Tag: Mudra

Asana, Breathing techniques, Meditation, Stillness, Stress management, Vedic Science

Therapeutic uses of Surya Namaskara

Chetnaajoshi


Surya namaskar means “sun salutation” and is a type of yoga exercises that comprises of a sequence of 12 linked asanas. It is also known as the “ultimate Asana” as it is beneficial of all body parts. The sun blesses us with light and warmth and supports all life forms on the earth. It helps the plants grow and is important in regulating the water cycle and a lot of phenomena on the earth. This yoga practice is to adore or to bow in front of the sun. It is practiced during sunrise as it is the most fresh time of the day. Shree Mahesh Heritage meditation school is the best place to perform and practice Surya Namaskara due to its calming and pure environment.
Surya namaskar consists of the following twelve steps:


1.Pranamasana: The prayer pose:-


(I) Stand straight on a mat with your feet together.
(II) Inhale and bring your arms up.
(III) Exhale and join your hands in namaskar mudra in front of your chest.
(IV) Keep your spine straight and look straight at the front.

2. Hastauttanasana : Raised arm pose:-


(I) Inhale and bring your hands above your head
(II) Your biceps should be close to your ears.
(III) Stretch your body backwards from tip to toe


3. Hasta padasana : Hand to foot pose;


(I) Breathe out and bring your hands down to your toes.
(II) Bend your body and touch the ground with your fingers.

4. Ashwa Panchalanasana : The equestrian pose( right leg):-
(I) Take your right leg back and touch the knee to the ground.
(II) Bend left knee and put both your hands at its two sides in the ground.
(III) Raise your head a little backwards.

5. Danadasana : Plank pose :-

(I) Take your left leg back too.
(II) Your body should be straight.
(III) Straighten your arms and touch your palms to the ground.

6. Astanga namaskar : Eight angle pose:-


(I) Touch the ground at 8 points, viz. 2 feet, 2 knees, two palms, chest and chin
(II) Your palms and shoulders should be in the same line

7. Bhujangasana : The cobra pose :-


(I) Make your legs lie on the floor and put your arms straight and palms in the line with the shoulders.
(II) Raise your upper body as much as you can and look towards the sky.

8. Paravatasa : The mountain pose :-


(I) Lift your body from Bhujangasana and bend in the form of inverted V
(II) Push the ground with your palms and feet while keeping your spine and remaining body straight.

9.Ashwa Panchalanasana: The equestrian pose( left leg):-


(I) Take your right leg back and touch the knee to the ground.
(II) Bend left knee and put your both hand on the ground.
(III) Raise your head a little backwards.

pose:-


(I) Bring your hands towards your toes and touch the ground with the palms.

11. Hastauttanasana Raised arm pose:-
(I) Stretch your both hands above your head keeping both the hands parallel.
(II) Keep your hands close to your ears and stretch your body backwards.


12.Pranamansana: The prayer pose:-


(I) Bring your hands back together in Namaskar mudra


Repeat the same for 10 minutes.At Shree Mahesh Heritage meditation school, Surya Namaskara is included in all yoga and meditation courses, it is taught in a step-by-step manner. The various therapeutic benefits of Surya Namaskara are also taught at Shree Mahesh Heritage.

Therapeutic Benefits of Surya Namaskara:-


Increases energy levels in the body: Since it is performed in the morning and involves complete stretching of the overall body and movement of everybody part, Surya namaskar gives a boost of energy level. We feel less tired even after doing a lot of work and are able to multitask. It gives a fresh feeling all throughout the day, and we can thus do more work in less time and that too very easily.


Improves cardiovascular system: Surya Namaskara increases the breathing capacity and capacity of lungs to store oxygen. This helps in transferring more oxygen to the heart and thus making the blood oxygen rich, and this makes the heart function properly.


Stimulates hormones: Various hormones play a very important role in our body, especially for growth and development. Performing Surya Namaskara on a daily basis stimulates various glands in our body that secrete hormones important for the growth of the body and for performing important tasks.


