Yoga- A healthy way of life

Life has changed its course explicitly. Today, we are living in this modernized age, where everything is only at an arm’s distance, yet we find ourselves quite vulnerable at times. The human race has come a long way from a nomadic lifestyle to hip and happening metropolitan cosmos. The overall journey has been transformational. Although, we have speeded up almost every action, still a handful of stair climbs tires us down. Realizing the harsh consequences of technology, we must adopt some healthy habits in life to curtail these ill effects as soon as possible. In a nutshell, we must prioritize our health and make amendments with our lifestyles. Being healthy is not a statement, it is a requirement. A healthy population today will bear healthy offsprings tomorrow. Thinking on similar lines, we shall take up any health-related discipline and follow it arduously. If you are still confused upon making your mind, look no further than our traditional art form -  Yoga. Even though, this art form is centuries old, but it still holds enough significance in this current era. Yoga introduces us with vigor, confidence and definitely a healthy body. A mere 10 minute Yoga in the morning will result in a multitude of benefits. Yoga is a never-ending treasure, and below listed are some of the jewels from the lot. Read further to unveil some of the most dynamic Yoga poses and realize the health benefits each one of them is potent to bring upon your lives.

Trikonasana or Triangle Pose

Feel lighter with ten repetitions of ‪‎Trikonasana or ‪TrianglePose everyday

Trikonasana is a quintessential standing pose that crosses over to many styles of yoga. The Triangle Pose focuses on thighs, knees, ankles hamstrings, shoulders and spine and requires a sense of balance, and it’s essential to maintain the right angles for the legs and arms without straining the neck.

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•          Stimulate and improve the function of blood through the entire body
•          Strengthens and stretches the hips, back, arms, thighs and leg
•          Reduces blood pressure, stress and anxiety
•          Cure indigestion, gives flexibility to groins, hamstrings and hips
•          Endorsed for people with displaced spinal discs, arthritis, stiff shoulders and sciatica

* Recommended for all levels, augments movement of the half spinal twist, gives an excellent lateral stretch to the spine, toning the nerves.

Shavasana or Corpse Pose

Get into the relaxation mode with Shavasana or Corpse Pose

A fully conscious pose aimed at being awake, yet completely relaxed, the Corpse yoga pose is one of the most important postures. It replicates the recumbent position of rest and relaxation and is meant to rejuvenate your mind and body after the yoga practice. Shavasana allows you to shift your attention to the inner-self.

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•          Releases stress, fatigue, depression and tension
•          Improves concentration
•          Cures insomnia.
•          Relaxes your muscles
•          Calms mind and improves mental health
•          Stimulates blood circulation
•          Lowers blood sugar, anxiety and insomnia
•          Gives opportunity to absorb all the benefits you worked out for.

* Spend a few minutes resting to let your body absorb the benefits of your practice before going on with your day. Using props during shavasana can help make this pose more comfortable and relaxing.

Balasana or Child’s Pose

Tone your abdominal organs with Balasana or Child’s pose

Considered as a restorative pose because it is calming and can be done in between more intense or challenging poses. It gently stretches your hips, thighs and ankles. Also, effective in relieving stress and calming the mind, body and spirit by stimulating your third eye point.

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•          Releases tension in the back, shoulders and chest
•          Flexes the body’s internal organs and keeps them supple
•          It lengthens and stretches the spine
•          Relieves neck and lower back pain when performed with the head and torso supported
•          Normalizes circulation throughout the body
•          Encourages strong and steady breathing

*When performed with an open mind, the full-body gravitational pull of Balasana is sure to induce users with a great sense of physical, mental and emotional relief.

Tadasana or Mountain Pose

Improve your posture with Mountain pose or Tadasana

Famous as the Palm tree pose, it is the foundation pose for all the standing postures and improves groundedness, stability and confidence. Tadasana stretches the arms, the chest, the abdominal muscles, the spine and the leg muscles along with giving a sense of balance.

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• Helps to increase height.
• Benefits women during early stages of pregnancy.
• Relieves sciatica.
• Strengthens knees, thighs, and ankles.
• Steadies breathing.
• At the same time develops flexibility and strength, particularly in the spine.
• Reduces flat feet.

*Recommended for all age groups, this asana works on your muscles and protects them from the painful effects of sedentary desk job. With this pose, align your body and bring it back to a neutral stance.

