Daily Health Gyan: Lately I have been obsessing about knee pain because my daughter, training to be a bharatanatyam dancer at the prestigious Kalakshetra, has developed painful knees due to high stress this dance form creates in that delicate joint.   I bought this rather comprehensive book Knee Care handbook, by Dr Brian Halpern (with Laura Tucker) which says that even running shoes must be changed ever so often, esp if you run a lot. Replace your shoes ever 400 to 650 km, the books says. And more often if you run a lot, or if you have a high arch..

Sexual politics on the mat

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When I started teaching, I straight off started teaching men, at a factory. The first batch had five or so. But there were also batches with 25 men each. By the time I finished, I had taught over 300 men ( I even have a certificate saying so:)  So, I learnt early on as a yoga instructor to project myself as a genderless teacher. That is very important. Without losing who you are as a woman, it is so important to teach from a platform where no gender gets in the way.  I believe that this is very essential for you, even as a student. I believe truly important even as a human being.

As a student too, wherever I learn (Dance, Kick-boxing, rope yoga, singing etc) I see myself as gender less. In  way this is the most liberating place to be. I find a lot of women who rate themselves as bold unfortunately first put their gender first, as if asking already for concessions. That cripples the sense of freedom already.(You can see that also in the imbecilic mags for women).

But I see that my sort of attitude is in the minority, both as a student and as a teacher. 

As a teacher, I am appalled at the sort of gender awareness with which people sometimes approach fitness programmes.  Since I have not lost that journalistic eye yet (I was a feature writer --we had to look beyond what the reporters saw. They saw the obvious; we saw beyond that -- though that sort of journalism is now relegated the bin where the dodo is also buried:) I see that constantly and wonder where that sort of nonsensical attitude comes from. This is sadly and particularly  true of women students.
If a female teacher assumes a genderless position, I find that immediately men (students) respond to it respectfully. In the wordless space of communication where such things are said, and left unsaid, they respect your stance.  But women students cannot seem to deal with that with a male teacher.  There is always some nonsensical discussion about how sexy the male teacher is, or some sort of an excuse to fall on the person physically. A in-your-face body language that shouts "I am desperate!". If the male teacher tries to put some sort of block to that sort of behavior it seems to turn on the heat more.  I don't know what it does to the poor fellow who teaches, but the women look rather ridiculous doing that.Of course, it is also a  hugely, really, disruptive behavior, in a large class.Oh, this can also spawn  bitchy and unco-operative behavior in a class where students are required to work in teams...

So,  why I am writing about this?

Obviously because it is all happening right under my nose and this blog site is where I hyperventilate, find my catharsis, remember? Also, I am writing this because occasionally I am asked to participate:( Yewww!  Also, as a teacher, I find that it gets in the way of the students' learning also. But of course, with some, learning is not why they are there...Worse, with all their antics, they are hell-bent on disrupting others' learning too.
Let me explain...

When you are genderless you are in a comfortable place with men, whether as a student or as a teacher, or as a friend. . So the desperate women want you to carry messages, be introduced, be led into that space you have created till they can pile on, want u to help them somehow... I did not want to write this blog. But I have been witnessing this for so long and this is the sort of thing that somehow gets brushed under the carpet about yoga/fitness classes that I thought it was well worth addressing.  It also bothers me because I see this in so many women I know so well, that I think it was necessary to put this across. My message in this blog is, if you are one of those who behaves that way and wrongly assumed it was cute or sexy, or even tolerable, please grow up. Or, if you wish to continue being infantile, don't  drag me, or others like me who are ahead of you, into that morass! Please...

Daily Health Gyan: Carrot seed oil, can help u let go off past trauma, according to the Aroma Bible I wrote about earlier. That sounds like psycho babble to some of you. However, essentials oils have known medicinal properties, well researched and documented and used in medications too. So it is established that carrot seed oil does cleanse the liver, esp after attacks on it like hepatitis. So, if u make the connection Watson, u will find that its psychic effect is not so off the mark either.

The heady myrrh..

