Swinging Exercise from President...to get into shape...
Friday, July 16, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Benefits of Yoga
Benefits of Yoga to Your Bones, Muscles, and Joints
The physical benefits of yoga are myriad. Yoga keeps your body strong, as it involves all the muscles in your body to hold and balance yoga asanas (poses). The various yoga postures strengthen your feet, legs, hands, abdominals, lower back, legs, and shoulders.
Yoga's stretching and breathing exercises improve your flexibility, helping joints, tendons, and muscles stay limber. People suffering from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis will see a noticeable improvement in their stiffness, pain, and other arthritic symptoms by practicing yoga poses and postures.
Yoga improves your endurance, especially the more athletic forms of yoga such as ashtanga yoga, power yoga, vinyasa yoga, and Bikram yoga. These rigorous yoga practices follow a specific sequence of poses (asanas) that become more challenging as you progress. Unlike the more gentle hatha yoga, the forms of ashtagna yoga, power yoga, vinyasa yoga, and Bikram yoga require you to keep your body in constant motion between poses, resulting in a strenuous cardiovascular workout and improved core strength.
Hatha yoga can relieve chronic back and neck pain, since the poses and postures gently stretch and strengthen your back and neck muscles.
Yoga is often prescribed to help heal various injuries, including repetitive strain injuries, knee and back injuries, pulled hamstrings, even minor skin burns. Of course, you should consult your physician before using yoga as a treatment for any injury!
Yoga is an excellent weight-bearing exercise that can improve your bone density. This is particularly beneficial for women approaching menopause, since yoga can help ward off osteoporosis, or thinning of the bone.
Benefits of Yoga to the Cardiovascular System
Yoga has tremendous health benefits for your heart. Most notably:
The gentler forms of yoga lower your blood pressure because the asanas (yoga poses, postures, and yoga positions) keep blood flowing evenly throughout your body while you focus on your breathing.
People suffering from hypertension can benefit from yoga tremendously, as hatha yoga can lower your heart rate and blood pressure.
Many practitioners claim that yoga has also lowered their cholesterol.
Power yoga is an excellent form of cardio conditioning, which strengthens core muscles while it keeps blood and oxygen circulating throughout your body.
Benefits of Yoga on Mental Health
Yoga benefits anyone's mental health by helping him or her relax, and it is an effective form of psychological therapy. Yoga reduces anxiety and stress, resulting in better health, better mood, and better concentration throughout the day. Yoga has been used to help treat a wide variety of emotional and mental disorders, including acute anxiety, depression, and mood swings.
Even children can benefit from yoga. Those with attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity can learn to relax and get control by using yoga breathing and yoga asanas.
Because yoga is a form of meditation, it results in a sense of inner peace and purpose, which has far-reaching health benefits.
Yoga has been used to help heal victims of torture or other trauma.
Benefits of Yoga on Other Health Conditions
Do you have frequent headaches? Yoga can rid you of tension headaches and migraines because yoga circulates blood and oxygen to your head, which can often prevent headaches from starting.
A regular yoga practice helps boost antioxidants throughout your body, resulting in a stronger immune system and improved ability to heal quickly from disease or injury.
Yoga can help you lose weight and maintain a healthy weight throughout your life. Power yoga is a vigorous form of yoga that burns calories, resulting in weight loss.
Many women going through menopause report an easing of symptoms when they begin practicing yoga.
Benefits of Yoga in Everyday Life
Yoga can help cure insomnia, as regular yoga practice leads to better and deeper sleep.
Yoga can help fight fatigue and maintain your energy throughout the day.
Yoga is an effective treatment for a variety of autoimmune diseases because it can reduce the symptoms these diseases often cause, such as stiffness, malaise, fatigue, and weakness.
Regular yoga practice will create multiple and noticeable benefits to your health. Try some yoga postures today! And as your instructor will no doubt tell you at the end of your practice: Namaste.
The physical benefits of yoga are myriad. Yoga keeps your body strong, as it involves all the muscles in your body to hold and balance yoga asanas (poses). The various yoga postures strengthen your feet, legs, hands, abdominals, lower back, legs, and shoulders.
