04 Yoga

Curative Yoga
Introduction
Most people, specially from western worlds, think of yoga as merely an eastern
exercise program. Nothing could be further from the truth. The underlying
purpose behind the practice of yoga - the literal meaning of yoga is `joining' -
is to reunite the individual self (Jiva) with the absolute or pure consciousness
(Brahma).
Union with this unchanging reality liberates the spirit from all sense of separation,
freeing it from the illusions of time, space and causation. Since according to yogic
philosophy the human body and mind are part of the illusory world of matter, with a
limited time span, while the soul /spirit is eternal and passes onto another world
when this body wears out. Thus, central to yogic philosophy are the concepts of
Karma (cause- effect relationships) and Reincarnation.
Yoga is therefore regarded as a divine science of life, revealed to enlightened sages

in meditation. First textual mention in the Vedas was corroborated by oldest
archeological evidence of seals from the Indus Valley dating back to around 3000
B.C. The Upanishads that followed the Vedas provide the main foundation of
Vedanta philosophy (that espouses the idea of an absolute consciousness called
Brahma) and yoga teachings.
Around the sixth century B.C. appeared the massive epic The Mahabharata written
by sage Vyasa and containing The Bhagavad Gita. Apparently a set of battlefield
instructions on one's duties in life, they are very allegorical in showing how the
challenges of life have to be faced - so much so that it is often considered the best
book on management ever written. The Gita contains yoga terms and concepts to
enable the reader face life similarly.
The backbone of Raja Yoga is furnished by Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, thought to have
been written in the third century B.C. The classical text on Hatha Yoga, the Hatha
Yoga Pradipika which describes the various asanas and breathing exercises which
form the basis of the practice of modern yoga, was compiled much later by a yogi
named Svatmarama.
In the modern perspective, Yoga is one of the most effective and wholesome forms
of experience to control the waves of thought by converting mental & physical
energy into spiritual energy. Yoga eases away pent -up tension, rejuvenates the body
& soul, enhances concentration, cures diseases and keeps a hold on the aging
process.
Benefits of Yoga
Preventive Value
• Yoga helps to bring natural order and balance to the neuro-hormones and
metabolism in the body.
Antony Page 1 1/31/2008

• At the same time, these exercises improve endocrine metabolism, thus
providing you with a preventive shield.
Curative Value
• Yogic postures activate the energies that have accumulated and stagnated in
the energy pockets of the body - since left inert, these energies create
various ailments.
• Yogic exercises cleanse your body, mind and consciousness by venting toxins
from the body.
Principles of Yoga
Patanjali's Eight Principles of Yoga
• Abstinence (yama)
• Observance (niyama)
• Posture (asana)
• Regulation of breath (pranayama)
• Withdrawal of Senses (pratyahara)
• Concentration (dharana)
• Meditation (dhyana)
• Super Consciousness (samadhi)
Swami Sivananda's Modified Five Principles of Yoga

1. Proper relaxation
• Releases tension in the muscles

• Helps letting go of all worries
• Ensures conservation of energy
2. Proper exercise
• Yoga postures - to be performed as per body constitution.

• Yogic consultation is a must.
• Correct postures work systematically on all parts of the body. Stretching and
toning the muscles & ligaments. Keeping the spine and joints flexible.
Improving the blood circulation.
3. Proper breathing (pranayama)
• Brings an extraordinary balance in the consciousness

• Teaches you to control your mental state by regulating the flow of the life
force.
4. Proper diet
• Chart out a well-nourished balanced diet.

• Keeps the body light and supple and the mind calm.

• Resists ailments.
5. Positive Thinking & Meditation
• Removes negative thoughts. Stills the mind.

• You attain super-consciousness. A state beyond time, space and causation.
Yoga for Vata, Pitta and Kapha
There are different Yogic Postures for different body types. If you have not found
your body type as yet then find your Body Type. (All postures should be performed
while inhaling deeply)
Yoga Asanas for Vata
All postures should be performed while doing deep, quiet breathing.
• Asthma
Backward Bend, Plough, Knee to Chest, Corpse
• Backache
Knee to Chest, Plough, Half Wheel, Backward Bend
• Constipation
Backward Bend, Yoga Mudra, Knee to Chest, Shoulder Stand, Corpse. Belly
should be drawn in while doing these postures.
• Depression
Yoga Mudra, Plough, Corpse, Palm Tree, Lotus
• Sciatica
Knee to Chest, Backward Bend, Plough, Yoga Mudra, Half Wheel
• Sexual Debility
Backward Bend, Plough, Shoulder Stand, Elevated Lotus
• Varicose Veins
Head Stand, Backward Bend, Corpse
• Wrinkles
Yoga Mudra, Backward, Bend, Head Stand, Plough
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
Half Wheel, Bow, Plough, Head Stand, Backward Bend
• Headache
Plough, Yoga Mudra, Head Stand
• Insomnia
Corpse, Cobra, Backward Bend
• Menstrual Disorders
Plough, Cobra, Half Wheel, Yoga Mudra
Yoga Asanas for Pitta

