Remember ME - You Me and Dementia

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Yoga is therapeutic for body, mind and soul

YOGA IS genuinely an answer to most physical, mental, emotional and spiritual issues. It not only cleanses the body of toxins, it also cleanses the mind of thoughts, of emotions like anger and grief and it regulates the spiritual fibre with mantras, meditation and chants.

When Ram and Lakshmana were taken at Rishi Vashist’s behest into the forests to wage battles as young youths against the terror of Ravana’s cousins, they were made invincible by the teachings of Vashist. Those amazing practices and rules, which are capable of reversing the aging process; of increasing your life span, of granting one health, beauty and a disease –free state constitute the Yoga Sutras.

Ashtangyoga is the crucible through which one must pass in order to experience the beauty and power of Yoga. It is the ancient mix of asanas and pranayama and the practice of truth, happiness and strength. The serenity and tranquility that is obtained from these practices is what leads you to look forever young, be stress free and therefore disease-free.

Basic asanas cause what the western world like to term as ‘stretching’ which in turn causes an increase in the blood supply to the muscle stretched, invigorating, pulsing and awakening it.

Integrated Approach of Yoga

Will provide a conscious process of accelerating growth
Will replace existing outlook with an intellect that is aware of possibilities, is flexibile (as opposed to rigid) and calm.
Enhance Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Health of each participant
Provide tools to beat stress

Excellent asanas to be practiced for certain conditions (under tutelage)

Thyroid Regulation: Hull asan, Sarva-ang asan
Weight loss: both the above and Supta Vajra, Uttanasana, Audhomukh Svanasan
Menstruation: Badhakonasan, Ustra asan Upvistakonasan
Sciatica: Dandaasan, Ardha Chandra asan
Diabetes: Supta Badhakonasan, Prasarita Padottan asan, Viparit Dandasan

Some useful stretches for women would be for their necks, to reduce the wrinkles and to keep the skin on the neck sprightly. Clockwise, anticlockwise, and side pulsing. To get rid of the double chin, throw the head back and open and close the jaw to feel the stretch in the under chin.

Shoulders are always stretched before the neck so that the muscles at the base of the neck are already warmed up before the neck is stretched. Holding a window bar or a pillar with hands outstretched behind, take a step forward, it gives a soothing pull to the shoulder blades, the dorsal and clavicular back.

A lower lumbar backache can be easily rid by sleeping on the stomach and stretching the upper body off the floor with the help of the arms. Then turning to lie on the back, fold knees, and stretch the navel into the sky forcing the lower back to stretch inwards again.

The Carl Lewis stretch for hamstrings and calves is a must for all high-heeled feet and computer gazers. Stand with feet almost together, take one foot over the other, place it on the floor, and bending from the butt stretch those hamstrings, feel the blood rushing into the head and come back up. Repeat with the opposite foot.

The final stretch is when you retire in the night. Lying on the back point your toes, point your finger as you take your arms overhead. Stretch until you feel the bones in your ribcage being pulled gently, your pelvic muscles responding, your calves lengthening, your back stretching and your abdomen flattening. Just turn over and go to sleep. Wake up with the same stretch.

By Bina Bakshi

Source: Meri News

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

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