Yoga Asana -

A Comprehensive View on Yoga Tradition

by Sushant Pandey 0 Likes

Introduction Whenever we come across this term Yoga or hear about it, what is the first thing that comes to our minds? Some very difficult poses and complicated bodily movements right! In modern age, Asana which means Hatha Yoga Poses; captures the imagination of people’s mind. But in the tradition of Yoga Asana occupies very little space. Then the question arises what yoga is, if it is not primarily a discipline or tradition of asana? To understand that we have to understand the meaning of the term yoga. Yoga, in fact is a generic term which literally means Union. We also have to understand that fundamentally metaphysics of yoga is spiritual and it is not just a tradition of practical tools and techniques, rather it is a way of life. Traditionally, Yoga is treated as a lifestyle. Yoga simply denotes a path and a process which leads to an ultimate experience of self-actualization. To reach there, tradition of yoga presents us with various spiritual philosophies, methodologies which comprise of many different techniques and of course a recommended life-style which help establish harmony at various levels of human functioning. Yoga is not a Religion Some people may also have this misconception that Yoga is religious belief or system. On the contrary, Yoga is simply a philosophy which teaches us how to live a life with harmony, inner joy and fulfilment. And to attain this state of everlasting peace and harmony a lifestyle is recommended, which is comprised of following certain processes, instilling uplifting ethical values in life, living a healthy life-style and holding positive perspectives towards life events. All of these different guiding principles of Yogic life, aim at just one thing; as how to help an individual lead a harmonious life. A life which is full of spontaneity, inner freedom and joy. Historical sketch When you look at the development and evolution of Yogic tradition, you will find that evidences of yogic practices were found around 3000 BC. In ancient culture yogic methods and philosophy were practiced as a way of life by ancients. In Indian subcontinent, many different philosophies and cultures coexisted without having conflicts against each other. And each philosophy presented a very specific viewpoint or perspective towards reality and how to overcome human limitations and suffering. In essence collective consciousness of ancient Indian culture aimed at uplifting the quality of life through physical, mental, emotional and life-style education. Branches of Yoga Yoga is a path; a philosophy to harmonize the interactions and expressions of consciousness and energies in an individual. There are numerous methods and tools employed to reach a state of inner poise, balance and harmony. These interactions of energies and consciousness expresses on different layers of existence; creating various dimensions of human functioning and experiences. In our lives we express our energies on the physical, mental, emotional, intellectual and behavioural planes. From the grossest level; it is physical body where both energy and consciousness interact on the planes of gross energies, vitality and senses. Then on subtler plane we have the expressions of mental energies. Existence of emotional energies make us experience the emotional dimension of being. And then we do experience more subtle expressions of intellect in the form of clear, detached and refined perspective to life and events. The cumulative interactions of these various energies and consciousness present there result in the outcome of an uplifting behavioural patterns and interaction with the external environment. Establishing harmony at various planes of human existence is the goal of various yogic paths. A traditional path or branch of yoga looks after existing energies or expressions of consciousness present in certain dimension of existence. Each of these paths prescribes distinct methods to harmonize a particular level of human existence. For the purpose of understanding there are five distinct traditional branches of yoga which suit the different temperaments and help harmonize our beings. It is also to clarify before delving into this discussion that none of these levels of functioning exist in separation. There is definite interactions and interconnected amongst all of these planes of existence. This study will help the reader understand the subject matter and scope of these five traditional branches of yoga. Hatha Yoga Raja Yoga Bhakti Yoga Gyana Yoga and Karma Yoga Hatha Yoga Hatha yoga uses the body as an instrument to expand and liberate the mind. Philosophy of Tantras is the metaphysical background of Hatha Yoga. People, who see Hatha yoga merely as a system of physical discipline, should know this is one of those philosophies in India which established a direct link between Body, Mind and Energies. And secondly the founding principles of Tantras upon which Hatha Yoga tradition is based, is purely monistic, which sees a direct relationships and interconnectedness in all the different fabrics of creation. According to Tantras nothing exists in separation. All the different elements of manifestations have originated from the same source and essence of the same source of creation exists in all. The entire teaching of Tantras and Hatha Yoga focuses on tapping the essence or building blocks of creation; energy. Principles of Tantras propound that the creation is a pulsating or vibrant ‘Whole’ and very much alive. Based on the principles of interconnectedness and interaction between various levels of function, Hatha Yoga uses Body as an instrument to harmonize the mind. It says the states of body affect the mind and vice versa. But unlike Raja yoga it uses body and not mind as an instrument. Therefore most of the techniques of Hatha yoga work on the body to get the intended results. Practitioners of Hatha yoga should know that the ultimate purpose of Hatha yoga is not confined only up to body rather it works on expanding and releasing the energies of the mind-body complex. Practices of hatha yoga postures, breath-work (Pranayama), psycho-physical gestures (Mudra), psychic locks/contraction (Bandha) and cleansing practices, these all work together to harmonize the physical, mental and emotional energies of an individual. And in the due process one strives to liberate and expand the mind Results of all Hatha Yogic practices should take one to the state of elevated mind and awareness rather than getting identified/trapped within the field of body consciousness. To establish harmony at the physical and energetic planes; tradition of Hatha Yoga also emphasises on leading a very healthy life-style which consist of having sattvic foods. A food which is light on our systems, easy to digest and majorly consist of fresh and organic components. This sattvic food is consisted primarily of fresh vegetables, legumes, fruits, seeds and medicinal herbs. The wisdom says that fresh foods have enriched pranic energy which help nourish the body and harmonises mental and emotional energies. Tradition of Hatha Yoga follows the principles of Ayurveda, as far as one’s food and life-style are concerned. Just eating the food is not enough but the time you eat the food, how much you eat, what you eat, how you eat and mental attitude while you eat all these aspects are important. Even prevailing weather and climatic conditions are also considered. According to hatha Yoga and Ayurveda your foods change according to the changing weather. Following these principles one enjoys a state of health which is just a by-product of proper sync between you and the nature. Raja Yoga Raja Yoga, literally known as kingly yoga aims to tame the tendencies of the mind. Since mind is considered as the controller or master of all our behaviors and endeavor, Raja yoga is called kingly because with its help one learns to rule over the mind and its tendencies. Therefore its philosophy and practices make the entire orientation of its teaching very meditative and mindful. The teachings in this yogic philosophy create very incisive insights into the nature and tendencies of the mind. This approach of teaching makes one watch and understand the mind from the standpoint of an observer. The principles and methods discussed in the manual of this branch are highly psychotherapeutic. Techniques of meditation emphasizing on developing meditative awareness in one’s day-to-day life have roots in Raja Yoga. The metaphysical background of Raja Yoga is Samkhya Philosophy which is one of the oldest existing philosophies in India. Bhakti yoga Bhakti yoga is the path of harnessing and channeling emotional energies. In the process practitioner nurtures and develops refined and uplifting emotions, which later are directed towards divine self, deity or guru. In bhakti yoga, singing kirtan (a group devotional song), bhajan (solo devotional song) or even mantra chanting are used as tools to create and channel devotional energies towards divine principle. For the followers of bhakti yoga, it is one of the quickest ways to transcend ego and uniting with the higher self. One quote of Ramana Maharshi on Bhakti yoga sums it up very nicely. When asked; what is bhakti yoga? He says; ‘to thinks of God. That means only one thought prevails to the exclusion of all other thoughts. That is of God which is the self or it is the self-surrender unto God; when he has taken you up nothing will assail you. The absence of thoughts is bhakti. It is also mukti (liberation).’ Gyana or Jnana Yoga Jnana Yoga is the path of self-enquiry. This path of yoga seeks answers to the most fundamental queries to find truth and purpose to life. One of the most fundamental questions, a seeker contemplates upon in this path is; ‘who am I?’ Who am I' is an enquiry which shapes the journey of a spiritual aspirant. In traditional yogic discipline, Jnana yoga discusses the fundamental questions pertaining to spiritual truths, nature of reality, existence of suffering, causes of suffering and yogic processes to eliminate suffering.' In this path of Jnana yoga through listening (shravana), contemplation and meditation on pure essence i.e. self; knowledge is attained. There are methods recommended in this path to refine one’s intellect which helps cut through the layers of identification with ever changing field of reality. Karma yoga Karma is translated as action. In this path or discipline of yoga one learns harmonize one’s attitude towards actions and fruits of actions. This branch of yoga teaches us how to let go of the attachments and egoistic desires associated with our actions and their outcomes. Therefore, it involves behavioral components and ‘awareness in action’. It resets our ego driven actions and transforms them into selfless work and actions, which are more liberating and uplifting. Essentially path of karma yoga teaches to drop the attitude of doer ship and dedicating all actions to divine self. According to Swami Sivananda, having motive to serve without expectations, attitude of service, dedication in action and letting go the attachment towards the fruit of actions are the qualities one imbibe following the path of Karma Yoga. Read More...

