No need to hide your droopy breasts by wearing push up bras any more. If you’re looking for a good solution for saggy breasts, try yoga practice. Yoga asana can give your breasts excellent lift and refined contour.
A woman’s breasts are generally taken as an indication of her overall beauty and body fitness. Sagging or drooping breasts can take away your confidence and make you feel overly self-conscious, especially if you’re in the nude or in loose fitting, skimpy clothes. This can also lower your self-esteem. In these situations, you may be tempted to fall victim to all the ads and commercials claiming to tone and firm breasts, going so far as opting for cosmetic breast lifting surgery. Things like padded bras and other absurd “boob boosters” are not only expensive but also cumbersome to wear.
Maintaining proper physical posture, regular breathing exercises and practicing mediation will all help to achieve a more perfect body appearance, so you can walk gracefully with a nice youthful body presence.
Breast toning can be a problem in itself. Sagging breasts are a common complaint among aging women. However, many women notice it to a great extent after pregnancy, breastfeeding, and/or losing weight. Breasts are primarily made up of fatty tissues and milk producing glands, but they lack muscle mass. This makes it nearly impossible to tone or shape the loose skin in sagging breasts. When breast tissues are no more capable of holding your breasts up, the result is saggy boobs. So, this begs the question; what you can do to improve your bust-line?
There are yoga asanas that can firm, tone and strengthen the underlying muscles that your breasts rest upon. Stretching and strengthening the upper chest muscles (pectorals) and the chest muscles surrounding the breasts will tighten and lift them up. Regular yoga practice works for nearly all breast problems and bestows a more curvaceous look.
Yoga asana practice is a completely natural method which has direct impact in improving both breast shape and breast health. Yoga exercises, especially those with special stretching techniques help to streamline top-heavy figures and give breasts a “perkier” look. Good breast shape with enhanced cleavage can heighten your sense of feeling beautiful, plus it boosts your confidence.
Yoga Asanas to Tighten and Firm Breasts…
The yoga asanas (poses) outlined below stretch and open the chest, helping to strengthen the chest muscles and subsequently tighten and firm the breasts, greatly improving their appearance.
• Setu Bandhasana (Bridge pose): Reclined inversion stretches the chest and opens up the sternum.
• Utthita Trikonasana (Triangle pose): Extended lateral stretch expands your chest and shoulders.
• Bhujangasana (Cobra pose): Intense backbend with raised hood stretches pectoral muscles and expands the chest.
• Dwikonasana (Double angle pose): Backward stretching followed by forward bend gives a great stretch to the chest.
• Dhanurasana (Bow pose): A basic back-bend stretches the entire chest.
• Virabhadrasana (Warrior I): An intermediate standing posture causes the chest to open.
• Viprita Karani (Inverted leg stretch): Legs up the wall position reverses the effect of gravity on breasts.
More Useful Tips for Healthy Breasts (in addition to yoga asana)…
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Yoga is viewed in the Vedanta tradition as the path which seeks to unite one’s own soul with Atman (the “True Self,” which is equated with the essential, ultimate, eternal, unchanging, nature of the universe). Most of the Yogas other than Hatha are mostly meditative and more directly aimed at Yoga as end-goal and “union.” An Overview: • Jnana Yoga: Union acquired through knowledge. Jnana Yoga is the path of spiritual wisdom and knowledge, in which the intellect penetrates the veils of ignorance that prevent man from seeing his True Self (Atman). The disciplines of this path are those of study and meditation. Jnana Yoga may be considered the practical application of Advaita Vedanta. • Bhakti Yoga: Union acquired through love and devotion. The most popular Yoga of Indian masses is Bhakti. This is the Yoga of strongly-focused love, devotion and worship, at its finest in love of the One. Its disciplines are those of rites and the singing of songs of praise (called Bhajan or Kirtan). • Karma Yoga: Union acquired through action and service. Karma Yoga is the path dedicated work, selfless action and service, without any concern for the “fruits” of action. • Mantra Yoga: Union acquired through voice and sound. The practice of Mantra Yoga influences consciousness through repeating (or chanting) certain syllables, words or phrases. A form of Mantra Yoga is the Transcendental Meditation, which is widely practiced in the West. Rhytmic repetition of mantras is called japa. The most common, highly-regarded mantras are ‘OM’ and ‘OM MANE PADME HUM’. • Yantra Yoga: Union acquired through vision and form. Yantra Yoga employs sight and form. The visualization may be with the inner eye. A yantra is a design with power to influence consciousness; it is generally a two- or three-dimensional geometric composition, but it can be an objective picture, an inner visualization, or even the design of a