Top International Leaders who practice Yoga

The very recent International Yoga Day had many of us get into our Yoga pants and stretch out. The practice of Yoga originated in India and Lord Shiva is said to be the pioneer of Yoga and also the first Guru who began imparting the knowledge of Yoga. This ancient tradition is invaluable as Yoga not only enhances physical health, but also improves psychological well being. Yoga is being taken up by many top political leaders to ease the mental pressure and its healing properties.

Narendra Modi

Hon'ble Prime Minister of India

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Narendra Modi, a self-practitioner of Yoga spearheaded the movement of observing 21^st June as the International Yoga day.  The day, co-sponsored by UN and backed by many countries was celebrated internationally and many events where masses of people joined the yoga practice were held.

PM Modi performed yoga at Rajpath along with nearly 36,000 people. The event of International Yoga Day at Rajpath also found its place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest Yoga demonstration at a single venue with 35,985 people.

"Yoga is an everyday part of life" said Modi, "We are not celebrating a day but we are training the human mind to begin a new era of peace and harmony.” he added.

The Obamas

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Barack Obama

Hon'ble 44^th US President

Obama has expressed interest in Yoga after the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the UN General assembly and gained its support in the declaration of the International Yoga day which was observed on 21^st June. Yoga has been a part of the White House for some years and there’s an increase in the number of citizens taking up yoga for mental and physical fitness. Yoga is also a part of The Easter Egg Roll event which is held annually at the White House since 2009.

Michelle Obama

US First lady

“I’m seeing myself shift from weight-bearing stuff – even though that continues to be important – and the heavy cardio and running, to things like yoga that will keep me flexible.” said Michelle in an interview and that she plans on taking to yoga as she turns 50.

Michelle who follows a regular gym routine said that she is modifying her workout to include yoga in it.

Why to Perform Gomukhasana Daily

(Pic courtesy: www.ayurveddoctor.com)

Gomukhasana is a Yoga pose. The pose was named Gomukhasana based on the pose. ‘Gau’ is a Sanskrit term, meaning cow and ‘mukha’ is face and asana is ‘posture’. Since the Gomukhasana will end up in a posture just like face of a cow, the posture was named in such way. Some even says that the word ‘go’ means ‘light’ in Sanskrit and hence the practice of Gomukhasana will let you have a bright lighted face and hence it was named such way. Beyond these subjective ideas of the asana, it is true that the practice of this asana will let you enjoy more benefits.

How to practice Gomukhasana? sivasakti.com

Practicing any Yoga pose in right manner is must. It may end up in drastic effects if done wrong. To start doing Gomukhasana, you have to follow certain precautions like your hips should remain straight and one knee should remain on the other knee. Now to do with the asana.

(Pic courtesy: www.remediespoint.com)

1.     Sit erect and stretch your legs in front and arms on sides and rest your palms on floor.   

         2.     Fold right leg at knee and place it under left buttock.

         3.     Similarly, fold your left leg and place it over left leg and place the foot under right buttock.

         4.     The left palm above the right sole and the right palm above the left sole. Now you resemble                 the face of a cow.

         5.     Return back to original position and repeat practicing the pose by changing the legs.

Benefits of Gomukhasana

Doing Gomukhasana daily will benefit you with many things. Some of them are

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 The practice of this asana daily will let your energy levels to remain at an optimum high level that would be very helpful for a lethargic body.

 ·       The toning and stretching of knees and thighs will make you agile and more controlled with your moves.

 ·       The stretching of arms and shoulders will help you in long runs. People who have a passion of sports can practice this asana daily for their better performance.

·       All your body muscles, especially thighs, arms, shoulders and hip will get toned and it may be difficult at first; but on time and practice, you can easily master it.

·       Your biceps and the muscles at your back will get strengthened by practicing this asana daily. This will help you to develop a stagnant state that helps you in maintaining the body parallel to the floor always.

