Yoga asanas/positions?
Brain: Siddhasana or Swastikasana, Vajrasana Sarvangasana Shirsha asana pranayama breathing: http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/pranayama/ Meditation on the third eye or on the point between the eyebrows helps to activate the brain and develop memory power. Om Chanting Brain and Nervous System: Yoga Shoulder Stand Garudasana Hastashirshasana Kandapidasana Poornotanasana Sarvangabaddhasana Shirshachakrasana Sukhasana Tulangulasana Kapalabhata Uttanmandukasana Fertility: Sirshasana* Sarvangasana* Matsyasana Viparita Karani Halasana* Bhujangasana Dhanurasana Salabhasana* Ardha-Salabhasana Paschimottanasana* Janu Sirshasana* Supta-Vajrasana Ardha-Matsyendrasana Baddha-Konasana* Yoga-Mudra* http://www.yogacheryl.com/mudraindex.htm... Uddiyana-Bandha* Here are a few resources to consider: 1) Book: Yoga as Medicine which focuses on issues related to what your listed: http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Medicine-Pres... 2) Brain and Nervous System: http://www.holistic-online.com/yoga/hol_yoga_pos_home.htm These asanas specialize in brain and spinal rejuvenation, since this produces the maximum body and mind rejuvenation. They will produce a healthy central nervous system (brain and spine), healthy glands, healthy internal organs, healthy joints and healthy skin. http://www.holistic-online.com/yoga/hol_yoga_pos_summary.htm 3) Fertility: a) Here's a site with Conception Asanas for both females and males: http://yoga.lovetoknow.com/Conception_Asanas b) DVD: Bend, Breathe and Conceive: http://www.amazon.com/Bend-Breathe-Conceive-Fertility-Davis/dp/B0015KLHOM?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1209438997&sr=8-15 Warm Regards, Kimberly Rex, MS http://www.windowstotheheart.net
What is yoga and dhayana?
Dhyana is a part of yoga. The most well written treatise on yoga is the one by patanjali. He writes about raja yoga and explains the 8 steps of yoga. They are : 1. Yamas : • Ahimsa (non-violence), • Satya (truthfulness), • Asteya (non-stealing), • Brahmacharya (celibacy) and • Aparigraha (non-covetousness) 2. Niyamas: • Shaucha or purity, • Santosha or contentment, • Tapa or austerity, • Swadhyaya or self-education and • Ishwar-Pranidhan or meditation on the Divine 3. Asanas : • Standing Asanas, • Forward Bending Asanas, • Supine Asanas, • Inverted Asanas, • Abdominal and Lumbar Asanas, • Twisting Asanas, • Back Bending Asanas and • Balancing Asanas. 4. Pranayama: • Sahita Kumbhaka, • Surya Bhedi, • Ujjayi, • Sitali, • Bhastrika, • Bhramari, • Murchha and • Kewali. 5. Pratyahara: Pratyahara involves rightly managing the senses and going beyond them instead of simply closing and suppressing them. It involves reining in the senses for increased attention rather than distraction. 6.Dharana : Involves developing and extending our powers of concentration. This consists of various ways of directing and controlling our attention and mind-fixing skills, such as concentrating on the chakras or turning inwards. 7. Dhyana : Dhyana is the state of meditation, when the mind attains the ability to sustain its attention without getting distracted. 8.Samadhi: Samadhi, or total absorption, is the ability to become one with the True Self and merge into the object of concentration. • Samprajnata Samadhi or distinguished contemplation and • Asamprajnata Samadhi or non-distinguished contemplation, • Savitarka Samadhi or deliberated absorption and • Nirvitarka Samadhi or non-deliberated absorption, • Savichara Samadhi or reflective meditation and • Nirvichara Samadhi or non-reflective meditation, • Sabija Samadhi, where the mind continues to carry seeds of earthly impressions and • Nirbija Samadhi, where each seed of earthly impressions have been erased. Hope that answers your query. success to you.
Are Upa yoga and preparatory Asanas a must before doing Shambhavi (doing Shambhavi twice a day, once with preparatory Asanas and once without)?
