Know Your Inverted Poses

Headstand (salamba shirshasana) is among the yoga poses which are considered inversion poses. Inversion poses involve any asanas that lift the ft over the mind. Other inversion poses which are well-known include shoulderstand (salamba sarvangasana) and half shoulderstand (viparita karani). But even laying on the ground together with your legs on the chair is definitely an inversion pose.

The idea behind inversion poses is expressed in yoga texts as viparita karani. Viparita karani is converted as meaning opposite process. This only denotes assisting another perspective. In the purely physical perspective, this different perspective in inversion poses is literal - when it comes to searching in the world from the different physical point of view - in addition to including your body being supported in different ways.

But as yoga is more than merely exercise routines, you will find other processes which are aided. Lots of yoga is made to allow us to change mental habits in addition to physical habits. Through growing our ability to adjust to change, rather than being stuck in old habitual reactions, we increase our convenience of growth and transformation. This is applicable in most regions of our way of life.

There's a theoretical concept in yoga about why inversion positions help. Ayurveda views that most of the bodys harmful particles have been in the low abdomen. Whenever we raise our ft over the mind, gravity is aiding us to maneuver these harmful particles towards exactly what the Ayurvedic system calls agni, or fire. Agni particularly pertains to our digestive fire, and it is thus situated above our lower abdomen.

So, when you are upside lower, and using the deep and slow breathing usual for yoga, we help melt away the harmful particles which were formerly stuck.

Enhanced circulation is really a more readily apparent and fewer esoteric advantage of inversion yoga poses.

Although inversion positions have numerous health advantages, ale a person to get individuals benefits is dependent just as much on the chance to easily hold these sometimes difficult positions. For instance, headstand and shoulderstand should not be achieved if individuals are pregnant, have neck discomfort, high or low bloodstream pressure, neck injuries, or are menstruating. Nor of those positions ought to be attempted with no appropriate basic positions. Otherwise the danger can there be that the injuries, or stiffness, particularly towards the neck area, will result.

Likewise, if performing these positions is extremely uncomfortable and difficult, more benefit is going to be based on doing either the modified versions, or just focusing on other yoga poses that strengthen these areas.

You will find several important requirements to get probably the most benefit fro inversions. The first, a powerful neck, Ive pointed out. Others really are a strong back and stomach muscles, and also the chance to breathe well although within the posture. The second will improve with more experience, each of yoga itself and also the inversions. It's also somewhat tied into getting a powerful back. Our back and ab muscles will give you the support to keep the legs straight, which inturn reveals the thoracic cavity, and increases our capability to breathe well although upside lower

Strategies for Doing the Inverted Positions

For Half Shoulderstand:

Lengthen the exhale

Dont lock the face

Keep the weight this is not on the mind but about the arms and elbows

Dont attempt to pull your torso (and legs) in to the vertical as with full shoulderstand for those who have problems with your neck. In so doing, youre placing more pressure in your neck.

Make certain you need to do the right balancing positions later on. Included in this are shalabhasana and bhujangasana

For Shoulderstand:

Do not worry a lot about keeping your elbows and arms parallel. This can create more tension inside your neck if you are not experienced in this posture.

Perform the appropriate balancing positions. Fundamental essentials same for half shoulderstand.

For Headstand:

Dont ever make changes although in headstand. If you think your alignment is less than right, come lower and try it again.

Never do that posture first of all, or with no prerequisite positions. It'll result in stiffness within the neck at best, and injuries at worst. And the side effects can develop with time. This posture isn't done typically without preparation, and there's reason behind this.

Make use of a wall for support like a learning stage

Support your mind wonderful your fingers, such as the little fingers and thumbs

Choosing the best position for the mind will make certain weight is distributed evenly, and be sure you do not have to excessively press lower together with your elbows to pay

Think about the support for the entire body to be distributed evenly across both elbows and also the mind

Dont hold unwanted weight an excessive amount of on the rear of the body. It'll place an excessive amount of pressure in your neck.

Dont use props that permit the neck to become free. It'll result in the neck muscles contracting

Make use of the balancing positions. Shoulderstand may be the traditional, but Mohan suggests half shoulderstand rather

Relaxation your neck before doing the balancing positions, however. Lie lower together with your legs bent.