Myrrh.
I picked up some myrrh the other day. I recall that heady smell. My mom used to light it up so often. The dhoop... Such a strong Islamic association. In my house, daily mom had some big time fatiya to perform, so we had this smell hanging in the air all the time.

Apparently, it has an analgesic effect. A opiatic something that transfers to our own religious needs:)

I am so thrilled to be rediscovering its lovely notes. It has a thick, sweet smell that hangs. There are some aroma oils  I burn because they are good for me. But there are others which are mysterious, deep, other wordly, reaching out (Ylang ylang, geranium, frankincense, vertiver belong to this set). Myrrh def is one of those beautiful aromas.

Apart from that heady smell, it is supposed to be fungicidal (used to treat athlete's foot), is anti-inflammatory (in ulcer treatment.inflamed gums). Brings on periods.  Relieves menstrual cramps. Sedative. Aura protector.

In yoga, soothes the base chakra.

In ayurveda, it is a water element.

Myrrh means bitter in Arabic. I wonder why?

Daily Health Gyan: I colour my hair reddish something which keeps changing depending on what is available. One day I may stop all that, and shave the whole thing off. I tried the short hair, military style.The problem with all that sparse looking stuff is that it is actually very expensive to maintain. I needed a hair cut every month and with a yoga teacher's here-today-gone-tomorrow earnings that sort of luxury? So I have not decided to keep my hair the way it is, long wavy, mad and slightly crazy. I wanted to do dread locks and since I have not visted a saloon in years, the look is already just a hair brush away ... Now to the point. According to Hatha yoga pradipika, doing viparita karani mudra for six months is long enough to eliminate wrinkles and grey hair:) Try it, keep us posted. If u have it in you to hold it for three hours (daily) you can conquer death (ibid). However, since it boosts digestive power, doing that would mean u also need to eat healthy. If you are not looking for immortality but a mortality that is worth working for, then try viparita karani for three to five minutes. Should do:)

Advanced variation of the headstand: shifting the hands

I have already done a small blog on the advanced headstand variations which use hand movements in the unsupported version.:) (Nirlamba sirsasana) Ha I deliberately made the first sentence convoluted. That is like sandhya bhasha, twilight language, where those of you who don't practice good, classical, deep yoga simply won't understand what is happening. And hopefully whet your appetite for more of the stuff and progressing in pure, true yoga.

What you see above:
The first one is where the fingers are pointed away from the body. In the first stage of the nirlamba, already quite tough for a beginner, the fingers are pointed towards ears. This is easier. Next, is what you see above.

Below that, also in the nirlamba set, is where u use the back of your hands to stay up.

Difficulties in each version:
In the ordinary, basic nirlamba version, one tends to shift weight to neck and crown. This is rather tough for beginners. Also, in the supported (salamba version) the interlocked hands keep the head locked in place, the weight is shifted to elbows and you feel quite light. In this version, the crown tends to roll about, challenging the balance a lot, plus the actual pressure on the crown can be very discomfitting and needs getting used to.

In the hand versions u see here, the first one still gives support and creates a tripod that holds the body up. However the fingers' direction definitely ups the challenge to your balance. Staying up becomes difficult.

In the last version everything becomes even more tough simply because the hands give no support at all. The whole drama is on your crown, and only a feather light touch of your palms, and fingers, moving constantly, help you stay up. If out of fear you put too much pressure on the hands, already you break the pose...

Yoga, bliss:)

Daily Health Gyan: Though I blah a lot about aroma oils, the most important thing is to remember they are very powerful.  So there are several contraindications for use of oil for pregnant women, babies, those with epilepsy, high blood pressure.  For instance, I found out while doing the aroma course that the eucalpytus oil that was uses while we kids (to soothe colds away) are possibly a cheaper version and must be avoided for kids and there are different species of Eucalyptus and Indian one does not suit young bodies at all!  Another thing is the use of aroma oils for babies: too many contraindications. They must be avoided when they are under two, plus before and after vaccination (Courtesy: Aromatherapy Bible). Even using very strong incense sticks  around babies avoidable. And so also baby products that are too heavily scented....

