The Triangle Pose (Trikonasana)

• Stand erect and jump your feet wide apart.
• Raise the arms to the side to form one straight line,
• Bend the body to the right,sliding the hand down the leg towards the foot or on to the floor.
• Keep the two arms in line with each other.
• Look up at the left hand.
• Now slowly bring arm the the ear looking underneath the arm.
• Try to have 20 breaths.
• Return to the standing position carrying on in the opposite direction raising the right arm has high as possible
• while looking at it, for an immediate counter pose.
• Repeat the other side.

Benefits

This effects the muscles on the side of the trunk waist and legs, it stimulates the nervous system and alleviates nervous depression. It keeps the spine supple and massages the abdominal organs, appetite and digestion are improved and waistline reduced.

The Locust Pose (Shalabhasana)

• Lie flat on your stomach with the hand under the thighs, palms down.
• Inhale, retain the breath and raise the left leg as high as possible keeping the knee straight.
• Exhale while lowering the leg to the floor.
• Repeat the same movement with right leg.
• Inhale, retain the breath inside, clench the fists and slowly raise both legs as high as possible whilst keeping them straight.
• Keep the trunk on the floor.
• Maintain this position for five to twenty seconds.
• Exhale while slowly lowering the legs back to the starting position.
• Now do the hare pose for immediate relief (a perfect counter pose).

Benefits

This asana strengthens the lower back and pelvic organs, and tones the sciatic nerves, relieving backache, mild sciatica and slipped discs.

It also tones and balances the abdominal organs, the liver, pancreas and kidneys.

It aids in the relief and elimination of deceases of the stomach and bowels and stimulates the appetite.

The Headstand (Shirshasana)

• Kneel down, put the top of your head on the mat and grasp the back of the head with your hands.
• Straighten the legs and tip toe forward and bend the knees whilst balancing on the head.
• Now straighten the back and slowly straighten the legs.

• Alternately, do the same has above but this time put the head up close to a wall, walk forward until your back touches the wall, then skip the legs up against the wall.

Contraindications: Those who are threatened with detachment of the retina should not do this asana. The same applies to any eye defects that are really diseases, such as conjunctivitis, glaucoma etc.
On the other hand myopia, presbyopia and astigmatism can do them nothing but good.
Those suffering form otitus or other inflammations of the ear should not do the headstand until some time after they are better.

Benefits

Shirshasana has surprising effect on the sensory organs, the eyesight can be seen to improve and hearing can also be improved.

The skin of the face receives such a plentiful supply of arterial blood, that it is better nourished than any wrinkle cream. The skin is grows younger and is regenerated.

It also very good for keeping the spine straight, prevents varicose veins, stubborn constipation and many more benefits. This is deemed to be the King of all Asanas.

Shoulder Stand (Sarvangasana)

•  Lie down flat on your back with your palms down beside the thighs.
• Raise the legs with bent knees and slowly roll the back up to the shoulders until the chin touches the chest.
• Straighten the legs vertically.
• The body should now be at right angles to the head and neck (min. 30 breaths or 5 minutes).
• To return to to the lying position.
• Firstly bring the knees down to the forehead, place your hand on the floor.
• Slowly roll from side to side, vertebra by vertebra, giving the spine a massage.
• When you touch the floor, keep the knees bent and the eyes closed and exhale through the nose and you should get a nice feeling.

Benefits

Improvement to blood, to legs and stomach, also combating varicose veins.

Sarvangasana also helps remedy ptosis or prolapsus and drains the the abdomen, ridding it blood stases in viscera.

Improvement to the flow of blood to the brain and the face (complexion).

It also is good for the Thyroid gland which has considerable influence to the youthfulness of the body.

Also it very good for combating stubborn constipation.

• The counter pose is the Fish for 20 breaths.
• Then bring your knees to your chest, giving the back a nice massage by doing circles with the knees.
• Drop the knees down, close the eyes, breath through the nose and you should get a nice feeling.

More Health Tips

The second thing I do in the morning is; one 5 minute headstand, one 5 minute shoulder-stand and fish (20 slow breaths).

At weekends; one 10 minute shoulder-stand,counter pose with fish, a 15 minute headstand 
one more 10 minute shoulder-stand another 15 minute headstand,then finish with your third shoulderstand.
benefits:
brain,eyes,complexion,hearing,heart.straightspine,varicose veins.stubborn constipation,liver,neurosis.anxiety,depression, and many more.  

 

That's an hour of inversion. Stunning benefits. 

If you have any more time continue with a Sun Salutation Plough and Fish. Then bend the knees and give the back a nice massage, close the eyes and exhale through the nose for a nice feeling.

Then in this order: Sitting Forward Bend; Camel or Bridge (counter pose); Cobra; Locust; Bow; Triangle with Counter Pose,

Standing Forward Bend; Roll Over Twist of the Spine (all about 20 slow breaths). Then roll forward and backwards on the floor to give the spine and buttocks a nice massage,bend the knees, close the eyes, exhale through tho nose, get  that nice feeling  and then relax.

These are some of the postures that will keep you fit, flexible and healthy throughout your life.

Incidently if you have a back problem always sit with your knees below your hips.

Also deep breathing will get rid of most headaches by bringing oxygen to the brain.



Personal tuition is  available.

The book to buy, the Bible of Yoga, is 'YOGA Self-Taught' by Andre Van Lysebeth available through Amazon.