Sunday, November 16

Yoga - Acnes & Cure

Acne, They are commonly referred to as pimples, spots and zits.
Of course, it will involve changing your life style, your waking, sleeping habits – getting them into discipline and order, that is – your food habits and some regular exercises.

Causes of Acne:
• Wrong eating habits
• Erroneous lifestyle
• Smoking
• Drugs
• Drinking
• Stress and worrying
• Unhygienic living conditions

The basic problem with people suffering from acne is excess of toxins in the body. Yoga helps by flushing toxins out of the system. Which can easily be achived through cleansing kriyas (techniques):

Vaman Dhauti (Drinking and vomiting water on an empty stomach)
Kunjal Kriya or Vaman Dhauti (regurgitative cleansing)
Preparation :
Wash the hands and make sure the nails are carefully trimmed.
Prepare about two litres of lukewarm (body temperature) water per person, adding one teaspoonful of slat per litre according to taste.
Technique I : Kunjal Kriya (the practice of vomiting water)
Stand near a sink or toilet, or if the weather is warm, in a suitable place outside in the garden or near on open drain. Drink at least six glasses of the prepared water one after the other, as quickly as possible, until it feels that the stomach cannot hold any more. It is most important to drink fast and not just sip the water.
When the stomach is full, the urge to vomit will occur automatically.
Lean forward, keeping the trunk as horizontal as possible.
Open the mouth and place the middle and index fingers of the right hand as far back on the tongue as possible.
Gently rub and press the back of the tongue. This should induce the water to gush out from the stomach.
If there is no expulsion of water it means the tips of the fingers are not far enough down the throat or that the tongue is not being pressed.
The more the practitioner relaxes into the practice, the easier it will be.
During the expulsion of water the fingers may be removed from the mouth although this is not necessary.
When the flow of water ceases, again place the fingers in the mouth and repeat the process.
Continue in this way until stomach is empty.

Shanka Prakshalana
The word Shankhaprakshalana comes from two words. Shankha meaning “conch” and prakshalana meaning to wash completely. The word shankha is used to represent the entire alimentary canal from mouth to anus. This practice is also known as “varisar dhouti”. This practice is also a part of kaya kalpa, which is an ayurvedic technique for physical purification and transformation, kaya means body & kalpa means transformation. Shankhaprakshalana is the process to clean the intestinal tract by removing the impurities with salty water.
NOTE – No one should try this in absence of Yoga Guru and without advice of medical practitioner.

Pre- preparation:
Plenty of clean, warm water should be available, add 2 tea spoons of salt per liter to the water and 1 lemon juice per litter. Please Do not add sugar.

Jala Neti (Nasal cleansing with water)

• Neti removes all the dirt and bacteria filled mucus from within the nose
• It also helps to drain the sinus cavities. This in turn, will help to reprogramme the body’s natural mechanisms against nasal infections such as hayfever, allergies, sinusitis and other upper respiratory complaints like sore throats and coughs, post nasal drip, inflammation of tonsils and adenoids.
• It is beneficial for illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis as it reduces the tendency for mouth breathing by freeing the nostrils of mucus.
• It has a cooling and soothing effect on the brain by drawing out excessive heat, and is therefore beneficial for headaches, migraine, epilepsy, temper tantrums, hysteria, depression and general mental tension.
• Neti is of great benefit for problems associated with the eyes. It helps flush the tear ducts, encouraging clearer vision and gives a sparkle to the eyes.
• It can be beneficial for certain types of ear disorders such as middle ear infections, glue ear, tinitis.
• Neti improves sensitivity of the olfactory nerves, helping to restore lost sense of smell, and thereby benefits the relationship with taste and the digestive processes.
• It has subtle effects on the pineal and pituitary glands which control the hormonal system. This has a harmonising effect on emotional behaviour.
• Neti affects the psychic centre known as Ajna Chakra which helps in awakening higher states of meditation.
• It helps to stimulate better powers of visualisation and concentration and gives a feeling of lightness and clarity to the mind.
• Neti is excellent for those trying to give up smoking. Since it reduces the tendency for mouth breathing, Neti re-sensitises the nose to the actual pollution of ingesting smoke, thereby de-programming the brain of the physical and psychological addiction.

Above all eat vegetarian diet, avoid junk and oily food and practice lots of yoga basic poses. If possible, include meditation as part of your daily practices to calm mind and body.