Bliss. Yogic states. Gifts of your sadhana

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I flinch when people speak of power yoga simply because I feel it bypasses the bliss of yoga. It does not make the connection between movement and stillness as does classical yoga. Also, it does not know to stop to experience the bliss that you rustle up with certain practices. It does not initiate a dialogue between non-speaking members in your body and mind. And worse, it adds to the destructive mental static already running out of control in your mind.  The ones who do real yoga will feel, as they grow deeper in their practice, distinct states of bliss. Here are some, as I pick up from the experiences of more established yoga practitioners than I:

• Dr S.K. Joshi,  head of department of yoga at Madhya Pradesh's University of Sagar, in his book Yogic pranayama, on the ultimate impact of breathing when one hears subtle sounds called anahata dhvani: `It is so absorbing that the mind gets extremely still, giving up all its habit of wandering. Just as a deer is caught up in the net of the hunter ...the mind loses all its movements and gets absorbed into the sound. The sound goes on becoming subtler with time and becomes silent ultimately. With it the mind reaches a state of complete stillness.'
  • The experience of complete mastery of moola bandha is distinct and definite and common to both sexes - an overwhelming sensation of `mental orgasm' in the eyebrow center or directly behind it in the ajna chakra. This experience is one of indescribable bliss and may last for anything up to 15 minutes: Swami Buddhananda in his book Moola Bandha: The master key.
    
   
  But here it is from the last word in yoga: The Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Swami Atmarama

  When the Brahma Granthi is pierced (at the mooladhara chakra), the feeling of bliss arises from the void; wondrous, tinkling sounds and the unstruck sound (anahata) are heard within the body. 

  When the yogi experiences arambha (first stage of his sadhana), in the void of his heart, his body becomes lustrous and brilliant with a divine smell and diseaseless. 

  In the second stage when the Vishnu Granthi (at the heart chakra) is pierced the greatest bliss is revealed. From the void the sound of kettledrum manifests. (Ghata or second stage)

  In the third stage(parichayavastha), one enters the state of total perfection. Then the bliss of being attained, natural or spontaneous ecstasy arises. Imbalances or doshas, pain, old age, disease, hunger and sleep are overcome. 

  In the nishpattiavastha or final stage, the Rudra granthi (at the eyebrow center)  is pierced and the mind becomes single-pointed. There is intense bliss because of this state of laya. Anything that does not lead up to this is clearly not yoga... even if it is prefixed with all sorts of interesting labels.

Daily Health Gyan: I picked up a nice book at the FBD sale. Nutritious recipes for pregnancy by Tarla Dalal. Mmm nice mouth-watering recipes which are nutrition packed -- I guess u don't have to be pregnant to eat them: Chick pea tikkis (protein-calcium rich), jacket potatoes with broccoli and red peppers (calcium rich). Iron? Til-gur ki roti. Spinach tahini wraps. B-complex? Panch dhan khicdhi.Aniti-oxidant rich? Soya nankhatai (baked) or spinach rolls (also baked). Cabbage parathas. Nice na?
I got it for Rs 80 at the sale. Am sure u will find it in any established book stall. The lady is a best-seller. I also picked up another on How to make yummy dishes out of Left overs. She also has a site, but u need to subscribe to it.

The real power, in your SQ

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Some choices are tough. But if u can look back and not regret them, having walked the razor's edge, already you are a winner. This may have to do with your spiritual quotient. And  u know, though I am seemingly a teacher of asanas (with those muslces, what else?:) for me yoga is much more than that. It is about life and its tough choices. Every moment is a yoga moment for me:)

Below an article I wrote for Deccan Chronicle and which I am reruning it here. 

Does spiritual quotient work for you?

The international Globe newspaper agency recently put out a touching feature on how the legal eagles in the U.S. where trying to cope with the spiritual vacuum in their profession. Today, spiritual quotient is respected as an even more evolved form of emotional quotient . And the aware amongst you know intelligence quotient has slumped to the last place among these three quotients. Does SQ really work long-term? Does it impact health too?

