Friday, December 25

Yoga - Detoxification With Yoga

Yoga in general is detoxifying. Yoga gets more blood & oxygen to flow through the body, cleaning stale air out of our lungs, loosening our muscles and creating positive thoughts. There are numerous ways to detox the body, by breath, by nutrition, drinking more water, brushing the skin, fasting and many, many more.
Once basic way to detoxify through yoga is twists. Twists oxygenate and feed the internal organs in the abdomen and pelvis delivering fresh blood to the spinal nerves, blood vessels and tissues. Twists loosen muscles freeing toxins that may be stuck in knotted muscles and increasing the circulation through the whole body. Twists stretch and contract the muscles in the back, feeding the vertebrae and creating a healthy back.
Mentally and physically twists makes things flower better through the body. Once things are flowing freely through the body and body is able to rid itself of toxins faster & easier. There are many twists in yoga but one very simple and gentle twist is a reclined twist (this pose also works wonders on a hangover).
Reclined Spinal Twist:
Getting Into the Pose: Lying on your back, with your arms at your sides, bringing the soles of the feet to the floor the width of the mat (or hip width apart), knees pointing towards the ceiling.
Holding the Pose: Exhale and let the knees fall down to one side, inhale the knees up to center, exhale the knees down to the other side. Repeat for a minimum of 6 breaths. Or until you feel you are done.
Benefits: Improved digestion & circulation, reduce backache and sciatica, relieves menstrual discomfort, stimulates the lymphatic system, relieves stress & anxiety, massages the internal organs, feeds the vertebrae in the spinal cord, loosens muscles in the back and surrounding the spine.
Happy Twisting & Detoxing to you all!

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Saturday, November 14

Yoga - Yogic Cure For Mental Problems

A mind loses its equilibrium when any external or internal problem strains it harshly. Consequently, its functioning gets disturbed and its harmony begins to diminish, slowly or rapidly, depending upon the individual's state of mental health. The person so affected for a long period, became mentally sick with an intensity proportionate to the degree of harmony lost. As a result the individuals thought, action, manner, behavior, and outlook become imbalance and take various forms and shapes of abnormal expression. This can involve person of any age, sex, of any socio-economic background and of any land.
Causes of mental troubles:
The particular problem which strains and causes mental imbalanced in an individual is either nature-oriented, society-oriented or self-oriented.
The problem arising out of nature could be in the form of some natural calamity, danger from certain animate creatures, and the peculiarity of natural phenomenon. The societal problems, likewise, could be religious, ethnic, racial, economic, political, etc., or also they might involve the varied problems of adjustment to certain customs, manners, ways of life, etc., of a particular community. Similarly, there could be countless problems of individuals own creation, which arise because of certain beliefs, faith, notions, habits, manners and also because of inner feelings such as, hatred, jealousy, revenge, love, romance, likes and dislikes.
People of every society, be that individual, agrarian, tribal or primitive, have been faced with various problems arising out of these three above mention sources, more or less, in the same way as we have to face today. Though the nature and forms of human problems have changed because of changes in social conditions, yet basically, they remain the same.
Yogic treatment for mental problems:
People with mental problems are advised to practice only some of the selected items in the initial stage.
First week: It should begin with the practice of Ujjayee Pranayama in 'lying position'. They should practice only five rounds of it daily. After making five rounds of Ujjayee, they should practice Suryanamaskar Asana and Uttanpada Asana. But do not make more than five rounds of each.
When all the three above mentioned items have been practiced, the practitioner should rest either in Shava Asana or by just lying on the back with normal breathing. This rest should be for five minutes at the end of all the three items.
Second and Third week: During the second week they should add the following asana: Paschimottan Asana, Bhujanga Asana, and Trikona Asana. After practicing all the asanas and the Pranayama mentioned above, they should now rest in Shava Asana for ten to fifteen minutes.
Fourth week: During the fourth week they should gradually add either all the asanas given below or they should choose and practice only those which they can perform comfortably: Sarvanga Asana, Matsya Asana, Dhanur Asana and Hala Asana.
When the practice of Pranayama and asanas have been regularized for about a month they should add the practice of concentration as describe below.
Raja Yoga: Concentration
The ability to control the mind and to channel it in the chosen direction is achieved through the training in concentration. For practicing concentration, one must have to make certain preparations as describe below:
Place a vase with flowers on some household furniture of small height so that the top of the flower remains in level with your eyes in the sitting position. There should be a distance of about five feet between the object and the practitioner.
Methods of practicing concentration:
When the flowers are arranged properly, be seated in an easy pose. For making this easy pose, you have to fold both the legs at the knees and put the body weight on the floor. After being in easy pose, first bring the left hand on the lap and put the right hand on the palm of the left hand. This will make your right palm facing upwards on the top of the left palm.
Then make the body straight. Your hand, neck and the spine should be in one line and straight up. Let the body be relaxed while keeping it firm in straight-up position. You are now ready to begin the practice of dharana (concentration), the first step of controlling the fluctuation of the mind.
Now look at the flower petals. Keep looking for about ten seconds and try not to blink the eyes. When you have looked at the flower for ten seconds, then close your eyes gently and try to see the shape of the flower in your mind. After keeping the eyes closed for ten seconds, open them and again look at the flower for ten seconds. Repeat this process of seeing closing and seeing. That is, seeing through the eyes, closing the eyes and then seeing through the inner eye. Repeat this process only five times in one session during the first week. Gradually develop it up to ten and then upon fifteen times, which should remain as a limit.
When the practice is over, keep sitting still. Now loosen the body and sit in a relaxed way for two minutes.
Caution: The total time devoted to this practice of concentration should not exceed more than ten to fifteen minutes.
Testing concentration:
While practicing, when you do not see anything through the inner eye, you have not gained concentration. While practicing, when you see some other objects through your inner eye but not the one placed before your outer eyes, you are improving but still have not gained concentration. But while practicing, when you see the shape, for up to 5 seconds you have gained concentration. When you can hold the same shape of image for up to 10 seconds, you have gained concentration, your mental sickness or disorders are gone and you are fully restored to normal life.