temple. • Tantric Yoga: Union acquired through the harnessing of sexual energy. Tantric techniques are applied to distinguish psycho/physiological systems. The control of the sexual energies has a prominent part and the union of male and female plays a ritualistic role. Tantric Yoga closely guards its teachings and techniques, being the most secret of all the yogas. • Hatha Yoga: Union acquired through bodily mastery (particularly the breath); central to all Hatha Yoga disciplines is the regulation of breath, the harmonizing of its positive (sun) and negative (moon) or male and female currents. Hatha Yoga is the most widely practiced yoga in the West, and its best-known feature is asana (poses). Hatha yoga has practical benefits to the health of the nervous system, glands, and vital organs. It’s often a predecessor to (and purifying preparation for) Raja Yoga, which is work upon consciousness itself. Hatha Yoga is the most practical of yogas, working upon the physical body, purifying it, and through the body upon the mind. It’s the Yoga of physical health and well-being. • Raja Yoga: Union acquired through mastery over the mind. Its principal text is the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Raja Yoga is considered royal because the Yogi who practices this yoga regularly becomes ruler over his mind. Raja Yoga works upon the mind, refining and perfecting it, and then through the mind upon the body. It’s the Yoga of consciousness, considered by most, the highest form of Yoga. Everyday more and more individuals are finding themselves suffering with ailments related to a weakening of the bones. The ageing process is typically blamed for this loss of bone mass and density, but truthfully, severe bone weakness (or deterioration) is not a normal side effect of growing older. This is a relatively new problem that has only been an issue in recent years, and without a doubt, our current lifestyle is to blame. Postmenopausal women are most prone to bone loss, but this now this problem is starting to extend to younger women and even men. The bones are like anything else in the body and must be used (use it or lose it) in order to remain strong and durable. If you are concerned about weakening of the bones (either now or in the future) and are looking to boost your bone mass and density resulting in stronger bones, then yoga might just be the solution for you. Bone strength is often taken for granted by even the most health conscious individuals. We tend to give a lot of consideration to the health and condition of the muscles, skin, brain and even blood, but the bones and their health is commonly neglected. Our bones function as the body’s silent foundation and they deserve to be properly maintained. Bones don’t require a whole lot of attention; they just need to be exercised regularly, on a daily basis. When we consider exercising, our motive is usually to lose weight or build muscle; but the bones are also greatly affected (in a positive manner) during any good exercise session. The reason weight bearing exercises stimulate increased bone mass and density is because the muscles pull against the bones during the workout. The bones then respond to this pressure and stress by building themselves up. The stronger the muscles become, the more pressure they put on the bones. Activities that make the body work against the forces of gravity will increase bone mass and density naturally, but not all types of weight bearing activities are created equal. A large number of them (including jogging, running, step-aerobics, gymnastics, etc.) put a great deal of wear and tear on the delicate cartilage and connective tissue of the joints. Because of this excessive stress, this makes these exercises less than ideal for the long term, especially among the aging. Yoga is a perfect example of a weight bearing exercise that efficiently and effectively builds up density and mass in the bones while increasing muscle strength. And…it does this without putting undue stress on the joints, making it the perfect continual physical practice for maintaining movement and agility. Additionally, yoga strengthens the hips, wrists and spine; the bone structures which are the most prone to problems than any other. Backbends are known to strengthen and support the spine while seated poses safely open up and work the hips like the other asanas (poses). The Cobra Pose counteracts the forward hunch (Osteoporosis) that many individuals with bone loss suffer and also improves overall posture. Standing poses engage the hip bones, putting a great deal of weight on them, but in a gentle and effective manner and Downward Facing Dog puts weight on the upper spine and the wrists, strengthening these delicate bone structures naturally, building them up over time. Practicing yoga as part of your daily routine is a simple, thorough and easy way to maintain the optimal bone health, and the best part is that it only requires about 30 minutes a day so it should pose no problem when integrating it into your busy schedule. So, there really are no reasons not to incorporate this healthy practice into your everyday life, only excuses. What is a retreat? It’s a quiet or secluded place where you can rest and relax. What are