Yoga's stretching and breathing exercises improve your flexibility, helping joints, tendons, and muscles stay limber. People suffering from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis will see a noticeable improvement in their stiffness, pain, and other arthritic symptoms by practicing yoga poses and postures.
Yoga improves your endurance, especially the more athletic forms of yoga such as ashtanga yoga, power yoga, vinyasa yoga, and Bikram yoga. These rigorous yoga practices follow a specific sequence of poses (asanas) that become more challenging as you progress. Unlike the more gentle hatha yoga, the forms of ashtagna yoga, power yoga, vinyasa yoga, and Bikram yoga require you to keep your body in constant motion between poses, resulting in a strenuous cardiovascular workout and improved core strength.
Hatha yoga can relieve chronic back and neck pain, since the poses and postures gently stretch and strengthen your back and neck muscles.
Yoga is often prescribed to help heal various injuries, including repetitive strain injuries, knee and back injuries, pulled hamstrings, even minor skin burns. Of course, you should consult your physician before using yoga as a treatment for any injury!
Yoga is an excellent weight-bearing exercise that can improve your bone density. This is particularly beneficial for women approaching menopause, since yoga can help ward off osteoporosis, or thinning of the bone.
Benefits of Yoga to the Cardiovascular System
Yoga has tremendous health benefits for your heart. Most notably:
The gentler forms of yoga lower your blood pressure because the asanas (yoga poses, postures, and yoga positions) keep blood flowing evenly throughout your body while you focus on your breathing.
People suffering from hypertension can benefit from yoga tremendously, as hatha yoga can lower your heart rate and blood pressure.
Many practitioners claim that yoga has also lowered their cholesterol.
Power yoga is an excellent form of cardio conditioning, which strengthens core muscles while it keeps blood and oxygen circulating throughout your body.
Benefits of Yoga on Mental Health
Yoga benefits anyone's mental health by helping him or her relax, and it is an effective form of psychological therapy. Yoga reduces anxiety and stress, resulting in better health, better mood, and better concentration throughout the day. Yoga has been used to help treat a wide variety of emotional and mental disorders, including acute anxiety, depression, and mood swings.
Even children can benefit from yoga. Those with attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity can learn to relax and get control by using yoga breathing and yoga asanas.
Because yoga is a form of meditation, it results in a sense of inner peace and purpose, which has far-reaching health benefits.
Yoga has been used to help heal victims of torture or other trauma.
Benefits of Yoga on Other Health Conditions
Do you have frequent headaches? Yoga can rid you of tension headaches and migraines because yoga circulates blood and oxygen to your head, which can often prevent headaches from starting.
A regular yoga practice helps boost antioxidants throughout your body, resulting in a stronger immune system and improved ability to heal quickly from disease or injury.
Yoga can help you lose weight and maintain a healthy weight throughout your life. Power yoga is a vigorous form of yoga that burns calories, resulting in weight loss.
Many women going through menopause report an easing of symptoms when they begin practicing yoga.
Benefits of Yoga in Everyday Life
Yoga can help cure insomnia, as regular yoga practice leads to better and deeper sleep.
Yoga can help fight fatigue and maintain your energy throughout the day.
Yoga is an effective treatment for a variety of autoimmune diseases because it can reduce the symptoms these diseases often cause, such as stiffness, malaise, fatigue, and weakness.
Regular yoga practice will create multiple and noticeable benefits to your health. Try some yoga postures today! And as your instructor will no doubt tell you at the end of your practice: Namaste.
5 Top Yogasanas for a Flat Tummy!!!!
5 Top Yogasanas for a Flat Tummy!!!!
1. 30-Degree-LiftSteps: Lie on your back. Now raise your upper body and legs slightly above the ground. Remember to raise the torso or back and not just raise and bend the neck. That would strain wrongly. The feet can go up till a level of 30 degrees above the ground. Hands are to be stretched out in front of you. Stay in the pose for 20 seconds, then come back and relax. Repeat once more.
