Ditch Back Pain through Cobra Pose

Practicing the cobra pose will help strengthen and stretch your back. In turn, it will allow you to reduce cervical tension caused by stress.

Amongst many other yoga postures, the Cobra Pose is more popular due to its manifold benefits. However, in the Western world, this posture’s exceptional popularity stems specifically from its ability to appease back pain. In Sanskrit, Cobra Pose is known as Bhujangasana. Bhujanga refers to snake. And unsurprisingly, the subject posture assumes a pose that resembles much like a cobra with its head raised. Although we perform Cobra Pose as a separate posture, it is also an indispensable step of the Sun Salutations or Surya Namaskār.

The Benefits of the Cobra Pose

The Cobra Pose is a backward bending pose which is incredibly useful for improving condition of various parts of the human body. To be precise, it is essentially good for relieving upper body stiffness, which covers regions such as, shoulders, upper back, and neck. Again, the posture is capable of minimizing the stiffness of the lower back.

In the 20^th century, the Indian avant-garde yogi, B. K. S. Iyengar claimed that this pose was a "panacea for an injured spine". However, he could not present any empirical evidence in support of his aforesaid claim. Nevertheless, the Cobra Pose is widely suggested by yogis worldwide to manage or relieving back pain. Most practitioners assert that the pose positively helped them to pacify back pain.

Moreover, there are many other benefits tagged with this pose. To be specific, it enhances digestive system, decreases symptoms of asthma, improves kidney functions, alleviates mental stress, develops self-confidence, strengthens the heart, improves libido, enhances flexibility, and lightens menstrual pain. Furthermore, it is assumed that the Cobra Pose has the potentials for destroying diseases.

The Cobra Pose Step-by-Step

1. Lie face down in such a manner that your stomach touches the ground. Keep both your legs and feet together. Tops of your feet and toenails should press firmly down the floor while the soles of your feet should face up.
2. Put your both hands palm down below the shoulders and keep the elbows close to the rib cage.
3. Inhale, and slowly lift the head then stretching the muscles of the back lift the shoulders and trunk as higher as it possible and further backwards without taking any support from the arms.
4. Hold your breath and Remain in this position for seven to twelve minutes.
5. Exhale slowly and gradually return to the face down position.

Cautions

• Don not put too much effort during stretching backwards.
• Do not practice Cobra Pose if you are suffering from excessive thyroid growth.
• Do not perform Cobra Pose during pregnancy.
• Do not practice Cobra Pose if you have Back injury.

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Is it Safe to Practice Yoga during Pregnancy?

Why Yoga during Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is perhaps the most delicate phase in a woman’s life. During this period almost every woman undergoes both emotional discomfort and physical difficulties. In order to appease such complications, the pregnant woman must recourse to some effective methods. Alongside with medication, she may practice yoga, an ancient exercise which is capable of establishing a harmonious juncture between the body and the mind. The effectiveness of yoga postures has been already proven positive for various health problems. Similarly, yoga is getting very popular amongst health concerned would be mothers for maintaining a balanced life during pregnancy. So far it is known, yoga increases the probability to get a relatively healthy baby.

Precautions While Practicing Yoga during Pregnancy

During pregnancy all sorts of exercises should be practiced with care and most importantly with doctor’s advice and guidance. This precaution is also applicable for yoga postures too. Although incredibly beneficial, there are certain yoga postures that should be avoided during pregnancy. However, there are some others which should be avoided during certain periods only. In short, the practice of yoga postures varies during different phases of pregnancy.

When is it Safe to Start?

It is quite debatable actually which trimester is best for starting yoga during pregnancy.  Some experts argue that it is safe to practice yoga from the first trimester, while some others maintain that the practice should be initiated from the second trimester. There is no proof that yoga practice during the first trimester would harm you. However, it is generally observed that for older practitioners yoga pose lesser problems than that of the beginners. If you are new to yoga then it would be safe if you start practicing from the second trimester.

Unsafe Postures during Pregnancy

• If you wish to start yoga during the first trimester then practice standing postures only, but with necessary supports such as chair or wall.
• If you start yoga from the second trimester then practice breathing and meditative postures only.
• Avoid those breathing exercises which require holding the breath or taking vigorous breath.
• Do not practice complex postures involving forceful stretches and twists.
• Avoid headstand and handstand postures.
• Avoid back and forward bending postures which may put pressure on the abdomen.
• Do not perform those postures which require lying face down.
• Restrain from yoga practice immediately in case you feel pain or nausea.
• Cease practicing a particular posture soon after you feel any kind of discomfort.
• In the third trimester do only standing postures and use props and supports as required.

