Yoga Techniques That Help In Relaxation

Yoga is an age-old practice and has been followed by people especially in the Asian subcontinent, from time immemorial. Research shows that yoga originates from Hindu philosophy, the word yoga coming from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘union’. To attain this, practitioners of yoga must follow some yoga techniques that will help them lead a better and a healthier life.

There are a large number of yoga techniques that are followed and these have one purpose and that is to enable the efficient functioning of the organs in the human body. Yoga techniques consist of movements and postures that involve the movement of the upper and lower limbs the neck, hands, knee joints and several other joints.

The ‘lotus position’ is one of the basic yoga techniques that are followed. This is done by sitting down on the floor. First sit down and then place your right foot on the left thigh and then the left foot on the right thigh. The bottoms of your feet must face upward and both your knees must touch the floor. While following this yoga technique you must keep your spine upright and straight and must not bend it.

The lotus position also consists of placing your hands in the right position. In this yoga technique you could place your hands in three different positions. You must first make sure your palms are facing side upwards. Place one hand on top of the other and make sure you rest them on your heels. The second positioning of your hands in this yoga technique is to keep the palms down and then rest them on your knees. You could also place your hands on your knees, palms facing upward. Join your thumbs and the index fingers to form a circle. You must stretch the other fingers outward.

The other very well known yoga technique is the nostril breathing technique and it helps in relaxation. The breathing is done alternately - first through one nostril and then the other. The use of the thumb and the little finger is recommended in alternate nostril breathing. The right hand is used in this yoga technique. The right thumb is used to close one nostril and the other fingers are placed at the center of the brow and inhalation takes place through the nostril that is open. In this yoga technique it is very important that you hold the breath for as long as it can be held. Then you have to remove your thumb from the right nostril and cover the left nostril using your little finger.

Yoga practitioners say that people who practice yoga techniques must do the above techniques regularly. Apart from providing great relaxation, these yoga techniques help a lot in giving you the correct breathing exercises for a calm mind and for your well-being.

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Kim Moon teaches Yoga at the community recreation center four times a week.

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