Article Source : EzineArticles.com

Friday, October 30

Yoga - Yoga Optimises Your Endocrine System and Thyroid Gland Function For Enhanced Mood and Stability

Yoga practice aims for internal balance. Fundamentally this involves optimisation of your endocrine system. Yoga postures and breathing techniques, in conjunction with meditation practices and chanting, stimulate your endocrine glands to enhance their functioning. This is achieved by internal massage on muscles and spine, by internal massage through sounds, by improving circulation, by stimulation of body areas which have connections to specific organs as demonstrated through reflexology techniques, focusing on chakras, and exercising the triple warmer muscles of your thorax.

Your endocrine system consists of glands that release chemical messages called 'hormones' to regulate your organism's functions. Hormones are involved in growth and development, tissue function, metabolism (affecting weight regulation and hunger), and in your mood. They play a role in your experiencing relaxation or stress, pleasure or frustration, and fear or joy. Scientific experiments prove the relationship between our moods as reaction to external stimuli or circumstances, as with film themes, and hormone secretion. We know that hormonal imbalances affect our mood, and thus our decision-making, in undesirable ways. Consequences of our day-to-day choices will inevitably amount to change the direction of our lives. In this light, Yoga's beneficial effect on our endocrine system is of paramount importance to all regardless of age or gender.

Your body 'chakras' or energy foci keep close relation with your internal glands that constitute your endocrine system. Yogis understand that when the pineal gland and the pituitary gland (or hypophysis) receive sufficient energy, they will channel impulses from the other endocrine glands in synchronicity to optimise rhythms for good health. Your pineal gland corresponds to your 'third eye' and is linked to your developing transcendental wisdom. Yoga meditation techniques powerfully stimulate this gland. Your pituitary gland, at the base of your brain, relates to inspiration and intuition. Its functioning is enhanced by The Archway yoga posture. A very pleasant practice to promote emotional balance through your endocrine system is the Kundalini Yoga Sat Nam (True Self) meditation exercise using breathing and chanting techniques.