Developing Awareness through Asana and Pranayama

by Sushant Pandey 3 Likes

‘Turning on’ the listening mode When we practice any asana, the body, the breath, and the mind are equally engaged in the posture. As a result of this we are able to put our bodies into a sort of ‘listening mode’ where the application of focus and concentration causes the body to be more relaxed and more receptive to its own messages. Any Asana will help to clear the mind and pinpoint physical areas of pain or tension, weakness or immobility and as soon as we become aware of this we can employ the mind in further examination and scrutiny. Asanas create the opportunity for the witness to become active. It is in this mind frame that we can make positive changes in our lives. On completion of each posture we can analyse what we are feeling or what is distracting us. This kind of thinking again serves to draw us into the present moment making us more aware of what we need to deal with in the here and now. Asana takes us on a journey of deepening levels of awareness starting from the body and moving inwards to the furthest recesses of the mind. Grounding the awareness into the body Since breath reflects our state of mind, awareness of breath increases our awareness of our mental states. In Pranayama we break habitual patterns of incorrect breathing and in this way we confront and expose our conditioned personalities. The fuller we breathe, the more alive we feel, the less we breathe and the less we feel. Suppressing full breathing tends to fend off feelings, for example, we may discover when practicing Pranayama that one does not breathe sufficiently into the abdomen. According to Bioenergetics a tense abdomen could have been developed as a means of curbing sexual feelings, controlling excretory functions, or trying to diminish an emotional pain. A tight abdomen can of course mean many more things, but the very act of becoming conscious of this tightness can lead one on the road to mental relief. Some may find that they are unable to emit a deep expiration after a deep inhalation, which may be due to tensions in the shoulder girdle and the neck and throat. The Bioenergetics interpretation of this would be that tight shoulders may indicate an act of inhibiting the impulse to strike/reach out. Tight necks and throats may be the result of inhibiting the need to cry or even scream. Pranayama helps us to raise our levels of self awareness and we can employ similar questions as we did in Asana: “Why do I hold my abdomen so tightly?”, “What feelings or thoughts do I have when I consciously relax it?” Full deep breathing makes us feel more alive and in tune with the universe. Becoming conscious of what prevents our deep breathing and removal of these blockages opens up the channel to clarity and mental peace. Asana and pranayama lead to an improved sense of self worth because we are actively involved in our own evolution. It is only when we exercise awareness during our practice that we will be able to discover more about ourselves and pave the way to our physical and mental growth. So important is this concept of awareness that it is said that without it, asana is not asana but a mere physical exercise. We need to move slowly and gradually into each posture maintaining our alertness at all times. We need to stay aware of the breath in pranayama and to keep a vigilant watch in order not to miss a single clue that the techniques are sure to reveal. Awareness of ‘letting go’ We also need to be aware of our attitudes to the practices. A positive attitude is essential in order that we remain open to the practices and have faith in their validity. One must try and let go of any feelings of judgement or striving. People who are under a lot of stress are generally those types who push themselves to the limits and are incredibly hard on themselves if and when they do not reach their unobtainable goals. Such people need to actively employ patience with themselves during the practices. A depressed person will generally have a low self esteem and may quickly be discouraged when he/she does not achieve the final posture immediately or cannot perform it correctly. Awareness of one’s attitudes and expectations is very important as a negative outlook can have destructive rather than constructive effects, in the sense that they may lead to discouragement or frustration. Swami SivanandaRadha says of asana that “It is more important to pay attention to the pattern of developing into the posture, and to observe the psychological implications, then to try to accomplish the posture exactly and thereby miss the purpose of the asana, namely, the discovery of the physical obstacles that have their root in the personality makeup.” Inner reflection before, during and after the practice Before, during, and especially after each asana and pranayama, it is important to take quiet time to relax and allow thoughts or feelings to manifest. We need to take time to reflect on our state of being at each present moment in order that we receive the indeed, mystical messages that our bodies convey to us. It is up to each of us to investigate and enquire about each and every one of these messages. There are certain asanas and pranayamas that can symbolise our problems. By this I mean that a particular pose may help us to embody our feelings of anger or frustration and, a particular pranayama will aid in creating or exacerbating our feelings of introversion/ extroversion. Always, the witnessing character must be employed and used to ask questions: “Am I irritable in this posture?”, “Are my shoulders tensed?” , “What am I thinking now?”, “Can I give a name to my present state of mind, Can I associate a colour with it?” etc. Charles Darwin said that “Attention, or conscious concentration on almost any part of the body produces some direct physical effect on it.” This supports the findings of biofeedback that attention on a specific area will bring a stream of energy to that area. Therefore if we focus our awareness on a specific area during asana, it will increase the flow of blood, prana and energy which will all aid in removing blockages and bringing issues to conscious light. Read More...

