Sauna

A sauna is typically a room heated to between 70° to 100° Celsius or 158° to 212° Fahrenheit. Traditional Finnish saunas usually use dry heat, with a relative humidity that is often between 10 and 20 percent. In other sauna types, the moisture is higher. Turkish-style saunas, for example, involve a greater level of humidity. Its use can raise the skin temperature to roughly 40° Celsius or 104° Fahrenheit. As the skin temperature rises, heavy sweating also occurs. The heart rate rises as the body attempts to keep cool. It is not uncommon to lose about a pint of sweat while spending a short time in a sauna.

Health benefits of Sauna

1. Improves cardiovascular performance

The heat from the sauna relaxes the body’s muscles, improves circulation and stimulates the release of endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s all-natural “feel good” chemical, and their release provides a truly wonderful “after sauna glow.”

2. Aids in recovery after intense physical activity. Relaxes muscles and soothes aches/pains in both muscles and joints

After participating in physical sports, use the heat and/or steam of a sauna to promote muscle relaxation by helping to reduce muscle tension and eliminate lactic acid and/or other toxins that may be present.

3. Flush Toxins

Due to the heat of a sauna, the core body temperature begins to rise. The blood vessels then dilate, causing increased blood flow (see above). As heat from the blood begins to move toward the skin’s surface, the body’s nervous system then sends signals to the millions of sweat glands that cover the human body. As the sweat glands become stimulated, they produce sweat.

4. Skin problems

A dry sauna dries the skin during use. Some people with psoriasis may find Trusted Source that their symptoms reduce while using a sauna. However, those with atopic dermatitis may find that it worsens.

5. Lower risk of Alzheimer’s?

A 20-year study was conducted with more than 2,300 participants at the University of Eastern Finland by Dr. Jari Laukkanen and his colleagues. The study revealed regular sauna use (4-7 times per week) at 176 degrees F for 19 minutes lowered the risk for both Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

Precautions :

• Drink plenty of water
• Avoid use of it, if a person is ill
• Avoid alcohol

Chakras are the concentrated energy centers of the body. Chakra is a Sanskrit term that means “wheel” or “disk” and is derived from the root word “cakra”. Chakras are spinning wheels of energy/light. Chakras have the loving responsibility of taking in, incorporating, and emanating energy to keep us functioning at optimal levels. Talking about SINGING BOWLS & THE CHAKRA CONNECTION.

1^st Chakra (Root/red) – survival

2^nd Chakra (Sacral/orange) – creative

3^rd Chakra (Solar Plexus/yellow) – power

4^th Chakra (Heart/green) – love

5^th Chakra (Throat/blue) – expression

6^th Chakra (3^rd Eye/indigo) – intuition

7^th Chakra (Crown/violet) – spiritual connection

The Chakra System is very interesting because it reflects the vibrational level of you … both your inner and outer worlds. When you balance chakra energy, it reflects in a more balanced life physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Each chakra also corresponds to a different body area, neural network, organ system, vibration, color – and a different musical note or frequency:

1^st Chakra – Note C – skeletal/spine

2^nd Chakra – Note D – reproduction/bladder

3^rd Chakra – Note E – stomach/liver

4^th Chakra – Note F – heart/circulation

5^th Chakra – Note G – lungs/throat

6^th Chakra – Note A – sinus/lower brain

7^th Chakra – Note B – nerves/upper brain

Everything vibrates … and where there is vibration … there is sound.  Every atom, molecule, cell, gland, and organ of the human body absorbs and emits sound and has a ‘vibration signature’ that reflects your emotional and physical health.

When an organ or body part is healthy, it creates a natural resonant frequency in harmony with the rest of the body.  Basically … we emit sound.  And just as a musical instrument can go out of tune with use, so can our bodies – creating disharmony & disease.

Conclusion

Singing Bowls can help balance the Chakra energy system.   Each crystal bowl is specifically tuned to a chakra frequency.  When singing bowls are played, and particular sound frequencies are projected into a dis-eased area, correct harmonic patterns can be restored.

Scientific studies show that sound can produce changes in the autonomic, immune, endocrine, and neuropeptide systems. Disharmony within the body can be restructured by sound.

The sounds from singing bowls are calming and induce a sense of peacefulness … it is a relaxation that goes beyond the physical body. The tones of each chakra bowl will permeate your system – resonating your essence – so that inner chaos, conflict, and dissonance seem almost immediately to be transformed into harmony.