a YOGA retreats: Quiet and secluded places where you can rest, relax, eat healthy, gain knowledge, insights, personal strength and PRACTICE YOGA. Is your daily routine getting you down? Have you ever wondered what might happen to you and to your life if you would just make the time to retreat to a place where you’re offered delicious, nutritious food and someone leads you in daily yoga and meditation practice? Where you’re in the company of other like-minded/like-hearted seekers of truth, love and beauty? Once you’re on a yoga retreat (or yoga holiday, as they’re sometimes called) all your regular daily obstacles will be gone and your day to day hassles will be put on hold, while you’re hooked up to a program that offers solutions for you when you return, so that your “normal” daily routine will have some pizzazz, a new energy and a new and refreshing feel. You’ll return rejuvenated and recharged and with a whole new attitude, plus you’ll be feeling energy you haven’t felt since you were a kid. Most yoga retreats take place in very special (and secluded) corners of the world (like National Parks, remote beach areas, or camps in the mountains), special places where time seems to slow down, providing a new and insightful perspective. If you’ve never had the opportunity to participate in a yoga retreat (or even if you have) and/or you feel your practice could use a bit more spark, your adventure is not as far away as you might imagine, why put it off, with a little planning you can make it happen! This unique type of getaway tends to bring like-minded/like-hearted seekers of truth, love and beauty together and creates a fertile ground for awakening the miracle that is you. A yoga retreat will affect you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, basically producing a profound and positive effect on your entire being. Retreats provide a break from your normal routines and time to focus on releasing, discovering and applying new found tools. Retreats that are well constructed allow for personal attention given to your own specific areas of need. This personal attention gives you a tool box filled with plenty of options. There is nothing more inspiring then returning from an experience empowered with new found strength. The power gained on a yoga retreat continues to help you as you return to your regular daily life with a new set of tools to release pain, regain strength, and find deep rest and peace plus you’ll be able find and open doors to possibilities where there were just blank walls before. There are times on a Yoga retreat when adventurous activities like hiking, biking, swimming, kayaking, etc. are offered and other times when silence is to be observed while doing cooperative communal service. There will be new dietary experiences to taste and enjoy, learning to practice “Ahimsa” (non-injury to others) while savoring plant based foods – both raw and cooked. There may be a time for cleansing/detox and giving the body a break from un-healthy habits. On some retreats you’ll be surrounded by beautiful settings, while on others you may focus on sensual pleasures like massage, energetic healing or bodywork. A Yoga retreat may involve early morning meditation to stop the constant chatter of the mind. Also, there’s Vipassana (insight meditation) for those interested in self-reflection or looking for a more spiritual experience. There may be instruction which will help you learn Pranayama and other advanced breathing methods. What kind of people go on Yoga retreats? ∙ Some are young; others are elderly (and all in between). ∙ Some are loose and flexible, while others are a stiff as a board. ∙ Some may be exhausted or at a crossroads in their life. ∙ Some simply want a chance to get away from it all. ∙ Others want to take care of just themselves for a change. Here are a few of the most common reasons people go on a yoga retreat: ∙ Deepening an existing practice ∙ Restarting a practice that was dropped ∙ Testing the waters (if you’re new to Yoga) ∙ Finding a new direction in life ∙ Meeting new, exciting people When you leave your daily routine and go for a yoga retreat, you set the stage for: ∙ Stress and pain relief ∙ Deep Rest ∙ Increased knowledge and understanding ∙ Greater appreciation for all things ∙ Diet improvement with delicious healthy food Tip: Knowing exactly what kind of experience you’re looking for before signing up will help ensure you pick the retreat perfect for your needs. Selecting retreat with a time frame suited to your schedule is also important; whether it’s a day retreat, a few days, a week, or even longer. And, perhaps most importantly, it is always recommended that the retreat you select is lead by certified yoga instructors who are prepared to work with you at your skill level. Spending intimate time with an experienced yoga teacher is one of the most potent opportunities for change available today; being a mixture of instruction and inspiration, it will guide you toward being a more authentic and powerful human being. In conclusion: Yoga retreats are the latest trend in yoga where you will be able to gain many profound benefits beyond those found when participating in a few hours of yoga sessions or classes. Those who attend