YOGADIGEST

Yognidra

2012-08-19T06:30:00.001-07:00

Yognidra was taught by ancient sages to explore the deep impression sof samaskaras or deep impression which guide our day to day actions or karma. A sincere seeker can can purify the deeper aspect of the mind-field, which is accessed in the formless state of conscious Deep Sleep.

How it works?

In Yoga Nidra, your mind is first “scientifically disconnected” from the external surroundings and even from your physical body though well-researched techniques. These are the “awareness rotation” techniques that include sound rotation, body rotation, and breath rotation.

After this has been achieved, the mind is fed with subtle vibrations through Mantra and Visualization methods which reach the deepest and remotest areas of the brain and serve to massage them creating the desired effect.

It is impossible to EXPLAIN how these techniques work. To experience the benefits, you would have to be taught by a learned Yoga master. Personal interactions work best and I would strongly advise you to go ahead - armed with this knowledge - and find a learned practitioner of yoga Nidra.

Ujjayi Pranayama

2012-08-19T05:50:00.001-07:00

Ujjayi Pranayama - The victorious breath is also called the ocean breath. This pranayama stretches our breath before it enters in the lungs, thus generating heat that is effective in getting rid of various toxins stored in our body.

Technique: To perform Ujjayi, on should be seated in sukhasana & make sure that he/she breathes only through the nose while keeping the mouth closed. While breathing in, the throat muscles should be constricted so that the air passage becomes narrower making the breath thin and long.

Timings: You could begin practicing ujjayi for around three minutes, and slowly go up to ten minutes. The time duration of your inhalations and exhalations should be the same. As and when you find your mind wandering, gently bring it back to the breathing.

Benefits: Ujjayi helps bringing overall calmness in our body. It also helps improve our concentration as teh focus is on breathing during the practice. It stimulates our metabolic rate by increasing blood circulation through the body. Since the breathing process is stretched, it helps in better diffusion of carbon dioxide and enabled absorption of more oxygen in our blood. Ujjayi can also be used to lower blood pressure and slow heart rate. Alternatively, it can also be used to raise the blood pressure and heart rate. Ujjayi can also be effectively used for pain reduction, insomnia, and migraines. However, the most remarkable benefit Ujjayi has to offer is that it performs internal purification, activation and energizing along with outer control and conditioning all at once. Ujjayi cures heat in the head as well as and lung diseases like asthma, tuberculosis. It also improves digestive capacity and enhances functioning of the respiratory systems. Ujjayi is most effective for asthmatics as it corrects and strengthens the condition of the lungs and bronchiole linings.

SuryaNamaskar

2012-04-09T18:45:00.002-07:00

Suryanamaskar is devoted to the worship of Sun, the provider of energy & intellect. It has been practiced in India for thousands of years. There are 12 set of poses that are practiced in combination of deep and rhythmic breathing and can provide significant physical and mental benefits. The ideal time of practise is mornings on empty stomach. However, they can be practiced at any time of the day. The practice of Suryanamaskar promotes flexibility, energizes the body & refreshes the mind. The key benefits are:

· It provides complete fitness packed into one single practice. It provides workout for muscles & strengthens joint, skeletal & ligaments by improving posture, flexibility & balance.

· In addition to these benefits, Suryanamaskar stimulates and conditions the digestive system and the nervous system. It’s good for our cardiovascular system and strengthens our heart. It promotes lymphatic drainage and helps to rid our body of toxins.

· Suryanamaskar stimulates the primary glands of our body, namely, the thyroid, parathyroid and pituitary glands as well as the adrenal gland, testes and ovaries. Thus, the endocrine system of our body functions at its optimum capacity.

· Lastly, its practice helps release anxiety, stress and tension. Daily practice of suryanamaskar leaves a refreshing effect on our system.

In addition to the general health benefits associated with performing Surya Namaskar, each of the yoga poses in the series provides specific health benefits:

· Pose 1 (and 12): Promotes balance, stimulates the respiratory system, exercises shoulder, back and neck muscles

· Pose 2 (and 11): Promotes balance, promotes digestion, exercises arms and shoulder muscles, tones the spine, promotes flexibility in back and hips

· Pose 3 (and 10): Promotes blood circulation, tones abdominal tracts, stretches back and leg muscles, stimulates spinal nerves, stimulates lymphatic system

· Pose 4 (and 9): Exercises spine, strengthens hand and wrist muscles

· Pose 5 (and 8): Stimulates blood circulation, strengthens the heart, strengthens wrist and arm muscles, relieves neck and shoulder tension

· Pose 6: Strengthens leg and arm muscles, increases flexibility in neck and shoulders, stretches arms, shoulder, neck and back muscles, exercises back muscles, releases tension in neck and shoulder

· Pose 7: Stimulates circulation to abdominal organs, tones digestive tract, stretches upper and lower body, promotes flexibility in the back, stimulates nerves in spine

· Poses 8 through 12 are essentially repetitions of poses 5 through 1, respectively. The health benefits of each are similar to their corresponding poses.

