February 8, 2022

Chakra Meditation: 7 Chakras Of The Body

Author By - Carol Penn Categories chakra meditation fitness health meditation mental health
Chakra Meditation

The term ‘chakra’ refers to ‘wheel’ in Sanskrit and is a part of an energy system inside our bodies. There are a total of seven points in this system and each point is known as a chakra. Chakra meditation has its origin in ancient Hindu scriptures known as the Vedas. The chakras have been said to be shaped like lotuses and are connected with distinct chakra sounds. Namely, the seven important chakras are as follows. 

  • Muladhara (Root chakra)

This chakra is situated at the base of our spine and it helps to maintain inner peace and stability.

  • Svadhisthana (Sacral Chakra)

With an energetic function of regulating our desires and emotions, this one is located in our pelvis. 

  • Manipura (Solar plexus chakra)

Situated in our belly button, it provides us with the confidence we require to process things and let go of those that do not serve us a purpose.

  • Anahata (Heart chakra)

This one focusus on unconditional love and is located at the middle of our chest.

  •  Vishuddha (Throat chakra)

This chakra at the base of your throat is going to help you express yourself in the most authentic way.

  • Ajna (Third eye chakra)

Knowing ourselves is extremely important. You should strive to know yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually as well. This is exactly what this chakra located in the middle of your forehead helps in doing. 

  • Sahasrara (Crown chakra)

This point is at the top of our head and guides us in becoming a better version of ourselves by developing a connection with all and functioning in an enlightened manner. 

The objective of chakra meditation is to enhance your emotional awareness and to maintain mental balance. Your chakras need to open up and be in line with one another. If all your chakras are not aligned and in sync with one another, there might be some negative physical and emotional symptoms such as excessive sadness, fear, discomfort, headaches, digestive issues, etc. There are three distinct ways to go about chakra meditation. You can begin meditation on energy, meditation on chakra colors or meditation on a specific chakra.  

What Is Root Chakra Meditation?

Root chakra meditation is an example of meditation on an individual chakra for improving the emotional or physical areas that are associated with that particular point. When you opt for root chakra meditation, your focus would be to acquire chakra elements such as stability, security, and basic needs in general. You could also be targeting emotional requirements such as responsibility, and interconnection as well as basic needs such food, shelter, water, and safety. Whichever point you decide to focus on, your ultimate goal would be to ensure that your chakras are open, thereby allowing the free flow of energy throughout your body. This would lead to a strong and stable connection between your body and mind. 

January 3, 2022

How Is Shiatsu Beneficial?

Author By - Asmita Bhattacharjee Categories fitness health physiotherapy professional help shiatsu therapy
Shiatsu Treatment

‘Shiatsu’ refers to ‘finger pressure’, but does not only include applying pressure with the help of fingers. Your therapist might also use their elbow, knuckles, knee, and feet for the treatment. All you would need to do before the treatment is to loosen up your muscles, and relax. This would help in the process of blood circulation and get your energy flowing. The concept of energy flow, also known as ‘Ki’ or ‘Qi’ is the main principle of Shiatsu. It is all about removing all hindrances and imbalances to the Ki flow and restoring energy into the body wherever it’s required. This is an ancient Japanese practice that involves applying pressure to points or stretching areas that are situated along the lines of energy known as the ‘meridian channels’. No aromas or oils are used in his type of treatment and the main focus is on the body and it’s pressure points. Shiatsu massage is extremely beneficial for checking stress and anxiety. 

Studies have shown that Shiatsu is capable of promoting physical and emotional stability and reducing any kind of stress in the body. When pressure is applied on certain points of your body, blood circulation happens effectively, and it reaches all parts of the body. Thereby, tension is released. Moreover, Shiatsu is also known to increase the levels of serotonin, a hormone that is associated with making you feel calmer and at peace. Another hormone, dopamine is also released in the body that’s responsible for making you feel productive, and motivated. These are the reasons why Shiatsu is good for keeping anxiety away. It also helps in treating health issues such as arthritis, headache, insomnia, menstrual cramps, fatigue, etc. 

Pressure Points

It is a treatment that results in a sync of our mind and body because it encompasses a mixture of knowledge, wisdom, and the experience of alternative healing. Apart from using hand and foot joints, the therapist is also known to employ their body weight. This is why the massage is usually done on the floor, on a mat. The key is to apply pressure at the right place. This is a milder form of physiotherapy that includes stretching and relaxing muscles for promoting flow of energy. Shiatsu prevents any kind of blockages or disturbances in the body and leads to a state of harmony in the mind and body. Moreover, since this form of massage involves wearing light and comfortable clothes, it is also suitable for those who are shy or are new to the world of massages and treatments. 

December 23, 2021

Restorative Yoga Poses

Author By - Arti Sharma Categories fitness health restorative yoga savasana yoga
Restorative Yoga

Some terms that are usually associated with restorative yoga are gentle, slow, relaxing, and calm. This is because restorative yoga is a type of yoga that promotes physical, and mental relaxation. As the name suggests, it helps in restoration and rejuvenation, that is, positive healing. The poses that are practiced are done extremely slowly and steadily since the key is to complete the session in an organic, unforced manner. It focuses on holding postures for a long time unlike other forms like power yoga, Bikram yoga, etc. You are expected to hold a pose for 5 minutes or more. This is why very few postures are included in a single session of restorative yoga. Deep breathing plays a very important role in this form. One major motive of this form is to awaken the parasympathetic nervous system. Let’s talk about some of the main poses of this form. 