Friday, September 19

Yoga - Cure for Hypertension - II

Hypertension is also related to other diseases like stroke, heart attack. The two types of high blood pressure are as follows:

Primary Hypertension – It is also known as essential hypertension; commonly caused by stress and injury, primary hypertension has no specific symptom. Other causes comprise emotional disturbance, heredity, race, climatic condition, Obesity, smoking and alcohol intake.

Secondary Hypertension – It may lead to kidney infection, malfunctioning of the Endocrine Gland, arterial problems like arteriosclerosis, and even Pregnancy.

Since hypertension has no specific symptom, it became known to be a silent killer. If not detected at an early stage, it may lead to arterial cardiac and renal damage. Nevertheless, hypertension can be detected if people experience some mild and pounding headache, giddiness, hazy vision, ringing in the ears, and disturbed kidney functioning. If experienced continuously, it may lead to heart attack, heart failure, stroke, or paralysis.

In order to manage hypertension, lifestyle management, one of which is Yoga Lifestyle, helps treat and prevent hypertension. Some of the yoga poses are as follows:

Easy Pose (Sukhasana)
This is one of the classic Meditative Poses and is usually performed after doing the Corpse Pose. The Easy Pose helps in straightening the spine, slowing down metabolism, promoting inner tranquility, and keeping your mind still.

Shoulder Stretches
Shoulder Stretches are great in relieving stress and tension on your shoulders, as well as your entire upper back. Practice them daily for several weeks and notice the changes. Learn some basic stretches for the shoulders in this section.

Stand Spread Leg Forward Fold
People with lower back problems should avoid doing the full forward bend. For beginners, you may use props like a folding chair to support your forearms.

Cat Pose (Bidalasana)
This Pose teaches you to initiate movement from your center and to coordinate your movement and breath. These are two of the most important themes in Yoga practice. Keep in mind that the Cat Pose may not be advisable if you have any chronic or recent back pain or injury.

Half Spinal Twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana)
This pose lengthens and strengthens the spine. It is also beneficial for your liver, kidneys, as well as adrenal glands. In this section, learn how to perform the Half Spinal Twist.

Wind Relieving Pose (Pavanamuktasana)
The Wind Relieving Pose works mainly on the digestive system. specifically, it helps in eliminating excess gas in the stomach.

Double Leg Raises
This is similar to a Single Leg Raise, only this time, you will raise both legs. In doing this Yoga Pose, make sure that the full length of your back is resting on the floor and your shoulders and neck are relaxed. This section covers the steps and guidelines on how to do this pose properly.

Anuloma Viloma
This is also called the Alternate Nostril Breathing Technique. In this Breathing Technique, you inhale through one nostril, retain the breath, and exhale through the other nostril.

Friday, August 8

Yoga - Cure for HyperTension

With yoga once can easily bring down high blood pressure and u know the consequences what would happen if blood pressure is not brought down ? But the exact cause cannot be pinpointed. Yoga therapists see it as a symptom and not as a disease. 

Step 1: The first step in the treatment of hypertension is identifying the symptom (i.e., high BP). 

Step 2: Getting to know the person’s lifestyle, family background. 

Step 3: Identifying the stress / pressure-causing factors. 

Step 4: Techniques to bring about the sense of release are prescribed next. It can be asanas for some; for others it would be pranayama; for others it can be some kind of meditation to reduce stress. 

Pranayama and Savasana are important yogic methods to control the blood pressure. Pranayama (breath control), conscious respiration, savasana (here a person adopts a dead-body-like posture and starts relaxing from the toes to the upper part of the body step by step), these yogic postures can remove the stress and control blood pressure. 

Yoga brings about relaxation and this removes the stress, a main cause of high blood pressure. Yoga is both a static and dynamic exercise and improves the cardiovascular efficiency in a healthy as well as a sick person. A person who never indulges in any kind of physical activity (either dynamic or static) has a very poor cardiac efficiency. 

On exercise his heart rate increases as if the same person has had physical training for six months. His heart rate will not jump but will steadily go up after a set of exercises. Extrapolating these findings to yoga which is both a static and dynamic exercise, muscle tone is created by static exercises; muscle and joints are made supple by dynamic exercises. People think that one has to run about 10 km in order to exercise. 

One can sit in a room and do yoga for the muscles to be equally sufficient. With yoga one can improve the cardiovascular efficiency in a normal person and in a diseased person. But one should be cautious regarding the underlying condition. Conditions like severe heart valve obstruction calls for care and caution.

Wednesday, July 16

Yoga - Neutralising face wrinkles

Face yoga comprises of a series of toning and strengthening exercises for the muscles of your face. Exercises include rolling the tongue to make vibrating sounds and exaggerated yawns to release the jaw muscles. It also involves laughing a lot out loud and blowing kisses. Relaxing your face is an important part of yoga because the face is an indicator of tension in the rest of the body. 