·       People who sit at offices for a long time and those who don’t find time to get up little while can make use of this asana to stretch your body muscles. This really helps in a better blood circulation in the body.

·       The twist and turn you do with your shoulders will help you to have free body movement and less the chances of sprains.

Doing Gomukhasana daily will benefit you in many ways. But make sure that you are not doing it wrongly and practicing the wrong pose. 

Benefits of Bakasana

(Pic courtesy: Wikipedia)

Bakasana is a pose in Yoga. The meaning of the word Bakasana is ‘crane pose’. Since the Bakanasa pose when done will make you appear like a crane standing on its legs, the asana was named such way. This asana is also known as Kakasana. This is because, the person who is practicing the asana will have to balance the whole body lifted up with his hands. Now the hands will appear like the shorter legs of the crow and hence it was named as Kakasana. In Sanskrit Kak refers to crow and asana refers to posture.

There are also other variations in the asana which were named according to the poses. Some of the major poses in Bakasana are

1.     Parsva Bakasana – this is the one in which one thigh of the performer will rest in the front arm. 

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2.     Eka pada bakasana – this is the one asana which lets the performer to have one leg stretched straight and the other one remains in the usual Bakasana. 

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3.     Eka pada koundiyanasana I – in this, one leg remains in Bakasana and the other leg will stretch diagonally backward.

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4.     Eka pada koundiyanasana II – this is like a firefly pose. One leg will remain in Bakasana and the other one will be stretched forward diagonally.

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Benefits of Bakasana/Kakasana

1.     Good for muscles in arms, shoulders and chest

Doing Bakasana is actually good for people who want to have strong arms, shoulders and chest. This asana is not a first attempt one. This is because; the stress it takes and the balancing it needs and more important is the strength it requires. Initially you may feel it trouble to do this asana as your arms and shoulders will not be strong enough to bear your body weight and at the same time you will not have a balance to hold yourself with arms alone. But on time and continuous practice, the asana is easy and thus makes you strong.

    

2.     Better functioning of digestive system

Doing this asana was proved to be having a good effect on enhancing the digestion and its entire related works. The asana is meant to burn more calories and thus the performer will have excess appetite. Thus the digestive system works fast to cope up with the food intake. It also reduces the acidity and heart burns due to indigestion of food.

3.     Helps to maintain healthy abdominal organs

While doing this asana, the abdominal organs will get expanded. These are the organs which are actually not taken much care in our daily life. Hence doing this asana will makes these abdominal organs stronger and healthy. But a regular diet is required.

4.     Extra spark on lungs and heart

Bakasana will make the lungs and heart to work synchronized. The heart and lungs synchronization is must for a better respiratory system and blood circulation in our body. The asana will let the lungs and heart work properly and thus enhances a better respiratory system and blood circulation. 

Lose Your Weight on Yoga Mat

The major problem faced by people all around the world is obesity. It is very simple to say that you have extra weight. But the effect it has on humans is really dangerous. Obesity is the main reason for almost all heart related diseases and joint diseases. Over weight will let your body immobile and thus your body will become inflexible. This is a scenario which will end up in pains in the joints and slow blood circulation in body. Lower the rate of blood circulation, lower the rate of metabolism and it brings effects in series. People all around the world want to maintain a right proportion of fat in their body.

Yoga is a best way to have a balanced weight in your body. Practicing Yoga daily will help you to tone your body and will bring you results in a very short period. Some of the best Yoga posses for weight loss are listed below.

What are the best yoga posses for weight loss?

There are different Yoga posses which will benefit you with weight loss. They are:

   1.     Ardha chandraasana

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This is a pose which will help you in toning your buttocks, thighs and sides of your tummy. The stretches you do at the side of your tummy will really help you out in burning out the calories and fat settled at that region and thus will give a right structure to the tummy. But make sure that you don’t have any digestive issues, spine problem and high blood pressure. It is better to avoid this pose if you have any of these issues.

