are your thought about practicing yoga and when you have cancer?  Post your thoughts on our Facebook page.

===============================

For free articles about yoga mailed once a month, email  info at synergybyjasmine dot com with “Request Yoga Tips” in headline.
Twitter – synergyjasmine
Facebook – www.facebook.com/couplesyoga
You Tube – http://www.youtube.com/user/SynergybyJasmine
Published for synergybyjasmine.com

Jasmine Kaloudis teacher yoga classes in Philadelphia and is the author of the Top 100 Mind-Body-Spirit websites.  http://www.synergybyjasmine.com/media/mind-body-spirit-yoga-top100list/

 

Top 10 CDs I Play in Yoga Class. ~ Jasmine Kaloudis

Top 10 CDs I Play in Yoga Class. ~ Jasmine Kaloudis

Untitled

Research has shown that yoga and other types of mind-body practices can help improve patient outcomes, particularly quality-of-life. However, none have become standard of care, or are on the clinical care pathway for cancer patients.

The Status of Yoga Research

• Research suggests that yoga might:
• Improve mood, decrease stress and sense of well-being
• Improve cardiovascular health such as reducing heart rate and blood pressure
• Improve muscle relaxation and body composition
• Help with conditions such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia
• Improve overall physical fitness, strength, and flexibility
• Positively affect levels of certain brain or blood chemicals.

 

Patients who participated in the yoga program reported that their ability to engage in everyday activities - walking up stairs or around the neighborhood, carrying groceries - all improved.  Studies also found improved sleep and reduced fatigue levels, and preliminary analysis suggests lowered stress hormone levels.

Through lecture, breath work, guided imagery and gentle physical postures, students learn techniques to manage treatment side effects, cultivate emotional balance, reduce stress and improve overall health.

While it's not a cure for cancer, yoga enhances physical and emotional wellness—and brings a peace many patients had thought they'd lost forever.

People with cancer may use yoga to:

• Help cope with the side effects of cancer treatments, such as nausea, discomfort, pain, and fatigue;
• Comfort themselves and ease the worries of cancer treatment and related stress;
• Feel that they are more empowered with their own care and well-being.

Mind-Body Medicines

• These are based on the belief that your mind is able to affect your body. Some examples are:
• Meditation: Focused breathing or repetition of words, matras or phrases to quiet the mind;
• Yoga: Systems of stretches and poses, with special attention given to breathing;

What questions should I ask my doctor about Yoga?

1. What types of Yoga might:
2. Help me cope, reduce my stress, and feel better?
3. Help me feel less tired?
4. Help me deal with cancer symptoms, such as pain, or side effects of treatment, such as nausea?
5. Improve my level of vitality and wellness?
6. Are there any kinds of yoga (hot, power, kundalini) or poses ( backbends, inversions, balancing) that I should avoid?

If I decide to try a Yoga:

1. Will it interfere with my treatment or medicines?
2. Can you help me understand these articles I found about ygoa?
3. Can you suggest a yoga practitioner for me to talk to?
4. Will you work with my yoga practitioner?

Choose Yoga Teachers with Care

• Choosing one should be done with the same care as choosing a doctor. Here are some things to remember when choosing a Yoga Teacher:
• Ask your doctor or nurse to suggest someone or speak with someone who knows about yoga.
• Ask whether someone at your cancer center or doctor's office can help you find a yoga teacher. There may be a social worker or physical therapist who can help you.
• Ask whether your hospital keeps lists of centers or has staff who can suggest people.
• Contact Yoga Alliance to get names of practitioners who are certified. This means that they have proper training in their field.
• Contact local health and wellness organizations.
• Ask about each practitioner's training and experience. They should be certified a Yoga Alliance approved school.
• Call your health care plan to see if it covers yoga.

What general questions should I ask the Yoga Teacher?

• What types of yoga do you practice?
• What are your training and qualifications?
• Do you teach other students with my type of cancer?

