Saturday, March 16, 2013

Meditation is easy but Important

Meditation is for everyone to follow.   It is not only for yogis or mahatmas.  Everyone who is under different kinds of day-to-day pressure needs it.  I used to wonder what is meditation, how should it be done and where?  Many many qs..  But I knew one thing that it was important to do.. 

Meditation is just a time when you are all by yourself and letting all the thought process go away.  

First, choose a time and spot for this peaceful activity.  I prefer early morning before starting anything else, once my day starts then it gets harder to calm the thoughts.

You might want to sit on a flat surface preferably a thick wooden plank.

Padmasana is the best posture, sukasana is also good.  I can sit in padmasana for 20 mins then i switch to sukasana.

Sit with your straight, close your eyes, let all routine thoughts dissolve and go away.  Feel the presence of that cosmic energy around you, you could think of your favourite deities or anything  that would keep you peaceful.

Increase the time slowly from 5 to 10 mins and go on..  The more you could sit and be in that peaceful state the more it is going to strengthen your mind. 

Why do you need to do it?

Daily chores including work and house hold drains out your mental energy completely which results in impatience and many other reactions.. 

Sleep is good for your body but your mind also sleeps so this process does not re-energizes the mind.   More you sleep, you would feel more sluggish. 

Meditation is the only time when you are letting away all your thoughts and think about something that is peaceful to your mind. 

I start with breathing for 4-5 mins and then meditation..  So, go for it! 

Books to Read

There are many books which are inspirational, I wanted to share one which inspired me into my routine yoga and meditation..

It is 'The Man who sold his Ferrari'. 

I am not a reader by birth, I can read only those books which are inspiring.   I sometimes feel that I should be reading more, I will.  But here is what this book did to me.   It made me realize that I can allocate time for all the important things if I think so.. like breathing, meditation and making exercise as an everyday routine.  I took it as if a spark hit my head..  I do derail from my routine due to different reasons which are quite common on everyone's life but I have been going back to my routine.  Since I started this , I realize that I have been more conscious about my living..  I shared it with many people nd few of them got back to me even with the notes that they took from that book.  Those few also told me that this book touched their life.

Another one is Mahatma Gandhiji's Autobiography.   It is one of the books that everyone should read.  He was someone whose life itself was an experiment..  Unbelievable thinking and action..  Only very few people could live that kind of life.  My hats off to such a person.  I downloaded this book in my ikindle app on the phone and read thru it.

Let me know if any such book has inspired you.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Yoga for Low Back Pain.

I suffer from terrific low back pain whenever the workpressure becomes moer and I dont move a lot.  This routine helped me a lot,  I do it 2-3 times when in pain and also do it wiht my regular yoga routine.  

I am just sharing the info which I found and thought it might be helpful to any of you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06WYKCfdAn4

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Health in Your Hand: Mudras for Amazing Health Benefits

I first heard about these simple Mudras couple of years ago and started following some of them in the last one year and it worked for me and my kids.  I am sharing few basic mudras which was shared to me thru my brother.   The most common ones which we have used and found relief is Linga Mudra for severe cold and cough and Shunya Mudra. 

Cough/Cold:

My 5 yr old daughter can also do this Linga mudra and I have also done this when I had severe congestion.  I got complete relief in few days when i repeated these mudra atleast 3 times a day.  It generates lot of heat in the body so be cautious to keep you cool by drinking milk. 

Shunya Mudra:

This Mudra has been effective when kids get ear infection.  My kids do it and their ear pain has reduced.  All these mudras has to be done with belief.  

Others:

I have been also doing Surya mudra and Prana mudra  when i cannot multi task during calls, watching TV,  when i am in passenger seat on the car and even during walking.  Just be conscious.. nothing wrong in making use of your efficiently.

Here you go for the mudras:


Mudras are very powerful. If you practice these mudras regularly you can see the wonderful health benefits.

Long before this much publicity came to yoga my grand father used to practice asanas, chakras and mudras in yoga. To my knowledge my grandfather has never gone to a doctor. He has neither diabetes nor blood pressure. He taught us the way to practice mudras. Mudras are very powerful. If you practice these mudras regularly you can see the wonderful health benefits.

1. Gyan Mudra (Mudra of Knowledge):



Method:

Touch the tip of the thumb to the tip of the index finger, with the other three fingers stretched out.

Specialty:

As it is a mudra of knowledge, it enhances the knowledge. The tip of thumb has centers of pituitary and endocrine glands. When we press these centers by index finger the two glands work actively.

Time duration:

There is no particular time duration for this mudra. You can practice by sitting, standing or lying on bed whenever and wherever you have time.

Benefits:

o Increases memory power and sharpens the brain

o Enhances concentration and prevents Insomnia

o If we practice it regularly, it will cure all psychological disorders like Mental, Hysteria, Anger and Depression



2. Prithvi Mudra (Mudra of Earth):



Method:

Tip of the ring finger touches the tip of the thumb, with the other three fingers stretched out.

Specialty:

It reduces all physical weaknesses.

Time Duration:

It has no particular time duration. You can practice it any time you want.

Benefits:

o It helps to increase the weight for weak people

o It improves the complexion of skin and makes the skin to glow

o It makes the body active by keeping it healthy



3. Varuna Mudra (Mudra of Water):



Method:

Tip of little finger touches the tip of thumb, with the other three fingers stretched out.

Specialty:

It balances the water content and prevents all diseases which come due to lack of water.

Time Duration:

It has no specific time duration and one can practice it according to their time.

