Daily Yoga Poses for Women

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 | Understand Yoga with 1 Comment

If you have ever wondered what the most recommended asanas for women are, look no further! The following Yoga set is highly recommended for women to perform. This is part of the technology of Kundalini Yoga based on angles and triangles. It also deals with creating pressure and stretching specific organs of the body.

  1. SPINAL FLEX IN ROCK POSE

Benefits:
Kundalini Yoga releases tension in the middle and upper back. It also keeps the spinal fluid moving and stimulates the rise of Kundalini energy throughout the spine.

How to do it:
Sit down on the heels of your feet (if you feel pain or have any injuries, you can use a cushion under the ankles or knees). Inhale and bend the spine forward while bringing the shoulder blades back, then exhale and push the spine back. You may keep your eyes either closed or opened. It is possible to mentally chant the mantra SAT (truth) in the inhalation and NAM(name, identity) in the exhalation. Maintain the head at the same level. To end, inhale and pull root lock for a few seconds then exhale.

Breath:
Inhale and exhale through the nose.

Time:

2 to 3 minutes.

  1. LIFE NERVE STRETCH

Benefits:
Excellent for stretching the life nerve. This goes from the back of the heels, through the sciatic nerve and throughout the back (lower, middle, and upper back). This continues all the way up to the neck.

How to do it:
Sit on the right heel and keep the left leg extended forward. Bring the chest to the left thigh and hold for 2 or 3 minutes. Repeat the asana with the other leg. This can also be done with the both legs straight forward.

Breath:
Breathe through the nose.

Time:
Do it 2 or 3 times per side.

  1. CAMEL POSE

Benefits:
This pose adjusts the reproductive organs.

How to do it:
Get on your knees, squeeze the gluteus, and place the palms of your hands on the back (kidney area) with the fingers pointing up. Next, bring the hips forward and release the head back. You can stay here or you can go to a more advanced position by placing the hands on the heels. Push the hips forward.

Breath:
Breathe through the nose.

Time:
2 to 3 minutes.

  1. SHOULDER STAND

Benefits:
This pose stimulates the metabolism (thyroid and parathyroid glands). It also releases pressure on 11 separate organs. Also great for weight loss!

How to do it:
Start by lying on your back. Bring the legs over the head and place the hands on the back for support. Make the straightest line you can between the body and the floor. Do not move the neck by looking around. Gaze at the chest and relax the breath.

Breath:
Breathe long and deep.

Time:
2 to 3 minutes.

  1. ARCHER POSE

Benefits:
Thi is an excellent for women. It stretches the front muscles and
opens the hips.

How to do it:
Stand up. Place the right leg forward and bend it so it will be able to support the weight of the body. The left leg is straight back with the heel off the floor. The right arm is extended forward as if preparing to lance an arrow. The hands are in a fist, except for the right thumb, which is out and back. The left arm is bent back with the elbow parallel to the floor. You should feel the stretch across the chest. Hold this position.

Breath:
Breathe long and deep through the nose.

Time:
2 to 3 minutes.

  1. BABY POSE

Benefits:
This is a great posture for relaxation. It aids digestion and brings the Kundalini energy from the lower triangle to the upper one.

How to do it:
Sit on your heels and bend forward until you touch the floor with the forehead. The arms should be placed by your sides with the palms facing up. You can also place the arms forward with the palms facing down.

Breath:
Breathe long and deep through the nose.

Time:
1 to 2 minutes.

  1. BOW POSE

Benefits:
This pose opens up the rib cage, expands the lungs, and increases oxygen intake. It assists the function of the large and small intestines, the liver, kidneys, and spleen. This is a great position for those who want to straighten out a curved spine.

How to do it:
Lie down on your abdomen. Bend the knees and grab the ankles. Now pretend you are going to straighten the legs, and the torso will automatically rise up. Tilt the head back and bring the legs up. Hold.

Breath:
Breathe long and deep through the nose.

Time:
2 to 3 minutes.

  1. LOCUST POSE

Benefits:
Locust Pose builds spinal strength and flexibility, specifically in the middle and upper parts of the spine. It helps conditions like lumbago, rheumatism, and arthritis of the spine. It also relieves menstrual problems such as irregularities, cramps, and backaches. It corrects bad posture and improves the functioning of the liver and spleen.

How to do it:
Lie down on your abdomen. Make a fist with the hands and place them in the groin area. The chin is on the floor. Next raise both legs up and hold.

Breath:
Breathe long and deep through the nose.

Time:
2 to 3 minutes.

  1. CAT & COW POSE

Benefits:
Cat and Cow pose releases the tension in the lower, middle, and upper back. This is a great exercise to keep the spinal fluid and the Kundalini moving.

How to do it:
Get on your hands and knees. Inhale and arch the spine down with the head looking up. Hold the position. Then exhale and arch the spine up with the chin to the chest and hold the position again.

Breath:
Breathe through the nose.

Time:
2 to 3 minutes.

  1. STRETCH POSE

Benefits:
This pose balances all of the Chakras, including the Manipura Chakra. There is an old saying in India which states that until the Manipura Chakra is in balance, a person cannot heal. This position is supposed to be performed daily.

