International Yoga Day – Padmasana, Gomukhasana, Ustrasana, Dhanurasana, Namaste
Fitness is the most important parameter in one’s life. In fact, a healthy body and soul is the most precious possession one could be blessed with. Hence, I believe everyone should dedicate at least 30 -45 minutes a day to stay fit and healthy. Yoga is one of the easiest way to save or restore fitness. As this Sunday i.e, 21st June, 2015 is announced as International Yoga Day, I would love to
share with you that I thoroughly believe in practicing yoga to keep myself energized and fit despite a hectic schedule.
Every profession has its own challenges and the challenges of being a blogger is staying connected to electronic devices most of the time which often leaves us very tired. It has its impact on sleep too. It often leaves you with tired eyes and sleepless nights. But then the other challenge is that a blogger has to be prepared for the next day shoot as well and they would have to look gorgeous to inspire the others. In this hectic life, I always ensure to dedicate 45 minutes to practice meditation and yoga. I do go to gym too, but honestly I’m not regular at gym. Sometimes a hectic day makes it difficult to take time out to visit the gym whereas I find Yoga the most suitable option for the people like me. It’s easy to practice at home and it’s less time-consuming. Since I’m fond of yoga myself, on International Yoga Day I have decided to share with you a few poses which are easy to practice. I’ll share the benefits of them subsequently.
Padmasana or Lotus Pose
The pose to meditate. It’s better to start off with this posture as it’s easy to perform and helps one relax. It increases concentration, digestion power and helps in muscle relaxation. It stretches the joints, knee, ankles. Padmasana helps in strengthening the muscle and also improves breathing. I love chanting in this posture as I believe it clears the mind and helps in de-stressing. If you practice Lotus Pose or Padmasana, make sure your thumb touches your index finger and rest of the fingers stay upward.
Stay in this pose for 10-15 mins. In case of discomfort, change the legs and continue. Please make sure you sit straight and spine remains erect. This is the easiest of all poses. So you can start practicing this pose regularly from the ‘International Yoga Day’.
Gomukhasana or Cow Face Pose
The posture is called so because the thighs and calves participating in it resemble a cow’s face, wide at one end, narrow at the other. It helps in stretching the limbs i.e, arms, hands, along with chest, spine, hips, thighs, ankles. It helps to get rid of stiff shoulders, spinal, back pain, kidney or menstrual trouble etc.
Ustrasana or Camel Pose
It is named after Camel as the posture of bending backwards makes it look like a camel. It stretches the whole front body along with pectoral muscles and hip region. It improves core strength of the body. Offers flexibility to shoulders, spine and hips. It increases internal stamina and helps in healing lower back pain and menstrual problem or kidney problem. Improves digestion power.
However, be careful while leaning backwards as everyone’s not comfortable to do that. Make sure you don’t bring trouble to your neck and spine.
Dhanurasana or Bow Pose
Since it is performed while lying on the belly, grasping the feet, and lifting the legs upwards and lifting the upper body at the same time to give it a shape of a bow, the pose is named as Bow Pose. Upon regular practice, it makes the back and abdominal muscles flexible and strong, eases up the chest, neck and shoulders, strengthens the leg and arm muscles and tones them. It helps healing sexual or reproductive ailments, renal or kidney ailments, constipation and menstrual problems, helps to get rid of stress and tiredness too.
Many people find it difficult to lie on the belly and sometimes one can experience muscle pull while bending from both front and back at the same time like a bow. Be very careful while performing this and keep an expert with you for assistance.
Namaste
End it with the traditional ‘Namaste‘. Keep one leg straight and lift the other one to touch the knee of the first leg with the feet. Perform ‘Namaste‘ with both the hands pressed together forming a slight bow. You can normally perform ‘Namaste‘ or you can hold both the hands over your head forming ‘Namaste‘. It helps in building concentration, releases stress and relaxes muscles.
International Yoga Day could be the beginning of your healthy lifestyle. So be careful about injuries and perform it only under proper guidance and assistance. Please remember that any of the poses are to be held for 5-10 seconds, continue breathing deep while performing the poses. Exhale and slowly come back to normal pose and relax for some more time. Wish you all have a healthy, fit and relaxed body, heart and soul. I hope my readers find my blog dedicated to fitness very helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to write to me. Happy International Yoga Day again.
Lots of love,
Twinkle
Wake Up. Stay Stylish. Repeat.
