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and curative of problems like overweight, arthritis, indigestion, rheumatism etc. and is beneficial for liver and spleen. Hala-asana is mostly performed towards the end of a yoga session.

Sava-asana or corpse pose is one that provides for total relaxation. The person lies flat on his back, with arms parallel to the body and palms turned up. He keeps on breathing slowly and deeply. This asana can be performed at any time of the day when rest is required. The pose rests the body totally and improves blood circulation and facilitates concentration.

Besides the benefits derived from different poses, as described above, regular practicing of yoga tends to reduce levels of glucose and cholesterol in blood. It also helps in raising the levels of vitamin C and hemoglobin. All the postures help remove extra weight and fat from the body, especially from the waist and stomach areas, improves circulation and helps digestion.

The flexibility of bone joints is increased by continuous yoga practice. Even some internal glands like prostate glands which are otherwise rarely used, are kept in better health by yoga exercises. The practice of yoga also helps in better focusing of the mind, fluid movements of the body and helps delay the onset of geriatric problems. It has a general prophylactic effect on human body with relation to many diseases.

To learn yoga exercises, it is not necessary to join classes. A person with normal health can master most of the poses by the help of pictures and following step-by-step directions. The important thing is that one should not overstretch or strain to manage the posture. It should be done only to the extent that it can be comfortably done. By consistent practice, the individual will be able to perfect it.

But those who have any physical ailments are advised not to attempt the postures on their own. For them it is best to seek the guidance of a yoga teacher who can advice as to which are the exercises that could adversely effect their existing medical condition. Even those who are healthy can afford to be cautious about certain poses. Head-stand, or shirsha-asana, where a person stands on his head with legs up, is said to be a very powerful asana. But it is advisable not to attempt it on one's own, without guidance.

It is best to do the yoga exercises early in the morning, on an empty stomach. Where that is not possible, evening is all right. But the exercises should be done only three hours after a heavy meal and a proportionately lesser time after a lighter meal. These asanas should never be done on a full stomach. And it should be done only in a place with good ventilation and fresh air.

To derive maximum benefits from yoga exercises, the practitioner should stick to a balanced diet. Eating should be done only in moderation with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet. A vegetarian diet, though by no means imperative, is recommended in the yoga discipline.

The curative power of yoga is based on the principle that human body and mind is a combined whole. Each of the postures described above has to be done with precise inhaling and exhaling and holding of the breath in each stage, as prescribed. This combination places the unified entity of body and mind in the correct perspective and ambience so that the resultant synergy rectifies many problems.

Learn more about this author, Kalyani Kurup.
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