Yoga Retreat

Many people nowadays are facing lot of stress, troubles from all sides. At this time they may want vacation for peace and body relaxation. Therefore yoga retreat is the perfect environment to change you not for one month, which is for the whole year. Also this retreat allows you to improve your health and adventure, fun that you are looking for. This retreat creates those who are interested in yoga, greatest atmosphere where they can practice yoga with much concentration.

It provides treatment for spiritual, mental rejuvenation and physical problem through yoga, healing arts and meditation. When you practicing yoga all the time on a yoga retreat, you will have chance to interact with many peoples, who experienced in their life’s and have opportunity to share your feelings with them. This can form a lifetime friendship through the different types of exercise. For making peaceful mind, it often takes into beautiful places and peaceful environments, which will make the participants in greater level of peace and relaxation.

There are gurus and experienced persons in yoga, who will lead the retreat and do special attention to the fresher if they need any help or support. You don't worry about food and accommodation that provide every thing on retreat. They pay comprehensive attention to the whole person until you leave the place. Different cultural programs organized in retreat will entertain you. And their staffs are committed work and provide best service at any time you need any thing.

The main goal of Yoga treats is, to foster peace and relaxation and people can balance their mind and body at any situation. if you don't like to have phone or television in your room that would be a best way to avoid this craziness of life so you always prefer peacefulness. You can find different yoga treats, that information is available on Internet and can choose and book the treats through online. Most retreats offer different packages at different prices. You can select interested location that can be available on the website. Some websites provides reviews written by guests that sure to read, based on that you can decide which retreat is best and what they consists of.

Whatever you choose the yoga retreat that would give you a peaceful exercise and they are able to focus on yourself for a few days. The final result will be increasing your health and rejuvenated spirit. Guest at Shreyas will be trained in different elements of yoga for body/mind balance, flexibility, physical strength, and therapeutic, physiological benefits. Their instructors will teach spiritual path through different types of meditation. Yoga is an art of life that can be learned by any person.

By practicing Yoga will make amazing effect on mind and body and one can balance with lives of problems and worries. You can learn yoga by using CD's or books, which are provided by famous gurus and experienced persons in yoga. They include photos, which are demonstrating you about each posture. Yoga will give you confidence at the physical with proper asanas and diet, mental and level of intelligence with meditation, and physiological with pranayama that is breathing practices.

Yoga Studio

Inside the yoga studio people will find a pleasant atmosphere and provides great place to practice yoga for those interested to learn. And they will supply yoga mats, meditation pillows or benches and blankets for learners in the studio. Every studio put a restriction for students to come 15 minutes before class starts because this allows the students to leave all tensions, troubles outside the studio and get relax before entering into the studio. When you are entering into studio set your body into peace and relaxation. Stretch out yourself completely on your mat or blanket and get into relax that allows you experience body relaxation and peaceful mind. If you can, start stretching and warming up or sit in a moment of silent meditation. When you are practicing yoga, it is better to have empty stomach. You can practice yoga after 1 to 2 hours of full meals; meantime you can take fruits or juice, which before one hour to practice.

You should wear comfort, light and loose clothes that you can stretch your body easily and remove wristwatch, jewelry and belt, which may disturb with you movements. You can develop yourself and receive more benefits from the studio that is possible when you practice sincerely what they teach in the class. You can ask any questions regarding on yoga, they are free to clarify your doubts and questions. You have to attend the classes regularly that are benefits for you. By practicing yoga, you can have more benefits from that, in spite of age, flexibility and degree of accomplishment of the exercise. You should practice daily that what you learned in the class then you will receive greatest benefit from this yoga course. When you are perfect in that you can teach others by your experience in the studio. If you have any doubts regarding yoga lessons, they provide extra session where you can clarify all you doubts. They will give you some guidelines and suggestions, which will be more helpful for practicing good yoga.