All postures should be performed while doing deep, quiet breathing
• Peptic Ulcer
Hidden Lotus,Sheetali (inhale through coiled tongue through mouth)
• Hyperthyroidism
Shoulder Stand, Ear Knee

• Malabsorption
Knee to Chest, Fish, Locust
• Hypertension
Shoulder Stand, Cobra, Half Bow, Quiet breathing
• Anger or Hate
Half Bow, Shoulder Stand, Hidden Lotus, Corpse
• Migraine Headache
Sheetali, Shoulder Stand, Fish
• Colitis
Fish, Ear Knee, Boat, Bow
• Liver Disorder
Fish, Shoulder Stand, Ear Knee, Hidden Lotus
• Hemorrhoids
Fish, Shoulder Stand, Bow
• Stomatitis (Inflammation of the Tongue) -
Sheetali
Yoga Asanas for Kapha

All postures should be performed while doing, deep, quiet breathing.
• Bronchitis
Head Stand, Plough, Forward Be nd, Backward Bend, Half Wheel, Fish
• Emphysema
Half Wheel, Shoulder Stand
• Sinus Congestion
Fish, Boat, Plough, Bow, Breath of Fire (Bhasrika)
• Sinus Headache
Lion, Head Knee, Fish
• Diabetes
Boat, Fish, Half Wheel, Backward Bend, Forward Bend
• Chronic Gastro
Intestinal Disorders - Fish, Locust, Cobra
• Sore Throat
Lion, Shoulder Stand, Locust, Fish
• Asthma
Half Wheel, Bow, Boat, Shoulder Stand, Palm Tree, Fish, Cobra
So just steal away 15 minutes from your hectic schedule and devote those precious
moments to Yoga!

Types of Yoga Asanas
Listed below are some of the more common yoga asanas that prove very effective
in the achieving of perfect health by ensuring a maintenance / correction of doshic
balance / imbalance. For details, please click on the asana that you would like to
know more about.
• The Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar)

• Leg Raises
• Basic Breathing (Pranayama)
• The Plough (Hala Asana )
• The Shoulder Stand (Sarvang Asana )
• The Fish (Matsya Asana)
• The Bow (Dhanur Asana)
• The Lotus (Padma Asana)
• The Bridge (Sethu Bandh Asana)
• The Headstand (Shirsh Asana)
• Forwardbend (Paschimothana Asana)
• Cobra (Bhujanga Asana)
• The Locust (Salabha Asana)
• The Half Spinal Twist (Ardha Matsyendra Asana)
• The Crow (Kakasana)
• The Triangle (Trikona Asana)
• The Corpse Pose (Shava Asana)
• The Lion (Singhasana)
• The Half Wheel (Ardha Chakrasan)
• Yogamudra
• The Peacock (Mayurasan)
• The Knee to Chest (Pawanmuktasan)
• Hidden Lotus (Baddha padmasan)
• Knee Nose Pose(Supta Pawana Muktasana)
• Half Shoulderstand(Ardha Sarvangasana)
• Half Locust Pose(Ardha Shalabhasana)
• Vajrasana
• Janusirasana
• Anti Rheumatic Asana
• Vrikshasana(Ardha Chandrasana)
• Shoulder Socket Rotation(skandha chakra)

1. The Sun Salutation (Surya
Namaskar)
The Sun Salutation or the Surya Namaskaar

limbers up the whole body in preparation of the
Asanas. Each position stretchs the body in a
different way alternately expanding and
contracting the chest to regulate the breathing
. If practiced daily it will bring great flexibility to
your spine and joints and trim your waist
Description of the asana
1. Stand erect with feet together and

palms in the prayer position in front of
your chest. Make sure your weight is
evently distrubuted. Exhale.
2. Inhaling, stretch your arms forward, then up and back over your head and
bend back slowly from the waist.
3. Exhaling, fold forward, and press your palms down, fingertips in line with
toes-bend your knees if necessary.
4. Inhaling bring the left (or right ) leg back and place the knee on the floor.
Arch back and look up, lifting your chin.
5. Retaining the breath, bring the other leg back and support your weight on
hands and toes. Keep your head and body in line and look at the floor
between your hands.
6. Exhaling, lower your knees, then your chest and then your forehead, keeping
your hips up and your toes curled under.
7. Inhaling, lower your hips, point your toes and bend back. Keep legs together
and shoulders down. Look up and back.
8. Exhaling, curl your toes under, raise your hips and pivot into an inverted "V"
shape. Try to push your heels and head down and keep your shoulders back.
9. Inhaling, step forward and place the left (or right ) foot between your hands.
Rest the other knee on the floor and look up, as in position.
10. Exhaling, bring the other leg forward and bend down from the waist, keeping
your palms as in position 3.
11. Inhaling, stretch your arms forward, then up and back over your head and
bend back slowly from the waist, as in position2.
12. Exhaling, gently come back to an upright position and bring your arms down
by your sides.

