Yoga for Slimming | Slimming Exercises

Obesity Problems

Obesity is the biggest lifestyle challenge that faces modern civilization today. Apart from increasing the risk of developing many different and often untreatable lifestyle diseases, obesity also reduces the scope of movement of the body. Obesity doesn’t occur overnight. It is a slow process which presents itself so slowly that sometimes the person is not aware of the increasing weight and the problems that it brings with it.

A graver problem that faces us today is that of child obesity. While there was a time when children were active and never faced the problem of obesity, unless it was hereditary, today the change in the lifestyle of parents has led to problems of obesity even in children. The first sign of obesity is weight gain. Slowly the body begins to lose its shape. There is a gradual decline in the ability to move freely. In fact, you may even experience a fall in the rate of overall activity. This is because when you weigh more, more energy is expended for the simplest of movements, as a result of which tire more readily.

Slimming Yoga

There are many slimming exercises which can help you shed off the extra pounds that you have piled up. However, slimming yoga presents one of the most effective exercise techniques when you are looking for weight loss and slimming. Though there are no specific exercises for slimming in yoga, most of the poses and postures improve the digestive system and increase the metabolism. The poses of yoga also help tone and firm muscles, improving postures, realigning the body to eliminate structural flaws, and increase aerobic capacity to improve both blood circulation and energy reserves.

Yoga for Obesity

There are different yoga poses and postures which help you to reduce fat from specific areas of your body. These poses also make your body more flexible so that the scope of movements is improved.

Pranayama or the breathing exercises, though not specifically designed for slimming, help improve the capacity of the lungs, increasing the amount of oxygen in the body. This in turn allows for better oxidation of food and improves core strength, immunity, and energy levels. One of the best slimming exercises in yoga which involves the use of both poses and pranayama is the Sun salutation. This is basically a series of poses that benefit various parts of the body in different ways. The sun salutation should ideally be performed every morning.

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Brahmari Pranayama | Deep Breathing Exercise

Brahmari Pranayama - Bee Buzzing Sound

Yoga is composed of many different exercise techniques. One of the important techniques in yoga is pranayama or breathing exercises. There are several breathing exercises that one can practice. Each of these exercises has several benefits. One such deep breathing exercise is Brahmari pranayama. Brahmari when literally translated means buzzing bee. This is one of the many relaxation breathing exercises that help the body release tension and increase aerobic capacity.

Brahmari pranayama is considered excellent for making the breathing process smooth. It can also quiet your mind and ease out anxiety and tension. In brahmari pranayama, a humming sound is made from the throat. This sound is made gently and smoothly, allowing the throat to open up. As the vibrations move from the face and jaws to the throat, it improves concentration, confidence and memory.

Breathing Relaxation Techniques

This is one of the few relaxation breathing techniques that can be practiced by anyone without the supervision of a qualified instructor. This is a simple and straight forward practice that doesn’t require any specific posture or rhythm. The exhalation is extended and is considered especially beneficial for women who are pregnant. Those women who are preparing for labor also find this technique to be very beneficial.

The humming breath clears the throat and benefits those who sing. This is particularly good for singers because it stimulates the vocal chords rendering a sweetness to the voice of the practitioner.

Unlike other relaxation breathing exercises, in this exercise, a bee buzzing sound is made only for two to three minutes. To practice this technique, first inhale through both nostrils partially allowing your glottis to close. Make a snoring sound while inhaling and then exhale slowly while emitting a bumbling sound. Aim for a long exhalation, extending your breath as much as you possibly can. Repeat this a few times.

Like other pranayama techniques, brahmari pranayama also helps you to build a deep connection with the life force that flows through your body. Brahmari pranayama also helps reduce stress and anxiety both from the body and the mind, helping to improve the overall wellbeing. The inhalation and the exhalation techniques help to relax and soothe the vocal chords. It also clears the throat and helps to invigorate the thyroid gland. When the thyroid gland is thus stimulated, the metabolism of the body improves. The brahmari technique also improves the balance in the hormonal secretions and blood sugar.