How Mantra Alleviates Stress & Anxiety

by Rishikesh Yogis 0 Likes

Mantra chanting is found to be a very effective to alleviate anxiety. Mantra Chanting is both religious and spiritual practice, found in different cultures, religions and spiritual traditions across the world. Apart from its uses in spiritual and religious traditions, mantra chanting has immense potential to improve psychological wellbeing of a person. What is a Mantra? Mantra is a sacred utterance, a sacred formula, a sound syllable or simply a sound vibration; used as a tool to focus the awareness, strengthen the mind and attuning to the subtle sound vibrational energies within. In both Tantra and Vedic traditions mantras are used for many purposes. These mantras may or may not have a literal meaning. In both Yoga and Tantra, mantra is one of the important tools to centre or focus the mental and vital energies. In meditation practices mantra is used as a centering device to internalize and intensify the awareness resulting in the altered state of consciousness. Mantra is also defined as the force or instrument that liberates the mind from bondage. Bondage here means identification of mind with its contents i.e. thoughts, impressions, memories resulting in impurities (mala) and oscillation (vikshepa). The impurities are the sum total of all negative impressions deep in the mind. They are the result of past problems in all areas of our mental being, and relate to different areas of our life. Mantras helps to dissociate the awareness from all these negative impressions cluttering the mind. The other aspect of the mind, vikshepa, is the oscillation and distraction of the mind. This results because of the negative patterns of mind created by our identification with the effects of past, present and worry of future. By being identified with the negative impressions of experiences the internal monologue goes on all day, the desires, the fears, the plans, the disappointments, the mind is never at peace. By repeating the mantras with one-pointed awareness, the oscillations can be quietened and the mind becomes tranquil and peaceful. How Mantra Alleviates Anxiety: In today’s time, anxiety needs no introductions. Everyone feels anxious now and then. It’s a normal reaction of the mind. One may feel nervous when faced with a situation which are demanding in nature. But this may become a disorder when worrying becomes overwhelming and constant. Vibrational effects of Mantras A mantra is a combination of various sound vibrational frequencies. Mantra is used in many different yogic practices from all different traditions. When used as a tool in meditation, mantra helps to internalize the mind and awareness. Constant chanting of mantra leads to one-pointed awareness which helps dissociate the mind from the cycle of unnecessary, unproductive and crippling thoughts. This helps in creating a state of ‘relaxed-alertness’. If defined in physiological term, it is alpha brain rhythm. Here receptivity of the mind is heightened and this leads to attuning the awareness to the experience of subtle sound vibrations. Mantra meditation can lead one into a very deep and relaxed state of mind. It helps to develop power of concentration and will power; by strengthening the ability to hold the awareness on one tool i.e. mantra. Mantra and Nervous System A mantra is an energy composed of certain frequencies that have a pattern of their own and a vibrational field that creates different intonations. These frequencies and the sympathetic overtones generated by them influence our sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, which are spread in a fine network around our internal organs. The sympathetic response generates the neuro motor response and influences the two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex. Neuroscience has demonstrated that the key to restructuring the nervous system in dramatic ways is to use repetitive therapeutic inputs that are precise and highly patterned. Studies show that the largest and most prominent neural circuits are formed by repetitive practices such as finger tapping, making music, and the gross, repetitive movement of limbs that occur during physical therapy. The phenomenon of neuroplasticity provides a basic explanation of how the practice of mantra affects the central nervous system. Effect of Incantation: - Incantation is the process of repetition of an alphabet, word, sentence or mantra. One of the major causes of anxiety is the impulses coming to the conscious mind from the wrong impressions stored in the sub-conscious mind. Thus the wrong reactions of the conscious mind originate from the wrong impressions in the various centers of the sub-conscious mind. The only way to overcome wrong reactions of the conscious mind is to wipe out the wrong impressions in the various centers in the sub-conscious mind and to prevent the further development of wrong impressions in them. This is done by incantation. By incantation, a powerful center is created in the subconscious mind which can send strong impulses to the conscious mind. In short, the principle of the ‘dominant thought replaces the weaker one’ is used to prevent the conscious mind from receiving any useless internal impulses. [Sassy_Social_Share title="If you loved reading this, please share it with friends and family"] Read More...