such retreats and are guided by a yoga master, report experiencing a silent, inward revolution; one that produces a conscious growth and outward “evolution” of their body and mind. Contrary to the general belief that yoga is limited to an individualistic practice, a yoga retreat allows you the opportunity to explore the social aspect of yoga. Plus, the closeness to nature and having the time and opportunity to re-examine your motivations, goals, and beliefs helps you to become re-united with yourself and the awesome person you really are, both when you’re alone and in the company of others. Never underestimate this amazing organ called the skin as the revealer of many hidden things going on within your body; things you really should pay close attention to. As the largest eliminatory organ in the body, the skin works to assist in the elimination of toxins we encounter; from food, water, the environment, etc. The primary detoxification organs like the liver and colon are constantly and powerfully at work within our bodies, but when several factors are not dealt with properly; like diet, physical fitness, sleep, proper hydration and overuse of prescription drugs, the liver and digestive system is compromised, leaving it up to the skin to try and rid the body of excess toxins. This results in inflammation, pimples, breakouts, rashes, swelling, dryness, dark circles, and other skin disorders. Toxins throughout your body will try and exit through the skin when your body’s toxic load is too high and can’t be handled by the other eliminatory organs such as the liver, colon and kidneys. Then your skin becomes the primary avenue of detoxification and your digestive system is compromised. Though often unrecognized, chronic inflammation can develop, and in turn, start to produce dis-ease in the body. Once you recognize these clues on your skin as powerful tell-tale signs that your health is jeopardized, you can begin initiating change and developing some better habits with your diet, physical activities and lifestyle in general. Nearly all skin conditions, including even psoriasis and eczema are just our body’s’ way of telling us that we need to detoxify and alkalize our bodies. A good way to start is to reduce and eventually eliminate dairy, meat, processed foods and refined sugars. Next try adding lots pure water (not tap water which may contain chlorine, fluoride & even lead), tons of leafy greens and green smoothies, daily juicing, salads with lots of raw vegetables, plenty of fruit and some lightly cooked veggies. Even though this may seem a bit extreme to some, keep in mind that this lifestyle is key to optimal health, longevity and energy production. Absolutely everything you eat affects your body either positively or negatively, making it acidic or alkaline. What to Feed Your Skin to Detox… The #1 cleansing foods to add to your diet are bitter or astringent in nature and should be added every day. Choose from dark leafy greens (kale, chard, collards, nettles, dandelion, turnip greens, radicchio, endives, watercress, etc), Daikon radish, and Jerusalem artichoke. Other bright leafy greens like Romaine lettuce and spinach also assist in cleansing the blood & boosting collagen. Enough fiber is also essential. Without sufficient fiber, complete elimination is not possible, if possible at all. The toxins from every part of the body, including millions of dead cells daily, end up in the colon. In order to eliminate these substances from the colon, the body needs fiber, so add apples with skin, fresh vegetables, legumes & flax seeds to the diet for proper elimination of toxins. A clean colon is for clear skin. Poisonous Foods for Your Skin… All fried foods, soda (including diet soda), dairy products, “enriched” flour and refined sugars and artificial sweetners are the worst culprits. Eliminate these from your diet if you want clear, radiant skin. The Importance of Exercise for Your Skin… Once a suitable dietary regime incorporated into your lifestyle, it’s time to introduce some form of aerobic exercise. Using Hot Yoga to detox is by far one of the best ways you can help your body to rid itself of unwanted toxins. The human body contains some awesome systems for removing toxins, including the functions of the liver, kidneys, colon and skin. The body removes waste through the skin via sweat; this is where Hot Yoga comes into play. Yoga by itself is a powerful, full body workout, but the addition of heat makes it one of the best all around workouts possible. The increased temperature will prompt you to sweat profusely, and this sweating has a cleansing effect that involves your entire body. Many toxins present in your body will be flushed out through your skin, and you will become less susceptible, not only to skin disorders, but to disease and illness in general. In Addition to Diet & Exercise – Rest! A good night’s sleep is vital to the detoxification process. It is recommended you turn off or remove yourself from the effects of electronics (your computers, televisions, cell phones, etc.) at least one hour before bedtime, along with a good diet and exercise, it will help insure you get a quality 6 to 8 hours of sleep at night. Adequate rest is necessary for the health of