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Benefits of Sarvangasana | Shoulder Stand Yoga

Yoga is one of the most ancient of all physical practices across the world. This ancient Indian tradition is useful for striking a harmonious balance between the body, mind and the soul. This is achieved with the help of a series of poses and postures, breathing techniques, and meditation.

There are several different poses and postures in yoga which have specific benefits for different parts of the body. Sarvangasana is one such posture which has several benefits. This is one of the most revered shoulder stand yoga poses and is often also known as the queen of poses.

Sarvangasana literally means ‘full body asana’ in Sanskrit. This means that the pose is beneficial for all of the body. This is an inverted yoga posture which includes several poses which are beneficial for different parts of the body. Some of the variations that are included in this posture are salamba sarvangasana which is a supported shoulder stand and allows an increase in the flow of blood to the brain.

Since this is an inverted stand, the major benefit that the body gets from this pose is that of reversing the effect of gravity of the body. Some of the other sarvangasana benefits are:

Improvement of the overall health: Since the posture targets the entire body, almost all the muscles of the body are involved in it. This helps in toning and strengthening the entire body. The posture also helps stimulate the different organs, improves circulation of blood throughout the body, increases core strength, and improves the health of the nervous system.
Improvement of blood circulation: Since the effect of gravity on the body is reversed when this exercise is performed, blood circulation receives a boost. Due to the inversion of the body, the brain temporarily receives more blood and therefore more oxygen, enabling it to function better.
Improvement in respiratory functioning: Of all the shoulder stretching exercises, sarvangasana is one exercise that helps improve respiration. Since the blood circulation improves in the body, the aerobic capacity is also improved. This shoulder stretch improves the capacity of both the lower and the upper portion of the respiratory system. Respiratory disorders like bronchitis and asthma can also be eased by doing this pose.
Improvement of digestion: With the improvement in overall health, the digestive system also benefits from this pose. Since the exercise helps stimulate the thyroid gland, the metabolism also receives a boost.

Yoga to cure psychosomatic disorders

What are Psychosomatic Disorders?

When mental factors such as anxiety or stress bring about a physical disease, or make an existing one even worse, it is referred to as a psychosomatic disorder. Sometimes extreme psychological, emotional or mental stress may have a physiological effect on the body, leading to a psychosomatic illness.

Such disorders include gastro-intestinal disturbances, respiratory ailments, cardio-vascular disorders, hypertension, genito-urinary disorders, endocrine disorders, migraine and tension headaches, skin problems and sexual dysfunction.

For example, a person undergoing severe stress may have chest pains when there is no evidence of any actual physical problem. Or another person may suffer from breathlessness brought on by anxiety or a stressful situation.

Psychosomatic disorder treatment: Medical experts often treat such psychosomatic problems with a combination of psychotherapy and drug therapy. Yoga however, has been found to be particularly useful in relieving and curing such ailments.

Health Benefits of Yoga in Treating Psychosomatic Illness

Psychosomatic disorders arise from high levels of stress and anxiety. Yoga is especially helpful because the yoga poses are scientifically designed in such a way as to relieve stress and bring about physical as well as mental and emotional balance.

Yoga helps to strengthen and tone the muscles, internal organs and glands. This makes them stronger, improves their function, and promotes good health. This cures many chronic diseases, which in turn helps mental and emotional well-being, thus enabling an individual to handle stress better.
Most psychosomatic illnesses are caused by strain, stress, anxiety, frustration, anger and other emotional imbalances. These can be tackled through the yoga postures which require concentration and meditation. The stretching and breathing techniques relax the muscles, leading to a release of stress from the body and mind.
The stretching provided by the yoga exercises also helps to improve the circulation of blood, and the muscle tone of the blood vessels. This aids removal of toxins from the body, which in turn promotes a healthy state of mind.
The deep breathing exercises of pranayama also contribute to better health because they increase the levels of oxygen in the blood and help remove carbon dioxide. Respiratory diseases like tuberculosis, asthma, bronchitis and cough can also be relieved.
Many of the yoga poses strengthen the nervous system, making the nerves stronger and improving willpower and powers of concentration, which in turn helps better mental and emotional health.
Since yoga therapy strengthens the body as well as the mind, an individual is better equipped to tackle emotional stress and thus find a cure for psychosomatic problems.