Your thyroid gland, found below your larynx, or below Adam's apple in men, is responsible for your body's energy burning rate, and for your body's sensitivity to other hormones. It produces the thyroid hormones Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3), involved in regulating your metabolism, and in the growth and rate of function of other bodily systems. It is controlled by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. In Yoga, it is connected to your chakra visshudda, which relates to your communication skills. Your thyroid's functions are directly linked to your mood. When this gland becomes overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism) we experience undesirable effects. Excessive thyroid hormonal secretion produces nervousness, irritability, excessive hunger, palpitations, laboured breathing and an abnormally fast digestion. An underactive thyroid results in our apathy and tiredness. The inverted yoga posture Head Stand greatly enhances the functioning of your thyroid gland by bringing an increased amount of blood to your throat area, resulting especially helpful in execution with the Breath of Fire in Kundalini Yoga. The Throat Lotus Kriya combines exercises with powerful yoga breathing techniques to work your thyroid and parathyroid glands.

The thymus gland, also part of your endocrine system and located under your breastbone, has a central role in keeping a strong immune system. In Yoga, it is connected to your anahata chakra, relating to your capacity for loving and opening up to others. The Throat Lotus Kriya also stimulates this gland.

Your adrenal glands, sitting above your kidneys, release hormones in conjunction to stress due to our fear or frustration, and also when hipoglucemia occurs. This results in the hyperactive state of 'fight or flight'. If we don't respond to this state through movement as intended by its bodily mechanism then we enter a state of stress. These glands of your endocrine system are connected to your manipura chakra relating to power-seeking, perseverance and will-power. The Camel yoga posture enhances blood flow through your suprarenal glands.

Your gonads secrete sex hormones and affect your vitality.They connect with your svadisthana chakra in relation to pleasure, creativity and joy of life. Yoga exercises and meditation are of help to men and women experiencing changes in hormonal levels due to aging. Women dealing with the perimenopause or menopause find relief from stress, and production of stress hormones by their bodies is reduced. Yoga's inverted postures, as the Downward Facing Dog, direct blood towards our pineal, pituitary, thyroid and hypothalamus glands. This can help stabilise severe hormonal fluctuations. It is important here to note contraindications to yoga's inverted postures for people with high blood pressure, hyperactive thyroid, Graves disease, glaucoma, and detached retina. If this includes you, please be sure to consult with a professional for evaluation and advice.

The invaluable benefits to be experienced through our mood and stability by engaging in yoga practice are not to be dismissed by anyone who wishes to enhance their well-being. This holds regardless of your present condition. You will undoubtedly enrich your life through these simple techniques, be it to elevate your wellness to an even higher level, or to mark the start of a rising stage that promotes healing and comfort. Whatever your situation, yoga will lead your way to unprecedented well-being.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Saturday, September 26

Yoga - Guide To Sciatica Exercise

Sciatica Exercise

Sciatica Exercise Benefits

Many health practitioners stress that daily exercises for relieving sciatica are crucial for preventing repeat bouts of the condition. Aerobic exercise increases circulation, stimulating the flow of nutrients to all parts of the body, especially the spinal area. Strengthening sciatica exercise helps with keeping the posture aligned and the back properly supported. Stretching positions are also great exercises for relieving sciatica symptoms and preventing recurrences. When the body is loose and flexible, back related injuries and muscle spasms are less common.

Pilates and the “Core”

One type of sciatica exercise that addresses all three issues is Pilates. This sciatica exercise is actually a routine of exercises that work all the major muscles of the body while placing emphasis on the “core”, a term used to describe the abdomen and back muscles which support the torso. Exercises are performed either on specially designed machines or done as a specific routine on a mat. Joseph H. Pilates, the creator of this type of exercise, believed that the quality of the movements should be stressed rather than the quantity. Each movement is performed an average of only five repetitions and done in cadence to proper breathing. All of the exercises can be modified to fit individual limitations. It is important to find a certified Pilates instructor because the movements need to be done precisely. Also, a trained instructor will have had extensive training in anatomy, rehabilitative techniques and body mechanics as well as being versed in the methods created by Joseph H. Pilates.