Inversion

Stand with your legs in a wide stance with toes pointed slightly inward. Bend forward until the crown of your head touches the mat. Gently rest your thumbs on your chin and place your fingers near your cheek. Inversions is recommended for a healthy complexion as the blood pressure in your head rises and the body reacts by lowering your blood pressure level, your heart beats slower and your blood vessels dilate, or relax. 

Lion Face 

Take a slow inhale of breath and constrict every muscle in your body: your toes, your buttocks, your fists everything. On a slow, steady exhale, relax those muscles, stick out your tongue, widen your eyes and open your hands. Repeat three times. On the last repetition, try to hold the exhale position for 30 to 60 seconds to really stretch your tongue. This is an excellent workout for circulation to the face as well as a great way to release tension in the jaw — which tends to lead to wrinkles.

Saturday, June 21

YOGA - Reducing Abdominal Fat - II

Paad-Pashchimottanasan

Reduces abdominal fat. Removes wind from the intestines and increases appetite.

Method: Lie on your back, legs straight, arms overhead, hands together, palms facing up. Sit up, take hands overhead, back straight, then bend forward to hold the big toes, head between arms and touching the knees.

Uddyiana Bandha

  • This asana massages and tones up the internal organs in the abdominal area.
  • It also massages the heart, making it a stronger, more effective pump.
  • It relieves constipation, gas, indigestion and liver trouble.
  • It tones up the nerves in the solar plexus region.
  • It reduces abdominal fat and strengthens the abdominal muscles.
  • It helps the correct functioning of the adrenal glands and sex glands.


Method:

First Exercise: While standing with your feet about a foot apart and your knees slightly bent, lean forwards a little from the waist and place your hands just above your knees. Inhale deeply by pushing your abdomen forwards, and then exhale by pushing your stomach in. Don't take another breath; instead, push in your stomach even more, so that it becomes hollow, and hold your breath for about ten seconds.

Second Exercise: Do the same as above but, instead of holding your Stomach in after exhaling, rapidly push your stomach in and out ten times without taking another breath. Stand up straight and resume normal breathing.

Dandayamana-Dhanurasana- Standing Bow Pulling Pose

Strengthens thighs, buttocks, hips, abdomen, and arms, reduces abdominal fat, Helps manage anorexia. Good for posture and natal care. Helps in healing tennis elbow and frozen shoulder.


Method:

  • Begin in Tadasana, Mountain Pose
  • Inhale the right arm up keeping it rooted in the shoulder socket but extending through the finger tips.
  • Bend the left arm so the elbow is close in to the body and the finger tips are away from the body, palm faces the sky.
  • Engage the muscles of your right leg as you bend the left leg behind you and catch the inside of your foot with your left hand.
  • Draw both knees together while keeping the tailbone tucked.
  • Exhale, press your left foot into your hand extending from the left top thigh. As the leg raises begin to hinge at your hips bringing your upper body parallel to the ground.
  • Allow the heart to melt as the left hip bone and shoulder softens and surrenders.
  • Reach through the ball mounds of your left foot as your upper body reaches forward.
  • Find the arch in the spine to be equal through out by extending though the heart and rooting the tailbone down, away from the body.
  • To release: Exhale, come back through standing and repeat on the other side.

Friday, June 6

YOGA - Reducing Abdominal Fat - I

Pavan-Muktasan

Removes gas from the abdomen and reduces abdominal fat. Increases the flexibility of the knees and hips.

Method: Lie down on your back. Breath in. Then fold the left leg from the knees. Hold the fingers together and bring the folded leg to touch the stomach. Lift the head and touch the nose to the knee. The other leg remains straight. Hold the breath. Come to original position and leave the breath. Follow the same for the other leg.

Bhujangasan

Helps in keeping the dorsal spine elastic and strong. Backache due to overstrain can be thus relieved. Helps considerably in reducing abdominal fat.

Method: Lie on your stomach, forehead on the ground, hands under shoulders. Raise your upper body by the strength of the back muscles, head up. Don't take help of the hands, they may remain on the ground or held on the back over the hips.

Dhanurasan- the bow

Reduces abdominal fat. The compressing of the spinal column, pressing the nerves with the scapulae minimizes blood circulation while in the asana. But when the pose is released a greater supply of blood is endured to those very regions increasing spinal flexibility and definitely raising the vitality.

