Friday, December 14, 2007

Yoga for Health, Relaxation and Well-Being
By Dr. Rita Khanna

Small Changes In Attitude Can Go A Long Way To Make Life Better...

A car needs an engine, a driver and a fuel to run. If any of these isn't working well, the car won't run smoothly. It might even break down completely. In the same way your Mind, Body and Soul must be in Harmony, otherwise like the car you won't run smoothly and you may even breakdown. Yoga helps to keep you in good working order. It is Science Meditation, Postures and Breathing for your Mind, Body and Soul. It also includes Healthy Eating, Cleansing and Healing for that extra advantage, so that you can live life to its fullest

Relevance of Yoga today

Environment and tensions have crushed us physically, psychologically and mentally. Yoga is a hope to overcome all this. Even a little yogic exercise practiced scientifically, systematically and regularly can bring immense positive results. Short term and long term benefits depend on efforts put in.

Various aims can be achieved such as:

  • More focused, confident and relaxed
  • Increase physical fitness
  • Cure health disorders
  • Calm and stress free mind
  • Increased awareness of the inter-relationship between body, mind and spirit.

Who can do Yoga

  • Anyone, regardless of age, sex or physical disability.
  • However, if having medical history, must get checked with your Doctor before taking up Asanas.
  • Before You Begin there are certain precautions to follow:
  • Always breathe through the nose unless specific instructions are given to the contrary.
  • Do not eat before a Yoga session. Wait at least 4-5 hours after a heavy meal & 2-3 hours after a snack. One should take a breakfast or meals at least half an hour after Yoga exercises.
  • Wear light loose comfortable clothes that do not restrict your movements. Keep your feet bare. One should not continue wearing spectacles, contact lenses, wrist watch or ornaments during the performance of Asanas.
  • Always practice with full concentration and awareness. Do the asanas slowly and smoothly, paying attention to accuracy and alignment. Make sure you do not strain or force the body further than it naturally goes. Over a period of time and with regular practice you will become more flexible.
  • Adapt your practice to take account of how you are feeling. For example, if you are tired and lethargic after a long day at work, incorporate more restful forward bends.
  • Always end your session, however short, with five to ten minutes relaxation in savasana (corpse pose). This practice will allow any strain suffered by any part of body to get relaxed and the body will feel light.
  • DON'T bring cell phones to class or switch them off. Leave socializing and business outside the studio.
  • Regularity is the most important factor if you want to derive full benefits of the Yogasanas quickly.

Ten Practical Suggestions Regarding Food:

  1. Always be mindful of the wholesomeness (or otherwise) of food combinations.
  2. If you are not hungry, don't eat.
  3. Do not eat when you are under physical or mental tension.
  4. Do not eat or drink anything that is too hot or too cold.
  5. Chew your food well.
  6. Do not drink water with meals.
  7. Do not stuff the belly with food.
  8. Eat at least one raw salad everyday.
  9. Eat only one meal once in a week and take only fruit at least one day in a week.
  10. Form a habit of laughing freely and loudly.

Miscellaneous:

  • Drink at least 10-12 glasses of water (normal temperature).
  • Avoid fried, fatty, spicy, starchy and sugar containing food.
  • Tea, coffee cocoa, tinned fruit, white flour, refined cereals and alcoholic drinks should also be avoided.

Daily Reminder:

For today only: Anger not, worry not;
Be grateful and humble;
Do your work with appreciation;
Be kind to all.
Remember, that ultimately, you are the only person who can de stress yourself.
Make time for yourself and do things that you enjoy.
Interact with a child, play with a pet, sit and
Watch a sunset, smell the flowers along the way,
and remember that when all is said and done,
You have the right stuff in place!

For more information contact:

Dr. Rita Khanna
2nd floor, plot#22, Suman Housing colony, West Marredpally,
Secunderabad-500026 India
Mobile: 09849772485
Ph:-04065173344
Email: ritukhanna57@hotmail.com
Dr. Rita Khanna's YogaShaastra Studio
A Yoga & Naturopathy Centre
Over 20 years of Teaching Yoga

The Studio is open 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

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