by Tirtha Acharya | Feb 4, 2021 | Yoga
Face Yoga Against Ageing- Yoga for Face
We all are mostly common with the term yoga. Yoga is so much popular now days that vast number of people practice this on daily basis. There are thousands of yoga technique and poses for various kinds of benefits. Yoga for a healthy heart, yoga to battle depression, yoga for weight loss etc., You have a problem then most certainly you have a yoga technique to battle your problem. In this article, we will discuss 6 different face yoga exercises for anti-aging or for shining face.
Recently people are extremely interested on face yoga against aging. Certain yoga poses and techniques can make your ageing slow. Instead of depending on costly products and surgeries, one can naturally do it without anything to cost except internet data package.
There is various face yoga effective for various parts of the face. Each act on a targeted area and have a specific effect. Some of the effective anti-ageing yoga for face are:
1) Double V
Double V face yoga helps you with falling eyelids and wrinkles at the eye edges. It is a simple pose you can do to keep your younger glow longer. In this technique one must make V sign with index and middle finger and put them simultaneously on the both edges of eyebrow. Put the middle finger on nose end of the eyebrow and index finger on another end. The next step to put the gentle pressure by the fingers while trying to look up. Repetition of this technique builds the muscle stronger hence keeping face look younger. Then, you can repeat the process 7 to 10 times.
2) Puffer fish
It is an amazingly simple face yoga to remove the smiley lines from the side of the base of the nose. In this technique one fills up the cheeks with the air giving the puffer fish vibes to the face. Hold the air for few seconds and slowly shift the air to the lip region from the cheek region. Hold the air there and after few seconds release the air. After releasing the air take a long breath and repeat the process again.
3) Giraffe pose
This face yoga is for the jaw and neck section. As the accumulated fat at the jaw and neck region can make you look older than your actual age. For this face yoga tilt your head gently to the back then make the face your lip makes when you pronounce o word. Then gently massage your neck 2 3 times then hold your beauty bones by your fingers by applying little pressure. At this moment you can feel little bit pressure on your neck muscles. Stop after few seconds take a deep breath and start again.
4) Marilyn
This anti-ageing face yoga is to make your lips strong. For a younger-looking face, a healthy lips, and lips area this face yoga is necessary. The yoga is simple all you must do is blow kisses. However, the kisses should be done with putting a little bit of pressure on the muscles. Repeat this process for 5 to 6 times.
5) Surprise me
This face yoga is for eyebrows and eye sections. Old age scars are first seen in the eye areas. After 30 crowfeet and eyebrow wrinkles starts to appear on eyes. So, surprise me is the best technique to tackle them. It is quite simple all you must do is act really surprised widening your eyes to their maximum capacity without wrinkling the eyebrows and stare at a point for 5 seconds. Let go take a deep breath and repeat the process 5 to 6 times.
6) The puppet face
The puppet face anti-ageing technique enhances the muscle of cheeks and upper lips. This face yoga is best for the wrinkles between lips and nose. In this technique one must smile with their teeth showing then gently press the cheeks and apply little bit force in the opposite area. Hold the position for 5 to 10 seconds at which point you will feel tension in your cheek and lip muscles. For best result use this technique 20 to 30 times a day.
by Tirtha Acharya | Jan 9, 2021 | Yoga
Five vrittis – Modification of Mind
Vrittis in the simplest term is defined as the modification of the mind. Various types of thoughts spring up in the mind. In the yogic term, vrittis are called Antahkarana. Throughout the day, the mind revolves around various types of thoughts. In the yogic realm, it is evidently said about the five vrittis that thoughts are modulated due to Avidya. Avidya is also called being ignorant. Ignorance is destroyed by Jnana, Vrittis, and get adsorbed by Brahman or Laya. It is compared and contrasted with the absorption of liquid in the hot equipment be it pan or any other devices.
In 24 hours of the day, you are not only doing your mundane chores perfunctorily. You are also dwelling in the past or imagining the fruitful future. When you are not living in the past nor the future and enjoying the present moment fully then you are connecting with self in the form of yoga. At that, moment yoga happens automatically.
There is a definition of yoga incorporating five vrittis by Patanjali in the Sanskrit language, which goes “Chitta vrtti nirodaha”, which translates to “Yoga is the capacity to pacify/restrain/provide direction to the undulating thoughts of the conscious and subconscious mind”. At the “Chitta vetti nirodha” state the practitioner of yoga remains the true nature of themselves. However, it is prudent to know that how could one pacify the mind, body, and soul to ace the peaceful state of the mind?
