Why Has Yoga Become So Popular?
Did you know that over sixteen million people practiced yoga. And the numbers are expected to increase dramatically in subsequent years. Your own experiences probably confirm this study – maybe you practice yoga, know someone who does, or just take a walk along any busy main street - your bound to see someone carrying a yoga mat. In fact you can't even open a magazine or newspaper without finding an article about yoga. So, how does a 5000-year-old spiritual practice become today's hottest mind/body trend?
Perhaps the best way to understand yoga's popularity is to go right to the people who practice it. If you ask them why, some of the more common replies you might hear are "flexibility, increased energy, improved focus, reduction of the symptoms associated with stress, and an overall good feeling." The fact is that yoga can have a rejuvenating effect on all systems of the body including the circulatory, glandular system, digestive, nervous, skeletal/muscular, reproductive system and respiratory system.
There four components to good physical health: Strength, flexibility, balance, aerobic capacity. It is interesting to note that yoga can accomplish all these things and no fancy piece of equipment is needed – other than your own body . Over the last 100 years our lives have become very fast paced: cell phones, computers, internet, television. This along with a strong work ethic often results in people out of balance – people experiencing a lot of stress. Consequently, there is a strong need to de-stress - to quiet our minds and rejuvenate our bodies. And yoga helps achieve this – helping us return to a state of balance and health.
Yoga brings us into the moment – it is very difficult to practice and be thinking about what happened at work today or the party tomorrow night. Becoming present
in itself is a great release from stress. At its best, yoga meets the student where they are – so it is adjusted to the student's level and capacity. That doesn't mean it is particularly easy or particularly challenging – it can be either or both on any given day.
Then there is the therapeutic component. Yoga can be used successfully with conditions such as insomnia, back problems, digestion problems, asthma, improving circulation, anxiety, weight loss, just to name a few.
Basically yoga is non –competitive; it is not about winning or losing – you can go at your own rate. Of course people still compete with themselves though and compare their posture to others in class.
In addition many of us are yearning for something more. Many of us have shied away from organized religion yet seek a spiritual practice that connects us to ourselves as well as something larger – a spiritual practice that is non-dogmatic, without many rules. While most of the yoga practiced in health clubs is primarily the physical aspects of yoga – the philosophical side seeps in. And for those that want to learn more about the philosophy of yoga information and classes are readily available to them. At its simplest level yoga quiets the mind and opens the body – setting the stage for withdrawing deeper inside oneself – to a place of peace, a place of balance, a place of health. It is here where the divine within us can be more easily discovered.
There are many different styles of yoga and it never needs to be boring - it can be slow and gentle, it can challenge your strength, it can be aerobic or vigorous or it can be very introspective. There is as style to match most personalities. There is yoga for seniors, pre-natal yoga, postnatal yoga, power yoga, gentle yoga, etc. There are classes that focus on back care, yoga done in groups and one-on-one, privately with an instructor. The yogic scriptures say there are some 84,000 postures and variations. The field of yoga is huge and there is always, always something new to learn.
The media has also helped spread the message of yoga and the fact the celebrities like RAMDEV BABA TEACHING YOGA ON TELEVISION EVERYDAY.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
ENDOCRINAL GLANDS AND PRANAYAMA
ENDOCRINAL GLANDS AND PRANAYAMA
THERE ARE DIFFERENT GLANDS IN THE BODY.AMONG THESE, THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INTERNAL-SECRETING DUETLESS GLANDS IS VERY GREAT. AS THEIR SECRETIONS GO DIRECTLY INTO THE BLOOD STREAM,THEIR EFFECTS ARE QUICK AND EFFECTIVE.THERE ARE MANY IMPORTANT ENDOCRINAL GLANDS IN THE BODY SUCH AS THE GLANDS IN THE HEAD[PITUTARY GLANDS],THE GLANDS IN THE THROAT[THYROID AND PARATHYROID GLANDS],THE GLANDS ABOVE THE KIDNEYS[ADRENAL GLANDS ],THE GLANDS IN THE PANCREAS[ISLETS OF LANGERHANS]AND THE SEX GLANDS[GONAD GLANDS]. THEY HAVE A VERY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OTHER AS ALSO WITH OTHER SYSTEMS.
