SALABHASANA:

SALABHASANA:
Salabhasana ("locust pose") is a yoga posture. It is a form of back bend, or spine stretch, using the strength of the upper and middle back to lift the weight of the legs as high as possible from a starting position face down on the floor. Most people find Salabhasana to be a very "strong" i.e. difficult and challenging posture to practice, and as such it not only improves flexibility and coordination, but also has strength and stamina benefits.
In several styles of yoga (e.g. , Astanga Yoga, Salabhasana is commonly performed after Bhujangasana, "cobra pose", which is a related posture working a different part of the spine.
Many beginners find that their shoulder and elbow flexibility is not sufficient to allow them to get the hands palm down right underneath the body, or that it is quite uncomfortable or even slightly painful to be in that position.
(sha-la-BAHS-anna) salabha = grasshopper, locust
Benefits
Strengthens the muscles of the spine, buttocks, and backs of the arms and legs
Stretches the shoulders, chest, belly, and thighs
Improves posture
Stimulates abdominal organs
Helps relieve stress
Contraindications/Cautions
Headache
Serious back injury
Students with neck injuries should keep their head in a neutral position by looking down at the floor; they might also support the forehead on a thickly folded blanket.
Step by Step
For this pose you might want to pad the floor below your pelvis and ribs with a folded blanket. Lie on your belly with your arms along the sides of your torso, palms up, forehead resting on the floor. Turn your big toes toward each other to inwardly rotate your thighs, and firm your buttocks so your coccyx presses toward your pubis.
Exhale and lift your head, upper torso, arms, and legs away from the floor. You'll be resting on your lower ribs, belly, and front pelvis. Firm your buttocks and reach strongly through your legs, first through the heels to lengthen the back legs, then through the bases of the big toes. Keep the big toes turned toward each other.
Raise your arms parallel to the floor and stretch back actively through your fingertips. Imagine there's a weight pressing down on the backs of the upper arms, and push up toward the ceiling against this resistance. Press your scapulas firmly into your back.
Gaze forward or slightly upward, being careful not to jut your chin forward and crunch the back of your neck. Keep the base of the skull lifted and the back of the neck long.
Stay for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then release with an exhalation. Take a few breaths and repeat 1 or 2 times more if you like.
Anatomical Focus
Buttocks
Hamstrings and calves
Lower back
Lungs
Upper back
Upper arms
Neck
Therapeutic Applications
Fatigue
Flatulence
Constipation
Indigestion
Lower-back pain
Modifications & Props
Beginners sometimes have difficulty holding this pose. You can support the area around your lower sternum with a rolled-up blanket to help maintain the lift of your upper torso. Similarly you can support the front of your thighs with a blanket roll to help support the lift of your legs.

EKA PADA RAJA KAPOTHASANA IV :

EKA PADA RAJA KAPOTHASANA IV :
Eka means one, pada the leg or foot and kapota as dove or pigeon. Rajakapota means the king of pigions.In this asana, the chest is pushed forward like that of a pouter pegieon, hence the name of the pose.

Technique:
1. Kneel on the floor and place the palms on either side of the body on the floor. Lift the knees up. Bring the right leg forward and the left leg back and stretch both legs straight with an exhalation. The back of the lefg in front and the front of the leg in the should touch the floor. The legs will now be in Hanumanasana, which resembles the splits of WESTERN BALLET.
2. Push the chest forward, extend the neck and throw the head as far back asa you can. Bend the left kneee and take th left foot up near the head. The left shin from knee to ankle should be perpendicular to the floor.
3. With an exhalation, take the left arm over the head and grip the left foot with the left hand. After taking a few breaths, exhale again, take the right arm over the head and catch the left foot with the right hand. Rest the head against it.
4. Stay in the pose for about 10 seconds. Release the grip on the left foot and come back to Hanumanasana. Raise the hips from the floor by placing the palms on the ground.
5. Now return to Hanumanasana, this time keeping the left leg stretched straight on the floor infront. Bend the right knee and take the right foot up near the head.
6. Repeat the pose by catcing the right foot and resting the head on it. Stay for the same length of time on this side.

Effects of the Eda pada Rajakapotaassana:
These poses refuvenate the lumbar and dorsal regions of the spine. The neck and shoulder muscles are fully exercised and the various positions of the legs strengthen the thighs and ankles. The thyroids, parathyroids, adrenals and gonads, receive a rich supply of blood and function properly, which increases vitality. In these poses more blood circulates round the pubic region, which is kept healty. These asanas are recommended for disorders of the urinary system and for controlling sexual desire

