Yoga postures are designed to place the organs in different anatomical positions and squeezed and spread, dampened and dried, heated and cooled. The organs are supplied with fresh blood, gently massaged, relaxed and toned into a state of optimum health.

BASIC ELEMENTS OF YOGA

Yoga Breathing; Yoga Postures (stretching for flexibility and strength) Relaxation; Visualisation; Meditation

YOGA BREATHING - The most integral aspect of yoga is the breathing technique. There are many different methods, but the most important is the Complete Yogic Breath.

Usually, a person breathes in one of three ways:-

Clavicular breathing - most common where the breath is introduced into the top of the lungs by the raising of the shoulder girdle, while the abdomen is contracted during inhalation. This breathing is natural to women.

Intercostal or thoracic breathing is done with the rib muscles expanding the rib cage and takes a lot of effort.

Abdominal breathing is when the base of the lungs are filled with air, aided by the lowering of the diaphragm. Men use this method automatically and although the most efficient of the three, it is still not adequate.

Sitting Postures : All postures bring elasticity to the hips, knees, ankles and muscles of the groin. They remove tensions and hardness in the diaphragm and throat making breathing smoother and easier. They keep the spine steady, pacify the mind and stretch the muscles of the heart. Blood circulation is increased.

Standing Postures : Strengthen the leg muscles and joints; increase suppleness and strength of the spine. Owing to rotation and flexing movements, the spinal muscles and inter-vertebral joints are kept mobile and well aligned. The arteries of the legs are stretched, increasing blood supply to the lower limbs, preventing thrombosis in the calf muscles. The cardio-vascular system is toned when the lateral wall of the heart is fully stretched, increasing supply of fresh blood to the heart.

Forward Bends : Compress the abdominal organs. When the organs relax, the frontal brain is ‘cooled’ and flow of blood to the entire brain is regulated. The sympathetic nervous system is rested, bringing down the pulse rate and blood pressure. Stress is removed from the organs of perception and the senses relax. The adrenal glands are also soothed and function more efficiently. The heart is thus relieved of anti-gravity pumping and blood circulates easily. Forward bends also strengthen the paraspinal muscles, inter-vertebral joints and ligaments.