2. Touch-your-KneeSteps: Lie on your back. Lift your one knee and bend it towards your chest with the help of your hands. Try and make your nose touch your knee. The second leg remains on the ground. Once we become comfortable, also try raising the second leg in the air till about a 30 degrees level. Remain in the pose for around 20 seconds. Then slowly get back and relax. Alternate this with the other leg too. Repeat the round twice.
3. Acute-angleSteps: Lie on the floor with your head facing down and hands bent by the elbow, kept by the chest sides. Now lift your torso up to make your hands be straight and perpendicular to the ground, back and legs straight and the palms right below the shoulders. Now raise your legs to rest only on feet fingers. The neck is to be straight in line with the back. Stay for at least 30-60 counts, come down slowly and relax. Repeat once more.
4. Cobra-StyleSteps: Lie down with the forehead on the ground. Keep the legs together and the arms at the sides with the palms by the side of the thighs. Now bring the arms closer to shoulder and then bend the arms at the elbows to bring the palms right below the shoulder. Tilt the head upwards to look up. Then slowly arch the spine and pressing the palms raise the upper trunk from the ground. Stay for 20 seconds. Then slowly resume to normal position. Repeat once more.
5. Leg-LiftsSteps: This is more like those floor exercises. Lie on your back with your hands either stretched over the head or by the side of your body. Now raise your legs together up till a 45 degree angle and then slowly bring it back to the ground. Don’t bend the knees. The catch here is not to make your feet touch the ground but rather to keep it slightly up in the air. Then take it up again till 45 degrees. Slowly repeat this motion of up and down atleast 10-15 times. Relax then. Repeat if required.
Related LINKS
http://www.yogabasics.com/seated-yoga-poses/accomplished-pose.htmlhttp://www.santosha.com/asanas/
If you want see Shilpa Shetty Yoga Video Click here
1. 30-Degree-LiftSteps: Lie on your back. Now raise your upper body and legs slightly above the ground. Remember to raise the torso or back and not just raise and bend the neck. That would strain wrongly. The feet can go up till a level of 30 degrees above the ground. Hands are to be stretched out in front of you. Stay in the pose for 20 seconds, then come back and relax. Repeat once more.
2. Touch-your-KneeSteps: Lie on your back. Lift your one knee and bend it towards your chest with the help of your hands. Try and make your nose touch your knee. The second leg remains on the ground. Once we become comfortable, also try raising the second leg in the air till about a 30 degrees level. Remain in the pose for around 20 seconds. Then slowly get back and relax. Alternate this with the other leg too. Repeat the round twice.
3. Acute-angleSteps: Lie on the floor with your head facing down and hands bent by the elbow, kept by the chest sides. Now lift your torso up to make your hands be straight and perpendicular to the ground, back and legs straight and the palms right below the shoulders. Now raise your legs to rest only on feet fingers. The neck is to be straight in line with the back. Stay for at least 30-60 counts, come down slowly and relax. Repeat once more.
4. Cobra-StyleSteps: Lie down with the forehead on the ground. Keep the legs together and the arms at the sides with the palms by the side of the thighs. Now bring the arms closer to shoulder and then bend the arms at the elbows to bring the palms right below the shoulder. Tilt the head upwards to look up. Then slowly arch the spine and pressing the palms raise the upper trunk from the ground. Stay for 20 seconds. Then slowly resume to normal position. Repeat once more.
5. Leg-LiftsSteps: This is more like those floor exercises. Lie on your back with your hands either stretched over the head or by the side of your body. Now raise your legs together up till a 45 degree angle and then slowly bring it back to the ground. Don’t bend the knees. The catch here is not to make your feet touch the ground but rather to keep it slightly up in the air. Then take it up again till 45 degrees. Slowly repeat this motion of up and down atleast 10-15 times. Relax then. Repeat if required.
Related LINKS
http://www.yogabasics.com/seated-yoga-poses/accomplished-pose.htmlhttp://www.santosha.com/asanas/
If you want see Shilpa Shetty Yoga Video Click here
Monday, July 12, 2010
Pranayama - The Art of Yoga Breathing
Pranayama is a Sanskrit word which is translated as “control of the breath” or “control of the life force.” It refers to a series of breathing exercises from the simple to the complex which are designed to be part of the practice of yoga, a physical and spiritual discipline which has been practiced in India for thousands of years. Many yoga classes around the world feature some aspect of pranayama, depending on the philosophy of the class and the skill level of the students.
