Written By Dr. Rita Khanna

Regular practice of Vajarasana increases the stability of mind and improves general health. Muslim friends and Zen Buddhists take this asana for prayer or meditation.

Vajarasana is the only asana, which can be done immediately after consuming food to help in digestion.

HOW TO DO IT

Step 1. Sit on the floor with legs stretched forward, place palms on the floor, by the side of the hips, keeping back straight.

Step 2. Lean towards left, bend your right leg,keep the heel under the buttock.

Step 3. Similarly, lean to the right and bring the left leg under the left buttock. Keep the knees close to each other, spine erect.

Step 4. Bring the right big toe over the left big toe, to form a sort of cradle for your buttocks. (Do not sit with the feet placed one over the other).

Step 5. Sit in such a way that the toes are stretched out, heels should be apart and on outer side, the buttocks should be in between the heels.

Step 6. Both knees should touch each other and should point towards opposite sides.

Step 7. The back and spine should be straight. Keep the hands on thighs, palms down with fingers together.

Step 8. Look straight, close the eyes, the face should be cheerful. Sit peacefully for 15 to 20 minutes in this position. Start the practice from 20 to 30 seconds and gradually increase to 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 9. Breathe normally. With every exhalation feel relaxed.

Step 10. While returning to the original position, lean to your right, unfold left leg, lean to the left and unfold the right leg.

Step 11. Then sit with the legs stretched forward and shake the feet vigorously one after the other until the stiffness disappears.

HOW VAJRASANA HELPS DIGESTION?

Blood travels long distance from the bottom of the feet to the heart, approximately five feet from the ground. It means that the body has a lot of work to do. When we sit in Vajrasana, both the muscles of the thighs will share weight. Therefore, circulation of blood in those portions will be reduced.

This reduc¬tion results in greater proportion of blood, reaching stomach, heart and head. Thereby the nervous and infor¬mation system of the head gets stronger. Because of the pressure on the hind parts of the legs, flow of blood in the parts of the body above the navel is diverted in sufficient quantity and comparatively excess blood circulation is available in the digestive system. Therefore, the working capacity of the various glands connected to digestion process increases. This adds digestive power.

Young and old alike should all form a habit of sitting in Vajrasana for about fifteen minutes after every meal like breakfast, mid-day meal and evening or night meals. The problems of indigestion, gas formation or constipation will never arise and you can eliminate the main cause for production of acids.

CAUTION

• Beginners can take packing of a pillow or rolled carpet below the ankle and knee if they find too much stretch in their ankle joint. It takes the pressure off the feet and ankles.

• Another option is to sit on a sofa or a mattress / grass so that the ground under the feet does not hurt.

• If pain is felt in the ankles or knees, knees may be separated slightly.

• People suffering from arthritis of knee or ankles should not practice it.

• Vajrasana can be held for as long as it is comfortable (and depending on the reason for doing the posture).

BENEFITS

1. Vajrasana increases the blood circulation in the pelvis& strengthens the muscles of thighs and calves. It is good for those with flat feet, as it stretches and arches the sole. To get this result, one should practice it consistently for a long time for several months.

2. It is very good for Hyperacidity, Depression, Memory, Eyes, Premenstrual Tension, Menstruation, Constipation, Hernia, Piles, Intestinal Gas, Heart , High B.P& Pregnant ladies (More than four to five months of pregnant ladies should do Vajrasana by widening the knees).

3. It is a versatile posture well suited for meditation. It helps to establish equilibrium throughout the body & mind. It is the best meditation asana for people suffering from sciatica and sacral infections. It facilitates relaxation, concentration and ultimately total peace of mind.

IN CASE OF ANY QUERY, CONTACT:

Dr. Rita Khanna
2nd floor, Plot #22, Suman Housing Colony, West Marredpally Secunderabad-500026
Mobile: 09849772485 Ph:-040-65173344
Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required
WWW: http://yogashaastra.blogspot.com/
The Yoga Studio is open 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Dr. Rita Khanna

Dr. Rita Khanna is a well-known name in the field of Yoga and Naturopathy. She was initiated into his discipline over two decades ago by world famous Swami Adyatmananda of Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh.

She believes firmly that Yoga is a scientific process, which helps us to lead a healthy and disease-free life. She is also actively involved in practicing alternative medicines like Naturopathy. Over the years, she has been successfully practicing these therapies and providing succour to several chronic and terminally ill patients.
At present, Dr. Rita Khanna is teaching Yoga in Secunderabad. She has been treating and curing various diseases and disorders through Yoga, Diet and Naturopathy and has been achieving tremendous satisfaction in disseminating this virtue.

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Many Yoga practitioners go to retreats, ashrams, or intensives, while they are on vacation. Travel expenses, and a dull economy, are keeping many Yogis closer to home this year. No matter what you decide to do, your vacation days should be memorable and filled with fun.

A sudden jump in fuel costs may alter your vacation plans, but it is important to get away from your regular working routine. Let’s look at options you can do during vacation, without costing you “an arm and a leg.”

Challenge yourself by doing something different. Most of us have a comfort zone, and we do not get out of it much. This does not mean you have to take up sky diving tomorrow, but look at your routine to see what you could do that you have never done before.

The challenges we overcome, put our fears in their place; and it is important to realize that fear often holds us back from making progress in life. For example: A person, who has never learned to swim, might consider swimming lessons with a qualified instructor, while on vacation.

The results of this challenge could be life changing. It takes regular practice to become a competent swimmer, but the basic skills can be learned in a short time. The result is a feeling of empowerment, a positive attitude, and accomplishment.

We all know a friend who would like to visit a Yoga class, but never does, due to an inner fear. Even though there are many forms of Yoga, our friend claims that he or she would feel embarrassed. At first, we might think that this is just an excuse, but on further observation, we realize there is a deep rooted fear.

For example: A friend believes that she must lose weight before attending a Hatha Yoga class. You might try to convince her otherwise, but she has seen pictures of difficult poses, performed by slim, young women. Her mind’s eye pictures herself being in a class, surrounded by slim, young women, who are performing difficult poses.

We all know the feeling of embarrassment, and very few of us learn to laugh at ourselves. Someone else’s fear may seem silly, but each of us has our own worries. Fears of criticism and judgment are often the root of inaction.

The results of overcoming a personal challenge are a newfound form of optimism, which stem from self-confidence. These are priceless qualities, which will carry you far throughout the rest of the year. Your vacation should be an adventure, but the good memories, and new life skills, could last a lifetime.

© Copyright 2008 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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