Bhujangasana or Cobra Pose

Firm your buttocks with Cobra Pose or Bhujangasana

Resembling a serpent with its hood raised, Cobra pose is one of the most popular backbend poses, which significantly relieves discomfort in the muscles of the back, neck and the abdomen.  Bhujangasana works on four out of the seven chakras – The Visuddhi Chakra, the Anahata Chakra, the Manipura Chakra, and the Svadhisthana Chakra. When this asana is practiced with the eyes open, as you look up, your optic nerves and vision benefit from it.

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·         Stretches muscles in the shoulders, chest and abdominals.

·         Decrease stiffness of the lower back.

·         Strengthens the arms and shoulders.

·         Increases flexibility.

·         Improves menstrual irregularities.

·         Elevates mood.

·         Firms and tones the buttocks.

·         Invigorates the heart.

*One of the most common backbend poses, this asana is taught to students of yoga for beginners as well as for students in the intermediate and advanced levels.

Baddha Kosana or Bound Angle Pose

Boost your health and well-being with Bound Angle Pose or Baddha Konsana

Replicating a butterfly in a sitting position, Bound angle pose is a therapeutic hip and groin opener, which helps to boost fertility in individuals. Also, helps women to soothe menstrual discomfort and digestive complaints.

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•          Alleviates fatigue
•          Relieves sciatica
•          Strengthens and improves flexibility in the inner thigh, groins and the knees.
•          Stimulates the abdominal organs, potentially improving the health of the ovaries, prostate gland, kidneys and bladder.
•          Helps open up the lower back and relieves sciatica.
•          Metaphysically opens up the groin area, helping to relieve sexual inhibitions and guilt.

* Excellent for all age groups, this pose is therapeutically useful in improving mental focus. One should concentrate gaze inwards while performing this pose.

Sukhasana or Easy Pose

Soothe your mind with Sukhasana or Easy Pose

Sukhasana is a relaxation pose that is mainly intended for meditative purposes. It is a comfortable, sitting yoga pose which allows you to amplify your state of serenity and tranquility. Regularly sitting in this pose, one can lengthen the spine and broaden collar bones and the chest.

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•          Open your hips.
•          Lengthens your spine.
•          Promotes groundedness and inner calm.
•          Eliminates anxiety.
•          Relieves physical and mental exhaustion and tiredness.
•          Straighten the spine

*Recommended for all age groups, this pose is excellent to calm your brain, improve alignment and concentration levels.

Camatkarasana or Wild Thing Pose

Energize your body with Wild Thing Pose or Camatkarasana

Referred to as the ecstatic unfolding of the enraptured heart, Wild thing pose encourages you to grow your roots into the Earth and also, as you stretch your back, offers your heart as a present to the heavens. Effective to deal with fatigue and treat mild depression.

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•          Stretches the chest, shoulders and throat
•          Opens the hips and hip flexors
•          Stretches and strengthens upper back and shoulders
•          Energizes the body and mind
•          Along with the benefit to body parts it also helps improve the circulation of blood to the organs.

*When performed with an open mind, this pose is effective for the treatment of mild depression and helps to deal with fatigue. 

Padmasana or Lotus Pose

Breathe steadily with Lotus Pose or Padmasana.

Whether it is a yoga for beginners or sessions for more advanced students, the Lotus Pose is considered as one of the most popular starting poses. It is a cross-legged posture which helps deepen meditation by calming the mind and alleviating various physical ailments.

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•          Opens up the hips.
•          Stretches the ankles and knees.
•          Calms the brain.
•          Increases awareness and attentiveness.
•          Keeps the spine straight.
•          Helps develop good posture.
•          Eases menstrual discomfort and sciatica.
•          Helps keeps joints and ligaments flexible.

*The Lotus Pose is effective in establishing a steady pattern of breathing as you progress through a series of yoga poses, like the Sun Salutations or the more fast-paced Vinyasa series.

Utkatasana or Chair Pose

Tone your leg muscles with Utkatasana or the Chair Pose

Known as the powerful pose, it is just like sitting on a chair, except there is no chair. The fierceness or power signifies what each part of the body tries to achieve in this pose. The Chair yoga position tones your leg muscles, strengthens your hip flexors, ankles, calves and back.

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•          Stretches chest and shoulders.
•          Reduces symptoms of flat feet.
•          Stimulates the heart, diaphragm, and abdominal organs
•          Reduces neck problems.
•          Supports your posture.
•          Reduces pressure on your hip.

* Recommended for all age groups, the user mimics the position of sitting in a chair, which brings out the fierce side and tone those tired legs with regular practice.