Pranayama - The Art of Yoga Breathing
When the Breath wanders, the mind is unsteady, but when the Breath is still, so is the mind still." - Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Breathing is life. It is one of our most vital functions. One of the Five Principles of Yoga is Pranayama or Breathing Exercise which promotes proper breathing. In a Yogic point of view, proper breathing is to bring more oxygen to the blood and to the brain, and to control Prana or the vital life energy. Pranayama Yoga also goes hand in hand with the Asanas. The union of these two Yogic Principles is considered as the highest form of purification and self-discipline, covering both mind and body. Know more about Pranayama techniques in the following sections:
Pranayama - What is Yoga Breathing?
One of the Five Principles of Yoga is Pranayama or the science of breath control. This is an overview of what Pranayama is and the Breathing Exercises practiced in Yoga.
Pranayama - Importance of Breathing
Breathing is the only means of supplying our bodies and its various organs with oxygen which is vital for our survival. Learn the importance of proper breathing in this section.
Pranayama - Traditional Breathing Techniques
Take a closer look at the different Traditional Breathing Techniques - High Breathing, Low Breathing, Middle Breathing, and the Complete Breath.
Pranayama - Stages of Breathing in Yoga
Each cycle of breathing which is usually thought of as merely inhalation followed by exhalation, may be analyzed based on its four phases or stages. Take your yoga kit and know the Four Stages of Breathing in Yoga.
Pranayama - Arrested and Resting Breath
The empty pause completes the cycle which terminates as the pause ends and a new breathing cycle begins. Know the importance of Arrested and Resting Breath in this section.
Pranayama - Techniques to Prolong Pauses
Bhandas are Yoga Techniques and aids which are practiced in order to slow down one's breathing. Know the four important Bandhas and learn how they are done.
Pranayama - Patterns of Rest
In this section, know the importance of Pattern of Rest between inhalation and exhalation. Also, know the various benefits of having self-control in Yoga breathing.
Pranayama - Importance of Exhalation
The Pranayama practice gives emphasis to inhalation, exhalation, and retention of breath. Learn why proper exhalation is considered as the most important part of Pranayama practice.
Pranayama - Safety Guidelines
The Pranayama practice is safe to do as long as you keep some essential things in mind. Know some general guidelines or principles to keep you on the safe side while doing the exercises.
Pranayama - Prana and the Body
Prana is the center of all Yoga Exercises and practices. It is the energy, the self-energizing force that embraces the body. Know more about Prana and its role in Pranayama.
Related links:
www.yogawiz.com/breathing-exercises.html
www.wisegeek.com/what-is-pranayama.htm
Pranayama - The Art of Yoga Breathing
When the Breath wanders, the mind is unsteady, but when the Breath is still, so is the mind still." - Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Breathing is life. It is one of our most vital functions. One of the Five Principles of Yoga is Pranayama or Breathing Exercise which promotes proper breathing. In a Yogic point of view, proper breathing is to bring more oxygen to the blood and to the brain, and to control Prana or the vital life energy. Pranayama Yoga also goes hand in hand with the Asanas. The union of these two Yogic Principles is considered as the highest form of purification and self-discipline, covering both mind and body. Know more about Pranayama techniques in the following sections:
Pranayama - What is Yoga Breathing?
One of the Five Principles of Yoga is Pranayama or the science of breath control. This is an overview of what Pranayama is and the Breathing Exercises practiced in Yoga.
Pranayama - Importance of Breathing
Breathing is the only means of supplying our bodies and its various organs with oxygen which is vital for our survival. Learn the importance of proper breathing in this section.
Pranayama - Traditional Breathing Techniques
Take a closer look at the different Traditional Breathing Techniques - High Breathing, Low Breathing, Middle Breathing, and the Complete Breath.