Improves digestion: A huge proportion of our population suffers from stomach-related diseases, most of which are caused by indigestion. Sad stomach makes the whole day sad. Surya Namaskara includes stretching and contracting of the abdomen and gives a good massage to abdominal organs, thus improving the digestive system. At Shree Mahesh Heritage, good digestion is taken into consideration seriously, due to which the food over here is made up of herbs and medicinal plants that are beneficial for the digestive system.
Relieves stress and anxiety: Stress is a common problem today, and it’s hard to deal with it sometimes. Surya Namaskara activates different parts of the brain and reduces the stress hormones like cortisol. It not only makes the brain calm, but gives us the ability to think more carefully and handle problems in a better way. Shree Mahesh Heritage meditation school being surrounded by hills on three sides is the best place where you can relieve your stress by just breathing deep, while performing Surya Namaskara at this place adds icing on the cake.


Removes extra fat: Extra fat is the reason for too many diseases. Surya Namaskara has proved really beneficial in reducing body fat and weight. It involves various asanas including belly exercise and belly movement, thus making flexible and cutting out extra fat.


Increases height: Surya Namaskara involves different asanas and breathing techniques, and since it is performed in the morning during sunrise, it also involves absorption of sunlight. It gives energy to the nervous system and thus enables the releases of growth hormone in the body, which ultimately leads to the growth of the overall body, including height.


Treats insomnia: Sleeplessness is a common condition nowadays, especially in the working population. Due to uneven schedule of work and overworking, we come prey to insomnia. Sound sleep is important for maintaining good health. Performing Surya Namaskara calms and relaxes the mind, giving you sound sleep. Sound sleep makes the nervous system stronger and the brain starts functioning in a better way and concentration power also increases.


Improves skin glow: Surya Namaskara improves blood circulation in the body. Good blood circulation leads to healthy skin and proper sleep also makes the skin better.


Surya Namaskara has proven beneficial in the treatment of many more problems and diseases, teachers at Shree Mahesh Heritage meditation school recommend Surya Namaskara to all. While teaching Surya Namaskara, Shree Mahesh Heritage staff takes care of all precautions to be taken.

Asana, Breathing techniques, Meditation, Stillness, Stress management, Vedic Science

What is Raja Yoga?

Chetnaajoshi


Meditation is something that makes us find ourselves in the midst of all the worldly chaos. When we meditate, we are able to focus on our well-being that we have otherwise been ignoring. Meditation finds us a solution to many problems and helps in making our life easier. We are able to understand things more clearly and take decisions in a better way if we meditate. Raja Yoga is a type of meditation technique a little different from the other ones as it is complete wholesome in itself and requires even minimal efforts compared to other meditation techniques. Located at Devbhumi Uttarakhand, Shree Mahesh Heritage meditation school provides the best environment to practice meditation away from all the hustle and bustle of cities.


Defining Raja Yoga:


Raja in Sanskrit means king, which refers to a Royal, and thus raja yoga is considered the principal form of yoga. It is yoga and meditation practice which aims to attain peace and contentment of body, mind and soul. Raja Yoga basically aims to self-realization and spiritual liberation. The distracted human mind is considered the greatest obstacles in the path of self-realization. The mind which is involved in misery, lying, ego and selfishness obstructs human beings from attaining the ultimate liberation and causes suffering to individuals and to people around them. The teachers at Shree Mahesh Heritage meditation school guide you to perform Raja Yoga step by step and make you feel its true benefits in the best way possible.
As we can understand from the word itself, “Raja” is the one who is independent and fearless. Similarly, the one who practices Raja yoga is confident and away from all the worries. Raja yoga makes us more disciplined and smart. Raja yoga is a wholesome and inclusive form of all kinds of yoga and meditation, and it can be practiced by anyone from any background. Shree Mahesh Heritage meditation school is open for everyone regardless of religion, gender, race or any background to come and practice meditation and take one step forward towards liberation from the worldly chaos.
Raja yoga is an astanga yoga or “eightfold path” because it consists of eight steps in the path to self-realization and finding the meaning of life in the most subtle form.
The eight parts in which Raja yoga is organized are:
1.Yama
2.Niyama
3.Asana
4.Pranayam
5.Pratyahara
6.Daharana
7.Dhyana
8.Samadhi


1.Yama: Meaning “self-control” consists of the following five principles:


•Ahimsa: Non-violence; Ahimsa means not to hurt any living being, be it human or animals or even an insect, by your words or deed. It persuades people not to harm anyone. It also means not to kill anyone and avoid meat because it involves killing of innocent animals. This is why yogis are pure vegetarians. When animals are being slaughtered, they feel pain and sense the nearby death and, due to which, their body releases stress hormones which remain in their blood and flesh and then are transferred to the humans who eat them unsuspectingly and cause fear, stress in human beings too. The food at Shree Mahesh Heritage is purely vegetarian and simple, thus healthy for both mind and body.