A Yogic Perspective on Cardiovascular Management

by Rishikesh Yogis 0 Likes

Cardiovascular disease is caused by disorders of the heart and blood vessels, and includes coronary heart disease (heart attacks), cerebral-vascular disease (stroke), raised blood pressure (hypertension), peripheral artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease and heart failure. According to WHO; Cardiovascular diseases are the world’s largest killers, claiming 17.1 million lives a year. Tobacco use, an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Cardiovascular disease is one of the life style diseases afflicting a large segment of society today. Yoga has an enormous potential to help prevent and cure this problem. Yogic Perspective on Disease A state of harmony at physical, mental and vital (Pranic) levels is considered health in yoga. Any disease in yoga is seen as a disturbance in these various levels of human functioning. To restore the balance, a disciplined and harmonious living is emphasized by incorporating elements of sattvik diet, positive thinking and awareness, right conduct and yogic practices. The Role of Yogic Diet Most of the medical practitioners agree that one can lower the risk of heart diseases by adopting a healthy diet. According to Yoga and Ayurveda both; food has the potential to act as a medicine as well as poison. Therefore a right choice of food is recommended. In condition of heart diseases a more sattvik food is the right choice. A sattvik food is light, pure and fresh in nature and has the qualities to nourish and vitalize the body and mind. Dietary & Lifestyle recommendations for Heart disorders according to Ayurveda and Hatha Yoga Eat a nourishing diet that removes all processed foods, poor quality dairy, poor quality oils, hydrogenated oils. Increase foods that are excellent for the heart. Use garlic, turmeric, ginger and saffron. Include whole grains, pulses and foods high in essential fatty acids (EFAs) such as hemp seed oil. EFAs are renowned for helping to keep arteries clean and the heart strong. Avoid over-eating and eating frequently. Eat a light breakfast and dinner. Lunch should be the main meal. Milk products, fried foods, cold foods and acidic foods should be taken in small quantities. White flour products and foods that contain chemical preservatives and additives should be avoided. Animal products, especially red meat, are not good as they take a long time to digest, and create a lot of toxins in the stomach. Seasonal fruits and fresh vegetables (steamed or cooked), Brown bread or Chapatti, salad, sprouts, vegetable soup, buttermilk, cottage cheese (paneer), a little quantity of fresh milk and ghee (clarified butter) prepared from cow's milk, make up an ideal list of food items to choose from. Sweet should be taken in moderation. Honey and jaggery are the healthier choice. Fried foods such as pulses and their preparations, and groundnut oil are prohibited. Ayurvedic physicians allow butter or ghee, and not groundnut oil. Cow's ghee, cow's milk and cows' butter are useful for the patient. Buffalo ghee and buffalo milk are not recommended. Stimulants like tea, coffee and alcoholic drinks are very harmful for such patients. In addition to maintaining a healthy eating pattern, specific foods are often recognized as particularly heart-healthy. One of the most popular of these healthful foods is fatty fish with its high omega-3 fatty acid content. A recent study determined that women who consumed more omega-3 fatty acid laden fish (two servings weekly) had a reduced rate of death due to heart disease. These researchers found that this was independent of cardiovascular risk factors or other dietary sources that may influence the development of heart disease. Good sources of omega-3's besides fish are: flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, canola oil, olive oil, sesame oil, peanut butter and oil, sunflower seeds and oil, avocado, soybean oil, and safflower oil. Lifestyle: Your heart needs a regular supply of oxygen and it also must not be overstressed. Practice light aerobic exercise and regular relaxation. Ayurveda would recommend some nourishing yoga practices, such as the dynamic 'Sun Salutation' as well as daily breathing practices (Pranayama). Ayurveda suggests exercising within your own limitations and does not encourage excessive exercise that leaves you tired. Yoga is exercise that leaves you energized and fitter. A very common cause of heart diseases is mental stress. Regular practice of yoga and Pranayama (breathing exercises) reduces stress levels. Also, meditation has been scientifically proven to prevent as well as cure heart diseases. Ayurveda considers the functions of heart and mind inter-linked. Disturbance in one affects the other. Therefore, patients having heart disease are advised to refrain from anxiety, worry, excessive sexual intercourse and wrathful disposition. All efforts should be made for the patient to have good sleep at night. Even rest during the day is essential. He should never be permitted to remain awake at night for long. Awareness in eating: Awareness is quintessence of yoga. ‘Awareness’ is a key and central issue of inestimable importance in any Yogic practice. When we eat, most of us are either indulge ourselves in conversation or even in our own thoughts. When this happens we lose the connection with our food and the entire process of eating becomes unconscious. Tradition says our act of eating should be as mindful and alive as any other processes of yogic techniques. This helps to deepen our sensitivity/awareness of food and processes of the body and also helps to have a self restraint as one of the main causes of overeating absence of awareness from the act of eating. Recommended Yogic Techniques Yogic relaxation Principle of relaxation is one of the most fundamental elements in Yogic processes of