yog asanas

PADMASANA:

This posture is called Padmasana .

Benefits of doing this asana:

Padmasana is highly advantageous for attaining concentration of mind .
The Lotus position is adopted to allow the body to be held completely steady for long periods of time. This allows the mind to calm—the first step towards meditation. The asana applies pressure to the lower spine which may facilitate relaxation. The breath can slow down, muscular tension decrease and blood pressure subside. The nerves are toned as the normally large blood flow to the legs is redirected to the abdominal region, which may help to improve digestion.


Contra-indication:

Those without sufficient flexibility to place both knees on the ground when in full lotus position should not use it, as it strains the knees and lower back of such people. practice it slowly do not strain your self or injure.

METHOD:

While sitting on the ground, stretch your legs forward. keep them together. Place the right foot on the left thigh and the left foot on the right thigh in such a manner that heels of both the feet touch the abdomen,on the sides of the navel. Keep the hands on the knees. keep body, back and head erect. the knees of both the feet should touch the ground and eyes should be closed.

Vajrasana (Thunderbolt pose) :

Vajrasana or Thunderbolt pose/Diamond pose in yoga is considered as best sitting posture for practicing breathing exercises and meditation.
The term Vajrasana is derived from two Sanskrit words Vajra means thunderbolt and Asana means pose.
Islamic religion suggests this pose for offering prayers(namaz).
After regular practice of this breathing exercises like pranayama, anulon vilom, kapalbhati by sitting in this pose, will make body strong as diamond.
In this posture, all seven chakras of body are aligned in straight line which makes it easy for the practitioner to raise his/her kundalini(serpent) sakthi and experience its movement along their spinal chord.

Benefits of Vajrasana :

• Those having gas problems should perform this asana, immediately after a meal.
• It provides relief from sciatic pain.
• The benefit of Vajrasana done for 5-7 minutes is equivalent to a long walking exercise. Also, the diamond pose (Vajrasana) is very beneficial in curing the problem of varicose veins.
• This pose give longevity and strengthens the spine.

Practice vajrasana upto 15 minutes after food, do two times a day atleast, increases your digestion power and cures all digestion disorders. You can also do it for 15 minutes before food, which reduces obesity.

Steps for practicing Vajrasana :

• Bend the legs backwards and sit with the help of your knees.
• Stretch the legs towards the back and both toes should touch each other.
• Keep the heels apart and let buttocks rest on heels, or let them lie in between the heels.
• The waist neck and spine should be in a straight line. Rest both your hands on the knees and keep the elbows straight.
• Look towards front, breathe normally.
• If you breathe only into your stomach(not lungs) and allow that hot air from stomach to circulate throughout your body for a minute, it helps in reducing fat and removes all toxics from body.