Yoga Benefits For Eyes

Most of us do not exercise our eye muscles at all, but yet, we work them all the time, causing them to be under constant strain. The only time the eyes rest for more than a split second, is when we are asleep.

* Light a lamp/candle at a distance of two feet at the eye level. Stare at the bluish centre of the flame with a steady gaze. Continue staring, even if the eyes start watering. 

* You can do this for about 10 minutes to begin with, and slowly increase the duration until the time you feel comfortable. 

* Then slowly get up and fill your mouth with water. Keeping this water in your mouth, wash eyes with tap water. 

* Then spit the water out. This water will be warm as heat gets released from the body. This has to be done twice or until the water temperature gets normal. This is a must after this particular kriya. 

* Look to your right as far as you can, being aware of the edge of your visual field. Hold for 3 seconds, then release. Repeat again, but looking to your left. Hold for 3 seconds, then release. Repeat left and right 3 times. 

* Sit comfortably on a straight-backed chair, with your legs uncrossed and hands resting lightly in your lap. Keep your chin level and move only your eyes, neither your head nor neck. 

* Breathe gently and evenly throughout the sequence. Don’t stain nor force any movements: go only as far as is comfortable. Close your eyes to relax at the end.

* Sit comfortably with your eyes open. Blink around 10 times very quickly. Close your eyes and relax for 20 seconds. Slowly take your attention to your breath. 

* Repeat this exercise about 5 times. 

* Rub your palms together and gently cup them over your closed eyes for around a minute. This is known as palming and is very beneficial for the eyes. 

* The eyes need darkness to rejuvenate them and this need is best served by palming. Palming should be done after every eye exercise, to relax the eyes and every now and then during the day.

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.

Standing Forward Bend Yoga

Standing Forward Bend Yoga workout is a good way to start your yoga session. As it helps to stretch the muscles and warm up in preparation for the Sun Salutation Vinyasa and benefits.

Instructions Standing Forward Bend Yoga

* Bring the feet together, big toes together

* Bend the knees, draw the abs in, and fold forward from your hips

* Bent the knees as much as you need until your chest rests on thighs

* Hands on the floor outside of the feet

* Lift and widen the sit bones

* Fold and deepen over hips

* Shoulders are lifted away from ears but soften the shoulder blades down into your back

* Let the head hangs and release the back of your neck.

* Bend the knees

* Forearms or hands on thighs.

* Hands clasp behind legs or hold opposite elbows.

* Wide leg forward fold

* Gorilla Pose.

Benefits of Standing Forward Bend Yoga 

* Stretching your hips, calves, and hamstrings

* Strengthening your knees and thighs

* Improving digestion system,

* Helping to cure insomnia, headache, osteoporosis, asthma, high blood pressure

* Relaxing the mind.

Ardha Sarvangasana Yoga Positions

Just as the name 'Sarvang' suggests 'all parts', the asan is essentially concerned with all the parts of the body. A unique pose, Ardha Sarvangasana ensures rejuvenation of the whole system. It is also referred to as The Shoulder Stand, Candle Posture and Pan Body Posture.

* The first step would be to lie flat on the back. Then, with the help of your hands, lift your legs up into air.

* The position of the hands should be such that it should be on the lower back. Make sure that your elbows and lower arms rest on the ground.

* The weight of your body should be on your shoulders and from mid to upper back, but not on the neck.

* Once you have attained the desired posture, hold at the posture and breath deeply for 5 to 10 minutes. Increase the duration of holding the posture, gradually, over time.

* At the time of coming down, slowly lower your legs. In the process, do not forget to keep them straight. This would mean a little workout for your abdominal muscles as well.

* Make sure that in the process of doing the asan you face no jerks.

* For the beginners, it is not possible to attain the correct posture, as the abdominal muscles are not strong enough. In that case, the best bet would be to allow the legs to come forward towards the face.

* To attain best results, performing Matsyasan immediately after it.