2. Leg Raises
Description of the Asana
The simple exercises prepare the body for asanas, strengthening in particular the
abdominal and lower back muscles.
Single Leg Raising
1. Inhaling raise the right leg as high possible; then, exhaling, lower it down.
Repeat with the left leg. Perform three times.
2. Inhaling, raise the right leg, then clasp it in both hands and pull it toward
you, keeping your head down. Take a few breaths.
3. Now raise your chin to your shin and hold for one deep breath; then exhaling,
lower the head and, leg. Repeat three times each
side.
Double Leg Raising

Lie flat on the floor inhaling, raise both legs, keeping your
knees straight and your buttocks on the floor ; then
exhale and lower them. Repeat ten times.
Note: Make sure that your lower back remains flat on the
floor while you bring the leg down,to avoid injuring your
spine.
Types of Yoga Asanas Main Page
3. Basic Breathing ( Pranayama)
Yogic breathing or pranayaam revitalises the body steadies the emotion and creats
great clarity of the mind. Yoga breathing exercises are performed sitting down with
the spine neck and head in a straight line in the lotus pose.
Kalpabhati is a kriyas of purification besides being a pranayama. The forced

exhalation rids the lower lungs of the stale air making way for a fresh intake of
oxygen rich air in cleansing the entire respiratory system. This is a wonderfully
invigorating exercise to begin your pranayam. By increasing the amount of oxygen in
the body its effect is to clear the mind and improve concentration.
Kapalbhati
Benefits
1. Effective for cardiovascular problems.

2. To clear the mind and improve the concentration

1. Sit in ardha padmasana (lotus )--But if you have knee ache,sit on a bench
or chair.Keep the feet crossed on a rug or a carpet.
2. Take two normal breaths.
3. Inhale, Now exhale, pulling in your abdomen and inhale, relaxing your
abdomen.
4. Repeat 20 times, keeping a steady rhythm and emphasising the exhalation
each time.
5. Inhale fully and hold your breathe as long as you can.
6. Slowly exhale.
Anuloma Viloma
In this alternate nostril breathing exercise, you inhale through one
nostril, retain the breath, then exhale through the other nostril in a
ratio of 2:8:4. If you are really healthy, you the will breathe
predominantly through the Ida nostril for about one hour and fifty
minutes, then through the other nostril. But in many people this
natural rhythm is disturbed. Anuloma Viloma restores an equal flow,
balancing the flow of prana in the body.
1. Close your right nostril with your thumb and keeping it closed
breathe in through the left nostril counting up to four.
2. Hold your breath and count to sixteen while opening the right nostril and
closing your left with your third finger.
3. Breathe out slowly through the right nostril to a counterfiet.
4. Repeat the exercise but breathe in through the right nostril and out through
the left.
Brahmari
It's a kind of meditation which improves concentration memory and confidence. This
extended exhalation makes it a very beneficial exercise for pregnant women, in
preparation for labour. Sometimes known as the humming breath, Brahmari also
gives a sweet clear voice and is highly recommended for singers.
To practise Brahmari
1. You partially close the glottis as you inhale through both nostrils, making a
snoring sound
2. Then exhale slowly, humming like a bee.
3. The inhalation clears and vibrates the throat area.
4. Humming while you breathe out, enables you to spin out the breath and make
a longer exhalation.
5. You should repeat Brahmari five to ten times.
4. The Plough (Hala Asana)
Benefits
Effective for Asthma, Back ache, Depression,

Sciatica, Headache, Sexual debility

Rheumatoid Arthritis, Bronchitis, Sinus, Congestion,Premenstrual tension etc.
1. Lie down on your back with your legs together and your palms on your sides.
2. Inhale & raise your legs up.
3. Exhale first and then inhale.
4. Bring your hips up off the floor.
5. Support your back with your hand, keeping your elbows as close to one
another as possible.
6. Without bending your knees, exhale and bring your legs down behind your
head.
7. If you cannot yet touch the floor with your feet, keep on breathing in this
position.
8. If your feet comfortably reach the floor, walk them as far behind your head
possible.
9. With your feet curled under, push your torso up and your heels back.
10. Now clasp your hands together.
11. Breathe slowly and deeply.
Caution
If you have breathing difficulties, hernia or are having nasal congestion, do not
attempt this exercise.
5.The Shoulder Stand (Sarvang Asana)
Benefits
Effective for Excessive anger or hate, Migraine headache,

Liver disorder, hemorrhoids, Anaemia, Hypertension,
Indigestion.
The Shoulder stand invigorates and rejuvenates your

whole body.
1. Lie down on the floor with your legs together and

your hands, push down, by your sides. inhaling,
push down on your hands and raise your legs
straight up above you.
2. Lift your hips off the floor and bring your legs up,
over and beyond your head, at an angle of
about45°.
3. Exhaling, bend your arms and support your body,
holding as near the shoulders as possible, thumbs around the front of the
body, fingers around the back. Push your back up, lift your legs.
4. Now straighten your spine and bring the legs up to a vertical position. Press
your chin firmly into the base of your throat. Breathe slowly and deeply in the
pose, gradually trying to work your elbows closer together and your hands

further down your back toward the shoulders, so as to straighten your torso.
Keep your feet relaxed.
Caution
Shoulder stands should not be attempted without a qualified teacher.
Any one suffering from breathing difficulties or pain in the upper spine should not
attempt these postures.
6. The Fish (Matsya Asana)
Benefits
Effective for Malabsorption, Colitis, Sinus