How to do it:
Lie down on the back. Raise the head and the legs up 6 inches (the length of a dollar bill). Hold.

Breath:
Hold the position with *breath of fire.

To learn about the benefits of and how to perform *breath of fire, click here:

Time:
3 minutes.

  1. RELAX

Relax on the back for 1 minute.

  1. SAT KRIYA

Benefits:
This is one of the most recommended exercises in Kundalini Yoga. It is great for the heart and circulation and is like a pump raising the energy up from the lower Chakras to the upper Chakras.

How to do it:
Sit down on your heels. Bring the arms up and interlace all but the index fingers which should remain straight and pointing up to the sky. Inhale and loudly chant the mantra SAT while pushing the abdomen in, and then chant NAM while releasing the abdomen out. Keep a steady pace. This is done very loudly while vigorously pushing the abdomen all the way in during inhalation.

Breath:
It’s natural by chanting the mantra SAT NAM.

Time:
5 minutes.

  1. RELAX

Now relax on the back for 11 minutes or as long as your schedule allows.

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Ashtanga yoga

Sunday, November 1st, 2009 | Understand Yoga with No Comments »

yoga for hypertension


In remembrance of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, 1915-2009

Ashtanga yoga is a system of yoga transmitted to the modern world by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. This method of yoga involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of postures—a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind.

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Hatha Yoga Poses for Hypertension and Stress Management

Friday, October 30th, 2009 | Understand Yoga with No Comments »

Statistics about yoga stress management prove beyond doubt that yoga can be used as an effective therapy to fight stress related problems like blood pressure. High Blood pressure is a risk for both heart disease and stroke. It directly increases the risk of heart disease. High BP is a risk for heart disease because the heart is working harder than normal thus putting the heart and arteries under a great strain. In healthy persons according to medical professionals BP increases from about 80/45 in infants, to about 120/80 at age of 30 to about 140/85 at age 40 and above. Blood pressure increases with age because the arteries loose elasticity.

yoga for hypertensionIf the blood pressure increase and remain above normal, one has to follow strict medical advice and take prescribed medicines by medical professional. However, taking medicines alone is not enough to manage one’s High BP condition. Those who are affected by High BP should change their life style in their day to day activities. Those who are affected by high Bp may have to give-up smoking if they are a regular smoker, may have to reduce their alcohol intake, reduce salt in their food and avoid taking red meat etc as may be suggested by the physician.

Yoga and Meditation helps greatly in keeping one’s Bp under control who are suffering from Blood pressure/hypertension. Doctor’s suggest walking is the best exercise for BP patient. However, besides walking one can practice certain simple yoga exercises such as bend your body and touch your toe; strech your body in both ways, rotate your arms both clockwise and anti clockwise, Lie down and lift both your legs to certain high level position, touch your toes in a sitting position bending your body keeping your legs straight etc. These are minor and warm-up like yoga exercises, one can practice easily on daily basis. These exercises may be helpful to those who don’t have enough time during morning or in the evening hours for other yoga exercises and walking.

After certain easy exercises and after bathing one can try to practice meditation for 10 to 15 minutes focusing their concentration on one point or object .During such Meditation one can chant OM or any other blissful words such as OM SHANTI ETC.

Daily practice of such exercises and Meditation will help in maintaining your blood pressure and hypertension to normal level.

Stress Management Yoga Postures

Hatha yoga is the best type of yoga posture for stress management and to get relief from hyper tension. This is also a easy yoga to eliminate tension and is the best of all yoga execises for high blood pressure. The best yoga hathasasans therapy for hypertension are:

  • Balasana also know as Child’s Pose
  • Savasana also know as Corpse Pose or Dead body pose
  • Makarasana know as Crocodile Pose

Balasana Instructions for Stress Management:

Balasana is one of the best known Yoga relaxation and meditation which has helped many get maximum relief from hypertension leading to high blood pressure. Balasana is also one of the best yoga for hypertension.

child pose for hypertensionbalasana for blood pressure

Procedure to perform Balasana:

  • With your lower legs on the floor, bend your knees
  • Now rest your cheast on your knees and stretch your head forward towards the ground (let your forehead touch the ground if possible)
  • Stretch your arms forward or backwards as show in the image

Stay in this pose for about five to six minutes while taking deep breaths.

Savasana Instructions:

The following steps instruct you on how to perform savasana. savasana for stress relief

Procedure to perform Savasana Yoga for Hypertension:

  • Lie on your back and spread your arms and legs to aout 45 degrees. You can make use of a yoga mat to make yourself comfortable
  • Start to breath deeply letting your body rise and fall with each breath. Following the pranayama technique of breathing
  • Concentrate on each part of your body from head to toe and try to remove tension from these parts by relaxing
  • Stay in this position for about 10 to 15 minutes

Makarasana Yoga Instructions for Hypertension:

yoga crocodile lose for stress reliefMakar means crocodile and hence this yoga asana is also know as the crocodile pose. This is one of the best yoga poses for stress.

  • As shown in the picture stretch out your legs and lie down on your stomach
  • Hold your head with both your palms with the elbows rested on the floor

Continue deep breating and stay in this position for around five to ten minutes before getting up slowly. How this yoga reduces stress is by relaxing your entire body from head to toe.

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