I Highly Recommend The Practice Of
Transcription
I Highly Recommend The Practice Of
Sync of He lth YHelpline issues. I have tried to determine my dosha, but I get confused. Kim oga A: I highly recommend the practice of mudras for vertigo prior to the practice of asanas. The best mudra for vertigo is Earth mudra or Prithvi mudra as it activates the earth element in the body, which is out of balance in patients with vertigo. The ether element or Akash Tattva becomes prominent and in excess. Practice Prithvi mudra when you experience vertigo and follow it up with Akash mudra to balance both the elements. Another great mudra is Brahma mudra which should be practiced everyday in the morning with the Bija mantra of OM. Answered by DR. INDU ARORA Q: I am a 52-year-old woman. I would like your advice on what asanas I can do daily to keep fit. Arti B. A: Yoga is freedom from the bondage of age and the only rules described in yoga are “Yatha Sakti.” Practice the yogic kriyas, asanas, pranayama and mudras as per your individual body capacity. The measure to know your capacity is “as long as you enjoy doing it” – whatever you practice should be effortless and lead to ultimate and endless happiness. All of the above is only possible when you carefully listen to your body as you are in practice. A moment-to-moment awareness and self-reflection is the basic requirement in yoga practice. However, I would like to suggest some asanas which will help in harmonizing, strengthening and toning the organs and organ systems, which tend to lose rhythm at your age. All the poses suggested can be done in modified versions by taking support of props. Spine Flexibility: Cat pose (Marjaryasana), Half Forward Bend (Ardha Paschimottanasana), Half Moon pose (Ardha Chandrasana), Half Spinal Twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana). Anti-aging: Reversal pose (Viparita Karni), Locust pose (Shalabhasana), Corpse pose (Shavasana). Toning Organ Systems: Wind relieving pose (Pawanmuktasana), Fish pose (Matsyasana), Cobbler pose (Mochiasana/Bhadrasana), Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar). Q. I was recently diagnosed with vertigo. In addition I have high cholesterol which is being treated successfully with medication. I am on thyroid medication for hypothyroidism. I also take an anti-depressant and am about 50lbs overweight. I have always enjoyed yoga and would like to know what types of positions I can practice. I am also interested in Ayurveda and how this type of eating may help with my health and weight 64 Tathaastu Brahma Mudra (The Symbol of Brahma): Brahma mudra helps the circulation of oxygen in every part of the body and is also helpful for better functioning of the heart, kidney, glands and digestive system. Starting Position: Sit in a yogic sitting posture such as Padmasana, Sukhasana, Vajrasana. Sit on a chair or in a stand-at-ease position, keeping the palms on the knees/thighs. Keeping the shoulders and the torso steady, move the face to the right by turning only the neck as you chant “aaaaaaaaaaaa…” In the process, the chin should come in line with the right shoulder to the extent possible. Also, turn your gaze to the right. Maintain this posture for three to five breaths and then come back to the starting position. Next, in the same manner, turn the face to the left while chanting “uuuuuuuuuuuuuu…,” so that the chin moves towards the left shoulder and the gaze and face turn to the left. Maintain this posture as before for three to five breaths and then return to the starting position. Now relaxing the muscles of the neck, tilt the head back as you chant “eeeeeeeeee…” Maintain this posture for three to five breaths. Now by means of this relaxation let it come as far down as possible under gravity while chanting “mmmmmmm…” Maintain this posture for three to five breaths. Return to the starting position. All four movements together constitute one round of Brahma mudra. As explained in the technique of attaining and releasing the mudra, turn the gaze in the direction in which the face is moved. Apart from this, the regular practice of meditation (five to ten minutes everyday) will help in calming down stress, anxiety and imbalance, which may be the root cause of it. The practice of Squatting pose (Malasana), Wind relieving pose (Pawanmuktasana) and Corpse pose (Shavasana) are highly beneficial in relieving symptoms of vertigo. For Ayurvedic remedies please refer to Ayurveda Helpline in this issue. Q: I have a question regarding Anjali mudra, where the hands are pressed together at the heart in the center of the chest. What is the meaning, or difference in meaning and impact, when the mudra is done with hands and palms not touching, making a kind of temple with the hands (like you were holding a delicate bird in the hands in comparison to when the mudra is done with palms touching each other)? Ann Budreika A: Anjali mudra is also known as Namaskar mudra where it is held in front of the forehead and is symbolic of the union of feminine and masculine energies. It is also known as the mudra for energy conservation. When you hold your hands bringing all the fingers together, it balances the five pranas and five elements (each finger represents one prana and one element), bringing harmony, healing and health in the body holistically. When this mudra is done by uttering the words “namaste” it means acknowledging, accepting and bowing to God; the presence of cosmic consciousness in others and in self. Alternately, when this mudra is done by keeping the fingers apart and not touching them at the tips, it symbolizes a full bloomed flower which in turn is symbolic of offering the fruits of your practice at the holy feet of the guru, master or God/Goddess. It is then called Suman mudra or Pushpanjali mudra. It also cultivates the qualities of openness, surrender and gratitude. Q: I am a 72-year-old male suffering from diabetes. My levels are as follows: From fasting: 130 and two hours after breakfast: 200. Blood pressure levels are normal so far. Please recommend Ayurvedic remedies and yogasanas. Joe Gedela A: I assume that the diabetes you have is type 2 diabetes. Although the below-mentioned yogic techniques are beneficial, I would highly recommend their practice under a knowledgeable yoga therapist or instructor. Asanas: Dhanurasana (Bow pose in prone position), Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Spinal Twist), Thunderbolt pose (Vajrasana), Wind relieving pose (Pavanmuktasana), Shoulder Stand (Sarvangasana), Plough pose (Halasana), Fish pose (Matsyasana), Frog pose (Mandookasana) and Boat pose (Naukasana) are useful in diabetes. These asanas have a massaging and stimulating effect on the pancreas and insulin functioning. Pranayama: A complete diaphragmatic breathing is a must to ensure proper supply as well as absorption of oxygen by the organ systems. Nadi Shodhan pranayama or Alternate Nostril breathing is useful in diabetes as it has a calming effect on the nervous system, which reduces stress levels, and helps in diabetes management through lifestyle and stress management. Bhramari has calming effect on the mind, brain and nervous systems. Bhastrika pranayama is revitalizing, which increases oxygen levels and reduces carbon dioxide levels in the blood. Kriya: Kapalbhati kriya and Nauli kriya are very beneficial in the case of diabetes. Practice them everyday for five to ten minutes in the morning. Mudra: Practice Surya mudra and Reverse Namaskar mudra, three times a day for five minutes in each practice session. For Ayurvedic remedies please refer to Ayurveda Helpline in this issue. If you have any yoga-related health queries, please email us at [email protected]. Dr. Indu Arora is an international speaker, Master Yoga Teacher Trainer, Ayurvedic Counselor, Doctor in Alternate Medicine and healer with more than 30,000 hours of yoga and meditation teaching experience (E-RYT 500, grand parenting). She is the author of “Yoga: Ancient Heritage Tomorrow’s Vision.” She has received many awards including “Gem of India” and “Hall of Fame” for her contribution to yoga at the national and international levels. She is a board member of the World Movement of Yoga, and an international advisor to the World Yoga Council. She is a motivational speaker on health and yoga at “Women on the Verge of Evolution.” www.yogsadhna.com Tathaastu 65