the whole body; after a week or so of getting the required amount of sleep you’ll see your skin change before your very eyes! Cheers to great skin and your decision today to control how you are going to look tomorrow. The following are the five main general principles of all traditional yoga. As a holistic system, Ayurveda states that each aspect should be done in an individualized manner and according to the season and your current individual constitution (and/or imbalance) to avoid any aggravation of the “Doshas” (bodily humors that make up one’s constitution) and promote or restore health. Ayurveda and Yoga complement each other for an overall balanced and healthy lifestyle. These Five Principles of Yoga are the basis of attaining a healthy body and mind through the Practice of Yoga. The Five Principles: Principle 1: Proper Relaxation By releasing the tension in the muscles and putting the whole body at rest, you revitalize your Nervous System and achieve inner peace, making you feel relaxed and refreshed. This relaxed feeling is carried over into all your activities and helps you conserve your energy and let go of all worries and fears. Proper relaxation leaves you refreshed like after a good night’s sleep. Principle 2: Proper Exercise This principle revolves around the idea that our physical body is meant to move and exercise. Proper Exercise is achieved through the Yoga Postures or Asana which systematically works on all parts of the body – stretches and tones the Muscles and Ligaments, enhances the flexibility of the spine and the joints, and improves Blood Circulation. The asanas are designed to regulate the physical and physiological functions of the body. Practicing these Yoga Poses makes your body relaxed, gives you more strength and energy, and rejuvenates the various systems of the body. The Yoga Posture goes together with Proper Breathing. Each movement and stretch should be guided by your breath, making your movement and your breath coordinated; feeling like one and the same. The execution of the Asana is beneficial to the body, and at the same time contributes to spiritual and mental growth. Principle 3: Proper Breathing This means breathing fully and rhythmically, making use of all the parts of your lungs to increase your oxygen intake. Proper Breathing should be deep, slow and rhythmical. To achieve this, you need to be able to regulate the length and duration of your inhalation, exhalation, and the retention of air in your lungs or the pauses between breath. Yoga Breathing Exercises or Pranayama teaches you on how you can recharge your body and control your mental state by regulating the flow of Prana – the life force. This helps you achieve a calmer and more focused mind, and increases your energy level. Principle 4: Proper Diet What you eat extremely affects your mind. Improper diet results to mental inefficiency and blocks spiritual awareness. Proper Diet is one that nourishes both mind and body. It should be well balanced and based on natural foods. Proper Diet in Yoga also means eating in moderation and eating only when you are hungry. We sometimes tend to eat when we are upset, using food to fill the gap or the emptiness that we feel. Bad eating habits will cause our senses to be dull that we won’t even notice how much we eat or how it tastes and may result to diet related ailments like Obesity and Diabetes. Food should sustain our body. It should keep the body light and supple, the mind calm, and it should also help in keeping a strong immune system. Principle 5: Positive Thinking and Meditation The way we think highly affects our way of life. Practice keeping a positive outlook in life, this will facilitate in having a peaceful mind. Positive thinking and Meditation helps you remove negative thoughts and place your mind under perfect control. * The first 4 yoga principles mentioned above will strongly support your meditation practice (the 5th principle) by providing you with the necessary tools to attain (and maintain) a healthy body and mind, calmness and peace, as well as discipline and inner strength. Anandamaya Kosha is the fifth and final of the five Koshas (sheaths) and is comprised of a Sanskrit term “Ananda” (bliss – pure joy), Maya, which means “composed of” and Kosha meaning sheath. So, Anandamaya Kosha is the sheath that is composed of bliss. Anandamaya Kosha is the innermost of the Koshas, the first of the Koshas surrounding the Atman, the eternal center of consciousness. It is also the most subtle body and without its existence life is impossible. It interacts with the other Koshas like the sun affecting our planet. This blissfull body beyond words is generally perceived in flashes of short duration as an undescribable experience where duality ends and “I AM” expresses its unity with the Divine. This bliss however, is not the emotional bliss that’s experienced at the level of the sheath of mind (Manomaya Kosha). Ananda is a whole different order of reality from that of the mind, for it’s the peace, joy, and love that is underneath (or beyond) the mind, independent of any reason or external stimulus that may cause a happy mental reaction. It is simply “being”; resting in the eternal bliss called ananda. Yet, even this