How To Put Your Mental Health First This Year

Mental Well-being Through Yoga

Unlike physical ailments that have tell-tale symptoms, and visible signs, mental health is far more subtle. Anxiety, depression, and harboring a suicidal tendency are inner workings of an individual. Unfortunately, greater focus has lain with physical health all along, but this aspect is fast changing. The media has increased coverage on mental well-being, and there is now greater effort to address the issue of mental health.

Yoga anchors us to the present moment through greater awareness of our own breath, and self. Through these practices, Yoga transforms how our brain responds to situations leading us into live in a state of lasting contentment. Instead of accumulating stress, we learn instead to accept and let go. With this habit we are free from holding on to anything that does not serve us in our growth. Yoga recommends the practice of powerful flows such as Surya Namaskar, and Chandra Namaskar along with a few meditation techniques to practice regularly.

Surya Namaskar

As a salutation to Lord Sun, Surya Namaskar always starts with the right side. This is because the Surya Nadi or the Sun channel runs along the right side, so you begin the Surya Namaskar with your right leg.

Surya Namaskar must be practiced at dawn, facing the sun.
12 noon and 6pm are also recommended hours to begin the practice of this namaskar.

Deepened state of practice takes the body to a higher plane of strength.

Surya Namaskar - 12 Steps make half the cycle

• 1. Pranam asana (The Prayer pose)
• 2. Hastha Utanasana (Raised arm pose)
• 3. Padahastasana(Standing forward bend)
• 4. Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)
• 5. Santholanasana (Plank Pose)
• 6. Ashtanga Namaskar Asana (Eight limbed salutation)
• 7. Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)
• 8. Adho Mukha Svanasana(Downward dog pose)
• 9. Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)
• 10. Padahastasana(Standing forward bend)
• 11. Hastha Utanasana
• 12. Pranam asana

Repeat the 12 steps with the left leg moving in and out second to make 1 complete cycle. Total cycle is made of 24 counts.

Chandra Namaskar

The Chandra Namaskar is a salutation to the moon. The moon represents emotions, emotional intelligence and taste. As the Chandra Nadi or Moon Channel runs along the left side, you begin the Chandra Namaskar with your left leg first.

Chandra Namaskar must be practiced at 6 pm facing the Moon. Performing this namaskar during full moon nights is extremely nourishing to the body and spirit.

Chandra Namaskar - 14 steps make half the cycle

• 1. Pranam asana (The Prayer pose)
• 2. Hastha Utanasana (Raised arm pose)
• 3. Padahastasana(Standing forward bend)
• 4. Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)
• 5. Inhale and bend back (Ardha Chandra asana)
• 6. Santholanasana (Plank Pose)
• 7. Ashtanga Namaskar Asana (Eight limbed salutation)
• 8. Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)
• 9. Adho Mukha Svanasana(Downward dog pose)
• 10. Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)
• 11. Inhale and bend back (Ardha Chandra asana)
• 12. Padahastasana(Standing forward bend)
• 13. Hastha Utanasana
• 14. Pranam asana

Repeat the 14 steps with the right leg to make it 1 complete cycle with a total of 28 counts.

Super Power Meditation

A highly recommended practice, Super Power Meditation influences the rate at which your body can heal itself. Meditation techniques can improve your mood, calm your mind and help relax you.

• To practice this, seat yourself on a peak of the mountain in Sukhasana (for trained yogis) or any other comfortable pose that gives you the shape of a pyramid.
• The intention is to sit in the shape of mountain atop a mountain.
• In this position, you need to visualize a reverse triangular shield in your chest and then meditate.
• During the meditative process, with every inhale, this shield allows you to welcome all the positive energies of the world into you. And, as you exhale you release unwanted toxins, miseries, and negativity from within you.

On A Final Note…

We all possess the ability to make great things happen for ourselves. The only thing that is keeping us from achieving that is our own selves. When we are unable to see our gifts, skills, and talents, we are doing us a huge disservice.

When we remain embroiled in fault-finding, then we cannot enjoy what we already have. What Yoga does is that it makes us more aware of the present moment. When we turn on self-awareness, it results in us being mindful and conscious of our actions. With this change, we enjoy a position of power when it comes to our own lives. This power comes from making conscious, and weighed decisions, and smarter choices for ourselves. Yoga can truly help us to enjoy the journey of life better.

Grand Master Akshar