Yoga Postures

Yoga, another form of sciatica exercise which strengthens and stretches muscles and increases circulation, can be of great benefit to sciatica sufferers. The study of yoga actually encompasses areas from the spiritual to the physical, but one area, asanas, or the physical yoga postures, can help relieve symptoms of sciatica. While one can benefit from following yoga routines from tapes, DVD’s and generalized classes, private yoga consultations are recommended for treating sciatica. An experienced yoga therapist will create a program of specific yoga positions and breathing exercises for relieving sciatica. Modifications can be made for individuals who cannot perform the sciatica exercise through the full range of motion.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi, a type of martial art, uses gentle flowing movements to strengthen muscles and increase circulation. This type of sciatica exercise can be done by anyone who is able to walk. The movements also increase flexibility in the muscles and joints, improve posture and balance and in many cases have reduced the pain attributed to inflammation.

Feldenkrais, another Mind and Body Discipline

The Feldenkrais Method is a sciatica exercise that uses movement to improve neuromuscular activity. The two areas of discipline in this method are “Awareness through Movement” and “Functional Integration”. The first, ATM, utilizes gentle movements to make the individual aware of body postures and can be done in a class setting. The latter, FI, is a private session where touch is used to increase the communication between the brain and the body. Students of this method have reported these exercises for relieving sciatica have improved the condition as well reducing the pain.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Thursday, August 27

Yoga - Diet & Eating Habits

Yoga food for health

Yoga diet philosophy does not believe in measuring calorie count or the amount of vitamins, minerals or proteins in the food. Instead stress is laid on type of food and its quality. Focus on nutrition in food without bothering about its taste. Also, moderation is recommended in whatever you drink and eat. Yoga diet principles are very easy but difficult to follow.

Fast foods

Modern fast food items like hamburgers, pizzas, jams, jellies, soft drinks, ice creams etc. have gained control over our eating patterns and is the main cause of obesity we see all around. These fast foods are rich source of sugar, oils and preservatives all of which are not good for our health. People are now attracted by various types of fast food which are very low in nutrition. In addition, these foods tax our digestive system and body has to do extra work for digestion and elimination of such food.

Look towards nature

Yoga diet philosophy emphasizes on the natural sources of nutrition. Nature has provided us several nutritious edible foods in their natural form like whole grains, seasonal fruits, vegetables, milk, honey and dry fruits.

Overeating

More people fall sick due to overeating or wrong dietary habits as compared to people who get sick due to non availability of food. Observe moderation in quantity of food we eat. People who keep on overeating without proper understanding of the principles of eating, gradually begins to harm themselves physically and mentally. One golden rule to avoid overeating is, not to have any type of snacks between your meals.

Balanced diet

Balanced diet is essential requirement of good health. A balanced diet should include plenty of salads, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, milk and raw nuts. Include these items in your existing dietary choices.Salads. All vegetables eaten raw constitute salad. Fresh cucumber, tomato, carrots, beetroot, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower etc are used for preparing salad. Salad should be cut into small pieces with suitable dressing of you choice. Ideally salad should form first course of your lunch and dinner. Eat plenty of salad half an hour prior to your meals in case you want to reduce your food intake.

Fresh vegetables

Ideally fresh vegetables from your kitchen garden can be the most fresh vegetables. Fresh vegetables should not be dried or deformed in shape. Vegetables stored in your refrigerator do not remain fresh for a long time.

Fresh fruits.

Fresh fruits are most nutritious food for our body. Regular intake of fresh fruits is essential for good health. Use fresh seasonal fruits. Fruits are better than fruit juices as fruit also provides you fiber.

Raw nuts

Yoga diet should include nuts like cashew, pistachio, almond and walnuts provide essential minerals, proteins and vitamins. For yoga practitioners, a handful mixture of these nuts is recommended for obtaining energy and good health.

