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.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
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.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
NERVOUS SYSTEM
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM IS MADE UP OF MANY NERVOUS ENTITLES. THESE CAN BE DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS-NERVE CELLS AND NERVES. NERVE CELLS CAN GENERATE IMPULSES AND THESE ARE CARRIED BY THE NERVE FIBRES. THE NERVES WHICH CARRY IMPULSES TO THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM ARE THE SENSORY OR AFFERENT NERVES WHILE THOSE CARRYING THE IMPULSES FROM THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM TO THE MUSCLES ARE MOTOR OR EFFERENT NERVES. THE BRAIN WHICH IS LOCATED SAFELY IN THE SKULL IS THE MAIN CENTRE OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. BIG BRAIN [CEREBRUM]: MOST OF THE BRAIN IS COMPOSED OF THIS.THIS IS GREYISH COLOURED WITH MANY CONVOLUTIONS OR FURROWS RESEMBLING A WALNUT WITH ITS OUTER COVER REMOVED. MANY CENTRES ARE LOCATED IN THIS. INTELLIGENCES,DESIRES,EMOTIONS,MEMORY, IMAGINATION POWER ETC ARE DERIVED FROM THE BIG BRAIN.THIS IS SEAT OF CONSCIOUSNESS.IN THE PRANAYAMA TECHNIQUE,THERE IS A LARGE PARTICIPATION OF THIS PART. SMALL BRAIN[CEREBELLUM]: THIS IS LOCATED BELOW AND ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE CEREBRUM.MAINTENANCE OF THE BALANCE OF THE BODY AND VOLUNTARY MUSCULAR MOVEMENTS ARE ITS IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS. LONG BRAIN[MEDULLA OBLONGATA]: THIS IS LONGISH AND IS LOCATED O N THE LOWER MOST PART OF THE BRAIN. THE CONTROL OF THE IMPORTANT LIFE-SUSTAINING FUNCTIONS SUCH AS BLOOD CIRCULATION,BREATHING ETC.IS CARRIED OUT BY THE CENTRES LOCATED IN THIS PART. APART FROM THIS,THE WORKING OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM IS CARRIED OUT INN THE BODY THROUGH THE NERVE FIBRES AND NERVES. AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM: THIS INVOLUNTARY PART OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM IS A CHAIN OF KNOTS OF NERVE CELLS SITUATED NEAR THE VERTEBRAE. IT REACHES UPTO THE WAIST IN THE CAVITIES OF THE CHEST AND THE ABDOMENT.THESE KNOTS OF NERVE CELLS AND NERVES ARE CLOSE TO EACH OTHER AND SOME OF THESE KNOTS OF NERVE CELLS ARE CONNNECTED TO THE NERVES OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM CONTROLS IMPORTANT ORGANS SUCH AS THE INVOLUNTARY MUSCLES,HEART,STOMACH,LUNGS ETC.THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM CONTROLS PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS SUCH AS BLOOD CIRCULATION,BREATHING,ETC. THE INFORMATION GIVEN HEREE ON THE NERVOUS SYSTEM AND ITS WORKING IS OF A VERY ELEMENTARY NATURE. THE WORKING OF THE BRAIN AND ITS NATURE IS SO COMPLICATED THAT MAN’S INTELLIGENCE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THEM FULLY SO FAR. DURING EVOLUTION,MAN’S CEREBRUM CONTINUED TO BECOME BIGGER AND BIGGER AND BECAUSE OF THIS,HE PROGRESSED BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS. NOT ONLY IT IS BIG IN SIZE,IT IS GREAT IN ITS FUNCTIONING ALSO.IT CAN BE SAID TO BE THE ORIGIN OF WORLD’S CULTURE AND CULTURED LIFE-STYLED. THIS GIFT OF THE CEREBRAL CORTEX HAS BEEN ACQUIRED ONLY BY HIGHER ANIMALS.IN NORMAL TIMES,THE CONTROL OF BREATHING IS DONE BY THE BREATHING CENTRE. IN PRANAYAMA,THE SAME WORK IS BROUGHT UNDER VOLUNTARY