Meditation is a key in the yoga practice

                                     

Meditation is a key in the yoga practice.

Meditation has been successfully used to reduce blood pressure, remove stress and improve coordination, concentration, flexibility, sleep and digestion. Yoga is often used as a supplementary therapy to prevent cancer, asthma, diabetes and other diseases. A spiritual yoga comprises traditional elements inherited from Hinduism such as ethical and moral principles, postures “asanas” to keep the body in shape, spiritual philosophy, reading mantras, controlling breath and stilling the mind with the help of meditation.

Bandhas : The bandhas are the internal energy locks.

The bandhas are the internal energy locks. When we engage our bandhas we lock certain areas of our body in a specific way to prevent our energy from “leaking” (flowing outward or dissipating). This is a redirection of energy which activates healing energy centers within our body and mind. Bandhas help hold our core energy, which gives us strength and helps prevent injury.

Mula Bandha : This is the root lock. It is located at the base of your spinal column in the perineal muscle. This is a deep muscle in the region between your anus and genitals. If you are familiar with the Keigal exercise recommended for women in preparation for childbirth, then you are familiar with contracting the perineal muscle. Another way to think about it is by imagining you have to stop the flow of urine mid-stream while going to the toilet. The contracting of the perineal muscle is subtle, you do not need to contract your buttocks, but rather focus on contracting only the perineal muscle.

Uddiyana Bandha : This lock is located in the area two inches below your navel to your diaphragm and it means flying upward. To engage Uddiyana Bandha, exhale fully and pull your belly inward and upward while lifting your diaphragm. During practice this intensity will not be maintainable, because to inhale fully, Uddiyana Bandha cannot be completely engaged. Imagine keeping the area between your navel and two inches below your navel still while drawing your navel upward towards your spine. This is a more subtle contraction than fully engaging Uddiyana Bandha.
Perform fully engaging Uddiyana Bandha to get in touch with the muscles involved and working your diaphragm. Then, while you are practicing asanas, work at developing the more subtle engagement.


Jalandhara Bandha : This is the throat lock. To engage Jalandhara Bandha, lengthen the back of your neck as if the crown of your head were being pulled by a string and bring your chin back and down towards the space between where your two clavicle bones meet (this is the area just below your Adam’s apple). This lock is not engaged throughout the practice but is used on specific asanas as indicated.

Mahabandha : When you have Mula Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha and Jalandhara Bandha engaged it is referred to as Mahabandha, the great lock.

Yoga and Children

                                

                                     

Yoga and Children
Yoga exercises are not recommended for children under 16 because their bodies’ nervous and glandular systems are still growing, and the effect of Yoga exercises on these systems may interfere with natural growth. Two of my great teachers, Rama and Lakshmanjoo, advised me of the dangers that Yoga asans may pose for young children. Children may safely practice meditation and simple breathing exercises as long as the breath is never held. These techniques can greatly help children learn to relax, concentrate, and reduce impulsiveness. Children trained in these techniques are better able to manage emotional upsets and cope with stressful events.

There is no doubt that Yoga postures (asans) and breathing techniques affect the physical body. People these days commonly accept the fact that such therapies as acupressure, neuromuscular massage, and reflexology can have systemic effects due to pressure applied to certain areas of the body. The physical basis for the effects of Yoga asans may be related. The asans and breathing techniques provide a deep massage and strong compression of the parts of the body where endocrine glands are located. Many Yoga stretches seem to target the nerves in the legs, arms, neck, and spine.

In sum, our position is that growth is in large measure controlled by the glandular system. It is a vastly complicated process, and the powerful physical and mental effects of Yoga asans may interfere with natural growth.