Congestion, Asthma, Sore throat, Diabetes,
Bronchitis, Jaundice.
Description of asana
1. Lie down on your back with your legs straight and your feet together. Place
your hands, palms down, underneath your thighs.
2. Pressing down on your elbows, inhale and arch your back, resting the very
top of your head on the side, and your elbows should be on floor.
3. Exhale. Breathe deeply while in the position,keeping legs and lower torso
relaxed.
4. To come out of you back. the pose, first lift your head and place it gently back
down, than release the arms.
Note: In the fish pose, your hands should rest palms down, side by side, and your
elbows should be as close together as possible under your back.
Caution
If the fish makes you feel giddy or nauseas, stop immediately and do not attempt it
again without consulting a physician.
7.The Bow (Dhanur Asana)
Benefits
1. Tones the back muscles, maintains the

elasticity of your spine
2. Improves posture and increases vitality
3. Reduces abdominal fat
4. Keeps the digestive and reproductive
systems healthy .
5. Effective for Bronchitis, Asthma,
Constipation, Diabetes, Rheumatism
etc.

1. Lie down on your front, head down. Inhale and bend your knees up, then
reach back with your hands and clasp hold of your ankles. Exhale.
2. lnhaling, raise your head and chest, and simultaneously pull your ankles up,
lifting the knees and thighs off the floor. Arch backward and look up. Take
three deep breaths in this pose, then exhale and release it.
8. The Lotus (Padma Asana)
Benefits of the asana
Effective For liver disorder (hidden lotus)
Lotus warm-ups
Practising these bhadrasana poses will help you to

achieve the lotus. Sit with spine erect and soles of the
feet together, heels close to the body. For the Ankle-knee
pose, press your knees forward with a straight back. For
the Butterfly, right, clasp your feet and move your knees
up and down.
The lotus
1. To assume the Lotus position, start by sitting with your legs out in a "V"
shape in front of you, with spine erect. Bend one knee and bring the foot in,
placing it high on the thigh. Now bring the second foot in. If you place it
under the opposite thigh, you form the Half Lotus
2. The Half lotus(Ardha Palmasan) which is easier at first, and can be used for
meditation and pranayama until your legs are more supple. For the full Lotus,
you lift the second leg in over the first placing the foot high on the opposite
thigh. In the classic Lotus, the left leg is on top, and the knees touch the
floor.
9. The Bridge (Sethu Band Asana)
Benefits
Strengthens the abdominal and lower back muscles and makes

the spine and wrists more supple.
1. Come up in to the Shoulder stand, supporting your wrist with your hands.
Bend one leg and lower the foot toward the floor.
2. Repeat with the other leg. Keep your elbows close together.
3. Walk your legs out until your knees are straight and your feet flat on the
floor.
4. Hold the pose for at least three or four deep breaths, then walk your feet
back in toward the body.

Cautions
Do not attempt this exercise if you have pain in the upper part of the back or in the
neck or the throat.
10. The Headstand (Shirsh Asana)
Benefits
Aids in circulation, Relieves pressure on the lower back Improves

memory, concentration and the sensory faculties.
King of asanas, the Headstand or Sirshasana is one of the most

powerfully beneficial postures for both body mind.
1. Kneel down and rest your weight on your forearms, Wrap your hands around
your hands around your elbows.
2. Release your hands and place them in front if you , with fingers interlocked.
Your elbows now stay in this position.
3. Place the back of your head in your clasped hands and the top of your head
on the floor.The hands and elbows from a tripod, making a firm foundation for
the inverted body.
4. Now straighten your knees and raise your hips.
5. Without bending the knees, walk your feet in as close to your head as
possible. Pull your hips back so that your neck is not bent backward or
forward, but is in straight line with the spine.
6. Bend your knees in to your chest and lift your feet of the floor pulling your
hips backward as you do so. Pause at this point do not immediately attempt
to raise your knees higher.
7. Then, keeping your knees bent, lift them up toward the ceiling, using your
abdominal muscles.
8. Now slowly straighten your legs. You will feel most of the body's weight on
the forearms. To come down, reverse steps 5, 6 and 7. Rest in the Child's
pose for at least six deep breaths.
Cautions
People with high BP, glaucoma or a detached retina should avoid head stand.
Preferably done under supervision.
11. Stretching the Spine
Benefits
1. If these asanas are performed regularly it will give the spine great flexibility
of movement.
2. Invigorates the internal organs, reduces fat, effective for diabetes and
stimulates the entire nervous system.
3. It also stimulates the gastric fire and , and removes all the diseases of men.

4. The pose is particulary effective for combating menstural irregularities and
pain, anaemia and relieving constipation.
There are two asana for stretching the spine.