Yoga exercise to cure obesity

What is Obesity?

Obesity refers to weight gain caused by a build up of fats in all parts of the body.

Medical experts have worked out a standard chart taking into account age, weight and height. People who weigh more than 10% of their normal weight are usually termed obese.

Symptoms of obesity:

The body looks shapeless
Balance is affected
Extreme obesity can even make it difficult for people to move about.
Reduced physical movement increases lethargy and reduces overall efficiency.
Obesity sometimes results in blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes.
Obesity can also create obstruction to the breathing process.

Causes of obesity: While obesity is usually caused by wrong dietary and lifestyle patterns, it can also be caused by endocrine problems.

Wrong food habits would include excessive eating, consuming too many calories, eating refined, fried and greasy foods, and not eating sufficient fresh foods and foods rich in dietary fiber.
A sedentary lifestyle with no exercise or physical activity can also lead to obesity.
Sometimes, faulty digestion, emotional stress or mal-function of the endocrine glands especially the thyroid gland can also result in weight gain.

Yoga for Obesity

Yoga has been bound to be very beneficial for obese people, by helping them to lose weight effectively.
The exercises of yoga require movements such as stretching, twisting, bending and balancing. All this helps to lose extra calories.
The physical movements stimulate the abdominal organs such as the stomach, liver, spleen and pancreas, thus improving digestion. Better digestion can help reduction of weight.
Yoga also stimulates the heart and lungs, increasing intake of oxygen, which is circulated by the heart to all organs of the body. The increased oxygen leads to enhanced energy for physical activity, which in turn can lead to greater weight loss.
With more oxygen being supplied to all the internal organs, they are able to flush out harmful toxins, leading to weight loss.
Yoga also helps to strengthen and tone muscles, leading to greater physical activity.

Yoga poses suitable for obese people are:

Westward Facing Forward Bend (Paschimottasana)
Shoulder stand (Sarvangasana)
Plough Pose (Halasana)
Bow Pose (Dhanurasana)
Triangle Pose (Trikonasana)
Hero Pose (Veerasana)
Half Spinal Twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana)
Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar)

Remedies for obesity:

Practice the yoga exercises for obesity daily.
Include more fiber source such as fresh fruits and vegetables in your meals.
Reduce intake of sweet foods, fried foods and foods with too many calories.
Stick to meals at regular timings.
Do not overeat.

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Yoga for Thyroid Problems

What is the Thyroid Gland and What are its Functions?

The thyroid gland is a small gland in your throat. This butterfly-shaped gland is situated just behind the Adam’s apple.

The thyroid gland produces hormones which affect your metabolism and energy levels. This hormone regulates utilization of oxygen, modulation of carbohydrates, utilization of vitamins and metabolism of fats and protein. It also controls nerve and muscle activity, flow of blood, and sexual and reproductive health.

Any imbalance in the levels of thyroid in our body thus adversely affects many systems in our body.

Cause and Types of Thyroid Problems

Thyroid problems can be caused due to stress, certain auto-immune diseases, nutritional deficiencies or environmental toxins. They are of two types:

Hyperthyroidism – in this, the thyroid gland produces excessive amounts of thyroid, leading to a higher pulse rate, intolerance of heat, increased body temperature and flushed skin. The affected person has a very high metabolic rate, is usually full of a ‘nervous energy’ and tends to lose weight. The eyes may also protrude. Sometimes, the gland gets enlarged and causes a visible bulge, leading to a condition called ‘goiter’.
Hypothyroidism – in this condition the thyroid gland does not produce sufficient amounts of thyroid leading to a condition called myxedema. The affected person has a slower heart rate, body temperatures may be lower and the person feels generally lethargic and sluggish.

Thyroid problem treatment

Thyroid problems are treated in various ways such as with supplements of vitamins and minerals, following a certain diet pattern with foods rich in iodine. They are also treated with medicines, surgery or radio-iodine.

