Ustrasana is a deep backward bend from a kneeling position. The completed pose has the hands on the heels. The backs of the feet may be flat on the floor, or the toes may be tucked under for a slightly less strong backbend.
Ustrasana works subtlyto improve conditions of the digestive, respiratory, endocrine, lymphatic, skeletal, and circulatory systems.
In addition to boosting energy, some of the many benefits include:
Relieving back pain
Helps with posture
May improve confidence
Can counteract slouching and kyphosis (abnormal curvature of the spine)
Stretches your abdomen, chest, shoulders, front of your hips (hip flexors), and front of your thighs (quadriceps)
Strengthens your back muscles and back of your thighs
It’s never to late to bring a meditative focus to each part of your morning ritual in order to appreciate your daily life. To do this, simply bring mindfulness to each action that you take, from the way you get out of bed to the personal habits and activities you engage in before you leave home. Keep you mind on exactly what you are doing at every moment. If you are watching yourself, notice the feeling of water on your skin. While you prepare and eat your breakfast, direct an easy attentiveness to the process., taking pleasure in each moment. Extend this attention and care for everything you do this morning, setting a focused and mindful tone for the events that will take place during the rest of your day.
The emotional and physical benefits of meditation can include:
Gaining a new perspective on stressful situations.
Take some time each morning to ground yourself and reminds yourself of the direction in which you wish to go. I simple journal can be helpful. You can also use that same journal when you go to bed to reflect on the day.
name comes from the Sanskrit words vṛkṣa (वृक्ष) meaning “tree”, and āsana (आसन) meaning “posture”.
History of Tree Pose
A 7th-century stone carving in Mahabalipuram appears to contain a figure standing on one leg, perhaps indicating that a pose similar to vrikshasana was in use at that time. It is said that sadhus disciplined themselves by choosing to meditate in the pose.
The pose is described in the 17th century Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā.
Description of Tree Pose
From Tadasana, weight is shifted to one leg, for example, starting with the left leg. The entire sole of the foot remains in contact with the floor. The right knee is bent and the right foot placed on the left inner thigh, or in half lotus position. In either foot placement, the hips should be open, with the bent knee pointing towards the side. With the toes of the right foot pointing directly down, the left foot, center of the pelvis, shoulders and head are all vertically aligned. Hands are typically held above the head either pointed directly upwards and unclasped, or clasped together in anjali mudra. The asana is typically held for 20 to 60 seconds, returning to tadasana while exhaling, then repeating standing on the opposite leg.
Benefits of Tree Pose (Vrikshasana)
Improves balance and stability in the legs.
Strengthens the ligaments and tendon of the feet.
Strengthens and tones the entire standing leg, up to the buttocks.
Assists the body in establishing pelvic stability.
Strengthen the bones of the hips and legs due to the weight-bearing nature of the pose.
This recently added to my library. And I’m glad I did.
When we eat, can we feed the soul as well as the body? Can a diet have an impact on spirituality? Spiritual Nutrition empowers readers to develop personal diets that are appropriate to their lifestyles and spiritual practices. Drawing on 14 years of clinical experience and research, Dr. Gabriel Cousens discusses nutritional issues that can help answer these questions, including raw vs. cooked food; high vs. low protein; the concepts of assimilation and fasting; alkaline–acid balance; attitudes about food; nutrients, energy, and structure building.
In addition, Cousens shares his new dietary system of “spiritual nutrition” that is based on the relationship that the color of the food has to corresponding colors of the human chakra system, hence, the “rainbow diet.” For true nourishment, he strongly promotes the connection of diet to meditation, fellowship, wisdom, and love.
Gabriel Cousens is the author of seven internationally acclaimed books including Spiritual Nutrition and Creating Peace by Being Peace. Known worldwide as a spiritual teacher and the leading expert in live, plant-source nutrition, Dr. Cousens functions as a holistic physician, psychiatrist, family therapist, and cutting edge researcher on healing diabetes naturally.