Benefits:

o It retains clarity in blood by balancing water content in the body

o Prevents the pains of Gastroenteritis and Muscle Shrinkage
4. Vayu Mudra (Mudra of Air):



Method:

Keep the index finger on the base of the thumb and press with thumb keeping the other three fingers straight.

Specialty:

It prevents all the diseases that occur due to the imbalance of the air.

Time Duration:

The practice of this mudra for 45 minutes reduces the severity of the disease in 12 to 24 hours. For better results practice it for two months.

Benefits:

o It cures Rheumatism, Arthritis, Gout, Parkinson's disease and paralysis without any medicine

o It is useful for Cervical Spondilytis, paralysis to face and catching of nerve in neck

o It corrects the disorder of gas in the stomach


5. Shunya Mudra (Mudra of Emptiness):

Method:

Keep the middle finger at the mount of Venus and press it with thumb.

Specialty:

It reduces the dullness in our body.

Time Duration:

One can practice it for 40 to 60 minutes daily until to be cured from the disease.

Benefits:

o It relieves an earache within 4 or 5 minutes

o It is useful for the deaf and mentally challenged, but not for inborn ones.


6. Surya Mudra (Mudra of Sun):



Method:

Bend the ring finger and press it with thumb.

Specialty:

It sharpens the center in thyroid gland.

Time Duration:

Practice it daily twice for 5 to 15 minutes.

Benefits:

o It reduces cholesterol in body and helps in reducing weight

o It reduces anxiety

o It corrects indigestion problems


7. Prana Mudra (Mudra of Life):



Method:

Bend ring finger and little finger and touch the tip of thumb with their tips keeping the remaining two fingers stretched.

Specialty:

As it is the mudra of life, it improves the power of life. Weak people become strong. It reduces the clamps in blood vessels. If we practice it regularly, we will become active.

Time Duration:

No specific time duration. One can practice it any time.

Benefits:

o It improves immunity

o Improves the power of eyes and reduces eye related diseases

o It removes the vitamin deficiency and fatigue

8. Apana Mudra (Mudra of Digestion):



Method:

The tips of middle finger and ring finger touch the tip of thumb while the other two fingers are stretched out.

Specialty:

It plays an important role in our health as it regulates the excretory system.

Time Duration:

Practice it daily for 45 minutes, but practice for longer time yields more benefits.

Benefits:

o It regulates diabetes

o It cures constipation and piles

o It helps excreting the normal waste regularly



9. Apana Vayu Mudra (Mudra of Heart):





Method:

The tips of the middle finger and ring finger touch the tip of thumb, while the index finger touches the base of thumb and little finger stretched out.

Specialty:

It benefits the heart. It works like injection in the reduction of heart attack. It is as powerful as sorbitate tablet. It reduces the gas content in body.

Time Duration:

Practice it as many times as you can. Heart patients and BP patients can practice it for 15 minutes daily twice for better results.

Benefits:

o It strengthens the heart and regularizes palpitation

o It regulates excretory system

o It redeems gastric trouble



10. Linga Mudra (Mudra of Heat):



Method:

Interlock the fingers of both the hands and keep the thumb of the left hand vertically straight and encircle it with the thumb and the index finger of the right hand..

Specialty:

It generates heat in our body. Take milk, ghee, more water and fruit juices in addition to practice of this mudra for much benefits.

Time Duration:

Practice it any time you want. But don't practice it a lot as it produces heat in the body.. It can cause sweating even in winter if you practice it longer.

Benefits:

o It stops production of phlegm and gives power to lungs

o It cures severe cold and bronchial infection

o It invigorates the body

It is amazing but true. If you want to see the results, start today!






Saturday, February 9, 2013

Yoga on daily life

Exercise in any form is very important for the fast pace life style that we have today.  Everything is rush..  I wanted to share few routines which could be done everyday at the comfort of home and yet quite effective.  But be sure to start slowly and consult your physician if you have any medical conditions. 

Yoga must be done in empty stomach or after 3 hrs of eating. Yoga links provided below are in the order which you can also follow starting from top to bottom.

It is best to combine yoga with cardio and walking. 
Yoga for flexibility

This is a combination of Surya and Chandra namaskarams.  It feels really good.  You could repeat it few times if you have.  I do the sequence only once.  It was in our HDTV Yoga by Tara stiles and later found this youtube link also.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRsC1YdXqOc

Reduce fat from back and waist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAFk27VwH5Y&feature=autoplay&list=PL2A033ABF2DE86C6B&lf=results_video&playnext=2

Notes as reminder about this yoga:

          a. Grinding
          b. Legs wide apart and hand should touch the opposite hand

Reducing belly fat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vbHJEIut1U&feature=related

Notes as reminder about this yoga:


         a. Vajrasan
         b. Close fist and press on belly button, exhaling
         c. Open palm over belly button.
         d. Yog mudrasan

Halasana

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gnmUeySOmk

Salabasana

It is recommended to do min 2 to 5 mins is good for you!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcB_Ouc50-I
Sarvangasana

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vrRAmRun5s

Unmatched naval

utanapadasan - lift both legs 30 degree

http://www.youtube.com/watchv=ZrxWuGNJS8g&feature=mr_meh&list=PL2A033ABF2DE86C6B


There are other yogas which are pretty good for us- Dhanarusan, naukasan and bridge pose.   

Note:

If you have low back pain, be sure to avoid yoga exercises which requires you to lift one of the legs.  It is ok to lift both the legs.