However, Yoga has proved to be very effective in treating thyroid problems.

Yoga for thyroid: Yoga is an ancient form of exercise which has a firm scientific basis, directed towards developing and maintaining the perfect balance between the body and mind. Many of the yoga postures help to massage and stimulate the thyroid glands, thereby correcting any disorders, improving their function, and helping them work at their optimal levels.

Yoga poses for thyroid problems are:

Shoulder Stand, Boat Pose, Fish Pose, Uttanpadasana and Yashtikasana.
Along with these you can also do breathing exercises (Pranayama) such as Alternate Nostril Breathing and Cleaning Breath.

Thyroid problems natural remedies:

Follow a diet which is rich in iodine, vitamin A, zinc, copper and amino acids. These would be found in sprouts, yellow vegetables such as carrots, tomato and pumpkin, dark green vegetables such as spinach, celery, zucchini and wheat grass, alfalfa, nuts, legumes, raisins, dried beans, oatmeal, eggs, chicken, fish and seaweeds.
A vitamin and mineral therapy with plenty of Vitamins A, B-complex, C, along with Calcium, magnesium, selenium and manganese also proves effective.
Herbal therapy, using a combination of Irish moss, kelp, black walnuts or ginseng also helps to restore the balance of the thyroid glands.

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Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy

Ayurveda and Yoga

For long now, Ayurveda and yoga have both been used for the treatment of various ailments and conditions. In fact, Yoga and Ayurveda are probably the most popular alternative therapies available in India. Over the years, the two sciences have become extremely popular in the Western world as well. Yoga & Ayurveda when used in combination are extremely beneficial to health and overall well being.

Derived from Sanskrit, Ayurveda means the “science of life.” The origin of Ayurveda lies in Vedic culture and understanding. Ayurveda has survived in the form of manuals or instructions written in Sanskrit and passed down through generations. These books are related to all aspects of life, and they provide instructions related to disease and treatment as well as general well being. In simple terms, Ayurveda is the science of healing using natural ingredients such as herbs and essential oils. Ayurveda involves the application of these natural ingredients through massage techniques as well as the ingestion of herbs.

First of all, yoga is not a form of exercise. It is a lifestyle that involves a combination of breathing techniques, meditation, and postures. Yoga aims to create a kind of synthesis between the mind, body, and soul. It is on this premise that yoga has been regarded as one of the most holistic alternative therapies. Yoga involves many different components, or in other words, there are many different types of yoga. The most popular type of yoga, which is the physical component, is known as Hatha yoga.

While Ayurveda does not involve any complicated postures (asanas), it has been practiced alongside Yoga to further its benefits. However, Ayurveda does require modification in diet and lifestyle.

According to Ayurveda, each body is governed by a predominant dosha, or element (space, air, fire, water, and earth). Ayurvedic yoga involves practicing yoga based on your dosha. For instance, the vata dosha is most affected by sitting poses or asanas. Similarly, since the seat of pitta is the stomach and small intestine (or abdominal region), poses involving the bending of the back and twisting of body will be most effective. Kapha dosha is most affected by poses such as the bridge (setubandh asana) and shoulder stand (sarvanga asana).

Ayurvedic Yoga

An Ayurvedic yoga massage involves a lot of stretching. However, the stretches are not performed by the individual alone. Instead, a masseur or masseuse will help the individual, directing him or her as the body moves into different positions. These stretches are interspersed with different massage techniques.

Thus, both Ayurveda and yoga are ancient alternative therapies that can be practiced alone or in combination in order to achieve a healthy body and mind.

Yoga for Abs and Abdominal Exercises

Before we talk about yoga for abs, let’s get a couple of facts straight. First of all, yoga is an ancient Indian art, which aims to bring together mind, body and consciousness. It doesn’t look at the human body in the same way as we do in the West, and yogis don’t think much about our obsession for ‘six-packs’. So, while yoga will help you reduce fat around your centre and get slimmer, if you’re looking for a six-pack, look somewhere else.

Secondly, Yoga, like other eastern philosophies, looks upon the abdomen as a center of energy - prana. Yoga will help strengthen your core from inside, including your organs, and do much more for you than any abdominal exercises.

