Yoga Cures: Simple Routines to Conquer Over 50 Common Ailments and Live Pain-Free (49 page)

screaming at you, this routine is designed to calm down your system from the inside out. You will be left with
a calm and happy tummy so you can go about your life pain free.

Reclining Single Knee Hug

Lie down on your back. Hug your right knee gently into your chest. With each exhale, draw your knee closer toward your right shoulder. Stay here for five long, deep breaths.

Reclining Single Knee Hug Twist

From your reclining knee hug, cross your right knee over your body toward your left. Open your arms out to the sides. Look toward your right. Stay here for ten long, deep breaths. Do the other side starting with the reclining knee hug.

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Rock

Draw both knees into your chest. Gently rock from side to side allowing the sides of your back to release into the ground. Continue rocking for five long, deep breaths.

Under-Eye Bags and Dark Circles

A common cause of under-eye bags and dark circles is not getting enough rest or proper nutrition. Salty

and processed foods may cause you to retain water and make puffy eyes worse. Some experts say that

under-eye bags are a natural part of the aging process, caused by weakened ligaments making the

natural fat under the eyes push forward and form a puffy bag. It’s a good thing we know that yoga can

reverse the effects of aging.

As I’ve said repeatedly, a regular yoga practice makes you gravitate naturally toward healthier food

choices and also helps you sleep a lot better, so you should be on your way to eliminating puffy eyes

and dark circles as soon as you step onto your mat. The key is to keep doing it every day. It only

works if you practice.

THE UNDER-EYE BAGS AND DARK CIRCLES YOGA CURE

The yoga cure for under-eye bags and dark circles is to first take a look at how you are living your life. If you
can get more sleep, eat healthier, drink more water, and think happier, less stressed thoughts, begin there.

Inversions literally bring more blood to your head and improve the health and appearance of your facial skin.

Any time your head is below your heart in yoga you are improving blood flow and refreshing the skin of the

face. Inversions and some other calming poses included here will yield you the most benefits.

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Down Dog

From all fours, tuck your toes, lift your hips, and press back into down dog. Reach your heels toward the ground.

Relax your shoulders toward the ground and relax your head and neck. Stay here for five long, deep breaths.

Forearm Down Dog

From your down dog, lower your forearms to the ground so they are parallel to each other. Keep your fingers spread file:///C|/...ures%20Simple%20Routines%20to%20Conquer%20Mlments%20and%20Live%20Pain-Free%20-%20Stiles%20Tara/index.html[5/29/2012 10:54:20 PM]

wide. Lift your shoulders away from the ground and relax your head. Stay here for five long, deep breaths.

Forearm Stand

If you would like to move into a forearm stand, inhale and lift your right leg up so that your hips lift over your shoulders. Exhale and lower it back down. Try the same thing with the left leg. Continue with this until you get the feeling of getting your hips over your shoulders, or if you feel ready, take a light hop the next time you inhale and lift a leg to bring yourself into forearm stand. If you are new to the pose, try positioning yourself near a wall so you can kick up and rest your legs along the wall. Stay here for five long, deep breaths and slowly lower down to child’s pose.

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Calm Eyes

Sit up nice and tall, however you can sit comfortably. Rub the palms of your hands together pretty quickly to get a good amount of heat going. Close your eyes and gently press the heels of your hands into your eyelids. Rest your fingers against your forehead. Stay here for three long, deep breaths and gently relax your hands to rest on your thighs.

Vertigo

The feeling of dizziness and spinning when you are stationary that comes with vertigo is no fun. The

lost balance that comes when vertigo strikes can be both scary and dangerous. It can be caused by an

inner ear imbalance, anxiety, and even problems in the brain, so it’s important to see your doctor if you

are experiencing vertigo. In many cases, yoga can help ease the anxiety that comes with this condition;

it also has been known to balance out the body’s systems to reduce and even cure it.

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