Yoga for Diabetes and Obesity

Yoga for Diabetes and Obesity

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and afflicts about eighteen million Americans. Diabetes means that the body does not produce or use insulin properly. Insulin is the hormone responsible in converting sugar, starches and other food into energy. Diabetes may be caused by genetic factors, though lack of exercise, Obesity and stress may also cause this disease. Stress increases the blood glucose levels and the risk for Heart Disease, stroke, and infections. Of the 18 million Americans with Diabetes, about 5.2 million are undiagnosed and about 90-95% have Type 2 Diabetes. There are two basic Types of Diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 Diabetes is insulin dependent. The pancreas no longer make insulin thus patients with Type 1 Diabetes need to take insulin shots or use insulin pumps. Type 2 Diabetes, on the other hand, is non-insulin dependent and is the most common form of Diabetes. This Type of Diabetes can be developed by anyone - young and Old. In Type 2 Diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, and the fat, Muscle, or liver cells does not use it properly. Obese people have higher risk in developing Type 2 Diabetes since both body fat and fat circulating in the bloodstream appear to interfere with the ability of cells to use insulin. Diabetes is often characterized by frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, abnormal weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability and blurry vision. Type 1 Diabetes is treated with insulin shots, regular exercise,YOGA, daily aspirin intake and Blood Pressure and cholesterol control. While Type 2 Diabetes is treated with Diabetes medicines, regular exercise, wise food choices, daily aspirin intake, and blood pressure and cholesterol control. In most cases, it is easy to ignore Diabetes in its early stage, especially when you see or feel no symptoms. This is dangerous. Diabetes affects almost all our major organs such as the heart, the Nerves, the eyes and the kidneys and can lead to both long and short term complications. Long term complications can be disabling or fatal, they also develop gradually. Keeping your blood sugar close to the normal level is the best way to reduce the risk of complications. This can be done through exercise and physical activity and taking medications. Strengthening your immune system is also vital since some illnesses can cause your body to produce more blood sugar. Constant watch on your glucose level is important when you are sick. Food and alcohol also has great effects on your blood sugar level. Alcohol intake can make your sugar level to fall while food intake can raise it up, so drink only in moderation, watch your food intake, and still, keep watch of your sugar level. The level of estrogen and progesterone in your body can also cause changes in your blood sugar level, especially during the third week of the Menstrual Cycle. Most Women, though, do not notice this change.
Obesity One of the causes of Diabetes and other serious medical conditions is Obesity which affects 60% of the American population. Obesity and Diabetes are also termed as twin epidemics. Obesity may be defined as the excessively high amount of body fat in relation to lean body mass. This occurs you're your calorie intake is greater than the amount of energy you burn. Medical professionals measure how much a person is overweight by figuring his BMI or Body Mass Index. Obesity may be caused by genetic factors, though some psychological, environmental, and some other factors also play a role. Obesity may run in the family or may be caused by lack of activity or a sedentary lifestyle. Some people also eat as a way to cope with some Psychological Disturbance. Other cases are due to binge eating or the feeling that one cannot control how much he is eating. Illnesses like hypothyroidism, Depression and certain neurological ailments can also lead to overeating. Drugs like steroids may cause a person to gain weight excessively. Both Obesity and Diabetes is highly preventable through proper diet, exercise and lifestyle change. Yoga Lifestyle will be most suitable to facilitate treatment for this twin epidemic. The Yoga principle on Healthy Diet and the practice of the Asanas will help balance the endocrine system, tone the abdominal organs, stimulate both the nervous and Circulatory System, and reduce stress. Yoga also helps one to gain a better understanding of ones self, leading to acceptance and appreciation which will help eliminate the psychological reasons for Obesity. The practice of Yoga deals with all the aspects of an individual: the mind, body and spirit, giving a person control over his mind and body and making the effect is more permanent than other techniques.
Asanas:
Important Asanas are beneficial for regularized insulin production. Various forms improve the flexibility and stability thus conditioning the body. After having attained a particular position it is important to hold on for a moment and then relax. Various stretches, turns and twists increase the conditioning of the internal organs. Stretching various glands allows proper functioning of the Endocrine system. Several Asanas recommended for checking Diabetes are as follows :
Meditation:
The benefits of meditation are plenty. Besides calming the Nervous system, it eliminates the toxins from the body by concentrating on the area where ailments are predominant. In Diabetes, immediate attention on the pancreas results for a balanced amount of insulin flow, which regularizes the blood sugar level. A balance is made between Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous system. Initially, start off with Omkar chanting and concentrate on breathing. This practice has shown very positive effects. People have also visualized the proper functioning of pancreas.
Cleansing Process:

This process is very useful for cleaning the gastro intestinal tract completely. It needs to be done in 3 times a week under the careful supervision of a Yoga professional. Take a glass of lukewarm salted water which a few drops of lemon squeezed in it. Drink on an empty stomach before flossing or brushing. Then perform 6 different exercises and evacuate the bowels. At least an attempt of cleansing your bowels for 7-8 times is required, till water is Evacuated.

Attaining good health is entirely in our hands. Obstructing God's finely created masterpiece in the form of human being is a threat to his creativity. Let your body get to the basics and revert to Nature by following these simple steps to Detoxify and get rid of Diabetes forever. All it takes is a little dose of sincerity and regularity