Miracles of Yoga in Improving Memory Power

When you fail to remember something, which you have read, heard or seen and cannot remember despite several efforts then it is called loss of memory power or forgetful-ness. People of all age groups are suffering due to this problem. There are a number of reasons for this problem. For example, mental tension, excessive mental work or not using it at all, busy schedule throughout the day, physical and mental weakness or serious head injury.

Take balanced diet and chew it nicely it improves memory. Remember all the things done throughout the day in the chronological order. This exercise improves the memory power.

Yogic exercises are also helpful in improving memory power and reduce forgetfulness. Practice the yogic exercises with the feeling that the memory power is improving and forgetfulness is reducing.

YOGA ASANA

Yoga asana have excellent strength. Regular practice of these exercises develops the physical and mental capabilities, which improves the memory power, grasping power and intelligence. Sarvangasana and Bhujangasana are the two main asana. Regular practice of these asana cures all the physical and mental related problems and thereby improve the memory power.

SARVANGASAN

Regular practice of this asana supplies pure blood to the brain. It makes the pituitary and pineal glands healthy, activates the brain. It increases the memory power, grasping power and intelligence among the children. It activates the thyroid and pituitary glands, which result in height increase.

This is beneficial for increasing height as it activates the thyroid and pituitary glands. It cures tiredness, weakness and obesity in the children. It makes the eyes, ears, nose and other organs healthy. It improves the digestive system, activates the intestines, liver and increases the digestive fire. It cures enlarged liver, swelling, hysteria, hydrosil, hernia and constipation.

Method:

1. Lie down straight on your back. The legs should be together, join the hands to the sides and rest the palms on the ground.

2. Inhale and raise the legs at 30 degrees upwards, then 60 degrees and then 90 degrees. You can support the back while lifting the legs. If the legs cannot be kept straight at 90 degrees take them back at 120 degrees and rest the hands at the back. The elbows should rest on the ground. The paws should be straight the eyes should be closed otherwise glance at the toes. In the beginning it can be done for 2 minutes and then slowly increase the time up to half an hour.

3. While coming back keep the legs straight and bend backwards slightly. Remove both the hands from the back and rest them straight on the ground. Now, press the floor with the palms and get up in the same position as you had lied down, first back and then the legs should be laid straight on the floor. The duration for Sarvangasan and Shavasan should be the same.

Caution:

Avoid this asana in case of neck and back pain.

BHUJANGASANA

Rejuvenating asana is also beneficial for improving memory power. It cures backache, sciatica pain, slip disc, cervical spondalitis and other spinal problems.

It strengthens the thyroid, para thyroid glands. It is useful in case of asthma.

It strengthens the liver and useful in case of loss of appetite, acidity, diabetes and other stomach related problems. It makes the backbone flexible and healthy. Method: Lie down on your stomach; keep the palms on the ground on both sides of the chest. The elbows should be lifted upwards and the shoulders should be close to the chest.

The legs should be straight and joined together. The paws should be stretched facing the spine and resting on the ground. Inhale and raise the chest and head upwards. The area below the navel should rest on the ground. Raise the head and move the neck backwards as much as you can. Remain in this position for 30 seconds. Repeat as many times as you can.

Caution:

Do not practice this asana in case of hernia.

PRANAYAM

Regular practice of pranayam along with asana is helpful for all round development and improving the memory power.

Bhastrika, kapalbhati and Brahmari Pranayam are the best. They improve the memory power and cures forgetfulness.

KAPALBHATI PRANAYAM








This pranayam supplies pure life energy to the brain. It increases the blood circulation in the brain and removes blood clots thereby improving the memory power. Other than this the toxic and foreign substances from the body are evacuated. It cures cold catarrh, sinusitis, allergy, tension and other diseases. It is very useful in case of phlegm, skin disease, asthma, heart disease, high and low blood pressure, depression, tiredness, laziness, sleeplessness, migraine, joint pain etc. Obesity, diabetes, constipation, indigestion, gastric problem, disinterest and other disease are cured and give vitality. As a result the whole body becomes healthy and disease free.

Method:

Sit in Padmasana and make the pranayam mudra with the hands, close the right nostril with the thumb, and exhale with full strength from the left nostril and inhale from left nostril. Then close the left nostril and exhale from the right nostril and inhale from the right nostril.

