Yoga: Three reasons you should not do Yoga Posture – Lord of Dance

The Lord of Dance Posture – (Natarajasana)

This beautiful and vigorous posture is dedicated to God Siva, the Lord of the Dance.

‘Nataraja’ is a name given to Siva, when he is engaged in his dance. He is not only the God of destruction, death and stillness but also a Lord of the Dance. It is believed that the cosmic dance of lord Shiva is the creation and destruction of the world.

This difficult balancing posture develops poise and gracefulness. It should be performed as if dancing, yet firmly with focused attention. It is usually performed as the final posture of a series of challenging backbends.

The Natarajasana balances the nervous system and develops mental concentration. It generates vitality and enhances the digestive power.

The Lord of Dance posture tones and strengthens the leg and hip muscles. It stretches the shoulders and expands the chest.

When done in a full version, this is a very demanding asana, requiring great flexibility in the shoulders and spine, tremendous openness in the chest, groins and front of the thighs, and great strength in the standing leg.

The Natarajasana has curative and corrective effects removing backache and stiffness of the spine. The arch formed by the back and stretched leg gently aligns the vertebrae of the spine restoring suppleness and easing strain caused by poor posture or long periods of sitting.

Note: As a beginner, be sure to keep the ankle of the raised foot flexed (draw the top of the foot toward the shin) when lifting the leg to prevent the cramps in the back of the thigh.

Three important reasons not to do the Lord of the Dance posture:

1) If you have serious lower back injury, avoid practicing this posture.

2) In case of knee injury do not attempt this posture.

3) If you have High Blood Pressure do not do this posture.

Caution: Always check with your doctor if you have any doubts or concerns regarding the suitability of this posture for you. It is best to perform this yoga posture in presence of a qualified yoga teacher.

Issued in the interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga by Subodh Gupta, celebrity yoga trainer based in London.

Mr.Subodh Gupta, a Corporate Yoga Trainer has conducted more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management. He has been interviewed by various TV channels in India and London.

For Subodh Gupta Corporate yoga webpage Corporate yoga

Yoga: Three reasons you should not do Yoga posture - Side Plank

The Side Plank – (Vasisthasana)

This posture is dedicated to the sage Vasistha. In a Sanskrit language ‘Vasistha’ means ‘Most Excellent Sage’ and is the name of a sage in the yoga tradition.

The Side Plank is also called the One Arm Balance posture as it involves balancing on one arm and the side of one foot. To keep the posture balanced the torso and legs must be aligned at a 45-degree angle with the floor.

The full version of the Side Plank posture, where the top leg is raised perpendicular to the floor is very difficult for most beginners. The modified version with both legs kept together is suitable for all levels of students.

The Side Plank is a very powerful arm and wrist strengthener. Regular practice of this posture makes the leg muscles supple. It strengthens the shoulders, abdominal muscles, buttocks and tones the lower back. The back of the legs become stretched.

The Side Plank posture improves nervous balance and builds focus and concentration. By the practice of this posture stamina, determination and will-power are enhanced.

The Side Plank is a quite powerful and strengthening posture with lots of benefits to a practitioner. However, in some health conditions this posture is not recommended.

Three reasons not to do the Side Plank:

1) If you have injured your wrist do not practice this posture, until healed and discussed with your doctor.

2) In case of chronic or recent arm or shoulder injury avoid this posture.

3) If your ankle was injured do not attempt this posture.

Caution: Always check with your doctor if you have any doubts or concerns regarding the suitability of this posture for you. It is best to perform this yoga posture in presence of a qualified yoga teacher.

Issued in the interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga by Subodh Gupta,
celebrity yoga trainer based in London.

Mr.Subodh Gupta, a Corporate Yoga Trainer has conducted more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management. He has been interviewed by various TV channels in India and London.

For Subodh Gupta Corporate yoga webpage Corporate yoga

Yoga: One reason you should not do Yoga Posture – The Plank

The Plank – (called sometimes High Chaturanga)

The Plank posture is a good precursor to more challenging arm balances postures.

In the Plank the body is in a straight line from the ears, through the shoulders and hips, to the heels. The body should not arch or sag.

