Yoga for Teenagers

Between their tantrums and mood swings, their sense of wonder and sense of adventure, desire for knowledge and great physical energy levels, Teenage is really a beautiful, experimental time of our lives. It’s a time when an unknown force seems to propel us towards what we imagine and desire, the drive is strong, the heart is vulnerable and emotions galore. In such times Yoga, the ancient science of self-empowerment can really help the teenagers to become more aware and confident about their body, to realize a deeper sense of self-value, garner clarity, confidence and calmness allowing them to ease the everyday stresses and pressures of their lives.

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Paripurna Navasana

Paripurna Navasana

Step-by-step

Sit on the floor with your legs extended in front of you. See to it that you sit on the seat bones with an erect spine. If your spine does not get erect because of tightness in the lower or upper back, then bend your knees slightly to remove the pressure from your lower back.
Now, lean back slightly, around 30-40 degrees and as you lean back focus and engage your abdominal muscles.
Gently lift the legs up with an exhale, and lengthen your spine and tail bone. Extend your arms till they are parallel to the floor and in direction of your feet, keeping the chin parallel to the floor and breath normally.
If the above is not possible, try it by placing the hands on the floor next to your upper thighs and raising the legs by pressing the palms into the floor.
Retain the posture for 10-15 seconds and gradually increase the time to one minute.

Benefits
Strengthens the abdomen, thighs, lower back and shoulder area
Improves digestion by stimulating the digestive tract.
Corrects postural alignment.

Wandering in the Himalayas – Part 3

(Continued from Wandering in the Himalayas – Part 2)

I came back to Rishikesh in the lap of my father Himalaya, just like a little boy who goes in his father’s lap from time to time for some re-assurance. I was going through a lot of spiritual energy movements at that time, all possible emotions hitting my mind wave after wave. The body felt like a blast furnace, but a faint understanding that my body was being baked , my mind was being processed so that my soul could shine, prevailed. My system was boiling and the waters of Ganga doused the fire with Love, like only a mother could.
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