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Why Yoga clothes
As one starts with Yoga, as one does any activity, one finds that there is no specific need for separate Yoga clothes. However, when one continues for sufficiently long period, one may realize the need for exclusive Yoga clothes. Normal street clothes like a shirt and pair of jeans may look good in the beginning, but with more sophistication in learning,
the instructor may help you to select yoga clothes.
Wearing proper clothes for Yoga is essential as it is needed for any regime of exercise. The clothes should allow free movements and should allow the various positions and postures of Yoga. Capri pants for yoga are good because they provide flexibility of movement. Sweat absorption should be there for the clothes, because some sweating may follow some of the exercises. Yoga may not bring up a real sweat, equal to an aerobic workout, but perspirations are still enough to work the body. Technology also has advanced keeping the body cool after the workouts.
Fitting of the clothes is obviously another dimension to keep in mind.
Materials for Yoga clothes
While gym clothing should prove excellent, the materials those should be used also is of some consequence for comfort and maintenance. Materials should be cotton, Tactel, CoolMax, Lycra, and Fleece because these are light weight and fit the body without clinging. French terry is a variety which is soft knit. Unitard is another variety which is durable and has double layered front and back panel. Arms and legs are of single layers.
The sports back tee shirts are don’t restrict arm movements. That way one can do stretches and bends without being shy.
Maintenance of Yoga clothes
Anybody will want to have a fabric that is easy to maintain and is machine washable and dried. That will save you money from buying many pairs of Yoga dresses for the entire week.
Making your own clothes
Although online stores with yoga clothes galore, yoga clothes are not very difficult to stitch if one has a sewing machine if you can manage some fabrics like Lycra as your preferred material. However, cotton should not pose any problem for sewing at home.
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Problem of modern life: People use work as a drug when life is dull. We tend to overwork easily to meet our ineffectiveness.
Solution: Strike the right balance between work and play. The increased mental and spiritual energy along with sense of freshness due to practice of Yoga, enable us to find and implement such balance.
Problem of Shoulder and Neck: The tension in the nerve centre between neck and shoulders forewarn of headaches.
Solution: The exercise stretching the spine and then twisting it along its entire length helps in drawing out disturbing tension of, the area. During such exercises keep your chin up and head turned in the direction of the twist and looking along the nearby shoulder.
Problem of Headache and Migraine: In many cases it is caused with a guilty feeling of haven’t done better and constructive rather than enjoying what has been achieved and feel relaxed.
Solution: The simple basic constructive exercises should be performed slowly with a deep thinking of the relaxation occuring in the neck and shoulders, which holds the disturbing tensions.
Problem of Anxiety and Depression: Many of the ailments are caused by our inability to cope with stress.
Solution: The relaxation and proper breathing calm the mind. The complete breath uses the full, natural power of the lungs and then thorough emptying, provide strength and relaxation, due to that extra oxygen.
Problem of Blood Pressure: These are caused by our wrong habits, poor health, hurry and worries. They can be of High or Low type and need to be controlled soon lest other diseases crop in.
Solution: In case of High B.P. the long inhalation and exhalation in sitting and lying positions separately along with alternate nostril breath is suggested. For low B.P. the long inhalation and exhalation in lying position, alternate nostril breath and shoulder stand (sarvangasana) is recommended. Don’t feel any strain in these breathing exercises. Proceed gradually as the exercises become easier. Savasana is also useful.
Problem of Insomnia: If we remember that peace and calmness lies in ourselves, our minds could rest at will.
Solution: The inverted positions (upside-down) are useful because of the increased flow of blood to the head leading to positive sense of harmony.
Problem of Hyperacidity: Every time there is an intake of food by the stomach, the Vagus nerve which is a part of the parasympathetic nervous system becomes active and makes the stomach secrete juices in order to digest the food. These juices are highly acidic in nature. The Vagus nerve also triggers this secretion when you are under stress or are in an emotional state of anger or jealousy. This could easily damage the lining of the stomach walls. This condition when there is excessive gastric juice in the stomach is called Hyperacidity.
The health of the stomach is maintained by a very delicate balance of these factors, the blood supply to the stomach walls, the quantity of acid in the stomach wall. The mucus coat protects the stomach wall from the acid. Any imbalance in these factors can lead to stomach disorders.
Stress is the main factor for hyperacidity as it makes the vagus nerve hyperactive. As a result a high quantity of acid is produced which disturbs the balance. Stress also effects the blood supply to the stomach wall which in turn effects the quantity of the mucus coat making the stomach wall more vulnerable to the acid.
Hyperacidity could be also due to sedentary habits, lack of exercise, eating at irregular intervals or eating a high quantity of spices, sweets or fried foods.
Some of the Yogic asanas will help in calming the nerves, reducing the number of nervous stimuli to the stomach and improving the blood supply to the stomach wall, thus ensuring a healthy balance in the stomach:
Uttampadasana, Yogmudra, Bhujangasana and Shalbhasana.
Problem of Sinus Congestion: Severe clogging of the system causes sinus congestion, excessive mucus, and acute headache etc.