Prior to the start of the practice of Shambhavi Mahamudra kriya, a minute of reflection on the basic precepts presented during the program is then observed followed by the performance of 5 minutes of 3 gentle, preparatory yoga asanas (postures). Subsequently, the 21-minute kriya (inner action) begins and is practiced in Siddhasana (accomplished pose), which is a cross-legged posture with left heel pressing the perineum. Shambhavi Mahamudra begins with pranayama (controlled yogic breathing) called Sukha Kriya or Nadi Shodhana, which is an alternate-nostril breathing technique (ie, a slow-paced pranayama) to encourage balance in the mind for 6 to 7 minutes, followed by 21 long repetitions of the bija mantra (root syllable) Om chanted aloud with the thumb and forefinger touching in jnana (wisdom) mudra (seal). Next, the breathing exercise Viparita Swasa or Bhastrika pranayama (ie, a fast-paced pranayama) is practiced for 3 to 4 minutes and concludes with breath retention (kumbhaka or vessel) on both the inhalation and the exhalation while actively engaging the bandhas (muscular and energetic contraction) on the pelvic floor (moola bandha), lower abdomen (uddiyana bandha), and throat (jalandhara bandha). Finally, the Shambhavi kriya practice concludes with a 5-minute period of Vipassana meditation (dhyana) or open-monitoring meditation. The Shambhavi Mahamudra kriya takes approximately 21 minutes to complete. Please note that this outline of the kriya is intended for research purposes only; the Shambhavi Mahamudra practice should be learned under the instruction and observation of a qualified teacher.Source: Effects of Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya, a Multicomponent Breath-Based Yogic Practice (Pranayama), on Perceived Stress and General Well-Being
Yoga: Which are the yoga asanas for beginners that can be done at any time of the day?
Thanks for the A2AI want to echo what Stephen McLoughlin recommends, which is the Surya Namaskara both A + B. The benefits of this sequence cannot be underestimated. There are two main ways to do it, the original Hatha way:or the method promoted by the Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore.I don't want to debate the differences between the two. Both are great. It just depends on which lineage you are exposed to and what feels better with your body.The MOST important aspect of this sequence is breathing correctly. Any teacher will be able to help you with alignment or, if you are practicing alone, you can use a mirror... just don't rely on it too much -- you want to develop your own body awareness. Likewise, though far more subtle, is the breathing -- making sure each movement is correctly linked to the appropriate inhale or exhale.Speeding up the breathing (and, consequently, the movements) will give a more invigorating experience, while slowing down the breathing will relieve stress. For example, look at the Ashtanga method. You can do 3 A and 3 B in the evening, before bedtime and then sit cross legged for 5 minutes in meditation. Do not do any asanas on a full stomach or after drinking a lot of water.
How do you perform an Ardhavakra Asana? What are its benefits? How frequent do you practice?
This is how I do it: 1. Sit down on the floor. Stretch both legs in front. Make the legs parallel to one another. Put both palms on the floor and breathe normally. While sitting, keep the back straight. 2. Let one leg remain stretched on the floor. Fold the other leg at the knee and pull it slightly backward. 3. Put the heel of the folded leg at the central point between the knee and the ankle of the stretched leg. Then drop the heel on the outer side of the leg. Keep the heel quite close to the stretched leg. Now the knee of your folded leg should be upward. 4. Lift the hand which is on the side of the stretched leg and bring it up parallel to the stretched leg. Grab the stretched leg near the heel of the folded leg. Now you have made a lock with the arm and the knee. If you cannot grab the stretched leg, relax, and just touch it or keep the fingers near the central point. 5. Lift the other side hand and put its palm on the waist, keeping the thumb and index finger side upward. Now fold your elbow around 90 degree angle with the stretched leg. See that your head, neck and back are straight upward. 6. Start exhaling slowly and at the same time begin twisting and turning the waist, chest, neck and the head area in the direction of the folded elbow. 7. After making the maximum turn, hold the breath and stay in that position for 6 to 8 seconds. Your spine should be straight upwards and you should project the vision at a maximum distance. 8. Then start inhaling slowly and return to the position of readiness. 9. Now break the lock, stretch out the legs, relax the body and put the palms on the floor and rest for 6 seconds. 10. After rest, repeat the asana with the other leg, following the same method. 11. Make 4 to 6 rounds alternately. The main effect of this asana is on the waist and abdominal area, activating all the organs and glands of these parts of the body. This asana has a very good effect also on the pancreas, adrenal, ovary in female and testicles in the male. It is easy to do and is recommended for every practitioner of yoga.
