Kayakalpa Yoga Poses

Kayakalpa yoga is one of the highly acclaimed yoga poses, which is practised to enhance the energy of life. Primary objectives of kayakalpa yoga poses include streamlining body mechanisms, slowing the natural ageing process and extending life span. The yoga form involves physical being along with the consciousness. Practice of kayakalpa helps to transform sexual energy into spiritual energy.

About Kayakalpa Yoga Poses

Kayakalpa yoga helps in toning nerves and strengthening the central nervous system as a whole. The yoga practice activates crown charka, which is positioned in the centre of the forehead to affect energy flow. Involvement in the practice promotes a healthy body and a calm mind. In a nutshell, the principle of kayakalpa ensures physical fitness and spiritual satisfaction of the practitioner.

Practising Kayakalpa Yoga Poses

• Kayakalpa encompasses breathing exercises and activities that help energy flow throughout the body to improve health.
• Kayakalpa yoga emphasises on relaxation, breathing and energy control. There should not be any distraction in breathing and energy focus. Kayakalpa pose is performed in a relaxed and seated position.
• Kayakalpa breathing practices such as fire breath emphasise on the intent as well as structure of breathing. A practitioner breathes in and out slowly followed by exhaling forcefully through the mouth. The technique relaxes and cleans up the lungs.
• Bastika is another technique of kayakalpa wherein the practitioner breathes in through the nose and breathes forcefully out through one nostril while closing the other one.
• Kayakalpa also involves receiving therapies, massage and herbal treatments wherein the participant is asked to assume postures according to the prescription.
• It should be practised under the supervision of a mentor.

Benefits of Kayakalpa Yoga Poses

1. Kayakalpa slows down the ageing process and extends the normal life span.
2. It boosts immune system to prevent infections and diseases.
3. Practising kayakalpa helps to correct unhealthy habits and transforms lifestyle.
4. It decreases the likelihood of ill-effects of hereditary problems.
5. Kayakalpa yoga poses strengthen a woman’s reproductive system and prevent complications associated with menstrual cycles.
6. Yogic practice reduces the complications of chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, piles and skin diseases.
7. It ensures that brain cells remain active and perform at an optimum level.
8. Kayakalpa yoga pose enhances functions of the nervous system.
9. It brings emotional calmness and spiritual satisfaction.
10. It helps in correct alignment of cells by making few changes in the crown chakra.
11. Kayakalpa poses also involve physical activity, which helps to maintain weight.

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Symptoms of Pregnancy

Even though the fetus is growing in the women's abdomen, men's involvement is also considered equally. It is said that a woman is actually complete when she undergoes the phases of her pregnancy. Many times, women are not aware that they are pregnant, and this causes chances of insecurity and create further health problems.

Following are the main Symptoms of Pregnancy in women during pregnancy.

1. Every women has her monthly periods, but in case of pregnancy, her periods stop.
2. Early symptoms of pregnancy nausea, vomiting, again and again to urinate, etc.
3. While a check up with a doctor, if she finds that the woman's uterus outer portion is soft, its a sign of pregnancy. To confirm it, doctor may ask for a blood and urine test.
4. there seems to be a pain in the breasts during pregnancy. During pregnancy, breasts become tender.
5. There are signs of pregnancy headaches.
6. A pregnant women feels her face and body a little bloated or swollen.
7. There is continuously change in mood of women during pregnancy.
8. In early stage of pregnancy, symptoms not only indicate discomfort but also there are signs to be an indicator of complexity.
9. To feel more fatigue, constipation are also a sign of pregnancy.
10. Anemia in pregnancy, heels inflammation, blood pressure fluctuate are the symptoms of pregnancy.
11. Its necessary to have regular check ups with doctor to examine pregnancy, have nutritious diet, drink plenty of water, fruit - juice, and daily exercise is advisable

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Yoga for Weight Loss

Over Eating or not having enough exercise can lead to increase in obesity. Also having excessive vitamins can also cause obesity. You don't feel like enjoying, and quickly settle due to exhaustion are signs of obesity. Lifestyle change can be found to fight obesity.

Here's how to lose weight and how Yoga is beneficial.