In yoga studios, they can also provide yoga-teaching services over the telephone. The previous yoga students or any person having any questions or doubts will be answered with one phone call. They are very comfortable to solve your problems. Don't stop practicing yoga regularly because you will have more effect on your mind as well as body to be strong. You will be beneficial for you in terms of developing stamina, improve body awareness, increase energy, reduce tension, enhance flexibility, promote relaxation and calmness, increasing concentration, build more strength. Any one can do yoga, which is non competitive. It means you will learn how the body works and exploit its potential. Yoga works only on your physical body, yoga doesn't force a system of goals that you have to drive yourself, but it allows you to determine your capability and strength. The main aim of yoga studio is to release tensions, worries and all mental and physical problems of every individual who suffer with them. They can able to change you everything wrong in you.

Teacher Training

Yoga is simple to learn and practice and it can be far more than a highly useful series of esoteric physical exercises. Yoga is an art, traditional and developing the science. There are several branches in yoga for people can choose interested course in them. Here are some yoga teacher training programs. There is also available Yoga teacher training at online if you prefer to take that don’t allow you to accept their weekend certifications. Because this program teaches you only about techniques in breathing and fundamentals of yoga poses but you can have more knowledge than the normal yoga student. You should have complete command over the syllabus that is very much important. When you are choosing a complete training program that should be information regarding Asanas, Pranayama along with Yoga teacher ethics, how to align postures, appropriate method of using prop, chakras, niyamas, yoga method, bandhas, philosophy, marketing, mudras doshas, Yamas, teaching tips of yoga, relaxation, even Meditation, Kinesilogy and many more things.

It is better to take yoga teacher training at Yoga retreat or Yoga ashram, which allows you to concentrate on subject without any disturbance of outside the world. There are few yoga ashrams, which provide temporary residence for yoga teacher interns and the staff during the training period. And there you can feel wonderful atmosphere and enjoy in yoga teacher training program. if you are alone and don't have any obligation with your employer then this is the best way to join the yoga teacher training and to become good yoga teacher. If any person is interested in yoga can join yoga teacher training with or without need of yoga certification. There are some requirements that should complete successfully, based on that certification will be awarded. Requirements are successful in practicing yoga and more knowledge on principles of yoga and more over able to explain them to others. If any person not able to complete their course during the time period even though they give chance to complete their course.

Uses of Yoga Teacher Training Course

Yoga is an art of life, which is more than highly successful sequence of esoteric physical exercise. Actually it has different type’s practices and techniques. It is an ancient because this has to be applied sensitively and creatively to the weak moment. This yoga includes all life's and emphasize the importance of their life’s to make shine in the earth. Yoga is aiming at transferring them from dull ness to joy and mechanical life into more enjoyable living. Yoga can help you to expand your potential in every part of your life and make you to face challenges from all sides and find out the sacredness in your life. People are looking for a genuine transformation that is; love, compassion, knowledge, having alert mind and ability to handle situation at any circumstances. Yoga is completely dedicated to this beginning. Whether you opt for transformation in your life or become a yoga teacher, whatever it is, and yoga is always needed in our lives.

Yoga therapy is termed as science, which is applying the several elements of yoga in different kinds of illness and situations, to provide fine healing, awakening and good health. Classes are designed for the individual or group with a therapeutic focus for a specific health condition e.g. cancer, heart, prenatal, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. Use of meditation, asanas and pranayama for curing the health problems is generally known as Yoga Therapy or Yoga Chikitsa and it has been in use from thousands of years by Yogic as well as Ayurvedic people in India. In this Yoga therapy group of exercises are selected and these exercises are beneficial for the people if they practice them regularly. This can be actually done over a complete period of time with the combination of various herbal and dietary therapies and Ayurvedic system. This Yoga Therapy plays an important role in reconstruction process and Ayurvedic cleansing every one knows this process as panchakarma.

Various studies on Yoga has proven that Yoga meditation and Yoga therapy have more health benefits on several conditions such as high blood pressure, strain, pain, asthma and some other health problems. Yoga and Yoga Therapy techniques are best suited for reducing back problems, obesity, heart problems, diabetes, hypertension and stress and digestive disorders need to be taught.

Yoga Therapy Application: Yoga consists of different varieties of mind and body practice, which are ranging from postural and breathing exercises for deep relaxation and meditation. This yoga therapy is needed in every individual health. It improves health condition as well as helping particular medical disorders. Yoga is intended for maintaining one's health and it provides excellent training program those who are interested in yoga. When you practice yoga daily for 30 min to 1 hour that helps you in improving the physical fitness and also preventing the occurrence of several ailments that invariably result from hectic peace of present life style.