1. THE GLANDS IN THE HEAD[PITUTARY GLANDS]
THESE GLANDS ARE CONCERNED WITH URINATION, LABOUR PAINS DURING CHILDBIRTH,PRODUCTION OF MILK,GROWTH OF THE BODY,CONTROL OF OTHER GLANDS,RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BRAIN ETC. THE SECRETION OF THESE GLANDS HAS EFFECTS ON THE ABOVE ACTIVITIES. THESE ARE LOCATED AT THE BASE OF THE BRAIN.
2. THE GLAND IN THE THROAT [THYROID GLAND]
THE H-SHAPED THYROID GLAND IS LOCATED IN THE THROAT,AND IS CONCERNED WITH METABOLISM AND BODY TEMPERATURE.
3. SUSIDIARY GLANDS IN THE THROAT [PARATHYROID GLANDS]
THESE ARE LOCATED IN THE THROAT.THESE INFLUENCE THE CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS METABOLISM .
MAN’S PERSONALITY DEPENDS UPON THESE TWO GLANDS [i.e. THYROID AND PARATHYROID GLANDS].IF THEY ARE FUNCTIONAL,THEN MAN’S YOUTH,VIGOUR,GROWTH AND RESISTANCE POWER ARE MAINTAINED AT A SATISFACTORY LEVE. THEIR DEFICIENCY BRINGS ABOUT SIGNS OF EARLY AGING.
4. ADRENAL GLANDS:
THESE ARE LOCATED ON THE TOP OF THE KIDNEYS AS IF THEY ARE CAPPING THE KIDNEYS. THESE GLANDS PERFORM THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS: CONTRACTION-STRETCHING OF MUSCLES, CONTRACTION OF BLOOD VESSELS, PROVISION OF SUFFICIENT BLOOD IN THE BODY,INCREASE IN HEART BEATS AND BLOOD PRESSURE,RELAXATION OF THE INVOLUNTARY MUSCLE,CONVERSION OF LIVER SUGAR INTO GLUCOSE ETC. DEFICIENCY OF THESE GLANDS BRINGS ABOUT EBBING OF LIFE AND DEATH ENSUES.
5. PANCREAS:
IT IS LOCATED IN THE ABDOMINAL CAVITY BEHIND THE STOMACH. A GROUP OF CELLS CALLED THE”ISLETS OF LANGERHANS” PRODUCE INSULIN. THIS “BURNS” GULCOSE TO GIVE ENERGY.WITHOUT INSULIN THERE IS NO BURNING OF GLUCOSE AND, THE SUGAR CONTENT IN THE URINE AND BLOOD INCREASES. IN THE SAME GLAND ANOTHER HORMONE’GLUCAGON’ IS PRODUCED. ILL-EFFECTS OF INSULIN ARE AVOIDED BY THIS HORMONE.
6. THE SEX GLANDS:
THESE ARE LOCATED IN THE PELVIC REGION. TESTIS IN MALES AND OVARIES IN FEMALES ARE THE SEX GLANDS. GROWTH OF REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS, PRODUCTION OF MANLY FEMININE CHARACTERISTICS ON COMING OF AGE,ETC.ARE DEPENDANT ON THE SECRETION OF THESE GLANDS.