In this way inhale and exhale from both the nostrils one by one. In the beginning practice it 20 to 25 times and gradually increase it up to 60 times or more. However practice it depending on the physical capacity.

BHASTRIKA PRANAYAM




Health improves when the brain gets pure life energy. The prana and mind become stable, nervous weakness is cured and memory power improves. It cures the tridosha (vata, pitta, kapha) and problems arising from brain. This cures forgetfulness. It improves appetite. It is beneficial in case of low blood pressure, depression, sleeplessness, knee pain, cold catarrh, headache, diabetes, obesity, loss of appetite and asthma.

It cures thyroid and tonsils and other throat related diseases.

It strengthens the heart and lungs. It is helpful in case of arousal of kundalini and prana Method: Sit in Padmasana. Inhale with full strength and exhale from both the nostrils as strongly as you can. Repeat inhaling and exhaling. Rest when you are tired or exhale completely after practicing this for 30-40 times.

Now place the hand near the nose and close the left nostril. Breathe from right nostril. Breathe in as much as you can, put Jalandhar Bandh followed by Moolbandh. Stop the breathe for some time. Remove the bandh and exhale from left nostril. This is one cycle of Bhastrika Pranayam. Repeat two to three times. Caution: Do not shake the body while inhaling and exhaling. Do not practice it in case of high blood pressure, piles, acidity of perspiration due to heat.

BRAHMARI PRANAYAM



It cures brain generated problems, tension, worries, anger, sleeplessness, depression and other problems and improves the memory power. It cures anxiety and is useful in case of restlessness, high blood pressure, heart disease etc.

It cures diabetes, obesity, asthma, nervous weakness, and improve the memory power.

It is beneficial in case of gynecological diseases. It cures vata, pitta, kapha and other problems. It is also beneficial in case of headache, cold catarrh,

Method:

Sit in Padmasana and exhale from the nostrils slowly. Then inhale slowly. Inhale as much as you can and while exhaling produce a nasal sound. As if you are trying to produce the ma sound while chanting Om or like the honeybee whirling around the flowers. Produce this sound and exhale. Try to make this sound as sweet as possible. Close the ears with the thumbs in order to block the external noises and keep the fingers on the forehead. Inhale and exhale and produce the sound. Repeat this exercise for five minutes.

Caution: Do not shake the body while inhaling and exhaling. Do not practice it in case of high blood pressure, piles, acidity or perspiration due to heat.

OMKAR CHANTING




Omkar chanting improves the memory power. It increases the mental strengths. It arouses the Kundalini. It establishes contacts with the extraterrestrial powers.

Method:

Omkar is very significant in our lives. The letters A, O and Ma collectively make this word. The joint powers of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh are included in this word. Om is powerful and spread in the entire universe but cannot we cannot experience it. Om should be chanted for introspection, produce energy in the body and circulate the strength.

Inhale and chant A, then close the mouth and say O and then close and say Ma.

Stressing on the letter A, O and Ma cures the diseases of stomach, chest and brain respectively.

It is useful for improving the memory power.

Caution:

Do not practice this asana in case of hernia problem.

Yogic Remedy for Obesity

Obesity is the biggest problem of the modern age. It is the main cause for the serious, incurable and fatal diseases. Blood pressure, heart problem, diabetes and other dangerous diseases are caused due to obesity. The body weight gradually increases when attention is not paid during childhood. This takes the form of obesity. It can be cured permanently with the intake of balanced food, proper life style and regular practice of yoga asana. This will also cure the above-mentioned diseases.

The modern science age has also accepted the miraculous benefits of yog asana. Regular practice of yog asana cures all types of diseases.

A few asana useful to fight out obesity are being given below :

Dwichakrikasan

Method : Lie down straight towards your back and keep the hands below the hips, stop the breath, raise one leg fold up to the knee, bring the ankle near the hip and rotate in a cyclic motion. Repeat this from 10 to 30 times as per the capacity.
2. Similarly repeat the exercise with the second leg.Rotate the legs without touching the ground. Make a circular shape with the legs. Repeat this 10 to 30 times as per the capacity.
3.When tired lie down in Shavasan and rest for some time and repeat the exercise in the opposite direction and rest when tired.
4.Repeat the exercise by rotating both the legs continuously in a circular motion. Inhale, told one leg up to the knee and bring towards the chest, stretch the other leg straight up to the ground. Inhale and rotate the legs as if riding a bicycle. Then repeat this in the opposite direction continuously like a cycle.
5.Those who do not have backache, heart disease or hernia can do the exercise with both the legs and then rest in Shavasan. Repeat this 5 to 10 times according to the capacity.