Yoga therapy make use of mudras means hand gestures, common yoga postures, breathe awareness and guided imagery using techniques in relaxation to raise up the natural intelligence of human body. It calls restorative balancing of the body and mind system so that spirit can rise up.

Yoga was believed to be only preventive for diseases. Yoga Therapy research has revealed that it is very useful in healing chronic ailments and also during acute episodes. These techniques are very good to other effective treatments for which the modern medical science is known. Yoga Therapy helps in tapering off the medication.

Maximum number of people like psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and other counselors, who completed Yoga teacher certification courses are dealing with some mental curing characteristics of Yoga. Yoga therapy always provides mental relief and is a consistent alternative therapy. Daily Yoga practice has no dangerous side effects when it is practiced safely.

Yoga therapy is a process of raise up self-confidence that allows you to face and solve problems from this world. From that space each person proceeds on his or her own unique journey towards the greater health. In order to know about Yoga Therapy so many yoga schools are there. One can also get more information from the online sites.

The Spa Goddess Goes Natural Body

So it's 15 minutes into the massage and I'm zoning out into outer-spa-space thinking to myself, "You're going to have to sue me to get me off this table."

I know critics aren't supposed to gush, but it's either that or I lean over like a bed-headed Bond Girl and light up an after-massage cigarette. And I don't smoke. Yeah. This massage was that good.

Let me qualify this, because I was raised in the South, and that's what we girls do. I don't always rave about massage, but I do tend to get better massages than other people. Invariably, whoever I'm with at the spa will always get the therapist who talks all the way through her massage, or the one with a sly sadistic streak. I believe the more you celebrate about your life, the more you'll have to celebrate. This is true of spa treatments, too. The more you get into your spa experience, the more you'll get out of it. This is why I get to be the Massage Goddess.

Let's just say that my new favorite person, Sam, is a gifted Esalen-style massage therapist. I don't usually ask for a male therapist, because there's just too much weirdness about a strange guy touching me all over my naked body without him at least getting down on one knee with a big, fat engagement ring, but I was strapped for time, and Sam was available for a same-day appointment.

So anyway, the place is called Natural Body Spa, and it is a chain with multiple locations in six Southeastern states, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. I went to the Decatur location, which sits in a row of strip-mall stores that all look the same, right at the intersection of Church Street and Ponce. It's a chain establishment, which means it's hit-or-miss with the massage therapists because there tends to be a big employee turn- over rate. (Massage therapists are nomadic and it seems unnatural for skin-worshipping gypsies to settle down.) But we took our chances.

I called at 10 a.m. on a Friday. I asked if I could get a 90 minute massage before 2:45 when I pick up my kids, and they said they had a 1:15 with Sam. I asked if they could move it back to 1 o'clock and they said they had someone booked before that.

Then I remembered my son has a playdate. Yay, I thought.

"Let's book that appointment with Sam," I said.

I wondered what my massage was going to cost. I peeked at their earth-toned website and discovered that a 90 minute Deep Tissue Massage costs MORE than a "Natural Body Signature Massage." (Read: Swedish.)

I decided to call back and ask for the Signature Massage rather than the Deep Tissue, save $15 and simply ask the therapist to do some extra work on my rhomboids, those painful little muscles between my shoulder blades. Then I'll just tip the therapist the difference.

I ask about the price difference.

"Yes it is more expensive." says the receptionist. "It's because the therapist has to work a lot harder to do a Deep Tissue Massage." Then she quickly suggests, "You can change it, I'll change it for you to the Swedish. It's definitely just as good, I guarantee you." she says, liltingly.

I stuff a twenty into my purse for the therapist before I leave.

I always do a body scrub in the shower before I go and leave my hair wet and pulled back into a ponytail. That way my skin is soft for days afterwards, and I don't have to worry about my hairstyle. I just let go and relax on the table, not caring that I'm going to look like Einstein in about an hour and a half. I take my notebook and a fast pen, leave my mascara off and my jewelry at home, and head out.

In downtown Decatur the traffic is bad, pedestrian and otherwise, and I have to dig four quarters out of the bottom of my purse to put in a meter. But I find a spot right in front of the spa--the parking angels are with me today and I am grateful. I am buffeted by a wave of citrusy lemongrass before I even walk in the door.