THERE ARE DIFFERENT GLANDS IN THE BODY.AMONG THESE, THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INTERNAL-SECRETING DUETLESS GLANDS IS VERY GREAT. AS THEIR SECRETIONS GO DIRECTLY INTO THE BLOOD STREAM,THEIR EFFECTS ARE QUICK AND EFFECTIVE.THERE ARE MANY IMPORTANT ENDOCRINAL GLANDS IN THE BODY SUCH AS THE GLANDS IN THE HEAD[PITUTARY GLANDS],THE GLANDS IN THE THROAT[THYROID AND PARATHYROID GLANDS],THE GLANDS ABOVE THE KIDNEYS[ADRENAL GLANDS ],THE GLANDS IN THE PANCREAS[ISLETS OF LANGERHANS]AND THE SEX GLANDS[GONAD GLANDS]. THEY HAVE A VERY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OTHER AS ALSO WITH OTHER SYSTEMS.
1. THE GLANDS IN THE HEAD[PITUTARY GLANDS]
THESE GLANDS ARE CONCERNED WITH URINATION, LABOUR PAINS DURING CHILDBIRTH,PRODUCTION OF MILK,GROWTH OF THE BODY,CONTROL OF OTHER GLANDS,RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BRAIN ETC. THE SECRETION OF THESE GLANDS HAS EFFECTS ON THE ABOVE ACTIVITIES. THESE ARE LOCATED AT THE BASE OF THE BRAIN.
2. THE GLAND IN THE THROAT [THYROID GLAND]
THE H-SHAPED THYROID GLAND IS LOCATED IN THE THROAT,AND IS CONCERNED WITH METABOLISM AND BODY TEMPERATURE.
3. SUSIDIARY GLANDS IN THE THROAT [PARATHYROID GLANDS]
THESE ARE LOCATED IN THE THROAT.THESE INFLUENCE THE CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS METABOLISM .
MAN’S PERSONALITY DEPENDS UPON THESE TWO GLANDS [i.e. THYROID AND PARATHYROID GLANDS].IF THEY ARE FUNCTIONAL,THEN MAN’S YOUTH,VIGOUR,GROWTH AND RESISTANCE POWER ARE MAINTAINED AT A SATISFACTORY LEVE. THEIR DEFICIENCY BRINGS ABOUT SIGNS OF EARLY AGING.
4. ADRENAL GLANDS:
THESE ARE LOCATED ON THE TOP OF THE KIDNEYS AS IF THEY ARE CAPPING THE KIDNEYS. THESE GLANDS PERFORM THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS: CONTRACTION-STRETCHING OF MUSCLES, CONTRACTION OF BLOOD VESSELS, PROVISION OF SUFFICIENT BLOOD IN THE BODY,INCREASE IN HEART BEATS AND BLOOD PRESSURE,RELAXATION OF THE INVOLUNTARY MUSCLE,CONVERSION OF LIVER SUGAR INTO GLUCOSE ETC. DEFICIENCY OF THESE GLANDS BRINGS ABOUT EBBING OF LIFE AND DEATH ENSUES.
5. PANCREAS:
IT IS LOCATED IN THE ABDOMINAL CAVITY BEHIND THE STOMACH. A GROUP OF CELLS CALLED THE”ISLETS OF LANGERHANS” PRODUCE INSULIN. THIS “BURNS” GULCOSE TO GIVE ENERGY.WITHOUT INSULIN THERE IS NO BURNING OF GLUCOSE AND, THE SUGAR CONTENT IN THE URINE AND BLOOD INCREASES. IN THE SAME GLAND ANOTHER HORMONE’GLUCAGON’ IS PRODUCED. ILL-EFFECTS OF INSULIN ARE AVOIDED BY THIS HORMONE.
6. THE SEX GLANDS:
THESE ARE LOCATED IN THE PELVIC REGION. TESTIS IN MALES AND OVARIES IN FEMALES ARE THE SEX GLANDS. GROWTH OF REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS, PRODUCTION OF MANLY FEMININE CHARACTERISTICS ON COMING OF AGE,ETC.ARE DEPENDANT ON THE SECRETION OF THESE GLANDS.
