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Restorative Yoga
Restorative Yoga is the practice of asanas, each held for longer than in conventional yoga as exercise classes, often with the support of props such as folded blankets, to relax the body, reduce stress, and often to prepare for pranayama. The practice was foreshadowed by Iyengar Yoga's use of props in its deliberate style of asana practice. Practice Restorative Yoga sessions allow the body to slow down and relax in a small number of asanas. Each pose is held for longer than in conventional classes, sometimes for twenty minutes, so a session may consist of only four to six asanas. The long holding of poses is often assisted with props such as folded blankets, blocks, and bolsters to ensure the body is fully supported and so to allow the muscles to relax. An early disciple of B.K.S. Iyengar, the yoga teacher and ''Yoga Journal'' editor Judith Lasater helped to popularize restorative yoga, based on Iyengar Yoga's asanas and use of props. Lasater states that "you will need" a yog ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Asana
An āsana (Sanskrit: आसन) is a body posture, originally and still a general term for a sitting meditation pose,Verse 46, chapter II, "Patanjali Yoga sutras" by Swami Prabhavananda, published by the Sri Ramakrishna Math p. 111 and later extended in hatha yoga and modern yoga as exercise, to any type of position, adding reclining, standing, inverted, twisting, and balancing poses. The ''Yoga Sutras of Patanjali'' define "asana" as " position thatis steady and comfortable". Patanjali mentions the ability to sit for extended periods as one of the eight limbs of his system. Patanjali '' Yoga sutras'', Book II:29, 46 Asanas are also called yoga poses or yoga postures in English. The 10th or 11th century '' Goraksha Sataka'' and the 15th century '' Hatha Yoga Pradipika'' identify 84 asanas; the 17th century '' Hatha Ratnavali'' provides a different list of 84 asanas, describing some of them. In the 20th century, Indian nationalism favoured physical culture in response t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sarvangasana
Sarvangasana (), Shoulder stand, or more fully Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulder stand), is an inverted asana in modern yoga as exercise; similar poses were used in medieval hatha yoga as a mudra. Many named variations exist, including with legs in lotus position and Supta Konasana with legs wide apart, toes on the ground. ''Sarvāṅgāsana'' has been nicknamed the "queen" or "mother" of all the asanas. Etymology and origins The name comes from the Sanskrit , "supported", , "all limbs", i.e. "the whole body", and , "posture"," position", or "seat". The name Sarvangasana is modern, but similar inverted poses were in use in medieval hatha yoga as a mudra, Viparita Karani, which is documented in the 14th century '' Śiva Saṃhitā'' 4.45-47, the 15th century '' Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā'' 3.78-81, the 17th century '' Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā'' 3.33-35, and other early texts such as the '' Dattātreyayogaśāstra''. The purpose of Viparita Karani had been to reverse the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Muscle Tone
In physiology, medicine, and anatomy, muscle tone (residual muscle tension or tonus) is the continuous and passive partial contraction of the muscles, or the muscle's resistance to passive stretch during resting state.O’Sullivan, S. B. (2007). Examination of motor function: Motor control and motor learning. In S. B. O’Sullivan, & T. J. Schmitz (Eds), Physical rehabilitation (5th ed.) (pp. 233-234). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: F. A. Davis Company. It helps to maintain posture and declines during REM sleep. Muscle tone is regulated by the activity of the motor neurons and can be affected by various factors, including age, disease, and nerve damage. Purpose If a sudden pull or stretch occurs, the body responds by automatically increasing the muscle's tension, a reflex which helps guard against danger as well as helping maintain balance. Such near-continuous innervation can be thought of as a "default" or "steady state" condition for muscles. Both the extensor and flexo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Heart Rate
Heart rate is the frequency of the cardiac cycle, heartbeat measured by the number of contractions of the heart per minute (''beats per minute'', or bpm). The heart rate varies according to the body's Human body, physical needs, including the need to absorb oxygen and excrete carbon dioxide. It is also modulated by numerous factors, including (but not limited to) genetics, physical fitness, Psychological stress, stress or psychological status, diet, drugs, hormonal status, environment, and disease/illness, as well as the interaction between these factors. It is usually equal or close to the pulse rate measured at any peripheral point. The American Heart Association states the normal resting adult human heart rate is 60–100 bpm. An ultra-trained athlete would have a resting heart rate of 37–38 bpm. ''Tachycardia'' is a high heart rate, defined as above 100 bpm at rest. ''Bradycardia'' is a low heart rate, defined as below 60 bpm at rest. When a human sleeps, a heartbeat with ra ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure of Circulatory system, circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels. Most of this pressure results from the heart pumping blood through the circulatory system. When used without qualification, the term "blood pressure" refers to the pressure in a brachial artery, where it is most commonly measured. Blood pressure is usually expressed in terms of the systolic pressure (maximum pressure during one Cardiac cycle, heartbeat) over diastolic pressure (minimum pressure between two heartbeats) in the cardiac cycle. It is measured in Millimetre of mercury, millimetres of mercury (mmHg) above the surrounding atmospheric pressure, or in Pascal (unit), kilopascals (kPa). The difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures is known as pulse pressure, while the average pressure during a cardiac cycle is known as mean arterial pressure. Blood pressure is one of the vital signs—together with respiratory rate, heart rate, Oxygen saturation (me ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Adrenaline
Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is a hormone and medication which is involved in regulating visceral functions (e.g., respiration). It appears as a white microcrystalline granule. Adrenaline is normally produced by the adrenal glands and by a small number of neurons in the medulla oblongata. It plays an essential role in the fight-or-flight response by increasing blood flow to muscles, heart output by acting on the SA node, pupil dilation response, and blood sugar level. It does this by binding to alpha and beta receptors. It is found in many animals, including humans, and some single-celled organisms. It has also been isolated from the plant '' Scoparia dulcis'' found in Northern Vietnam. Medical uses As a medication, it is used to treat several conditions, including allergic reaction anaphylaxis, cardiac arrest, and superficial bleeding. Inhaled adrenaline may be used to improve the symptoms of croup. It may also be used for asthma when other treatments a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fight-or-flight Response
The fight-or-flight or the fight-flight-freeze-or-fawn (also called hyperarousal or the acute stress response) is a physiological reaction that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event, attack, or threat to survival. It was first described by Walter Bradford Cannon in 1915. His theory states that animals react to threats with a general discharge of the sympathetic nervous system, preparing the animal for fighting or fleeing. More specifically, the adrenal medulla produces a hormonal cascade that results in the secretion of catecholamines, especially norepinephrine and epinephrine. The hormones estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol, as well as the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, also affect how organisms react to stress. The hormone osteocalcin might also play a part. This response is recognised as the first stage of the general adaptation syndrome that regulates stress responses among vertebrates and other organisms. Name Originally understood as the "figh ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shavasana
Shavasana (; ), Corpse Pose, or Mritasana, is an asana in hatha yoga and modern yoga as exercise, often used for relaxation at the end of a session. It is the usual pose for the practice of yoga nidra meditation, and is an important pose in Restorative Yoga. Etymology and origins The name Shavasana is from Sanskrit , "corpse" and , "posture" or "seat". The alternative name Mritasana is from Sanskrit , "death". The earliest mention of the pose is in the 15th century '' Hatha Yoga Pradipika'' 1.32, which states in the context of a medieval belief system that "lying down on the ground supine, like a corpse, is called Shavasana. It eliminates tiredness and promotes calmness of the mind." The name Supta Padangusthasana is from Sanskrit , from , "reclined" and , "big toe". The pose is not described in medieval hatha yoga texts, but appears in the 20th century; it is pose 27 in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga's primary series. The name Pavanamuktasana () is from Sanskrit , "wind" and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Balasana
Bālāsana () or Child Pose, is a kneeling asana in modern yoga as exercise. Balasana is a counter asana for various asanas and is usually practiced before and after Sirsasana. Etymology and origins The name comes from the Sanskrit words , "child" and , "posture" or "seat". Balasana is not described until the 20th century; a similar pose appears in Niels Bukh's 1924 ''Primary Gymnastics''. Ananda Balasana is illustrated as Kandukasana (Ball Pose) in the 19th century ''Sritattvanidhi''. Description From a kneeling position, bring the forehead to the floor and relax the arms alongside the body, palms upwards. Variations If need be, and during pregnancy, the knees can be spread. The arms may be stretched forward in front of the head. If there is discomfort in the neck and shoulders, a rolled blanket may be placed on the backs of the lower legs, and the forearms can be stacked and the forehead rested on them. Uttana Shishosana or "Extended Puppy Pose" stretches forwa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Paschimottanasana
Pashchimottanasana (), Seated Forward Bend, or Intense Dorsal Stretch is a seated forward-bending asana in hatha yoga and modern yoga as exercise. Janusirsasana is a variant with one knee bent out to the side; Upavishthakonasana has the legs straight and wide apart. Etymology and origins The name Paschimottanasana comes from three Sanskrit words. ''Paschima'' (, ) has the surface meaning of "West" or "the back of the body". In terms of the subtle body (as in the ''Yogabīja''), it means the central energy channel, the sushumna nadi, which runs the length of the backbone. ''Uttana'' (, ) means "intense stretch" or "straight" or "extended". ''Asana'' (, ) meaning "posture" or "seat". The pose is described in the 15th-century ''Hatha Yoga Pradipika'', chapter 1, verses 28-29. The name Dandasana (; ) is from Sanskrit meaning "stick" or "staff". The pose is not found in the medieval hatha yoga texts. The 19th century ''Sritattvanidhi'' uses the name Dandasana for a different ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jathara Parivartanasana
Jathara Parivartanasana (), Revolved Abdomen pose, Belly twist, or Spinal twist is a reclining twist ''asana'' in modern yoga as exercise. Etymology and origins The name is from the Sanskrit , stomach or abdomen; , to turn around; and , posture or seat. The pose is not found in medieval hatha yoga texts, but is described in 20th century manuals including B. K. S. Iyengar's 1966 ''Light on Yoga''. Description The full pose, sometimes called Jathara Parivartanasana B, is entered from a supine position, with the arms outspread on the ground, level with the shoulders. For the full pose, the legs are raised straight up and then lowered to one side, keeping the opposite shoulder on the ground. In Ashtanga (vinyasa) yoga, the pose is used cautiously, in combination with deep muscle exercises, to help relieve low back pain: it is not sufficient on its own as the strength of core muscles along the spine also needs to be developed. Article published in Issue 32, February 2014 of '' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Viparita Karani
Viparita Karani (; ) or legs up the wall pose is both an asana and a mudra in hatha yoga. In modern yoga as exercise, it is commonly a fully supported pose using a wall and sometimes a pile of blankets, where it is considered a restful practice. As a mudra it was practised using any preferred inversion, such as a headstand or shoulderstand. The purpose of the mudra was to reverse the downward flow of vital fluid being lost from the head, using gravity. Etymology and origins The name comes from the Sanskrit words , "inverted" or "reversed", and , "a particular type of practice". The practice is described in the 13th century '' Vivekamārtaṇḍa'' (verses 103–131) as a means of yogic withdrawal, pratyahara. The pose was practised from the 17th century onwards in hatha yoga under names such as Narakasana, Kapalasana and Viparitakaranasana; its purpose as a mudra was to reverse the downflow and loss of the life-giving substance ( Bindu) through the use of gravity. In the ea ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
