Yoga For Erectile Dysfunction (Contd)

Treatment

There are many effective treatments for erectile dysfunction. Currently, the most popular option is sildenafil (Viagra), which is taken in pill form on an empty stomach about one hour before sexual activity. It works in approximately 70 percent of men. (It is less effective in men with neurological causes of erectile dysfunction such as prostate surgery, diabetes and spinal-cord injury.) Sildenafil can cause minor side effects such as flushing and headache, but it has been shown to be safe in most men, including those with heart disease.

Psychological therapy such as counseling, behavioral therapy or couples' therapy can be effective in men whose impotence is caused primarily by psychological factors.

Yoga considers that most diseases are due to insufficient life force, either in the body as a whole, or a blockage of life force to one part of the body.

When the whole body has lowered life force, the result is a lowered vitality level, poor health and susceptibility to infection Yoga provides one of the best means of self-improvement and attaining one's full potential

Khandasana

Kanda means a bulbous root, a knot. The Kundalini sleeps above kanda (the place near the navel where the nadis unite and separate). It gives Mukti (emancipation) to the yogins and bondage to the fools. He who knows her knows yoga.

1.Sit on the floor with the legs stretched straight in front. Bend the knees, widen the thighs, bring the feet towards the trunk until the heels are close to the perineum and keep the knees on the floor. The position is similar to Baddhakonasana.
2.Hold the right foot with the right palm and the left foot with the left palm.
3.With the help of the hands, draw the feet up towards the trunk, invert the ankle, pull the knees and thighs, and place the heels and the outer sides of the feet against the navel and chest. To start with the feet are likely to slip down. Practice the pose for a few weeks, holding the feet firmly against the chest.
4.Release the hands, and either stretch the arms straight and rest the back of the hands on the knees or join the palms in front of the chest. Keep the back erect and stay I n the pose for about 30 seconds with deep breathing.
5.Advanced pupils may raise the hands, palms together, above the head. Then try to join the palms behind the back and balance: this is the most difficult part of the asana.
6.Hold the feet with the hands, lower them to the floor and rest.
7.As the pelvic and other joints of the legs are rotated it takes a long time to master the pose.

Effect

Every muscle below the navel is exercised. The pose cures stiffness in the hip, knee and ankle joints. It restores sexual energy and controls sexual desires.

The asana also exercises the Svadhisthana Chakra (the hypo gastric plexus) and the Manipuraka Chakra (the solar plexus), thus helping proper digestion.