Life + Yoga = Yogantastic

Mudra and Bandha are certain postures of the body that can be completed in the stable postures or when practising pranayama; and at the end in meditation. By adopting yoga’s principal the aspirant can easily gain not only good  health but also kundalini is successfully awakened. By following the step by step techniques of Yoga, the aspirant will improve their perception especially when faced with difficult situations. Mudras can affect various glands and keep the body on track. A gland is a group of cells or organs that produce a secretion. In the body, glands perform vital functions and produce juices or hormones; without which the body can become sick and lifeless. The Gheranda Samhita has described 25 mudras and bandhas. The most important among them are mula bandha, jalandhar bandha, uddiyan bandha; mudras- khichari mudra, manduki mudra, ashwini mudra, kaki mudra, matangini mudra, bhujangini mudra, viparitkari mudra and tadagi mudra. All of these mudras are beneficial fo...

The third practice of the shat-karma is Nauli; and Nauli Kriya stimulates and recalibrates the diaphragm, abdominal viscera and the alimentary system. To practice Nauli Kriya, one should know the Uddiyan Bandh first. For those one who have a large belly and find it difficult to perform even Uddiyan Bandh would be advised to do abdominal breathing prior to starting it for couple of weeks. Abdominal breathing and Uddiyan bandha is generally done in sitting postures, and while Nauli Kriya is done in the standing position. In the previous article, abdominal breathing technique is described in detail. Abdominal breathing, Uddiyan Bandha and Nauli Kriya recalibrate all the abdominal organs and can eliminate obesity in abdomen area. Nauli Kriya serves as a powerful gastro-intestinal energizer and easily cures all diseases of abdomen. Nauli Kriya results in good appetite, better vision and excellent health for those one who practice it regularly. Uddiyan Bandh: uddiyan bandha is one of ...

Nauli Kriya, which is intended for regenerating and stimulating the abdominal viscera and alimentary system.   For the practice of Nauli Kriya one must learn Uddiyan Bandh and abdominal breathing first as well as some knowledge about the abdominal organs along with the fascia that covers all the vital organ. How fascia influences our organs and how to strengthen it for longevity and wellbeing of the body. For good health one must take care of stomach. One third of major Nadis flows through navel area, any disturbances among these Nadis definitely spoils one’s health. This article talks about abdominal breathing and information of the organs and fascia. The next article will cover Nauli Kriya. Each organ has a fascia layer that protects the vital organs of the body. Fascia is connective tissue that surrounds the internal organs of the body and made of sticky and stretchy matter around the liver, heart, spleen, lungs and intestines etc. Fascia is given a specific name aft...

''You can not change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight'' The six practices aim at internal cleansing of the entire body and making it disease free. Trataka is a Hatha yoga practices to develop concentration. Steady Gazing at a particular object without winking is an excellent concentration exercise. Trataka is mainly intended for developing concentration and mental ability. Constant and regular practises of Trataka gives one more space and time to contemplate one’s response between conscious efforts/tasks. The key to concentration is Trataka and once an aspirant has mastered this, they can observe a lot more within. Trataka is very useful for the students of hath Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Raja yoga; and Trataka is the best method to help gain control of the mind. Trataka provides more space to aspirant’s conscious plane allowing them to actually listen to their body which will in turn cultivate an accurate and reli...

Breath creates a flow of energy in the body to vitalize; whereas, composed breathe draws the more cosmic energy upon the crown chakras/head and keeps the flow of prana energy to the lower chakras (glands) during meditation.  Breathe becomes composed and calm during meditation session. Meditation increases tissue mass in the area of the brain of controlling impulses and maintaining attention swiftly, increased thickness in the state of the brain is accountable for body awareness, enhanced focus and stress management and keeps the amygdala in balance. The amygdala is an almond-shaped section of nervous tissue located in the temporal lobe of the brain that is responsible for detecting fear, negative emotion, anxiety and preparing for emergency events and plays a role in the conscious processing of emotions particularly for the emotion of fear. The amygdala plays a part in sexual activity and libido; with pituitary and pineal glands also giving support to it. The amygdala pro...

In previous articles, we have discussed Rubber Neti (catheter) and sutra Neti, jala-Neti (Vyut karma Neti), Gajkarni or Shitakarama- jalaneti, Siddha Jala-Neti Neti, how an aspirant can correctly follow the steps, and how one can gain maximum results of doing Neti as well as the spiritual benefits. Weak eye-sight, the common cold, blockage of the nose, tonsillitis, cough, bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis and tuberculosis can be prevented by doing Neti regularly. The onset of diseases, can be rectified, prevented with the help of Neti.  It is acknowledged that all of these problems begin from the nose. In Gheranda Samhita (ancient yoga book) it is specified that Neti Kriya cleanses skull and produces clairvoyance. First of all we have a look in depth of how Neti produces clairvoyance and super natural power; hypnotism, telepathy, thought reading and distance healing. These are super natural powers that completely depends upon of one’s breathe. Breath creates a flow of energ...