Other balancing positions include chakravakasana, dvipada pitham using the arms, and shalabhasana

There might be fears or a feeling of limitation about doing inversion poses that'll be faced. Sometimes, its better to start an asana progressively. Shoulder stand has a couple of versions which you can use to develop strength and versatility, in addition to overcome any fear based feelings concerning the posture as well as your ability to get it done.

Conquering the worry, and lastly having the ability to perform a difficult pose that you simply thought you couldnt, can make positive mental effects. Whenever we convince ourselves our fears dont bind us, that people can move beyond our restrictions, we're more capable of making alterations in the areas in our lives where before we thought it simply wasnt possible.

Philosophy of Kundalini Yoga,and Raja Yoga

The concept of Kundalini Yoga started its roots, throughout the very first century, in Kashmir. It is dependant on a philosophical system known as Kashmir Shaivism. The philosophy is deeply rooted in tantric Yoga techniques from Kashmir and falls broadly underneath the spectrum of Hinduism. The tantric initiation was typically passed down, secretly, from Guru to student, only following a lengthy duration of committed service and preparation for a student. After a little years using the teacher, a student was frequently directed revisit their home, and is constantly on the live, submerged in God's love, while fulfilling all necessary familial and householder duties.

For a lot of professionals, Kundalini is called mom of Yogic disciplines. Ultimately, the aim of Yogic techniques would be to unite a student using the divine souped up that lies in the centre in our creatures. The practical philosophy, of Kundalini Yoga, is dependant on a belief that there's a power known as the Kundalini Shakti, which lies coiled at the bottom of our spines, at roughly the 4th spinal vertebrae. Based on Kundalini Yoga philosophy, this energy could be awakened with ardent spiritual practices, for example asanas, meditation, recitation of slokas, and breathing exercises. Typically, this inner awakening could simply be granted to some disciple, with the divine sophistication of the enlightened master, through shaktipat or divine initiation.

The philosophy of Kundalini Yoga is ultimately rooted within the very esoteric and mystical tantric practices, of Kashmir Shaivism. Within the centuries, this understanding continues to be passed down from teacher to student in shrouded and sacred surroundings. The almighty Shiva, themself, is held to become the initial Guru of the lineage. Probably the most beautiful facets of Kashmir Shaivism is the idea of Aham. It's the idea of the supreme reality from the heart that's the non-dual abode of Shiva themself. The Gurukula is yet another wonderful philosophical tenet of Kashmir Shaivism and therefore, Kundalini Yoga. Gurukula is usually converted like a family, or group, that's interconnected by the expertise of Shiva's sophistication. A Yoga studio, where Kundalini professionals gather, to complete sadhana, or spiritual practices, is really a modern version of the kula.

Kundalini Yoga is stated to become mom of Yogic disciplines since the practices ignite and nourish the Kundalini Shakti herself. Truly, it's a Yoga of conscious sophistication-filled awakening. A normal practice of Kundalini Yoga improves well-being, not just physically, but psychologically and emotionally, too. This ancient group of practices is deeply rooted within the tantric branch of Hinduism, referred to as Kashmir Shaivism. Ardent, and continuous Kundalini practices, will assist you to release the primordial creative potential that lies in the centre of each and every individual.

Enjoy Yoga

Yoga Breathing, What is Prana

The esoteric theory states that there are components, referred to as Absolute Energy, which makes up about all activity, vitality, and existence. It's called "Prana" which is all pervading.

Yoga breathing is called "pranayama". Prana, the existence-pressure, is incorporated up we breathe and many types of existence, including our meal. It is a spiritual energy leaves the body once we die. If you discover about yoga breathing, you learn how to stimulate this existence-pressure. Because Prana is everywhere, it's due to this that focused yoga breathing connects the body, spirit, and mind while you.

Once we breathe, we are constantly inhaling air that's charged with Prana. With proper yoga breathing we're able to consume a lot more, that's saved inside the brain and nervous system. Yoga masters realize that they'll request this existence-source if he or she want it. Uses Prana to boost their physiques, however the mental capability may acquire a high end to make sure that psychic forces are accomplished. They're frequently "magnetic healers" simply because they manage to impart vitality and strength to people they're uncovered to.