Recent Evident of vrittis
Most evidently, many practitioners claim the practice is the only way to achieve such a state. You need to be disciplined and persistent and work tenaciously to achieve such a state. However, achieving such a state comes with many works. The ancient scriptures of Yoga describe Vrittis has five fluctuations or functions of the mind (or five vrittis) to assist us in the mechanism of working of the mind. They are:
Valid Cognition (Pramana)
Misconception (Viparyaya)
Imagination (Vikalpa)
Sleep (Nidra)
Memory (Smriti)
1. Pramana (Right knowledge/Valid Cognition)
Pramana is the Sanskrit term for the right knowledge and valid cognition. However, how is it possible to quantify the right knowledge and valid cognition? As per the Patanjali Sutra 7.1; the right knowledge is obtained from three major sources, which are:
Direct Experience: In direct experience, we use five senses. This can be gained either from going to formal education or learning from the environment.
Inference (Anumana): The process of deriving the reasons through valid logic to understand the things of ourselves. For example: If you see the water coming out of the drain, then you infer that water is overflowing from the drain.
Testimony from trustworthy sources: Many people are seasoned experts from which you can derive knowledge and understanding.
2. Viparyaya (Wrong knowledge/Misconception)
Sometimes there are instances where we base our knowledge on the misconception. The circular reasoning is based on the incomplete perceptions of the knowledge. For example, We may put the causation of the bad happening to bad luck, however, that might not be the actual causation, the actual causation will be our incompetence.
3. Vikalpa (Imagination)
Imagination is one of the five vrittis, which is referred to as Vikalpa in the Sanskrit language. Imagination is evoked by various factors like words, concepts, and previous experiences. For instance: The feeling of hatred is evoked by past experiences with people. Likewise, each feeling that is evoked will be based on samskaras also known as impressions.
4. Nidra (Sleep)
Nidra also is known as sleep, is one of the among five vrittis, which is achieved when we overcome the heaviness and we do not perform any sorts of activities at the present moment. In yogic science, Nidra is referred to the activities, which causes heaviness or dullness due to lack of inertia or movement. In contrast to the Nidra or sleep, consciousness is much relaxed and light; furthermore, when we are conscious we are in the active state too.
5. Smriti (Memory)- The 5th vrittis
5th part of Vrittis is known as Memory or smriti. The Sanskrit term of memory is Smriti. The actions we perform in daily life are stored in the memory bank. It is the impression of the individual and is stored. When we rise from the slumber state, we do not know whether the memory is true, false, incomplete, or imaginary. Nevertheless, memories influence the activities we are performing.
If we hold the grudges and do not let go of the experience, we will hold such things deeply in the memory, and that ultimately manifests in our life in different forms.
by Tirtha Acharya | Jan 7, 2021 | Yoga
Ardha Matsyendrasana
Ardha Matsyendrasa is also called Half Lord of the Pisces pose. The asana was coined after the yogi named Matsyendranath. In Sanskrit, the meaning of Ardha Matsyendrasana is Ardha refers to half of anything; likewise, ‘Matsya’ refers to Pisces or Fishes. Another name of this asana is Vakrasana, which means twisted asana in English (Half Spinal Twist Pose). There are various variations of this position. The Ardha Matsyendrasana is among the basic asanas used in the Hatha Yoga asana.
How to perform?
- First, sit comfortably in an erect position, by stretching your legs. You must make sure that the feet in put together. Likewise, the spine also should be utterly erect without bending a little bit.
- Secondly, you have to twist your left leg in such a way that the resole of the left foot must lie next to the right hip. You must also keep the left leg hard-pressed by stretching as much as you like to do.
- After that put your right leg after the left knee by simply putting over to the knee.
- Thirdly, bend the neck, waist, and shoulders circularly, start looking at the right part of the body mainly to the right shoulder. You have to make sure that your spine is made erect throughout the yoga.
- There are numerous ways to stretch your arms. To accomplish it you need to put the right hand behind you and while doing that you have to make sure to put the left hand on the right knee.
- For a couple of seconds, you need to hold the pose. It is usually recommended to hold the pose for not less than 30 and not more than 60 seconds. Continue to breathe deeply.
