The first thing you notice about a person is the texture of their skin.
A smooth, glowing, reddish skin — neither too oily nor too dry — reflects the health of a person and points to the smooth functioning of processes such as digestion and blood circulation.
The following asanas, mudras, pranayamas and kriyas are specifically designed to improve blood circulation, cleanse the system and restore internal balance. The result: beautiful, radiant skin.
The following asanas and mudras have been chosen because they affect every part of the human body to increase blood circulation. Blood is the greatest detoxifier; by ensuring all-round blood circulation, we help the body detoxify itself.
Halasana
- Lie flat on back, arms by your side, palms down.
- Raise legs, keeping them straight.
- Lift back off floor, bring legs slowly towards head.
- Slowly lower legs behind head and touch floor with toes, keeping knees straight.
- Hold for 10 to 30 seconds, breathe normally.
- Slowly lower legs and resume start position.
Note: Those with severe back and neck problems, hernia, high blood pressure and heart problems should avoid practising this exercise. Women should avoid this exercise during menstruation.
Yoga mudra
- Sit with legs stretched out, back straight. Bend one leg, place ankle on opposite thigh, close to groin.
Bend other leg and place ankle on thigh of bent leg, close to groin. - If you find the above posture (Padmasana) difficult, sit with legs crossed.
- Take hands behind back. With one hand, hold other wrist.
- Close eyes, relax and breathe in.
- Exhale as you bend forward, rest forehead on floor.
- Hold for 10 to 30 seconds, breathe normally.
- Inhale as you raise body back to start position.
Note: Those with backache or severe arthritis of the knee should not practise this asana.
Kriyas or cleansing techniques are the best detoxifiers in yoga.
They remove impurities from the system through different channels — breath, sweat and vomiting.
They are radical ways to instantly remove toxins accumulated over months or even years.
Though some such as Kunjal kriya are harsh methods, they are highly effective. Their results are visible within ten minutes.
Agnisar kriya
- Stand straight with feet apart.
- Bend knees and place palms on thighs, fingers placed inwards.
- Exhale deeply through mouth, hold your breath and move abdominal muscles in and out 10 to 50 times.
- Repeat the kriya three times.
Note: Those who have undergone surgery recently or suffer from high blood pressure, gynaecological problems or stomach ailments should consult their doctor before doing this kriya.
Kunjal kriya
This should be done in the morning, once a week, on an empty stomach.
- Add two teaspoons of salt to two litres of lukewarm water and drink at least six glasses at a stretch.
- Make sure your hands and nails are clean. Stand near a sink, with your legs apart, back bent forward.
Place index and middle fingers in the mouth and rub the back of the tongue.
This will induce a vomiting process and the water will gush out of your mouth. Ensure all the water comes out. - Relax. You can lie down if you want and practise deep breathing for a while.
Note: This technique should be avoided by people with hernia, high blood pressure, heart disease, peptic ulcers and diabetes.
The breathing techniques prescribed below are all about achieving balance internally so that the effects can be seen on your skin.
Thoracic breathing
- Sit comfortably with legs crossed or on a chair with your back straight.
- Interlock fingers at chest level, palms facing towards you. Make sure your elbows are at same level.
- Inhale deeply as you turn palms out and slowly stretch your arms.
- Exhale through mouth as you turn palms inwards and slowly bring palms back to start position.
- Repeat 5 times.
Clavicular breathing
- Sit as mentioned in the previous technique.
- Interlock fingers at chest level, palms facing towards you, elbows at same level.
- Inhale deeply as you turn palms out and slowly stretch your arms, shoulders and chest upwards.
- Exhale through mouth as you turn palms inwards and slowly bring palms back to start position.
- Repeat 5 times.
Anulom vilom
- Sit in the position described in the previous pranayama.
- Bend forefinger and middle finger of your right hand.
- Place thumb between eyebrows, press ring finger on left nostril. Breathe in through right nostril to count of 5.
- Hold breath till count of 10.
- Reverse positions. Place ring finger between eyebrows, press right nostril with thumb. Exhale through left nostril to count of 10.
- Now inhale through left nostril, hold your breath.
- Reverse position of fingers as in Step 3, exhale through right nostril.
- Repeat 12 times.
Note: Those with high blood pressure or heart problems should not hold their breath in this manner.
Yoga not only gives you beautiful skin but also a deeper inner beauty. Here's to a beautiful you!
— Bharat Thakur is the founder of Bharat Thakur's Artistic Yoga. For questions on yoga, write to dubai.artisticyoga
@gmail.com. For more information, log on to www.bharatthakur.com