Pranayama - Stages of Breathing in Yoga
Each cycle of breathing which is usually thought of as merely inhalation followed by exhalation, may be analyzed based on its four phases or stages. Take your yoga kit and know the Four Stages of Breathing in Yoga.
Pranayama - Arrested and Resting Breath
The empty pause completes the cycle which terminates as the pause ends and a new breathing cycle begins. Know the importance of Arrested and Resting Breath in this section.
Pranayama - Techniques to Prolong Pauses
Bhandas are Yoga Techniques and aids which are practiced in order to slow down one's breathing. Know the four important Bandhas and learn how they are done.
Pranayama - Patterns of Rest
In this section, know the importance of Pattern of Rest between inhalation and exhalation. Also, know the various benefits of having self-control in Yoga breathing.
Pranayama - Importance of Exhalation
The Pranayama practice gives emphasis to inhalation, exhalation, and retention of breath. Learn why proper exhalation is considered as the most important part of Pranayama practice.
Pranayama - Safety Guidelines
The Pranayama practice is safe to do as long as you keep some essential things in mind. Know some general guidelines or principles to keep you on the safe side while doing the exercises.
Pranayama - Prana and the Body
Prana is the center of all Yoga Exercises and practices. It is the energy, the self-energizing force that embraces the body. Know more about Prana and its role in Pranayama.
Many people think of Pranayama as just breathing control, but it is very much more.
Ayama means dimension, not control.
So pranayama is practiced in order to expand the dimensions of prana within the body.
Pranayama is essentially a process by which prana is controlled by regulating the breathing voluntary. It involves a temporary pause or interval in the movement of the breath.
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika refers to Pranayama as a technique through which the quantity of prana (vital life force) in the body is activated to a higher frequency.
Patanjali deals with pranayama in five sutras (2:49-53) in 2:49 he states:-
‘Having established a firm, steady posture, one then regulates the life-force (prana) by natural voluntary suspension of the breath after inhalation and exhalation – this is pranayama’
The Bhagavad Gita refers to pranayama throughout its texts its first mention is at chapter 4 v 29
‘Some offer their out-flowing breath into the breath that flows in; and the in-flowing breath into the breath that flows out: they aim at pranayama, breath harmony, and the flow of their breath is in peace
What is the purpose of Pranayama?
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika states that Pranayama is practiced in order to understand and control the pranic process in the body. Breathing is a direct means of absorbing prana and the manner in which we breath sets off pranic vibrations, which influence our entire being.
By becoming aware of the nature of the breath and by restraining it, the whole system becomes controlled. When you retain the breath you are stopping nervous impulses in different parts of the body and harmonising the brain wave patterns. In pranayama, it is the duration of the breath retention, which has to be increased. The longer the breath is held, the greater the gap between nervous impulses and their responses in the brain. When retention is held for a prolonged period, mental agitation is curtailed.
Through pranayama the mind can be brought under control. In many spiritual traditions, including Sufism, Buddhism and Yoga, it is known that by concentrating on the breath, you can still the mind, develop one-pointedness and gain entry into the deeper realms of the mind and consciousness.
‘Where the mind goes, the prana follows’ Thirumoolar (South Indian saint)
Patanjali covers the aims and benefits of pranayama in 2:52 where he states:
‘As its result, the veil over the inner light is destroyed’
We destroy the veil that covers the Inner Light. Prakasha, the light within, is covered by a veil of mental darkness and through pranayama the mind becomes fit for concentration (2:53)
In the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (verse 6 chapter 2) it states that during pranayama practice the mind should be steady and aware and not moving from thought to thought. Then the whole system is receptive.
The purpose of pranayama is to remove blockages and to lift you out of the tamasic (inert) and rajastic (dynamism) states. When the mind is sattwic (in steadiness and one pointed) inner awareness grows and prana accumulates.What precautions and prohibitions should you be aware of in the variety of Pranayama techniques listed in the main texts?
It is not advised to practice asanas immediately after Pranayama and to relax after strenuous asana practice before Pranayama. Pranayama should not be practiced in haste.
Pranayama should not be practiced when the lungs are congested
Pranayama should not be practiced immediately after meals and at least four hours should be allowed after eating.