   2.     Veerabadhrasana 1

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This is an asana that helps you to stretch your stomach, tummy region, thighs, buttocks and the pose will not just stretch them but also tightens them. People who have high fat at these regions can try this pose daily to get best results.

   3.     Veerabadhrasana 2

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This asana will benefit same as Veerabadhrasana 1, but also concentrates on the abdominal region. It will strengthen the region and will have a good effect on weight loss. But make sure that you are practicing the asana under guidance. Mistakes done in this asana will bring worst effects.

   4.     Utkatasana (Chair Pose)

(Pic courtesy: www.artofliving.org)

In this pose, the person will be asked to pose like a chair. This pose will let the person to balance well and hence will tighten the thighs and buttocks. But people who have a back bone problem and knee injury must have to avoid this asana. Because; if you do the asana with back pain; then the pain will be increased due to balancing.

   5.     Vrikshasana

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This asana is great for your arms and abdominal region. But this asana should be avoided if you have injuries in your knee and back. This asana will increase blood flow in these regions and hence injuries there will bleed more.

All these Yoga posses must be learnt well from a guide and then have to be performed. Doing Yoga posses wrongly will affect you with severe problems sometimes. 

Wonders of Yoga - Healthy heart with simple Yoga

Modern times demand a competitive edge and hard work from an individual, all through their life. It therefore seems only natural to balance one’s life with distressing Yoga and a health benefiting exercise now, doesn't it? Some of the most significant benefits of Yoga include weight reduction, stamina building and improving an individual’s endurance and flexibility.

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A simple system of stress management, to promote good health and a healthy heart in particular can essentially be focused on, especially for heart patients, with Cardiac Yoga. This type of Yoga is relatively modern and backed-up with ample research on how yoga proves beneficial for the heart. Here are a few reasons why Yoga is a desired exercising routine for all individuals and an absolute for heart patients:

·       This age old practice, which dates back to ancient India, is indeed known to help in keeping one’s heart in shape. Various Yoga exercises like stretching and downward dogs have been known to help cardiac patients and promote a healthy heart.

·       Physical activity is often promoted by Yoga exercises as the lack of it is one of the leading reasons for heart diseases in both the genders.

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·       With consistent Yoga exercises and everyday routines, one can successfully overcome anxiety and depression, few of the reasons that induce physical inactivity, smoking, high blood pressure, which leads to heart diseases.

·       Yoga can help you in managing your hypertension as well! Studies reveal that Yoga helps in improving physical fitness, reducing stress and thus, in helping an individual lower their blood pressure.

·       Heart failures due to failure or low aerobic capacities can be worked on with some simple Yoga exercises. Besides helping in improving the aerobic capacity, it can also help with improving an individual’s endurance, flexibility and decrease heart inflammation.

·       Irregular heartbeats, which often lead to stroke or other cardiac complications can be worked on with Yoga! Research proves that Yoga has the potential that is needed to help people with an abnormal heart rhythm and in reducing their irregular beat episodes.

·       Certain studies even demonstrate how Yoga and exercise routines have the same effect on cardiac patients as brisk walking or biking. Cardiovascular markers for heart diseases have been observed for people doing Yoga and promising results have led to a wide spread belief of Yoga as a physical activity for heart patients.

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Cardiac patients are often advised on the different routines that their heart can benefit from and hence, it is in the best interest to consult the concerned doctor. Yoga is an art of meditation, exercising and focus on one’s own body and mind. Hence, when it comes to Yoga routines and exercises for health benefits, then it is best to consult a doctor and know about the best suited stretches and exercises beforehand.

More research is needed to prove the benefits of Yoga and its help in curing heart diseases and related abnormalities but current studies are definitely encouraging the art; it is a comparatively cost effective and beneficial to the mind and body indeed now, isn’t it? 

