Yoga Cure for some common ailments

Have you got regular neck pains?

Neck pain is common disease found in a number of people of all age groups. This is generally caused by the restless work of the neck muscles and tendons. The menacing pain will not often confine to the neck region. It spreads along the shoulders and become unbearable. The patient finds it extremely difficult to move the neck.

There may be specific reasons also for neck pain. Unless caused by some accidents or the pain in elders due to vertebral dislocation, which needs direct medical attention, the common pains caused by job related matters, improper sitting and watching T.V, computer, long driving, computer related works etc. can be cured by some simple asanas. Mostly such pain is a characteristic of office workers.

  

I) Stand up erect with legs close together. The head should be held straight. Let the hands rest on either side of the body. Lift up the right hand and place the palm on the right temple covering up the ears. Now press the palm towards the head-side with sufficient force. Give equal force on the head to resist so that the head does not move to left. Breathe normally. Hold for 2 minutes and start with the other hand. Hold for 2 minutes as before.

II) Join the fingers of both hands, lift them up and place the palms on the back of the head and push forwards as before. Resist with the head so that it does not move forward. Breathe normal and hold for 2 minutes

III) Place the jointed palms on the forehead and thrust backwards. This time also resist with the head so that it does not move backwards. Breathe normal remain for 2 minutes.

                                                       

Benefits: - The tense muscles and tendons of the entire neck region become relaxed and flexible. The pain of the region slowly reduces. The nerves of the neck also become strong and there will be no pain while turning the neck to any sides we wish. This simple asana can be done thrice a week.

Note:- Some people rotate their head, move it either sides , move forward and backward to get relief from the pain. Do not do it. It will increase the pain.

Now some more asanas for the neck and shoulder pain

Thadasana (Palm Tree Pose)

This asana is also called Thalasana.

How to do

Stand straight on the mattress. The body and head should be erect and in line. Keep the hands close to the body with the palms touching it. (It is nothing but standing in attention as they do in the military)

Now take a deep breath and lift up the heels and hands at the same time. The hands should be straight above, touching the head on either side. The lifting of heels and hands should take place simultaneous. The heels should be up maximum possible. Stand for 2-3 seconds, release breath and come slow to the former position. Do it 4-5 times.

Benefits:-

This asana relaxes the entire nervous system of the body. In addition, the muscles of the neck, shoulders and back are tuned up. It makes the back bone more flexible. Doing this asana a week, the neck and shoulder pain completely vanish.

Bhujangasana (The Cobra Posture)

Bhujangam in Sanskrit means serpent. This asana imitates a Cobra with raised front.

Bujangasana Initial

How to do?

Lie down straight on your front with both legs stretched back. The feet and toes should be close together and pressed on the mat as shown in the picture. The body position should be straight without any bend to one side. The face and forehead should touch the mattress (not as in the picture). Press the palms on either side near the shoulder just below them, as in picture, so that the knees will be pointed back. Keep both knees in parallel position without diverging to either side. This is the initial stage.

Take a deep breath and raise the upper portion of the body, the head bending backwards. As you bend give some pressure on the palms and bend maximum. Now the portion of body up to the navel is lifted up from the mattress.  Remain in position for two three seconds, release breath as you lower the head and front slowly to the initial position. Beginners should try to do it 5-8 times. When experienced enough, do 3-5 times.

Bhujangasana Final

Benefits:- This asana has been given very much importance in Yogasasthra. It gives immense strength and flexibility to the backbone and shoulder muscles. In addition the cervical (neck) muscles are also strengthened. Ladies doing it regularly will not have much pain during menstruation period. It increases appetite. The internal organs like heart, kidneys, Liver etc. are strengthened to their optimum level of performance. With 2 weeks practice neck and shoulder pain completely disappear. Above all regular practice of it reduces pot belly.

Note:- People who are having Hernia, Peptic Ulcer, Thyroid and diagnosed heart complaints should better avoid this asana.

Sasasana (Hare Posture)

Hare Posture (Initial)

This asana is an imitation of certain peculiar postures of a hare, and hence the name.('Sasam' in Sanskrit means Hare). Some people call it Shashankasana.

                                              Hare Posture (Final)

How to do:-

Sit in Vajrasana (Thunderbolt). (Please see http://yogiuncle.blogspot.in). The body should be straight. Extend both hands and place the palms covering the knees on either side. Sit and breathe normally. Now take the hands out and join the palms together as if in prayer and lift them over the head. (See Picture)

Take a deep breath. Next step, releasing breath bend the whole body and hands forward till the forehead touches the mat. Care must be taken that the hips do not lift up from the mat as you bend. (There will be a natural tendency for the hips to lift up.) Extend the hands straight forward and spread the palms on the mat, as in the picture. Remain for 2-3 seconds.

Inhale and lift the body and the hands up and come to the former position. Down the hands and place the palms on knees as before. Now one Sasasana is complete. Breath normal two three times and repeat. Do this 5 times in the beginning. After that do 6-8 times.

The beginners might find it a bit difficult to bend the body and touch the forehead on the mat. Do not try to touch the forehead forcefully. Let it go so far it reaches without feeling any difficulty. After a few days practice the body will get enough flexibility and you can do the asana very well.

Benefits:-

This asana is reputed as one which regulates the secretion of the Adrenal Glands. A person  whose the Adrenal secretion is irregular will  always be fretful, stressed and emotional. This Asana therefore makes you calm, pleasant and less irritable.

The Back bone, back muscles and hip become more flexible. People who practise this asana regularly can walk long distance with perfect ease. Neck and shoulder pains vanish after a few days practice.  

Pain while bending knees

A lot of people are observed who have great pain while bending the knees. They will find it very difficult to walk even a short distance. At times the knees are seen swollen due to the accumulation of fluid.

Doing this simple asana will give them great relief.

How to do?

Sit straight with both legs stretched. Now bend the right leg and raise it with the help of both hands by interlocking fingers and holding beside the knees from below. Now stretch and fold the foreleg alternatively. Do it 10 times. Repeat with the other leg.

Benefits:-

This will help those who cannot fold their legs due to old age or as an after effect of some accidents. In the old age some people will have accumulation of fluid in the joints especially knees. Such patients will be greatly benefited by this simple asana.