During Pranayama the breath must not be forced or strained.
People with high blood pressure, lung, heart, eye or ear problems should NOT hold after an IN breath and no vigorous breathing exercises, cleansing or bellows breaths.
People with low blood pressure should NOT hold after an OUT breath.
Below is a table outlining the precautions and prohibitions for a variety of Pranayama techniques.
Pranayama Technique
Precautions
Prohibitions
Kapalabhatii
Bhastrika
Do not over force the practice – may cause dizziness.
Always conclude the practice with some slow breaths.
As soon as the sound diminishes, stop and start afresh/reduce the number of blasts/cycles or stop for the day. Stop the practice if irritation is felt
Pregnancy – may cause prolapse of abdominal organs or uterus while the breasts may sag, High Blood Pressure, Lung, Heart, eye and ear problems
Do not practice if the sound of the out breath is incorrect – do not force.
Weak constitution/lung capacity may damage blood vessels or brain.
High or low blood pressure – nose bleeds or throbbing or aching ears – stop immediately.
Ayama means dimension, not control.
So pranayama is practiced in order to expand the dimensions of prana within the body.
Pranayama is essentially a process by which prana is controlled by regulating the breathing voluntary. It involves a temporary pause or interval in the movement of the breath.
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika refers to Pranayama as a technique through which the quantity of prana (vital life force) in the body is activated to a higher frequency.
Patanjali deals with pranayama in five sutras (2:49-53) in 2:49 he states:-
‘Having established a firm, steady posture, one then regulates the life-force (prana) by natural voluntary suspension of the breath after inhalation and exhalation – this is pranayama’
The Bhagavad Gita refers to pranayama throughout its texts its first mention is at chapter 4 v 29
‘Some offer their out-flowing breath into the breath that flows in; and the in-flowing breath into the breath that flows out: they aim at pranayama, breath harmony, and the flow of their breath is in peace
What is the purpose of Pranayama?
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika states that Pranayama is practiced in order to understand and control the pranic process in the body. Breathing is a direct means of absorbing prana and the manner in which we breath sets off pranic vibrations, which influence our entire being.
By becoming aware of the nature of the breath and by restraining it, the whole system becomes controlled. When you retain the breath you are stopping nervous impulses in different parts of the body and harmonising the brain wave patterns. In pranayama, it is the duration of the breath retention, which has to be increased. The longer the breath is held, the greater the gap between nervous impulses and their responses in the brain. When retention is held for a prolonged period, mental agitation is curtailed.
Through pranayama the mind can be brought under control. In many spiritual traditions, including Sufism, Buddhism and Yoga, it is known that by concentrating on the breath, you can still the mind, develop one-pointedness and gain entry into the deeper realms of the mind and consciousness.
‘Where the mind goes, the prana follows’ Thirumoolar (South Indian saint)
Patanjali covers the aims and benefits of pranayama in 2:52 where he states:
‘As its result, the veil over the inner light is destroyed’
We destroy the veil that covers the Inner Light. Prakasha, the light within, is covered by a veil of mental darkness and through pranayama the mind becomes fit for concentration (2:53)
In the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (verse 6 chapter 2) it states that during pranayama practice the mind should be steady and aware and not moving from thought to thought. Then the whole system is receptive.
The purpose of pranayama is to remove blockages and to lift you out of the tamasic (inert) and rajastic (dynamism) states. When the mind is sattwic (in steadiness and one pointed) inner awareness grows and prana accumulates.What precautions and prohibitions should you be aware of in the variety of Pranayama techniques listed in the main texts?
It is not advised to practice asanas immediately after Pranayama and to relax after strenuous asana practice before Pranayama. Pranayama should not be practiced in haste.
Pranayama should not be practiced when the lungs are congested
Pranayama should not be practiced immediately after meals and at least four hours should be allowed after eating.
During Pranayama the breath must not be forced or strained.
People with high blood pressure, lung, heart, eye or ear problems should NOT hold after an IN breath and no vigorous breathing exercises, cleansing or bellows breaths.
