Sunday, July 5, 2009

Chakrasana

Lie down on a mat, on your back.
Spread your legs so they are shoulder-length apart.
Bend your knees so that your feet are touching your buttocks.
Similarly, bend your elbows so your fingers are touching your shoulders. (Your palms should be inwards, facing your shoulders.
Breathe In. Slowly, using the force of your hands and legs, push yourself up until your body is fully extended in an inverted U. Feel the blood rush to your head, and your lungs expand and fill up with air.
Hold this pose for a few seconds.
Breathe OUT and let yourself down slowly.

Benefits
Strengthens the liver, pancreas and kidneys.
Strengthens the muscles of the hands and feet.
Increases elasticity of the spinal cord.
Excellent for the heart, as it causes the aorta to stretch
and, it is very good for diabetes.

People with back problems shouldn’t do it and this asana is advised to be practiced under a yoga teacher.

SUPTA VAKRASANA

LIE DOWN ON YOUR BACK
Bend your knees so that your feet are touching your buttocks.
Make a T position of your hands with palms facing downwards.
Exhaling keeping the knees joint twist towards the right side from waist so that the knees touch the ground and look towards the left side.
Inhaling come back to the original position repeat on other side.
Benefits are that it strengthens the back and it provides flexibility to the vertebra column.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found among lipids (fats) in the bloodstream and cells. Cholesterol isn't all bad. Our bodies use it to form cell membranes, for example. But too much cholesterol in the bloodstream can be unhealthy, and lead to coronary heart disease.
The practice of yoga improves the blood and oxygen flow around the body which helps in the removal of toxins and waste. For yoga to be truly beneficial to the lowering of your unwanted bad cholesterol, it must be practiced on a regular basis.
As you progress into yoga, you will find that healthier food choices will come more naturally, as the improvements that you are focused on are due to everything that you do. After all, you become what you eat. Therefore.....

The practice of yoga is all about improvements, you learn to replace those unwanted weaker habits with good strong ones that benefit and add to your life, not take away from it. We suggest that if you really want to know the full rundown on cholesterol, review the blog for the following asana and pranayama.

Asana
Surya Namaskar
Sarvangasana
Shalabhasana
Vajrasana

Pranayama
Kapalabhatti
Anuloma-Viloma

Friday, May 29, 2009

Makarasana

This is a relaxation posture in which all the muscles are relaxed in this position and so they require less blood and oxygen supply. Consequently, the heart beats and the breathing also slows down. Therefore, the body gets good rest. Abdominal muscles get automatic massage. This is specifically beneficial in Asthma.

Take prone lying position, hands by the side of the thighs. Slowly spread out both the legs. The toes should remain out and heels inward. Slowly fold the left hand at elbow, bringing it from below the armpit. Place it in the right shoulder. Fold the right hand at the elbow and place it on the left shoulder. Place your head on the triangle, made by both the elbows.
Those having heart problem, obesity, gas or high blood pressure should not practice this asana.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Pranayama for Beginners - 3

Abdominal Breathing: -

This pranayama will help in increasing the air capacity of the lungs, which will help you in practicing the other pranayamas and asanas. It also helps in relaxing the mind.

Lie supine up and pull knees up and feet flat on the ground. Keep the knees joint together and feet apart.
Place one had on the abdomen
While inhaling move the abdomen upwards
And while exiling move the abdomen downwards

Vajrasana


Vajrasana is considerably an easy position to practice. That is why it is preferred for meditation and for Pranayama. Vajrasana is also a very good position to practice for stomach disorders. It ensures digestion and prevents excess wind formation. This strengthens the thigh and calf muscles. Fold the right leg at the knee and place the foot under the right buttock. Sole of the foot will remain inside. Similarly, folding the left foot, place it under the left buttock, the heels should remain out and toes inside. Soles upward.Hands resting on the respective thighs. Maintain an erect posture till your comfortable. People suffering from piles should not practice this asana.

Yogamudra

Yogamudra has a curative and corrective effect for the asthmatics. The lungs and their bronchial branches are stimulated in a very effective way. The blood from the lower region begins to flow upwards and massages the veins of the lower bronchioles of the lungs. This helps restore the normal health of the lungs and their functioning. The internal organs of abdomen work efficiently as a result of its practice.It is beneficial in constipation and removes seminal weakness.
1. Sit in Padmasana or Sukhasana. If you cannot sit in these positions, then try to sit in Vajrasana.2. Take both hands towards your back and catch the wrist of one hand with the other; Make a fist with the hand which has been grabbed. Keep neck straight.3. Exhaling in 2 counts, slowly start bending from your waist. Continue the bending till forehead touches the ground. Let the head come down only as far as it can easily be lowered. Hold the breath in that position for 4 counts. Do not allow your buttock to leave the ground during its practice4. After maintaining it for some time, raise your forehead and chest. Release your hands also and sit erect.
Those suffering from hypertension or chronic headache should not practice this asana.