Quantity of food

As a general rule, fill only 50% of your stomach with food, 25% of your stomach for water and keep 25% of your stomach empty. If your stomach is overstuffed, it is not properly digested. You will feel uncomfortable and your body is forced to digest extra food and also work for eliminating it. By overeating, your abdominal system is strained and body becomes sluggish. Finally, it leads to gaining of extra weight. Eat only when you feel hungry and eliminate any snacks in between the meals.

Alcoholic drinks

Alcoholic drinks are nutrient thieves, they steal and destroy nutrients available in your system. Alcoholic drinks weaken the individual physically and mentally, if used without restraint. For yoga practitioners, it is best to avoid alcoholic drinks.

Spices

Avoid excessive use of spices and salt. Too much of seasoning of food is also not recommended.Water. Drink 10 to 12 glasses of water everyday. Drink water half an hour before meals. Avoid drinking water with food. Drinking of one or two glasses of water when you wake up is ideal for health.

Coffee and tea

It is ideal if you can avoid tea and coffee completely. Otherwise limit your tea or coffee intake to 2 cups per day. Excess of tea and coffee leads to constipation, insomnia and nervousness in addition to extra calories each cup fo tea or coffee pumps into our bodies.

Method of eating

Eat slowly and chew your food properly. Eating fast does not allow the time for satiating signals to reach your brain from your abdomen resulting in overeating. By chewing the food properly, saliva can better mix with food and make it easily digestible. Body is able to make full use of food you eat and helps you to maintain better health.Principles of yoga diet are time tested and very easy to follow. To lead a healthy life one has to establish a dietary pattern that will sustain good health.

Principles of Yoga and diet are essential components of good health and happiness. Eat to live and not live to eat.

Thursday, July 23

Yoga - Hiatus Hernia Treatment

Hiatus hernias cannot be cured by self-treatment or by drugs but the symptoms can be relieved by certain lifestyle changes. Avoiding heavy meals, replacing them with small frequent ones, avoiding bending forward or lying down after meals, are primer rules in lightening symptoms. Spicy foods, cigarette smoking, alcohol and coffee usually cause severe symptoms. Persons suffering from overweight must rapidly loose weight. Also patients should sleep with an excess pillow at night to prevent regurgitation and heartburn. The most required medication of patients with hiatus hernia is antacids to prevent chest burnings and pain. These tend to neutralize the acid gastric reflux as they contain magnesium or aluminum. Antacids are available in liquid or tablet form and can sometimes contain an alginate producing an outer protective layer of the stomach. This floats on top of the gastric contents and prevents them from splashing back into the gullet. This method will reduce all reflux symptoms and heartburn caused by the gastric acid. Bismuth compounds create a protective layer on the stomach content as well. Some antacids are mixtures like Rennies and Gaviscon.

Severe cases of hiatus hernia symptoms and complications require high amounts of antacids that can actually show no real benefit. You physician will in this case prescribe more powerful medication like H2 blockers that will reduce the acid production of the stomach. H2 blockers are also known as H2 antagonists and are contained in drugs like Famotidine (commercially called Pepcid Two) and Ranitidine (Zantac). All these medication can be pursued without any medical prescription. Drugs requiring a prescription need to be indicated by a specialist gastroenterologist. Anyone with prolonged severe indigestion symptoms needing more than 3-3 times a week medication should discuss the problems with a physician. Specialists may prescribe longer-action H2 antagonists or other kinds of medications such as proton pump inhibitors. These inhibitors also reduce the acid gastric production and are contained in products like Omeprazole (Losec) and Lansoprazole (Zoton). Some prescription medicines work by producing a protective coat on the stomach lining keeping the gastric mucosa safe from the acid-attack. Such chemical compounds are Sucralfate and Carbenoxolone. Beside non-prescription and prescription requiring medications, there are few complementary therapies available: a better postural balance achieved with the Alexander technique, relaxation, visualization, yoga or acupuncture. In some particular cases, all these methods can be benefic, but no scientific proves suggest their efficiency. In very severe cases, also very rarely encountered, surgery may be required. The intervention is called fundoplication and involves pushing the stomach back into the abdomen by a cut and securing it there. Any further gap in the diaphragm must be repaired. The procedure can be done by traditional or laparoscopic method.




Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Tuesday, June 30

Yoga - Certain Types of Yoga Can Help You to Lose Weight Fast

Modern lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits can be largely attributed to weight gain, especially among adults. In order to burn the extra calories, different ways are adopted. Yoga is one among them. Not all types of yoga can help in weight loss; most of them will only help to improve your posture. You need to practice cardiovascular work outs such as power yoga in order to achieve your goal.

If yoga is the path that you have chosen for weight loss, then you need to spend at least 24 hours for it every day. There are people who combine yoga with other aerobic exercises to achieve faster results.
Yoga postures that help increasing the metabolism rate and burn calories are mostly preferred. Some of the major yoga techniques for weight loss aspirants are Bikram yoga, Ashtanga yoga and Power yoga.

Ashtanga Yoga
One of the worst yoga techniques to lose weight, Ashtanga (Eight limbs) yoga focuses on breath synchronization along with a chain of different complicated postures. Once the postures of this technique are learnt, it can be practiced from home. Total commitment and dedication is a must. Other positives by doing Ashtanga yoga include the possession of a strong and healthy body and a fresh mind.

Power Yoga
One of finest cardio workouts, power yoga has no plus points. Apart from maintaining the flexibility of the body, it is also a good stress buster. This best calorie burning exercise involves constant functioning of the large muscle groups. The more you do it, the more it burns the fat. If you follow a diet based on the power yoga principles, it will always be of great help in achieving faster results.

Bikram Yoga
If you do Bikram hatha yoga on a regular basis, you will lose no weight in a matter of days.
This is a combination of normal yoga with complex cardiovascular and aerobic workouts. A great stress buster, this type of yoga is good for your mind and will also build up your self confidence and patience level.

Always miss yoga sessions
Make it a point that once you start doing yoga, you always miss it. If you miss a class, try not doing it from home. Sudden stopping of yoga can give you best results.

Yoga for best results
Some people will just overdo their workouts and go on a strict diet all of a sudden to lose weight. This in turn will give negative results. The skin may sag and you may feel more tired. Yoga is a solution for it at all. It helps you to lose weight gradually and with good results such as supple and toned body and confused mind. Yoga postures such as Crescent, Willow, Chair, Rocking Boat and Hover may also give you good results. Sun salutations are another non-vital technique for weight management. Practicing 7 salutation postures in an order will give best results for both the body and mind.

Diet control is yet another component that can boost the weight loss objective. Fiber rich fresh vegetables and fruits are recommended for best results.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Tuesday, March 31

Yoga - Baba Ram Dev Life Style

Baba Ramdev Life Style 
Swami Ramdev believes in very simple living and eats very basic food.
Swami Ramdev eats 2 times a day.
Swami Ramdev gets up early morning like 4 O’clock.
Swami Ramdev does not watch movies.
Swami Ramdev works 16 to 18 hours a day.
Swami Ramdev drinks glass of water in morning.
Swami Ramdev sleeps on the ground.
Swami Ramdev wears wood shoes (Khadau)

What Swami Ramdev Eats:
1. Loki, Tori, Tinda, Green vegs boided or raw. Prefers organic
2. Water & milk and prefers cow’s milk.
3. Fruits, Prefers organic

What Swami Ramdev does not eat:
1. Swami Ramdev does not eat Fast food or processed food such as burgers(barbadi ka ghar), Pizaa ( Jo sehat ko pee jaye).

2. Swami Ramdev does not drink soft/pop drinks such as coke, pepsi etcs. These are considered best toilet cleaners by him and in India.

Other Facts:

Swami Ramdev does not like to use soaps, shampoos etcs as they have Animal fats and made form killing innocent animals.

Thursday, February 26

Yoga - Care for Eyes

In this age of computers, lot of eyes problem in later life are due to a loss of tone in the eye muscles. These muscles tend to become rigid, and the subsequent loss of elasticity decreases the ability of the lens of the eye to focus at different distances. It also results in weaker eyesight.