If You Are Thinking About Yoga

• Do not use yoga as a replacement for conventional care or to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem.
• If you have a medical condition, consult with your health care provider before starting yoga.
• Ask about the physical demands of the type of yoga in which you are interested, as well as the training and experience of the yoga teacher you are considering.
• Look for published research studies on yoga for the health condition you are interested in.
• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a complete picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

If you're taking a class and have difficulty with a pose, an experienced instructor will design an easier posture for you or give you modifications to make it more accessible. Many teachers use props such as blocks or cushions to make the practice more comfortable.

If you find even basic classes to be too difficult, ask your teacher if there is a "restorative" yoga class you could try. These gentle classes are beneficial when recovering from illness or surgery and involve a minimum of physical work, concentrating on breathing while being supported by pillows, blocks, blankets and other props.

Important things to consider before trying yoga

 

1. Like all practices, yoga comes with some risks:
2. Risk of inexperienced instructors: Because of the variation in certification requirements for yoga teachers, it's possible to take a class with a yoga teacher who has very little experience. This is not always safe and can result in injuries. Ask your oncologist or cancer center staff to recommend highly experienced yoga instructors who regularly work with cancer patients.
3. Risk of lymphedema: In people who have had lymph nodes removed, some of the more strenuous yoga types and poses may present a risk for lymphedema.Lymphedema (pronounced LIMF-eh-DEE-ma) is a side effect that can begin during or after breast cancer treatment. It isn't life threatening, but can last over a long period of time. Lymphedema involves swelling of the soft tissues of the arm or hand. The swelling may be accompanied by numbness, discomfort, and sometimes infection.  A yoga instructor who has experience with breast cancer patients will know which yoga types and poses are safe.
4. Risk of fracture in people with bone metastasis: In people with breast cancer that has metastasized to the bone, some types of yoga may carry a risk of fractures. If you have bone metastasis, ask your doctor whether yoga is right for you, or if there is a gentle form of yoga  such as restorative yoga or another practice that might work better, such as guided imagery. Always check with your doctor before you begin a yoga practice, especially if it vigorous or physically challenging.

 

What are your thought about practicing yoga and when you have cancer?  Post your thoughts on our Facebook page.

===============================

For free articles about yoga mailed once a month, email  info at synergybyjasmine dot com with “Request Yoga Tips” in headline.
Twitter – synergyjasmine
Facebook – www.facebook.com/couplesyoga
You Tube – http://www.youtube.com/user/SynergybyJasmine
Published for synergybyjasmine.com
For articles, tips and suggestions about yoga: Yoga class in Philadelphia

Jasmine Kaloudis teacher yoga classes in Philadelphia and is the author of the Top 100 Mind-Body-Spirit websites.  http://www.synergybyjasmine.com/media/mind-body-spirit-yoga-top100list/

 

 

Yoga and Cancer - Questions to Ask Your Health Care Provider and Yoga Teacher

Research has shown that yoga and other types of mind-body practices can help improve patient outcomes, particularly quality-of-life. However, none have become standard of care, or are on the clinical care pathway for cancer patients.

The Status of Yoga Research

• Research suggests that yoga might:
• Improve mood, decrease stress and sense of well-being
• Improve cardiovascular health such as reducing heart rate and blood pressure
• Improve muscle relaxation and body composition
• Help with conditions such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia
• Improve overall physical fitness, strength, and flexibility
• Positively affect levels of certain brain or blood chemicals.
  

 

Patients who participated in the yoga program reported that their ability to engage in everyday activities - walking up stairs or around the neighborhood, carrying groceries - all improved.  Studies also found improved sleep and reduced fatigue levels, and preliminary analysis suggests lowered stress hormone levels.

Through lecture, breath work, guided imagery and gentle physical postures, students learn techniques to manage treatment side effects, cultivate emotional balance, reduce stress and improve overall health.