Which is the best asan (yoga posture) you feel in yoga for celibacy?
For practising celibacy Siddhasana is the best along with Shirshasan and Sarvangasana. If i were you i would choose Siddhasana and Sarvangasana. Of course there are still many more asanas to control lust like Viryastambasana, Veerasana wherein the heel of your feet should press against the perineum while doing this particular asana. etc., etc., In Siddhasana if you could do either ashwini mudra or moola bandha both could help in total celibacy but then again if you want to get married you should not do siddhasana for more than half an hour. Only those who want to completely destroy the sexual appetite should do it for for 3 hours starting with 5 minutes. Good luck and God bless. Cheers! :o)
What is the best kind of Yoga?
There is no "best" yoga...yoga is not competitive, there is alot more to yoga than the physical asanas. go to yoga journal and read about it...you need to find a class you are comfortable with...
Does practicing Maharishi Yoga Asanas before TM help in transcending better?
Hatha yoga does help stabilize, and balance the deep rest you get in TM. The asanas are not the focus of practice, just something that takes about 10–15 minutes before meditation. Yoga is even beneficial if practiced sometime during the day. It doesn’t have to be paired with meditation though that would be nice. It is better to just find time to do it more often, than not at all.You can also do 3–5 minutes of alternate breathing before meditation called pranayama to help stabilize your practice. This time of breathing is not required but helps. It is a gentle alternate breathing where you hold one nostril and breath in, and then out the other alternating nostrils. Again both practices are not required, but do help.The important thing is to be regular in your meditation practice. Eat what you know is natural and healthy. Get proper rest. Do enough exercise and activity to maintain your body and health.The beautiful thing about meditation is the longer you practice the more the non-life affirming behaviors, and desires you used to do will begin to drop off until you have a very supportive lifestyle for your meditation practice. Life will gradually get easier and easier until one day you will get up and say, “You know I enjoy my meditation. I enjoy my activity. I enjoy my sleep, and I enjoy waking up the next day.” You will find your enjoyment of life increasing till one day it will surpass any expectation you’ve ever had or thought possible. Keep meditating. Do not judge your meditations, and life will unfold as it should, and as fast as it should to a place you want to be.
Should I eat before yoga?
there should be a minimum 3 hours gap between eating and performing yoga. and make sure whatever you eat is healthy.According to yoga Satvik diet is the one which a person should take to live a healthy and a long life.Satvik diet includes food that is right according to the Ayurveda. It includes organic food and no intake of fast food. It includes vegetables and lentils that are light in colour as dark ones are said to enhance anger and anxiety. Also drinks like coffee and tea are excluded and more stress is given on the fruits and to eat food before sunset.Now in today’s world we cannot follow this religiously. You can make minor changes to it so that it does not alter your asanas. You can have a coffee mug or a tea cup one or twice a day before 2pm.You can further use dark lentils and vegetables once a week and avoid making your food spicy as it can alter with your digestion.All of us crave for fast food. If you don’t, that’s great. But if you do, try to take it once a month and that too in light propotion.When it comes to performing asanas, do them empty stomach. Don’t eat and start doing you asanas. In that case, diet won’t help you or run its course.Don’t forget to add pranayamas and meditation in your day to day life as it will give you more benefits if combined with asanas and diet control. Whenever you practice pranayama or meditation make sure you have an underneath comfortable mat. it prevents you from injuries on knees and back.
How long after eating can I do yoga? Got various answers but want to know perfect one.
do it in the morning with empty stomach. In the early morning your body and mind will be fresh.If you do yoga in that time it makes your body and mind flexible.