- While doing such a thing, you have to stretch and exhale rhythmically. Slowly, you have to release your right hand followed by your waist, chest, and finally the neck. Continue to relax breathe calmly and sit in a straight position.
- Perform the activities repeatedly, continue to exhale, and perform the position every day to reap the benefits.
Benefits of Half Spinal Twist Pose
- There are umpteen of benefits of Ardha Matsyendrasana. Some of the tremendous benefits of the Ardha Matsyendrasana are:
- The asanas assist to make your spine elastic. The spinal cord functions are improved if the asanas are practiced regularly.
- Ardha Matsyendrasana assists you to elongate the muscles to one side making the body lopsided; likewise, you will also compress the muscles on the other side.
- The excessive stiffness of the muscles and back pain subsides.
- The patients suffering from the slipped disc is alleviated.
- The pancreas and other organs can be stimulated by performing the Ardha Matsyendrasana. Ultimately, patients suffering from diabetes gets relieved.
- Some hormones like adrenalin and bile are synchronized by Ardha Matsyendrasana.
- The digestive juices of the digestive system of the abdominal organs when get a twist massage performs at an optimal level.
- Stress hormone secretion is reduced and the unnecessary tension trapped in the back portion is alleviated.
- The oxygen level in the lungs as well as the oxygen concentration in the blood increases.
- The detoxification of the internal organs is possible due to the continuous practice of the yoga asana.
- The infection in the urinary system also gets cured.
- The menstrual disorders that plague female gets cured.
- The flow of oxygen is possible and most of the body gets oxygenated like the pelvic area, thus improves the health of the reproductive system and the urinary system of the practitioners.
- The secretion of adrenalin and bile is pumped up.
by Tirtha Acharya | Dec 28, 2020 | Yoga
The root cause of suffering – Pancha Klesha
Briefly, Pancha klesha includes Avidya(ignorance), Asmita(egoism), Raga(craving), Dvesha(aversion), Abhinivesha(clinging to life). In this article, we will write in-depth about all these 5 kleshas.
Pancha Kleshas are the fundamental cause of the pain and suffering of the human. Pancha Kleshas has been illustrated in one of the ancient Hindu scriptures like Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. The yoga sutras have clearly illustrated the afflictions brought up by the Kleshas to the human. In ancient days, stress was regarded as Pancha Klesha. Stress has various negative effects on our bodies as well as minds. The inner state of the being is enervated by the stress. The disturbance in the inner equilibrium causes various physical and mental disbalance. The disbalance in the inner equilibrium makes us prone to umpteen of diseases and infections.
The ancient Yogi Patanjali has categorized Pancha Kleshas or afflictions as Avidya, also called ignorance, Asmita also called egoism, Raga also called attachment, Dvesa also called aversion or hatred, and last but not the least Abinivesha called clinging to life and fear of death. Pancha kleshas have a direct effect on our behavior and ultimately to our health. These Kleshas affect us in either way: in the form of subtle distress or the form of overwhelming pain. Pancha Kleshas has negative effects on our presence of mind and prevents us from fully enjoying life and most of the time drags us down.
1. Avidya- Primary cause of suffering in Pancha klesha
The English meaning of Avidya is lack of knowledge. A person who has Avidya does not comprehend the meaning of life. They hold the grudges and misconception, in which they are void of spiritual knowledge and is fully immersed in the ignorance. The primary cause of all pain kicks off with Avidya. The suffering enlarges with ignorance and branches all out.
2. Asmita Kleshas – Egoism
The meaning of the word Smita is to denote the smiling, which is clearly illustrated in the ancient text of Mahabharata and Ramayana. To elaborate the meaning of the word is to expand or to blossom. Smita is also a popular female given name. The word Asmita has the opposite meaning of Smita.
Among Pancha Klesha Asmita Klesha or egoism is the precarious one because it deals with me, me, and we or ownself. We most often forget we are beyond me, me, and us. We take many things too personally and indulge in such a way that it arises the egoist nature of the self.
3. Raga Kleshas– Attachments
Among Pancha Klesha, the third Klesha is Raga Kleshas. The meaning of Raga Klesha is attachment. It is characterized by having an ego and excessive desires. The ego arises the attachments and ultimately the suffering. For instance: the desire to be perfect in all aspects in also an example of attachments. Likewise, attachments with your partner, wealth, and physical entities is also an example of Raga Kleshas.