The Forward Bend (Paschimothana Asana)
1. From a lying position, with your arms straight out behind

you, inhale and come up to a sitting position. Point your
feet at the ceiling and pull the flesh of your buttocks out
from underneath you, so that you are sitting directly on the
pelvic bone. Stretch your arms above your head,
lengthening the spine.
2. Pulling the abdomen in, exhale and fold forward from the
pelvis, leading with the chest and keeping your back
straight. Bring your chin toward your shins and your chest toward your
thighs. Don't bend from the middle spine.
3. Continue right down and hold on to whichever part of your legs or feet you
can comfortably reach without bending the knees. With practice, you can
warp your index fingers around your big toes and bring your elbows down to
the floor, or stretch your arms out over your feet, as shown right.
4. In the position, breath deeply, feeling yourself advancing forward a little more
every time you exhale. Hold for three to four deep breaths at first gradually
increasing the number as you become relaxed in the pose. When you release
the position, reach forward as you come up.
12. The Cobra (Bhujanga Asana)

1. Lie down with your legs together and

your hands palms down under your
shoulders. Rest your forehead on the
floor.
2. Inhaling, bring your head up, brushing
first your nose, then your chin against the floor Now lift'up your hands and
use your back muscles to raise your chest as high as possible. Hold for a few
deep breaths then, exhaling; slowly return to position 1, keeping your chin up
until last.
3. Inhaling, come up as before, but this time use your hands to push the trunk
up. Continue up until you are bending from the middle of the spine. Hold for
two or three deep breaths, then exhale and come slowly down.
4. Inhaling, raise the trunk as before, but this time continue up and back until
you can feel your back bending all the way down from the neck to the base of
the spine. Breathe normally.
5. To complete the asana., walk your hands in toward your body, straighten the
arms, and lift the pelvis slightly. Separate the legs, bend the knees and,
pushing out the chest, drop the head back and touch the feet to the head.
Breathe normally, then slowly come down, as before.

13. The Locust (Salabha Asana)
Benefits of the asana
1. For back pain, sciatica pain varicose veins

2. This asana ensures efficient functioning of the digestive systyem preventing
constipation, reducing fat.
3. Effective for diabetic people.

To perform this asana successfully, concentrate on every muscle being exercised, try
to remain relaxed
1. Lie face down with your forehead resting on the mat, your legs out behind
you, the soles of your feet facing upward and your arms by your sides, palms
downwards. Strech your neck, pushing your chin as far forward as possible,
so that it rests on the mat. Brethe out slowly.
2. Breathe in, and leaning slightly on your left arm, contract the muscles in the
small of your back and lift your left leg. It is important to keep your pelvis on
the mat and not to twist it and to keep your left arm from shoulder to
fingertips firmly on the mat. Keep your left leg straight as you lift it. Hold the
position for a few seconds, then lower your leg as your breathe out. Repeat
with the right leg.
14. The Half Spinal Twist (Ardha Matsendra

Asana)
Benefits
1. The movement tones the spleen liver kidney and

the pancreas kidney
2. It also tones the spinal nerves and ligaments and
improves the digestion
The half-Spinal Twist is one of the few poses that rotate

the spine. Most bend the spinal column either backward or
forward, but to become truly flexible it must be twisted
laterally as well.
1. Kneel down with your legs together, resting on your heels.

2. Then sit to the right of your feet, as illustrated (below)
3. Lift your left leg over your right, placing the foot against the outside of the
right knee. Bring your right heel in close to your buttocks. Keep the spine
erect.

4. Stretch your arms out to the sides at shoulder level, and twist around to the
left.
5. Now bring the right arm down on the outside of the left knee and hold the left
foot in the right hand, placing your left hand on the floor behind you.
Exhaling, twist as far as possible to the left. Look over the left shoulder.
15. The Crow (Kakasana)
Benefits
Strengthens your wrists arms and shoulders, improves concentration,

increases breathing capacity by expanding the chest
1. Squat down and bring your arms between your knees. Place
your palms down flat on the floor in front of you, shoulder-
width apart, with fingers splayed and pointing lightly out ward.
Then bend your elbows out to the sides, making the backs of your arms into
shelves for your knees to rest on.
2. Choose a point on the floor in front of you on which to focus. Inhale, then
while you retain the breath, lean toward this point, transferring your weight
to your hands and lifting your toes up. Exhale and hold the pose for three or
four deep breaths.
16. The Triangle (Trikona Asana)
Benefits
Gives an excellent lateral stretch to the spine, tones the spinal

nerves, helps in the proper functioning of the digestive system.
1. Stand with your feet well apart (about 3-4 feet). Point
your left foot to the left, and your right foot slightly to
the left. Stretch your left arms out at shoulder level and
bring the right arm straight up, against your right ear.
Now inhale.
2. As you exhale, bend to the left and slightly forward to
bypass your ribs. Slide your left hand down your left leg
and hold on to the lowest part you can reach. Look out
at your right hand. Take several full breaths in this position before releasing
it. Repeat, bending to the right.