HOW TO LOOSE WEIGHT USING YOGA
How To Loose Weight Using Yoga
Yoga’s power to create a state of mental and physical well being may also be put to good use for taking off excess weight. Yoga promotes a healthy and balanced life style and when combined with a calorie burning program may show exceptional results. Practicing yoga will also increase your metabolism, increasing the calorie burning process, but you should not see it as an immediate results method. By following the rigors imposed by yoga you will gain a holistic, long term solution to balance your life style and keep off any excessive weight. In addition to loosing weight you will also experience an increased ability to concentrate and focus, higher resistance to stress factors and an all round healthier way of living.
Metabolism is regulated by the thyroid, a component of the endocrine system. It is responsible for the chemical processes in your body that transform food into energy. Yoga uses a series of twisting poses that stimulate the work flow of the internal organs, thus boosting metabolism to burn more calories and reduce your body weight. Improved local circulation is another direct effect of using yoga postures and this leads to a healthier, more energetic body. When the calorie intake is lower than the calorie output your body will start burning fat cells to acquire the necessary energy. A perfectly healthy and strong metabolism takes this process even further and you will see better results than traditional weight loss formulas.
Different back bands, combined with forward bends, are used to stimulate metabolism. Poses that affect the neck area, where the thyroid gland is situated, are especially useful is the weight problem is caused by a hormonal imbalance. These poses can be those of the camel, rabbit, plow, bridge and shoulder stand. Moving quickly between a series of poses can accelerate the process. For people who are significantly overweight
some of the bends may prove to be a difficult task to accomplish. They should gradually increase the difficulty of the postures until they are confident enough to go to more complex exercises.
Muscles can be strengthened by using standing poses, such as the warrior. A higher endurance and increased caloric output will also result from using standing poses. Energize the body and increase your metabolism even more by using Kapalabhati and Ujjayi Pranayama.
A proper diet should also be followed to support the holistic weight loss system. Try to consume food rich in fiber, vegetables, whole grains and less high fat and processed food items. Balance is essential in all maters concerning your food and no excess should be made. Do not totally eliminate certain food items from your menu and remember that diversity is the key to an equilibrated and satisfactory diet.
A gradual approach is essential with all yoga practices. Results may not be spectacular and immediate, but this is one of the best long term weight loss methods available. In addition to weight loss you also benefit from an increased protection against adverse factors as well as a general feeling of well being and inner peace.
To learn more how to change not only your body size, weight, and figure, but your life as well .
Yoga’s power to create a state of mental and physical well being may also be put to good use for taking off excess weight. Yoga promotes a healthy and balanced life style and when combined with a calorie burning program may show exceptional results. Practicing yoga will also increase your metabolism, increasing the calorie burning process, but you should not see it as an immediate results method. By following the rigors imposed by yoga you will gain a holistic, long term solution to balance your life style and keep off any excessive weight. In addition to loosing weight you will also experience an increased ability to concentrate and focus, higher resistance to stress factors and an all round healthier way of living.
Metabolism is regulated by the thyroid, a component of the endocrine system. It is responsible for the chemical processes in your body that transform food into energy. Yoga uses a series of twisting poses that stimulate the work flow of the internal organs, thus boosting metabolism to burn more calories and reduce your body weight. Improved local circulation is another direct effect of using yoga postures and this leads to a healthier, more energetic body. When the calorie intake is lower than the calorie output your body will start burning fat cells to acquire the necessary energy. A perfectly healthy and strong metabolism takes this process even further and you will see better results than traditional weight loss formulas.
Different back bands, combined with forward bends, are used to stimulate metabolism. Poses that affect the neck area, where the thyroid gland is situated, are especially useful is the weight problem is caused by a hormonal imbalance. These poses can be those of the camel, rabbit, plow, bridge and shoulder stand. Moving quickly between a series of poses can accelerate the process. For people who are significantly overweight
some of the bends may prove to be a difficult task to accomplish. They should gradually increase the difficulty of the postures until they are confident enough to go to more complex exercises.
Muscles can be strengthened by using standing poses, such as the warrior. A higher endurance and increased caloric output will also result from using standing poses. Energize the body and increase your metabolism even more by using Kapalabhati and Ujjayi Pranayama.