Yoga breathing, or Pranayama, is the science of Prana (vital energy) which is referred to as a source of all life in all living beings in this universe. It consists of a series of breathing exercises especially intended to meet the body’s needs and keep it in vibrant health.

Other than for increasing vital reserves in the body, Pranayamas are mainly practiced for stilling the mind and thought process – as the prana and thoughts are no different. According to Yogis, we can control our thoughts by the breath, and breathing is a tool to harmonize the body, mind, and consciousness.

Mechanics of Breathing

In our respiration process, we inhale oxygen into our bodies. The air goes through our body systems as a form of energy to charge our different body parts. Then we exhale carbon dioxide and throw away all toxic wastes from our bodies. However, our lives are full of stress and our minds are a madhouse of non-stop thoughts that stop us from breathing properly. Eventually, our breath becomes fast and shallow – thereby using only a fraction of our lung capacity.

Thus, the lack of oxygen and not being able to completely rid our bodies of carbon dioxide may lead to health problems. Heart disease, sleep disorders, and fatigue are just a few of the effects of a lack of oxygen and prana to the body. The mind becomes like a restless monkey with non-stop thoughts complicating our lives.

We can enhance oxygen intake and also exhale carbon dioxide fully by practicing deep and systematic breathing through Pranayama, which can energize the body with fresh prana. Vitality, calmness, alertness of mind, concentration, and glow of the skin are some of the many benefits of Pranayama.

Why Pranayama?

Breathing is a normal part of our lives, though we fail to pay attention to it. It is a voluntary function of the body that we perform without thinking. Why then do we have to learn yoga breathing? Here are some reasons why Pranayama is important:

1. Pranayama teaches us the proper way to breathe. We have become accustomed to breathing from our chests, using only a fraction of our lungs, not knowing that this is an unhealthy and unnatural way of inhaling and may lead to complications. With yoga breathing, we increase the capacity of our lungs, bringing more oxygen supply to the body to function well. We learn how to breathe slowly and deeply – the right way.
2. Pranayama reduces the toxins and body wastes from within our bodies – thereby preventing diseases at their roots.
3. Pranayama helps digestion. With the proper way of breathing, one’s metabolism and health condition will start to improve and constipation will be relieved.
4. Pranayama develops our concentration and focus of mind. It can counteract stress and relax the body much deeper than sleep.
5. Pranayama offers better self-control. Through concentration, one can better handle one’s temper and reactions. The mind can function clearly, avoiding arguments and wrong decisions. Moreover, self-control also involves control over one’s physical body.

Overview: Moon Gazing

The object you gaze upon can be just about anything: A candle flame, a campfire, or a picture of your grandma. In this meditation, you are moon gazing (moon trataka).

So Why, Stilling the eyes is not the only way to achieve stillness of mind, but it is a powerful way, and the feedback is much quicker. Schools of Yoga, Zen, and Tibetan Buddhism have developed open-eye meditation techniques based on this principle.

The moon itself is a powerful meditation object because it influences subtle psychic energy and dream functions. Very sensitive people tend to be quick to notice this.

You can practice this technique as a full moon meditation or nightly, whenever the moon is available. You can also snap a picture of the moon so that you have something to gaze upon when the moon is unavailable. If gazing at the photo, you can darken the room just enough so that your focus is entirely on the photo.

There’s something about the changing cycles of the moon that makes this moon gazing practice special. They remind the psyche about the cycles of life. Ultimately, all experiences of phenomena can be broken down into vibrations and cycles. All matter is ultimately a collection of tiny vibrations of light.

Benefits of Moon Gazing

1. Relief from insomnia

2. Remarkable concentration abilities

3. Correction of eye problems such as myopia, farsightedness, and the early stages of cataracts (I haven’t verified this, but it’s a common claim)

4. Development of the third eye and intuitive abilities

5. Deep relaxation and many of the other benefits you receive from meditation

Overview

In this present rapid world, people are very enthusiastic about this question that is: Which is better Yoga Practice or Gym? So with full info: We will explain here: Why Yoga Practice Is Better Than Gym Workout.

Asanas in yoga generally involve a lot of stretching, bending, and folding. This has a major positive impact on your digestive system, blood circulation, the lymph system, and more. It helps in detoxifying your body too. And all this happens while you are practicing complex postures to strengthen your body. In a gym workout, the major focus goes on the muscles and increasing their strength. It doesn’t do so much for the internal body.

