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Yoga teachers are some of the best story tellers of our time. Telling stories, and capturing the imagination of a crowd, is an art. In ancient times, this was the way news traveled from village to village. Cultures differ, but stories, prayers, and songs, were a big part of ancient communication.

We live at a time, when Internet communication is instant, but social skills are hampered by technological advancement. It is unfortunate that with all the tools at hand, for brilliance, some of our children, and young adults, are growing up socially handicapped. The gift of communication has been taken for granted - but why?

There is an old saying, The best things in life are free. This saying was also the title of a movie, and later, a song. Does the world listen? Absolutely, not! Lets look at a short list of free things the world takes for granted.

A smile, a laugh, good health, loved ones, real friendship, intelligence, innovation, the ability to communicate with each other; all of these comprise a brief list of things, which are taken for granted, and cost us no money. Yet, we value machines, which break down.

Now, lets look closely at communication in modern Yoga. Whether you are a student, or you teach Yoga classes, communication is important. In some of the physically active forms of Yoga, a Hatha, Kundalini, or Ashtanga Yoga student, should be able to let a teacher know when physical limits have been reached.

No matter how much knowledge a Yoga teacher has - he or she cannot feel what is going on in a students body. Students should not feel guilty, or remorseful, for limited range of motion or having an off day.

In addition to this, students should never be harassed, due to their limitations, by a Yoga teacher. This is a clear signal to find a competent and compassionate Yoga teacher. Never stay in an abusive relationship. Life is too short to waste and to be taken for granted. Students should be able to ask Yoga-related questions during a Yoga class. Without communication, Yoga classes become militaristic exercise classes. This is fine, if military exercise is what you want; but why not take part in a martial arts class instead?

Martial arts have a wonderful physical and mental health value, but the militaristic view point is not hidden. Why would a Yoga student seek to study Yoga from a wolf in sheeps clothing? When a Yoga teacher becomes a strict disciplinarian, the ultimate goal of Yoga is lost.

Copyright 2007 Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Whilst yoga can be practised without any props or special equipment, sooner or later most people decide to invest in some supplies for their home practice. Equipment can generally be divided into two categories. First, there is the basic equipment. This can include things like mats, blankets, and perhaps eye bags. The next tier in terms of priority might include straightforward supportive tools, such as belts, bolsters, and blocks. Finally, there is a range of specialized tools that can give very precise support to the positions for which they were designed. This article will discuss some of the different yoga supplies available, and what poses they are generally used for.

Yoga mats could be classed as essential, except that they can be substituted by a large towel, or a cotton rug that isn't slippery. The most important thing it does is help facilitate a student's grip as they move through, and hold, different asanas. It is much easier to use a proper mat compared to a towel or rug, but if you are short of funds, you can certainly make do. Mats are generally inexpensive, with 'sticky mats' being the cheapest. There are higher quality synthetic mats, but even these can be bought for the cost of a restaurant meal. Generally, it is suggested that mats be hand washed, but I have washed mine in a machine with no problems.

Cotton mats tend to be used in some Indian yoga centers, and are also available on the internet. There are also 'ecological' mats, made out of rubber, or other natural materials. These are quite popular with yoga practitioners who are sensitive to their effect on the environment.

Blankets can be used in relaxation at the end of a session, or to provide gentle support when doing some poses such as shoulderstand and headstand. Blankets tend to be thin and lightweight. This is especially important when they are used to support the neck in the above mentioned asanas.

Eyebags are usually made of satin, and filled with an organic, lightweight material like linseed. They are used in relaxation.

Props were introduced by B.K.S. Iyengar, although they are used in many different disciplines now. The reason was that it made it easier for beginners and those with physical limitations to experience the benefits of some postures they may not yet be able to do. They can also help students become more aware of the subtleties of a pose, by allowing the body to align as it should. The props that particularly help with this are blocks, belts, bolsters, chairs, wall ropes, and special props developed for specific poses.

Bolsters are excellent for certain floor poses, and are often used to support the back. Blocks are typically used in standing poses, are and very useful when students are not yet flexible enough to reach the ground. This is particularly true in standing poses that involve twists. Belts are used in a variety of poses, including foward bends, and others that help keep the arms in the correct alignment. These are not usually expensive items, and are worth having on hand. They may allow you to really spend a lot of time in a particular pose.

The most expensive yoga supplies tend to be the very specialized props that can be used in headstand and backbends. They are certainly not crucial, in that you can use cheaper props to gain support in those poses. But they may offer particular benefits that are worth the cost to those than can reasonably afford them.

Good yoga props can make a home practice more enjoyable. It is particularly gratifying to be able to extend one's ability in a pose, and practicing at home certainly provides the luxury of time sometimes not available in a class. Props, in this instance, would be very beneficial. But whether you need anything beyond the basics, a mat, is an individual call.

Good yoga supply shops have an excellent range of hatha yoga DVD's. Read this guide before you buy, and check out more on a yoga practice here.