4. Dvesa Kleshas – Aversions
Desa Kleshas is also called strong hatred towards things. When a person is suffering from Dvesa Kleshas, we are constantly in the thoughts of hatred. Many believe that this arises due to unfulfilled desires. Due to many wants, the hard-wired hatred towards many things springs up.
5. Abhinidvesa Kleshas – Fear
Abhinidvesa Klesha is also fear. There are many reasons to spring up fear in the mind of the human. Many yogis believe that when the Pancha Klesha accumulate in the human mind, then it is the ramification of those Pancha Klesha to spring up the fear. We constantly feel fazed when we try to think of attachments and aversions in the mind. Moreover, fear arises when we cannot put the circumstances under our control. see here how to manage your fear.
Yogis have owned the war against the Pancha Kleshas through yoga and meditation. Yoga meditation aid them to be aware of the circumstances and plan the work accordingly. If we are awakened there will be very little room to give the chances for Pancha Kleshas to uprise in our life.
by Tirtha Acharya | Dec 23, 2020 | Yoga
How To Manage Yoga Class | Management of yoga class
For effective teaching-learning, the most important question for yoga teachers is how to manage the yoga class and how to manage a good yoga environment suitable for yoga class. Wrong yoga techniques in the wrong place can do more harm than good. Yoga is something more than exercise. It can transform our body and it has the potential to shape it and build flexibility. Therefore, yoga poses should be done in the right manner and in a right place.
One of the biggest challenge in learning yoga is maintaining discipline and management of environment. Etiquette is more important than skills in yoga. Making yoga a professional is a hard job to perform. It is important in one’s teaching that it will help garner to achieve more respect and will elevate yoga respectability. Hugging yoga as a profession requires a lot of mental stability and physical awareness. Therefore, before jumping into this profession one should know how to handle students and situations.
How to manage yoga class for big group?
Yoga classes a usually big and it is very hard to manage it properly and give attention to each one student. To keep the class going interact with each students, ask those questions and clarify if they cannot answer it. Have each student engaged in your class. Assignment, collaboration and teamwork is an additional way to manage a big class.
Try to keep class interesting and entertaining through extracurricular activities. Practicing reflective teaching is another way to manage classroom. The big the yoga class, there will be high chances of conflict and student issues. This is usual but a teacher should know how to manage it. Encourage each student and do not discriminate him or her. Try to understand their problem and try to focus on peace making from the right beginning. Have a plan for them and try to resolve the problem. You can do it.
How to arrange the yoga mat and yoga props?
As a yoga teacher, you should feel comfortable on telling your students where to keep yoga mat and other articles. Even a small thing can make a difference. Most of the people put it in rather unorganized and chaotic way so either you should do that for them before the class gets started or you should instruct them to do so. This all can create a restless energy as a result. Placing the yoga mats in a right angle for perfect observation can help to create a good yoga-teaching environment.
How to arrange the room environment and air flow?
Room Environment plays an important role while we talk about how to manage yoga class. Yoga can be practiced anywhere and everywhere but certain places are highly preferred for it. The light should easily pass through the room. Yoga studio should be hygienic visually appealing and fresh air should pass through that room. Choose a well ventilated room for yoga classes and decorate it beautifully.
How to make a good lesson plan?
One of the most important part of yoga classes is to plan a good lesson. Organize your plan by making a routine. You can even make spontaneous classes fun. Make a plan and develop the lessons toward a peak point. Adding elements of complexities regardless of the style of yoga you offer can be fun. Teaching yoga is not an easy job to do and not everyone’s cup of tea. It requires a level of commitment and right techniques. Know what your students need and make a plan according to that.
How to manage yoga class conflict and students issues?
The way you respond the question raised by your students can also make a huge difference in your teaching style. Sometimes be funny; sometime answer it in a different way and sometime in an inspiring way. Your each student should feel a connection with you so do not be too strict.
How to response the question arise by students?
There are so many factors that can oppose you from being a ideal teacher. As in a yoga class, it is sure that your students will get injury or they are prone to it. Have first aid kit, necessary medicines and a rest room.
How to handle the injury cases?