While it's not a cure for cancer, yoga enhances physical and emotional wellness—and brings a peace many patients had thought they'd lost forever.

People with cancer may use yoga to:

• Help cope with the side effects of cancer treatments, such as nausea, discomfort, pain, and fatigue;
• Comfort themselves and ease the worries of cancer treatment and related stress;
• Feel that they are more empowered with their own care and well-being.

Mind-Body Medicines

• These are based on the belief that your mind is able to affect your body. Some examples are:
• Meditation: Focused breathing or repetition of words, matras or phrases to quiet the mind;
• Yoga: Systems of stretches and poses, with special attention given to breathing;

What questions should I ask my doctor about Yoga?

1. What types of Yoga might:
2. Help me cope, reduce my stress, and feel better?
3. Help me feel less tired?
4. Help me deal with cancer symptoms, such as pain, or side effects of treatment, such as nausea?
5. Improve my level of vitality and wellness?
6. Are there any kinds of yoga (hot, power, kundalini) or poses ( backbends, inversions, balancing) that I should avoid?

If I decide to try a Yoga:

1. Will it interfere with my treatment or medicines?
2. Can you help me understand these articles I found about ygoa?
3. Can you suggest a yoga practitioner for me to talk to?
4. Will you work with my yoga practitioner?

Choose Yoga Teachers with Care

• Choosing one should be done with the same care as choosing a doctor. Here are some things to remember when choosing a Yoga Teacher:
• Ask your doctor or nurse to suggest someone or speak with someone who knows about yoga.
• Ask whether someone at your cancer center or doctor's office can help you find a yoga teacher. There may be a social worker or physical therapist who can help you.
• Ask whether your hospital keeps lists of centers or has staff who can suggest people.
• Contact Yoga Alliance to get names of practitioners who are certified. This means that they have proper training in their field.
• Contact local health and wellness organizations.
• Ask about each practitioner's training and experience. They should be certified a Yoga Alliance approved school.
• Call your health care plan to see if it covers yoga.

What general questions should I ask the Yoga Teacher?

• What types of yoga do you practice?
• What are your training and qualifications?
• Do you teach other students with my type of cancer?

If You Are Thinking About Yoga

• Do not use yoga as a replacement for conventional care or to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem.
• If you have a medical condition, consult with your health care provider before starting yoga.
• Ask about the physical demands of the type of yoga in which you are interested, as well as the training and experience of the yoga teacher you are considering.
• Look for published research studies on yoga for the health condition you are interested in.
• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a complete picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

If you're taking a class and have difficulty with a pose, an experienced instructor will design an easier posture for you or give you modifications to make it more accessible. Many teachers use props such as blocks or cushions to make the practice more comfortable.

If you find even basic classes to be too difficult, ask your teacher if there is a "restorative" yoga class you could try. These gentle classes are beneficial when recovering from illness or surgery and involve a minimum of physical work, concentrating on breathing while being supported by pillows, blocks, blankets and other props.

Important things to consider before trying yoga

 

1. Like all practices, yoga comes with some risks:
2. Risk of inexperienced instructors: Because of the variation in certification requirements for yoga teachers, it's possible to take a class with a yoga teacher who has very little experience. This is not always safe and can result in injuries. Ask your oncologist or cancer center staff to recommend highly experienced yoga instructors who regularly work with cancer patients.
3. Risk of lymphedema: In people who have had lymph nodes removed, some of the more strenuous yoga types and poses may present a risk for lymphedema.Lymphedema (pronounced LIMF-eh-DEE-ma) is a side effect that can begin during or after breast cancer treatment. It isn't life threatening, but can last over a long period of time. Lymphedema involves swelling of the soft tissues of the arm or hand. The swelling may be accompanied by numbness, discomfort, and sometimes infection.  A yoga instructor who has experience with breast cancer patients will know which yoga types and poses are safe.
4. Risk of fracture in people with bone metastasis: In people with breast cancer that has metastasized to the bone, some types of yoga may carry a risk of fractures. If you have bone metastasis, ask your doctor whether yoga is right for you, or if there is a gentle form of yoga  such as restorative yoga or another practice that might work better, such as guided imagery. Always check with your doctor before you begin a yoga practice, especially if it vigorous or physically challenging.

