Yoga

The word Yoga means "to yoke" - in essence, unite. Through the practice of yoga, one unites body, mind and soul. The exercises keep one’s body young, dynamic, supple, strong and healthy.

All yoga postures, combined with proper breathing, improve the circulatory, endocrinal and nervous systems. Digestion and assimilation are also stimulated as well as the elimination of toxins. The lymph systems, the body’s defense mechanism, is thus far better able to prevent the onset of illness and will accelerate recovery when symptoms begin. Yoga also helps the acquisition of a graceful posture and ease of movement. Regular practice will bring great benefits regardless of age or condition in the form of a general sense of well-being, a feeling of serenity and optimism. In short, one achieves psycho-physical balances.

Pranayama

The Breathing Exercise of Yoga.

Pranayama involves much more than merely breathing for relaxation. It is the regulation of the incoming and outgoing flow of breath with retention. Pranayama also denotes cosmic power, or the power of the entire universe which manifests itself as a conscious living being in us through the phenomenon of breathing. A person who is content and happy has more prana inside. The more disturbed a person is, the more prana is dissipated and lost. Because we ca influence the flow of prana through the flow of our breath, the quality of our breath influence our state of mind and vice versa. In Yoga, we are trying to make use of these connections so that prana concentrates and can freely flow within us. In Pranayama we want to reduce the amount of prana outside the body until there is none leaking out.

Prana is power. Proper breathing is one way of harnessing that power. It gives control of breathing processes and control of vital forces. In Yoga, we are concerned with balancing the flows of these vital forces, then directing them inward to the charka system and upward to the grown charka or thousand-petalled lotus (sahasara). When one acquire an intuitive apprehension of ultimate power and of one’s own identity with it, one loses all fear of external powers and develop a trust which is conducive to confident living.

The Surya-Namaskara or the Sun Salutation is an all-round exercise which involve and invigorate the whole body. Ideally you would practice it in the sun, preferably outside or in a sunny room. When there is no sun, it helps to imagine its presence.

Although the Sun Salutation is not considered to be part of the traditional practice of asanas in Hatha yoga, it does include many of the traditional postures. The movements stretch and energize the whole body, loosen up the joints and massage the internal organs and glands. The also improve blood circulation and breathing. The Warrior Pose or Virabhadra-asana is named after the legendary commander of Shiva’s army, Virabhadra. This asana stretches the body and makes it flexible.

The main areas where physical tension accumulates are the middle of one’s shoulders and the nape of one’s neck. By contracting and stretching these areas, one can release tension throughout one’s body. Breathe steadily when holding a posture.

The Half-Spinal Twist or Ardha-Matsyendrasana is named after the great yogic Matsyendra. This asana gives a sideways stretch to the spine, back muscles and hips. It massages the abdominal muscles, alleviating digestive disorders. It is a useful pose to practice for relieving muscular tension in the back and hips.

Vriksha means tree. Imagine you are tall tree with deep roots. This asanas has many benefits. Health, strength, flexibility, concentration and grace are all fruits of a regular practice. A word of advice though: do not away like a tree in the wind.

The Cobra pose is one of the most important asanas. The arching of the spine improve its flexibility and rejuvenates the spinal nerves. This posture puts gentle pressure on the abdomen and massages the internal organs. It is a very useful pose for alleviating menstrual disorders and ovarian and uterine problems.

Mudras: Mudras are powerful yoga postures and like full yoga body postures (asanas), are scientifically designed to influence both the dense physical and subtle ethereal bodies. By holding the hands in a particular posture, even for a few seconds, it locks and guides energy flow and reflexes to the brain. By curling, crossing stretching and touching the fingers and hands, we can talk to the body and mind as each area of the hand reflexes to a certain part of the mind or body. Helping the practitioner to heal illness, rejuvenate the immune system and increase overall well-being at every level. The Buddha, for example, is often depicted with hands in the mudra posture.

Guyan Mudra: The tip of the thumb touches the tip of the index finger, stimulating knowledge and ability. The index finger is symbolized by Jupiter and the thumb represents the ego. Guyan Mudra imparts receptivity and calm.

Shuni Mudra: The tip of the middle finger (symbolized by Saturn) touches the tip of the thumb, giving patience.

Surya or Ravi Mudra: The tip of the ring finger (symbolized by Uranus or the Sun) touches the tip of the thumb, giving energy, health and intuition.

Buddhi Mudra: The tip of the little finger (mercury) touches the tip of the thumb for clear and intuitive communications.

Buddha Mudra: The right hand rests on the left one for men, the left on right for women, palms up, thumb trips touching each other in a receptive gesture.

Meditation

Meditation focuses on quietening the busy mind. The intention is not to remove stimulation but rather to direct your concentration to one healing element-one sound, one word, one image or one’s breath. When the mind is "filled" with the feeling of calm and peace, it cannot take off on its own and worry, stress-out or get depressed.
There are four elements basic to most traditional meditation. They are

A quiet place to meditate

A comfortable posture

An object for attention/awareness to dwell upon

A passive attitude.

The regular practice of yoga exercise which are personalized to suit individual needs at AyurvedaGram improves physical fitness and blood circulation, reduces stress, enhances the sense of well-being and improves the overall effectiveness of the treatment.