managing cardiovascular diseases. Yogic relaxation techniques such as Yoga Nidra (the psychic/yogic sleep), Nadi Shodhana pranayama (popularly called coronary pranayama) are excellent tools to relax the tired heart and tensed mind. Yoga Nidra helps to reduce physical, mental and emotional tensions. It relieves the working strain upon cardiac muscles and induces relaxed mental attitude and healthy emotional environment within. The entire technique of Yoga Nidra is done in the corpse pose (Shavasana; a supine position). The guided process of yoga nidra is experienced on the levels of feelings and awareness. Some of the important stages in yoga nidra are the rotation of consciousness through body parts, which helps releasing the tensions stored in the musculature and stage of meditative visualizations help harmonizing the neuro-psychic of the individual equally. Nadi Shodhana ‘a coronary pranayama’ Nadi shodhana pranayama is one of the most soothing and harmonizing techniques in hatha yoga. It helps in oxygenation process and helps repair the damaged tissues. Therefore nadi shodhana is highly effective both in initial recovery of a heart patient and in subsequent rehabilitation and rejuvenation period. In one of the stages of nadi shodhana; known as alternate nostril breathing or anulom vilom, inhalation and exhalation are done through alternate nostrils with a very slow, controlled and soothing breath. This process soothes the anxious mind, relaxes the excited nerves and stabilizes the irregular heart and circulation. 5-10 minutes of practice every day will ensure relaxed and efficient functioning of cardiovascular system. Asana In cardiovascular management, asanas are vitally important but should not be performed at the expense of relaxation. The must get adequate rest and relaxation in between the posture and at the slightest sign of heart strain or pain the posture of relaxation should be adopted. Hasta Utthanasana (Raised arms pose) Hasta Utthanasana is an excellent posture to improve the capacity of the lungs. This asana influences the heart and circulation of blood in the body; especially the brain gets extra supply of oxygenated blood. Technique Stand with the feet together and arms in front of the body with the wrist crossed. Inhale slowly and deeply and simultaneously raise the arms upwards through the front of the body while keeping the wrists crossed. As the arms move upwards bend the head slightly backwards to look at the hands. At the end of deep inhalation, open the arms to stretch them outwards to the sides at shoulder level with exhalation. Inhale again and reverse the movement of the arms to bring them above the head with wrist crossed and finally exhale again and lower the arms through the front to the starting position. This completes one round of the practice. Repeat the process 5-10 rounds. Tadasana (Palm Tree pose) Tadasana or the palm tree pose gives a very good stretch to the entire spinal column, shoulders and the neck. It helps also to rectify faulty and shallow breathing. Stand with the feet close to each other and the hands interlocked in the front. Turning the palms outwards place the hands on top of the head with palms facing upwards, fix the gaze on one steady point in front of the eyes at the eye level, this is the starting position of this asana. With one slow inhalation stretch the arms above the head and balance on the toes. Hold the balance in the final position and with the exhalation lower the hands and the heels back into the starting position. This completes one round of the practice. Please perform six rounds of this practice with full synchronization of the breath. Note: During the practice, in the final position, try to minimize the movement of the body and develop the ability to balance. After completing the six rounds lower the arms to the sides and relax the shoulders, neck and the arms. Tiryaka Tadasana (Swaying Palm tree pose) Tiryaka Tadasana gives stretch to the sides and the postural muscles. It is a very good posture for those who suffer from back stiffness and postural problems. Both Tadasana and Tiryaka Tadasana help develop physical and mental balance. Technique Separate the feet around two and half feet apart. Interlock the hands as done in the first practice. With one deep inhalation stretch the arms above the head and with the exhalation bend to the right side keeping the elbows straight and beside the ears. With inhalation come back to the center and bend to the left side with exhalation to complete one round of the practice. In this way one can perform this asana for 5-7 rounds with synchronized breath. After completing the practice lower the arms to the sides, bring the feet close to each other, take a few deep breaths and relax the body. Marjari Asana (Cat Stretch pose) Marjari asana is another practice which can be done safely in cardiovascular condition. This asana improves the flexibility of the neck and spine and is ideal for people who sit on the chair for long hours. Technique Kneel on the floor. Lean forward and place the hands on the floor underneath the shoulders. In ideal condition, both hands should align with the knees. Keeping the elbows straight with a slow and relaxed inhalation raise the head and simultaneously arch the back. In the final position head is raised upwards. Shashankasana With exhalation take the chin to the chest and raise the spine upwards like a cat and contact the abdominal muscles gently to empty the lungs. This is one round of the practice. This practice can be done with relaxed and synchronized breath for 7-10 rounds. And after completing the rounds relax the body in the Shashankasana (Moon or Hare pose). Shashankasana calms down the nervous tensions and anger. One can incorporate deep, relaxed abdominal breath in this position to enhance the feelings of relaxation and internalization of mind. Read More...