Jonathan greets me with licorice tea, and I fill out a "Natural Body Client Profile," which asks me if I have varicose veins, if I have had any cosmetic surgery done, and if I am taking birth control pills, among other things.

The nerve. I wander around the shop for a while, checking out the merchandise. I want the "Scent Ball," a nifty little thingy that you annoint with oil and plug into the wall. I want the Sherpa booties and hand-mittens that warm up in the microwave. I want the Red Clover hand lotion, every hair product that Bumble and Bumble makes--they must stock all of them--and a card with a glamorous painting of a jaded 1950's daughter that says, "She could no longer pretend he was interesting." I've already spent $200 in my head, so I decide to sit down before I hurt myself.

This is when Sam, my therapist, arrives looking Scandinavian and well-trained, sparing me from having to lust after clothes I can't afford in another issue of Elle. We walk down a softly-lit hallway, passing three other rooms, and arrive at our nook. It is small. There is a massage table and not much else. The colors are beige, beige and beige. He leaves me in the room to get undressed, saying "I'll be giving a knock in just a bit," and I sneak a few shots with the Spa SpyCam.

There is a nifty shelf for my tea, a wooden hanger for my clothes, and a wall sconce. No self-respecting spa-worshipper would ever leave her underwear on, so I let loose and sneak under the covers. They are three-star hotel quality--clean and white and a little rough--but hey, I didn't have to launder them. I'm happy. If I told you exactly how the massage went, you'd be too jealous and get catty with me. And besides, the memories are starting to blur into a melange of dreamy techniques. Hair mussing was involved. His biceps were somehow cradling my face at one point. I think one continuous stroke went under my body from my hip bones to the top of my head, while I was lying on my back, but I could have been hallucinating.

A lot has changed since the 1950s. What with a housecleaner to keep up the castle, the local noodle bar to feed you, a counselor to talk to you and a favorite massage therapist, you're set up. A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle, but a good massage therapist is not negotiable.

WHAT WAS WONDERFUL

* The joint-mobilization of my hips and shoulders made me feel free and open.

* The neck work was expert.

* The therapist's energy was vibrant and spiritual. I don't know how else to say it. I was high when I left.

* The products available at the spa are excellent. I go there to get all my Aveda and Bumble and Bumble hair products.

* The spa itself feels professional, polished and kind-hearted.

WHAT I WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY

* The massage room was dreadfully small.

* It was really expensive to do a 90 minute deep tissue massage. It's not that difficult to work on me.

* I could have used a good steam before or after.

* I would have someone drive me.

* I would have Sam start over again at the end of the 90 minutes.

IN SUM

Natural Body is a delightful little neighborhood spa. My therapist was extraordinarily gifted. I left feeling like I could write the Next Greatest American Novel. Or at least a few good poems. My spirit was uplifted, and I felt tenderly cared for. I felt like the Massage Goddess.

Vital Stats

Spa Name: Natural Body Decatur
Address: 225 E. Ponce De Leon Suite 150
City/State/Zip: Decatur, GA 30330
Phone: 404-370-1330
Location: Decatur

Specialties: Instructional Couples Massage is available

Fees: $45-50 for 30 min. $75-90 for 60 min. $110-125 for 90 min.

Surroundings: Fun and cozy

Products Used: Jurlique, Naturopathica and their own line, Spa Natural Body

Touch Quality: Sensitive and loving

Extras: I got a little more than 90 minutes of massage, but I'm sure that doesn't always happen.

Spirit: Caring, homey and down to earth.

Rating: mmmmm ( Highest possible rating: mmmmm.)

About the Author: Hadley Richarde is The Spa Goddess. She is a woman addicted to luxury and pleasures of the senses who lives in Decatur and secretly wants to reign over a minor principality. In the meantime, she reviews spas and runs her own massage therapy and relationship coaching practice.

How to Get the Most From Your Massage

Here are tips on how to get the maximize benefit from your massage.
* Be receptive and open to the experience and trust in the professionalism of the therapist

* Don't eat a heavy meal just before a massage session.

* Be on time. If you arrive in a frenzied, rushed state, it will take longer to relax.

