Health

Brain Fitness with Yoga and Meditation

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Yoga and meditation improves brain fitness at four levels. First, it helps to develop new stem cells in the hippocampus; second, it improves the optimal blood flow in the brain, which enhances the cerebral metabolism; third, it encourages nerve cells to bind to one another; and fourth, it enhances the production of BDNF which creates new neural pathways in the brain. It is observed that regular systematic mental challenge by novel stimuli increases production and inter-connectivity of neurons and nerve growth factor. It also prevents cell death and loss of connections between neurons. The brain is capable of producing new brain cells at any age. Hence considerable memory loss is not an obvious result of aging. But just as it is with muscle strength, you have to use it or lose it. Our lifestyle, health habits, and daily activities have a huge impact on the health of our brain. Independent of our age, there are several ways through which we can improve our cognitive skills, prevent memory loss, and protect our grey matter. Yoga influences the brain on numerous ways. Yoga postures releases a plethora of hormones, all of which participate in aiding and providing a nourishing environment for the growth of brain cells. Most yoga postures increases heart rate, which pumps more oxygen to the brain.

How to Clear Karma: The Meditative Way

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How to clear karma? There are many types of karma – individual karma, collective karma, family karma, country karma, society karma, organizational karma and also time has its own karma. If any individual or group violate the law of nature today they will have to experience the consequences. If you do a good work, the … Read more

Walking Meditation: Techniques, Steps and Benefits

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I enjoy walking meditation because it is the easiest among all meditations. Here, meditation means paying attention to the steps and the feelings in the body. You can start your walking meditation, wherever you are. There is no specific time for walking meditation. Depending on your mode of living, you can choose a convenient time. … Read more

Mudra : Origins, Power and Benefits

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Originally mudras were used by the Hindus for rituals, relaxation and deep meditation. Now mudras are one hundred percent compatible with all religions. All the Hindu Gods and Goddesses have some form  of mudras. Lord Buddha uses gayana mudra.  Mudra is a sanskrit word. In the word “mudra” mud, means “joy” and ra, means “produce.”  Hence, mudra … Read more

Your Health and Yoga Postures

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For a good health; Healthy Nervous system, Healthy Endocrine Glands and Healthy Digestive System is must. Spine and the brain is the key to health. Yoga is for developing Healthy Nervous system, Healthy Endocrine Glands and Healthy Digestive System. These three are very essential prerequisites for vitality and energy. You must follow the basic yoga guidelines.

Healthy Endocrine System

The most vital glands in the human body are the pituitary, pineal, thyroid, adrenal, pancreas and sex glands. The pituitary and pineal glands are situated in the brain, the thyroid is in the neck area, the adrenals and pancreas in the solar plexus area and the sex glands in the pelvic region. The function of these glands is to secrete powerful hormones which control your growth, weight and size. They also determine your metabolism, vitality,  and emotional stability. Since the pituitary and pineal glands are situated in the brain, the headstand has a powerful effect on them.

Thyroid gland problems are very common and often go undiagnosed until the symptoms are very obvious. The shoulder stand is specific for the thyroid gland and will prevent and help cure thyroid gland problems.

The hormones secreted by the sex glands are key for sparkling eyes, smooth skin and a warm personality. The reverse posture stimulates these glands and therefore the production of the hormones.

The adrenal glands produce a variety of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisone that are important in controlling your stress and immunity. The twist posture is a powerful stimulant to the adrenal glands, causing them to release extra energy to boost your vitality level.

The correct functioning of the pancreas is vital to our health. The pancreas, secretes two hormones, called insulin and glucogen, which help to balance the body’s sugar level. If the pancreas is not working properly, diabetes may develop. Diabetes is a serious disease, since complications such as blindness, heart attacks or strokes may occur. To help prevent diabetes, it is recommended that you follow the nutritional principles outlined here, especially by avoiding concentrated sugar foods.

Healthy Nervous System (Brain and Spine)

Nerves from the brain and spine go to every tissue in the body and therefore the health of every tissue in the body depends upon the health of the brain and spine.

Yoga poses like headstand causes an increase in circulation to the brain, which stimulates the brain’s nerve cells. This results in increased vitality and improved brain function (intelligence and memory). Since the nerves from the spine go to all the organs and glands of the body, a healthy spine obviously plays an important role in vitality and rejuvenation. In fact, the spine is more critical to our well-being than the brain, since the brain is well protected by the cranium or skull bone. Where the spinal nerves leave the spine and pass through the intervertebral foramina is a very vulnerable area. If a vertebra is slightly out of place, it may cause the nerve to be ‘pinched’ in the intervertebral foramina. The spinal nerves do not have protection against mechanical insults as the brain does.

The ancient yogis fully understood the vulnerability of the spine and the tendency for slight spinal misalignments to occur. They also knew that if the spine was kept flexible by yoga asanas there would be much less chance of spinal misalignments. Some of the asanas will even correct some minor misalignments.

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Yoga Postures Basic Rules

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The basic guidelines and the rules of yoga postures and asanas are discussed in detail. These rules are very easy to follow. These will help the beginners in doing yoga. If you have high blood pressure, dizziness, serious eye problems or other health problems take your doctor’s opinion before you start yoga practices. Specially, certain … Read more

Laughter is the Best Medicine: The Art of Inner Smile Meditation and Laughter Yoga

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Laughter lightens our burdens. As time progress, we grow older and our luggage increases. Often mind becomes so serious. We almost forget to smile. We forget to love. We forget to share happiness. We become too occupied with the muddy things of the past and habitually our mind is occupied with the thoughts of security of the future. In the olden days seriousness was synonyms with spirituality. But in modern days, seriousness is not only opposite to health but it is also opposite to spirituality.  Now, laughter is the not only the symbol of youth, vitality and growth; it is also the symbol of life and holiness. Laughter is doorway to holiness. Laughter is the most magnificent gift of nature.

Sincerity and Seriousness:

Stress

Sincerity means genuineness and earnestness in our purpose.  We should be sincere in our purpose but that does not mean we have to be serious on every thing. As we become serious our muscles become tight. Our flexibility reduces.   It creates several blockages in our blood flow system. We can reduce our seriousness and by that we can reduce our muscle tensions. There are hundreds of ways to reduce seriousness.  Think of the moon, think of the Sun, think of the planet Jupiter and asteroids; they are dancing and laughing. But you and I are worried about the collisions. It may come any time; there are quantum possibilities. We are always worried about those quantum possibilities. Remove those thoughts of negative possibilities from life. Seriousness is a disease; get out of that.