Abdominal Exercises

There are plenty of abdominal yoga exercises which will help you get slimmer. To learn these, it is recommended that you find a good yoga teacher, or guru, who will guide you along your path. Yoga needs supervision, and should not be done by yourself until you are proficient, but we can tell you about some of the asanas and kriyas that you can ask your teacher about.

The simple Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation will help you tone up your muscles and reduce belly fat. You can do these first thing in the morning, as many times as you can. Other asanas (or poses) that will help are Paschimottasana or seated bends, Urdhva Dhanurasna or Bow Pose and Sarvanganasana or Bridge pose. There are many other asanas that will help your abdomen, and different teachers teach it differently. Unlike abdominal muscle exercises like crunches, these abs yoga exercises (asanas) strengthen the whole torso, including the back and side, meaning that you will not suffer from the imbalance that an obsession with crunches brings.

The ancient yogis understood that breath is life, and that it should come from the bottom of the abdomen. Therefore, yoga also has a number of breathing techniques. Learning these will help make you stronger, livelier and healthier, and a slimmer stomach will be the most superficial of your achievements. Ask your teacher to teach you Anulom-Vilom pranayama, or cleansing kriyas that will help you get rid of toxins in your abdomen.

Even a simple yogic meditative pose like Savasana will help. When done properly, it will help you get in touch with your centre, and feel, first hand what is wrong, rather than relying on someone else to tell you.

If you want, you can supplement your yoga with abdominal muscle exercises and abdominal stretches, but remember that you will also need to strengthen your back, or it will be detrimental for you.

Yoga for Muscle Endurance and Strength

What is the best exercise for building muscle endurance and strength?

Some people will say weight training. Others will point to cardiovascular training. Yet others will say it’s a combination of both. Then of course, there are the more esoteric forms of exercise such as kickboxing, Tae-Bo, and Capoeira, all of which help you to build your muscle endurance and strength.

However, what is lesser known is that there is another form of exercise that is equally effective when it comes to building muscle endurance and strength. This exercise is actually one of the oldest forms of exercise known to mankind. It was developed by sages and mystics in the forests of ancient India more than 5000 years ago. This muscle endurance exercise is known as yoga.

Most people who are not familiar with yoga will be very surprised by this statement. This is because the general perception of yoga is that it is a series of stretching poses that is okay for ancient Indian mystics and bored housewives - hardly the kind of exercise that will help build muscle endurance and strength. This is wrong.

Muscle Endurance Exercises

The dynamic and static stretching movements that are such an integral part of yoga are also one of the best ways of building flexibility and muscular strength. The deep breathing techniques that are practiced along with these poses also help to increase your stamina and improve endurance. In fact, the faster paced variants of yoga, such as Bikram Yoga and Power Yoga, can give any of the popular forms of cardiovascular exercise a run for their money.

The benefits of performing yoga extend far beyond building muscular endurance and strength. With regular and proper practice you will come to realize that yoga has a beneficial effect on almost all aspects of your life, not just the physical. You will not only become stronger and fitter, your concentration will improve and you will become calmer and more in tune with your surrounding environment. Such is the power of yoga.

Yes, you won’t build bulging muscles with yoga. Those can only be achieved through weight training and proper nutrition. However, if you are looking to become stronger and fitter and improve your stamina, you should seriously consider adding yoga to your muscle endurance training routine. Yoga is also one of the best ways to get that lean and ripped look and to discover the elusive six pack abs in you.

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Standing Yoga for poor blood circulation in Legs

Our body has a very complex mechanism of maintaining its health. The normal functioning of the human body depends on the supply of life forces like oxygen and nutrition. Several systems work together to make the body function efficiently. The digestive system breaks down food to release glucose and energy. The respiratory system takes in oxygen, converts it into carbon dioxide and expels it from the body. The blood carries oxygen as well as the energy to various organs so that they can keep functioning well. The renal system filters the blood to rid it of any undesirable substances and toxins.

Together, all these systems help maintain our health. If even a small failure takes place in any of the systems, the entire body may experience functioning problems.

