Yoga
Positions
by Editor K Bajaj
With the growing awareness of physical fitness, all of us
resort to some form of exercise or the other, and when the
going gets tough many of us give it up. You want to tone your
body but do not want to go through the rigors of daily disciplined
exercise. It is here then that Yoga steps in, for it helps
to control the mind, create self-awareness and in the process
helps you to achieve mental and emotional well being in addition
to physical fitness. It encompasses within its purview factors
that contribute to good health and vitality. Yoga positions
or Asanas as they are called inculcate discipline in temperament,
help to regulate the respiratory process, soothes the turbulent
mind through meditation, and helps you to focus and channelise
our lives. That sounds vague, doesnt it? A bird?s eye view
of some of the basic positions will dispel any doubts that
you may entertain.
Yoga positions involve simple movements well within the performing
capacity of the normal individual and for best results the
mind and the body must work in phase and complement each other.
All movements must be slow, gentle and relaxed to be meaningful,
so never go beyond the limits of your endurance. Although
there are several positions, the main categories are what
we will confine ourselves to.
Standing Yoga Asanas
More often than not, when you simply think of the amount
of work (physical and mental), which is pending, you feel
exhausted. So, If you want to Increase the levels of your
endurance and bring flexibility and suppleness to your joints
and muscles, begin with the basic standing yoga positions
like Tadasana and ardha chandrasana.
Forward bending and back bending
Asanas Having achieved a certain amount of pliability, you
would need to correlate mental and physical activities and
this is where these yoga positions help. A gradual stretching
of the body helps to extend the back portion of spine and
in the process certain elasticity is achieved that adds suppleness
to the limbs. Paschimotanasana if done regularly will keep
those aches at bay.
Back Bending Yoga Asanas achieve the opposite effect by extending
the front portion of the spine, so it complements the forward
bending asana. If the bhujangasana, which a back bending yoga
position is combined with a Paschimotanasana, the end result
is that you succeed in what you have set out to do. Since
the spine is the pivot for all our movements, these two yoga
positions can help us to achieve immense agility and nimbleness
and consequently mental keenness, for a supple body houses
a supple mind.
While the above 2 asanas focus on the front and back of the
spine, more resilience and elasticity is achieved with twisting
positions, which encompass lateral stretching and twisting
of the spine. The internal organs are also toned and a sense
of peace and harmony is achieved. Practicing the Matsyendrasana
position in combination with the above 2 asanas ensures buoyancy
of the spirit and a whole arrange of new body movements.
Postural defects are the bane of human beings. Over the years
you misuse your body and limbs to such an extent that the
muscles become inelastic and you are unable to hold yourself
upright. Padmasana, Vajrasana, Simhasana are sitting and supine
yoga positions that help to keep the body upright, firms and
tones the muscles and corrects a defective posture. The inverted
postures like the adho mukhasvasana help to combat the stress
of everyday life. It rejuvenates and helps us to be balanced
in all our actions, be it mental or emotional. While strengthening
and toning the spine is fine, the pelvic and lumbar regions
also need attention.
Abdominal and lumbar asanas like the marichyasana focus
on these areas and the abdominal organs; the pelvic and lumbar
areas are massaged and toned, keeping them in a good functional
state. All the important parts of the body apparently seem
to have been taken care of, but the arms and wrists. The Balancing
Asanas do just that. The Sirsasana and the sarvangasana help
to strengthen the forelimbs and also have a salutary effect
on the abdominal organs.
That appears tiring? imagine going through all those yoga
positions at one go. Never do that. Listen to your body and
when it cries halt, just stop. Practice different sets of
asanas each day for variety, or initially to start off with
do it every alternate day for 15-20 minutes. Increased blood
flow, removal of toxins, an invigorated spirit, a toned body,
flexible joints and tendons, effective digestion, a sense
of well being and a remarkable zest for life are just some
of the benefits that accrue. A little time spent in exertion
augurs good health and an increase in energy levels beyond
compare.
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on Yoga Positions?
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