Over time, Surya Namaskar will help you achieve a sense of well-being and purpose.

Top Houseplants for Improving Indoor Air Quality

2012-03-18T22:08:00.001-07:00

Top Houseplants for Improving Indoor Air Quality

A study in the early 1980's was the first to scientifically prove that our leafy friends could actually remove volatile organic compounds from the air in sealed test chambers. In recent decades more scientific research by scientists have shown that some species are overachievers.

FICUS ALII This tree's ability to remove chemical vapors increases with size, so go tall. Some can reach 10feet! Give it lukewarm water(to prevent leaf loss) once the top inch of soil dries out. Keep it in bright to medium light & a pot just bog enough to contain the roots.

The Bamboo palm is one of the most effective natural removers of benzene, trichloroethylene & formal dehyde– all of which can be present in your indoor air. Make sure to keep the plant moist, but not wet (you’ll know you’re watering too much if the leaf tip turns yellow.) Any naturally or artificially lit area should suit this plant just fine. For symmetrical growth, rotate the pot once a week.

Feeding your Brain

2012-03-18T08:47:00.001-07:00

Best article submission sites

Wisdom Bytes- 7 ways to keep your brain in shape for a lifetime.

2012-03-10T21:44:00.000-08:00

Salute the sun- Vitamin D doesn't just help metabolize calcium and keep your bones strong; a growing body of research suggests that it's essential for cognitive function. Ensure that your are getting enough exposure to the sun or take supplements rich in Vitamin D3 daily.
Take a brain tonic- For thousands of years, Ayurvedic healers have prescribed herbs to sharpen memory, focus & concentration to improve everyday life. They recommend the herb "Brahmi(also known as Gotu kola) as a braiin tonic or rejuvinator. Brahmi Improves focus; its calming but not a sedative, so it inspires the flow of ideas. Find Chyavanprash, a tasty medical jam packed with more than 40 minerals and herbs & is often referred to as Ayurveda's multivitamin. It calms Vata and is traditionally used to stave off aging related problems such a memory loss. The presence of vitamin C adds to its power.
Make new friends- Meaningful engagements with others- such as dancing, playing board games, traveling & volunteering lowers the risk of dementia.
Think & be positive-Negative thinking isn't just bad for your mood- it's also bad for your brain. Chronic anger, hate, resentment produce stress, causing yur adrenals to release the hormone cortisol. Over time, high levels of cortisol shrink the hippocampus(the brain area associated with memory & emotions) and can cause more negative thinking. Reframe your negative thoughts whenever they bubble up. Start asking yourself, " is there another way of seeing this thought or situation? This helps you transform your negative thoughts into positive ones.
Boost b12- Vitamin B12 deficiency is linked to memory loss. The easiest way to get this brain boosting vitamin is to eat eggs, dairy products or meat. If you are a vegan, you can also try eating fermented foods like miso, kimchee, sauerkraut or homemade pickles.
Meditate regularly- Meditating regularly can keep your mind nimble & clear. It helps display increased activity in brain areas associated with attention & concentration. People who meditate have the ability to focus & recall stronger, and they have a greater sense of well-being than do people who don't meditate.
Get a move on- Regular exercise is your most powerful weapon against cognitive decline. A 2011 study suggests that the hippocampus, which typically begins to shrink in people between the ages of 55 & 60, can significantly increase in volume in those who walk for just 40 minutes a day, three times a week, thereby improving spatial memory. This means you are less likely to forget where you've put down those car keys and remembering that complex route to the park you wanted to check out.

Superiority of yoga over sports, games and other exercises

2011-04-08T04:32:00.004-07:00

1. Yoga does not involve any participants for competition, so no anxiety to win over others is created. The muscles are relaxed, heartbeats are in perfect rhythm and the mind at peace.
Sports and games have participants and involve competition making one tense. Consequently only some of the parts of the body are exercised which is incomplete.

2. In yoga, the internal organs get the much needed exercise. In sports and other exercises much of the internal organs are not exercised.

3. Discontinuing yoga for some time does not result in weight gain.
Other exercises and sports once discontinued result in weight gain and loss of health.

4. After doing yoga exercises one feels relaxed and calm as there is neither excitement nor anxiety due to victory or defeat.
Sports and other activities tire and exhaust the performer due to the excitement of winning or disappointment of losing.