17. The Corpse Pose (Shava Asana)
Benefits
Relaxation and relief from hypertension, fear

psychosis and insomnia.
Description of the Asana
The classic relaxation pose practised before

each session, between asanas and in the final
relaxation.
1. Lie on your back and feet spread about 18 inches apart and hands about 6
inches from your sides, palms up.
2. Ease yourself into the pose, making sure the body is symmetrical.
3. Let your thighs, knees turn outward.
4. Close your eyes and breathe deeply .
18. The Lion (Singhasana)
Benefits
1. Increases Blood circulation to throat and tongue .

2. Strengthens face and throat muscles.
3. Improves voice.
4. Effective for sinus headache.
Description of the Asana:
1. Kneel on the mat and sit on your heels. Place your hands down on your Knees
and look straight ahead.
2. Now breathe in deeply, through your nose, lean slightly forward and exhale
forcefully, opening your mouth as wide as you can shouting 'HAA'. At the
same time stretch your tongue out and bend down so it touches your chin.
Glare at the tip of your nose. Raise your hands and tighten all the muscles in
your arms, hands and fingers. Hold the pose as long as you can.
3. Let all your muscles relax slowly, breathe nomally for a few minutes . Then
repeat 2-3 times
19. The Half Wheel (ArdhaChakrasan)
Benefits
1. Most dynamic back ward bend.

2. Stimulates all the charkas or energy
centers.
3. Effective for respiratory problems,

backache, rheumatic pains etc.
1. Keeping feet far apart and hands on hips arch slowly backward.
2. Keep your weight on your knees and push your hips forward.
3. Inhale, raise your arms over and behind your head and drop back onto your
hands.
4. To stand up again , shift your weight to your knees, then push yourself
forward and bring your arms up one at a time or both at once.
20. Yogamudra
Benefits
1. Tones up the spinal nerves and is of

great benefit to the proper functioning
of the digestive system.
2. Helps to normalize movement of the
faeces in the intestines.
3. Also effective for depression , sciatica
etc.
1. Sit on a blanket . Form a foot lock by

placing the right foot over the left thigh and left foot over the right thigh as in
Lotus (padmasan) posture.
2. Slowly bend forward and touch the ground with the forehead. Take your
hands to the back and catch hold of the left wrist with the right hand. Exhale
slowly as your bend down.
3. Remain in this position for 10 seconds. Resume the original sitting posture
and inhale slowly.
4. Repeat the posture three times.
21. The Peacock (Mayurasana)
Benefits
1. Highly beneficial for indigestion ,flatulence and allied problems, as the weight
of the body presses the elbow into the upper abdomen, massaging the
pancreas and spleen.
1. Sit back on your heel with knees apart. Place your palms on the floor, fingers
pointing back toward your feet.
2. Using your arms bend forward and place the top of your head on the floor.
Keep your elbows together, pressing into the upper abdomen.

3. Stretch your legs back one at a time, keeping the knees off the floor and the
feet together. Your weight should be on your toes, hand and head. Now lift
your head.
4. Inhale and gently ride forward on your arms lifting your toes up and balancing
on your hands. Keep your legs straight. Hold the pose as long as possible,
breathing normally, then exhale and release it, coming down on your toes.
22. The Knee to Chest (Pawanmuktasana)
Benefits
1. As the stomach is pressed and then allowed to go limp in this asana , the liver
, urinary bladder, spleen, intestines and stomach are well exercised by it.
2. Helps one to get rid of constipation , improves appetite, releases wind and
reduces flatulence.
1. Lie down on a mat . Exhale and stop breathing. Lift left leg, bend it and bring
it up to the stomach. Let the knee touch the chin , with the rest of the leg
touching the chest, press down on the leg, so that the stomach and chest
receive pressure.
2. Lift your neck and place your chin on the knee. Remain in this position as long
as you can hold your breath. Then breath slowly, and straighten you leg. Put
your head back on the floor.
3. Repeat with the right leg.
4. Repeat the same with the both legs
5. Repeat the whole operation three times.

23. Hidden Lotus (Baddha Padmasan)
Benefits
1. Decreases joints pains.

2. Improves digestive system, appetite.
3. Improves liver functions.
1. Sit in the posture of Lotus(padma asana) [click

here to set details of Lotus].
2. While exhaling twist slightly to the right and reach
back with the right hand to grasp your right big
toe. Inhale. Again while exhaling, twist slightly to
the left and reach back with your left hand to
grasp your left big toe.
3. Maintain the asana as long as possible ,and increase the duration gradually
and with ease.
4. Don't forget to inhale and exhale normally.
24. Knee Nose Pose (Supta Pawana Muktasana)
Benefits
1. Strengthens lower back muscles and loosens the Spinal Vertebrae
2. Massages abdomen and digestive organs
3. Effective in removing gas and constipation
4. Useful in treatment of impotence, sterility and menstrual problems
1. Bend both knees and bring both knees to the chest. Inter lock
your fingers and clasp the hands and on the Shinbones just
below the knees. Inhale deeply.
2. Holding the breath, raise the head and shoulder and try to
place the nose in the space between the two knees.
3. Hold the breath, in the raised position for few seconds,

counting mentally. Slowly lower your head, shoulders and
legs while breathing out