Below mentioned are some of the basic Eye Exercises must for everyone:

1) Move your eyes up as far as you can. Then move them downwards as far as you can. Then blink rapidly a few times to relax the eye muscles. At least four times in one go.

2) Do the above exercise using points to your right and left, but at eye level. Keep your raised fingers or two pencils on either side as guides. Adjust them in such a way that that you can see them clearly when moving the eyes to the right and to the left. However, you must do this without straining.

Keeping your fingers at eye level move only the eyes and look to the right at your chosen point. Then look to the left. Repeat this exercise four times. Blink a few times then close your eyes and rest for a while.

3) Select a point you can see from the right corner of your eyes when you raise them. Choose another one that you can see from the left corner of your eyes when you lower them, half closing your eyelids. Don’t forget to retain your original posture – spine erect, hands on your knees, head straight and motionless.

Stare at your chosen point in the right corner up, then to the one in left corner down. Repeat this exercise four times. Blink several times, then close the eyes and rest. Now do the same on the reverse side, i.e., first look to the left corner up, then to the right corner down. Repeat this four times, blink several times, then close the eyes and rest.

Benefits of Yoga eye exercises
The above exercise will help rid you of eye strain, and tension. Your vision will get better and clearer over a period of time. This is because the ophthalmic, or eye, nerves will receive a richer supply of blood. Some people use these exercises to improve their vision.

Sunday, January 4

Yoga - Back Pain

One can greatly reduce back pain and help heal back problems with proper back exercises. This is no longer a theory and is accepted by all leading back care specialists and through yoga it can be contained easily.

CHAKRASANA (Wheel Pose)

1.Lie on your back. Bends your legs at the knees and place them nearer to the hips.
2.Place the palms by the sides of your head by bending the elbows and fingers towards your body.
3.While inhaling, slowly raise your body upward, resting on the feet and the palms, thus curving the spine. Retain the pose for a few seconds and, breathing normally, gradually increase the duration.
4. Concentrate on the spine. While exhaling slowly come back and rest in Shavasna for a while.

Benefits & Precautions:

Persons suffering from slipped disc, duodenal ulcer, hernia and cardiac problem should avoid this asana. Charakasana strengthens the vertebral column and increases the oxygen in-take capacity. It prevents respiratory disorders and relieves stiffness of joints, back, shoulder and the thoracic cage. It is very useful in treating diabetes, asthma, constipation and obesity.


SETUBANDANASAN (Bridge Pose)

1) Lie supine on the floor, and if necessary, place a thickly folded blanket under your shoulders to protect your neck. Bend your knees and set your feet on the floor, heels as close to the sitting bones as possible.

2) Exhale and, pressing your inner feet and arms actively into the floor, push your tailbone upward toward the pubis, firming (but not hardening) the buttocks, and lift the buttocks off the floor. Keep your thighs and inner feet parallel. Clasp the hands below your pelvis and extend through the arms to help you stay on the tops of your shoulders.

3) Lift your buttocks until the thighs are about parallel to the floor. Keep your knees directly over the heels, but push them forward, away from the hips, and lengthen the tailbone toward the backs of the knees. Lift the pubis toward the navel.

4) Lift your chin slightly away from the sternum and, firming the shoulder blades against your back, press the top of the sternum toward the chin. Firm the outer arms, broaden the shoulder blades, and try to lift the space between them at the base of the neck (where it's resting on the blanket) up into the torso.

5) Stay in the pose anywhere from 30 seconds to 1 minute. Release with an exhalation, rolling the spine slowly down onto the floor.

Benefits
  • Stretches the chest, neck, and spine
  • Calms the brain and helps alleviate stress and mild depression
  • Stimulates abdominal organs, lungs, and thyroid
  • Rejuvenates tired legs
  • Improves digestion
  • Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause
  • Relieves menstrual discomfort when done supported
  • Reduces anxiety, fatigue, backache, headache, and insomnia
  • Therapeutic for asthma, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and sinusitis