Safe Postures during Pregnancy

1. Baddha Konasana (Butterfly pose /Cobbler’s Pose/Bound Angle Pose)

2. Cat –Cow Pose (Marjaryasana–Bitilasana)

3. Parvatasana (Mountain Pose)

4. Shavasana (Corpse Pose)

5. Sukhasana (Easy Pose)

6. Tadasana/ Samasthiti (Palm Tree)

7. Utkatasana (Chair Pose)

8. Vajrasana (Adamantine Pose/Diamond Pose/ Kneeling Pose/Pelvic Pose/ Thunderbolt Pose)

9. Viparita Karani (Legs up the Wall Pose)

10. Virabhadrasana (Warrior Pose)

11. Supta Virasana (Reclining Hero Pose)

N.B. Viparita Karani and Supta Virasana are particularly effective for eleviating morning sickness and nausea.

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Pocket Yoga Apk Free Download

Yoga is a cure to majority of known diseases. For its healing power modern people are getting more and more conscious about it. This ancient practice has been the subject of interest for countless health specialists, researchers, and physicians alike. As a result, the number of books, articles on this subject is numerous. Once, you had only the print version but now you can have countless digital versions of yoga books also. More to it some android apps on yoga has been also released. One such app is Pocket Yoga. This app promises to increase your ease and comfort while practicing yoga at home. It’s just like a visual tutorial or guideline. Here follows a brief encapsulation of its salient features:

• Detailed voice and visual instruction guides you through every pose, including each inhalation and exhalation.
• Over 200 beautifully illustrated pose images with correct posture and alignment.
• Dictionary of poses containing the descriptions and benefits of each pose.
• Unlock new environments as you progress in your yoga journey. Quickly preview a practice to see if it's right for you before you start.
• Maintains an ongoing log of all your yoga practices to track your progress.
• Practices designed by experienced yoga instructors.
• Ability to play music from your music library in place of the default music.

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12 Yoga Poses for Weight Loss

The issue of obesity permits almost every corner of the globe. It is always wise to maintain your health when you have the chance to do it because there is a saying that prevention is better than cure.  Once you become fat it takes lots of efforts to burn the extra fat. Anyway, every problem has a solution and obesity is no exception in this respect. You can lose weight by practicing Yoga postures; it is easy and side effect free. Following is list of simple Yoga postures which you can practice at home without assistance from any instructor:

1. Eagle Pose (Garudasana)

2. Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana)

3. Half Spinal Twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana)

4. Plank Pose (Kumbhakasan)

5. Plow Pose (Halasana)

6. Bridge Pose (Setubandhasana)

7. Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)

8. Bow Pose (Dhanurasana)

9. Locust Pose (Shalbasana)

10. Wind-releasing Pose (Pavanmuktasana)

11. Seated Forward Bend Pose (Paschimottanasana)

12. Shoulder Stand Pose (Sarvangasana)

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9 Yoga Postures for Back Pain

Back pain is a pervasive problem in modern society. It is commonly experienced by the sedentary people. Its severity sometimes hampers the comfort of living. However, back pain could be avoided by practicing several yogic postures:

1. Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

2. Child's Pose (Balasana)

3. Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana)

4. Triangle Pose (Utthita Trikonasana)

5. Cat and Cow Pose/ Cat Posture (Marjariasana)

6. Upward-Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana)

 

7. Shalabhasan (Locust Pose)

8. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

9. Purvottanasana (Upward Plank Pose)

 

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Raised Foot Pose Steps, Benefits & Precautions

Raised Foot Pose is reportedly one of the best yoga  postures since it ensures physical potency as well as increases the balance of the body. This posture is  also known as Uttanpadasana. Less frequently it is called by some Dwipadasana.

Steps

1. Lie down on the ground on your back. Keep your arms straight. Both your feet and knees should be together. Keep your palms facing the ground beside your body. Breath normally.
2. Now while inhaling gradually raise your legs and hold them at 30 degree without bending the knees. Keep your breathing normal. Stay in this position for 30 seconds.
3. Bring them back down to the floor even more slowly and while exhaling. Take rest in Savasana (Corpse Pose) for 30 seconds. Repeat this for 4 times.

Benefits

• Reduces fat from hips, lower abdomen, and thigh
• Strengthens the thighs, the waist, the hips, the back, and the spinal cord.
• Prevents and cures hernia.
• Reduces indigestion.
• Increases sexual potency.

Precautions

Do not practice this posture if you are experiencing the following problems:

• The  first month of pregnancy.
• Abdominal pain.
• Blood pressure.
• Hernia.
• Recent abdominal surgery.

