Indian excercising: Breath of fresh air

Breath is life. Breathing fresh air is the key to good health. These days the weather in Dubai is pleasant and it would be a great idea to spend time outdoors on a regular basis. Fresh air also cleans the lungs.

Practise Yoga before going out for a jog or a workout. This will boost the supply of oxygen to our cells, which in turn, increases energy levels. Yoga also slows down the ageing process, caused mainly by autointoxication or self-poisoning. The following yoga postures and deep-breathing exercises increase flexibility and improve blood circulation.

Tadasana

• Stand with feet apart and arms. Keep arms at side.
• Inhale and raise arms until the palms touch each other over the head.
• The arms must be held straight.
• Hold the position for a few seconds.
• Exhale and return to starting position.
• Repeat for a few times. Relax.

Moordhasana

• Stand with feet apart.
• Bend at the hips and place hands in front of the feet.
• Place the crown of the head on the ground, between the hands.
• Raise arms and clasp hands behind the back.
• Maintain this pose for a few breaths.
• Raise the head and return to starting position.
• Rest, then repeat two to three times.

Tiryaka Tadasana

• Stand with the feet about half a metre apart and the arms by the sides.
• Inhale deeply while raising the arms to shoulder level. Exhale and twist the body to the left.
• Bring the right hand to the left shoulder and wrap the left arm around the back.
• Bring the left hand around the right side of the waist. Look over the left shoulder as far as possible.
• Inhale and return to the starting position.
• Repeat on the other side. This is one round.
• Repeat eight times.

Deep-breathing techniques

Nadi shodhana pranayama

• Sit with the spine straight .
• Close the right nostril with thumb.
• Inhale through left nostril and close it with the ring and little fingers.
• Release thumb and exhale through the right nostril.
• Inhale through the right nostril. Close it and exhale slowly through the left. This is one round.
• Repeat five to eight times.

Kapalbhati Pranayama

• Sit comfortably with the spine straight.
• Inhale deeply to expand the abdominal muscles. Exhale forcefully, expelling air from the lungs and quickly contracting the abdominal muscles.
• Inhale deeply. Unlike exhalation, inhaling does not involve force. Just relax and fill the lungs with air.
• After completing 15 quick exhalations and inhalations, inhale and exhale deeply. This is one round.