•Satya: Truthfulness: We should always speak the truth no matter how bitter it could be, we should always walk in the path of truthfulness because lies always cause harm. Truth can be harsh, and we should know how to put the truth forward in a way that it is conveyed in a harmless manner. To be truthful also means to put forward all your feelings without hesitation and not to hide your fears and insecurities. Shree Mahesh Heritage meditation school teaches you to walk on the path of truthfulness no matter what.


•Asteya: Non-stealing; Asteya means one should never steal or take away any property that rightfully belongs to some other person. It can be mental or materialistic. Taking away people’s mental peace, joy, happiness and even opportunity is not at all valid. The exploitation of natural resources for our own good is also considered stealing.


•Brahmacharya: Adopting the pure way of life; Brahmacharya is limited to mean “sexual resistance” but in reality it is much more than that. In fact, Brahmacharya means we shouldn’t neglect all our worldly duties but to fulfill them carefully and wisely and always remember that it is the Almighty who is doing this all.


•Aparigraha: Not to pile up possessions; We should never collect or accumulate a number of possessions just in order to be rich and look rich. We should always keep with us only as much as we need to live. One who posses a lot, also posses many worries. It also means the power of letting go, be it a materialistic possession or an emotional one.

2. Niyama: Discipline; It consists of five principles; namely
(i) Shauca: Purity of thoughts and body
(ii) Santosh: Contentment
(iii)Tapa: Self-control and self-discipline
(iv) Svadhyaya: Study of holy books and scriptures
(v) Ishvara Pranidhana: Devotion to the Almighty

3. Asana: It consists of various postures and exercises for a healthy body and mind.

4. Pranayama: Breathing techniques
A raja Yogi who performs Asana and pranayama achieves control over his body and mind which opens up the doors to Nirvana for him.

5. Pratyahara: Pratyahara means withdrawal of all senses. Initially, when pratyahara is practiced, we have to focus on outside sounds and listen to them like that of nature and birds, but gradually we learn to focus on our inner sounds, like heartbeat, breathing sound etc. It is practiced by sitting motionless with our eyes closed


6. Dharana: Dharana means concentration. It is difficult for us to concentrate at one particular point, and we get distracted all the time. Dhyana is achieved by regular practice and

7. Dhyana: Dhyana means “meditation” and meditation cannot be learnt, it is practiced and it comes into our habit when we are most comfortable and habitual of doing it.

8. Samadhi: Samadhi means complete liberation. It refers to oneness with the Devine consciousness. And when we attain Samadhi, we hear heavenly sounds and become like a river that ultimately flows into the see to unite with the devine


The teachers at Shree Mahesh Heritage meditation school teach step-by-step how to practice “RajaYoga” in the simplest form and guide you towards ultimate liberation. They make you understand the meaning and purpose of living so that you live in the most efficient way possible and do not harm anyone along the way.

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Various Mudras and their importance

Chetnaajoshi

Yoga is believed to have magical benefits when practiced daily. But yoga is not just about postures, stretching or performing asana. It also includes various breathing techniques, hand gestures and meditation techniques. Our body is believed to be made up of five elements viz. Air, water, sky, land and fire. If any of these elements is disturbed, then the overall balance of our body is disturbed. In Vedic science, there are different “mudras” that can help us maintain a proper balance physically, mentally and intellectually. At Shree Mahesh Heritage meditation school, yoga is taught in all forms. They teach different mudras that can prove amazingly beneficial for you.


What is a mudra?