1. You learn to accept yourself

Truly saying lot of people might have been to the gym at some point in their life. It’s great if things go well as per your plan. But if they don’t you end up feeling envious and worthless; neither is good for your mental health. In a yoga class, regardless of whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned campaigner, you will always see people who can perform the asanas better than you. There you will learn that yoga is not about improving the self but rather accepting the self.

2. Yoga schools help you focus on yourself

Gyms are often packed with mirrors. It is common for people to stand in front of a mirror and lift while focusing entirely on the exterior, with the mind being totally distracted. Unlike gyms, there are no mirrors in yoga schools. So when you practice you can focus on everything that is happening inside your body. You can focus on your breath and think about what every muscle is doing.

3. Yoga teaches acceptance

Yoga helps you believe you’re perfect the way you are—with your strengths and your weaknesses. It’s true what they say — yoga is not about self-improvement, it’s about self-acceptance. Gym classes, especially boot camp style classes, are more likely to have you feeling like a failure if you can’t do everything.

4. Yoga is kinder to the body.

This does not mean yoga is not intense. Just ask anyone who practices Ashtanga. Yoga builds heat and works your muscles, but you’re doing what your body allows you to do and not attempting to lift weights and pound on the joints—both of which can cause injury. Yoga also stretches as you move through the postures and a good yoga practice builds on itself to prepare the body for the next position.

5. Everyone can practice yoga

No matter your age or your health, you can practice yoga. Yoga has even been found to help people who have health ailments ranging from Parkinson’s to cancer. Gym workouts, in general, are not designed to be therapeutic, or senior-friendly.

Overview: Panchakarma Treatment

A word that came from Sanskrit scripture, Panchakarma essentially means ‘five treatments’ or ‘five actions.’ This treatment cleanses the body of toxic matter, often left by poor dietary habits and diseases. Further about the Benefits Of Panchakarma Treatment.

Normally, the human body has a natural ability to process and remove waste matter, including vitiated doshas. However, due to repeated dietary indiscretions, genetic predisposition, irregular exercise, and poor lifestyle habits, the metabolic co-factors, digestive enzymes, and hormones that regulate internal balance can become disorganized. When this happens, it can bring accumulation as well as spreading of harmful toxins throughout the whole body, leading to all kinds of diseases.

All such waste matter is referred to as “ ama” in Ayurveda (the Indian medicine system). Ama is a sticky, harmful, and foul-smelling substance that the body must eliminate.

Ama refers to an undigested substance derived from food that the body absorbs without proper assimilation. Such partly digested material cannot be used by the system, and acts to clog it, eliciting an immune reaction.

Benefits of Panchakarma

• Cleared toxins from the entire system
• Balanced Doshas
• Healed digestive system
• Enhanced immunity
• Decreased stress
• Anti-aging
• Improved skin luster
• Weight loss (if overweight)
• Deep relaxation
• Meditative outlook in life
• Enhanced mindfulness

Panchakarma treatment purifies the body’s tissues at the deepest level and involves nasal administrations, herbal enemas, oil baths, and everyday massages. Overall, it provides a highly pleasurable experience that cleanses the body from the core. Ayurveda recommends it as a seasonal treatment, especially for maintaining balance and hygiene at both the physical and mental levels.

Panchakarma treatment helps in the effective removal of any excess doshas and aids correction of any imbalances in them too.

Om Santih Santih Santih !!!!!!

From teas and essential oils to blue-light bans, countless insomnia cures promise a better night’s sleep. But if you’re still lying awake counting sheep, a new Japanese breathing technique called “moon breathing” may be the answer – and all it requires is closing one nostril and breathing through the other. 

To moon breathe, also known as Chandra Bhedana in Sanskrit, all you need to do is lie down and use your right thumb to gently close your right nostril. You then breathe in and out through just your left nostril. 

The technique, promises to help you achieve a good night’s sleep by calming your mind enough to drift off. Publishing consultant Sarah Harvey recently described it in her book Kaizen: The Japanese Method for Transforming Habits, One Small Step at a Time.

“For the times when you can’t sleep, I am going to share with you a short breathing exercise that I find helps me when it is 3am and my mind is racing with nonsense thoughts,” Harvey writes. 

Moon breathing is a popular relaxation method among yogis, who believe that it improves the sleep cycle.

If that doesn’t work, Harvey also recommends trying out the same technique, but alternating nostrils. 

