Practice Yoga and be Healthy

[Kasinadh l]

Regular practice of Yoga has become essential for every person today.
Good health is unimaginable without it. Patients get vital life energy
and good health with regular practice of Yoga and Pranayama. A
diseased person can become healthy and strong and enjoy good longevity
if he takes up Yoga.

Asanas can be classified into several categories. Asanas should be
selected on the basis of physical strength and energy. The patient
should choose the asana depending on their illness to get best
results.

(This is a brief description, please refer to the separate articles on
each asana for detailed instructions to perform each yoga asana.)

Meditative Asanas:

* Siddhasana: This is a meditative pose that calms down the entire
nervous system and keeps it in good condition. This is the best asana
for meditation and celibacy. It also relieves stress.
* Swastikasana: This also calms down the entire nervous system and
keeps it in good condition. This is also one of the best meditative
poses.
* Padmasana: This is also one of the best asanas for meditation
and celibacy, and it helps in relieving physical, nervous and
emotional problems. It increases the digestive fire and strengthens
the joints.
* Vajrasana: This is also a meditative pose that increases the
functioning of the digestive system. This is the only asana that can
be practiced after meals. It increases blood circulation above the
waist and is beneficial for people who are very lethargic in nature.

Relaxing Asanas:

* Shavasana: It overcomes nervous related problems. It is very
beneficial for relieving mental stress, sleeplessness and physical
ailments caused due to stress. It improves concentration and calms
down the mind.
* Makarasana: It relieves physical and mental tiredness and helps
in concentration.
* Balasana: It relaxes al the systems of the body and gives
relief. This is considered to be the best pose to sleep and children
generally sleep in this pose. Hence the name, Balasana.

Strengthening Asanas:

* Regular practice of Pavanmuktasana overcomes constipation and
gastric problems. It reduces fat and helps in reducing weight.
* Naukasana improves the digestion process and activates the
intestines and their functioning. It is beneficial in case of nervous
weakness and stress. It also plays an important role in maintaining
the position of the navel.
* Viparitakarni Mudra: It improves the blood circulation in the
heart, lungs and brain and overcomes problems of thyroid, parathyroid
glands and related problems.
* Sarvangasana balances the body and activates the thyroid glands.
It strengthens the entire body. It prevents premature graying of hair
and hair loss. It brings natural glow on to the face and also reduces
weight and prevents aging.
* Matsyasana improves the health of the lungs, throat and eyes. It
relieves backache and neck pain. It is beneficial in case of shifting
of navel and also helps control diabetes in women.
* Halasana overcomes constipation and makes the spine flexible. It
is beneficial in overcoming thyroid and parathyroid gland related
problems.
* Chakrasana strengthens the stomach muscles and improves the
digestion process. It makes the spinalchord flexible and prevents
aging, the excess fat on the stomach reduces and it increases the
chest.
* Bhujangasana relieves problems related to reproduction, improves
appetite and overcomes constipation; it makes the spine flexible and
cures night pollution problem.
* Shalabhasana strengthens the stomach muscles, and improves
digestion; it is beneficial in case of constipation and strengthens
the lungs.
* Dhanurasana makes the muscles of spine and back flexible. It
overcomes nervous weakness, constipation and psychological disorders.
* Ardhamatysendrasana removes constipation and indigestion. It
improves the health of the liver and kidneys. It is beneficial in case
of diabetes and also strengthens the muscles of the back and
shoulders.
* Gomukhasana relieves lower back pain; it prevents spinal
problems, joint pain and piles.
* Mandookasana improves appetite, cuts fat from the stomach and is
beneficial in case of diabetes, constipation, gastric trouble and
other stomach disorders.
* Ushtrasana strengthens the stomach muscles. It is beneficial in
digestion, bowel movement and strengthens the reproductive organs.
* Sputa Vajrasana is beneficial in case of high blood pressure,
sciatica, constipation and should be practiced in case of backache,
gastric problem, etc.
* Ekpadagreevasana strengthens the thighs, calf muscles and
reduces fat on the stomach. It is also beneficial in case of sciatica.
* Paschimottasana overcomes constipation, indigestion and seminal
weakness. It reduces the risk of sciatica and is beneficial in case of
pain in the calf muscles.
* Akarna Dhanurasana is beneficial in case of joint pain and makes
the joints flexible.
* Yogamudrasana activates the internal organs and stomach. It
overcomes constipation and seminal weakness. It controls high blood
pressure and headache.
* Tolangulasana reduces obesity and overcomes stomach disorders.
It increases concentration.
* Sinhasana overcomes problems related to the throat, nose, ears,
and mouth. It improves voice quality and keeps it healthy.
* Parvatasana keeps the nervous system balanced and helps in
gaining concentration.
* Tadasana develops the spine, strengthens the lungs, shoulders
and nervous system.
* Katichakrasana should be practiced regularly to calm down
gastric trouble, control diabetes and overcome constipation. It cures
lung disorders and is beneficial in case of neck and backache.
* Trikonasana improves appetite and overcomes constipation. It
increases height and reduces nervous stress.
* Vrikshasana strengthens the muscles of the legs and nerves. It
overcomes all the lung disorders and helps in concentration.
* Garudasana makes the joints and bones flexible. It is beneficial
in case of sciatica and hydroceles.
* Utkatasana strengthens the calf muscles and thighs and gives a
good figure.
* Padhastasana overcomes stomach disorders and reduces weight. It
improves the functioning of the reproductive organs in women and also
overcomes related problems.
* Gorakshasana reduces fat from the hip area and makes the knee
joints flexible.
* Bakasana strengthens the shoulders, hands and lungs.
* Shirshasana strengthens the entire bodily system, it improves
blood circulation and functioning of the brain.
* Uddiyan bandh strengthens the digestive system and glands. It
prevents aging.
* Brahmamudra makes the nerves flexible and calms down the mind
and improves concentration.
* Surya Namaskar improves the functioning of all nerves, makes the
body flexible and overcomes the disorders of the lungs, stomach and
spine. It brings a natural glow to the face and improves memory power.

Shudhi Kriya:

* Jalneti removes the phlegm and germs accumulated in the nostril
path. It relieves sinusitis and related diseases.
* Sutraneti also removes the blockages in nostril path and helps
in proper functioning of the nose.
* Kunjal kriya removes phlegm, kapha and other obstruction in the
respiratory tract. It is beneficial in case of sinusitis.
* Vastra dhouti overcomes asthma and problems related to the
respiratory system.
* Dand dhouti overcomes acidity and gastric trouble.
* Shankh prakshalan should be practiced in order to overcome
diseases related to the digestive system and purify the intestines and
stomach.

Special Note:

* Yogasana is not an ordinary exercise. It has long term benefits
and regular practice gives excellent results.
* They should be practiced depending on the personal strength in
the beginning and the duration can be increased gradually. Asana
should not be done in haste or forcibly.
* In the beginning the practitioner could experience pain in the
area, which is being stretched (while doing asana). In case of severe
pain stop the practice and do it for a very short time.
* Yoga, asana and kriya should be practiced under the guidance of an expert.