Benefits:

1. This is the best exercise to reduce weight. Regular practice of this asana for 5 to 10 minutes sheds out unnecessary weight and obesity can be reduced in very less time.
2. It gives proper shape to the stomach. It activates the intestines. It cures constipation, dysentery, acidity etc.
3. In case of backache do the exercise with single leg, it is helpful for backache as well.

Padvritasan

Method : Lie down straight. Raise the right leg and make a circle by rotating the leg clockwise. In this way make 5 to 20 circles without touching the ground.
2.After rotating in one direction, rotate the leg in opposite direction (Anti-clockwise). Rest in Shavasan when tired.
3.After doing this exercise with single leg do it with both the legs simultaneously. Rotate the legs up down, right-left as much as you can. Rotate the legs clockwise and anti-clockwise directions.

Benefits:

1. This asana is also for reducing extra weight.
2. It definitely reduces the fat accumulated at hips, thighs and waist and gives proper shape to the stomach.

Ardhahlasan

Method : This asana is like Uttanapadasan - the only difference is that in Uttanapadasan the legs are raised up to 30 degrees whereas in Ardhahalasan the legs are raised up to 90 degrees.
1. Lie down on your back. Keep the palms towards the floor; legs straight and both the paws should be together.
2.Inhale and slowly raise the legs up to 90 degrees and remain in this position for some time.
3.While bringing down the legs rest the legs on the floor without jerk. Rest for a while and repeat it again at least six times.
4.Those who have back ache, should raise one leg at a time.

Benefits:

1.This asana is especially useful to reduce weight.
2. It makes the intestines flexible and healthy, increases the fire of the stomach and cures constipation, gas and obesity.
3.It is also beneficial in shifting of the navel, heart disease, stomachache and respiratory problems.
4.Raising one leg at a time is specially benificial for backache problem.

Yoga for Hair Loss

If you are suffering from hair loss and you don’t want to go under the knife, then yoga could be the answer. According to some yoga gurus, there is little solution for hair loss problems in western medicine. Hair loss in men & women is a universal phenomena caused by hereditary problems, poor diets, stress etc. Only one western prescription product minoxidil has some acceptance as a cure of hair loss. However minoxidil has little or no effect when there is actual baldness rather than thinning.

Yoga postures can help you overcome stress, anxiety, and indigestion, poor blood circulation in head, which are considered as main causes of hair loss. Headstand yoga pose can be very helpful as it contributes blood circulation in head as well as relieves tension.

Following are some of the of yogas which can help you to remove stress and improve blood circulation in head.



Downward facing dog




Standing forward bend

Camel pose




Shoulder stand



Vajrasana

The Knee to Chest (Pawanmuktasana)

http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/yoga/asanas/pawanmuktasana1.asp

http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/yoga/asanas/pawanmuktasana2.asp

Apart from practicing these yogas, one can try message therapy for hair loss problems. You can take 3-5 minutes of gentle head message by using your fingertips, which will improve blood flow to hair follicles and help hair growth.

Divya Kesh Tail (Hair Oil for Hair Loss, Dandruff and Headache), which is produced by Swami Ramdev’s Divya pharmacy, can be a great cure for hair loss problems. This oil has ingredients like Bhringa-raja, Brahmi, Amalakl (Amala), Shweta Chandana & other constituents.

You can also try Reflexology by buffing of your fingernails of one hand against the other on a regular basis preferably daily twice or thrice for 5 minutes.

Meditation is another way to overcome hair loss problem as it can control stress. Sit in proper pose and observe your breathing.

Yoga Helps People with Schizophrenia

People with schizophrenia often have difficulty functioning socially and at work, even when they receive medical treatment. A new study found that yoga, in conjunction with conventional medical treatment, may improve schizophrenia symptoms, social and occupational functioning, and quality of life.

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric illness marked by episodes of psychosis in which disordered thoughts, sometimes experienced as voices, become overwhelming. This chronic condition usually begins in young adulthood and interferes with relationships and makes daily functioning difficult.

