“Anjaneya” is one of the names of the deity, Hanuman (see more at Wikipedia).

Practicing this asana requires that we “open up”. As we have our chest open we breathe deeply which helps us energise and clear our lungs of impurities.

This pose when practiced regularly helps us develop humility, wisdom and compassion

Taking time in this pose with our eyes closed allows us to experience deep inner calm and trust.

Physical Benefits of Crescent Moon Pose in Yoga

• Energising for the spine
• Good for sore throat, tonsilitis, coughs and colds.
• Removes tension from buttocks
• Tones the kidneys and liver
• Stretches and strengthens quadriceps (front of thigh)
• Helps posture, particularly if you have rounded shoulders
• Beneficial for ovaries and uterus
• Relieves ankle tension
• Opens the chest
• Helps develop ling capacity
• Helps relieve sciatica

There are numerous variations of this yoga asana, but the one we tend to do for a few minutes on each side is shown above. In Sanskrit it’s called Adho Muka Kapotasana (Downward Facing Pigeon Pose)

Coming out after 3 or 4 minutes in this pose is a great feeling as there is always noticably less tension in the body.

As well as the physical benefits pigeon pose allows us to release lots of emotional tension, particularly “uncomfortable” emotions, many of which are in connection with our relationships with others.

There may be things that, rather than express, you choose to “sit on”. This unreleased energy often gets stored as tension in the buttocks.

Pigeon pose helps us to release that, and can help us to be more openly expressive. If we don’t say what we want to say things can often build up and when they do finally get expressed it can be out of all proportion with that particular moment.

So, don’t sit on stuff – express it, and let it go.

Physical Benefits of Pigeon Pose

• Opens the hips
• Strengthens upper thighs
• Increases flexibility
• Lengthens the body
• Reduces lower back pain
• Reduces congestion
• Helps digestive system
• Relieves deep stress and tension
• Helps reduce and eliminate sciatica

Challenging, and fun (especially if you get a bit wobbly) Tree Pose reminds us that rigidity isn’t the best way to approach life.

Trees survive because they move with the wind – yet they stay rooted.

When doing this pose we are rooted in our inner focus – maintaining a gentle concentration on a chosen point helps us balance in tree pose. It’s when we “try” to balance that things get a little unbalanced – a bit like life, the magic is in allowing and flowing.

Tree pose helps us develop concentration – if your mind wanders off whilst doing this asana then you will find it hard to maintain the position.

Physical benefits of Tree Pose in Yoga

• Reduces Flat Feet
• Helpful for sciatica
• Helps with rounded shoulders
• Helps open pelvis and hips (particularly with the little variation we add in class)
• Helps open the chest
• Improves breathing and lung capacity
• Brings strength to the leg muscles, ankles and knee joints
• Helps align our spine

Here’s a link to an interesting article and video covering yoga poses for core strength. Following these will allow you to develop a strong foundation, not only for your yoga practice, but for your health in general.

As the author, Katrina Ariel, says,

“Can yoga connect you with your core strength physically as well as mentally and emotionally? Absolutely! And I’ll give you some great ways to connect to your core here.

Having a strong body is essential to finding total harmony in all aspects of your life. Yet discovering your optimal state means taking a look at your tendencies.

Do you tend to do more strengthening than stretching in your physical activities? Yoga can help you do both at the same time. If you’re more physically focused you might also consider supplementing your daily routine with meditative practices which have been shown in numerous studies to improve overall performance as well as helping you find peace of mind.”

Even though the video is only ten minutes long you will find this an intense and effective sequence to follow. Go on, give it a try 🙂

Watch Video

Source: HubPages

One of the most elegant yoga poses, Garudasana, has numerous benefits.

An article on hubpages gives great photos and great descriptions of the pose.

“Practiced as a full pose, garudasana targets all four limbs for strengthening, stretching, and toning. In addition, the back of the pelvis and the area between the shoulder blades are opened with the forward stretch of the limbs, thereby relieving tension.

Moreover, garudasana increases the efficiency of the immune system through its squeezing of lymph nodes under the arms and in the groin. Although one of the most importantly apparent benefits of garudasana is improvement in balance, this pose is especially valued for toning the arms, for flexing rotator cuffs, and for dissipating tension in the neck and between the shoulder blades.”

Check it out through the link below.

Garudasana (Sanskrit: garuda “eagle” + asana “pose”) is known as the eagle pose in yoga. It may be seen as a counter pose to gomukhasana (cow face pose). While garudasana loosens and opens the back, gomukhasana relaxes and opens the front upper body.

Practiced as a full pose, garudasana targets all four limbs for strengthening, stretching, and toning. In addition, the back of the pelvis and the area between the shoulder blades are opened with the forward stretch of the limbs, thereby relieving tension. Moreover, garudasana increases the efficiency of the immune system through its squeezing of lymph nodes under the arms and in the groin. Although one of the most importantly apparent benefits of garudasana is improvement in balance, this pose is especially valued for toning the arms, for flexing rotator cuffs, and for dissipating tension in the neck and between the shoulder blades.

I love swimming, and I always feel better after a few lengths, a bit of time in the jacuzzi afterwards 🙂

A new study, commissioned by swimwear manufacturers, Speedo, would seem to indicate I’m not the only one.

Examiner.com reports;

“The results of this research revealed that getting in the pool is the perfect way to unwind after a busy day, with 74 percent of the swimmers surveyed agreeing that swimming helps release stress and tension. Swimming also shows up as the ‘feel good’ exercise, with 68 percent of the swimmers saying that being in the water helps them to feel good about themselves. Furthermore, 70 percent of the swimmers agreed that swimming can have a positive mental impact and that it helps them feel mentally refreshed.”

Swimming also has the benefit of helping to regulate the breath, just like yoga. Personally, I love practicing yoga breathing whilst in the pool – it helps me get into a good rhythm and I feel it gives me a lot more energy.

See you at the Commie Pool!

A lot of people feel swimming is more than a great way to stay in shape, it is also a lot of fun. And now with U.S. Olympic swimmer 27 year old Michael Phelps

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Source: Rss

Here’s a nice 10 minute routine to practice along with. A great way to start your day, or to unwind after a day at work and help you de-stress.

Doing a routine like this 3 or 4 times per week, along with a regular, longer, class is a great way to ensure you get the maximum benefit from yoga.

Like most things in life, consistency is important…

Source: Youtube

The Scotsman newspaper reports that a study in the US shows that yoga helps stroke patients improve their self-confidence and balance.

It reports;

“US doctors followed a 50-strong group of patients who took part in yoga classes to assess if it helped improve their balance.

All of them had suffered a stroke more than previous months before.

They found the exercise, which dates back to ancient 
Indian times, improved patients’ brain function and improved their balance.”

Two groups of patients took part in a rehabilitation programme. One group were taught yoga, the other wasn’t. According to the report;

“The experts found the group which did yoga significantly improved their balance by the end of the two-month period.

They also scored higher rates for feeling like they had regained their independence and quality of life, and said they were less afraid of falling.”

These results won’t come as a surprise to those of us who practice yoga, but it’s nice to see this kind of confirmation of the benefits of yoga.

Hopefully the mainstream medical profession will be a bit more open-minded about this ancient system of health. After all, it has stood the test of time.

STROKE patients who take up yoga are more likely to improve their balance and self-confidence.

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Source: Rss

The key thing is to make sure that you’re taking everything nice and easy. It’s taught by yoga instructor, Esther Ekhart, and the instructions are clear and easy to understand.

Enjoy…

Source: Youtube