DAILY MOTIVATION / POSITIVE AFFIRMATION

Every moment is a miracle. Be still, look closely, and you can see it. 9-9-2011

  "Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny."

* Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.      ~ Buddha

27th July, 2011 :

The future depends on what we do in the present. - Mahatma Gandhi

*A calm and peaceful mind is a very important factor in good health.*

*You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try -- Beverly Sills*

ASANAS

Sulaba Hasta Padasana - 

The pracice gives a mild forward bend which keep the spine flexible and heatlhy.
The practice also improves blood flow to the brain and soothes the brain cells, improves digestion and activates liver and spleen, pancreas by massaging them.
Hamstring muscles becomes firm
Congestion of the abdomen is eliminated and reduces excess collection of fat

Caution: Those having cervical spondilosis or severe back pain, should practice under proper guidance;



Bhadrasana -  In this Asana, the position of the legs are such that, the soles touch each other.  To keep back in upright position.

The following benefits can be obtained with the practice.

 

-Blood circulation in the abdominal organs improve.                         

-Flexibility  / strength are gained in the pelvic region, inner thighs, knees.

-Abdominal organs get stimulated

-Gives relief to unrinary infection and other related problems.

Vajrasana - The position of the legs is firm like the Vajra – the weapon of Lord Indra mentioned in mythology

The only Asana which can be practiced after meals as digestion process is speeded up. Spine is natural shape with a pelvic tilt.

Position : Fold your leg one by one in kneeling position and firmly sit on the heels. Place palms on the knees. Keep spine erect. Abdomen is slightly drawn in and there is and chest expanded to attain the proper pose.

Parvatasana (Mountain Pose)

Position : Sitting in crossed legs or padmasana, slowly raise your arms above the head and bring palms together.  Let the arms be closer to the ears.  This gives the shape of a mountain.

During the practice, imagine yourself to be as strong and firm like that of a mountain.

There is stretch to the intercostal muscles and an upward stretch to each and every vertebra.

The practice makes upper portion of the body symmetrical and helps in increasing height of growing children

Sethubandasana (Bridge Pose)

Body is arched as if to form a bridge.

Simplest but most effective for relief to back pain

Position : Lie on back (on a mat).  Fold both the legs and maintain a distance of more than one feet the the legs, knees are also apart.  Place hands on floor by side of the body.  Lift your hips up (to form a bridge)

The practice helps in toning / strengthening lower back and thigh muscles.  Improves flexibility of spine.  Abdominal organs get an upwards push and the displace organs assume their original place with regular practice.

Vakrasana / Ardha Matsyendrasana (Spinal twist pose)

‘Vakra’ in Sankrit means twist.  Normally spine is bent at times forward or backward.  This is a unique pose where spine get a twist enabling flexibility of spine.  As a tribute to Sage Matsyendra the pose is named after him.

Both the pose are beneficial.  One can adopt Vakrasana if unable to do Ardha Matsyendrasana.

                    

Stretches and strengthens the spinal nerves and gives relief to back pain.

Gives a squeezing effect to the abdominal organs and especially activates the pancreas and thus having positive effect on those who suffer from diabetes.

Due to stretch of neck muscles, improves blood circulation in the region and gives relief to neck pain.

POSITIVENESS

From the inside

The things in your life will change for the better to the extent that you change for the better. Who you truly are on the inside will determine how your life proceeds on the outside.

Progress, success, achievement and fulfilment flow from the inside out. No person or object or situation outside of you can bring about any kind of worthwhile positive change unless you are committed to it on the inside.

Rather than waiting and wishing for things to get better, prepare yourself to be the person who can truly live the reality you seek. Align your thoughts, your passions, your priorities and your actions with the life you desire and it will come to be.

Every great achievement lives first in the mind and in the heart, and from there it works its way into the outer world. That's why it is far more effective to focus on what you can give rather than merely on what you can get.

Touch your highest vision and make it part of who you are in every moment. All kinds of good and valuable things will flow from the inside out.

-- Ralph Marston

Jivha Bandha / Simha Mudra / Shat Mudra

           JIVHA BHANDHA - Technique

• Sit in any comfortable position, crossed legged or padmasana or on chair (for those who are unable to sit on floor.
• Hands in comfortable position.
• Press the tip of the tongue against the upper palate  i.e. the inner side of the roots of the upper front teeth.
• With the tongue still sticking to the roots of the upper teeth, open the mouth completely.
• Feel a good stretch at the facial and throat region.
• Eyes can be kept gently closed
• Breath through nostrils only

SIMHA MUDRA - Technique

 

       Practice of Jivha Bandha & Simha Mudra help in regulating blood pressure. 