Treatment options include antipsychotic medications, but these cause many side effects, including sedation, listlessness, and loss of a normal range of emotions. Muscle rigidity and repetitive gestures or tics are among the other problems caused by long-term use of some of the older antipsychotic medicines; newer drugs in this family can cause obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol levels.

In the new study, published in Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 45 people with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to either a yoga training group or a physical training group. The yoga training included breath work and traditional yoga poses and exercises, while the physical training included brisk walking and jogging, and sitting and standing exercises. Both groups underwent training sessions five times per week for one hour.

After four months, both groups scored better on measures of schizophrenia symptoms and social and occupational functioning than they did before the training, but those in the yoga group improved more than those in the physical training group, especially in social and occupational functioning. The yoga group also reported an improvement in overall quality of life, but the physical training group did not.

Originally from India, yoga is a group of ancient spiritual practices designed to integrate the body, mind, and spirit. Outside of India, the term yoga often refers to the practice of poses (asanas) and is thought of as an exercise program to increase strength, balance, and flexibility. Yoga has been shown to reduce stress and improve mental functioning in healthy people, and there is evidence that yoga can reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

“[Yoga] grounds you in the body. People with schizophrenia often have trouble distinguishing themselves from what’s outside of them,” commented Helen Dicke, MSW, who teaches yoga in Vermont. “The breath work in particular deepens and stabilizes the connection to the body. When a person with schizophrenia becomes more grounded, they become more aware of what is internal and what is external, and their social skills and ability to function are greatly enhanced. In fact, yoga has this benefit for everyone.”

Trataka Meditation - Practise Now

Source : swamij - http://swamij.com/trataka.htm

Notice how easy it is to focus attention within space. By regulating attention in space, the processes of time and causation (chain of mental events) also are easily regulated. Focusing one-pointed attention in a specific space in the inner world of meditation is a real key to transcending time, space, and causation. Start with this image, but then close your eyes and place attention in the space of the navel center, heart center, throat center, or eyebrow center, and similarly go deep into the stillness and silence, which is there. Start with 15-20 seconds. Then 30-40 seconds. Then 1-2 minutes. Then longer. (This is a yoga meditation practice called trataka.)

How to build a home yoga practice

By Kara-Leah Grant at http://pranaflownz.com

As a yoga teacher, my goal is to inspire my students to practice yoga at home. It’s great when people get themselves to classes three times a week, but the true benefits of yoga really start to unfold when you commit to just showing up on your mat by yourself and seeing what happens. In a class, your focus is both internal and external. You’re listening to the teacher and watching the demonstrations while also paying attention to what’s going on inside of you. When you practice at home, there is no need to focus on anything external, so 100% of your attention is on how your body feels, what your breath is doing and how your mind is reacting. You can read more about this in my post How to start a home yoga practice. And hopefully you have started - now it’s time to build that practice further. When I talk about building a home practice, I’m not talking about using a DVD either. DVDs can be useful and it might be how you begin to get into the habit of practicing at home, but in essence, it’s exactly the same as going to class because your focus is still largely external. But making that shift can be extremely intimidating. How will you know what to do? What if you get it wrong? Trust me on this one - you will amaze yourself with how much understanding you’ve absorbed from going to class. And you will also amaze yourself with how much innate wisdom there is within you. This is one of the major benefits of practicing at home - it strengthens your connection to your internal Guru. We ALL have a yoga teacher living inside of us. Problem is, until we start listening to the voice of that teacher, it’s hard to distinguish them from all the other voices inside of us. Like those voices that say,” “You don’t know what you’re doing.” or “This is so silly, it’s just not the same.” Or, “I’m bored, let’s go watch TV.” These are the many voices of the mind, and hopefully through going to classes you’ve already begun the discipline of ignoring these voices, and you’ve begun to practice simply being the witness to them. The inner voice of your Guru comes from a different place and has a different tone. He or she is encouraging, welcoming, kind and compassionate. This guru will suggest things in a whisper that come from your heart. Things like, “Remember that triangle pose we did last week, let’s play around with that. If we just start with the feet position, I’m sure we can remember it.” Every time you ignore the doubts, criticisms and distractions of the mind, and instead listen to the gentle whisperings of your heart, you make a tiny shift toward a different way of living. Building your home yoga practice will greatly enhance and strengthen this shift. The easiest way to get started is to note that you don’t have to remember all the different postures exactly. All you have to remember are the principles of practice.