I Highly Recommend The Practice Of

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issues. I have tried to determine my dosha, but I get confused.
Kim
oga
A:
I highly recommend the practice of mudras for vertigo
prior to the practice of asanas. The best mudra for vertigo is
Earth mudra or Prithvi mudra as it activates the earth element
in the body, which is out of balance in patients with vertigo.
The ether element or Akash Tattva becomes prominent and in
excess. Practice Prithvi mudra when you experience vertigo
and follow it up with Akash mudra to balance both the
elements. Another great mudra is Brahma mudra which
should be practiced everyday in the morning with the Bija
mantra of OM.
Answered by DR. INDU ARORA
Q: I am a 52-year-old woman. I would like your advice on
what asanas I can do daily to keep fit.
Arti B.
A: Yoga is freedom from the bondage of age and the only
rules described in yoga are “Yatha Sakti.” Practice the yogic
kriyas, asanas, pranayama and mudras as per your individual
body capacity. The measure to know your capacity is “as long
as you enjoy doing it” – whatever you practice should be
effortless and lead to ultimate and endless happiness. All of
the above is only possible when you carefully listen to your
body as you are in practice. A moment-to-moment awareness
and self-reflection is the basic requirement in yoga practice.
However, I would like to suggest some asanas which will help
in harmonizing, strengthening and toning the organs and
organ systems, which tend to lose rhythm at your age. All the
poses suggested can be done in modified versions by taking
support of props.
Spine Flexibility: Cat pose (Marjaryasana), Half Forward
Bend (Ardha Paschimottanasana), Half Moon pose (Ardha
Chandrasana), Half Spinal Twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana).
Anti-aging: Reversal pose (Viparita Karni), Locust pose
(Shalabhasana), Corpse pose (Shavasana).
Toning Organ Systems: Wind relieving pose
(Pawanmuktasana), Fish pose (Matsyasana), Cobbler pose
(Mochiasana/Bhadrasana), Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar).
Q. I was recently diagnosed with vertigo. In addition I have
high cholesterol which is being treated successfully with
medication. I am on thyroid medication for hypothyroidism. I
also take an anti-depressant and am about 50lbs overweight. I
have always enjoyed yoga and would like to know what types
of positions I can practice. I am also interested in Ayurveda and
how this type of eating may help with my health and weight
64 Tathaastu
Brahma Mudra (The Symbol of Brahma): Brahma mudra
helps the circulation of oxygen in every part of the body and
is also helpful for better functioning of the heart, kidney,
glands and digestive system.
Starting Position: Sit in a yogic sitting posture such as
Padmasana, Sukhasana, Vajrasana. Sit on a chair or in a
stand-at-ease position, keeping the palms on the knees/thighs.
Keeping the shoulders and the torso steady, move the face to
the right by turning only the neck as you chant
“aaaaaaaaaaaa…” In the process, the chin should come in line
with the right shoulder to the extent possible. Also, turn your
gaze to the right. Maintain this posture for three to five
breaths and then come back to the starting position. Next, in
the same manner, turn the face to the left while chanting
“uuuuuuuuuuuuuu…,” so that the chin moves towards the
left shoulder and the gaze and face turn to the left. Maintain
this posture as before for three to five breaths and then return
to the starting position. Now relaxing the muscles of the
neck, tilt the head back as you chant “eeeeeeeeee…” Maintain
this posture for three to five breaths. Now by means of this
relaxation let it come as far down as possible under gravity
while chanting “mmmmmmm…” Maintain this posture for
three to five breaths. Return to the starting position. All four
movements together constitute one round of Brahma mudra.
As explained in the technique of attaining and releasing the
mudra, turn the gaze in the direction in which the face is
moved.
Apart from this, the regular practice of meditation (five to ten
minutes everyday) will help in calming down stress, anxiety
and imbalance, which may be the root cause of it. The
practice of Squatting pose (Malasana), Wind relieving pose
(Pawanmuktasana) and Corpse pose (Shavasana) are highly
beneficial in relieving symptoms of vertigo.