25. Half Shoulderstand (Ardha Sarvangasana)
Benefits
1. Promotes proper thyroid function
2. strengthens abdomen
3. stretches upper back
4. improves blood circulation

induces relaxation
1. Lie on your back and lift your legs up into air.
2. Place your hands on your lower back for support, resting

your elbows and lower arms on the ground.
3. Make sure your weight is on your shoulders and mid to

upper back -- not your neck.
4. Breathe deeply and hold for at the posture for at least

5-10 breaths, increasing the hold over time.
5. To come down, slowly lower your legs, keeping them

very straight -- a little workout for your abdominal muscles.
26.Half Locust Pose (Ardha Shalabhasana)
Benefits
1. It alleviates constipation
2. Helps to tone the back muscles
3. Recommended for the management of sciatica & slipped disc
4. improves blood circulation

1. Lie flat on the stomach with the hands under the thighs, palms
downwards or hands clenched.
2. Keep both the legs straight throughout the practice.
3. Place the chin on the floor, slightly stretched forward to give

the best possible stretch to the neck muscles and nerves.
4. Using the back muscles, raise the left leg as high as possible,
keeping the other leg straight, relaxed and in contact with
the floor.
5. Retain the position for- as long as is possible without strain.
6. Do not tilt or twist the pelvis.
7. Lower the leg to tile floor.
8. Repeat the same movement with the right leg.
27. Vajrasana
Benefits
1. It ensures digestion and

prevents excess wind formation.
Caution
1. Those suffering from knee pain

should not practise this asana
1. Sit on your knees keeping them together.
2. Draw both toes together, and with heels apart, sit on them.
Keep your hands straight on the respective knees.
3. Breathe normally with your spine straight. Relax your hands

and release the legs
4. Now lie on your back or stretch your legs in front with hands
at the back and relax.

5. Take rest for 10 counts and repeat.
6. Do this two times.
28. Janusirasana
Benefits
1. It keeps the liver healthy and

ensures that it functions
normally.
2. It cures stomach disorders and

secrete digestive juices apart
from stimulating the solar plexus.
Caution
1. Those suffering from cervical

pain should practise this asana
with the head straight. Those
with lumbar pain should avoid
this asana.
1. Sit straight with both legs stretched in front.
2. Now bend the left leg, bring your heel to the groin and touch
the right thigh with your foot. Keep hands on your lap.
Keep your hands straight on the respective knees.
3. Now, breathe out, bend forward and stretch your hands to

touch your right toe.
4. Your head should touch the right knee. Initially, if you find it
difficult, hold the lower end of your foot and bend your head.
5. Once you get used to the posture try doing it the right way.
Sit straight, breathe normally and stay in this position for six
counts..
6. Repeat this with the other side. The entire sequence c omprises
one time. Repeat four times.

29. Anti-Rheumatic Asana
Prarambhik sthiti (base position)
• Sit with the legs outstretched.

• Place the palms of the hands on the floor to the sides and just behind the
buttocks.
• The back, neck and head should be straight.
• Straighten the elbows.
• Lean back slightly, taking the support of the arms.
• Close the yes and relax the whole body in this position.
Padanguli Naman (toe bending)
• Sit in the base position with the legs outstretched and the feet slightly apart.
Place the hands beside and slightly behind the buttocks.
• Lean backs a little, using the arms to support the back.
• Keep the spine as straight as possible.
• Be aware of the toes. Move the toes of both feet slowly backward and
forward, keeping the feet upright and the ankles relaxed and motionless.
• Hold each position for a few seconds.
• Repeat 10 times.
Breathing:
Inhale as the toes move backward. Exhale as the toes move forward.
Awareness:
On the breath, mental counting and the stretching sensation produced by the
movement.
Ankle Bending:
• Remain in the base position. Keep the feet slightly apart.

• Slowly move both feet backward and forward, bending them from the ankle
joints. Try to stretch the feet forward to touch the floor and then draw them
back towards the knees. Hold each position for a few seconds.
• Repeat 10 times.
Breathing:
Inhale as the feet move backward. Exhale as the feet move forward.
Awareness:
On the breath, mental counting and the stretch in the foot, ankle, calf and leg

muscles or joints.
Ankle rotation:
• Remain in the base position.

• Separate the legs a little keeping them straight. Keep the heels on the ground
throughout the practice.
• Slowly rotate the right foot clockwise from the ankle 10 times and then repeat
10 times anti-clockwise. Repeat the same procedure with the left foot.
• Place the feet together.
• Slowly rotate both feet together in the same direction,
• Keeping them in contact with each other. Do not allow the knees to move.
• Practice 10 times clock and 10 times anti- clockwise.
• Keep the feet separated.
• Slowly rotate both feet from the ankles together but in opposite directions.
• The big toes should touch each other on the inward store of each foot.
• Do 10 rotations in one directions in one direction and then 10 rotations in the
opposite direction.
Breathing:
Inhale on the upward movement. Exhale on the downward movement.
Awareness:
On the breath, mental counting and rotation.
30.Vrishasana (Ardha Chandrasana)

Vrikshasana (Ardha Chandrasana)
Explanation:
'Vriksha' means tree in sanskrit. In this asana,

the body stays upright like a tree. This is also
called Ardha (half) Chandrasana.
Description:
Stand straight and keep both the legs together.

