News release about safe yoga practice throughout the world.

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Yoga: Three reasons you should not do Bhastrika Pranayama

Bhastrika Pranayama - (Bellows Breath)

Too much stoking burns out the boiler of the engine. So also too much practice of Bhastrika wears out the system as the breathing process is forceful” - BKS Iyengar.

The meaning of the Sanskrit word ‘Bhastrika’ is ‘Bellows’, thus the Bhastrika Pranayama is called the ‘bellows breath’. This form of breathing increases the flow of air into the body to produce inner heat at the physical and subtle level.

Bhastrika breathing is a dynamic and highly energizing abdominal breathing exercise requiring a large expenditure of physical energy. It is accomplished by breathing abdominally at the rate of 1-4 breaths per second, with inhalations and exhalations equally emphasized and equally active.

Beginners are advised to practice Bhastrika at a slow breath rate, using 2-second inhalation and 2-seconds exhalation; (15 breaths per minute) with no force on inhalation and exhalation. With regular practice of this pranayama the abdominal muscles will become stronger, so the speed can be increased to 30 breaths per minute, using 1-second inhalation and 1-second exhalation.

Intermediate and advanced students may practice at medium breath rate (1-2 breaths per second) and at fast breath rate (3-4 breaths per second).

Note: Be aware of hyperventilating, and built your capacity slowly.

The Bellows breath activates and invigorates the liver, pancreas, spleen and abdominal muscles, thus toning the digestive system and improving digestion.

During Bhastrika there is an increase in the exchange of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) into and out of the bloodstream. This action stimulates the metabolic rate, producing heat and flushing toxins and waste out of the body.

This breathing strengthens and balances the nervous system, bringing peace and tranquility to the mind in preparation for meditation.

The Bhastrika pranayama brings many benefits to a practitioner. However, in some health conditions this particular breathing exercise is not recommended.

Three important reasons (out of many) not to do Bhastrika:

1) Anyone suffering from High blood pressure should not practice this breathing.

2) Person with poor lungs capacity should not attempt Bellows breath.

3) If you are suffering from hernia avoid this pranayama.

Caution: Always check with your doctor if you have any doubts or concerns regarding the suitability of this posture for you. It is best to perform this yoga posture in presence of a qualified yoga teacher.

Issued in the interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga by Subodh Gupta, Yoga Expert based in London.

Mr.Subodh Gupta, a Corporate Yoga Trainer has conducted more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management. He has been interviewed by various TV channels in India and London.

For reaching to Subodh Gupta Yoga website http://www.subodhgupta.com/ and for Subodh Gupta Corporate yoga webpage http://www.subodhgupta.com/corporateyoga.html

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Yoga: Two reasons you should not do Yoga Posture – the Four-Limbed Staff Posture

Four-Limbed Staff Pose - (Chaturanga Dandasana)

‘Chatur’ means four, ‘Anga‘ means a limb and ‘Danda’ means a staff, hence the name Chaturanga Dandasana given to this posture. The four limbs which are supporting the body are hands and feet and the body is parallel to the floor and stiff as a staff.

Chaturanga Dandasana is a very challenging posture frequently practiced as part of the traditional Sun Salutation vinyasa sequence in yoga classes.

The completed form of Chaturanga Dandasana is quite difficult to perform at first, until the arms, back, and legs are strong enough to support the posture. The excellent preparatory posture – the Plank can be practice to prepare the body for this much more challenging posture.

The Four-Limbed Staff posture is a great arm and wrists strengthener, developing mobility and power. It contracts and tones the abdominal organs.

In this posture the body is kept firm and straight while being held off the floor by the action of the arms, legs and torso. This strengthens the legs and upper body and tones the muscles of the back.

The Chaturanga Dandasana increases strength, balance and stability by developing many muscles in the body. The most important muscles are: triceps (back of upper arm) and biceps (front of upper arm), pectoralis major (a large muscle of the chest), abdominal muscles, deltoids (a large triangular-shaped muscle that forms the prominence of each shoulder), and the scapular muscles.

For beginners: You can drop the knees to the floor until you build enough strength to support the body with your arms.

The Four-Limbed Staff is a great strength developer posture, however, in some health conditions this posture should not be practiced at all cost.

Two reasons not to do the Yoga Posture - Chaturanga Dandasana:

1) If you have a Carpal tunnel syndrome, please do not attempt this posture.

(It is compression of the median nerve at the wrist, which may result in numbness, tingling, weakness, or muscle atrophy in the hand and fingers. The disease typically affects the thumb, index, and middle fingers and is often particularly troublesome at night).

2) In case of pregnancy avoid practicing this posture.

Caution: Always check with your doctor if you have any doubts or concerns regarding the suitability of this posture for you. It is best to perform this yoga posture in presence of a qualified yoga teacher.

Issued in the interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga by Subodh Gupta, Yoga Expert based in London.

Mr.Subodh Gupta, a Corporate Yoga Trainer has conducted more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management. He has been interviewed by various TV channels in India and London.

For reaching to Subodh Gupta Yoga website http://www.subodhgupta.com/ and for Subodh Gupta Corporate yoga webpage http://www.subodhgupta.com/corporateyoga.html

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Yoga: Three reasons you should not do Kapalabhati Pranayama

Kapalabhati – (Frontal Brain Cleansing Breathing)

‘Kapal’ in Sanskrit language means ‘Forehead’, and ‘Bhati’ means ‘Light’. Practicing Kapalabhati on regular basis brings a state of light and clarity to the frontal region of the brain with the inner radiance. Kapalabhati is a highly energizing abdominal breathing exercise.

In Kapalabhati Pranayama, the inhalation is slow and passive and require only releasing tension in the abdominal wall. On the other hand, the exhalation is active, sharp and vigorous. Normally exhalation takes one fourth of the time of inhalation. Quick exhalation and natural inhalation follows each other.

The breathing exercise activates and invigorates the liver, spleen and the abdominal muscles. It balances and strengthens the nervous system, tones the digestive organs and improves digestion. It develops strength and stamina and it teaches to coordinate the abdominal muscles.

Kapalabhati Pranayama is especially effective in lowering carbon dioxide (CO2) in the lower parts of the lungs. It cleanses the lungs and entire respiratory system. The blood is purified and body gets an increased supply of oxygen to all cells.

On a mental level it energizes and prepares the mind for meditation, it removes sleepiness and removes sensory distraction from the mind.

Kapalabhati should be practiced on an empty stomach, three to four hours after a meal. It is best to practice it after asanas and before meditation.

Note: If you start experiencing any pain or dizziness, stop the practice immediately.

The Kapalabhati Breathing has tremendous benefits to a practitioner. However, there are some health conditions in which this breathing technique should not be practiced.

Three important reasons not to do Kapalabhati Pranayama:

1) If you have High blood pressure, do not practice this pranayama.

2) Anyone suffering from heart disease should not attempt Kapalabhati.

3) In case of Hernia avoid doing this breathing exercise.


Caution: Always check with your doctor if you have any doubts or concerns regarding the suitability of this breathing technique for you. It is best to perform this breathing exercise in presence of a qualified yoga teacher.

Issued in the interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga by Subodh Gupta, Yoga Expert based in London.

Mr.Subodh Gupta, a Corporate Yoga Trainer has conducted more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management. He has been interviewed by various TV channels in India and London.

For reaching to Subodh Gupta Yoga website http://www.subodhgupta.com/ and for Subodh Gupta Corporate yoga webpage http://www.subodhgupta.com/corporateyoga.html