Solution: The breathing exercises as may be suitable to you are to be performed regularly. The deep breathing using stomach with diaphragm and alternate nostril breath are most ideal. All the back arching exercises like Bhujangasana (Cobra) and Dhanurasana (Bow) are beneficial in drain cleaning the nasal paths. The Jalneti and Kapalbatti Kriyas are good for treating Sinuses, Headache, Migraine, and Cold.
Problems of Chest: Stooping postures and rounded shoulders affect the health, causing asthma, bronchitis, and rapid aging. The compression of internal organs affect normal blood flow in the system.
Solution: Walking upright, shoulders backwards, chin upwards, and complete breath with maximum stretch is helpful. The chest expanding exercises, e.g., Bhujungasana, Dhanurasana, Sarvangasana, and Matsyasana are recommended.
Problem of Backache: Keeping back in bent posture for long cause back-ache, slipped disc, and lumbago.
Solution: Relaxation in prone position with complete breath gives instant relief in severe backache. Avoid forward bending postures. The stretching exercises in prone position, e.g., Shalabhasana, Bhujangasana, Pavanmuktasana, Naukasana on regular basis can prevent and cure this problem.
Problem of Constipation: Incorrect diet, stress, depression, and lack of exercise etc cause this problem.
Solution: The exercise of Abdominal uplifting and /or waving when done daily few times can cure this. In acute conditions the Yogamudra, Sarvangasana, Shirshasana, and Matsyasana are helpful.
Problem of Stiffness, Rheumatism and Arthritis: The hardening, inflammation, pain in joints muscles and fibrous tissues occur with their prolonged misuse or idleness in wrong postures. If not corrected in time, they become permanent and hamper proper functioning of the body. This rigidity or stiffness of the joints can be eliminated with some yogic asanas which stimulate blood circulation and remove accumulated toxins. The fused vertebrae can be made elastic by asanas which flex or stretch the spine.
Solution: Simple stretching exercises in prone, and supine positions with necessary support to the affected part on regular basis over a long period is helpful. This is to be followed with exercises and massages of the affected limbs and joints in a fashion to promote free movement of all parts and bones.
It is better not to strain or overstretch while practising these asanas. Ekpaduttanasana, Pavanmuktasana, Setubandhasana and other simple to difficult asanas can be performed gradually.
Problem of Diabetes: It is a disorder of the body system and can be controlled by the diet and exercise. The obesity is to be checked.
Solution: Sugar free diets and regular exercise to control weight is essential to correct this disorder. Paschimotasana and Ardhamatsyasana are recommended beside brisk walk. Halasana is good to check obesity.
Problem of Obesity: One can work out the flab around your abdomen with some simple yogaasanas. Most of the exercises involve flexing and contracting the muscles of the abdomen and those of the viscera.
The principle behind the asanas is simple they are geared to create a vacuum in the abdomen, thereby increasing the flow of blood to the area and making the organs and glands in the region work more efficiently. Yoga advocates that the abdomen muscles should be continuously massaged and made to participate in the respiratory process. Apart from improving circulation, it tones the area, prevents accumulation of fat and also aids respiration. The additional pay off is that you improve the digestive and excretory system and this in turn improves most of the other systems of the body. Among the most beneficial asanas Uttanpadasana, Pawanmuktasana, Bhujangasana, Naukasana, Agnisar.
Stress
Stress, the root cause is treated by yogic asanas and pranayama which relaxes the muscles, slows down the breathing and calms the mind. By removing stress, the immune system is brought back to a balanced state and gradually the ailment disappears.
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Setubandh Asana
Method: To make simpler lie down on your back, fold the legs at the knee and bring the heels close to the hips. Keep legs three to six inches apart and arms on the sides. Inhaling lift the hips and waist upwards, keeping shoulders and feet on the floor. Support the hips with the palms. Hold for a few seconds and exhaling slowly bring the hips down on the floor.
Benefits of Setubandh Asana
This asana brings flexibility to the spine, neck, arms, palms, hip and shoulder joints.
Tagged under:asana flexibility palms setubandh asana shoulder joints Yogasanas
Method: Lie on the ground with face downwards. Bend the legs backwards and catch the ankles with your hands and bend the body to resemble a bow resting yourself on your abdomen with your spine nicely arched. Maintain this pose for a few seconds and return to the original position. Repeat 3 or 4 times.
Benefits of Dhanurasana
All the benefits of Bhujangasana can be derived to a greater degree in Dhanurasana. The back muscles are well massaged. This removes constipation and cures dyspepsia, rheumatism and gastro-intestinal disorders. It reduces fat, energizes digestion, invigorates appetite and relieves congestion of the blood in the abdominal viscera. This asana is highly beneficial for ladies.
Tagged under:abdomen appetite asana back muscles constipation dhanurasana dyspepsia rheumatism Yogasanas
Mayurasana ( Peacock Pose)
Method: Place the palms of the two hands on the ground; place the umbilical region on the two elbows and rest the whole body upon the hands with legs and whole body horizontally parallel to the ground. Remain for a few seconds or as long as you can. Repeat three times.
Benefits of MayurasanaYoga
This is the best Asana known for all stomach disorders. The liver, pancreas4 stomach and kidneys are toned up. It quickly braces you up and improves digestion. A few seconds daily will give you the maximum benefit.
Tagged under:asana elbows kidneys mayurasana mayurasana yoga palms umbilical region Yogasanas