bliss, however wonderful it seems, must still be recognized as a covering (a sheath); like a lampshade which covers the pure light of consciousness. In the silence of deep meditation, this too needs to be let go of, in order to move beyond the dualistic mind. When we can transcend the other four sheaths described previously (see links below), we can begin to experience this sense of pure joy which does not need any sensory input or dependance on any of our past experiences or impressions. Anandamaya Kosha is the closest to our true “Self” which is ever pure and ever-unchanging. We can abide in this bliss only as a result of “samadhi”, the last of the eight limbs of Patanjali’s yoga philosophy. Of course, to get there one has to practice the other seven limbs on a regular basis. To review the other four Koshas, click on the following… *Through discrimination and inquiry, may you all abandon your identification with all five of these illusory sheaths which has been established by Avidya (ignorance)! NAMASTE Vijnanamaya Kosha is the fourth of the five Koshas (sheaths) and is a Sanskrit terms “jna” (to know), “vi” (apart), together they imply discernment. Maya means composed of, Kosha means sheath. So, Vijnanamaya Kosha is the sheath that is composed of the discerning intellect. The Vijnanamaya Kosha is also known as the sheath of intuitive knowledge/wisdom. Our intellect gives us the discriminative capability that helps to differentiate between good and evil, between right and wrong etc. The intellect can be looked upon as having two components: The “ego-driven” intellect most often leads to actions which result in pain and suffering, while actions prompted by pure intuition and discriminative knowledge will give us satisfaction, peace and happiness. When one practices meditation, their mind becomes purified and their intellect can then begin to depend more and more on this pure intuitive wisdom rather than being so influenced by the ego. This is the sheath of wisdom that lies underneath the processing, thinking aspect of mind, or the sheath of mental activities (Manomaya Kosha). It knows, decides, judges, and discriminates between this and that, between all that is useful and not useful. A major part of Sadhana (spiritual practice) is gaining ever increasing access to this level of our being. It is the level that prompts our “higher wisdom” to seek Truth, to inquire within, in search of the true Self or eternal center of consciousness. Vijnanamaya Kosha, as the conscious body, lies deeper than the previously described Koshas and it also remains interactive and dependant on them. This sheath is responsible for inner growth, for ethics and morals. It allows us to reach beyond mundane existence into wisdom and subtle knowledge as it actively seeks to move from the exoteric to the esoteric; from the world observed by the eyes to the inner space behind the eyes. Independent of any specific religion, the studies of holy texts like the Bible, the Torah, the Bhagavad Gita and other texts from the great sages of antiquity, will lead us to the same realization because all religions are based on this same truth. In this sheath we recognize and return to the “real” life, the life that both preserved and outlasts the body. By meditating on, and exploring the Vijnanamaya Kosha, and then going inward, to and through the remaining and final Kosha (Anandamaya Kosha), thus arriving at the “Self” (Atman). Stay tuned, next we’ll explore the innermost and final sheath: The Five Koshas (Part 5 – Anandamaya Kosha: bliss sheath) Manomaya Kosha is the third of the five Koshas (sheaths) and is a Sanskrit term meaning “the sheath of the mind”. Mano or Manas, in Sanskrit, means “mind”, Maya means composed of, Kosha means sheath. So, Manomaya Kosha is the sheath that is composed of the mind (or “mind-stuff”). This “sheath of mental activities” is the receiver of all sense impressions and from these impressions it forms its own ideas, thereby giving rise to the idea of “I” and “mine”, in turn creating avidya (ignorance, delusion). The organs connected with sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch, together with the mind, constitutes this Kosha. It enables the individual to identify various objects and perceptions and distinguish one from another. It is subtler than the second Kosha (Pranamaya – the sheath through which vital air, or Prana, circulates throughout the body) and permeates it, so it could be considered the inner self of the Pranamaya Kosha. Swami Sivananda likens it to “the bladder of a football”, in regard to the Pranamaya Kosha. Manomaya Kosha (the “inner organ”) is also interactive with and dependant of the former two Koshas (Pranamaya & Annamaya). It governs all the faculties of perception and instinctual consciousness. It is the mind which can construct and destroy our apparent reality. It is our sub-consciousness that is formed by both negative and positive experiences and where our self has developed its behavior. Within this sheath actions happen automatically and it can dominate the other two outer shells. Vivekananda says of this Kosha: “Actions are mighty, thoughts are almighty”. To activate this Kosha the former two bodies (Pranayama & Annamaya) should be put