  • Legs-On-The-Wall Pose 

This is one of the defining poses of restorative yoga. To achieve this pose, place your yoga mat close to the wall. Next, lie down straight on the mat, with cushions or blankets underneath your head and back to provide extra support. Next, straighten your legs upwards and rest them on the wall. The distance between your buttocks and the wall should be as less as is possible for you to sustain. Hold this position for about 10 minutes and focus on deep breathing. This would help relax your body and release the tension in your muscles. This pose is great for providing a mild stretch to the back of your neck and hamstrings. It reduces back-related issues and treats tired legs and feet. 

  • Corpse Pose

The pose is commonly known as savasana and is done after several yoga and other fitness routines. It’s known to relieve muscle tension and stress. Achieving it is quite simple. Lie down straight on your yoga mat with a pillow or blankets under your head and the back of your knees. This would give you extra comfort and support. Your hands should be placed on the sides, with the palms facing upwards. There should be a slight gap between your hands and the body. Attempt to hold this position for about 10 minutes and concentrate on your breathing. Take slow, but deep breaths and let your body muscles relax. If you do this regularly, it would have an immense positive impact on your mental, as well as physical health. Once you begin restorative yoga, the results will not disappoint you. 

December 22, 2021

Bikram Choudhury And Hot Yoga

Author By - Asmita Bhattacharjee Categories bikram yoga fitness health yoga
Yoga Session

There are currently over 1650 Bikram yoga studios around the world. Bikram yoga is a type of yoga that was introduced in the 1970s by Bikram Choudhury in California. In this practice devised by him, one is required to perform the same 26 hatha yoga poses for 90 minutes. Furthermore, this must be done in a hot room with a temperature of 41 degrees Celsius (105 degrees Fahrenheit), hence the name “Hot Yoga.” While any style of yoga performed in a hot room can be called “hot yoga,” Bikram yoga rooms are the hottest.

Bikram Choudhury has chosen eagle posture, tree pose, cobra pose, and other classic hatha yoga poses. One of the most significant aspects of Bikram yoga is that the poses cannot be performed in any random order. When doing Bikram yoga, you must follow a precise sequence. According to Bikram Choudhury, the main man himself, the poses are designed in such a way that new and fresh blood reaches all regions of your body in a methodical manner, including every fiber and organ. If the precise order is not followed, the same benefits will not be attained. Bikram yoga has a number of advantages, according to its practitioners. Because it’s done in a heated environment, you’ll be sweating from the beginning to the end of your session. This guarantees that toxins are removed from your body through sweat. Furthermore, the high temperature promotes blood flow and allows oxygenated blood to reach muscle tissue. This increases overall flexibility while also assisting in weight loss. Bikram yoga is also good for people who suffer from back pain or low blood pressure. It sharpens the mind and enhances physical and mental well-being. In some people, Bikram yoga can help with glucose tolerance, bone mineral density, blood lipid profile, arterial stiffness, mindfulness, and stress perception.

While there is evidence to support the benefits of Bikram yoga, there are also some risks associated with it. Many people believe that being in a hot environment for too long might cause dehydration, dizziness, and nausea. As a result, if you’re a beginner, you should practice under the guidance of an expert. At no point should you overwork yourself. The key to achieving the best results is to follow your trainer’s directions.

December 21, 2021

All You Need To Know About Prenatal Yoga

Author By - Carol Penn Categories fitness health pregnancy prenatal yoga yoga
A Mother’s Womb

Prenatal yoga is a form of yoga that is meant for pregnant women and helps them prepare for labor. If you follow the proper steps while doing prenatal yoga, it would positively impact your baby’s health as well. It essentially involves stretching movements and exercises. But what’s more important than physical training is the mental aspect of it. Being a mother needs a lot of emotional preparation and prenatal yoga helps in the same as well. Apart from that, it would help you improve your breathing and stabilize it to keep you calm during your delivery procedure. Reducing pregnancy-related stress and anxiety, improving muscle endurance and flexibility and alleviating back ache and nausea are some of the notable advantages of prenatal yoga. Moreover, you would also be able to connect with other pregnant women. Studies have shown that if you interact with people going through the same changes during pregnancy, it can help boost your courage. Discussed below are some important components of prenatal yoga. 

  • Breathing 

In prenatal yoga, you would be encouraged to take deep breaths slowly with the help of your nose. This would help you keep your breathing steady while you’re in labor when you might experience shortness of breath. With regular practice, you would face less fatigue after your yoga sessions. This is also a great way of boosting your stamina. 

  • Stretching 

The stretching included in prenatal yoga isn’t intense and fast paced. You would simply have to stretch your joints to make them more flexible. You can switch on some calming music to help you feel the process. You don’t have to overexert yourself while you’re performing the stretches. Perfection is not the motive. The key is to enhance the mobility of your muscles by not keeping them static as that can make them prone to injuries.

  • Poses Or Postures 

Prenatal yoga postures should be done as gently as possible. You would just have to move your arms and feet to hold positions that would make the process of labor smoother and less painful by improving your strength and balance. To help you further, you can make use of props like cushions, pillows, and blankets. These would provide you with support and reduce exertion. 

  • Relaxation

Like in every other form of yoga, cooling down is extremely vital in prenatal yoga as well. Once you’re done with your regular session, you should spend a considerable amount of time restoring your breathing rhythm and heart rate. This is the time for relaxation. You can either listen to some comforting music or simply focus on your own breathing. This time can be utilized for meditation as well. It is essential for pregnant women to spend some meditative time regularly, in their own company. 

1 2