Our breath is an indicator of our mood and our mood is an indicator of our breath. This means that if we change how we breathe we can change our mood. It also means that when our mood changes so does our breath .

Most people breathe incorrectly, using only a small part of their lung capacity.

Our hurry and worry type of living reflects in ours quickly  and shallow breathing,reverse breathing & curtailed exhalation.

Learning to breathe deeply will increase your oxygen supply, which, in turn, will help to decrease stress and anxiety levels.

In yoga, breathing exercises are an important component in developing your practice. By bringing awareness to your body and consciously practicing breath-control exercises, you can bring positive changes to your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well being.

Namaste!

Most people experience low back pain at some point in their lives. While causes of back pain are numerous ,some are self-inflicted due to a lifetime of bad habits(common cause is a sedentary lifestyle ).Other back pain causes include accidents, muscle strains and sports injuries.

There are many treatment options available to low back pain sufferers, ranging from medications to surgery. But one of the most sustainable and effective solutions for removing back pain is the regular practice of yoga poses.

 New Studies suggest that Yoga  is an excellent way to Relieve Chronic Low Back Pain and prevent back pain.

A 2011 study on ‘Yoga for Chronic Low Back Pain’ published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that yoga provides not just more effective low back pain than usual care, but also provides it faster. The study used 313 adults with recurrent low back pain, and half of the group underwent a 12 week yoga program while the other half used usual low back pain care for 12 months.

For some of us, digestive discomfort has become a fact of life. Abdominal pain, indigestion and heartburn are just some of the common symptoms that can plague our quality of life, directly as a result of busy modern day living.

By paying attention and making a few changes, you can help your digestive system.

The digestive system is a group of organs working together to convert food into energy and basic nutrients to feed the entire body.

Ancient yogis understood that good digestion is key to radiant health and sought to understand the mind-body connection.

 This yoga poses massage the abdominal organs ,stimulate the digestive muscles and increase the wave like movements in the body.

Bhujangasana(cobra pose)

·       alleviates constipation,

·       beneficial for all the abdominal organs 

Paschimottanasana(forward bend pose)

·       tones &massages the entire abdominal,

·       amplifies digestive fire,

·       good for indigestion, bloating

Ardha Matsyandrasana (half spinal twist) When  we are twisting , reduce blood flow to the digestive organs, so when we release, we’re letting in “new” blood to the digestive organs.

·       helpful for improving digestion,

·       alleviating digestive ailments,

·       increases digestive fire,

·       massages the abdominal organs

Vajrasana(the diamond pose)

·       increases the efficiency of the entire digestive system,

·        relieving stomach ailments such as hyperacidity ,peptic ulcer&constipation

Pavanamutkatasana(wind removing pose)

·       strengthening the digestive system,

·        effective in removing wind and constipation ,

·       massages theabdomen &the digestive organs

In every moment when we practice yoga ,we are giving ourselves an advantage to enhance our health.

These poses are supposed to be done only till the point that you are not uncomfortable. Avoid pushing your body beyond your physical limits. 

Namaste ! 

  Many people lead sedentary lifestyles with little or no exercise and, as a result, the body becomes stiff and unable to bend forward.                           Forward bending asanas release this rigidity. With regular practice,even the most rigid back will develop increased flexibility.                                                Beginners should try to bring the fingertips to the floor beside the toes. If this is not possible, they can grasp the ankles or calves.                                     Difficulty bending forward is  associated with fear. Some people live in constant fear of attack from behind and the backs of their bodies unconsciously freeze.                                                                                                          This asana is a boon to people who get excited quickly, as it shoothes the brain cells. After finishing this posture we are feeling calms and cool, the eyes start to glow and the mind feels at peace.                                                                      In the Sanskrit language pada means "foot" and hasta means "hand"- "Hand to Foot Posture" and it is one of the basic postures in Hatha Yoga.

                    Namaste!

References:

"Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha" by Swami Satyananda Saraswati                                "Light on Yoga "by B.K.S.Iyengar                                                                                                                                                                       

"For breath is life, and if you breathe well you will live long on earth".Sanskrit Proverb

Our physical health, mental balance and emotional stability are all affected in the manner that we breathe. When we breathe well our respiratory system works its best, by using full capacity of the lungs.

There is a remarkable improvement in digestive, circulation and eliminative process.The incrased movement of the diaphragm during deep breathing massage the abdominal organs(the stomach,lthe iver,the pancreas,the bowels),the heart. This results a better flow of blood to the organs,better digestion,better bowel movement,detoxification thorough the liver.

Tone the nervous system and this improves the health of whole body.The brain requires more oxygen ,than the rest of body, all endocrine system,glands get rejuvenated.Better oxygenation of the brain reduces oxidative stress symptoms,improves your perception,increases mental strength.

Breathing more slowly, deeply and taking longer breaths can reduce your stress and enhances our physical,emotional and mental health.People who breathe quickly or rapidly often overeat.

Learning to breathe deeply will increase your oxygen supply, which, in turn, will helps in living a long and healthy life.

Namaste!

The Sanskrit word “tri” means three and “kona” means corner or angle. Thus "three corner or three angle posture" is often called the triangle posture.

Trikonasana is very important for health & wellness and combines many elements in one posture: strengthens the legs,knees,ankles,arms and chest,helps to remove fats from the waist & thighs,reduces blood pressure ,stress & anxiety,stimulates abdominal organs and improve digestion.Can bring you back the flexibility of spine,mobility of your hip joints,balance and concentration.

