Cocktail Yoga –III

Dhanurasana- also known as bow pose. Lie flat on the stomach, facing the ground. Keep the legs and hands apart. Lift the leg and let the hands reach the ankles. Now while you inhale try to hold the ankles in such a way that the body forms the posture of a bow. Exhale slowly while bringing back the body to the normal position. This could be done in sets of 10. This exercise improves the elasticity of the body. The posture gets improved. The fats in the abdominal area get trimmed. It is also good for the stomach.

Kapalbhati- this is one of the most powerful kinds of breathing exercises. It is best to activate and purify the lungs and improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system. The main purpose of kapalbhati is to cleanse the body. It expels all the metabolic waste of the body. It is brilliant exercise to reduce the weight and to get rid of unwanted fat. To do this one has to sit in vajrasana or can also sit in sukhasana. For those have rheumatic problems and find difficult to sit on the floor can do this exercise sitting on the chair. Now relax the abdominal muscles and take deep breath. Now exhale quickly that the stomach gets contracted.

One should keep in mind that exhalation should be forceful and extremely quick. While on the other hand one should inhale in a passive manner in a natural way. This has to be done 3-4 times in sets of 20 breaths. One can take short beaks in between the sets. It is best exercise for the mind as it sharpens the senses. Person suffering from blood pressure should breathe gently.

Shavasana- this has to be done at the end of the yoga session. It is meant to relax the body and to concentrate the mind. For the final relaxation it is done and the body is made to lie down on the mat with hands and legs apart. The whole body has to be left loosened. And try to focus on the breathing. Just relax.

Remember all these exercises has to be done in empty stomach. If felt thirsty, then can take small sips of water. All these exercises strengthen each and every part of the body. It not only builds the body externally but also is helpful in gaining internal strength. The same exercises helps men to bulk up while among the women it works in the opposite way by making them leaner in healthy way. One can also incorporate cardio with these workouts and can do suryanamaskar with them. So enrich the mind and life with the power of yoga.