Similar to the oxygen up may be used with the breathing and bloodstream circulatory to sustain existence, the nervous system also appropriates the Prana up and uses results. As oxygen wealthy blood stream is carries throughout our physiques, Prana is distributed for the nervous system. And basically as oxygen inside the blood stream may be used up by our internal body systems, Prana expires once we think, will, act, etc. Therefore, constant changing is essential towards the both mental and physical wellness. Every thought or motion touches away "nerve pressure" that's really Prana. To have the ability to lift up your arm, your brain must first send a sign for the nerve, to produce your arm muscles contract and move. At these occasions, Prana may be used up.

An important reason to learn about yoga breathing

The value of Prana cannot be stressed a lot of. This is why while using initiative to learn about yoga breathing can be a remarkably wise decision. Consider how you'll feel when every cell, every muscle, every organ within you is functioning at peak capacity. Proper yoga breathing is capable of doing that to suit your needs.

Not only that, you're mental performance and clearness will probably be much more focused and effective. A questionable study signifies that individuals only use 10% within our brain. Think about the choices when yoga breathing may be used to take advantage of mental talents or abilities we may not necessarily know we've.

Enjoy Breathing ...

The best way change your mood with yoga

Pranayama (Sanskrit prana=vital energy; ayama= to expand) is a form of yoga which places particular emphasis on techniques of breathing.

In this research made by the Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford. They studied The effects of three different procedures, relaxation, visualization and yogic breathing and stretch (pranayama) on perceptions of physical and mental energy and on positive and negative mood states have been assessed in a group of normal volunteers.

the results were that Pranayama produced a significantly greater increase in perceptions of mental and physical energy and feelings of alertness and enthusiasm than the other two procedures. Relaxation made subjects significantly more sleepy and sluggish immediately
after the session than pranayama. Visualization made them more sluggish but less content
than pranayama.

In agama yoga school we study in great detail the science of pranayama and breathing exercises.

Alternative Healing methods & research

In 1993, the Institute of Noetic Sciences published Spontaneous Remission: An Annotated Bibliography. In this work, the authors defined spontaneous remission as "the disappearance, complete or incomplete, of a disease or cancer without medical treatment or treatment that is considered inadequate to produce the resulting disappearance of disease symptoms or tumor."

recently i came across this amazing research. i will try to give from time 2 time some examples of this extraordinary alternative healing methods to different kinds of diseases and cancer's.

At Agama Yoga School in Thailand we also study some of this healing methods, you can learn more about it on our website.

Dogs Sniffing Cancer

Can you imagine your own dog Sniffing Cancer ?

In this article i read about Ordinary household dogs with only a few weeks of basic "puppy training" learned to accurately distinguish between breath samples of lung- and breast-cancer patients and healthy subjects. I found this amazing article also at cbs news ... im sure that you will also find this amazing.

Samadhi Tank

Shortcut to a Deep Relaxing state of consciousness .


few days ago i had a surprise to my girlfriend, i took her for a ride in a samadhi tank or in its other name Flotation tank. Relaxing in a large tank filled with ten inches of water in which 800 pounds of Epsom Salts have been dissolved is an amazing experience.By simply restricting the influx of normal stimulation through the sensory paths we create a craving, a hunger for those same perceptions. Most people at this point become wonderfully sensitive to, and aware of what can only be described as the "non-environment". By judicious reduction of even these narrow sensory nutrients, (such as light, sound, touch, temperature, gravity, etc.) we begin to activate those areas of our brain involved with the higher faculties: those related to the evolution of the Cosmic consciousness.

If you happen to have a samadhi tank that you dont use, agama yoga will be happy to have it.

Mental Training Affects Distribution of Limited Brain Resources

Why Meditation ?

The information processing capacity of the human mind is limited, as is evidenced by the so-called ‘‘attentional-blink’’ deficit: When two targets (T1 and T2) embedded in a rapid stream of events are presented in close temporal proximity, the second target is often not seen.

The results of this research also demonstrate that mental training can result in increased control over the distribution of limited brain resources. This study supports the idea that plasticity in brain and mental function exists throughout life and illustrates the usefulness of systematic mental training in the study of the human mind.