Yes, say campaigners for spiritual quotient at American workplaces. A John Hopkins University study established 70 per cent of those in cut-throat professions were seriously dissatisfied, needed counseling. For instance, the defenders of a serial killer held on to the client confidentiality law so that the victims’ parents ( one a young college girl) could not even be told where the girl’s corpse could be found despite having the murderer’s confession. Though lauded, the lawyers were severely disturbed by their stance’s ruthlessness. One lawyer suffered two heart attacks shortly. Clearly, being spiritual has an impact on health that cannot be quantified.

What are the tangible benefits of SQ? A report on American conflict management trainer Linda Lantieri says a courageous stance indicates great strength non-verbally. Enough to resolve even physically threatening situations peacefully. Lantieri herself survived a mugging where her attackers actually walked away from her! SQ works out `synchronicity’, inspiring strength in others while revealing the link that ripples through the universe. If you display integrity, it ricochets back to you in equal measure. Check it out!


Check your SQ:

• Would you take view different from the general junta on important issues?

•  If you win a contest, what would u chose if you’re asked to choose between three prizes, each costing the same – a pen (useful for you), a kerchief perfume (your wife will love it), an out-of-edition book (your aged father’ll love)?

•  If your boss is firing your colleague for a mistake he’s not done, will you keep silent ?

•  Do you believe to be spiritually strong means a) you have to be a loser in life or b) things will even out so life’s fairness becomes apparent?

The answers are self-apparent, but for those who are still grappling with their conscience these are: yes, third choice, no, and B respectively.

Yoga's takes:
Yoga believes if there is a conflict between what we intrinsically believe (dharma) and what we do (karma), there is adharma. So that our victory remains Pyrrhic. This conflict erupts in our deeper selves to manifest itself as illness.

Daily Health Gyan: If you wish to tone your skin go for natural stuff like lemon grass (it is always in stock in my house because its smell is sharp and immediately uplifting.) But it is very strong, so not more than two per cent of your massage oil, and very little in your bath, if you wish to add it to your bath water -- three drops max. Avoid if you have sensitive skin (Courtesy: Aromatherapy Bible- Gill Farrer Halls). I like this book verry much. In fact, though I keep referring a lot to the manual by my teacher, lately I have been referring to this aroma bible simply because it has great visuals (that sort gets the data organised in my head), plus it has the same meticulous attention to contraindications and precautions like my teacher Dr Anjana Agarwal's manual.  And something spiritual about this book in its take on the emotional benefits of these oils... that is hugely appealing to me.

Green heals. Garden heals: Nature's own therapy

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I wrote this for Deccan Chronicle a few years back. But I find pottering around a garden really helps settle a restless or depressed mind. When my kid went off to the hostel, I decided I won't mop around. Part of that decision had to do with the belief that I feel whatever we feel affects people we love or who are around us and if the feelings are negative, its impact will also be negative. So while feeling sad seems natural, I firmly decided it was just an indulgence and tried to fight it. Since that is easier said than done, I splurged on plants -- lemon, pomegranate, creepers with beautiful star-like red flower (it has grown rather wild now), tomatoes -- across the board, flowers and vegetables (including betel nut vine). And pottered about -- digging, applying fertiliser, changing pots, trying to fix some pots as hanging ones, etc. And adding to the collection of chimes strung along the tiny balcony. And any case the wiring we did to keep the pigeons out of our little balcony also means now I can keep the plants without worrying the pigeons will tear and violate them (wonder why they are seen as symbols of peace -- they are so destructive, really:). 

On btw, the little sun bird who hatched and grew in balcony visits us occasionally. He is the only bird/species which can get through the keep-pigeon-off wiring.

So, below is the technical aspect of why gardening may help not just in keeping at bay sadness or other negative feelings, but also actually heal us in our bodies.

An interesting research found that the patients facing greenery from their hospital windows healed faster, got out of hospital sooner, than co-patients who had only a wall to face! The west, not averse at exploiting such findings, is deep into `horticultural therapy’ using gardening as a complement to conservative medical treatment.