“This is called Nadi Shodhana or alternate nostril breathing and is a really simple way to quickly quiet the mind and settle your emotions, so is a useful exercise to have up your sleeve during moments of anxiety or stress,” she explains. “It really helps to focus the mind and press the reset button on your nervous system.” 

According to researchers, breath-focused practices, which have long been used by yogis and Buddhists, have known cognitive benefits, including increased ability to focus, decreased mind wandering, and more positive emotions, among others. 

Recently, researchers at Trinity College in Dublin also found a neurophysiological link between breathing techniques and attention showing for the first time that “breathing directly affects the levels of a natural chemical messenger in the brain called noradrenaline, which is released when we are challenged, curious, exercised, focused or emotionally aroused”.

Bad sleep increases emotional stress levels, so if you’re tired of struggling to fall asleep, it’s worth trying moon breathing.

Reference Source: Sleep-Moon Technique

Real tea is derived from a particular plant (Camellia sinensis) and includes only four varieties: green, black, white, and oolong. Anything else is an infusion of a different plant and isn’t technically tea. It plays an integral role in traditional medicine and people in many Asian countries revere it as a cure-all. The Chinese and Japanese have used it for centuries to improve health. Western medicine also promotes it as a treatment for cold and flu symptoms.

Here’s given some studies result have found about the potential health benefits :

• Green tea: Made with steamed leaves, it has a high concentration of EGCG and has been widely studied. Its antioxidants may interfere with the growth of bladder, breast, lung, stomach, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers; prevent clogging of the arteries, burn fat, counteract oxidative stress on the brain, reduce risk of neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, reduce risk of stroke, and improve cholesterol levels.
• Black tea: Made with fermented leaves. Black tea contains the highest caffeine content and serves as the base for flavored teas like chai, as well as some instant teas. Studies show that black tea may help protect the lungs from damage caused by cigarette smoke. It also may reduce the risk of stroke.
• White tea: Uncured and unfermented. A study showed that white tea has the most potent anticancer properties compared to more processed teas.
• Oolong tea: In an animal study, those given antioxidants from oolong tea were found to have lower bad cholesterol levels. One variety of oolong, Wuyi, is heavily marketed as a weight loss supplement, but science hasn’t backed the claims.
• Pu-erh tea: Made from fermented and aged leaves. Considered a black tea, pu-erh leaves are pressed into cakes. An animal study showed that animals given pu-erh gained less weight and had reduced LDL cholesterol.

Health Benefits of Tea

1. Protects Heart Health

It could help reduce the risk of a heart attack. it might also help protect against cardiovascular and degenerative diseases.

2. Boosts Energy

It contains a small amount of caffeine that can help increase energy. The low caffeine amounts make green tea a good choice for people who are looking to cut back on their caffeine intake.

3. Supports Mental Health

Studies link its consumption to a lower risk of neurological disease and reduced stress levels. Green tea consumption has also shown promise in preventing cognitive decline associated with brain diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s. Tea offers natural calming effects that can reduce stress and help you unwind after a tough day.

4. May Regulate Blood Sugar

Drinking it may help regulate blood sugar levels and prevent or control diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Studies show that it reduces blood sugar levels after eating a meal.

5. Aids Digestion

It helps streamline digestion and can treat a host of issues ranging from nausea and upset stomach to diarrhea. People in China and India have long used ginger as an herbal tea to treat upset stomachs. 

Drink to Your Health

The potential health benefits of tea go far beyond simply improving immune system health. Drink it daily to prevent the onset of neurological decline and help protect heart health.

Whether you prefer drinking green, you’re sure to find a tea flavor you love. Explore the varied earthy and vegetal flavors of the true teas or mix it up with the floral, citrus, spicy, and fruity tastes of herbal teas. As long as you’re drinking it. You’re sure to reap the health benefits of this delightful elixir.

Tratak is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘to see or gaze’. This meditation technique involves starting at a single point of focus. This is typically the flame of a candle, but other objects that may be used include a dot on the wall, an object of worship, a deity, a flower, a mountain, a rising sun, or a moon. However, a flame is believed to work best. In ancient Hindu tradition, Ghandhari is believed to have mastered track. In recent eras, Ramana Maharshi has practiced it.

Method of Tratak Kriya

After three months of consistent tratak meditation, the seeker begins to notice its effects. In this sadhana, in addition to the worshiper’s reverence and patience, his purity is also required. To enlarge and purify the body, practicing tratak requires adhering to the rules for a few days. You can do this reflection by taking a gander at any rising sun, light, light, instrument, wall point on the paper, and so on.