Among many points of how to manage yoga class, handling an injury play an important role. There are tons of responsibilities and roles as a yoga teacher. Demonstrating everything is not possible every time. So if you want to be a good yoga teacher then learn to accept your responsibility and work for it. Have good communication skills and clarify all things to your students. Do not get frustrated and do not let your bad mood affect your students. Be patient and get prepared for the class. Know the potential of each student and work as it. Make them feel comfortable so that your students can speak honestly with you and you can create a kind relationship with them.
by Tirtha Acharya | Dec 18, 2020 | Yoga
General Professionalism in Yoga
Where yoga is all about control of one’s physical and mental activities but somewhere we can pour it as a way to perfect discipline. Hugging yoga as a profession is fun and challenging at the same time. A yogi or yogini should be mentally and physically prepared to face the challenge while doing that they should maintain professionalism in yoga too.
A good yoga teacher should show authenticity in their personality, they should have a kind of consistency in their energy and should possess an inspiring attitude. To have your career longevity in this field it is important to have cleanliness in your work.
How to maintain professionalism in yoga?
A yoga teacher should maintain personal relationships with the students but sharing unnecessary personal information with students can also change the classroom dynamics. A yoga teacher should maintain his/ her professionalism in yoga without getting too personal or without being strict. This does not mean you should not add anecdotes about your personal life but the stories that you are yelling should be clear and have perspective in it. You should not cross a boundary line as a teacher. Try to interact with all people, ask them questions, and answer their confusion.
How you could be different from other yogis?
Every job is full of competition and you should know how to flaunt your skills among so many other people. Your attitude, personality, and behavior should be acceptable and unique at the same time. Do not try to copy others. Just be yourself and reflect your thoughts and ideas in a rather interactive way. Being different will make you more interesting and fascinating. So do not try to be anyone’s copy just for impression. Being different will of course make you think differently from others.
Have creative ideas and tricks to help your students. Accept different choices and do not hesitate even to learn from your students. Answer the right questions and avoid the unnecessary one. Be open and aware of the ideas. Try your best to give everything you know to your students. Make sure you are giving the right things to your students. Know the abilities of each student and help them to grow according to that. Do not force and compare anyone with anybody. Be a great person in and out.
Creative thinking for professional yoga teacher
To balance your work with time is a difficult job. You need to have a time check and you should know exactly where you are spending your time. Plan your day and yoga classes so that everything starts and ends at the perfect time. List down all the yoga poses that you are going to teach your students. Complete them at the right time.
Start the most important yoga at first and follow it with other poses. Your students learn from your behavior. Never be a delay to class. Be punctual so that your students will also be punctual to class. It will not matter how good the personality you carry unless you are punctual with time. It shows true professionalism. Differentiate your world from your professional world. This will help you to manage your time a lot.
Need to know the Importance of cleanliness
Cleanliness is another important factor in yoga. As a yoga teacher, you should maintain your hygiene. Do not hesitate in instructing your students to maintain cleanliness and become a hygienic person. Every prop used in yoga-like yoga mats, blocks, straps, and bolsters should be clean. Good hygiene is important for social and health reasons.
Make sure you are not degrading your health along with others. Keeping your hands, body, and clothes clean is very important. Wear light and clean clothes. Do not decorate yourself with Jewellery and heavy accessories. Be simple and reflect your good side. Try to maintain cleanliness in a yoga pose and personal hygiene. It will help you to prevent all possible diseases. Poor hygiene can degrade your personality and no one will consider you a good person.
This face yoga is for the jaw and neck section. As the accumulated fat at the jaw and neck region can make you look older than your actual age. For this face yoga tilt your head gently to the back then make the face your lip makes when you pronounce o word. Then gently massage your neck 2 3 times then hold your beauty bones by your fingers by applying little pressure. At this moment you can feel little bit pressure on your neck muscles. Stop after few seconds take a deep breath and start again.
This anti-ageing face yoga is to make your lips strong. For a younger-looking face, a healthy lips, and lips area this face yoga is necessary. The yoga is simple all you must do is blow kisses. However, the kisses should be done with putting a little bit of pressure on the muscles. Repeat this process for 5 to 6 times.
The puppet face anti-ageing technique enhances the muscle of cheeks and upper lips. This face yoga is best for the wrinkles between lips and nose. In this technique one must smile with their teeth showing then gently press the cheeks and apply little bit force in the opposite area. Hold the position for 5 to 10 seconds at which point you will feel tension in your cheek and lip muscles. For best result use this technique 20 to 30 times a day.