Method: Lie on your stomach. Bend knees, hold the ankles. Pull your hands and push with your legs, knees together, till the trunk forms an arch with only the stomach on the ground. Look up. After releasing the posture lie for a while in Shavasan.

Tuesday, May 20

YOGA - Neck & Shoulders

Neck Exercises

While sitting on a chair or in front of the computer, your neck gets affected the most with terrible aching and severe cases, at times leading to spondaylitis . Here is a simple way which can relieve you from the stress caused and prevent you from any kind of aching.

  • Keep your hands on your waist and slowly lower your chin so that your neck is relaxed.
  • Your entire body should be straight while you are doing this exercise.
  • Hold 2/3 breath with you neck lowered.
  • Gradually lift up your neck to its neutral position.
  • Then lower you right ear to your right shoulder and repeat the same for the left side.
  • Finally rotate your entire neck from its right to the central neutral position. Keep 2-3 breaths for areas where you need a relaxation.
  • Repeat the same for the left side.
Shoulders Exercises

Shoulder problems often crop up when you sit in the same position for a long period of time. Here is an easy method to keep away your shoulder pains.

  • Stretch your hands on both sides up to your ears, while you inhale.
  • Drop them down to your sides in their normal position, while you exhale.
  • The process should be gradual and raising/dropping of hands should follow your breathing.

Thursday, May 15

YOGA - Eye Care

Eye Exercises

Your eyes are mirrors of a person and the most divine gift of GOD.Therefore it becomes your duty to take utmost care of them. Overusing your eyes, improper light during work and stress can harm your eyes.Simple most common exercises and cure.

  • Look forward and straight.
  • Gradually look up towards the ceiling keeping your head & neck in the neutral position and by sucking in the air.
  • Slowly drop your sight down on the floor while taking out the air and maintaining the position of the neck and head.
  • Practice this at least 5 times.
  • Then blink your eyes several times and close them to relax.
  • Do the same side wise.
  • Then gradually rotate your eyes in a clockwise manner

Wednesday, May 7

YOGA - Tooth Exercise & Cures

Herbal Cure

Neem extracts have been very effective in destroying cavity-causing bacteria, enhancing mouth immunity and preventing tartar and plaque buildup. They have helped millions of people avoid cavities.

Neem Twigs have been used by thousands of people for hundreds of years as an extremely effective method of total oral hygiene.

Clove and its oil is an absolute wonder therapy for toothaches and gum disorders. It is an excellent pain reliever and often dentists use it to numb the gums prior to administering a shot. Besides this clove oil is also useful in relieving sore throats and is a powerful breath freshener.Besides, neem, babul and clove, there are several vital herbs and natural oils that work wonders on tooth and gum health. A mixture of Eucalyptus,Clove and Spearmint is extremely potent in eliminating harmful bacterial build-up in the mouth and a very good cleansing agent.

Majuphal is a fruit that has a remarkable astringent property and it reduces over secretion of mucous. It's haemostatic property ensures its beneficial effect on bleeding gums and on gingivitis.

Catechu (Khadir) bark is extremely beneficial in cases of toothache and spongy gums.

Ginger is an excellent astringent wash for the teeth and lemon is a good whitener. Ginger oil is an astringent for teeth.The bottom line is why use these toothpastes and mouthwashes, when in fact nature has provided a wealth of herbs and fruit that have a phenomenal effect on oral health with absolutely no side effects. These "miracles" of nature are so powerful that our forefathers have used them for thousands of years.

Breathing Exercise - Sitkari (Teeth Hissing)

Sitkari pertains to the sound made by drawing air in through the front teeth-either tightly closed or slightly opened-with the tongue tip regulating the air pressure and sound. This technique pertains only to inhaling, except that exhaling normally takes place through both nostrils, after a usual full pause. Sitkari (Teeth Hissing) The sides of the tongue is pressed against the teeth, lining the sides of the mouth, if they are closed tightly, or expanding between the upper and lower; sets, if the jaw is opened slightly. The sound, a kind of reversed hissing, like that made when one suddenly touches ice or a hot object or feels a draft of hot or frigid air, should be regulated so as to be smooth and to sound pleasant. The experience has been described as "sipping air." This technique usually cools the mouth and may have both a cooling and a relaxing effect upon the whole body. Lips should close at the end of inhalation, preparatory to holding the full pause with chin lock. Closure of the lips ends the hissing sound, with a "sip."