 

What are your thought about practicing yoga and when you have cancer?  Post your thoughts on our Facebook page.

===============================

For free articles about yoga mailed once a month, email  info at synergybyjasmine dot com with “Request Yoga Tips” in headline.
Twitter – synergyjasmine
Facebook – www.facebook.com/couplesyoga
You Tube – http://www.youtube.com/user/SynergybyJasmine
Published for synergybyjasmine.com
For articles, tips and suggestions about yoga: Yoga class in Philadelphia

Jasmine Kaloudis teacher yoga classes in Philadelphia and is the author of the Top 100 Mind-Body-Spirit websites.  http://www.synergybyjasmine.com/media/mind-body-spirit-yoga-top100list/

 

 

Yoga and Cancer - Questions to Ask Your Health Care Provider and Yoga Teacher

Research has shown that yoga and other types of mind-body practices can help improve patient outcomes, particularly quality-of-life. However, none have become standard of care, or are on the clinical care pathway for cancer patients.

The Status of Yoga Research

• Research suggests that yoga might:
• Improve mood, decrease stress and sense of well-being
• Improve cardiovascular health such as reducing heart rate and blood pressure
• Improve muscle relaxation and body composition
• Help with conditions such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia
• Improve overall physical fitness, strength, and flexibility
• Positively affect levels of certain brain or blood chemicals.

 

Patients who participated in the yoga program reported that their ability to engage in everyday activities - walking up stairs or around the neighborhood, carrying groceries - all improved.  Studies also found improved sleep and reduced fatigue levels, and preliminary analysis suggests lowered stress hormone levels.

Through lecture, breath work, guided imagery and gentle physical postures, students learn techniques to manage treatment side effects, cultivate emotional balance, reduce stress and improve overall health.

While it's not a cure for cancer, yoga enhances physical and emotional wellness—and brings a peace many patients had thought they'd lost forever.

People with cancer may use yoga to:

• Help cope with the side effects of cancer treatments, such as nausea, discomfort, pain, and fatigue;
• Comfort themselves and ease the worries of cancer treatment and related stress;
• Feel that they are more empowered with their own care and well-being.

Mind-Body Medicines

• These are based on the belief that your mind is able to affect your body. Some examples are:
• Meditation: Focused breathing or repetition of words, matras or phrases to quiet the mind;
• Yoga: Systems of stretches and poses, with special attention given to breathing;

What questions should I ask my doctor about Yoga?

1. What types of Yoga might:
2. Help me cope, reduce my stress, and feel better?
3. Help me feel less tired?
4. Help me deal with cancer symptoms, such as pain, or side effects of treatment, such as nausea?
5. Improve my level of vitality and wellness?
6. Are there any kinds of yoga (hot, power, kundalini) or poses ( backbends, inversions, balancing) that I should avoid?

If I decide to try a Yoga:

1. Will it interfere with my treatment or medicines?
2. Can you help me understand these articles I found about ygoa?
3. Can you suggest a yoga practitioner for me to talk to?
4. Will you work with my yoga practitioner?

Choose Yoga Teachers with Care

• Choosing one should be done with the same care as choosing a doctor. Here are some things to remember when choosing a Yoga Teacher:
• Ask your doctor or nurse to suggest someone or speak with someone who knows about yoga.
• Ask whether someone at your cancer center or doctor's office can help you find a yoga teacher. There may be a social worker or physical therapist who can help you.
• Ask whether your hospital keeps lists of centers or has staff who can suggest people.
• Contact Yoga Alliance to get names of practitioners who are certified. This means that they have proper training in their field.
• Contact local health and wellness organizations.
• Ask about each practitioner's training and experience. They should be certified a Yoga Alliance approved school.
• Call your health care plan to see if it covers yoga.

