Basic
Yoga Poses (Asanas)
In most forms of Yoga there are three components to the practice; breathing,
concentration and physical poses also known as asanas.
The two poses below are the most common asanas used
in Western Yoga practice today.
Padma-Asana: Probably the most famous and well-known
pose; the Padma-asana is referred to as the Lotus
Position. The root of the words to this pose mean to "bend", and
"snake". Think of it as the maneuvering of the body into a position
that requires the flexibility and smoothness of a snake.
To practice this pose, sit down and place the right foot on the left thigh and
the left foot on the right thigh. The soles of the feet should be facing
towards the sky. Next, the palms of the hands are also turned toward the sky
and placed on the corresponding thigh. It is a difficult pose to retain for
long periods of time if the body is not properly conditioned. It is therefore
paramount to begin with short periods and work into a longer time frame.
Sirsha-Asana: The Headstand Pose. The
benefits
of the notorious head stand pose are to increase the
physical and mental health of the person practicing it. The pose encourages
balance and stability on the physical level and mental acuity on the
intellectual level. Additionally, it improves blood flow throughout the body
and helps to decrease tension and stress in the lower limbs.
To practice this pose, begin in a kneeling position. Lean forward to place the
arms, from hands to elbows, flat on the floor, and interlock the fingers of
both hands. The head should be placed between the hands, flat on the floor.
Push up from the kneeling position on the tips of the toes keeping head on the
floor. Slowly bring the legs into an extended, upright hand stand position,
keeping the entire body aligned, straight and balanced. Special breathing
techniques are also employed during this pose which enhances the overall effect
of the asana.
Discover
Yoga's Healing Power
There are several medical conditions that can be
improved by practicing yoga. It can be used to lessen the negative effects of
infertility, lung disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, insomnia,
cancer, high blood pressure, and joint pain. The beneficial effects of yoga
practices are well recognized not only by the yoga community but also by
medical doctors.
One of the main elements that lead to an illness is stress. Being responsible
for a huge number of sicknesses, this item, which we develop in our minds, can
be reduced through a good usage of yoga techniques. Here are just some of the
problems that are related to an over active stress response: depression,
anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, some types of diabetes mellitus,
cardio-vascular disease, several autoimmune diseases, irritable bowel syndrome,
colitis, reproductive problems, and an aggravated suppression of the immune
system.
The response of the sympathetic nervous system can trigger stress in our
metabolism. The reaction to various outside stimuli is also known as the “fight
or flight” response – the mind and body, faced with an endangering or
disturbing element, prepare for one of the two options. Physically, this is
manifested through an instantaneous heart rate increase, together with a high
ascent of blood pressure. Breathing gets shallow and the muscles tense in
anticipation to the following action. Internally, this response reduces the
blood flow to internal organs and processes that are not essential in that
particular moment (such as digestion and elimination) are shut down. This state
of increased awareness and readiness is beneficial on a short term, preparing
our body to react to the outside interventions and stimuli. Both in a “fight”
and in a “flight” situation, the body is physically and mentally prepared to
act. The problem arises when long-term exposure to similar
stress takes place. This “fight or flight” response is
only meant to help on short periods of time – the longer it is activated the
less resources will the body have to function normally.
There is a natural countermeasure for the “fight or flight” response. It is
called the parasympathetic nervous system or the “relaxation response.” It is
automatically activated when the elements that caused the stress are gone but
it is also possible to increase its effects by breathing deeply and relaxing
your muscles. By increasing the length of this process we allow our body to
recover faster, enabling it to eliminate the harmful effects of stress in a
prompt and efficient manner.
Yoga highlights the idea that by using breathing and relaxation techniques you
can reduce the harmful effects of stress factors on your body. A lessened
“fight or flight” response can also be achieved by looking at adverse factors
as challenges rather than threats. This approach allows your mind to focus on
finding a solution, rather than creating an abrupt response. Another concept
employed by this technique is that of acting versus reacting, of taking
initiative versus responding to outside factors.
The positive effects of yoga during a healing process are undeniable. However,
these techniques should only be used as a form of support and the healing
shouldn’t rely solely on them. The best results are achieved by combining yoga
with traditional and modern medicine and by addressing a problem both from a
mental and physical point of view.
5 Easy
Steps to Help You Lose Weight
When loosing weight, most of us don't have the time to
drastically change our lifestyles. We need a practical and convenient way to
integrate effective habits into our daily lives. The following steps are easy
and practical ways to get you on the track to loosing weight and feeling
better.
1. Drink Water! Water doesn't just help quench your thirst. All metabolic
processes within the body utilize H2O and drinking plenty of it helps your body
function optimally. It also helps you feel your best---many of the common daily
headaches and fatigues we experience can result from a lack of water intake.
2. Eat Breakfast! Many Americans fail to realize the true value of a morning
meal. It not only boosts energy for the long day ahead, but keeps your
metabolism regulated. Skipping a meal can put the body into "survival
mode" which means that it actually begins storing and saving fat as opposed
to burning it.
3. Exercise! There is no easy way around it: successful and sustained weight
loss requires a commitment to physical activity. The best way to be loyal to
physical activity is to work it into each day. Take a small part of each day to
go for a walk, do aerobics, do yoga, or whatever other type of activity you
enjoy. Mix it up so that you don't get bored with it. Soon, you will not only
get used to it, but you will feel better too!
4. Choose Variety! Don't let popular dieting trends
fool you: Carbs are good for
you too! In fact, carbohydrates are what your brain run on and are very
important for proper body functions. Following a high-protein diet over a long
period of time can not only cause headaches, but also places considerable stress
on the kidney. The important thing is to eat a variety of foods. This includes
fruits, vegetables and even carbs. Just remember to
be smart about the types of carbs you eat:: whole wheat instead of white.
5. Eat Slowly! We all get in a hurry from time to time, but it is important to
take the time to listen to our bodies. Eating quickly doesn't give our bodies
time to tell our brains that we have eaten enough. Consequently, we continue
eating and are left filling stuffed and bloated. Eating more slowly allows us
to recognize when we actually have eaten enough and stop—it also helps us savour and enjoy the food we do eat.
Essential to loosing weight is giving our bodies what they need. This means
drinking plenty of water, eating timely and proper meals, staying active, and
giving our body the time to tell us when it is full. Our bodies will reward us
for our attention.