• Some compounds and natural Upcharapnakr can easily help to lose weight,  like - some Stkarm, Kunjl, Neti, Kpalbanti and by Shankprcshaln.
• Subtle yoga exercise can reduce the weight. Respiratory breathing, chest and abdomen exercises can help in reducing weight.
• Doing Surya Namaskar exercise and also walking for miles can help to reduce weight to a great extend.
• Yoga postures like some easy Vajra sana, Manduca sana, Uttanmanduscasn, Uttankurmasn, Ushtrasn, Ckrasn, Uttanpadasn, Srwagansn and Dnurasn, Bhujngasn, Pvnmuktasn, Ktickrasn, Konasn, lotus posture, and all are beneficial in weight loss. These exercises can be done in empty stomach or 3-4 hours after a meal make it easy.
• To lose weight, pranayamas and mudras are also effective. The Nadhishodn, Kpalbanti and Bastrika, Mahamudra, Uddanbnd, Vipritkrni Mudraana etc. are beneficial.

Benefits of Yoga

• These are all the exercise keeps blood pressure normal and help in lowering anger.
• With the exercise of the stomach - there is exercise of whole body is exercise, such exercise keeps blood pressure normal and keep anger in control.
• Kpalbati, Bstrika - reduce the body fat, which is the biggest advantage of this exercise.
• it helps in maintaining body fitness, and daily practices makes your body twist and turn easily.
• Yoga diminishes the cholesterol.
• Helps to loose fat.
• Yoga does'nt has any negative effect.

Precautions

• Yoga should be done with an empty stomach only, you can have food in three - four hour intervals.
• Yoga should be done under the supervision of a doctor or a trained yoga teacher.
• Yoga should be done early in the morning or evening.
• Yoga should be done in loose - fitting clothing wear.
• Yoga should be done on a carpet or by spreading a bed sheet on the floor but not cold.
• Yoga should be done bare feet -no shoes or slippers .
• If the person is suffering from heart disease, he should not do difficult or forceful exercises
• With yoga - massage, sun bathing and sleep is also important.

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What are Yoga Benefits? Why to do Yoga?

There have been many questions on advantages and benefits of Yoga. People are sometime really confused and in dilemma that whether they actually need to do Yoga?

Let me ask you few questions - Do you have a vehicle? -Yes, you have one and most of us have. And to maintain, the economy and condition of the vehicle, you do the oiling and servicing at regular intervals -Right?. Now relate the same situation to yourself. What do you do with yourself, to maintain your economy and condition? How do you service yourself? Does drinking services you? Does working day night services you? The answer is a big NO. You need some natural things to maintain yourself, because you are ultimately the outcome of the nature. You cannot oil and service yourself with unnatural substances. You cant rely totally on medicines. So to maintain yourself, you need to get accustomed to some natural processes.

Thats why doctors other than prescribing medicines also sometimes recommend morning walks, eat healthy, have fruits,etc. Whereas yoga is natural. It is pure outcome of natural processes. Yoga is an ancient knowledge and its benefits where well known from past.

With increasing age, we tend to forget that our problems also start increasing. You have a back pain, shivering hands, legs, white hairs. knee pain and several other problems. Yoga exercises and its various postures are the right way to get rid of such problems.

Yoga exercises are not done only to stay physically fit, but it also helps in staying mentally fit. With Yoga, you can focus more at work and get ease of many physical problems. Yoga benefits in bringing flexibility to body, weight loss and lubrication of body joints, ligaments and tendons.

Physiological Benefits of Yoga:

• Stable autonomic nervous system equilibrium
• Pulse rate decreases
• Respiratory rate decreases
• Blood Pressure decreases (of special significance for hyporeactors)
• Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) increases
• EEG - alpha waves increase (theta, delta, and beta waves also increase during various stages of meditation)
• EMG activity decreases
• Cardiovascular efficiency increases
• Respiratory efficiency increases
• Gastrointestinal function normalizes
• Endocrine function normalizes
• Excretory functions improve
• Musculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase
• Breath-holding time increases
• Joint range of motion increase
• Grip strength increases
• Eye-hand coordination improves
• Dexterity skills improve
• Reaction time improves
• Posture improves
• Strength and resiliency increase
• Endurance increases
• Energy level increases
• Weight normalizes
• Sleep improves
• Immunity increases
• Pain decreases
• Steadiness improves
• Depth perception improves
• Balance improves
• Integrated functioning of body parts improves

Psychological Benefits of Yoga:

• Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase
• Mood improves and subjective well-being increases
• Self-acceptance and self-actualization increase
• Social adjustment increases
• Anxiety and Depression decrease
• Hostility decreases
• Concentration improves
• Memory improves
• Attention improves
• Learning efficiency improves
• Mood improves
• Self-actualization increase
• Social skills increases
• Well-being increases
• Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase
• Self-acceptance increase
• Attention improves
• Concentration improves
• Memory improves
• Learning efficiency improves
• Symbol coding improves
• Depth perception improves
• Flicker fusion frequency improves

Biochemical Benefits of Yoga:

• Glucose decreases
• Sodium decreases
• Total cholesterol decreases
• Triglycerides decrease
• HDL cholesterol increases
• LDL cholesterol decreases
• VLDL cholesterol decreases
• Cholinesterase increases
• Catecholamines decrease
• ATPase increases
• Hematocrit increases
• Hemoglobin increases
• Lymphocyte count increases
• Total white blood cell count decreases
• Thyroxin increases
• Vitamin C increases
• Total serum protein increases

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Weight loss Yoga for Beginners Video

An Interesting Video By Yogatic with Esther Ekhart. The Video features Yoga postures for weight loss.

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What is Yoga?

The word "Yoga" is derived from the word "YOG" from the Sanskrit Language. There are enormous things to talk about Yoga. Because its been an ancient technique to relax your mind and body with various ancient Yogic techniques. Yoga schools have been running from ancient times, specially in Asian countries like India. Now a days, many saints from country like India, are carrying out the message of Yoga to the world by their various spiritual practices.

The knowledge of yoga is very old and worth interesting. The knowledge and practicing of Yoga distresses the mind and relaxes one's mood. The yoga postures are called as "Yoga asanas". Nowadays there are many NGO's carrying out Yoga classes and exercises. Yoga instructions should only be taken by a trained Yoga teacher or an instructor.

It is very easy to start with Yoga exercises. Yoga for beginners is easy. Anyone can start with it. Its recommended to start practicing Yoga from teen age, but some youngsters consider Yoga to be a practice for old-age people, which is a wrong assumption.

Infact Yoga has many benefits. Its amazing to know the benefits of Yoga, as mentioned earlier it helps in relaxation of mind and body. It distresses your mind, yoga power increases your focus at work and brings calmness in the mind. Yoga also helps in loosing weight, while at the same time it helps in gaining weight for people who are underweight. Most people nowadays join Yoga classes to balance their weight and maintain their physic.

A male who practices yoga is called a yogi, while a female practitioner is called a yogini. With the advance in technology, Yoga has spread beyond boundaries. Through Yoga videos, Cds, DVDs, etc people are learning and practicing yoga from their home. Some yoga techniques are so simple, that they can be practiced even while sitting in your office.

What is Yoga?

There are several answers to this key question:

(1) Yoga is the restraint of mental operation (process).

(2) Yoga is the disconnection of connection with suffering.

(3) Yoga is balance (equanimity).

(4) Yoga is said to be the unification of the web of dualities.

(5) Yoga is the union of Individual self (through mind restraining process) with

the Universal Self.

It is evident from these definitions that the process of yoga is essential to all human beings whose inherent nature is to seek happiness and become free from miseries and suffering. In the light of these various definitions, yoga can be described in different forms as below. However, these forms are inter-related.

(1) Bhakti yoga (through devotion),

(2) Karma yoga (through self-less action),

(3) Jnana yoga (through self-enquiry and knowing),

(4) Mantra yoga (through mantra),

(5) Naada yoga (through transcendental sacred vibrations),

(6) Raja yoga or Ashtanga yoga (through eight-limb approach), etc.

Yoga has existed from Vedic times and its importance is described in several scriptures. In Upanishads such as Shvetashvataropanishat and Kathopanishat, yoga is referred as an essential means to achieve happiness. In Kathopanishat, for example, it is advised: “Treat the self as the person seated in the body as the chariot. Then, treat the intellect as the driver (charioteer), the mind as the reins and the senses as the horses. The one who has control of mind directed by intellect thereby controlling the senses leads the person to the spiritual goal. Otherwise a person’s life will be as of a chariot driven by uncontrolled horses.”

Also, in the Bhagavadgita which is known as Yoga Shastra i.e. a scripture on Yoga, Lord Krishna emphasizes that the goal of everyone should be to achieve yoga, or state of equanimity. He beautifully describes the blissful state of a yogi (i.e. one that has achieved yoga). Then through Arjuna, He advises everyone to become a yogi. Lord Krishna says “Tasmat yogi bhava Arjuna” (therefore, become a yogi).