at “rest” through a deep relaxation technique (i.e. Yoga Nidra). With this practice, the deep sheath of our mind can be penetrated and our negative types of programming can be replaced with positive and constructive ones, but to succeed, this process needs perseverance. Manomaya Kosha receives all sense impressions and from these impressions it forms its own ideas, thereby giving rise to the idea of ’I’ and ’Mine’, in turn creating avidya (ignorance, delusion). The organs connected with sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch, together with the mind, constitutes this Kosha. It enables the individual to identify various objects and perceptions and distinguish one from another. Thoughts, emotions, feelings, memories are all a part of this Kosha, and since every thought has a great inherent power; it affects our physiology, moods, physical body, responses, work efficiency, relationships, wisdom and especially our breathing. The epidemic of stress in these modern days is basically a problem at the level of mind, where a sense of apprehensiveness prompting negative emotions is commonly allowed to build up without any opportunity for release, unless certain measures are taken. When this sheath receives clear instructions from the deeper levels, it functions naturally and very well. However, whenever it is clouded over by its own self-constructed illusions, the deeper wisdom is obscured. After taking care of the food (physical) body and training the energy (vital) body by regulating the flow of prana, the next important part to be trained (in a positive manner) is this level of mind. Through proper meditation, we may become aware of Manamaya Kosha, exploring it, and then going inward, to and through the remaining two Koshas. As with the former two Koshas, the Manomaya Kosha is also transitory. Stay tuned, coming up next will be: The Five Koshas (Part 4 – Vijnanamaya Kosha: wisdom sheath) Pranamaya Kosha is the second of the five Koshas (sheaths). Pranamaya Kosha, is a Sanskrit term meaning “the sheath of energy”. Prana, in Sanskrit, means vital energy, Maya means composed of, Kosha means sheath. So, Pranamaya Kosha is the sheath of vital energy within each human being. The Pranamaya Kosha is more subtle than the Annamaya Kosha (gross physical sheath). The whole of the physical body is pervaded by the Pranamaya sheath. The Pranamaya sheath contains the five Karma Indriyas (Vayus) or organs of action (brief summary below) and along with the mental and intellectual sheaths, forms the subtle body of Linga Sarira (the astral body). The five Karma Indriyas (Vayus): In order for the first or outer Kosha (Annamaya) to function it needs to be energized and sustained by the vital Prana available via the Pranamaya Kosha, the energy sheath. If the energy sheath is absent the physical body will disintegrate and merge back into its five elements (earth, water, fire, air and ether). The Pranamaya Kosha can be viewed as being responsible for all the physiological functions in the body (breathing, blood circulation, digestion, heartbeat, all hormonal functions, communication between the brain and the cells of the body etc.). The primary Yoga practice that is used to energize and vitalize the Pranamaya Kosha is Pranayama (control of the breath). The Pranamaya Kosha is the vital force that produces the subtle vibrations related to breath, and which are the driving force behind the physical aspect of the senses and the operation of the physical body. It allows the invisible indweller, our true “Self” to be able to animate through the body in the external world. Ironically, at the same time, it allows the eternally still, silent center of consciousness to be mistakenly identified as the moving, visible physical body. Vedanta philosophy instructs us that for both a healthy life and the proper practice of meditation, it is very useful, even essential that this level of our being be trained, regulated, and directed, so that it flows smoothly and easily. The Pranamaya Koshasurvives the physical body, but only momentarily, for it is also transitory. Stay tuned, coming up next will be: The Five Koshas (Part 3 – Manomaya Kosha: mind (mind-stuff) sheath.
The Main Traditional Indian Yogas
• Laya and Kundalini Yoga: Union acquired through arousal of latent psychic nerve-force. These combine many of the techniques of Hatha Yoga, especially prolonged breath suspension and a stable posture, with intense meditative concentration, so as to awaken the psychic nerve-force latent in the body, symbolized as serpent power (Kundalini), which is coiled below the base of the spine. The force is taken up the spine, passing through several power centers (chakras), until it reaches a chakra in the crown of the head, when intuitive enlightenment (Samadhi) is triggered. The disciplines are severe, best practiced under the guidance of a master teacher or guru.
Yoga, Aging and Bone Loss
The Awesome Benefits of a Yoga Retreat
Diet, Hot Yoga and Your Skin…
The Five Principles of Yoga…
The Five Koshas (Part 5 – Anandamaya Kosha: bliss sheath)
The Five Koshas (Part 4 – Vijnanamaya Kosha: wisdom sheath)
The Five Koshas (Part 3 – Manomaya Kosha: mind sheath)
The Five Koshas (Part 2 – Pranamaya: air sheath)