Know your Personality through Yoga

We all have our own likings and preferences, and like everything else you may have your favorite Yoga pose too, something you prefer above all others, some may like a rigorous stretching down the spine while others may prefer to lie peacefully in a  corpse pose. But did you know it also tells about your state of mind and mood? Surprised?

Well yes, may be today you look forward to an intense challenging work out and tomorrow you just want a slow bit spiritually calming session. Unfold the mystery and see what your Yoga pose tells about your personality!!

Shavasana (Corpse Pose)

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If your mind feels calm with the thought of this pose, it means you desire relaxation, the little “me” time; you are tired and crave for rest.  You listen to the needs of your body, which is a great thing to practice. Go ahead, relax your body and mind, rejuvenate yourself, this simple relaxing pose will revive you and get you going for the new day ahead!!

Vrikshaasana (Tree pose)

(Pic courtesy: www.metaphysics-knowledge.com)

As you balance on one leg, this pose requires a lot of inner and outer strength; it’s not as easy as it looks. However, if you like this pose then you are competitive with yourself, you like testing your limits, yet you are grounded. To others you seem to be calm and composed, standing gracefully in this pose, yet inside you know that how much effort you have put in to achieve that grace and calm that radiated from your personality!

Keep up the good work, you are a real charmer!

  

Padmaasana (Lotus Pose)

(Pic courtesy: Wikipedia)

If you prefer this pose, you are a spiritual person, mental peace is above all for you and you are well connected with your inner self. You are competitive person who knows how to achieve success by being patient, quiet and poised. You don’t rush things and you see good in others. Well, continue being so well connected with your higher self; you have what it takes to lead a healthy holistic life.

Kapotaasana (Pigeon Pose)

(Pic courtesy: Wikipedia)

This pose is known to improve the overall posture and flexibility of a human body. If you prefer this pose, you are craving to release stress, anxiety and negative emotions that are bottled up inside, as hips release the negative feelings and energy from your system since stress, tension and anxiety are often stored there.

You value relationships, so continue to enjoy this pose while many others simply shy away, it’s better to release negativity and anxiety by practicing this pose rather than simply exploding and  venting out on our colleagues, and near and dear ones!

Sirsasana (Headstand Pose)

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It is indeed a challenging pose, definitely not so easy. If this is your pick then you are different from the crowd, you seek a challenging, adventurous life, and you know how to do that. You have an out of the box thinking and you see the world with a different perspective. You know how to calm and distress with a little adventure and a lot of challenges.

No matter what your favorite pose is, keep moving, keep stretching and relaxing for a better healthier and happier you.

5 Undeniable Benefits of Padmasana

Yoga’s appeal and popularity has increased over the years and more and more people are practicing Yoga on a daily basis. This ancient Indian practice has many takers and the benefits of Yoga have made it one of the most sought after workout option. One of the obvious benefits of Yoga is the fact that Yoga can be practiced by people of all age groups and is safer than other workout routines. There is no point in spending hundreds and thousands on gym memberships when you can benefit from the simple art of Yoga.

There are innumerable poses and postures in Yoga and mastering every one of them take time and an extreme level of concentration. But unlike rigorous and strenuous exercise routine, yoga is easier to learn and people adapt to the different aspects of Yoga easily. It can be practiced in a group or alone, wither way Yoga is bound to make you feel more strong and healthy within the first couple of weeks. 

Mastering the different poses is not easy since you require stability and flexibility for that. Our body tends to get really stiff and rigid due to lack of physical exercise, but regular practice of Yoga can bring a positive change. One of the most beneficial asana is Padmasana, also known as the Lotus pose. Although Padmasana might seem like a really easy pose to do, the proper manifestation of the asana is important. The back posture and the placement of the hands and legs should be proper for it to benefit you. This simple asana has many benefits which is why it is one of the most practiced pose. 

Let us look at some of the most basic benefits of the Lotus pose.