Maharishi Patanjali, an Indian sage has made great contributions in removing impurities in three domains namely though ayurveda in body for good health, through commentary on Panini’s grammar for good speech and through yoga for achieving pure mind. We are grateful to Maharishi Patanjali for systematically presenting a comprehensive process of yoga through Ashtanga yoga.

The treatise on Yoga by Maharishi Patanjali is known as “Yoga-Sutras of Patanjali” (Aphorisms on Yoga). A sutra (aphorism) is a very cryptic statement with deep insights and it is easy to memorize. The Yoga- Sutras contain 196 aphorismsdivided into four paadas (chapters). They are

(1) Samadhi Paada (On spiritual absorption), 51 sutras

(2) Saadhana paada (On spiritual practice), 55 sutras

(3) Vibhooti Paada (On manifestation of powers), 56 sutras and

(4) Kaivalya Paada. (On liberation), 34 sutras

Maharishi Patanjali is believed to have collated the practice of yoga into the Yoga Sutra an estimated 2,000 years ago. The Sutra is a collection of 196 statements that serves as a philosophical guidebook for most of the yoga that is practiced today. It  outlines the eight limbs of yoga.

Ashtanga Yoga (Eight-limbs of Yoga)
The eight-steps from yoga sutras of Ashtanga (i.e. eight-limbs) Yoga are briefly indicated below. These form the practical aspect of the process of yoga.
1. YAMA: This step contains five sub-steps, which need to be practiced in the domains of thought, speech and action.
(a) Non-Violence (Ahimsa)
(b) Truthfulness (Satya)
(c) Non-Covetedness (Asteya)
(d) Continence (Bramhacharya)
(e) Non-receiving (Aparigraha)
2. NIYAMA: This step also contains five sub-steps, which need to be practiced in the domains of thought, speech and action.
(a) Cleanliness (Shoucha)
(b) Contentment (Santosha)
(c) Austerity (Tapas)
(d) Scriptural Study (Svaadhyaya)
(e) Surrender to God (ishvara Pranidhaana)
These two steps when practiced fully, provide the seeker the self-control and disciplines which becomes the preparation to the next two steps
3. ASANA (Postures)
4. PRAANAYAMA (Regulation of Vital Force)
In Asanas, the body is held steady in postures drawn from observing animals and nature such as a tree, mountain etc. In Pranaayama, control of vital forces is focused through proper regulation of breathing under strict supervision of a qualified Guru.
5. PRATYAAHARA: in this step, the yogi practices withdrawing the mind from senses and multiplicity of thoughts. The withdrawn mind is then directed towards inner-self.
6. DHAARANA deals with the development of the ability of the indrawn mind to focus and concentrate on a Sacred Object (such as vision of the Guru, chosen Deity, and other Sacred forms).
7. DHYAANA referred as meditation, is continuous contemplation or concentration on the Sacred Object. Meditation is to be achieved like a lamp (steady mind) in the absence of flickering wind (wavering worldly thoughts).
8. SAMADHI: This step refers to an experience of transcendental state of balance and deep spiritual absorption. This is an individual internalised experience. There are various states of experiences.

These well-known eight steps of Yoga occurs in these yoga sutras.

In the vision and words of yogi-seer Sriranga Sadguru, founder of Ashtanga Yoga Vijnana Mandiram, Mysore, India, “The chief aim of Yoga is to experience the inner spiritual world having realized the truths through the knowledge of process of manifestation of self, senses and body and based on one’s own full spiritual development by tuning the outward looking self (mind) inwards through the path of Sushumna (the central naadi channel in the spine)” The process of yoga encompasses all aspects of human life namely physical, psychological and spiritual. The yoga process of Patanjali is referred as “yoga-darshana” and is essentially developed on practical basis.

In the vision and words of His Holiness Sriranga Priya Swamiji of Ashtanga Yoga Vijnana Mandiram, Mysore, India, “Yoga-Darshana is a practical discipline comprising of the conclusions and proclamations of enlightened seers (yogis) whose main concern was helping seekers (sadhakas) to attain the normal state called Yoga in which the perceiver is established in the real state and this is an inner experience of the inner world.”

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