YOGA AND EXERCISES FOR DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

Engage in breathing, yoga and physical exercises to strengthen the mind and body. This keeps the channels of the body clean and allows proper flow of mental energy and nutrients.

Praanayama and yoga must become an important part of a person’s daily routine. This helps to concentrate the mind on positive thoughts and a recurrence of depression can be prevented.

Yogic asanas that are beneficial to people with depression are bhujangasana, halasana, paschimottasana, sarvangasana, shalabhasana, shavasana and vakrasana.

Pranayamas yoga to be done only as per doctors advice.

What is HENNA ?

Henna is a Persian word, which describes a small flowering shrub (Lawsonia inermis). It is found all over the world, including India, Pakistan, Morocco, Yemen, Iran, Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Egypt and Bangladesh. However, the variety of henna plant varies from region to region. Different plants have different coloring properties and hence, the color of the powder also varies. Henna has been used for thousands of years, for its medicinal properties and cosmetic properties. Apart from this, it is also used for coloring and conditioning the hair and in the form of body art. 
    
Henna powder, in its pure and natural form, is a bright or deep green, khaki or brown. The color produced by pure natural henna ranges from orange to red, to black cherry and near black color. Contrary to the popular belief, pure black color is not produced by natural henna powder. Talking about its production, henna powder is made from the leaves of the henna bushes. When manufactured in large quantities, the leaves are taken to the factory and machine grounded. Normally, henna powder is made by blending different types of henna leaves from different parts of a country or from different countries.

Once the leaves have been grounded, the powder is sifted. This is because, if not sifted, the henna powder will contain pieces of the leaves. The finely sifted henna powder contains no leaves, making it best for cosmetic use. Henna powder colors the skin, when the dye is released, as a result of the henna powder being mixed with water or lemon juice and being applied on the skin. Hanna, when applied to the body parts such as hands, arms, legs, near the naval region and at the back, is called mehndi. For a simple mehndi design, it may take about 10 to 15 minutes, but if you want to go for an intricate design, you might need to invest several hours. 

After application of henna, you need to dab it, with a lemon-sugar solution when it becomes firm on the skin. This is essentially done to preserve the paste. Unlike tattooing and piercing, henna does not hurt, because it is applied on the surface of the skin with an applicator and not injected into the skin. Traditionally, a cone is used for making the designs. However, mehndi can also be made using a bottle, with a fine silver nozzle tip. People enjoy the cooling sensation felt after the application of mehndi. This aromatic mixture, apart from conditioning the skin, gives a natural soothing effect. 

Henna has, today, become a part of all major festivals and celebration. Be it, Purim, Eid, Diwali, Karva Chauth, Passover, Nowruz or Mawlid, it has graced every occasion with its presence. Celebrations like wedding, birth of a baby and birthdays seem to be incomplete without the ceremony of henna. Brides, in the present time, typically have the most complex patterns of henna, to express their greatest joy and wishes for luck. With an improved technology being used for its cultivation, henna available today, has an enhanced dye content and greater artistic potential than earlier. 
 

Henna Body Painting
Body art has been in vogue, since times immemorial. Right from piercing, tattooing to body painting, there are a number of options for people to enhance their look with the use of art. 

Henna Hair Coloring
Henna has been popular ay for coloring hair for centuries in the Middle East and in India. Using henna for nourishment and coloring of the hair is part of the normal beauty regime in these countries.

Henna Paste
For henna powder to release the dye you will have to make a paste of the henna powder with water or lemon juice. There are a number of things that can be added to the henna powder to make a paste that will stain your skin or hair the color you desire.

Mehndi History
For millions of people in India and Middle East, mehendi is the preferred way of dyeing hair. It makes the color of the hair reddish and also conditions them.

Power Yoga Tips

Power yoga is much more intense and aerobic than the more traditional forms of yoga. Is a synchronization of body movements that are maintained for long periods of time.

• Select open ground like garden, building terrace etc. as it will encourage you to practice yoga.

• Concentrate fully on each pose.

• Practice power yoga thrice a week and that too for approximate 45 minutes each day.

• Develop a proper sequence of yoga before you start your power yoga session.

• Always try to follow proper series of exercises.

• Stay comfortable and wear sweat absorbent clothes.

• It involves difficult poses, so seek guidance of professionals.

• Avoid over-exertion. Try to do slow but steady power yoga always.

• Take the help of yoga videos available in market that best suits your need.

• Do asanas that your body can perform easily. Never try to confront your body in positions that are hard to undertake & can end up with physical injury.

• Give your body time to adjust the power yoga moves. Do not rush through the asanas at the initial stages.

Hatha Yoga Benefits

Many Eastern cultures believe that there is a strong connection between the body and the mind, and when these energies become imbalanced, it is thought that people can be left susceptible to illness, injury, and disease.

Yoga strives to connect the two through physical positions (asanas) and breathing exercises.

Some of the many hatha yoga benefits that are believed to come from this practice include:

* Improved physical health

* Stress relief

* Improved balance

* Increased strength

* Poise

* Detoxification

* Flexibility

While there are many hatha yoga benefits, it is still important to consult with your primary care provider before you begin any new alternative therapy, including this practice.

Most people are able to enjoy these great benefits with no problem, but getting a second opinion from your doctor to ensure you avoid injury or complications is never a bad idea.