A Wisdom Archive on Postures

Although there are many Asanas (8,400,000 according to the scriptures) the practice of the 12 basic yoga postures brings out the essence and all major benefits of this wonderful system.
 

Read more here: » Yoga Postures: What is Proper Exercise - 12 Basic Yoga Postures

Mudras, the science of hand and finger postures, can help you to cure bodily ailments in a wonderful manner. It actually helps in balancing the five elements ( panch-tattvas ) in the human system to their optimal levels. The elements can even be increased or decreased to cure appropriate ailments. When the elements are completely balanced, the yoga (unison) of mind, body and soul with the Supreme Soul can be achieved!

Read more here: » Mudras: Mudras - the science of hand and finger postures

Some brilliant, very effective and simple mudras, which you can practice anytime and anywhere. Mudras is the art of hand posture and finger posture.
 

Read more here: » Mudras: Different Mudra postures

There are many different asana s (postures) in yoga, which you can practise at any time of the day with excellent benefits. However, best results can be obtained only by doing yoga under expert guidance. Here's a listing of the commonly practised asanas with both the name of the asana in sanskrit and in english.

Read more here: » Yoga: Major Types of Asanas - Yoga Positions

'Mudra' simply means hand and finger postures. Like yogic body postures, it is also a discipline, to rejuvenate the body.
 
You must have seen the statues of Buddha, Jesus, Mahavir, and Shiva et al among many others, wherein the hands and fingers are shown curled in a specific posture.
 
For example, Lord Jesus Christ's image normally shows the hand pointing to the cave of the heart. Likewise, one of the popular images of Lord Buddha show's the fingers of the Left hand holding a pot of nectar, while palm of the right hand is resting on the lap, with fingers folded and pointing straight down. Another image shows the fingers of the right hand near the chest region and folded in a specific pose.

 
(See also: Mudras, Mudras, Mudras and Health, Mudra Instructions, Yoga )

Read more here: » Mudras: Understanding Mudras

The Fish Yoga Position (Matsyasana) is the stretch that counters the Plough, and so follows them in Yoga session. The name of the posture derives from the fact that if you adopt the position in water, you will float quite easily.
 

Read more here: » Yoga Positions: The Fish - Yoga Position

Hatha Yoga deals with physical body and astral body purification and training. Its goal is to bring the physical body into a perfect state of health so the soul has an appropriate vehicle of expression to work through.
 
Hatha Yoga embraces many practices, including physical postures and breathing exercises ( pranayama ) , which also act upon the physical nervous system and etheric body. It helps bring the vital energies of the physical and etheric bodies under conscious control.

 
(See also: Yoga Systems, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions )

Read more here: » Yoga Systems: Hatha Yoga

The sage Patanjali postulated an eight-fold system of spiritual yogic practice for achieving the divine goal. It comprises:
 
Yam (Controls) Niyam (Rules and regulations) Asan (Bodily Postures) Pranaayam (Breath Control Exercises) Pratyahaar (Sense control) Dharana (Concentration) Dhyaana (Meditation) Samadhi (Mergence)

 
(See also: Patanjali, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions )

Read more here: » Patanjali: Patanjali System Of Yoga  

Nauli Kriya is intended for regenerating, invigorating and stimulating the abdominal viscera and the gastro-intestinal or alimentary system. For the practice of Nauli you should know the Uddiyana Bandha. Uddiyana can be done even in a sitting posture; but Nauli is generally done while standing.

Excerpt from the book Kundalini Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Nauli Kriya: Nauli Kriya and Kundalini Yoga

Viparitakarani Mudra
The Yogin who practises this for three hours daily conquers death. As the gastric fire is increased, those who practise this Mudra for a long time should take some light refreshment such as milk, etc., as soon as the Kriya is over. Sirshasana posture also is called Viparitakarani Mudra.
 
From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda
 

Read more here: » Viparitakarani Mudra: Practice of Viparitakarani Mudra