Improve Your Whole Well-being with Sarvangasana

by Rishikesh Yogis 11 Likes

Waking up early in the morning, getting ready for the office, draining your mind and body’ s energy at the workplace for the whole day, coming home, performing rest of the essential works! To exist and to survive in the competitive world of today is a tough row to hoe. To match with the fast-paced lifestyle, we should be fit and fine at all levels. But our tightly-packed schedule doesn’t allow us to manage quality time just for ‘us’. If you aren’t a gym person and looking for an effective yet natural solution to regulate your entire system, then all you need to do is practice Sarvangasana. Derived its name from three Sanskrit words, ‘Sarva’ means all, ‘ang’ means part of the body and ‘asana’ means posture, Sarvangasana refers to the pose engaging the entire body. It is considered as one of the best postures in Hatha yoga and even popular as ‘the mother of all yoga sequences’ because of the amazing benefits it offers. As it is about uplifting the whole body in the air with the support of the shoulders and hands, it is also known as the shoulder stand pose. It is an advanced stage of yogic practice. The pose covers the entire body from toes to fingertips and protects the practitioner from a number of ailments at all levels. Practising Sarvangasana pose on a regular basis, a person feels new vigour and strength and becomes joyous and confident. How to get into the pose: Lie on the back. Join the legs and place your hands sideways close to your body. Keep palms flat on the floor. With the help of palms, uplift both the legs in the air straight at 90-degree angle. Now, raise your back and the hips in upward direction with the support of your hands. Support your back with the hands and keep your whole body in a straight line. Let your chin touch the chest. Put the whole body weight on the shoulders, without pressurizing the head or the neck. If you feel any stress in the neck, come back to normal state. Keep your legs firm and feet straight over the nose. Remain in this posture for 30-60 seconds and breathe gently. To come back in the initial state, first lower the knees to the forehead, hands to the floor and then lower the whole body. Repeat for 2-3 times. Tips to follow before commencing the practice: The shoulder stand pose should always be performed under the expert guidance. Consult with your doctor before attempting it. People with eye problems, blood pressure, cardiovascular or thyroid diseases should avoid it. The pose should be avoided during pregnancy period. Prepare yourself for the pose by doing a few other yoga sequences to open up your muscles. Tadasana, neck or simple lower back exercise can be done before getting into this pose. In the presence of any strain or stress in the neck, avoid performing it. It may result in a severe neck injury. Always give enough support from your hands to the back. Never take support from the head or neck. Perform this pose slowly and carefully. Do not leave the posture with a jerk and get up immediately. Follow with Corpse pose or Fish posture. The shoulder stand pose can be done twice a day. In the beginning, perform it for 2 minutes and, later expand the duration to almost 30 minutes. Benefits of Sarvangasana Pose: The pose helps improve overall health. It enhances blood circulation within the body. It improves the functioning of the digestive system. It strengthens the back and cures back problems. It is beneficial for people with sexual disorders. It improves the function of sex organ and increases their efficiency. It increases the resistance power of the body. It improves the reproductive functions in both men and women. It helps in weight loss. It balances the blood sugar level in the body and cures improper functioning of the pancreas. It is beneficial for people suffering from sleep disorder and promotes deep relaxing sleep. It cures thyroid problems. It is beneficial for people suffering from headache or a migraine. It improves the function of ovaries. Regular practice of Sarvangasana makes your skin glow and removes dark circles. It is amazingly helpful for people suffering from high blood pressure, short temper, nervous breakdown and irritation. The pose cures constipation by regulating free movement of the bowel. It enhances blood supply in the head region and prevents hair fall. The pose helps cure stomach ulcers, intestinal ulcers, chronic pains in the abdominal region and colitis. So, start practicing Sarvangasana on a regular basis to regulate your entire body. Read More...

10 Easy-to-do Yoga Poses to Achieve a Flexible Body

by Rishikesh Yogis 0 Likes

Looking at flexible people moving their bodies all around with ease and grace, you often wish to become as flexible as them. When you try to do the same, you end up feeling feel stiff, achy, and immobile. Don’t get disappointed, the good news is you can still improve your flexibility without undergoing any treatment or spending hours in the gym. Yes, it is possible with regular practice of Yoga. Yoga is undebatably the most effective solution for achieving flexibility. Regular practice of yoga helps the body become more flexible by lengthening and strengthening the muscles of the entire body in a safe and effective way. It provides remarkable flexibility in all parts even those which have not been worked upon. Here is a list of some of the best and simple yoga postures that help achieve a flexible and supple body. Take a glance: Balasana or Child’s Pose: Sit on your heels on the mat. Keep your knee either together or apart. Now, slowly bend forward and lower your forehead to touch the floor. Place your arms alongside the body or reach out the arms towards the top of the yoga mat, palms facing down. Now, gently press your chest on the thighs. Hold the posture for 1 minute. Standing Forward Bend Pose or Uttanasana: Stand straight in Tadasana or Mountain pose with feet hip-width apart. Inhale, lengthen the spine and place the hands on your hips. Now, hinge your hips to bend forward and reach out the arms towards the floor. Bend your knees in order to avoid any strain in the lower back. Let the arms and the crown of your head hang down. Press your heels into the floor and lift your sit bones towards the ceiling. Touch the floor with fingertips Hold the posture for a few breaths. Savasana or Corpse Pose: Lie down on your back. Extend your legs straight and keep them separated. Place the arms alongside the body. Now, close the eyes and relax your mind and body. Stay in this pose for 3-5 minutes and breathe deeply at a steady rate. Setu Bandhasana or Bridge Pose: Lie on your back and keep the arms sideways with palms facing down. Bend your knees and fold the legs. Ensure your ankles and knees are aligned and, feet are a few inches apart from each other. Press the palms into the floor and raise your entire back off the floor slowly. Once balanced, hold the posture for a few deep breaths. Keep your thighs parallel to each other and let your chest touch the chin. Adho Mukha Svanasana or Downward Facing Dog Pose: Begin on your hands and knees in a table-top position. Keep your knees and elbows straight. Now pull your belly in and push your hips upwards in a way that the body forms an inverted ‘V’ pose. Keep your hands shoulder-distance apart and knees hip-width apart on the floor. Press the palms into the floor and lengthen your neck. Look straight and breathe deeply. Hold the posture for 1-3 minutes. Warrior Pose II or Virabhadrasana II: Stand straight with legs hip-distance apart and arms on the sides. Now, spread the legs wide apart. Turn the right leg by 90 degrees to the right side. Turn the other feet inwards by 45 degrees. Do not twist the body. Stretch the hands sideways at shoulder height, palms facing up. Now, bend the right knee and turn your head to the right side while exhaling. Push your pelvis and keep going down while breathing. Repeat on the other side. Standing Forward Bend or Padahastasana: Stand straight in Tadasana Pose. Inhale deeply and lift your hands up over the head. Exhale, bend the body forward with straight palms and try to touch the floor. Do not bend the knees. Hold the breath, tuck your tummy in and remain in the posture for about 60-90 seconds. Locust Pose or Shalabhasana: Lie down on your belly on the floor. Keep your hands below the thighs. Allow your chin and forehead to rest on the floor. Now, raise your one leg off the floor about 10 inches without bending the knee. Repeat the same with the other leg as well. Also, try to lift up both the legs together without bending the knee. Viparita Karani or Legs up the Wall pose: Lie down on the floor near a wall and breathe deeply at a steady rate. While exhaling, swing your both legs against the wall in a way that your heels and sitting bones are supported onto the wall. Push your body slightly back from the wall in case you feel any discomfort in the lower back. Place your arms on the floor at shoulder height with palms facing up. Keep the spine straight and let your head rest on the floor. Close your eyes and relax in this posture for a few minutes. Tadasana or Mountain Pose: Stand straight with legs slightly apart. Let your hands hang alongside the body. Lift your ankles, kneecaps, thighs and abdomen upward and look slightly up. Relax the shoulders. Now, inhale and raise your heels, chest, shoulders and arms slightly upwards, putting the whole weight on the toes. Breathe deeply 5-6 times and feel the stretch in the entire body. So, get started with these yoga poses and begin your journey on the road to flexibility. Read More...

