Yoga: Three reasons you should not do Sitting Forward Bend

Sitting Forward Bend ? (Paschimottanasana)

?Never force yourself into a forward bend when sitting on the floor?

Yogasana, the third limb of Raja Yoga also popularly understood by mass population as yoga is getting popular as never before in both eastern and western countries. The reason for Yogasana (popularly know as Yoga) to gain popularity are numerous ranging from releasing stress, flexibility to helping patient suffering from various diseases. Although the initial objective of Yogasana (Yoga) in Raja Yoga was different, however the ability of yoga to help patient with various ailments is really praiseworthy.

The Sitting Forward Bend is one of the most demanding postures of Yoga. In this pose the body is folded almost in half, providing an intense stretch to the entire back of the body, from the scalp down to the heels.
Students often struggle in this asana. If you pull yourself forward using your shoulders and arms you will create the tension through your body and you will end up tightening your muscles and this will not allow you to get into the posture any quicker. While doing this asana give some time for the muscles to stretch and to release the tension. Often, because of tightness in the back of the legs many students do not go very far forward. For those who find it difficult to do the full Sitting Forward Bend they can do the half pose using the right leg and the right hand at a time for a few breaths and than practice with the other leg and hand.

The Sitting Forward Bend stimulates the kidneys, liver, spleen and pancreas improving digestion in the body. The pose tones and massages the entire abdominal area and it relieves constipation. It stretches the hamstring muscles, lumbar and sacral regions and increases flexibility in the hip joints. Regular practice of this asana removes excess weight in the abdomen area.

Three important reasons (out of many) not to do Sitting Forward Bend:

1) A person who suffers from slipped disc and sciatica should not practice this powerful asana.

2) Anyone who has asthma should not attempt to practice this pose.

3) If you are in the first trimester of pregnancy avoid this asana as it puts stress on the womb. After the first trimester you can practice the pose very gently with your legs slightly apart.

Issued in the interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga by Subodh Gupta, Yoga Expert based in London.

Mr.Subodh Gupta, a Corporate Yoga Trainer has conducted more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management. He has been interviewed by various TV channels in India and London.

For reaching to Subodh Gupta Yoga website http://www.subodhgupta.com/ and for Subodh Gupta Yoga article webpage http://www.subodhgupta.com/yogaarticle.html

Yoga for Constipation - Home Remedies for Constipation

Yoga is a science. The power of yoga is infinite. Yoga can heal many problems and ailments. There are lots of yoga poses (asana), which help the whole body.

Constipation is a common problem. Everybody in his or her lifetime faces this problem at some point in time. This condition should be treated or else it could lead to many more serious problems. The main problem with constipation is that the stool becomes hard and the person is unable to pass it with ease. Yoga could help a person to overcome constipation. The following asanas have proven to be helpful.

Bhujanghasana: This asana helps in removing constipation, gas and helps in digestion.

Trikonasana: Helps the colon and assists a person to pass stool normally.

Ardha Matsyendrasana: Increases the digestive fire and relieves constipation

Supta Vajrasana: Helps in digestion and relieves constipation

Home remedies for relieving constipation:

Take one glass of milk while going to bed at night, as this helps in passing stool normally in the morning.

Take at least 2 glasses of warm water in the morning and go for a small walk; this would help in relieving constipation.

Taking 2-3 glasses of lemon juice with warm water 2-3 times a day helps lessen constipation.

Taking 1-2 spoons of Aloe gel will relieve you of this condition.

In Ayurveda, triphala churna helps in relieving constipation. It must be taken along with water or milk before going to bed.

In short, do your yoga asanas everyday and relax for a healthy life.

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Pilates ? What Is It?

Founder of this system, Joseph Pilates, took some of his inspiration from yoga. It utilizes the power of the mind to help with the exercises and to increase harmony between body and mind. The exercises are different from yoga because they work the body as a whole, not particular muscle groups. Mr. Pilates was sickly as a child. He became interested in fitness while working with immobile patients as an orderly during WWI. He developed a series of exercises using springs attached to their beds. He discovered that people became stronger more quickly when certain apparatus was used. After the war he moved to America and opened a fitness studio in NYC. His techniques attracted many well known people.

Although the use of equipment is part of the Pilates program, the original system was based on matwork. The basic principles concentrate on rhythmic breathing, centered posture, smooth movements and a focused mind.

There are many benefits to be obtained from doing Pilates regularly, including more self- confidence and an increased sense of well being. Physically, you will develop a leaner body, have better circulation, more efficient digestion and an enhanced immune system. Other benefits may include improved skin, less stress and clearer thinking through increased oxygen intake. Pilates helps you to build strength and flexibility, but to increase stamina it should be combined with a cardiovascular program such as aerobics.

If you are in reasonably good health, Pilates is suitable for you. If there is a qualified teacher near you, you may want to take classes. However, you can design a program in your own home and practice at your own convenience. Some things to keep in mind if you choose to do this are: Have a comfortable spot for floor exercises, wear comfortable, non- constricting clothing, drink plenty of water, warm-up before and cool-down after you finish.

While learning the different exercises, don?t forget the importance of rhythmic breathing. When you inhale you are not only taking oxygen into your lungs, the act also circulates blood around the body. When you exhale, you expel stale air and gasses such as carbon dioxide from your lungs. If you hold your breath during physical effort, carbon dioxide will accumulate in your body and weaken your muscles. Holding your breath can increase blood pressure, make you tense and waste energy. Also, good posture is an important part of doing the exercises correctly.

