You’re weathering January and while the warm glugs are pouring into your diet, the nip in the air slows down blood circulation and muscles turn stiff. Ensure effective movement of your joints to stay agile and alert by practising simple yoga asanas at home
“Yoga isn’t simply an hour on the mat, it is a lifestyle,” explains yoga expert Nishtha Bijlani. “Choose to live consciously and mindfully by making way for a yogic lifestyle – a blend of right habits, exercise, breath awareness, food, thought process and inter-personal relations.”
“Yoga asanas improve upon lubrication of the joints and release stagnant energy in the body that otherwise makes us dull and lethargic. Abhyangam (self massage) is great self-care practice during the winter. Use warm sesame oil to massage your entire body to nourish tissues and release muscular tension. Both yoga and abhyangam have a calming effect on the body and mind. They relax the central nervous system, maintaining body suppleness. Having the right foods as per the seasonal changes is very important as well. Include ghee, olive oil, avocado, nuts, figs, dates… in your diet during winter for good joint health and maintaining the warmth in the body. Stay hydrated with fluids including soup, herbal tea and warm water to prevent dryness of the internal system and the external body,” she advises, in addition to the following asanas:
Uttana Shishosana (Puppy Pose): When you perform this asana, you release the stiffness from your upper spine by stretching the neck, shoulders and chest. It betters your posture and energy levels.
Method: Slip into a kneeling position on your mat. Place your palms ahead of your knees and start to slide them forward slowly. Rest your forehead or chin on the mat. Make sure you do not slide forward too much. Remember to maintain the knee to hip alignment. Hold for 15 secs and repeat.
Shilpi Madan for Deccan Herald