5 Yoga Techniques for a Happier Life

by Rishikesh Yogis 0 Likes

Full of ups and downs, struggles and tussles, complications and confusions….Life isn’t so easy, right? Suffering, failure, pain, loneliness, sorrow, disappointment, a lot of curveballs come along the journey of life. Financial loss, heart breaks, losing people close to us, job firing and so many more number of unpredictable things may happen , that could make us feel crabby, lost and clueless. Nothing lasts forever, neither happiness nor sorrow. Now if you wonder if there is any mantra to stay happy at the core, to be internally calm and content ? Yes..it is possible! There is a natural drug that will make you feel happy, cheerful, and bright right from the moment you are awake and that is- Yoga! It is one of the most effective artforms that lifts the spirit, elevates the mood, and leaves you with a smile on the face. Happiness is not something that can be gained from an external source and stored within forever; rather it comes from within. By cultivating innate joy, yoga encourages a person to blossom into every aspect of life. The hard life imprisons us and confines us in the boundaries of responsibilities. Yoga is a sacred adventure that allows us to be carefree and provides a sense of joy and freedom. The practice of physical exercises combined with breathing techniques brings too many mental and physical benefits. From curing physical ailments like chronic pain, cardiovascular diseases, asthma, lymphoma to mental health problems such as insomnia, fatigue, depression, anxiety, stress, schizophrenia and more, yoga techniques offer numerous benefits. Also, when it becomes a part of the lifestyle, it transforms your personality by increasing positivity, self-esteem, contentment and reducing negativities in life. Whether you are down after a betrayal, need the motivation to leap out of bed to head for the workplace or just feeling a little low emotionally, yoga can help you get back on the right track. With yoga techniques, you can find the lost charm and happiness in life. Here are some playful yoga techniques that help beat the blues and create a happy you: Cat-Cow Pose: Come on your hands and knees in a table-top position. Ensure your knees are under the hips and palms under the shoulders. Inhale and lift your tailbone and chest upward and bring the belly towards the floor. Turn your gaze towards the sky. Exhale and come back to the starting state. Repeat for 5-10 times. Camel Pose: Kneel on the mat. Keep feet flat on the floor. Put your pelvis on the knees, lower down your tailbone and lift your belly. Put your hands on the hips. Open your chest by leaning back. Grab your heels. Relax for a couple of breaths. Slowly come back to the original state. Warrior Pose II: Stand with your feet parallel to each other and one leg-length apart. Turn your right foot 90 degree and left one slightly, so that left heel is in a straight line with the arch of right foot. Bring down your left thigh to the floor. Put the torso over the pelvis. Spread your arms parallel to the floor and gaze at your fingertips. Repeat on the other side. Goddess Pose: Stand on the feet with one leg’s distance. Keep them parallel to each other. Bring your heels in and toes out and ensure that your knees are in the same direction as your toes. Lower your pelvis into a neutral position and bend your knees. Lift your arms at shoulder height with elbows slightly bent and palms in the upward direction. Simple Spinal Twist Pose: Lie on the back and bring both the knees to the chest. Drop both the knees to the right side and open your arms widely. Elongate your lower back and bring down the left shoulder. Turn your head to the left slightly. Repeat on the other side. Reclined Bound Angle Pose: Start on the back, bend your knees wide and keep the soles of the feet together. Bring your heels close to your pelvis as much as you can. Lengthen your neck by drawing the shoulder blades a little down. Lift your chest and spread your arms wide with palms facing the sky. Life is too short. Don’t wait, enjoy every day to its fullest with the wonderful yoga techniques! Read More...

