6 years ago
Yoga and You
5 Yoga asanas to Keep You Warm and Healthy This Winter
6 years ago | Yoga and You
DESCRIPTION
Staying active and healthy throughout the winter can be challenging. A regular yoga practice is accessible to most anyone, and these five poses can help keep you heated, energetic and inspired throughout the winter.
KAPALABHATI PRANAYAMA
Kapalabhati literally means 'Shining Skull'. It is an intermediate-to-advanced pranayama that consists of short, powerful exhales and passive inhales.
How to:
To begin, sit in a comfortable position where your spine is straight and your abdomen is not compressed. Rest your hands on your knees, palms facing down. Inhale through both nostrils deeply. Contract your low belly or use your hands to gently press on this area, forcing out the breath in a short burst.
Why to:
It is an invigorating and warming exercise. It helps to cleanse the lungs, sinuses, and respiratory system. It encourages the release of toxins and waste products from our lungs which can help to prevent illness and allergies. It also increases the body’s oxygen supply.
UTTANASANA | Standing Forward Bend
When you translate Uttanasana literally into English, it means a powerful stretch pose. In English, this asana is called the Standing Forward Bend.
How to:
Start by standing straight on the yoga mat. Raise both your hands above your head and lock the fingers with your index fingers pointing upwards. Slowly, fold forward and wrap your arms around your ankles. Shoot your tailbone up and place your forehead against your knees.
Why to:
In this asana, your head is below the heart, and this allows for blood circulation in your head instead of your feet, giving your cells a rush of energizing oxygen.
VIRABHADRASANA 3 | Warrior 3 Pose
Virabhadrasana III or Warrior 3 Pose is an asana commemorating the exploits of the warrior Virabhadra, an incarnation of Shiva. Warrior III pose (Virabhadrasana III) is also commonly known as Airplane pose.
How to:
Start by standing tall, maintaining your posture. Now, bring your right leg forward. Slowly shift your body weight completely onto your right leg while slowly lifting your left leg off the mat. Lift your left leg up such that it forms a 90 degree angle with the ground. Finally, stretch your arms in front of you, and look down.
Why to:
It strengthens the legs, ankles, shoulders and back, tones the entire body, especially your abdomen, improves memory and concentration, encourages better posture and invigorates and energizes the body.
GARUDASANA | Eagle Pose
The name comes from the Sanskrit words garuda meaning Eagle, and asana meaning posture or seat.
How to:
Stand on your right leg with your left leg folded at the knee, the foot lying near your right knee. Raise both your arms up. Slowly, wrap your right left leg around your right leg. Lower your arms and once balanced, wrap your arms around each other, joining at the palms.
Why to:
This asana helps to stretch the thighs, hips, upper back, and shoulders. It helps you focus and also improves your ability to balance.
BAKASANA | Crane Pose
This pose resembles the stance of a crane, hence the name Bakasana. The crane is an Asian symbol for happiness and youthfulness. It also stands for longevity in Chinese symbolism. This asana is the culmination of all these three symbols.
How to:
Stand straight on the mat. Slowly, fold at the hips, bending down. Slightly, bend your knees, pushing your body forward. Place your palms on the ground and come onto your toes. Finally, shift forward and lift one of your feet off the ground. Carefully lift the other feet too, your knees lying on the backside of your upper arms.
Why to:
It makes the wrists and the arms stronger. The spine is toned and strengthened. The upper back gets a good stretch. This asana improves your sense of balance and focus.
Watch more: http://21frames.in/yogaandyou Follow us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/VentunoYoga Subscribe us on YouTube: http://youtube.com/user/VentunoYoga Follow us on Instagram: http://instagram.c
KAPALABHATI PRANAYAMA
Kapalabhati literally means 'Shining Skull'. It is an intermediate-to-advanced pranayama that consists of short, powerful exhales and passive inhales.
How to:
To begin, sit in a comfortable position where your spine is straight and your abdomen is not compressed. Rest your hands on your knees, palms facing down. Inhale through both nostrils deeply. Contract your low belly or use your hands to gently press on this area, forcing out the breath in a short burst.
Why to:
It is an invigorating and warming exercise. It helps to cleanse the lungs, sinuses, and respiratory system. It encourages the release of toxins and waste products from our lungs which can help to prevent illness and allergies. It also increases the body’s oxygen supply.
UTTANASANA | Standing Forward Bend
When you translate Uttanasana literally into English, it means a powerful stretch pose. In English, this asana is called the Standing Forward Bend.
How to:
Start by standing straight on the yoga mat. Raise both your hands above your head and lock the fingers with your index fingers pointing upwards. Slowly, fold forward and wrap your arms around your ankles. Shoot your tailbone up and place your forehead against your knees.
Why to:
In this asana, your head is below the heart, and this allows for blood circulation in your head instead of your feet, giving your cells a rush of energizing oxygen.
VIRABHADRASANA 3 | Warrior 3 Pose
Virabhadrasana III or Warrior 3 Pose is an asana commemorating the exploits of the warrior Virabhadra, an incarnation of Shiva. Warrior III pose (Virabhadrasana III) is also commonly known as Airplane pose.
How to:
Start by standing tall, maintaining your posture. Now, bring your right leg forward. Slowly shift your body weight completely onto your right leg while slowly lifting your left leg off the mat. Lift your left leg up such that it forms a 90 degree angle with the ground. Finally, stretch your arms in front of you, and look down.
Why to:
It strengthens the legs, ankles, shoulders and back, tones the entire body, especially your abdomen, improves memory and concentration, encourages better posture and invigorates and energizes the body.
GARUDASANA | Eagle Pose
The name comes from the Sanskrit words garuda meaning Eagle, and asana meaning posture or seat.
How to:
Stand on your right leg with your left leg folded at the knee, the foot lying near your right knee. Raise both your arms up. Slowly, wrap your right left leg around your right leg. Lower your arms and once balanced, wrap your arms around each other, joining at the palms.
Why to:
This asana helps to stretch the thighs, hips, upper back, and shoulders. It helps you focus and also improves your ability to balance.
BAKASANA | Crane Pose
This pose resembles the stance of a crane, hence the name Bakasana. The crane is an Asian symbol for happiness and youthfulness. It also stands for longevity in Chinese symbolism. This asana is the culmination of all these three symbols.
How to:
Stand straight on the mat. Slowly, fold at the hips, bending down. Slightly, bend your knees, pushing your body forward. Place your palms on the ground and come onto your toes. Finally, shift forward and lift one of your feet off the ground. Carefully lift the other feet too, your knees lying on the backside of your upper arms.
Why to:
It makes the wrists and the arms stronger. The spine is toned and strengthened. The upper back gets a good stretch. This asana improves your sense of balance and focus.
Watch more: http://21frames.in/yogaandyou Follow us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/VentunoYoga Subscribe us on YouTube: http://youtube.com/user/VentunoYoga Follow us on Instagram: http://instagram.c