What general questions should I ask the Yoga Teacher?

• What types of yoga do you practice?
• What are your training and qualifications?
• Do you teach other students with my type of cancer?

If You Are Thinking About Yoga

• Do not use yoga as a replacement for conventional care or to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem.
• If you have a medical condition, consult with your health care provider before starting yoga.
• Ask about the physical demands of the type of yoga in which you are interested, as well as the training and experience of the yoga teacher you are considering.
• Look for published research studies on yoga for the health condition you are interested in.
• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a complete picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

If you're taking a class and have difficulty with a pose, an experienced instructor will design an easier posture for you or give you modifications to make it more accessible. Many teachers use props such as blocks or cushions to make the practice more comfortable.

If you find even basic classes to be too difficult, ask your teacher if there is a "restorative" yoga class you could try. These gentle classes are beneficial when recovering from illness or surgery and involve a minimum of physical work, concentrating on breathing while being supported by pillows, blocks, blankets and other props.

Important things to consider before trying yoga

 

1. Like all practices, yoga comes with some risks:
2. Risk of inexperienced instructors: Because of the variation in certification requirements for yoga teachers, it's possible to take a class with a yoga teacher who has very little experience. This is not always safe and can result in injuries. Ask your oncologist or cancer center staff to recommend highly experienced yoga instructors who regularly work with cancer patients.
3. Risk of lymphedema: In people who have had lymph nodes removed, some of the more strenuous yoga types and poses may present a risk for lymphedema.Lymphedema (pronounced LIMF-eh-DEE-ma) is a side effect that can begin during or after breast cancer treatment. It isn't life threatening, but can last over a long period of time. Lymphedema involves swelling of the soft tissues of the arm or hand. The swelling may be accompanied by numbness, discomfort, and sometimes infection.  A yoga instructor who has experience with breast cancer patients will know which yoga types and poses are safe.
4. Risk of fracture in people with bone metastasis: In people with breast cancer that has metastasized to the bone, some types of yoga may carry a risk of fractures. If you have bone metastasis, ask your doctor whether yoga is right for you, or if there is a gentle form of yoga  such as restorative yoga or another practice that might work better, such as guided imagery. Always check with your doctor before you begin a yoga practice, especially if it vigorous or physically challenging.

 

What are your thought about practicing yoga and when you have cancer?  Post your thoughts on our Facebook page.

===============================

For free articles about yoga mailed once a month, email  info at synergybyjasmine dot com with “Request Yoga Tips” in headline.
Twitter – synergyjasmine
Facebook – www.facebook.com/couplesyoga
You Tube – http://www.youtube.com/user/SynergybyJasmine
Published for synergybyjasmine.com
For articles, tips and suggestions about yoga: Yoga class in Philadelphia

Jasmine Kaloudis teacher yoga classes in Philadelphia and is the author of the Top 100 Mind-Body-Spirit websites.  http://www.synergybyjasmine.com/media/mind-body-spirit-yoga-top100list/

 

 

Yoga Music Reviews- Top 10 CDs I play in ClassYoga Music Reviews- Top 10 CDs I play in Class

via synergybyjasmine.com

Even if you don’t practice yoga, these CDs will work well if you want a sacred vibe for meditation or a special ceremony. .....

Yoga-ing when You are Flat Broke - How to get Free, Trade or Discounted Yoga Classes

 

Down and out and need to be stretched and inspired?  When I was working full time and making close to 6 figures I didn’t think too much about how to get free classes.  I just paid full retail price and floated out of my class with my yoga buzz.  I also took a few yoga-centered vacations at places like Omega and Kripalu. 

The key is to be creative in your mindset and think about what you have of value and what you can offer the studio in exchange for you getting your downdog on.