Blood Circulation in Legs

Blood circulation is the one system that helps bind all the organs together. Blood circulation problem can cause complications in the other systems of the body. The heart pumps blood so that it can reach all of the body. However, there are many factors that may affect blood circulation. The lower limbs of the body are especially prone to poor circulation of blood. Blood circulation in the legs may suffer several setbacks because of the gravitational pull of the earth and the wear and tear of the venous valves.

How to Improve Blood Circulation in Legs?

Since the functioning of all organs depends on blood circulation, poor blood circulation in legs can cause a lot of problems. Standing yoga poses and postures can help improve circulation of blood, especially in the legs. Here’s how to improve blood circulation in the legs.

Yoga has been known to have positive effects on both the health of the heart and blood circulation. Yoga has also been often used for normalizing blood pressure. Some of the popular poses for improving blood circulation in the legs are the warrior pose and the triangle pose. Both these poses help improve the efficiency of the blood circulation and muscle action. These help strengthen the muscles in the lower limbs, allowing them to contract and expand better. The muscle valves in the lower extremities are also strengthened and their overall functioning is improved.

The pump effect of the valves, that allows the blood vessels in the legs to push the blood back towards the heart, is also improved by these poses. Other standing yoga postures like the mountain pose and the tree pose can also help prevent buildup of cholesterol which can cause potential circulation problems.

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Yoga for Varicose Veins | Varicose Veins Treatments

What Causes Varicose Veins?

The blood circulation network in the body is extremely complex. The veins and the arteries have a difficult task of ferrying blood to and fro for the entire duration of our lives. This function may take a toll on the blood vessels, especially those that are situated in the lower extremities of the body.

The veins of the lower limbs have to work extra hard in order to send the blood to the heart. This process is facilitated by valves in the blood vessels which prevent the blood from flowing in the wrong direction. This is difficult because the blood and the veins are also subjected to the forces of gravity. This continuous gravitational pull can cause the blood to get clotted in the veins. When the blood gets clogged in this manner, the valves get damaged and the blood vessels get misshapen.

The veins may puff up because of the change in the volume of blood flow. These puffed up veins start showing through the skin and this condition is termed as varicose veins.

Once the veins become this misshapen, it is not possible to reverse this change. In a severe case, where the varicose veins cause a lot of pain and discomfort, there may be a need to perform a surgery to remove the veins. Some other effective varicose veins treatments are also available.

Yoga for Varicose Veins

In cases of varicose veins that are not too severe, yoga for varicose vein can help improve the condition, proving to be one of the best varicose veins remedies. Some of the inverted poses can benefit you significantly. These inverted poses cause the inversion of the circulation of blood, causing a temporary relief in the pressure on the veins. A shoulder stand, also known as Sarvangasana has been found to be one of the most beneficial treatments for varicose veins. In this pose, the blood drains from the legs to reach to the heart, with relative ease.

This pose is easy to perform and doesn’t require elaborate practice or experience of yoga. In this pose, the legs are raised perpendicular to the ground, keeping the torso and the shoulders resting flat on the surface. When you raise your legs up like this, the pressure on the blood vessels eases. It is recommended that the shoulder stand be done at least once every day. Once you are in the pose, hold the pose for at least three to five minutes.

Once you come out of the pose and stand up, you will experience much relief from the pain caused by varicose veins. Though this pose will not remove the veins, it brings in relief from the symptoms. Some other asanas that you can perform are Sirshasana or Head Stand, Tadasana or Mountain Pose, Gomukhasana or Cow Face Pose, Pawanmuktasana or the Easy Gas Release Pose, and Viparita Karani or the Legs up the Wall Pose.

Yoga cure for dizziness

Dizziness, also known as vertigo, is characterized by a spinning sensation. Vertigo is usually experienced at high altitudes. However, sometimes vertigo may also be caused due to some other reasons.

What can cause Dizziness?

