By Atul Vyas
From birth to death, each one of us has our own constitution, which constantly expresses itself in many mental and physical attributes. And, all these characteristics are expressions of one underlying reality. We can call this totality of mental and physical characteristics as body-mind complex.
There is a strong and deep relationship between body and mind, a fact which ancient yogis knew. Recent research at the National Institute of Health has gained important insights into the connection of the mind and the physical body. It has been discovered that thoughts are quantum events that have a profound influence on all functions of our body, every event in the mind produces corresponding events in the body.
These events of mind and body are governed by three basic agents as per yoga and Ayurveda, which are known as doshas namely vata, pitta and kapha. These are the fundamental mechanical mechanisms that govern the flow of energy throughout an individual physiology.
Every cell in one’s body must contain all these principles in order to maintain life. Imbalance in a dosha means that a particular dosha no longer exists in the right equilibrium required by the body. But through Yoga and Ayurveda, one can create a balance between these principles and enjoy perfect health.
One of the yogic poses which balances the pitta is Veerbhadrasana. It is a yogic back extension exercise.
Technique
- Stand in tadasana
- Spread legs two feet apart
- Now turn the right foot at ninth-degrees to the right and left foot at fifteen degrees to right side and turn face and torso to the right side
- Keep hands by the side.
- Now bend the right leg from knees so that thighs are parallel to the floor and shin bone at right angle to the knee
- While straightening the back leg, raise hands above your head and join the palms and stretch arms up by straightening them
- Now look up to the raised palms breathing normally
- Be in the pose for ten seconds and return to normal
- Repeat on other side
Benefits
- Balances pitta
- Enhances joint mobility
- Helps in curing arthritis of larger joints
- Helps those who are suffering from sagging large intestine syndrome
- Helps in bronchial asthma
Note of Caution
Those suffering from Parkinson’s disease and heart diseases should avoid this pose.
Atul Vyas likes to be called a “Yoga Scientist”. He is a celebrity yoga trainer and has trained several top Hollywood and Bollywood stars. He has trained for years under many eminent yoga gurus including his illustrious mother Daya Vyas, the first lady yoga guru of India.