• Take these precautions when practicing tratak sadhana. During this practice, you should be surrounded by peace. The ideal time for this practice is between three and five in the morning or Brahma Muhurta. You should complete this achievement at night or in a dimly lit area. Dedicate 30 minutes each day at a specific time. Choose a location that remains relatively isolated, and ensure there are no distractions during meditation. Sit on a pedestal and dress physically and cleanly. This: First, sit in a meditation position with your back, neck, and head straight in a dark room and close your eyes.
• The focus point should be at a height that is parallel to the eyes. In an earthen lamp, you can get light energy from a flame that has been lit with ghee.
• At a height that is parallel to the eyes and approximately one and a half yards or two and a half feet away from the eyes, a burning candle or an earthen lamp should be placed.
• Now that you have opened your eyes, you keep watching the earthen lamp’s flame until your eyes get tired or you cry. Relax now by closing your eyes.
• Rehash this activity 3 or multiple times until the individual is accustomed to seeing for 10 or 15 minutes without squinting an eyelid.
• Keep in mind that you should not blink when you see Jyoti.

Benefits of Tratak:

• Strengthens eye muscles
• Purifies the eyes
• Treats eye disorders
• Relieves insomnia
• Aids in treating depression
• Improves concentration
• Calms the mind
• Promotes emotional stability
• Boosts willpower
• Develops intuition and clairvoyance

People having weak eyesight and who wear eyeglasses can gaze at the dot of the wall for fifteen days or a month by which eyes vision can be restored to a better level. Even double vision due to detachment of the retina can be healed to much extent by the proper practice of the track in the flame of the lamp.

What about contradictions?

Use common sense as usual. Practice with caution if you have an eye condition that makes gazing painful. Be cautious when in doubt until you gain confidence. In the event of undesirable outcomes, modify the procedure.

On the off chance that you have epilepsy, you ought to rehearse on a dab rather than a candle. The equivalent in the event that you are oversensitive to light.

How frequently could you at any point practice track?
You can practice tratak every day or only on occasion. For genuine reliable advantages, normal practice is ideal.

In the book, ‘Hathayoga Pradipika’, written by Swami Svatmarama in his Chapter II describes-

Cale vaate calam cittam niscale niscalam bhavet
Yogi sthanutvamapnoti tato vayum nirodhayet

In this verse, Shloka narrates the significance of one of the subtle aspects of the human body, the breath (even a subtle being is prana). The meaning of the shloka says- “So long as breathing goes on the mind remains unsteady; when (it) stops, (the mind) becomes still and the Yogi attains complete motionlessness. Hence, one should restrain one’s breath.” Ancient yogis had long ago discovered the power of breath control and its relation to the human mind. They have attributed the cause of the disease to disproportionate/uneven breath. Therefore, arresting (read slowing down) the medium of the vital force is one of the foremost steps to start treating a disease- SBT is a mix of different ways of breathing and chanting, and brings substantial relief to patients in a matter of 30 minutes!

Dr. Sharad Bhalekar, Resident Medical Officer (RMO), Health Centre, Kdham, reveals patients who choose integrated holistic therapy at packages at Kdham are often distressed lot. “And SBTs are an instantaneous remedy to cool down the Parasympathetic nervous system,” he explains. Research, he says, shows that the practice of SBT significantly lowers blood pressure in patients with hypertension, and soothes stress hormones such as adrenalin and cortisol. In patients with insomnia, SBT helps maintain serotonin and melatonin levels. “If practiced regularly, patients can wean off their sleep-inducing medication, claims Dr. Bhalekar.

Here’s The SBT

The SBT is a notch down from the advanced practice of Pranayama, as the former does not involve retention of breath or kumbhaka.  Hence, it is one of the safest practices and even applicable to heart patients. “The primary aim of SBTs is relaxation. And relaxation is one of the vital aspects of Yoga Therapy,” narrates Dr Bhalekar.

The SBT comprises of:

1. AUM chanting

2. Bhramari Pranayama

3. Slow and deep inhalation and exhalation

4. Simple Anulom Vilom

Of course, all the above techniques, which are a boon for patients with psychosomatic disorders, have their time and method to perform in a manner prescribed by the yogic texts. In some patients, SBT needs customization.   

Reference Source: eliminate-stress-30-minutes