Yoga Positions, Chakra Meditations and Health

Vow! finally got initiated. never knew what initiation meant. it is like getting a jump start in meditation. My guru used his one hand and pressed both the eyes from the outer corners with the thumb and the middle finger. little did i know what was going to happen. Guruji mentioned that he is going [...]

YOGASANAS (The Yogic Postures) Yogasanas are simple actions for keeping the internal and external parts of the body in good health. No activity can be performed well so long as the internal and external parts of the body are not in good health. The body and the mind are closely interrelated. Both should be fully [...]

Yoga-Asanas help in balancing and harmonizing the basic structure of the human body, which is why they have a range of therapeutic uses too. A yogasana is a posture in harmony with one’s inner consciousness. It aims at the attainment of a sustained and comfortable sitting posture to facilitate meditation. Functions of YogasanasAsanas basically perform [...]

Parshva means side or flank. Kona stands for angle. Thus this is the extended lateral extended angle pose. Technique Stand in Tadasana. Inhale deeply and with a jump, spread the legs apart sideways 4 to 4.5 feet. Raise arms sideways in line with the shoulder, palms facing down. This is the same initial pose as [...]

Uttihita means extended. Trikona is a triangle. This standing asana is the extended triangle posture. Technique Stand in Tadasana Inhale deeply and with a jump spread the legs apart sideways, wider than shoulder width. Ideally the legs would be about 3-3.5 feet apart. Raise your arms sideways, in line with the shoulders until they are [...]

Vrukshasana, often spelled vrikshasana or vrksasana is also called the tree pose. Vruksha means tree in Sanskrit and hence the name. Technique Stand in Tadasana. Bend the right leg at the knee and place the right heel at the root of the left thigh. Rest the foot on the left thigh, with the toes pointing [...]

Tada means a mountain. This asana is also called Sama Sthithi. Sama means upright, straight, balanced. Sthithi is sanskrit for state. Sama Sthithi, means balanced or upright state. Tadasana is a pose where the yoga adhyayi stands firm and erect, like a moutain. Stand with your feet parallel. Imagine a line that is drawn on [...]

Bhujangasana (The Cobra Pose) Bhujanga is sanskrit serpent or cobra. In this posture, one resembles a cobra, reared up on its caudal support and its hood fully expanded. Hence the name. To start this asana, laydown on the yoga mat on your abdomen and relax all your muscles. Place your chin on the mat and [...]

Padmasana (The Lotus pose) Most beginners learn yoga by learning this asana. In fact, many people begin their daily yoga adhyaya in this asana or Vajrasana. Padma means Lotus. It is named so because, when the asana is performed, the yogi resembles a lotus. Padmasana is very convenient for meditation and for chanting ‘mantras’. If [...]

How to Choose a Yoga Mat Whether you are just beginning your yoga practice or an experienced yogi, if you are not an ascetic in the Himalayas, chances are that you will be in the market for a yoga mat at some point or the other. When I first moved to the US from India, [...]