Relaxation exercises

The modern complexities of life, with its stress and strain, have made living a constant source of conflict and tension. In a big city with its usual busy life accompanied by hurry and worry and constant struggle for existence, the common man, many a time, feels tired and exhausted. Tension seems to cripple him and he finds himself unable to cope with his day-to-day work. It is common sense that body and mind, which are in constant activity, need some sort of relaxation, as a stop gap process. But unfortunately this art of relaxation is not known to many. People are agitated, temperamental sentimental and emotional. People who are greater responsibilities and ambitions lead a life which is even more active. It is this type of condition that causes more harm and leaves an evident impact on both the body and the mind.

Rest is the principle of relaxation

Tension is disease: Relaxation is its cure

“We call the relaxation practices as psychosomatic practices. These practices will bring about a state of neuro-muscular relaxation with an increase in the energy content of the body, in the shortest possible time, They relieve us of psychosomatic disturbances and give us a feeling of freshness the nerve centres, collects the scattered forces, and reinvigorates the whole body.”
                                             ­                                                        ­-Sri Yogendraji

Shanti Asana (yogic relaxation exercise)
 
Method

Lie down flat on your back with arms slightly away from your body (maybe 10 to 12 inches or more).The legs should be straight and relaxed. The heels should be kept apart; the feet turned slightly outwards, the ankles loose. The palms should be open and should face upwards. Relax all parts. Focus your attention to different parts of the body one after the other and feel if these are relaxed. Relax the legs, feet arms, hands, palms; check the shoulders are flat; head and neck carefully adjusted to a comfortable position. Lie still and concentrate on the sense of ease and comfort in those limbs, as they rest idly on the floor. Create a ‘let go’ sensation.

  Once the body becomes comfortable, breathe deeply and evenly for sometime and keep concentrating on the looseness and sense and sense of response in the limbs. Associate the feeling of sinking further and further into the ground with each exhalation and let go all resistance against the pull of gravity. Now remain still and quiet. Let the breathing be normal, slow and without any interference. Feel the tension and fatigue going out of the body with each exhalation. Continue for 10 minutes till the body becomes heavy or light. Keep the normal breathing rhythm.

Remember…

• Relaxation is always after exercise or when a little fatigue has set in.
• Choose a quiet spot where you will be free from interruptions.
• Mental strain is reduced when you are able to relax all the muscles of the body
• Remember, how well one rests is important than how long one sleeps

Food & Yoga

Mind is the product of what one eats

Types of food
(According to yoga)
_________|________
|                    |                  |

  Sattvik        Rajasik      Tamasik

Sattvik
Pure agreeable, nourishing and easily digestible foods are the sattvik foods. It promotes purity of mind and inner strength and is conducive to higher thinking and pure intelligence. It keeps the body in harmony and mind calm and gives you a cool temperament.

Rajasik
Heavy protein and fats which are difficult to digest and assimilate. The body has to waste energy. It excites emotions, causes disease, grief and pain. It also binds the person through attachment to actions and their fruits.

Tamasik
Stale and devitalizing foods, processed and canned foods are come under the tamasik foods. Consumption of such food leads to inertia and dullness and poisons the system. This type of food is harmful for the body as well as the mind.
 According to yogis,” The sattvik diet aids in the formation of the mind and, ie., the essence of the food is for the mind and the rest of it for the body.”