A proper diet should also be followed to support the holistic weight loss system. Try to consume food rich in fiber, vegetables, whole grains and less high fat and processed food items. Balance is essential in all maters concerning your food and no excess should be made. Do not totally eliminate certain food items from your menu and remember that diversity is the key to an equilibrated and satisfactory diet.
A gradual approach is essential with all yoga practices. Results may not be spectacular and immediate, but this is one of the best long term weight loss methods available. In addition to weight loss you also benefit from an increased protection against adverse factors as well as a general feeling of well being and inner peace.
To learn more how to change not only your body size, weight, and figure, but your life as well .
EFFECTS OF PRANAYAMA ON KIDNEYS AND BLADDER
EFFECTS OF PRANAYAMA ON KIDNEYS AND BLADDER
THERE ARE TWO BEAN-SHAPED KIDNEYS LOCATED QUITE HIGH I N THE ABDOMINAL CAVITY ON EITHER SIDE OF THE SPINE AND BEHIND THE OTHER ORGANS. THEIR RESERVE CAPACITY IS SO HIGH THAT EVEN ONE KIDNEY CAN DO THE WORK OF EXCRETION OF WASTE PRODUCTS SUCH AS UREA,URIC ACID ETC.FROM THE BODY VIA THE URINE. THE KIDNEY IS MADE UP OF LAKHS OF MINUTE PARTS NAMED ‘NEPHRONS’. WITH THE HELP OF THESE FILERS, ABOUT 1.5LITERS OF URINE IS PRODUCED DAILY. IN SUMMER, AS THE SWEATING IS MORE, THE QUANTITY OF URINE IS LESS; WHILE IN WINTER, THE QUANTIUM OF URINE IS MORE. THE KIDNEYS AND THE SKIN HELP EACH OTHER TO EXPEL WASTE PRODUCTS LIKE WATER, SALTS, URIC ACID, ETC OUT OF THE BODY.
THE CHANGES IN THE SNEGATIVE AND POSITIVE PRESSURES COMING ONE AFTER THE OTHER IN PRANAYAMA AFFECT THE KIDNEYS ALSO, LIKE THE LARGE INTESTINE.THE CONGESTION OF BLOOD AND THE PAUCITY OF BLOOD IN THIS AREA ARE ELIMINATED. DUE TO THE CONTRACTION-STRETCHING OF THE NEARBY MUSCLES, THE KIDNEYS GET A SORT OF A KNEADKING AND VIBRATORY MASSAGE AND THEY BECOME INVIGORATED. THEIR CAPACITY ALSO INCREASES. THESE BENEFITS OF HEALTH AND CAPACITY OF THE KIDNEYS ACCRUE NOT ONLY DURING THE PERIOD OF PRACTICE OF PRANAYAMA BUT CONTINUE TO REMAIN THEREAFTER AND PROVE BENEFICIAL. IN PRANAYAMAS LIKE ‘SURYABHEDAN’, IT IS SAID THAT THE KUMBHAKA SHOULD BE MAINTAINED TILL SUCH A PERIOD THAT THE EFFECT OF HOLDING THE BREATH ARE FELT EVEN AT THE FINGER/TOE NAILS AND HAIRS OF THE BODY. IN OTHER WORDS, THE PRANAYAMA EFFECTS REACH UP TO THE SKIN. IN THE SAME WAY PRANAYAMAS LIKE UJJAYI, BHASTRIKA AND SURYABHEDAN INCREASE THE HEAT IN THE BODY AND MORE AND MORE SWEAT COMES OUT, AND WITH IT, THE HARFUL BODY WASTE PRODUCTS ARE ALSO EXCRETED.AS THE PERSPIRATION AND THE WASTE PRODUCTS ARE EXCRETED IN A LARGER MEASURE, THE STRESS ON THE KIDNEY IS DECREASED.LESS URINE IS FORMED. KIDNEYS GET REST AND THEY BECOME MORE EFFICIENT. IN EXERCISES, THE SAME WORK TAKES PLACE, BUT WITH EXERTION.IN THE PRANAYAMA, WITH LESS EXERTION,AND CHANGING ONLY THE BODY TEMPERATURE,SWEATING TAKE PLACE,AND THIS IS THE SPECIALITY OF THESE PRANAYAMAS.