Mudra is basically a hand gesture that is practiced at the time of yoga or meditation. Different mudras have different impact on the overall body and intellect. Ancient yoga gurus explain how mudras can change the energy of the body in a positive way. Mudra has the power of producing positive energy and calmness.
Mudras are practiced change perception, mood, and behavior. These are aesthetic and physic gestures of the hand that can impact the whole human body in a subtle manner. Mudras are very useful in reducing anxiety, stress and worry and help in building self-esteem and self-confidence. Mudras guide energy flow to the brain. There are different mudras which can benefit in a different manner according to your need. If you want to learn and practice mudras in order to attain calm in chaos, sign up for 100 hour yoga course at Shree Mahesh Heritage meditation school today.


Benefits of mudra:


Mudras have the power of producing happiness and delight. Practicing mudras daily increases the mental power by fourfold. It not only helps us rejuvenate our body and soul but also makes us more humble and wise. As mudras activate different parts of the brain, we are able to think more clearly and broadly. We are thus able to make decisions properly and develop the ability to face challenges and differentiate between right and wrong. Mudras help in linking the brain to the body and thus balancing overall equilibrium. A healthy mind leads to a healthy body, thus practicing mudras can benefit us by curing various diseases caused due to stress and anxiety. The teachers at Shree Mahesh Heritage meditation school are experienced in teaching mudras in the most effective way.
It is believed that there exist around 399 different mudras from ancient Vedic times. Here are some basic mudras with their benefits.


Prana mudra:

This mudra can be performed whenever we are feeling stressed and down. It boosts our energy levels and makes us feel more positive. This mudra symbolize life and provides an extensive amount of energy. It boosts our immune system and keeps us away from various diseases. It also improves eyesight and vitamin balance in the body. It links different energy points of the human body and makes our mind and body stable. It also builds self-confidence and reduces pain in muscles of the body.

How to perform:

Sit in a comfortable position and gently put your index finger and little finger at the tip of your thumb while keeping the other two fingers straight. Breathe deeply. Practice the same for 20 minutes a day for best results.


Ling mudra:

It is a hand gesture that represents the supreme Shiva. This mudra produces heat and can cause sweating in winters. It concentrates the fire element inside the human body. It helps in curing the common cold, cough and asthma. It enhances the breathing capacity, metabolism and respiratory system. This mudra is effective in reducing weight and increasing oxygen levels in the body. It also enhances the immunity of the human body and increases self-confidence.

How to perform:

Sit in a comfortable position and bring both of your hands in front of your chest. Interlock fingers of both hands and keep your right thumb erect. Put your left thumb and left index finger around the right thumb. Do the same alternatively with the left thumb erect. You can practice this mudra for 20 minutes up to 45 minutes.


Vayu mudra:

Vayu is a Sanskrit word that means “air” and relates to the air element of the body. It treats complications due to excess air or Vata in the human body. If practiced regularly, it can help in treating constipation and other digestive problems. It also helps in treating cervical problems and arthritis. It is associated with a healthy lifestyle and controls the flow of air inside the body.

How to perform:

Fold your index finger and put your index finger below the thumb and press it with the thumb while keeping the other three fingers straight.

Gyan mudra:

As it is understood from its name, Gyan mudra relates to the extension of gyan or knowledge. This practice is equivalent to meditation and has extremely calming and rejuvenating effects. This mudra increases brain capacity and stimulates various glands of the body. This mudra has been performed by yogis and tapasvis for a thousand years now, and it is related to the planet “Jupiter”.


How to perform:

Sit in a comfortable position. Touch the tip of your forefinger to the tip of your thumb while keeping other three fingers straight and relaxed. Do not put a lot of pressure between the two fingers.


Shunya mudra:

Shunya mudra activates the elements fire and sky in the body. It’s a therapeutic mudra for ear or hearing ailments. Shunya means “emptiness” which refers to the sky. This mudra makes one listen to the hidden sounds in nature and helps to cure hair pain.

How to perform:

Sit in a meditative posture such as padmasana. Close your eyes and take deep breaths. Now fold the middle finger and press it with the thumb, and keep all other fingers extended. Perform this mudra for 10-12 minutes at a time.

At Shree Mahesh Heritage meditation school, you get the most appropriate environment to practice and learn mudras that can prove exceptionally beneficial for you. You can also learn mudras from your comfort zone as Shree Mahesh Heritage meditation school is conducting online classes for yoga and meditation, you can enroll for the same at their website.