Monday, August 11, 2008

Nadi shodhana (Energy channel cleanser)


Sit in any meditative pose. Place left hand in chin mudra, with tip of index finger touching the tip of your thumb. Place the right hand in nasagra (nosetip) mudra, using the remaining fingers to shut and open the nostrils as instructed.

This is a simple version. Shut your right nostril with right hand thumb. Inhale from the left for four counts. Exhale from left for four counts. This is one round. Do up to ten rounds.

Repeat by shutting the left nostril, and inhaling from the right nostril for four counts. Exhale from the same nostril for four counts. This is one round. Repeat up to ten rounds for the left nostril also.

Benefits: This balances both brain hemispheres, bringing inner harmony, removing inner conflicts that can set off psychosomatic disorders in the body. It belongs to the set of cleansing, healing practices with the least contraindications. Also used to relieve tension headaches.
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Introduction to Yoga

Introduction Yoga' means not only contemplation but also communion and yoking all powers of the body, mind and soul to God. It is a very ancient and efficient system of disciplines and controls designed to produce the integration of the body, mind and spirit. It also achieves higher states of awareness and self-realization by methodical efforts to attain perfection. The therapeutic benefits obtained by performing the asanas are well known. The circulation of the blood is improved; tensions can be removed, and a feeling of well-being is induced. The muscles are strengthened, nerves soothed and physical endurance is increased. One important aspect is that blood vessels and nerves for the internal organs are "massaged" by the twists and bending, ensuring proper functioning. Ageing bodies can have fewer aches and pains, stiffening of joints can be healed and depression alleviated. 1. Hatha Yoga Concerned, primarily with the body and the asanas. 2. Bhakti Yoga Path of love and devotion. 3. Mantra Yoga Recitation and repetition of words and verses. 4. Karma Yoga Service through action and work. 5. Jnana Yoga The intellectual path. 6. Raja Yoga Synthesis of Bhakti, Karma and Janan. 7. Laya Yoga The secret path, the 'Yoga of Dissolution'. What is Yoga? Yoga is a philosophy brought down diligently through the ages. And, it has acquired more significance now because of the “stressed out” way of life that we live in this fast paced world filled with pressure, anxiety and energy consuming routine. In ancient times, the seven stages of yoga consisted of : 1. Eyama – Good deeds 2. Niyama – Stoping bad habits 3. Asanas – 4. Pranayama – Breathing 5. Pratikaharan – Special diet 6. Dharana / Dyanam – Concentration 7. Samadhi – Submitting oneself to die What we are trying to do here is not drill into your head that it is some kind of an exercise that has to be done. IT is certainly not so because it is just not some form of an exercise or some form of a routine that has to be rigidly followed. It is more of a philosophy and it has to become a part of yourself as much as eating, brushing your teeth, combing your hair or even breathing. And, once it pervades your system there is no way that any thing can take its place. It becomes so much of a second nature to you that you find it difficult to even imagine that how you had lived without it for so long. And this, is no exaggeration – it is the pure and simple truth itself. Yoga Reduces heart beat Charges energy leading to less food requirement Reduces tension Leads to calm and composure Exercise Enhances heart beat Discharges energy leading to increased food requirement Increases tension Gives went to aggression