People with low blood pressure should NOT hold after an OUT breath.
Below is a table outlining the precautions and prohibitions for a variety of Pranayama techniques.
Pranayama Technique
Precautions
Prohibitions
Kapalabhatii
Bhastrika
Do not over force the practice – may cause dizziness.
Always conclude the practice with some slow breaths.
As soon as the sound diminishes, stop and start afresh/reduce the number of blasts/cycles or stop for the day. Stop the practice if irritation is felt
Pregnancy – may cause prolapse of abdominal organs or uterus while the breasts may sag, High Blood Pressure, Lung, Heart, eye and ear problems
Do not practice if the sound of the out breath is incorrect – do not force.
Weak constitution/lung capacity may damage blood vessels or brain.
High or low blood pressure – nose bleeds or throbbing or aching ears – stop immediately.
Vertigo or hernia
Visamvritti
Pregnancy
Antara Kumbh
Visamvritti
Pregnancy
Antara Kumbh
Not before going to sleep or when the brain is highly sensitised.
Pregnancy
Bahya Kumbhaka
Pregnancy
Nadi Sodhana
Do not tilt the head or body. Support right arm with the left.
Cold or nasal passages blocked
Surya Bhedana
Do not practice for over 30 mins
Heart disease, high blood pressure, epilepsy. Do not perform Surya Bhedana and Chandra Bhedana on the same day
Chandra Bhedana
Do not perform on the same day as Surya Bhedana. Introverted people, seriously mentally disturbed. Sluggish digestion, excess mucus. Can be dangerous to activate ida through chandra bhedana unless the guru has specifically advised it
Ujjayi
Low blood pressure must be corrected before starting
High blood pressure, hypertension and cardiac disorders (if holding in)
Depression, melancholia and low blood pressure (if holding out)
It is safe to practice pranayama during menstrual period but avoid uddiyana bandha (abdominal contraction)The use of ratios in Pranayama.
The use of ratio in the different phases of the breath to each other is very significant in the practice of pranayama. It is possible in Pranayama to fix the ratio between the inhalation, the retention afterward, the exhalation, and the retention after that. The use of ratios can be divided into two categories.
The inhalation, the exhalation, and the breath retention are all the same length. This is called samavrtti pranayama (sama means the same and vritti means to move) This practice is good for people who use a mantra in their breathing exercises; they can make the inhalation, the exhalation, and the retention of each breath last for the same number of mantra repetitions.
The different phases of the breath are of different lengths. This is called vismavrtti pranayama. In this practice the exhalation is twice as long as the inhalation.
It is important in any pranayama practice that the individual works with a breath ratio that is right for them. This may vary from day to day. If the ratio is too easy the practice maybe become mechanical. If it is too hard or complicated there may well be resistance, which can cause problems.
The choice of a suitable breath ratio must take into account two factors, what is possible and what our goals are. What is presently possible depends on how well we can inhale, hold the breath, exhale, and again hold the breath. We can do this by observing our breath through our asana practice. We can get a good idea of the limits of our breath as we watch the body through the demands of certain postures.
For example in an inhalation and exhalation of the same length, a forward bend is comfortable and free, a back bend both inhalation and exhalation will be shorter and in an inverted pose the exhalation is fine but the inhalation is shorter.
Asana tell us a lot about the body; if we set a breath ratio in which the inhalation and exhalation are the same length and observe the breath over a certain period in various postures, we will learn a lot about the breath.
From here we can design a pranayama practice in which the exhalation is longer than the inhalation. For example if we choose to breath in a 1:2 ratio (making the exhalation twice as long as the inhalation) we then encourage the complete emptying of the lungs, which in turn encourages a more voluminous inhale. To strengthen the inhale we must work with the exhale
Bibliography
Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha by Swami Satyananda Saraswati
(Bihar School of Yoga 1997) amazon.co.uk books
Prana Pranayama Prana Vidya by Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati
(Bihar School of Yoga 1998) amazon.co.uk books
The Yoga Book by Stephen Sturgess
(Element Books 1997) amazon.co.uk books
Yoga for Body Breath, and Mind by A.G. Mohan
(Rudra Press 1993) amazon.co.uk books
Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Swami Muktibodhananda Saraswati
(Bihar School of Yoga 1998) amazon.co.uk books
The Bhagavad Gita translated by Juan Mascaro
(Penguin Classics 1962) amazon.co.uk books
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Sri Swami Satchidananda
(Intergral Yoga Publications1997) amazon.co.uk books
Heart of Yoga By Desikachar
amazon.co.uk books
Pregnancy
Bahya Kumbhaka
Pregnancy
Nadi Sodhana
Do not tilt the head or body. Support right arm with the left.