For Ayurvedic remedies please refer to Ayurveda Helpline in this issue.
Q:
I have a question regarding Anjali mudra, where the hands
are pressed together at the heart in the center of the chest.
What is the meaning, or difference in meaning and impact,
when the mudra is done with hands and palms not touching,
making a kind of temple with the hands (like you were holding
a delicate bird in the hands in comparison to when the mudra is
done with palms touching each other)?
Ann Budreika
A: Anjali mudra is also known as Namaskar mudra where it
is held in front of the forehead and is symbolic of the union
of feminine and masculine energies. It is also known as the
mudra for energy conservation. When you hold your hands
bringing all the fingers together, it balances the five pranas
and five elements (each finger represents one prana and one
element), bringing harmony, healing and health in the body
holistically. When this mudra is done by uttering the words
“namaste” it means acknowledging, accepting and bowing to
God; the presence of cosmic consciousness in others and in
self. Alternately, when this mudra is done by keeping the
fingers apart and not touching them at the tips, it symbolizes
a full bloomed flower which in turn is symbolic of offering
the fruits of your practice at the holy feet of the guru, master
or God/Goddess. It is then called Suman mudra or
Pushpanjali mudra. It also cultivates the qualities of openness,
surrender and gratitude.
Q:
I am a 72-year-old male suffering from diabetes. My levels
are as follows: From fasting: 130 and two hours after
breakfast: 200. Blood pressure levels are normal so far. Please
recommend Ayurvedic remedies and yogasanas.
Joe Gedela
A: I assume that the diabetes you have is type 2 diabetes.
Although the below-mentioned yogic techniques are
beneficial, I would highly recommend their practice under a
knowledgeable yoga therapist or instructor.
Asanas: Dhanurasana (Bow pose in prone position), Ardha
Matsyendrasana (Half Spinal Twist), Thunderbolt pose
(Vajrasana), Wind relieving pose (Pavanmuktasana), Shoulder
Stand (Sarvangasana), Plough pose (Halasana), Fish pose
(Matsyasana), Frog pose (Mandookasana) and Boat pose
(Naukasana) are useful in diabetes. These asanas have a
massaging and stimulating effect on the pancreas and insulin
functioning.
Pranayama: A complete diaphragmatic breathing is a must to
ensure proper supply as well as absorption of oxygen by the
organ systems. Nadi Shodhan pranayama or Alternate Nostril
breathing is useful in diabetes as it has a calming effect on the
nervous system, which reduces stress levels, and helps in
diabetes management through lifestyle and stress
management. Bhramari has calming effect on the mind, brain
and nervous systems. Bhastrika pranayama is revitalizing,
which increases oxygen levels and reduces carbon dioxide
levels in the blood.
Kriya: Kapalbhati kriya and Nauli kriya are very beneficial in
the case of diabetes. Practice them everyday for five to ten
minutes in the morning.
Mudra: Practice Surya mudra and Reverse Namaskar mudra,
three times a day for five minutes in each practice session.
For Ayurvedic remedies please refer to Ayurveda Helpline in this issue.
If you have any yoga-related health queries, please email us at
YogaHelpline@TathaastuMag.com.
Dr. Indu Arora is an international
speaker, Master Yoga Teacher Trainer,
Ayurvedic Counselor, Doctor in Alternate
Medicine and healer with more than
30,000 hours of yoga and meditation
teaching experience (E-RYT 500, grand
parenting). She is the author of “Yoga:
Ancient Heritage Tomorrow’s Vision.” She has received many
awards including “Gem of India” and “Hall of Fame” for her
contribution to yoga at the national and international levels.
She is a board member of the World Movement of Yoga, and
an international advisor to the World Yoga Council. She is a
motivational speaker on health and yoga at “Women on the
Verge of Evolution.” www.yogsadhna.com
Tathaastu
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