For the glow of
good health
By Anup
Deb Nath
YOGA is more than just a simple
routine of exercises put together. It consists of
scientifically-based exercises for the entire body. These
help in removing mental tension, fatigue, insomnia and
other ailments.
Yoga is most popular for
exercises that help to relax and remove stress as well as
relieve ailments that modern medicine has no cure for.
Yoga can be done by almost anyone, irrespective of age
and the level of physical fitness.
There
are stages in yoga just like in other forms of exercise.
There is a specific routine for the beginners or those
who are very out of shape, another one for the
intermediate and then advanced exercises which should
only be undertaken once you are familiar with the easier
levels.
The biggest criticism that
yoga faces is from people who feel that it is not
strenuous enough and involves very easy to do exercises.
That is not correct. Yoga, if done properly, requires
good control over the body and stamina to do all the
movements correctly. These movements, though slow and
controlled, require concentration and stamina.
Some exercises sound easy
and are easy to do, but give you great results if done
regularly. One easy way to relax is by standing with your
feet apart and arms hanging by your sides. Leave your
body as loose and free as far as it can go and let your
body flop forward. Count until 10 and then slowly
straighten up again. Initially you may find that you do
not manage to bend very far. With a little practice, you
will be able to bend till your hands touch the floor.
This exercise helps to relax and head, neck, shoulders,
arms, back and hands.
For people who work under
a lot of pressure, rolling the head from side to side has
a very relaxing effect and helps to reduce tension in the
neck. Keeping the muscles and bones of the neck
lubricated and free of settling toxins helps to avoid
tension and headaches. It is easier to relax while
sitting and so that is preferred. Remember to keep your
movements smooth and without any jerks.
Sit down in a comfortable
position, either on a chair or cross-legged on the floor.
Take a deep breath and try to relax your body as much as
you can. Gently turn your head to the left, hold it for a
couple of seconds and then turn it as far back as it can
go easily. Hold it here again for a few seconds and then
turn it to the right and hold. Slowly let your head move
towards the front and drop your head down. Repeat these
exercises slowly and smoothly in opposite directions.
An exercise to help cleans
the lungs is by the standing straight and keeping your
feet together. Inhale deeply while slowly raising your
arms until your palms touch each other above your head.
Make sure not to bend your elbows. Hold your breath and
remain in this position for a couple of seconds then turn
your palms out. Slowly your arms as you exhale.
Done correctly, this
exercise will give you a tingling sensation in your palms
and fingertips. This exercise helps to cleanse your
breath and lungs and reduces breathing difficulties as
well. Yoga also includes exercises for the internal
organs. These can reduce any existing problem that you
already have or even to keep the organ functioning well.
A good exercise to stimulate and improve the functioning
of the liver and the spleen is as follows:
Sit on the floor with both
legs bent onto your right side. Raise the arms above your
head and clasp them together. Take a deep breath, bend
your body to the right as low as you can take it and
partly exhale your breath. Now sway your whole lower body
while exhaling in short, forceful breaths. During this
time take care that neither your upraised arms nor your
head should move, all the movement that is being done
should be restricted to the upper part of the body and
the bending at the waist.
Return to your original
position and repeat. After this sit with your legs folded
to the left and repeat the bends to the left twice. Make
sure that your movements are slow and controlled and that
your breathing is exactly as specified to gain maximum
benefit from any yoga exercises.
Yoga is a great way to
keep your organs functioning at their peak, your body
supple and graceful and give you a glow of health and a
look of vitality.
This
feature was published on December 13, 1998
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