Here are some of the common causes of dizziness or vertigo:

Circulation: The brain, like every other organ, requires a constant flow of blood in order to function optimally. If there is an inadequate supply of blood to the brain, you may begin to feel lightheaded. Blood carries oxygen and a lack of blood causes a lack of oxygen in the brain which hampers its functioning. If you consume excessive amounts of salt in your diet, it could cause poor circulation. Those who suffer from problems of the heart or anemia may also experience dizziness and circulation problems.
Physical injury: A fracture to the skull or damage to the inner ear may cause a loss of balance. Profound and irreversible vertigo results from such an injury. Eventually, the balance may be restored, but the person might experience dizziness now and then.
Infectious attacks: Certain viruses, like those that cause flu and the common cold, may cause infections in the inner ear. The inner ear is responsible for maintaining the sense of balance and if it does not working efficiently, it can result in severe vertigo.
Other neurological problems: Some other neurological problems like disease of the nerves may also cause dizziness. Diseases like tumors, multiple sclerosis and syphilis are other causes of dizziness.

Cure for Dizziness

Yoga is believed to be an effective cure for dizziness. Though there have not been any conclusive studies linking the two, proponents of yoga feel that yoga for dizziness or yoga for vertigo can help you get rid of the condition. Since yoga is also effective in controlling blood pressure and hyper tension, it can be effectively used to cure hypertension dizziness.

One of the most effective poses for dizziness is the Malasana or the garland pose. In this pose, you begin with squatting on your haunches, with your soles and the heels resting on the floor completely. Slowly rise from the floor on your toes and maintain your balance. Now, widening the thighs and putting distance between your knees, move your torso forward, extending your armpits beyond the knees. Now bending forward, hold the back of your ankles, exhale and slowly move your head down so that your forehead rests on your toes. Stay in the position for a few seconds and then inhaling, return to the initial position.

Some other effective poses for dizziness are the Halasana or Plough Pose, Nadi Sodhana Pranayama or alternative nostril breathing, Salamba Sirsasana or the Headstand Pose, and Sanmukhi Mudra or Six Faced Gesture.

Yoga for eating disorders - Anorexia nervosa

Eating disorders are a physical manifestation of a psychological problem. Eating disorders are extremely harmful in the long term and can be a potential danger to physical health. Anorexia nervosa, one of the most common eating disorders, has a high incidence among youth and therefore, it is important that the disorder be addressed immediately before it can cause an upheaval in the human body.

Anorexia nervosa is characterized by a skewed body image. Even though these people are extremely low in body weight, they are obsessed with the fear of gaining weight. People who suffer from this disorder are exceedingly malnourished and underweight. They may even starve themselves in order to avoid even a slight amount of weight gain.

Treatment for Eating Disorder

Though yoga has never been considered an eating disorder therapy, the truth is that yoga can help calm your mind and therefore, have a direct effect on disorders that stem from there. Yoga can be of great help if you are looking to calm down your mind and drive negative thoughts and feelings away. While the treatment for any eating disorder typically involves sessions with a psychiatrist or a psychologist, practicing yoga along with attending these sessions can be extremely helpful.

Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa

The treatment of anorexia nervosa specifically involves improving the self image of a person through suggestions, and reinforcement by the psychologist. Meditation along with this therapy can help calm your mind and indulge in introspection. Yoga is known to be able to reduce depression by triggering specific mood enhancing and calming hormones. The balance of mind can be restored by practicing yoga regularly. Moreover it builds self confidence and self esteem, reducing the risks of such disorders as it makes you more comfortable with yourself and your body.

There has been prolific research to understand what causes eating disorders. However, medical professionals are still not sure of the root cause of these disorders. It is largely believed that there may be a chemical imbalance in the brain involved in this. However, there may be several environmental factors like peer pressure involved.

The effects of anorexia nervosa, though not very grave at the initial stage, can be harrowing later on. Since the body image is distorted, the patient could suffer from low self worth and waning self confidence. Refusal to eat or eating only selectively can cause a person to feel depressed and may ultimately lead to malnutrition.

Yoga for eating disorders concentrates on soothing the mind. Hatha yoga and Ashtanga yoga can help you clear your mind and become more spiritually inclined, treat your body with respect and allow it to flourish with the right kind of nutrition.