CONTROL. BECAUSE OF THIS,THE WORK AND AREA OF CONSCIOUSNESS [CEREBRAL CORTEX]HAS BECOME EXTENDED. THE BREATHING PROCESS WHICH IS IN THE HANDS OF NATURE,IS TAKEN OVER BY THE VOLUNTARY CONTROL SITUATED IN THE BIG BRAIN,AND THIS PROVES THE SAYING THAT THE SON[PRANAYAMA]EXCELS THE FATHER[NATURE]. DUE TO THIS CONTROL,BOTH THE AREA OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND ITS CAPACITY ARE INCREASED. PURIFICATION OF THE CONSCIOUS LEVEL,EXPANDING ITS AREA AND MAKING CONSCIOUSNESS ALL-PERVADING IS THE ULTIMATE AIM OF YOGA AND ,IN ACHIEVING THIS, PRNAYAMA HAS A LION’S SHARE. THERE ARE BODY-MIND LEVELS RANGING FROM THE SUBTLE NERVE CELLS TO THE GROSS BODY PARTS IN THE HUMAN BODY. THE SEEDS OF THER GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS LIE IN THE IMPULSES OF THE MIND.THESE MENTAL IMPULSES ARE THE PRODUCTS OF INBORN TENDENCIES AND URGES. TOELIMINATE THESE URGES AND THEBY TO REDUCE MENTAL IMPULSES- IN OTHER WORKS,TO BRING ABOUT MENTAL STABILITY- IS THE PRIME OBJECTIVE OF PRANAYAMA. “STOPPING” OR “CONTROLLING” BREATHING-IN AND BREATHING-OUT i.e.ARRESTING THE PRANA THROUGH POORAKA,RECHAKA AND KUMBHAKA,IS A VERY GROSS PICTURE OF PRANAYAMA. THIS, THEN,IS THE EXTERNAL BREATHING;HOWEVER,THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF PRANAYAMA IS THE EFFECT OF THE DISCIPLINED EXTERNAL BREATHIG ON THE INTERNAL BREATHING OR INTERNAL RESPIRATION. THE CONTROLLING AND DISCIPLINING OF PLRANA AT THIS LEVEL WOULD BE THE REAL PRANAYAMA. THIS IS THE CORE OF PRANAYAMA.THE EXCHANGE OF OXYGEN AND CARBON DIOXIDE,ACCEPTANCE OF THE GASEOUS WASTE PRODUCTS BY THE BLOOD ETC.OCCUR IN THIS AREA[INTERNAL BREATHING].IN PRANAYAMA ,LACK OF CATABOLISM AND NON-REQUIREMENT OF ANABOLISM ARE CREATED DUE TO THE STABILITY AND RELAXATION OF THE BODY AND EFFORTLESSNESS[CONSCIOUS DIFFERENTIAL RELAXATION]GAINED IN THE ASANAS. AT THE SAME TIME,THE DISCIPLINED,PORPORTIONATE,RHYTHMIC AND PLEASURABLE POORAKA-KUMBHAKA-RECHAKA MAXIMISE THIS STATE AND THE SPEED OF METABOLISM IS BROUGHT TO NEAR NAUGHT[ZERO]. THIS CONDITION IS THEN CREATED EVERYWHERE[i.e.IN EVERY ATOM AND MOLECULE,IN EVERY HAIR AND NAIL IN THE BODY.THE INNUMERABLE,BIG OR SMALL AND OF VARIOUS TYPES OF IMPULSES EMANATING FROM THE VARIOUS PARTS OF THE BODY AND GOING TO THE BRAIN,GET ENTANGLED WITH EACH OTHER AND ALSO ENTANGLE THE BRAIN. SUCH IMPULSES BECOME LESS AND LESS BY PRANAYAMA. AS A RESULT OF THIS,THE LEVEL OF THE MENTAL VIBRATIONS,THE REACTIONS OF THE BRAIN ETC.BECOME VERY LOW. WITH IT,DUE TO THE PROPORTIONATE POORAKA-KUMBHAKA-RECHAKA IN PRANAYAMA,THE IMPULSES GOING TO THE BRAIN BECOME DISCIPLINED,RHYTHEMIC AND PLEASURABLE AND,AS A CUMULATIVE EFFECT,THE M IND BECOMES IMPULSE-FREE,CALM AND STABLE,AND SSBECOMES FIT FOR MAKING IT ONE-POINTED FOR DHARANA. DURING PRANAYAMA THE MIND BECOMES STABLE. WITH ITS LONG PRACTICE,EVERYDAY,A TIME COMES WHEN THE BREATHING STOPS ON ITS OWN AND THE NECESSITY OF PERFORMING PRANAYAMA IS NOT FELT. THIS STATE IS CALLED “KEWALA KUMBHAKA” THIS KUMBHAKA TAKE PLACE NATURALLY. THEREFORE,THIS KUMBHAKA IS GIVEN THE HIGHEST RANK.THIS KUMBHAKA IS LIKE PATANJALI’S CHATURTHA KUMBHAKA.WHEN SUCH A KUMBHAKA OCCURS EVERY NOW AND THEN,MENTAL STABILITY BECOMESSECOND TO NATURE AND AS RESI;T “AANANDO JAYATE CHITTE PRANAYAMI SUKHI BHAVET” [GHERANDA SAMHITA 5/57] i.e. THE MIND BECOMES PLEASANT AND THE SADHAKA BECOMES EXHILERATED. WHAT MORE CAN A COMMON MAN DREAM OF ?