If you suspect that your posture is poor, you may want to consult a qualified Pilates instructor to help correct it. A useful tip to help check your own posture is to have someone take two photographs, one in a standing and one in a sitting position (side views). Some things to look for: rounded shoulders, a protruding stomach, your head or chin jutting forward. Before you begin each set of exercises, be sure to begin with the right posture.

There are websites and books available to teach you the various exercises. Proceed at your own pace. Taking the time to do them correctly is vital. Learn the art of visualization. It is a fact that visualizing something can help it to come true. So put a picture in your mind of how you want to look or feel and it will help to keep you motivated to get the results you want.

J Kane is an author and webmaster for Learn Yoga

Yoga Brings Relief For Irritable Bowel Syndrome Sufferers

If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and feel as though you have need something other than the traditional medical interventions, you may be relieved to know that IBS can be improved from physical and lifestyle changes, in particular?the addition of exercise.

Many people have found that adding more exercise to their daily routine help the muscles in their body to relax and that assist suffers of IBS. One of the physical activities that have been considered to be very effective in reducing muscle tension, is yoga.

Yoga is used to connect the mind and body. It is mostly known as a movement meditation. Through the use of breath, as well as certain held poses, Yoga can help to improve several conditions in your body and in your health. In relation to all of the methods yoga is an alternative method that can be used as part of a complete cure for IBS.

There are several physical presentations of IBS and yoga has been for many people, effective in relieving many physical elements that are related to IBS. Not only can yoga help many people keep IBS symptoms under control, yoga may also provide relief to many others with IBS symptoms. The disciplines of stretching, strength, balance, flexibility and workouts all assist sufferers of IBS.

When you first start in yoga, you will find that initially yoga will strengthen your heart. While this doesn?t directly relate to IBS, it will help you in maintaining balance in your body. Eventually, as you continue with yoga you will find it will positively affect the functioning of the digestive system. Eventually, as you stick with a regular discipline in yoga many people find an improvement with blood pressure and respiration.

One of the major benefits that yoga can help in relation to IBS, is helping to stabilize the digestive system. It will do this through stretching and relaxing the muscles that are part of the digestive system. The more you are able to do yoga, the more you will have a combination of relief and balance in your body. Through the different movements, your digestive system will begin to relax more.

Further, as yoga will also help you concentrate on your breathing, this too will help the nerves to your gut to relax. Eventually, this may also relieve stress to your bowel.

Yoga is one of several physical methods that you can use to minimize the problems with IBS. By understanding how yoga works and what it does for your body, you can help to relieve several problems that are related to your IBS. This, along with considering dietary changes can help to control and improve your IBS conditions.

(c) Copyright 2005, Kim Beardsmore

Kim Beardsmore M.B.A., B.Sc. (Biochemistry) is a writer for the online weight loss, health & fitness magazine Weight Loss Health. For free resources, tips and healthy recipes to help you lose weight and gain energy, visit http://weight-loss-health.com.au

The Functions of the Gallbladder and the Gallbladder Disease

The gallbladder is a small organ situated near mid-abdominal area of the body. Its main function is to store the bile that comes from the liver. Bile is a substance that helps in the digestion of fat. Fat does not dissolve in water, so in order to emulsify fat something special is needed. The liver produces the bile and then stores it in the gallbladder until the body needs to digest fats. When this moment comes, the gallbladder starts to let the bile flow down into the intestine, inside the duodenum, where fat is digested with its help and then absorbed by the organism. While bile sits in the gallbladder, the water from it pours out through the gallbladder’s walls, making the bile more concentrated and therefore more effective. Bile also neutralizes some of the acids that are found in certain types of food.

Just like every other organ in the body, the gallbladder can malfunction and cause illness. At some people, usually women that are over 40 years of age, (but there have been quite a large number of cases of men suffering from gallbladder too), the bile inside it can crystallize into small stones, called gallstones. Gallstones are made of salt, calcium and cholesterol, all put together in a small stone. These gallstones can cause some problems, starting with the inflammation of the gallbladder and ending with severe pain and blockage.

In 3 quarters of the patients gallbladder does not cause any visible symptoms, but in one quarter something appears. These are the most encountered symptoms of the gallbladder disease:

-variable pain in the abdominal area. Variable because this pain is sometimes easy, sometimes very bad, and sometimes it lasts long, sometimes it doesn’t

-vomiting accompanied by temperature

-yellow-ish skin and eyes, when a gallstones obstructs the canal through which bile flows from the liver into the gallbladder

Fortunately, gallstones can leave the body by themselves, but in some cases they get stuck on the way and obstruct the flow of bile. If this happens surgery is required. The gallbladder surgery is called cholecystectomy, and it consists of a procedure that removes the gallbladder from the body and connects the liver directly to the stomach, so bile does not pass through it anymore. This causes the fat substance digestion to be less effective.

In the most unfortunate cases, complications lead to gallbladder cancer. This can happen if someone suffering from the gallbladder disease has weight problems and also smokes and drinks a lot. Gallbladder cancer is a fatal illness, although advanced surgical tehniquies attempt to remove it most of the patients with gallbladder die.

Gallbladder disease is in most cases almost harmless, but if you feel any of the symptoms you should visit a doctor and listen to his advice. Patients that have been operated of gallbladder and had it removed can soon return to their normal lives, but they need to pay attention to the quantity of fat that they eat, because without the gallbladder the body can’t handle the fat substance digestion to well.

More informations about gall bladder surgery or gall bladder symptoms can be found by visiting http://www.gall-bladder-guide.com/