During performing this posture the abdominal muscles are kept lifted throughout. If your body starts to shake, release the posture, relax for a moment and start to hold the Plank again.

Mostly the Plank targets the abdominals (muscles responsible for holding in the stomach and giving the appearance of a flat stomach), but it can be an excellent way to get a full body challenge. In order to do the Plank properly, there must be integration of all the core stabilization muscles, and the arms, as well as keeping the gluteus (large muscles which form the buttock) and legs active.

The Plank posture is a well-known exercise that can be seen in many exercise systems. It is one of the most popular exercises for developing core strength and stability. It strengthens muscles of the arms, shoulders and the spine, and strengthens the wrists.

This posture improves nervous balance and develops a sense of inner equilibrium and harmony.

The Plank is a preparatory posture for more advanced and demanding poses in yoga classes having many benefits. It can be done even by a beginner; however in one health condition the Plank posture is strongly not recommended.

One reason not to do the Plank posture:

1) If you have a Carpal tunnel syndrome, do not attempt this posture.

(It is compression of the median nerve at the wrist, which may result in numbness, tingling, weakness, or muscle atrophy in the hand and fingers. The disease typically affects the thumb, index, and middle fingers and is often particularly troublesome at night).

Caution: Always check with your doctor if you have any doubts or concerns regarding the suitability of this posture for you. It is best to perform this yoga posture in presence of a qualified yoga teacher.

Issued in the interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga by Subodh Gupta, Yoga Expert based in London.

Mr.Subodh Gupta, a Corporate Yoga Trainer has conducted more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management. He has been interviewed by various TV channels in India and London.

For reaching to Subodh Gupta Yoga website http://www.subodhgupta.com/ and for Subodh Gupta Corporate yoga webpage http://www.subodhgupta.com/corporateyoga.html

Yoga: Two reasons you should not do Yoga Posture – the Eagle

The Eagle – (Garudasana)

The Sanskrit word ‘Garuda’ means an eagle, hence the name given to this posture.

The goal in the Eagle posture is to squeeze everything together and keeping it in one line; the shoulders, hips, knees and the ankles. This posture will keep you alert, and help your mind to focus on your direction in life.

The Eagle posture stretches and tones muscles of the legs that grow weak from our sedentary lifestyle. It strengthens the ankles, knees and the legs, loosening the joints of the arms and the legs. It removes stiffness in the shoulders and relieves neck tension.

The Eagle posture improves concentration, sense of balance and grace of the body.

By regular practice of this posture the joint mobility in the ankles, knees, hips, elbows, wrists, shoulders and of the scapula (shoulder blades) are increased. It opens the chest, hips, and back of the pelvis.

The Eagle posture improves the function of the central nervous system and the lymphatic system. It helps to gently squeeze toxins out of the legs. The Garudasana is recommended for preventing cramps in the calf muscles and it relieves sciatica.

Important: The more advanced version of the Eagle posture (the supportive leg is bent and the back remains upright) should be approached with a lot of caution.
This posture when hold for more than a few seconds may create cardiovascular effects that can cause you to faint when you come out of it. Until you are certain of yourself it is best to practice the beginner’s version.

The Eagle posture brings so many important benefits to a practitioner. However, there are some health conditions in which this posture should not be practiced.

Two important reasons not to do the Eagle posture:

1) If you have knee injury avoid practicing this posture.

2) If you have injured your hip, stop doing this posture until healed and consulted with your doctor.

Note: In case of arm injury, you may keep your hands in a prayer pose, to avoid straining your shoulders and arms.

Caution: Always check with your doctor if you have any doubts or concerns regarding the suitability of this posture for you. It is best to perform this yoga posture in presence of a qualified yoga teacher.

Issued in the interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga by Subodh Gupta, celebrity yoga trainer based in London.

Mr.Subodh Gupta, also a Corporate yoga
trainer has conducted more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management. He has been interviewed by various TV channels in India and London.

Yoga: Three reasons you should not do Yoga Posture – The Chair

The Chair Posture – (Utkatasana)

The overall body strength is boosted with this wonderful posture.