Cold or nasal passages blocked
Surya Bhedana
Do not practice for over 30 mins
Heart disease, high blood pressure, epilepsy. Do not perform Surya Bhedana and Chandra Bhedana on the same day
Chandra Bhedana
Do not perform on the same day as Surya Bhedana. Introverted people, seriously mentally disturbed. Sluggish digestion, excess mucus. Can be dangerous to activate ida through chandra bhedana unless the guru has specifically advised it
Ujjayi
Low blood pressure must be corrected before starting
High blood pressure, hypertension and cardiac disorders (if holding in)
Depression, melancholia and low blood pressure (if holding out)
It is safe to practice pranayama during menstrual period but avoid uddiyana bandha (abdominal contraction)The use of ratios in Pranayama.
The use of ratio in the different phases of the breath to each other is very significant in the practice of pranayama. It is possible in Pranayama to fix the ratio between the inhalation, the retention afterward, the exhalation, and the retention after that. The use of ratios can be divided into two categories.
The inhalation, the exhalation, and the breath retention are all the same length. This is called samavrtti pranayama (sama means the same and vritti means to move) This practice is good for people who use a mantra in their breathing exercises; they can make the inhalation, the exhalation, and the retention of each breath last for the same number of mantra repetitions.
The different phases of the breath are of different lengths. This is called vismavrtti pranayama. In this practice the exhalation is twice as long as the inhalation.
It is important in any pranayama practice that the individual works with a breath ratio that is right for them. This may vary from day to day. If the ratio is too easy the practice maybe become mechanical. If it is too hard or complicated there may well be resistance, which can cause problems.
The choice of a suitable breath ratio must take into account two factors, what is possible and what our goals are. What is presently possible depends on how well we can inhale, hold the breath, exhale, and again hold the breath. We can do this by observing our breath through our asana practice. We can get a good idea of the limits of our breath as we watch the body through the demands of certain postures.
For example in an inhalation and exhalation of the same length, a forward bend is comfortable and free, a back bend both inhalation and exhalation will be shorter and in an inverted pose the exhalation is fine but the inhalation is shorter.
Asana tell us a lot about the body; if we set a breath ratio in which the inhalation and exhalation are the same length and observe the breath over a certain period in various postures, we will learn a lot about the breath.
From here we can design a pranayama practice in which the exhalation is longer than the inhalation. For example if we choose to breath in a 1:2 ratio (making the exhalation twice as long as the inhalation) we then encourage the complete emptying of the lungs, which in turn encourages a more voluminous inhale. To strengthen the inhale we must work with the exhale
Bibliography
Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha by Swami Satyananda Saraswati
(Bihar School of Yoga 1997) amazon.co.uk books
Prana Pranayama Prana Vidya by Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati
(Bihar School of Yoga 1998) amazon.co.uk books
The Yoga Book by Stephen Sturgess
(Element Books 1997) amazon.co.uk books
Yoga for Body Breath, and Mind by A.G. Mohan
(Rudra Press 1993) amazon.co.uk books
Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Swami Muktibodhananda Saraswati
(Bihar School of Yoga 1998) amazon.co.uk books
The Bhagavad Gita translated by Juan Mascaro
(Penguin Classics 1962) amazon.co.uk books
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Sri Swami Satchidananda
(Intergral Yoga Publications1997) amazon.co.uk books
Heart of Yoga By Desikachar
amazon.co.uk books
Related links:
www.yogawiz.com/breathing-exercises.html
www.wisegeek.com/what-is-pranayama.htm
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