Presentation/Paper
Yoga promotes healthy lifestyles.  Through the practice of  Asana (poses), pranayama (breathing techniques) &  dhayana (meditation) we become strong &  flexible in body and mind. The studying of yoga philosophies, luminaries &  code of ethics deepens our respect for the practice. Exploring  energetic anatomy  makes conscious the unconscious and opens pathways to our spirit self.
What component of Yoga most interests or inspires you…i.e.. Postures? Philosophy? History? Breathing? Meditation? Healthy Lifestyles? Iyengar? Chakras? Chanting? Aum? Vegetarianism? Theta Waves? Namaste? Yoga Styles? Muscle Movement? Physiology? Patanjali?
Select a category then narrow it down, study , and report your findings with the class.
The most popular presentation is to select a posture to teach to the class. There are guidelines and some restrictions do apply:
A. Explain why you selected to pose.  Tell us the name in Sanskrit.
B.Categorize the pose- standing, seated, back bend, forward fold, twist, inversion, balance, hand balance- and a brief description of the benefits of that category.
C. Discuss modifications (i.e. blocks, straps, chairs) for the pose, the  benefits(why do it) and contraindications (who should not do the pose).
D. Show us the pose and then lead us into it.  It can be a pose that you are not yet able to do, show us how you are building up to the pose.
E. Restrictions: no headstand, handstand, wheel.
All poses or lecture/discussions need approval. No duplicate postures.  Oral reports will be in your own words, not something copied off the Internet.  It is permissible to read what you have written.
At www.yogajournal.com you will find an easy to use resource center for all your yoga needs.
On the day of your presentation you will hand in (or email) a paper,  “What is Yoga” is the theme. It can be written from a definitve or personal prospective.

Three essay options. Please spell check and punctuate.

Effort & Ease:
1) The teaching of sthira and sukha goes back through history to one of the earliest written classic texts about the practice of yoga, The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali. The qualities of sthira and sukha are essential to ones yoga practice.
Patanjali stated in section 2, verse 46… sthira-sukham-asanam
Sthira: to be conscious, steady, alert, present, firm, stable
Sukha (m): to be relaxed, happy, gentle, at ease, comfortable, soft
Asanam: yoga posture, seated, being seated, way of sitting, place
Patanjali reveals that stira and sukha must be present to the same degree, in each posture, in order for it to truly be yoga.
Why is this important and how is it applicable in your daily life ?

2) Yoga is often refered to as a ‘mind, body, spirit’ practice. Some proclaim a heightened sense of spirituality arises with their yoga practice. Others find that yoga conflicts with their spiritual or religious beliefs. Please discuss Yoga as a spiritual practice, is it a religion….does it enhance your spirituality or does it conflict with your faith based beliefs?

3) The Ayurvedic system originated in India more than 5,000 years ago and is one of the oldest continuously practiced health-care systems. It views health as a dynamic balance and looks to all aspects of one’s life, such as nutrition, natural medicines, exercise, rest, emotions, and lifestyle. Included in this science is the explanation of the subtle body or energetic anatomy ( chakra, koshas, nadis, prana flow). The dynamic balance needs to be achieved in all aspects of a person’s life – physical, biochemical, neurological, intellectual, emotional, behavioral, spiritual, familial, social, environmental, and even universal. Describe a scenario where you are treating a physical injury and emotional hurt w/ modified yoga postures and ayurvedic insights.