1. Often studios will let you take the first class for free or at a steep discount. Yogaworks lets you take the first took weeks of unlimited classes at one of their studios for $20.
2. Barter is back!  Some studios will let you do a work exchange for a workshop or teacher training.   I know one college student that mopped the floors of her yoga studio a few times a week so she could do the more advanced and pricey teacher trainings.  Can you do massage, graphic design, accounting, basic admin work, web site design?  Maybe you can trade.
3. I monitor via twitalerts terms like yoga philly, yoga philadelphia and almost every week there are deals from studios for a month of classes at 75% off from sites like Living Social, Groupon etc.  This strategy works well for major metropolitan areas but not so much for small rural ones.  You can sign up for a free account at twilert.com and moniter Twitter for certain keywords ....much better than following your Twitter feed every day (does anyone actually do that?)
4. If all else fails, ask.  I really wanted to take a yoga teacher training but the $1500 was just out of my budget.  I emailed the teacher how much I wanted to take her training.  The teacher offered one scholarship to one student each term that did not have the means and I received it for 50% off. Congratulations to me!
5. There was a training I really wanted to take and I offered to be the teacher’s assistant.  I didn’t need to do that much during the class and I received an awesome core strength teacher training.
6. Are you a blogger or do you write reviews on sites like Yelp, Citysearch etc?   Ask if there are press passes in exchange for an article or blog and list where you will publish these.
7. Offer to post flyers at the cafes, natural food stores, wellness centers, etc that you frequent.  Be specific about where you will post these, how often and how many.  Can someone offer to do this for me?  I’d love for someone that lives near one of the studios that I teach at every week to go flyering once a month.
8. If you read the fine print of your health care plan, they might reimburse you fully or partially for fitness classes.
9. Can you recruit a small group of friends to come to classes with you?  Maybe you are pregnant and know a few other pregnant women that would love to take a Tuesday afternoon prenatal yoga class.  Offer to organize the group and see what discount you would get as the organizer.  
10. When I was “liberated” from a Fortune 500 company a few years ago I got a great severance package. They offered to pay up to $8,000 for educational benefits.  That is how I got quite a bit of my yoga teacher training.  See if your company offers educational reimbursements for current employees.
11. There is an ocean of online yoga videos for free or at a steep disount online.  Do a search under videos in Google and be specific about what kind of yoga you want.  Do you want a vigorous vinyasa class or a gentle beginner class?  Since you can’t watch an hour video for free usually there are many sites that you pay a monthly membership $20 and can do as many classes as you want a month.
12. For the studios that are very near you, subscribe to their newsletters.  They will mention free workshops, anniversary weeks etc.  If they cram up your inbox too much, ask them nicely to only mail once a month otherwise you will need to unsubscribe.  (I’ve done this politely and the studio was respectful and put me on a “low flow” option.
13. Do you have a birthday coming up?  If people ask what you want, let them know you would love to have a monthly pass for yoga classses at the local hot yoga studio that is blocks from your house.  I would much rather buy something my friend will enjoy and appreciate instead of a soap-on-a-rope. (Yes, I have bought that for someone before).

 

What are your ideas and techniques for getting free, trade or discounted yoga classes?  Post your thoughts on our Facebook page.

Manayunk_For_Wholeness_Shoot_-_iPhone.m4v Watch on Posterous

=======================================================================================

For free articles about yoga mailed once a month, email  info at synergybyjasmine dot com with “Request Yoga Tips” in headline.

Twitter – synergyjasmine
Facebook – www.facebook.com/couplesyoga
You Tube – http://www.youtube.com/user/SynergybyJasmine
Published for synergybyjasmine.com
For articles, tips and suggestions about yoga: Yoga class in Philadelphia

 

Jasmine Kaloudis teacher yoga classes in Philadelphia and is the author of the Top 100 Mind-Body-Spirit websites.   http://www.synergybyjasmine.com/media/mind-body-spirit-yoga-top100list/