Meditation includes the mental training of attention, which involves the selection of goal-relevant information from the array of inputs that bombard our sensory systems. One of the major limitations of the attentional system concerns the ability to process twotemporally close, task-relevant stimuli. When the second of two target stimuli is presented within a half second of the first one in a rapid sequence of events, it is often not detected. This so-called ‘‘attentional-blink’’ deficit is thought to result from competition between stimuli for limited attentional resources. We measured the effects of intense meditation on performance and scalp-recorded brain potentials in an attentional-blink task. We found that three months of intensive meditation reduced brain-resource allocation to the first target, enabling practitioners to more often detect the second target with no compromise in their ability to detect the first target. These findings demonstrate that meditative training can improve performance on a novel task that requires the trained attentional abilities.
meditation training would produce significant changes in attentional processing. More specifically, as this style of meditation cultivates non-reactive awareness.


for more info on meditation try Agama Yoga School.

Ken Wilber Stops His Brain Waves

Ken Wilber, Integral Philosopher and founder of Integral Institute has been meditating since his youth.

In this Video he enters various meditative states, one of which is a type of "thoughtless," "image-less," or "formless" state, whose correlate is that his brainwaves come to an almost complete stop, as clearly recorded on this portable electroencephalograph (EEG) machine.
We asked Ken to do a short 10-minute commentary on these various meditative states and the corresponding brain-wave patterns that are shown on the EEG machine in the video. Ken enters four meditative states (nirvikalpa closed eyes, nirvikalpa open eyes, sahaj, and mantra-savikalpa), each of which has a very distinctive brain-wave pattern. In his commentary, Ken emphasizes that the patterns shown on this machine may or may not be typical, but they do emphasize that profound consciousness states can be evoked at will, and these show immediate correlation in brain-wave patterns. (This video is discussed in One Taste, April 10 entry.)

Well im not the one to judge this amazing video. im only hoping to be able to produce the same effects soon :) by using various techniques of meditation i learn at agama yoga school.

Effects of meditation on brain functioning

i have stumble upon few interesting articles concerning mediation i thought you might be interested in them.

1.Despite the tremendous advances in modern medicine we are still to develop truly effective strategies to deal with the common public health problems that cause the majority of mortality and morbidity in the wider community. The use of stress reduction has been shown to be beneficial in many diseases as it improves psychological and physical health and lifestyle awareness. Importantly the utilisation of stress-reducing techniques brings us closer to the ideal of a holistic, integrated health care strategy.

Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the way in which psychological stress translates into physical disease. Some of the mystery has been explained by the “general adaptation syndrome” in which stressors induce psychohumoral changes. In the acute context these changes result in emergency adaptation of physiological function. In the context of chronic stimulation these changes, rather than maintain homeostasis, ultimately result in physical debilitation of body systems (Benson, 1976). The autonomic nervous system and the “parasympathetic response” is another mechanism worthy of investigation (Rai et al., 1988) as is the role of the Hypothalamic pituitary axis.

more here

2. Human Makeup Contains a Specific Natural Meditative Function

This idea is the most important key to building a solid understanding of what Natural Meditation is, how to do it, and how its benefits unfold. As we said in Chapter One, meditation is not just something you do. It is also something that happens to you. In this course, we refer to the effect of meditation as the meditative function, although a generation of well-respected scientific reporting on mind/body medicine has called it the relaxation response. The essence of the meditative effect is the refinement of consciousness, not the relaxation of the body. And even within the body, as we will see, the complexity and intelligence of the response far exceed what is carried by the term relaxation.

According to meditation theorists, the meditative state is a fourth state of consciousness, considered to be a peer of the three major states—waking, dreaming and sleeping. Each of these four states is unique. The meditative function is unique in that it consists of high awareness with very low physiological function. The following chart displays the four states in a matrix, sorted by awareness. High awareness on this chart is open, fluid, and light. It isn’t awareness of lots of objects, but of the essence of the self.

more here

To learn more about my style of meditation an different other ones check out agama yoga in Thailand or at any other branch.

Agama esoteric yoga

Agama esoteric yoga blog is aimed for all of you spiritual seekers who are interested in the connection between parapsychology and yoga. The use of modern methods to help us reach the ancient goals of yoga.