Fasting compliments yoga
Keep healthy and stay energized during Ramadan by taking up light activities such as walking or a yoga routine which has been designed simply to build strength, flexibility and also promote ’weight loss’. Of course one has to remember that because of the lengthy gap between suhoor(pre dawn meal) and iftar(evening meal), fewer calories are consumed and the energy in the body becomes limited and as a result the blood pressure is lowered. Therefore all care has to be taken to practice the right way and choose the right style which is less dynamic and less physically challenging.
“Yoga practice compliments fast” As the body releases toxins quite rapidly during the fast, it results in a detoxification process in an empty stomach. During the fast, the intestines don’t stop functioning, therefore as there is nothing to digest it starts eliminating toxins present in the body. This process of elimination of toxins is accelerated with the right yoga postures and breathing exercises, which may otherwise remain longer in the system resulting in side effects such as headaches, lethargy and fatigue. Yoga also re energizes the body and aids in the detoxification process so that the body remains fit. More detoxifying makes the energy channels more clear, hence less disease conditions.
The combination of gentle moving, stretching and twisting together with deep breathing, speeds up the detoxification process.
- Forward bending poses such as,
Paschimottanasana / Seated forward bend
Janushirasana / One Legged Forward Bend
Balasana / Child Pose
Bhujangasana / Cobrra
Setubandhasana / Bridge Pose
Ardha Matsyendrasana / Spinal Twist
Parivritta Trikonasana / Reverse Triangle
Mahamudra / Great Mudra (apply the three bandhas)
Mandukasana / Frog Pose
Upavistaknosana / Wide Angle Forward Bend
These will provide relaxation as there is pressure in the fore brain, as the position of the heart is parallel with other body parts which decreases blood pumping rates.
- Backward bending poses such as,
Ushtrasana / Camel Pose
Dhanurasana / Bow Pose
Matsyasana / Fish Pose
These raise the chest bone up so the heart will pump oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. The pressure in the stomach will improve the power of the organs in the stomach
- Twisting poses
These give a deep cleaning massage to the digestive track,
namely: the stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver, and the gall
The above integrated with Sun salutations, will help balance and restore the body’s natural system.A little of cardio and ab work also aids the weight loss process, but remember to be gentle, slow and not exert oneself.
"Yoga's breathing exercises are also important and a very beneficial aspect for those who are fasting. Breathing exercises increase the oxygen in the body's cells and balance hormone production. The result is a stabilized, relaxed and fresh energetic body."I CHristianto
Fasting and yoga makes you feel psychologically uplifted, and the mind is strengthened to carry on...
All this done under the guidance of an instructor helps keep injuries at bay!!