 It is a powerful posture because develop Courage, Willpower and Self-Confidence, Inner Balance and Harmony,if practiced regularly, each part (left/right side)2-3 minutes.

 Trikonasana  it is an active and a contemplative posture and,like the triangle(geometric figure) ,symbolize many things what we can not perceive  : past, present & future,love ,truth &wisdom.

Namaste!

“Balance, peace, and joy are the fruit of a successful life. It starts with recognizing your talents and finding ways to serve others by using them.” Thomas Kinkade

What means to you equilibrium life?

The irregularity and imbalance create a lot of stress and strain in our body. At times,it also leads to injury,pain,or just simple discomfort.

For a good functioning of our body on physically and mentally,it is necessary to be in a balance and everyone want it.

There are a lot of methods to create balance/equilibrium between mind and body,Yoga is one of them.

To improve equilibrium does not mean only to the sharp physical coordination,but also the equilibrium between the left and right front and back,mind and body,body and connection with nature,with people.

With regular practice ,these 3 poses improve coordination,increase strength and develop stability, also emotional and health balance.

When we are in balance,we are able to handle the curves and bumps in the road,we are less likely to lose our self-control at home, at work or in traffic.

We will be better coordinated and benefit from improvements in strength and stability during our practice and in our daily life.

Equilibrium is not only a part of yoga postures, but a large part of yoga philosophy, where equilirium is practiced as a way of life, which can also bring one peace and contentment.

Balanced living is when we can always see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Namaste!

 Shloka 2.31 of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika : "Then Trataka [is described]: Look with fixed eyes [without winking] at a minute object with concentration till tears are shed. The teachers call this Trataka."

Trataka is a well-known Kriya and also  it is a practice of meditation.It is a powerful meditation and cleansing technique, simple and straightforward that anyone can practice at home.

Trataka means Fixed Gazing, Fixed Gazing meditation, Yogic Gazing is a practice where the gaze is fixed on an object or symbol for a while.The symbol most commonly used is a candle flame.

There are two forms: external(bahiranga) and internal(antaranga).

Shloka 2.32 of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika : "By Trataka, all diseases of the eyes are removed and sloth, etc. are overcome. It should be carefully kept secret like a golden casket."

A little practice of trataka is of great use in removing eye disorders and  you will be able develop your concentration,calming your mind, therapeutic in depression,removing anxiety,headache,fatigue,allergies, helps you get better sleep,enhances self-confidence, patience and willpower, and assist in,brings greater clarity in mind and improves decision-making ability.

With this technique you’ll also learn how to control the restless mind (for a short time).

How to Perform? Sit in a comfortable meditative pose, with spine,head and neck straight and place the palms on the knees in  chin jnana mudra or keep palms  slowly open. Relax your  body, close your eyes take a few deep breaths to relax and make yourself quiet. Keep your body perfectly still throughout the entire practice. Trataka can be done at any time but is more effective when performed on an empty stomach. The most suitable time is between four and six in the morning after asana and pranayama practice.

External Trataka : gaze for as long as possible without blinking and without strain until the eyes begin to water or get tired. When your eyes fatigue, focus on the afterimage that you will see when you close your eyes. The candle flame one of the most powerful is the steady, provides a very clear afterimage.

Internal Trataka :is performed by focusing on the tip of your nose with eyes closed or involves clear and stable inner visualizations .

In the beginning you attempt some difficulties which are encountered in the practice of trataka. It is difficult to gaze steadily at one central point continuously in the beginning, but with regular practice you’ll be able to stay along time with eyes open without blinking.

With steady practice you’ll achieve knowledge of yoga through your own experience and you’ll be more healthy,relaxed and aware.

Namaste!

“You are Only as Young as Your Spine is Flexible”.

Many of the asanas are named after and reflect the movements of animals. The indian yogis were good observers of nature and understood how animals live in harmony with their environment and with their own bodies. They understood, through experience, the effects of a particular posture and how the hormonal secretions could be stimulated and controlled by it.

 Marjariasana(Cat Stretch  Posture) is adopted after close observation of the domestic cat.

The cat family has one of the most flexible spines in the animal kingdom and incorporates the excellent feline stretch in the yoga workout.

By imitating the Cat–Marjariasana, could influence our body with flexibility.

Namaste!

In this article I decided to write about Mantra, because I use this method for a few years and it helped me. 

Every thought or feeling that we have is on a vibratory frequency. It is a sound vibration beyond the cognition of the mind.

Sound actually creates, organizes and forms all the basic fundamental shapes found throughout the known universe. Through resonance with specific sound frequencies, we can assist the mind to drop below the speedy, limited perceptions of the mental range of experience to have the space to perceive beyond the limitations of time. The mind is then able to access and address the pattern or "matter" from the foundation of its origins. When we apply this scientifically proven fact to healing, Sound Frequency Healing becomes a profound tool.

The sound of Mantra is very important, can bring transformation in you while leading you to power and strength, stimulate the hypothalamus & thalamus glands, agitation is reduced -calms the mind, opens the intuition, building awareness, increase concentration and learning.

It is easy and you don’t have to sing well because it’s not about singing, in the usual sense. We’re not memorizing complex lyrics and it works whether it’s done alone, or in a group. There are many mantras each one having its own quality, rhythm, and effect and can be a word, phrase, syllable or sound.

For thousands of years, mystics, meditators and yogis have used mantras for mental and spiritual transformation.

Namaste!