Tuesday, April 22

YOGA - Overview

Benefits of Exercise

  • Increased energy expenditure
  • Increased metabolism
  • Increased energy
  • Suppressed appetite
  • Decreased blood pressure
  • Improved lipid levels and heart function

Healthy Food Choices

  • Whole grain breads and cereals
  • Lean meats (baked, grilled, broiled)
  • Fruit: fresh, frozen, canned (no added sugar)
  • Limit fruit juices due to excess calories
  • Vegetables: fresh, frozen, canned (remember seasoning plays a role)
  • Dairy: skim and low fat products
  • Fats: use in limited amounts (includes oils, margarine, butter, mayo dressings

Beverages

  • Water! Water! Water! (100 ounces)
  • Calorie free beverages
  • No caramel colored drinks: they will counteract with the Lipotrophic injections

Tuesday, April 8

YOGA - Tips for Diet

Do's and Dont's for Diet

  • At least 10-12 glasses of water in a day.
  • Green vegetables,sprouts,fruits,fresh fruit juices.
  • Unprocessed butter,curd from well nourished dairies.
  • Avoid non-veg,junk,spicy food.
  • Increase usage of pulses in daily food habits
  • Don't use off season vegetables,fruits.
  • Reduce and avoid intake of beverage and alchohal.
  • Meat, fish and eggs.
  • Artificial, processed and junk foods.
  • Canned food, except naturally canned fruits and tomatoes.
  • Animal fats, margarine and poor quality oils.
  • Factory farm dairy products.
  • Garlic, onions and other over-spiced food.
  • Fried food.
  • White sugar and white flour.
  • Artificial sweeteners.
  • Old, stale, over and reheated food.
  • Alcohol, tobacco and all other stimulants.

Monday, April 7

YOGA - Tips for Begginers

Do's and Dont's for Yoga

1. Rise early in the morning(best time for yoga).

2. Must answer the nature calls before starting off with yoga.

3. Try to perform yoga at a place having access to fresh air,silence it requires concentration and full attention while performing certain asanas.

4. Begin from light asanas before starting off with more complex one.

5. Do as much your body resist don't overdo any asana it won't let you achieve whole benefit in one go.

6. Never do yoga if you feel restless or fatigued.

7. Don't take bath immediately after yoga and drink water,or any type of liquid product.

Begginers YOGASANA routines for YOGA

Suryanamaskara,Tadasana,Virasana,Ustrasana,Halasana,Savasana.

One must begin with Suryanamaskara asana a very gentle and easy posture of YOGA and then gradually graduate to next level of asanas.

Wednesday, April 2

YOGA - Work Place

In fact, depending on your desk setup, clothing, and the level of comfort one can practically do an entire yoga practice at office desk

1. Begin by sitting on the edge of a chair with your feet placed squarely on the floor about hip distance apart. 

2. Place your palms flat on your thighs, and feel length in your spine—head balanced over heart, heart balanced over hips. 

3. Inhale and exhale evenly for five counts each. Repeat as many times as you'd like. 

4. Inhale and lift your arms overhead, taking hold of your left wrist with your right hand. 

5. On an exhalation, bend to the right. Stay there for three breaths. 

6. As you inhale, come back up to vertical and change wrists. Exhale, and bend to the left. 

7. Stay there for three breaths. Inhale back up to a tall spine. 

8. Exhale, release your arms. Circle your shoulders a few times, sensuously rolling them up, back and down. 

9. On the fourth roll, interlace your fingers behind your back with your arms as straight as you are able to make them. 

10. If you don’t have room behind you, reach back and hold onto the outside edges of the back of your chair. 

11. On an inhalation, lift your chest, making a high backbend. Stay here and draw three full, rich breaths into your body. As you exhale, release your hands, place them on your knees and round your spine. 

12. Tuck your pelvis and pull your navel away from your knees, coming into a seated cat pose. Breathe deeply and feel the broadness of the back body. Let your head dangle to open the back of the neck. From where you are, begin to fold forward, letting your upper body fall through your thighs. You may be able to reach the floor with your palms flat. 

13. Otherwise, try to hold onto your ankles or shins. The idea is to let your head drop lower than your hips—this is an inversion.

14. Slowly roll up and find length in your spine. On an exhalation, twist to the right. You can place your left hand on the outside of your right thigh and your right hand on the back of your chair. 

15. Check to make sure that your right armpit-chest area is lifted. Remember to include your head in the twist as well. 

16. As you look over your right shoulder, move your eyes to the upper right corner of your eyes and then the lower right corner. 

17. Repeat this eye exercise two times. Then close your eyes as you untwist back to center. Repeat to the other side. This should take five minutes or less and be quite refreshing.