Knee hurts at Ashtanga?? What to do??

Yesterday during the Class few of new students were trying to escape some poses. I asked why they are not attempting they said Knees are injured. I dont know where and how they have practised?? But it is very common in Ashtanga Classes 50% are sitting with Knees or Back Injuries......


Let go deep about knee injuries, there are few reason why they are caused??

1. Wrong Vinyasa or Surya namaskar Jumps or swings.


2. Teacher Ignorance and he Pushes you over the limit.


3. Stiff Back and back deformity like scoliosis, frozen shoulders.


4. Atlast stiff Hip Flexors

Hip flexors is a collection of muscles that facillates in the upward movement of knees. Generally there are specific asanas, that are practised before going for knee stretches poses like Prasarita padottan asana, or Titaabhi asana. Without getting the support of Hip flexors you cannot do the poses safely and especially in Back bends they are required to prevent the uneccessary injuries.

Sukhsma Vyama like Butterfly movement can be very good point for those suffering from Knees and stiff groins.

Remaining we do in class.......

--------------by Mukesh Kothari

Osteoporosis.....Solution from yoga?

When we recommend yoga as a part lifestyle for older people, it has many therapeutics effect. Among this the most common which is generally seen in Older women is Osteoporosis. It is a diseases of bones, in which bones get weak and more prone to fractures. With study of medical DXA, the bone mineral density(BMD) is counted, and any negative deviation in it will be considered as Osteoporosis. These fragility fractures that appears abnormally in bones can affect hips, wrist, vertebral column and sometimes ribs. Generally in elder woman a menopause can be a significant cause behind this postmenopausal osteoporosis. You can see the effect of Osteoporosis on Backbone in the picture.

According to Ayurveda and yoga, increased Vata in joints can cause thinning and losing bone density of bones. Generally the lifestyle changes, Diets(Sufficient Calcium and Vitamin D) and regular regime of well chosen exercises, specially weight bearing asanas can reverse the process of Osteoporosis.

Proper Asanas, proper breathing and proper attitude forms the harmony among ovaries, adrenals, Parathyroids(regulates calcium metabolism), pituitary makes the balanced supply of hormones that strengthen the bones.

Asanas like Cobra, Sphinx and Locust helps to strengthen the back muscles and Poses like warrior helps develop the power around legs. Correct practice of Pranayamas specially Lunatic flows helps to regenerate the lost hormones and avoid further risk of diseases.

Ayurveda suggests some internal medications for example Shankha Bhasma, that is powder of Oyster Shells, which provide a good and safe supply of Calcium. Not only medications but yoga is important as sometimes high calcium can cause danger of stone in Kidneys.....

A good and balanced diet should be chosen that can include like Milk, Cheese, Carrot, Soy, Sesame seeds etc.

Healing Libido with yoga and ayurveda?

Yoga is a widely accepted alternative therapy like ayurveda. Today we discuss the ways to heal problems concerned with low potency. According to modern science the steroid hormone Testosterone of androgen family is responsible for erection. Generally secreted from testes in man and ovaries in females, but a small part is also secreted from adrenal glands. In man it has important role like good and stable health, enhanced libido, higher energy, increased red blood cells and protection againts osteoporosis.

Modern science administers use to TRT(Testosterone replacement therapy), but it has many side effects like lack of libido, erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis, penile enlargement etc. In 50's this therapy is regarded as anti aging.

Well get back to yoga, there are numerous asanas when they are practiced with correct breath flow and retension while applying certain locks can stimulate the natural testosterone and its process. For example Moolabandha asana is one of its type that can help in this. Other is kapalabhatti that stimulate adrenals gland and helps to release this anabolic hormone.

In Tantras techniques like Vajroli, Vajrondi, Veeraasana, and other practices are done to achieve the goals, but not meant for ordinary human.

Ayurveda gives Vajjikarna therapy as a solution in which from special cleaning to certain food combinations ate taken to activate it. Like a Pure shilajit with some other herbal combinations are taken, or a simple measure of Goat testes are cooked well in milk to eat.

But all the above Indian sciences believe in cleaning of intestine to flow the Apana vayu(vata) properly to function well.

Therefore a general combination of herbs is described in ayurveda along with techniques of yoga to heal this problem..............

"Health is not valued till sickness comes"

-----