 Corrects minor throat problems as well and the stretch to the facial and neck regions tones the muscles around the area   

 and  improves blood circulation. 

 Also helps in activating the glands in the mouth and throat, improves functioning of sense organs.

Shat Mudra – The practice involves six different stretches to the neck, thereby loosening the neck muscles,
giving relief from stiffness of neck, toning and improving blood circulation in the area.

The six steps are :
Turning neck to the right side and then to the left. 
Stretching neck backward and forward bend. 
Lateral being of neck to the right and then the left ( here the ear comes closer to the shoulder). 

Each position should be maintained for at least 10 counts.

Throughout the practice attention should be on normal breathing.
Thus the practice acts as a meditation technique as well and also gives relief to headache.

·       Sit in any comfortable position, crossed legged or padmasana or on chair (for those who are unable to sit on floor.

·       Place palms on knees and stretch fingers wide.

·       Stretch the tongue out with mouth wide open

·       Bend your head down, if possible chin touching the neck

Caution : In case of severe neck pain, avoid forward bending of neck

FRUITS / VEG Etc.

Apples	Protects your heart	Prevents constipation	Blocks diarrhea	Improves lung capacity	Cushions joints
Apricots	Combats cancer	Controls blood pressure	Saves your eyesight	Shields against Alzheimer's	Slows aging process
Artichokes	Aids digestion	Lowers cholesterol	Protects your heart	Stabilizes blood sugar	Guards against liver disease
Avocados	Battles diabetes	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin
Bananas	Protects your heart	Quiets a cough	Strengthens bones	Controls blood pressure	Blocks diarrhea
Beans	Prevents constipation	Helps hemorrhoids	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Stabilizes blood sugar
Beets	Controls blood pressure	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones	Protects your heart	Aids weight loss
Blueberries	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Stabilizes blood sugar	Boosts memory	Prevents constipation
Broccoli	Strengthens bones	Saves eyesight	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure

Cabbage	Combats cancer	Prevents constipation	Promotes weight loss	Protects your heart	Helps hemorrhoids
Cantaloupe	Saves eyesight	Controls blood pressure	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Supports immune system
Carrots	Saves eyesight	Protects your heart	Prevents constipation	Combats cancer	Promotes weight loss
Cauliflower	Protects against Prostate Cancer	Combats Breast Cancer	Strengthens bones	Banishes bruises	Guards against heart disease
Cherries	Protects your heart	Combats Cancer	Ends insomnia	Slows aging process	Shields against Alzheimer's
Chestnuts	Promotes weight loss	Protects your heart	Lowers cholesterol	Combats Cancer	Controls blood pressure
Chili peppers	Aids digestion	Soothes sore throat	Clears sinuses	Combats Cancer	Boosts immune system
Figs	Promotes weight loss	Helps stops strokes	Lowers cholesterol	Combats Cancer	Controls blood pressure
Fish	Protects your heart	Boosts memory	Protects your heart	Combats Cancer	Supports immune system
Flax	Aids digestion	Battles diabetes	Protects your heart	Improves mental health	Boosts immune system
Garlic	Lowers  cholesterol	Controls blood pressure	Combats cancer	Kills bacteria	Fights fungus
Grapefruit	Protects against heart attacks	Promotes Weight loss	Helps stops strokes	Combats Prostate Cancer	Lowers cholesterol
Grapes	Saves eyesight	Conquers kidney stones	Combats cancer	Enhances blood flow	Protects your heart
Green tea	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Helps stops strokes	Promotes Weight loss	Kills bacteria
Honey	Heals wounds	Aids digestion	Guards against ulcers	Increases energy	Fights allergies
Lemons	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin	Stops scurvy
Limes	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin	Stops scurvy
Mangoes	Combats cancer	Boosts memory	Regulates thyroid	Aids digestion	Shields against Alzheimer's
Mushrooms	Controls blood pressure	Lowers cholesterol	Kills bacteria	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones
Oats	Lowers  cholesterol	Combats cancer	Battles diabetes	Prevents constipation	Smoothes skin
Olive oil	Protects your heart	Promotes Weight loss	Combats cancer	Battles diabetes	Smoothes skin
Onions	Reduce risk of heart attack	Combats cancer	Kills bacteria	Lowers cholesterol	Fights fungus
Oranges	Supports immune systems	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Straightens respiration