The literal translation of the word ‘Utkatasana’ from a Sanskrit is ‘Powerful Posture’. This standing squat strongly strengthens the lower body while stretching the upper back, bringing balance and stability to the entire body.

At the core level, the Chair posture teaches how to find the seat of power within the pelvis, at the center of the body, because the strength which drives this posture is in the pelvis which helps to maintain that sitting position for a quite long time.

If the pelvis is misaligned, the posture will be out of balance, often resulting in lower back pain and overworking the knee and ankle joints. When the pelvis is centered and aligned with gravity, there is a feeling of stamina and vitality within the posture, making the Chair posture vibrant and challenging.

To the external eye, it looks like a person sitting in an imaginary chair, but when you attempt to do it, however, it is definitely not a passive posture but a deep squat, which immediately engages the strength of the spine, thighs, calves, and the ankles.

The Chair posture helps to stimulate the abdominal organs, diaphragm and the heart which provides the extra power for the entire body. Practicing this posture helps proper digestion and helps with problems related to immune system.

The Chair posture strengthens and tones the arms and shoulders. It increases blood flow to the knees and ankles joints, and can reduce the flat feet. It can also relieve pain at the joints and the sciatic pain.

The Chair posture is a great asana bringing lots of benefits to a practitioner. However, there are a few health conditions where this posture should not be practiced.

There are three important reasons not to do the Chair posture:

1) If you have recent or chronic injury to the hips do not practice this posture.

2) In case of recent injury of the knees this posture is better to be avoided.

3) If you are suffering from constant headaches or insomnia do not attempt this posture.

Caution: Always check with your doctor if you have any doubts or concerns regarding the suitability of this posture for you. It is best to perform this yoga posture in presence of a qualified yoga teacher.

Issued in the interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga by Subodh Gupta, Yoga Expert based in London.

Mr.Subodh Gupta, a Corporate Yoga Trainer has conducted more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management. He has been interviewed by various TV channels in India and London.

For reaching to Subodh Gupta Yoga website http://www.subodhgupta.com/ and for Subodh Gupta Corporate yoga webpage http://www.subodhgupta.com/corporateyoga.html

Yoga: Three reasons you should not do Yoga Posture - Warrior III

The Warrior III – (Virabhadrasana III)

The Warrior III posture tones and invigorates the whole body.

The Warrior III is a posture that combines strength, balance and focus. It also brings harmony, poise and power. Once in the posture, the body extends flat, perpendicular to the standing leg and parallel to the floor. The balance of the Warrior III comes from the strength of the standing leg and it is important to trust the power of that leg to take your weight.

To keep the balance of this posture the brain has to be attentive and the mind alert.

The Warrior III posture strengthens the arms, shoulders, hips, ankles, and the muscles of the back. It also stretches the hamstrings and the outer thighs making the legs strong and toned.

The Warrior III posture improves core awareness, balance, posture, concentration and memory, and it helps to develop nervous coordination. The pose brings harmony and a sense of equilibrium, quieting the mind and reducing anxiety.

It stimulates the heart and digestive system. It increases energy and relieves stress.

This posture helps to remove sciatic, arthritic and rheumatic pain, and it corrects drooping shoulders and hunchback. It expands the chest, lungs and shoulders.

The Warrior III posture has tremendous benefits to a practitioner. However, in some health conditions this posture is not recommended.

Three important reasons not to do the Warrior III posture:

1) In case of recent or chronic lower back injuries avoid practicing this posture.

2) If you have High blood pressure do not do this posture.

3) In case of any problem with your foot, ankle or hip do not attempt this posture.

Note: Do not let your body, head or hip to rotate.

Caution: Always check with your doctor if you have any doubts or concerns regarding the suitability of this posture for you. It is best to perform this yoga posture in presence of a qualified yoga teacher.

Issued in the interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga by Subodh Gupta, Yoga Expert based in London.

Mr.Subodh Gupta, a Corporate Yoga Trainer has conducted more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management. He has been interviewed by various TV channels in India and London.

For reaching to Subodh Gupta Yoga website http://www.subodhgupta.com/ and for Subodh Gupta Corporate yoga webpage http://www.subodhgupta.com/corporateyoga.html