Neti is for the purpose of purification of the nostrils and for regulating the breathe within. Neti purifies the skull, the brain, mouth and sharpens the eyesight and cures all types of problems related to the organs above shoulders. Those who want long, strong and shiny hair would definitely benefit from this technique. Neti becomes remedy for all the diseases that result from colds and catarrh. The French Academy of medicine hailed that by practising Neti regularly beneficial results are seen in all such cases, they further advocated that more than 75% of the world population of having great need of such sorts of methods. The desired results can be gained within couple of days. Dr. Glorger Gantier says that Neti is a panacea that it cures deafness, headache, snoring, asthma and eyesight.  Jala-Neti, Gajkarni/Shitakarama-Jala Neti and Siddha Jala Neti are all a sort of Neti and should be practiced with normal water with a little salt. The salt water that passes thr...

Shat-karma practices aim at internal cleaning of the entire body in order to remove maladies from roots; and develops good flow of  prana urja in the body. Neti cleans the nose and all others organs above the shoulders. Kapala Bhati (head) cleanses the head, purifies the lungs, heart and blood. After Neti, it is recommended to do kapal bhati for better results; it is a Paranayama practice intended to energize and balance the Nadis and chakras. In this article, we talk about the prana energy and its importance along with Gajkarni/Shitakarama- jalaneti.    Pranayama is the only way to enrich the strength of the prana urja/energy within the body. Neti is a shat-karma Kriya that cleans the nostrils properly before pranayama; so that will boost the effect of pranayama further. Doing Neti before pranayama is  essential for curing all sorts of problems that relate to breathing. Neti clears all the blockages of the nostrils, whether it is relating to irregula...

In the previous articles we have looked at Neti and its importance. Neti is a shat-karma Kriya which is known as internal purification of the body that makes the body’s organs in a state of constancy. Yoga starts with clearing of the nose firstly by rubber Neti, sutra-Neti, siddha-Jala Neti, Jala-Neti (lukewarm water with a little salt as to make salty). In this article, we will talk about the siddha-Jala-Neti, this process is practiced with normal water in summer and with lukewarm water in winter or as per the weather condition of any countries as it depends upon or according to the nature of the practitioner. Neti comprises of Jal-Neti, Sutra-Neti (a string as it prepared with a fine cotton thread) rubber-Neti (plain catheter that available in all medical store) and Dant-Neti. After practising all kinds of Neti, now practitioner would be able to do many others forms of Neti which use cow milk and Desi-ghee for better results; resulting in the nasal cavities become hard and cold...

Since ancient times, mankind has sought of ways to enhance the health, increase longevity and rejuvenation by boosting the immune system within the body.  The purpose was to cleanse the internal body using various sophisticated techniques known at the time to eradicate disease from grass roots.  Well known techniques were used to remove toxins from the body making their immune system in a perfect state. Yoga begins with the Shat Karma as it has prime motive to getting healthier and attains longevity for the advanced practises of yoga; and in essence, as it would keep the body clean, bacteria and diseases free. The Shat-Karmas are the six practices of Hathayoga to keep the body in a fine state of existence and these six Shat-Karmas are Neti, Dhauti, Nauli, Basti, Trataka and Kapalbhati.  All of these techniques of internal purification in nature are known as Shat-Karma, aimed to keep balances among Kaf-Pit-Vayu (basic component of the body, while diagnosis of the...

One technique that can help you connect with your breathe and calm the mind is the Anna Panna from Vipassana; is a way to gain the insight within, one can attain freedom from all the conditioning of unhealthy bonds that is being buried in the unconscious mind since ages. Meditation: 1.  Firstly sit with legs crossed in a quiet comfortable place. (Shawl or blanket is advisable as you may get cold after some time).  2.  Close your eyes.  3. Bring your attention to your breath, breathing in and then out naturally, do not force the breath. Just observe how your breath enters the body and leave the body through the nostrils 4.  Do this for a few breaths. 5. Then bring your attention to the area just between the Nose and the upper lip. Feel how the breath flows past this area, how does the area itself feel. Are then any sensations or tingling. Again do not force any feeling or sensations ONLY observe. 6. To begin with you may not feel anyt...

“The mind is everything. What you think you become” Buddha To perceive things better is an observation. The observation unfolds the entire reality of the mind and body as well as bring perfect repose to both every time, with practise. The real wisdom that brings real changes in one’s life would be come through this observation only. Observation is the one and only tool that will control  the three folds of the mind-stuff for the higher state of existence/super consciousness/ no-mind. This is the teaching of Buddha. Along with the physical process there is the psychic process, the mind and it comprises of four processes such like as conscious, perception, sensation and reaction. The Mind comprises of three layers; the conscious, the unconscious and the super-conscious. All of these layers have different functions to perform within the body. Conscious mind always brings about our ego- the ‘I’ and has an awareness of the objects within; and takes in raw material from the a...

Karn-Pid asana is the fourth asana among in the series of four asanas of bending and stretching of spine. Benefits are the same as that of Hal-asana, Sarvang asana and Uttana-pad asana. Four asana are prescribed for the purpose of entire body growth, to make supple and strong spine, to increase the supply of blood/blood circulation towards spine and head. It supports in increasing height if practiced in childhood. Karn-Pid asana draws the blood toward neck, face, brain and cervical. It cures cervical pain if it is started prior to the onset of disease, but in the case of serious conditions avoid this asana.  All of these asanas are good for physical growth, hormones growth and for stamina, sound sleep and concentration. Our youth completely depends upon spine which holds the entire nervous system, Nadis (astral tubes made up of astral matter that carry prana urja), arteries and veins. The body is filled with numerous Nadis that draws the pranic urja in through these N...