Bound Angle PoseBound Angle Pose focuses on the:
- Thighs
Therapeutic Treatments:
- Sciatica
- Flat Feet
- High Blood Pressure
- Infertility
- Asthma
Bound Angle Pose stimulates the abdominal organs, ovaries and prostate gland, bladder, and kidneys. It stimulates the heart and improves general circulation. Stretches the inner thighs, groins, and knees. Helps relieve mild depression, anxiety, and fatigue. Soothes menstrual discomfort and sciatica and helps relieve symptoms of menopause. Consistent practice of this pose until late into pregnancy is said to ease childbirth. Traditional texts say this pose destroys disease and gets rid of fatigue.
**Information Supplied Courtesy of Yoga Journal
Pigeon Pose
Pigeon Pose focuses on the:
- Ankles
- Thighs
- Groins
- Abdomen
- Chest
- Armpits
- Neck
Therapeutic Applications:
- None Listed
The Pigeon stretches the entire front of the torso, the ankles, thighs and groins, abdomen and chest, and throat. It stretches the deep hip flexors and strengthens back muscles. It improves posture and stimulates organs in the abdomen and neck.
*This is one of my all time favorite poses! ;D
**Information Supplied Courtesy of Yoga Journal
Crane Pose
Crane pose focuses on the:
- Wrists
Therapeutic Applications:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Pregnancy
The crane strengthens the arms and wrist. It stretches the upper back and strengthens the abdominal muscles. It also opens the groins and tones the abdominal organs.
**Information Supplied Courtesy of Yoga Journal
Fish Pose
Fish pose focuses on the:
- Belly
- Chest
- Spine
- Shoulders
- And Neck
Therapeutic Applications:
- Constipation
- Respiratory Ailments
- Mild Backache
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Menstrual Pain
The fish stretches the deep hip flexors and the muscles between the ribs. It stretches and stimulates the muscles of the belly and front of the neck. It stretches and stimulates the organs of the belly and the throat. Strengthens muscles in the upper back and back of the neck. Also, improves posture.
**Information Supplied Courtesy of Yoga Journal
When you own your breath, nobody can steal your peace.
Samadhi
Samadhi is the final branch of Yoga. It’s the branch of coming to turns with yourself. It’s the branch all the others work you toward. If you have a tree you’re climbing, the other limbs help you reach the top one. Samadhi is the top limb of Yoga. This is the limb of self-discovery. Reaching this limb shows you have come to terms with yourself and are finally aligned; body and spirit. Another way of looking at this branch is Nirvana. You reach a transcendental state of understanding. Samadhi is the goal of Yoga. Not fitness. Not looking good. Not being thin. The ability to have complete self-understanding and enlightenment.
Dhyana
Dhyana is the branch of Yoga covering another one of the popular aspects we recognize when Yoga is first brought to mind: meditation. Meditation is a way of separating yourself from the world and just clearing your mind. It’s an amazing form of stress relief and helps in the journey of self-discovery. Meditation is typically what follows the asanas since the body has been put into a deep relaxation state. The asanas allow an easier transition into meditation. Meditation encompasses many benefits: stress relief, withdrawal from the world, self-analysis. It isn’t something that’s only involved with Yoga either. People can practice meditation in any way. Its beneficial whether you’re on the path of Yoga or not.
Dharana
Dharana is the branch of Yoga covering concentration. Being able to concentrate on any goals or ambitions is very important if you plan to be at peace and achieve these aspirations. It also stresses to concentrate on what is important. You shouldn’t be focused on making money, or falling in love, or anything like that. Thriving after unimportant things like that can clog our judgement. We should concentrate on channeling our energies in a positive way. Making a positive impact on the people and world around us. Concentration is a key element in almost every aspect in life. Being able to channel that concentration effectively can lead to amazing rewards.
Pratyahara
Pratyahara is the branch of Yoga referring to withdrawal from the world. This is a significant skill in which you can separate yourself from any worldly troubles like financial or relationship troubles. Being able to escape from these sort of things is helpful in stress reduction. Yoga enhances the calmness and peacefulness in your life. Being able to withdrawal will allow you to displace things to focus on the importance of your self giving some time for self-study and time for yourself, which is very important in a world where we’re consistently worrying about everything around us and not being able to escape. This is a peaceful retreat we can find within ourselves.
Pranayama
This branch of Yoga covers overall breathing and techniques to reach our full breathe potential. Many of us don’t actually breathe completely. The average person doesn’t use their full lung capacity, which is why in some instances people stress easily or breathe shallowly. Deep breathing releases chemicals in the brains that help with the body’s relaxation process. When practicing asanas, ojai breathing is practiced to help the body relax into some of the asana positions and further the goal of relaxation for meditation. Ojai breathing helps open the airway completely making full breathing easier and more relaxing. Ojai breathing is the kind of breathing we participate in when whispering. That “hahhh” sound is the root of ojai breathing which is consistently practiced in Yoga.
Page 1 of 2