Monday, April 30, 2007
ASTHMA AND YOGA
I shall never forget my wife’s first attack of asthma, she woke up with a horrible choked feeling and could not get enough air into her lungs and any attempt to breathe produced a high pitched wheezing sound. Her chest was rapidly moving in and out, naturally, she was very frightened. It was about 2 O’clock in night. I and my daughter were very much afraid to see the condition of my wife. Immediately I called my family doctor and he examined her and promptly gave her an injection. She was breathing normally within a few minutes after the injection .She felt as if she had been saved from certain suffocation. Doctor declared that it was an Asthma attack. Next day he recommended to test blood and evening we got report, doctor confirmed it was ALLERGIC ASTHMA and started his treatment. He recommended to take tablet regulary-3- times a day and by this tablets she got relief and her asthma was in control but I was worrying 3 tablets per day may effect the body of my wife and therefore I started to read many books on Asthma and decided to find out some way through YOGA.I joined YOGA VIDYA NIKETAN, MUMBAI for Diploma in Yogic Education. During my course I got excellent guidance from all side scientifically as well as yogic from my teachers and therefore I dare to write this article on “Asthma and Yoga” so that nobody will be afraid as I was at the time of first attack of asthma to my wife.
SOME BASIC ABOUT ASTHMA:
Asthma is disease of Respiratory System. The purpose of this information is to bring the reader to an awareness of the symptoms and condition of asthma. Those who have experienced asthma will, of course, be familiar with these facts, but it is hoped that they will benefit from a logical and ordered.
The basic cause of an asthma attack is contraction of the breathing tubes. This is accompanied by over production of mucus, further blocking the airway. The attack manifests itself as an excruciating breathlessness, especially during the exhalation production a wheezing sound.Like, diabetes, it is humorously said that Asthma also is more than a faithful wife. A wife may take a divorce but Asthma will never.
Asthma is a chronic psychosomatic disease like peptic ulcer, dermatitis or rheumatism. The term psychosomatic is used for those diseases in which emotional and psychic factors are closely and clearly related with the onset or exacerbation of the symptoms.
Asthma originates most commonly in infancy and less so in middle life and it occurs with equal frequency in both sexes during youth. However, males are more susceptible in later life than females.
There is also hereditary factor causes asthma but these do not render a cure impossible.
Nervousness is intimately linked with the disease. Worry, smoking and pollution are major contributing causes.
Asthma often occurs in the cold months of the year when the body builds up excessive amount of mucus and cannot burn it off. That is, the body does not generate enough internal metabolic heat to handle the cold climate and as a result mucus builds up and is not expelled from the body. This is combined with spasms of the bronchioles and bronchi, preventing sufficient air getting out. The result is breathlessness, wheezing, gasping and coughing.
This condition is aggravated by any thing which produces mucus, such as cold, and starchy carbohydrates or which requires extra oxygen such as exercise. Ultimately this disease has its roots in the mind, or we suppress mental energies they are eventually expressed through dreams, the personality or in disease.
Drugs alone cannot cure asthma; they can only treat the symptoms. In time, the bronchial muscles become accustomed to drugs and their effects are diminished. Only treatment of the cause can produce a cure. When you have cured asthma with yoga you will no longer need drugs.
YOGIC TREATMENT:
Most people in the world having an acute illness will do anything to find relief, usually in the form of drugs and other remedies designed to suppress symptoms. From the yogic and natural health point of view this can be a mistake. The disease is an attempt by nature to rebalance and heal the body, ridding it of accumulated toxins, chemicals and waste products that have been stored and are clogging vital capillary, lymphatic, nervous and organic channels. These impurities disturb physiological function, converting it to the pathological and distorting panic energy fields. The mind is affected in and reciprocal interchange with distorted body energies creating pain, tension and suffering. Disease in nature’s mechanism to right the capsizing human vessel and tp restore normal function. The process must be aided and not suppressed, so that it takes place in the shortest possible time with the maximum beneficial effects and the minimum amount of suffering. To prevent and minimize the pain of asthma and attack of asthma, Yoga is a best remedy.
REMEDY:
Because of its psychosomatic nature, no medical science can guarantee to cure the asthma by treatment of only drugs. That is why it is considered as a life-long trouble. The drugs, only give relief at the time of asthmatic attacks but they never stop the tendency. Yogic treatment in chronic asthmatic trouble is much more effective to minimize the severity and the period of attacks. It may not help when the attack is on. At the time of attack, one should take the drugs to get instant relief from difficulty in respiratoration but if one builds a healthy respiratory system, along with all other systems of body and get perfect balance of mind by continuous Yogabhyas, one can surely get relief from the chronic asthmatic trouble.
Points to Remember:
1} Learn the practices from a trained yoga teacher.
2} Follow the instructions properly.
3} Changeover to a suitable diet and time of food intake are
Important points to consider.
4} Yoga takes a person as an integrated unit, it never treats a
a single part or organ of body separately.
5} Yogabhayas helps a person to get a better functioning of his
Psycho-somatic vehicle.
6} Regular Yogabhayas helps the nature to cure the troubles
and brings a patient to the state of positive health.
7} Yogic therapy is not against medicine, sometimes it
substitutes and in some cases it works as an auxiliary
measure.
ASANAS:
VAJRASANA
SWASAN MARG SHUDDI
SHWANSANA
SULABHA SUPTA VAJRASANA
ARDHA DRONASANA
POORVA BHUJANGASANA
ARDHA SHALABHASAN
PARVATASANA
TADASANA
SIMHA MUDRA
JIVHA BANDHA
BRAMHA MUDRA
KAPALBHATI
ANULOMA VILOM
SHAVASANA
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