Countries like Canada, the United States, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, and England are seriously pursuing this even as fresh research buttresses the age-old belief that nature has its undeniable curative properties: Gardening lowers blood pressure, increases brain activity and releases the feel-good hormones called endorphins, which are body’s own opiates. Intriguingly, this translates into psychological benefits like upping communication skills, improving motor skills and problem-solving, boosting self-esteem, ridding one of depression.

Even in closed, air-conditioned offices, it has been found  natural plants aided in controlling the quality of air, making you feel better.(Plants use up carbon dioxide and release oxygen, accounting for their marvelous relationship with the animal kingdom, showing the pattern of perfect fit in nature’s design). In ancient India, most ashrams (which were centers of learning and healing) had lush gardens whose descriptions have been handed down through mythology in intricate detail.

Color therapy too exploits our instinctive reaction to greenery, by using green predominantly in places where healing is the focus. That is why world over you will find hospital personnel (in operation theaters, wards etc) wearing green overalls. For a person in a critical condition, this flash of green obviously gives a sense of protection and nurturing that cannot be quantified.

Daily Health Gyan: Performing your exercises in slow motion can help build tone, muscle and stamina faster than pumping your heart/legs on a treadmill. Slow motion? You can make that practical by doing each move over 30 seconds. This is not my gyan, but what I gleaned from the book Martial Arts for Dummies by Jennifer Lawler. So too stretching exercises must be done slowly, holding the final position for at least 10 seconds for ideal benefits from it.

Why manipura -- the jewel center at the navel - is so important in yoga

(This exotic and beautiful image is from the sanatan society site. It says free stuff, which is why I borrowed it. Those of you who are yoga crazy must visit this site for some excellent free stuff. I recommend Harish Johari's book extracts to whet your appetite for true yogic wisdom).

In yoga the manipura is a very important chakra, simply because it is mid-way between who we are as animals and who we hope to be as the divine:)  If u understand this simply even, as the relevance of our gut to our health, it makes a lot of sense why yoga gave it this importance.

• When you were just an embryo, both your brain and your gut first evolved from the same clump of cells. What you eat affects the way your brain thinks, since both are intimately connected.

• One half of all our never cells are located in the gut. No wonder we have gut feelings. 100 million nerve cells are found in the small intestine alone.
• The gut has more immune cells (protectors from disease) than the rest of the body. High steroid doses (favored by muscle-builders) breaks down the immune signaling from gut to brain. So, those with steroidal muscles are not really healthy, sniffling with cold or flu.

• Gut brain has the power to turn off commands from the central nervous system. The rational brain does not have much hold here. Which is why when you feel nervous, the butterflies in the stomach can be unrelentingly.

• Less blood flow to the brain region controlling stomach could mean chronic fatigue. In such people, even self-expression becomes a problem.

Putting off work can make u ill?

Daily Health Gyan:

I did this for Mid-day long long ago. Then I must have surely rerun it as an early blog... but you can read this once more. Makes sense any time of day, any day...


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Contrary to popular perception procrastinators – people who like to put off for tomorrow what they can do today – are not having the time of their life. The hidden stress behind their dilatory tactics catches up with them as illnesses.

A research by the University of California found people’s perception of time was colored by their perception of task at hand. If they were neutral or positive, they had an accurate estimate of time. Those who were sad or frightened felt the time drag because of what behaviorists call `filled interval illusion’. Their sub-conscious attention was more focused on trying to assess the reasons behind the feelings rather than the task itself. Laziness, it seems, is the last reason behind procrastination.

Researches offer three main reasons why people procrastinate. Most people suffer from the fear of the task itself, arising from their inability to organize  mentally how it needs to be tackled. Others dither over taking a responsibility. Some people relish the adrenaline-rush of last minute cramming.

But adrenaline comes with a price tag. Procrastinators had weak immune system, becoming victims to stray infections like colds, flu. They also had errant digestive system, had trouble sleeping or woke up fatigued. Like unruly kids they were more dependent on `pacifiers’ like alcohol, cigarettes, recreational drugs. Psychologically, it showed up as weak impulse control.