He holds an M.D. from Columbia Medical School, a doctorate in homeopathy, and diplomas in Ayurveda, clinical acupuncture, and holistic medicine. His multi-cultural background as an ordained rabbi, an acknowledged yogi, and a four-year Native American sundancer, adds insight to his “whole-person enlightenment” teachings.
Dr. Cousens is the founder and director of the Tree of Life Foundation and the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center, an innovative holistic retreat center for the renewal of body, mind, and spirit, based in Patagonia, Arizona. In his book, There Is A Cure For Diabetes, Dr. Cousens presents his rejuvenation center’s program for reversing diabetes naturally.
Take some time each morning to ground yourself and reminds yourself of the direction in which you wish to go. A simple journal can be helpful. You can also use that same journal when you go to bed to reflect on the day.
This recently added to my library. And I’m glad I did.
When we eat, can we feed the soul as well as the body? Can a diet have an impact on spirituality? Spiritual Nutrition empowers readers to develop personal diets that are appropriate to their lifestyles and spiritual practices. Drawing on 14 years of clinical experience and research, Dr. Gabriel Cousens discusses nutritional issues that can help answer these questions, including raw vs. cooked food; high vs. low protein; the concepts of assimilation and fasting; alkaline–acid balance; attitudes about food; nutrients, energy, and structure building.
In addition, Cousens shares his new dietary system of “spiritual nutrition” that is based on the relationship that the color of the food has to corresponding colors of the human chakra system, hence, the “rainbow diet.” For true nourishment, he strongly promotes the connection of diet to meditation, fellowship, wisdom, and love.
Gabriel Cousens is the author of seven internationally acclaimed books including Spiritual Nutrition and Creating Peace by Being Peace. Known worldwide as a spiritual teacher and the leading expert in live, plant-source nutrition, Dr. Cousens functions as a holistic physician, psychiatrist, family therapist, and cutting edge researcher on healing diabetes naturally.
He holds an M.D. from Columbia Medical School, a doctorate in homeopathy, and diplomas in Ayurveda, clinical acupuncture, and holistic medicine. His multi-cultural background as an ordained rabbi, an acknowledged yogi, and a four-year Native American sundancer, adds insight to his “whole-person enlightenment” teachings.
Dr. Cousens is the founder and director of the Tree of Life Foundation and the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center, an innovative holistic retreat center for the renewal of body, mind, and spirit, based in Patagonia, Arizona. In his book, There Is A Cure For Diabetes, Dr. Cousens presents his rejuvenation center’s program for reversing diabetes naturally.
Reiki is the Japanese word for Universal Life Force Energy. When the ‘Rei’ and ‘Ki’ are broken down into their two component parts, the Kanji (Japanese alphabet) definition for Rei is universal, transcendental spirit, mysterious power, essence. Ki is described as the vital life force energy, very similar to the Chi of Chinese acupuncture, Light to Christians, and Bioplasmic Energy to Russian researchers. We all have Reiki energy (Universal Life Force Energy), for it is our birth right. What makes Reiki different from other healing methods, is the attunement (Also known as the initiation) process which the student experiences in the various levels of Reiki classes. Anyone can lay their hands on another person and help accelerate the healing process by transferring magnetic energy. A person who has been through the process of Reiki attunements however has experienced a very ancient technology for fine tuning the physical and etheric bodies to a higher vibratory level. In addition, certain of the energy centres, also known as chakras, are opened to enable the person to channel (And vibrate) higher amounts of Universal Life Force Energy.
Reiki is never sent, it is drawn through the channel. For example, If I lay my hands on you to do a treatment, you will draw appropriate amounts of energy to which ever areas of your body need it. I am never drained in the process, as I too am treated as I “Give” a treatment. The energy enters at my crown chakra and passes through the upper energy centres to my heart and solar plexus. The rest then passes through my arms and hands to your body. I am thus never drained in the process, as a certain
Take some time each morning to ground yourself and reminds yourself of the direction in which you wish to go. I simple journal can be helpful. You can also use that same journal when you go to bed to reflect on the day.
Inspired Life 