Further Readings on Raised Foot Pose

http://www.yogapoint.com/yoga-poses/uttanpadasana-with-both-legs.htm 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uttanapadasana 
http://www.healthyogaindia.com/uttanpadasana.htm 
http://www.jaisiyaram.com/yoga-poses/uttanpadasana.html 
http://www.yogawiz.com/yoga-poses/raised-foot-pose.html

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Conception Yoga Asanas for Women

You can take a wide varieties of steps to prepare your body for pregnancy. Sometimes you may miss the chances of getting pregnant due to minor problems, such as stress, dejection, etc. To increase the chances of being pregnant you can practice Yoga. Even though Yoga can’t guarantee your pregnancy, it can at least prepare your body and most importantly the mind for conception. Women can easily increase fertility by managing stress through some yoga postures:

(1) Bridge Pose/Stretched Peacock Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana/Uttana Mayurasana) 

(2) Lotus Pose (Padmasana)

 (3) Supported Headstand (Sirsasana)

(4) Wide-Angle Seated Forward Bend (Upavishta Konasana)

(5) Bound Angle Pose/Cobbler's Pose (Baddha Konasana)

 

(6) Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose (Viparita Karani)

(7) Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)

 

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Eagle Pose

Eagle Pose (also known as Gorudasana) is an effective Yoga pose for attaining flexibilities in major body joints. Most importantly it is essentially beneficial for increasing sexual potency and eradicating reproductive complications. In fact, it is the only Yoga Posture which is capable of supplying adequate blood to the reproductive system, sex organs, and the kidneys.

Steps

1. Stand Straight.
2. Balance your body on your left leg.
3. Raise your right leg and bind the left leg over the left.
4. Bring your arms together and cross your left elbow over your right elbow. Press your palms together as firmly as it possible.
5. Stay in this position for 15-30 seconds.
6. Release your legs and arms and stand straight as Step -1.
7. Do Savasana (Corps  Pose) for 15-30 seconds.

Note: When you are done then repeat the same stages by your opposite legs and arms for the same length of time.

Benefits

• Improves balance
• Increases concentration & confidence
• Improves flexibilities in the hips, knees, ankles
• Strengthens legs, knees and ankles
• Increased circulation to all joints
• Ensures supply of fresh blood to the reproductive system, sex organs, and the kidneys

Contraindications/Precautions

Do not try this posture if you are experiencing the following complications:

• Arm injury
• Shoulder injury
• Hip injury
• Knee injury
• Ankle injury
• Low blood pressure

Additional Resources

http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/2340
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/785
http://www.active.com/mind-and-body-yoga/articles/pose-of-the-month-eagle-pose
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garudasana

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Yoga Postures for Kidney Stones

Although kidney stones are curable through surgery, it is always better resort to nature cure. Various herbal remedies are also available for you to treat this disease naturally. But there is another way by which you can not only get rid of kidney stones but also stay well and increase longevity. We are of course  talking about Yoga. By practicing several Yoga postures you can self treat kidney diseases. The best thing of Yoga is that it is an ancient practice so it has been rectified from side effects for ages. Nowadays even the physicians suggest Yoga for maintaining a better health. Whichever you prefer for treatment you should do it fast since kidney stones are very painful and they may gradually lead you  towards death.

Symptoms

When a kidney stone has grown in your kidney(s)  you may feel pain in your sides, back, lower abdomen or groin, or under your ribs.

Dangers

Increased risks for kidney stones include dehydration; a diet high in protein, sodium or sugar; obesity; digestive diseases; and urinary tract infections.

Yogic Postures for Kidney Stones

Here is a list of effective Yoga postures for curing kidney stones:

1. Bhujangaasana (Cobra Pose)

2. Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half-Spinal Twist Pose)

3. Halasana (Plough Pose)

4. Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)

5. Pavanamuktasana (Wind Relieving Pose)

6. Ustrasana (Camel Pose)

7. Uttanpadasana (Raised Feet Pose)

8. Eagle Pose (Garudasana)

Suggestions

Please consult with your physician before practicing the above Yoga postures. Remember, you need to take medication if you experience severe pain, nausea, vomiting, fever or chills.

Diet

• Drink plenty of water
• Increase intake of foods such as kidney beans and watermelons
• Avoid calcium supplements but eat milk products
• Eat foods enrich in  Vitamin B6 and Vitamin E

Additional Reading on Yoga Postures for Kidney Stones:

https://harishyogi.blogspot.com/p/asana-posture.html
https://www.yogawiz.com/askquestion/252/advice-on-kidney-stones-what-are-the-asanas-used-f.html
https://yoga-health-benefits.blogspot.com/2009/05/yoga-for-kidney-stones.html

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