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Pelvic floor yoga for urology problems

Yoga is an ancient art which has in recent decades started to gain prominence all over the world. In more recent times, yoga has been recognized as a complementary alternative therapy for many serious disorders. Yoga, though ancient, is useful for many physiological and psychological disorders that the body may suffer from.

Pelvic floor muscle pain is a typical symptom of urological problems. Hatha yoga, a discipline of yoga, can help you deal with such urology problems. Since urological problems often mimic the symptoms of other problems, it is not always easy to diagnose them. Sometimes, the more traditional methods of treatment of these problems are not received well. Those suffering from chronic urologic conditions such as orchalgias, vulvadynia, prostadynia, epididimalgias and interstitial cystitis etc., can be benefited by practicing yoga.

There are many physiological and psychological benefits to those who practice yoga. Apart from increased aerobic capacity, there are also certain pelvic floor muscle exercises which help in strengthening the muscles in the pelvic floor. Yoga is highly adaptable, and even if you find yourself unable to perform a particular pose, you can be benefited by practicing a less complex variation of the pose.

Almost all urological disorders are caused due to poor musculoskeletal function of the pelvis and the back. There may also be certain myofascial and neural problems because of which these conditions could occur. The pelvic floor doesn’t work in isolation; therefore, pelvic yoga consists of poses and postures that help strengthen the muscular layers of the pelvic floor as well as the back. These poses help bring awareness of muscles to the practitioner, allowing the body to align itself correctly and self correct the musculoskeletal problems.

Sometimes, a dislocation or a problem in the rotation of the lower back, pelvis and the joints surrounding these areas may cause urological problems like incontinence. There are several yoga poses and postures which are specifically designed to correct the balance between the lower back and the pelvic structure. Some of the joint dysfunctions may aggravate chronic urologic conditions because of which the joints should be given special attention.

With yoga, pelvic floor muscles get toned and strengthened and the musculoskeletal alignment improves. Yoga also helps improve the myofascial function, thus improving the condition and remedying the pain. However, yoga should always be practiced along with the medications prescribed to you by a qualified doctor. Yoga offers a complementary treatment and should not be done in isolation.

Yoga for Alzheimer's disease

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a disorder of the brain. This is a progressive disease characterized by dementia and can eventually be fatal. The disease slowly destroys the cells of the brain, causing several mental problems, especially memory loss and the inability to think. This disease can severely affect the ability of a person to work or socialize. The disorder is considered to be the most common form of dementia, and since it is not curable, it only gets worse with time. Medical professionals all over the world are making concerted efforts to increase awareness about this disease. They are also trying to discover ways in which the onset of this disease can be delayed or completely prevented. Several researchers are trying to find ways to prevent Alzheimer’s or slow down its progression in case it cannot be prevented.

Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Currently, there is no possible treatment for the disease. However, experts are trying to find ways to control the symptoms and slow down progression. So far, those suffering from Alzheimer’s have relied heavily on alternative methods of healing.

How to prevent Alzheimer’s Disease?

Since Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects the brain and causes slow decay, the treatment focuses on the health of the brain. It has been suggested through research that those who keep their minds sharp in their old age are not susceptible to Alzheimer’s. Mentally active adults may significantly reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Those who read regularly, play musical instruments, watch plays or go to museums, work crossword puzzles, listen to the radio, play card games and other games that may involve the use of memory, may be able to ward off Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s Alternative Treatment

Yoga has emerged as one of the most preferred alternative treatments by those who suffer from Alzheimer’s. Yoga is an ancient art that helps bring a balance between the body and the mind. It has been seen that elderly people who practice yoga can keep their minds sharper. People who practice yoga are able to bring balance to their lives. They are also able to keep their minds employed. Practicing disciplines of yoga such as Hatha yoga can help you improve mental acuity and memory. The mind, therefore, remains sharp and is able to perform complex functions perfectly.

Meditative techniques of yoga can help improve concentration as well as the ability to use the mind in the optimum manner. These key features of yoga therefore make it a very viable strategy for coping with and fighting Alzheimer’s.