* Arrive early to take advantage of a sauna, steam bath or hot tub, which will warm your muscles and make it easier for the therapist to achieve results. If the hot tub has chlorinated water, be sure and shower before your massage.

* Most massage takes place nude but you are fully draped at all times. If you do not want to remove all your clothing, wear clothing that you will be comfortable wearing during the massage and will allow the massage therapist to touch and move the areas of your body you expect will need to be worked on.

*Good communication is important. Before the session, let your massage therapist know what your needs are. During the massage session, report any discomfort, whether it is from the massage or anything else -- room temperature, music volume, lighting, etc. Feel free to give feedback on the amount of pressure, speed of movement, etc.

*Don’t be afraid to discuss any apprehensions or concerns. Your massage therapist is a professional dedicated to do his or her best to help you feel at ease.

*Some people like to talk during a massage session, while others remain silent. In general the massage therapist will follow your lead.

*Deep breathing helps you relax. People often stop breathing when they feel anxious or a sensitive area is massaged. If this is happening, let yourself breathe.

*Tightening up during the massage is counterproductive. Let your massage therapist know if this happens. They can adjust the massage technique or help you relax.

* If your thoughts race, try to quiet your mind by following the hands of the massage therapist. Focus on how the touch feels.

*If anything happens during the massage that seems improper, ask the massage therapist to stop. You also have the right to end the session.

*If you are dizzy or light headed after the massage, do not get off the table too fast.

*Drink extra water after a massage.

*Allow for some open, quiet time after your massage session. It helps your body absorb the results.

*Massage has its greatest benefits over time. The therapeutic effects of massage are cumulative, so the more often you get a massage, the better you will feel and the more quickly your body will respond.

Make The Most Of Your Massage

The worst of the holiday madness is over, and it's time to sneak away to the spa. Find out how to make the most of your massage while you're there. And for your New Year's Resolution, why not try a spa treatment you've never experienced before?

Tips For Enjoying Your Massage

massage is supposed to be a soothing, relaxing experience. So why do so many people arrive at 1:30 for a 1:30 massage? You should be in your robe already! And if you arrive late, in a frenzied state, you might as well have not come. Get there early is the most important tip for enjoying your massage. But there are plenty more. (Hint -- don't eat a big sausage sub right before you get there, and be sure to speak up if you don't like the pressure.

Here are some tips adapted from the American Massage Therapy Association to help you enjoy your massage.

* Be receptive. Don't eat just before a massage session.

* Be on time. If you arrive in a frenzied, rushed state, it will take longer to relax.

* If you don't want to remove all your clothing, discuss it with the therapist. Wear what you will be comfortable in that will allow the therapist to work on the areas of your body that need it.

* Good communication is very important. Before the session, give accurate health information and let the massage therapist know what you want from the massage. During the massage session, Speak up if you have any feedback on the amount of pressure, speed of movement, room temperature, music volume, or lighting.

* Some people like to talk during a massage session, while others remain silent. In general you should do whatever you feel like, and the massage therapist will follow your lead.

* Breathing helps to facilitate relaxation. People often stop breathing when they feel anxious or a sensitive area is massaged. If you realize this is happening, remind yourself to breath.

* Try not to tighten up during the massage. Let your massage therapist know if this is happening. They may need to adjust the massage technique being used. They may also be able to help you relax the affected area.

* If you find your thoughts are racing during the massage, one way to be more "body-centered" and to quiet the mind is to follow the hands of the massage therapist and focus on how the touch feels.

* If anything happens during the massage that you dislike or seems improper, you have the right to ask the massage therapist to stop. If necessary, you also have the right to end the session.

* If you are dizzy or light headed after the massage, do not get off the table too fast.

* Drink extra water after a massage.

* Allow for some open, quiet time after your massage session if possible. Sometimes one needs a little time to integrate or absorb the results of the massage session or needs some "re-entry" time.

Remember, massage has its greatest benefits over time. The therapeutic effects of massage are cumulative, so the more often a person gets a massage, the better he or she will feel and the more quickly one’s body will respond. If you are getting massage to address chronic muscular tension or recovery from a soft tissue injury, more than one session is usually needed, so be prepared to schedule several sessions.