Benefits of Padmasana

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·       Good for your spine

The foremost benefit of Padmasana is the effect it has on your spine and your posture. Most people with a strenuous desk job have crooked and bent postures due to the constant sitting. Lack of movement and flexibility can damage our posture to a great extent. It is said that if you practice Padmasana until late pregnancy, it helps in easing childbirth. It relieves the sciatica pain and improves our posture.

·       Deal with menstrual discomforts

Women will definitely appreciate this benefit. Every month women have to deal with many problems of menstruation, from irregular flow to cramps. These couple of days until the m3enustration has stopped can be extremely discomforting and painful. Sitting in Padmasana helps ease this discomfort and pain that women go through every month. The pose helps in better blood circulation and eases pain in the lower part of the body.

·       Combat joint pains and discomfort

Joint pains are not something that only old folks suffer from. Today joint aches are quite common even among the younger folk due to bad posture and lack of exercise. The lotus pose helps in easing joint pains and help attain more flexibility. The pose is good for your pelvis, hips and other joints. Since this is a beginner’s pose, it’s easy to learn it.

·       Helps you relax and calms your mind

Padmasana is very relaxing and has a calming effect on your mind and body. If you are dealing with innumerable stress, this is the pose for you. Many people practice the Lotus pose to attain mental peace and to relieve stress. If you feel nervous or stressed, sitting in Padmasana can instantly soothe your frayed nerves.

·       Helps boost appetite

Padmasana benefits those who have trouble eating or digesting their food. The Lotus pose is known to improve your digestion and increase one’s appetite. Regular practice of the pose can help in increasing hunger and dealing with problems like gas and constipation.

These are some of the undeniable benefits of Padmasana. Although it’s fairly simple compared to other poses, it has many benefits. 

Yoga v/s Gym – Which one to choose and when!

A healthy mind and a healthy body is the key to a happy life and we believe it when we work towards it and see it for our own selves. However, technology and sciences have made it possible for us to choose between various exercises and routines, as per our preference and work on our health accordingly.

One of the most common questions that arises for every individual, when they take on the path of a healthy body and better living, is if to choose gym routines or opt for Yoga exercises. If you are also troubled with the same question then here are a few benefits and fall backs of yoga and gymming, which will allow the individual to then make an informed choice:

Gym

1.     One can work on their muscle mass and burn calories quicker and it has been noticed that an hour of exercising at the gym will make you drop calories faster than an hour of Yoga would have.

2.   Gym workouts can often make you shed your weight, with their exercising equipments and routines, in no time. So if you want to lose weight in a jiffy then this is your best solution.

3.     Weight training that is done at a gym will help in increasing the efficiency of the heart and the lungs, by burning calories and help in toning the muscles, developing strength and working on the posture.

4.     With the help of weights, one can work on reshaping their arms and buttocks and tone, firm or shape their entire body with a balance of different gym routines and exercises.

5.     Sometimes vigorous workouts at the gym can be harmful to an individual’s health and a halt in everyday gym routines might lead to unhealthy behaviour and a turn for the worse.

Regularity in a gym is very essential as not being regular will just offer the least results to the individual and also have a worse impact o their health in the long run.

Yoga

   

                                      

  1.  Along with power yoga, hot yoga and various other exercises, it is important to maintain an  organic and healthy diet for best results.

   2.     Weight reduction, body cleansing and peace of mind achieved through Yoga is often considered    as more natural than by means of gym exercises and routines.

   3.     Promoting muscle mass, fine toning one’s body and working towards a holistic approach of            health and wellness f the mind is possible with Yoga.

  4.     One can surely attain the key to enhancing their calmness, concentration, focus and work on          their flexibility and stamina at the same time.

Yoga does help an individual get fitter or slimmer but if weight reduction is the primary goal than gym exercises are offered an edge with respect to their results! The latter question i.e. when to choose gym and when Yoga, is what holds more weight as every individual’s goals and priority of fine tuning body, mind and health is what makes the final decision of the exercise routines.