With the right hand lift the right foot and keep
the right heel pressed against the right hip so that the toes point
downwards. Balance the body in this position. Then bring both the palms
together in the middle of the chest in 'Namaskar' (greeting) pose and
breathe normally. Stay in this position as long as you can and reverse all the
steps to the standing position and repeat the same procedure on the other
side. Do it five times on both the sides.
Benefits:

If done regularly, the stiffness of the joints in the feet, ankles and knees is
relieved with reduction of arthritic pain. The muscles of the legs are also
strengthened.
31. Shoulder Socket Rotation (Skandh Chakra)
Skandh Chakra is an Indian translation for Shoulder Socket Rotation pose. This
asana has two variations. You can learn this asana as below:
Variation I:
• Remain in Sukhasana or comfortable cross legged pose.

• Keep spinal chord and the neck straight.
• Keep your eyes open.
• Breathe slow and rhythmic.
• Stretch forward your arms to shoulder level.
• Keep the palms straight and open towards the
ceiling with straight fingers.
• Bend both the elbows and stretch the palms
face ward.
• Try to touch the shoulder with your palms.
• At this hour the palm should be shoulder ward.
• Keeping the fingers on your shoulder rotate the hand in clockwise and
anti-clockwise direction.
• Do this exercise ten times.
• Now straighten your hand at the elbow.
• Repeat this ten times.
• Bring back the hands in original position.
Variation II:
• Remain in Sukhasana pose.

• Out stretch your both hands sideways at shoulder level keeping the palm-
ceiling ward.
• Bend your elbows and touch the shoulder with your fingers.
• Keeping the fingers on the shoulder rotate both the hands in circular and
anti-circular motion.
• Then place your hands back in the original position.
• Repeat this ten times.
• Inhale and stretch your arms then exhale and bend your elbows.
• Focus on the arms and elbows.
• Now get back in the primary position.
Breathing Pattern:

• Inhale during the upward movement.
• Exhale during the downward movement.
Consciousness:
• On the breathing.
• Mental counting.
• The rotation of hip joints.
Benefits:
• Flexibility to the joint.

• Removes the muscle strain.

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Curative Yoga

Yoga is therefore regarded as a divine science of life, revealed to enlightened sages

Antony Page 1 1/31/2008

Patanjali's Eight Principles of Yoga

Swami Sivananda's Modified Five Principles of Yoga

• Releases tension in the muscles

• Yoga postures - to be performed as per body constitution.

3. Proper breathing (pranayama)

• Brings an extraordinary balance in the consciousness

• Chart out a well-nourished balanced diet.

Antony Page 2 1/31/2008

5. Positive Thinking & Meditation

• Removes negative thoughts. Stills the mind.

Yoga for Vata, Pitta and Kapha

Yoga Asanas for Vata

All postures should be performed while doing deep, quiet breathing.

Yoga Asanas for Pitta

Antony Page 3 1/31/2008

Yoga Asanas for Kapha

Antony Page 4 1/31/2008

• The Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar)

Antony Page 5 1/31/2008

The Sun Salutation or the Surya Namaskaar

Description of the asana

1. Stand erect with feet together and

Antony Page 6 1/31/2008

Description of the Asana

Single Leg Raising

Double Leg Raising

3. Basic Breathing ( Pranayama)

Kalpabhati is a kriyas of purification besides being a pranayama. The forced

1. Effective for cardiovascular problems.

Description of the asana

Antony Page 7 1/31/2008

4. The Plough (Hala Asana)

Effective for Asthma, Back ache, Depression,

Antony Page 8 1/31/2008

Description of the asana

5.The Shoulder Stand (Sarvang Asana)

Effective for Excessive anger or hate, Migraine headache,

The Shoulder stand invigorates and rejuvenates your

Description of the asana

1. Lie down on the floor with your legs together and

Antony Page 9 1/31/2008

6. The Fish (Matsya Asana)

Effective for Malabsorption, Colitis, Sinus

7.The Bow (Dhanur Asana)

1. Tones the back muscles, maintains the

Description of the asana

Antony Page 10 1/31/2008

8. The Lotus (Padma Asana)

Benefits of the asana

Effective For liver disorder (hidden lotus)

Practising these bhadrasana poses will help you to

9. The Bridge (Sethu Band Asana)

Strengthens the abdominal and lower back muscles and makes

Description of the asana

Antony Page 11 1/31/2008

10. The Headstand (Shirsh Asana)

Aids in circulation, Relieves pressure on the lower back Improves

Description of the asana

King of asanas, the Headstand or Sirshasana is one of the most

11. Stretching the Spine