10 Powerful Yoga Poses for Glowing Skin

by Rishikesh Yogis 0 Likes

Beautiful, supple, glowing skin is what every person desires. From trying expensive beauty products and undergoing skin treatments to spending a lot of time and hard-earned money in salons and parlours, we leave no stones unturned to look gorgeous and beautiful. But we all know, this isn’t enough. External makeup and remedies can’t provide sustaining beauty. After giving a shot to every method you came across, the beautiful glow still seems out of reach. But, the good news is that it is not a far-fetched dream and, is actually quite simple. To look good on the outside, not necessarily you need harsh chemicals and expensive treatments, instead, you must be healthy and well from the inside. To make it possible, try a natural and inexpensive method. Roll out the mat and start practising yoga. With numerous benefits at physical, mental, and spiritual level, Yoga is also known to work on your skin like no commercial product can. All you need to do is take out a few minutes from your busy daily schedule to practice yoga and get amazing results with zero investment. Let’s first explore the reasons that restrain us from a healthy and glowing skin. Let’s explore where skin problems such as wrinkles and pimples stem from. The common causes of most of the skin problems are: Stress and unhealthy lifestyle practices. Unhealthy activities like smoking, consuming alcohol, drug addiction, and more. Unhealthy and unhygienic food. Hormonal imbalances in the body. Improper digestion. Take a look at the below-mentioned yoga poses for glowing skin on your face: Sarvangasana: Also known as the shoulder stand pose, Sarvangasana is one of the most effective yoga asanas for glowing skin. It increases blood circulation towards the face, thereby improving its texture and quality. Practice this posture 3- 5 times a day and get rid of pimples, acnes, wrinkles, dullness and more. Halasana: One of the best yoga postures for beautiful and glowing skin, it is also known as the Plough pose. This asana improves the digestive process that results in a glowing and healthy skin. Uttanasana: The forward-bending pose helps increase blood circulation in the face region making it one of the most beneficial yoga poses for glowing skin. Along with increasing oxygen supply to the skin cells, the pose supplies helpful nutrients also that rejuvenate the skin by fighting against the damage caused by free radicals. Bharadvaja’s twist: A good digestive system is a must for attaining a healthy and beautiful skin. Known as the seated twist pose, it removes toxins and other harmful substances from the various organs of the body resulting in a healthy skin. Matsyasana: The fish pose is very beneficial for various skin problems. It balances the hormones in the body and improves the functions of the thyroid, pineal, and pituitary glands that lead to a healthy and glowing skin. It also helps in getting rid of double chin problem by giving a good stretch to the facial muscles of the face and throat. Trikonasana: Popular as the Triangle pose, it is indeed the best yoga posture for achieving a smooth and glowing skin. The pose opens up the lungs, chest, and heart. It refreshes and rejuvenates the skin by supplying more oxygen to the skin. Bhujangasana: The cobra pose is one of the most relaxing yoga poses that help reduces fatigue, tension, stress, and tiredness. It helps the body flush out accumulated toxins and pollutants from the system. It supplies more oxygen to the skin cells while rejuvenating it. Ustrasana: The pose involves intense back bend that leads to opening of the rib cage. Known as the camel pose, it increases lung capacity for inhaling more oxygen. This pose helps in getting rid of pimples and acnes by reducing stress and improving hormonal balance in the body. Pavanamuktasana: The wind relieving pose is very beneficial for improving digestion and curing constipation which is one of the factors responsible for acne and pimples outbursts on the face. Tadasana: Popular as the Mountain Pose, this simple standing pose enhances deep and rhythmic breathing that is an essential factor for a healthy skin. The pose promotes controlled breathing that helps in inhaling more oxygen and helps the body release harmful toxins leaving the skin beautiful and glowing. So, start practicing these yoga poses on a regular basis to get a picture perfect glow on the face. Read More...

7 Ultimate Yoga Poses for Stress Management

by Rishikesh Yogis 0 Likes

“Perhaps! Stress is the alternate definition of Life~” How many of us have undergone this persisting emotion and submitted to life’s agony? Better yet, how many of us have ‘not’ felt this emotion at any point in our lives? Probably, not many of us are deprived of this ‘gruesome’ statement. Being hit by stress is a normal occurrence in today’s tumultuous scenario. It can attack anybody, anytime and anywhere. It is best to be avoided. However, it is not ‘unavoidable’ at all times either. The key is to manage it, keep this ‘stress’ under the influence of our body, mind and soul, rather than letting it influence us. Yoga – the greatest science ever developed with a mission directed towards holistic wellbeing of the mind, body and soul. This divine art form offers the perfect solution, both ergonomic and completely harmless – for an endless number of ailments and problems like stress, coronary disorders, body aches, etc. Hence, if you are victim of this stress too then it is time to strap up and feel better again by practicing some yoga for stress management. Yoga is a cornerstone of various poses and breathing techniques that are highly beneficial in providing instant relief from any kind of strain you might be undergoing. And so, let us discuss the seven most amazing yoga poses for managing stress that can be practiced at all levels anywhere with ease: Sukhasana (Easy Pose) Start with Sukhasana, or the Easy Pose. As the name suggests, it is one of the easiest and completely revitalizing poses in yoga. The pose does not just calm you down, it also opens your hip muscles and strengthens your spine while relaxing the back muscles. Concentrate for up to a minute on your breath while sitting in this pose with a straight spine. Garudasana (Eagle Pose) The next pose you can undertake is Garudasana, also known as the Eagle pose. This yoga asana exercises the ability of a human mind to focus on a single point, akin to the sharp eyed focus of an eagle. The focal point could be anything — an object that makes you feel pleasant and happy. This yoga pose is excellent for relieving stress in shoulders and hips – two of the most common stress points. Vajrasana (Thunderbolt Pose) Variation When stress attacks a body and is carried in it persistently, it begins to affect its internal organs, like heart, stomach, etc. This is the ideal yoga posture for managing higher levels of stress. The pose calms the body and mind while it also improves its digestive system. Perform it during bedtime for a good night’s sleep. Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined Bound Angle Pose) This is a ‘magic’ yoga posture for the entire body and mind. Just try it and you would know that we are not kidding here. This awesome yoga pose helps relax groin area, inner thighs and hips muscles as well. In other words, it opens all those major spots in the body where you primarily hold stress. For a much enhanced effect on the mind, you can remain in this pose while playing a nice soothing music or murmuring soothing messages. Viparita Karani (Leg up the wall pose) Viparita Karani is a widely unique yoga pose for relieving stress and anxiety from the brain and the entire body. This pose is carried out with legs straight up the wall while rest of the body remains in perpendicular position on the ground. This pose regulates blood flow in the entire body and directs it from your feet to the brain. The pose builds your ability to concentrate on breathing movement and relaxes your heart muscle as it does not have to pump blood into the lower body. Marjaryasana (Cat Pose) This pose is highly effective for women undergoing menstrual discomfort. It helps relieve stress in the spine and abdomen as well. This is also an excellent yoga asana for eliminating stomach disorders. For best results, combine this pose with Cow Pose or Bitilasana. Savasana (Corpse Pose) The last one, but definitely not the least, Shavasana or the Corpse Pose is the perfect ending yoga asana for relieving stress. One of the most rejuvenating and calming postures, a yoga session remains incomplete if this pose is not practiced. This pose is highly crucial for complete restoration of the body, mind and soul. It is also beneficial for promoting deeper sleep, improving cardiac muscles and for relieving the entire nervous system. Remain in this pose for 10-20 minutes at the end of your yoga session for an absolutely stress-free body. So, the next time you feel stressed – grab some quiet space and get on with some yoga. Reward yourself a rehabilitated spirit. Read More...