Select a letter to view: A B C D E H I L M P S T Y
Yoga and Breathing
YOGA AND BREATHING
The word "yoga" is derived from the verbal root, yuj, meaning to yoke or harness. Yoga is the process of unifying one's mind body and soul in order to express the energy of one's true nature. In the author's professional opinion, based on personal experience with practicing and teaching yoga, hatha yoga (a type of yoga referred to as "physical" yoga) is the ideal exercise practice while going through a clinical purification program. Just as one uses alchemic principles to create a purification formula from herbs and foods to address the functioning of specific organs in the body, hatha yoga involves the alchemic reprogramming of mind and body that serves to release toxins and purify the soul.
The word "hatha" is derived from the Sanskrit root, ha (sun) and tha (moon), and is the equalization and stabilization of the sun-moon (yin-yang) life-force. The purpose of Hatha yoga is to free the body and mind from dysfunctional blockages. With respect to the Clinical Purification™ Process, this equates to the elimination of exogenous and endogenous toxins. Hatha yoga involves a methodical and integrative approach to stretching and contracting different muscle groups to strengthen and lengthen opposing muscles. Hatha also re-aligns the
skeleton and applies weight to vital bones to maintain and increase bone density. At the same time and perhaps less obviously, Hatha yoga also gently massages all internal organs.
Following is a series of basic yoga postures that one can begin practicing at home. It is important to be in a warm room, with comfortable clothes and preferably barefoot. When practicing these postures, one must be mindful of his/her body, backing off when one feels pain and slowly extending beyond the point of resistance only when one feels ready to do so. Those who practice yoga regularly often notice a gradual increase in strength, flexibility and balance. The most critical factor when practicing yoga is to be mindful of one's breath.
Sit / Easy Position - Sukhasana:
A starting position that helps focus awareness on breathing and the body; helps strengthen lower back and open the groin and hips.
Sit cross-legged with hands on knees. Focus on your breath. Keep your spine straight and push the sit bones down into the floor. Allow the knees to gently lower. If the knees rise above your hips, sit on a cushion or block. This will help support your back and hips. Take 5-10 slow, deep breaths. On the next inhale, raise your arms over your head. Exhale and bring your arms down slowly. Repeat 5-7 times.
Dog and Cat:
Increases flexibility of the spine.
Begin on your hands and knees. Keep your hands just in front of your shoulders, your legs about hip width apart. As you inhale, tilt the tailbone and pelvis up, and let the spine curve downward, dropping the stomach low, and lift your head up. Stretch gently. As you exhale, move into cat by reversing the spinal bend, tilting the pelvis down, drawing the spine up and pulling the chest and stomach in. Repeat several times, flowing smoothly from dog into cat, and cat back into dog.
Mountain - Tadasana:
Improves posture, balance and self-awareness.
Stand with feet together, hands at your sides, eyes looking forward. Raise your toes, fan them open, then place them back down on the floor. Feel your heel, outside of your foot, toes and ball of your foot all in contact with the floor. Tilt your pubic bone slightly forward. Raise your chest up and out, but within reason - this isn't the army and you're not standing at attention. Raise your head up and lengthen the neck by lifting the base of your skull toward the ceiling. Stretch the pinky on each hand downward, then balance that movement by stretching your index fingers. Push into the floor with your feet and raise your legs, first the calves and then the thighs.
Breathe. Hold the posture, bu
Back to top