Yoga Health Secrets

 Yoga for insomnia and fatigue

Backward Bend

1. Stand with your feet wide apart and lace your fingers together and then turn them palms upwards. Slowly raise your arms above your head and at the same time bend backwards as far as you possibly can without overbalancing. I have demonstrated the correct movement in figure 8, page 41.

2. Remember to let your head go back as far as you can and turn your eyes upwards so that you are looking in the direction that your head is pointing. This is more beneficial than keeping them looking downwards, as it imparts a healthy exercise to the eyes.

3. Slowly return to the starting position and repeat ad lib. There is no special warning attached to the Backward Bend but if you have a hernia please go very carefully won’t you. Bending backwards could do more harm than good in your case.

Do be careful not to overbalance as you lean backwards. This tendency can be avoided if you do not try to bend backwards to your utmost at first. Be content to go a little farther back each day you practise, and you will soon gain control in this valuable exercise.

And now for another breathing exercise which will restore vitality when you find you are at your lowest ebb. Those of you who have any difficulty in performing Yoga asanas, but nevertheless wish to study Yoga as a means of improving your general health can, with impunity, practise and perfect all Yoga breathing exercises. This one, to give you new zest and vitality, is called the NERVE RECHARGING BREATH. All Yoga breathing exercises are variations of the COMPLETE BREATH which I described in Chapter Three, and while I shall in this book describe several of the variations, I stress that they should be done in conjunction with the various asanas. In choosing the NERVE RECHARGING BREATH for this chapter on insomnia and neurasthenia I have borne in mind the fact that toning the nervous system and stretching the muscles and tendons is nature’s own way of combating these two disorders which are so intrinsically linked together.

Nerve Recharging Breath

1. Stand up straight, legs apart, hands at your sides. While inhaling deeply raise your arms forward to shoulder height with your palms upwards. Complete your inhalation.

2. Close both your fists and, while holding your breath, pull your hands back slowly until your fists are resting against your shoulders.

3. When the impulse to exhale appears do so and at the same time slowly unclench your hands and lower them to the starting position. Repeat this exercise two or three times and then relax for a few moments before you perform any other exercise.

The Nerve Recharging Breath strengthens the nervous system and helps to overcome nervous trembling of the hands. It is also said to be helpful to people who lack self-confidence. Yoga is nothing if not all encompassing! Practise in turn each of the exercises I have described in this chapter and after a surprisingly short time you will experience a new feeling of relaxation and freedom from stress, and when you get into bed at night you will surprise yourself by sinking into a profound and delicious sleep.