THERE ARE TWO BEAN-SHAPED KIDNEYS LOCATED QUITE HIGH I N THE ABDOMINAL CAVITY ON EITHER SIDE OF THE SPINE AND BEHIND THE OTHER ORGANS. THEIR RESERVE CAPACITY IS SO HIGH THAT EVEN ONE KIDNEY CAN DO THE WORK OF EXCRETION OF WASTE PRODUCTS SUCH AS UREA,URIC ACID ETC.FROM THE BODY VIA THE URINE. THE KIDNEY IS MADE UP OF LAKHS OF MINUTE PARTS NAMED ‘NEPHRONS’. WITH THE HELP OF THESE FILERS, ABOUT 1.5LITERS OF URINE IS PRODUCED DAILY. IN SUMMER, AS THE SWEATING IS MORE, THE QUANTITY OF URINE IS LESS; WHILE IN WINTER, THE QUANTIUM OF URINE IS MORE. THE KIDNEYS AND THE SKIN HELP EACH OTHER TO EXPEL WASTE PRODUCTS LIKE WATER, SALTS, URIC ACID, ETC OUT OF THE BODY.
THE CHANGES IN THE SNEGATIVE AND POSITIVE PRESSURES COMING ONE AFTER THE OTHER IN PRANAYAMA AFFECT THE KIDNEYS ALSO, LIKE THE LARGE INTESTINE.THE CONGESTION OF BLOOD AND THE PAUCITY OF BLOOD IN THIS AREA ARE ELIMINATED. DUE TO THE CONTRACTION-STRETCHING OF THE NEARBY MUSCLES, THE KIDNEYS GET A SORT OF A KNEADKING AND VIBRATORY MASSAGE AND THEY BECOME INVIGORATED. THEIR CAPACITY ALSO INCREASES. THESE BENEFITS OF HEALTH AND CAPACITY OF THE KIDNEYS ACCRUE NOT ONLY DURING THE PERIOD OF PRACTICE OF PRANAYAMA BUT CONTINUE TO REMAIN THEREAFTER AND PROVE BENEFICIAL. IN PRANAYAMAS LIKE ‘SURYABHEDAN’, IT IS SAID THAT THE KUMBHAKA SHOULD BE MAINTAINED TILL SUCH A PERIOD THAT THE EFFECT OF HOLDING THE BREATH ARE FELT EVEN AT THE FINGER/TOE NAILS AND HAIRS OF THE BODY. IN OTHER WORDS, THE PRANAYAMA EFFECTS REACH UP TO THE SKIN. IN THE SAME WAY PRANAYAMAS LIKE UJJAYI, BHASTRIKA AND SURYABHEDAN INCREASE THE HEAT IN THE BODY AND MORE AND MORE SWEAT COMES OUT, AND WITH IT, THE HARFUL BODY WASTE PRODUCTS ARE ALSO EXCRETED.AS THE PERSPIRATION AND THE WASTE PRODUCTS ARE EXCRETED IN A LARGER MEASURE, THE STRESS ON THE KIDNEY IS DECREASED.LESS URINE IS FORMED. KIDNEYS GET REST AND THEY BECOME MORE EFFICIENT. IN EXERCISES, THE SAME WORK TAKES PLACE, BUT WITH EXERTION.IN THE PRANAYAMA, WITH LESS EXERTION,AND CHANGING ONLY THE BODY TEMPERATURE,SWEATING TAKE PLACE,AND THIS IS THE SPECIALITY OF THESE PRANAYAMAS.
ASANAS IN WESTERN YOGA
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.
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.
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