Skin Yoga - Give your skin a boost this summer!

A proper blood circulation is a key to a healthy body and specially a healthy skin.

Yoga asanas can help increase blood circulation to the head and face area, which will further aid in naturally beautiful skin tone. It is now well established that inverted postures can stimulate our nervous system, bring more oxygen and blood flow to the brain, boost our metabolic rate, and up our energy levels. We have collated a list of a few useful postures that can over a period of time and with diligent practice can aid in boosting the skin texture.

Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

1. Lie down on your stomach with your toes flat on the floor, soles facing upwards; rest your forehead on the ground.
2. Keep your legs close together, with your feet and heels lightly touching each other.
3. Place both hands in such a way that palms are touching ground under your shoulders, elbows should be parallel and close to your torso. 
4. Taking a deep breath in, slowly lift your head, chest and abdomen. Keep your navel on the floor.
5. Pull your torso back and off the floor with the support of your hands. Make sure that you are putting equal pressure on both the palms.
6. Keep breathing with awareness, as you curve your spine, vertebra by vertebra. If possible, straighten your arms by arching your back as much as possible; tilt your head back and look up 
7. Maintain the pose while breathing evenly for 4-5 breaths. 
8. Now, breathe out, and gently bring your abdomen, chest, and head back to the floor and relax.
9. Repeat 4-5 times.

Matsyasana (Fish Pose)

1. Lie on your back. Your feet are together and hands relaxed alongside the body.
2. Place the hands underneath the hips, palms facing down. Bring the elbows closer toward each other.
3. Breathing in, lift the head and chest up.
4. Keeping the chest elevated, lower the head backward and touch the top of the head to the floor.
5. With the head lightly touching the floor, press the elbows firmly into the ground, placing the weight on the elbow and not on the head. Lift your chest up from in-between the shoulder blades. Press the thighs and legs to the floor.
6. Hold the pose for as long as you comfortably can, taking gentle long breaths in and out. Relax in the posture with every exhalation.
7. Now lift the head up, lowering the chest and head to the floor. Bring the hands back along the sides of the body. Relax.

Halasana (Plow Pose)

1. Do this asana slowly and gently. Ensure that you do not strain your neck or push it into the ground.
2. Support your back on the tops of your shoulders, lifting your shoulders a little towards your ears.
3. Avoid jerking your body, while bringing the legs down

Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand Pose)

1. Lie on your back with hands by your side.
2. With one movement, lift your legs, buttocks and back so that you come up high on your shoulders. Support your back with the hands.
3. Move your elbows closer towards each other, and move your hands along your back, creeping up towards the shoulder blades. Keep straightening the legs and spine by pressing the elbows down to the floor and hands into the back. Your weight should be supported on your shoulders and upper arms and not on your head and neck.
4. Keep the legs firm. Lift your heels higher as though you are putting a footprint on the ceiling. Bring the big toes straight over the nose. Now point the toes up. Pay attention to your neck. Do not press the neck into the floor. Instead keep the neck strong with a feeling of tightening the neck muscles slightly. Press your sternum toward the chin. If you feel any strain in the neck, come out of the posture.
5. Keep breathing deeply and stay in the posture for 30-60 seconds.
6. To come out of the posture, lower the knees to forehead. Bring your hands to the floor, palms facing down. Without lifting the head slowly bring your spine down, vertebra by vertebra, completely to the floor. Lower the legs to the floor. Relax for a minimum of 60 seconds.

Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)

1. Stand straight. Separate your feet comfortably wide apart (about 31/2 to 4 feet).
2. Turn your right foot out 90 degrees and left foot in by 15 degrees.
3. Now align the center of your right heel with the center of your arch of left foot.
4. Ensure that your feet are pressing the ground and the weight of your body is equally balanced on both the feet.
5. Inhale deeply and as you exhale, bend your body to the right, downward from the hips, keeping the waist straight, allowing your left hand to come up in the air while your right hand comes down towards floor. Keep both arms in straight line.
6. Rest your right hand on your shin, ankle, or the floor outside your right foot, whatever is possible without distorting the sides of the waist. Stretch your left arm toward the ceiling, in line with the tops of your shoulders. Keep your head in a neutral position or turn it to the left, eyes gazing softly at the left palm.
7. Ascertain that your body is bent sideways and not backward or forward. Pelvis and chest are wide open.
8. Stretch maximum and be steady. Keep taking in long deep breaths. With each exhalation, relax the body more and more. Just be with the body and the breath.
9. As you inhale, come up, bring your arms down to your sides, and straighten your feet.
10. Repeat the same on the other side.

Shishuasana/ Balasana (Child Pose)

1. Sit on your heels. Keeping your hips on the heels, bend forward, and lower your forehead to the floor.
2. Keep the arms alongside your body with hands on the floor, palms facing up. (If this is not comfortable, you can place one fist on top of another and rest your forehead on them.)
3. Gently press your chest on the thighs.
4. Hold.
5. Slowly come up to sit on the heels, uncurling vertebra by vertebra and relax.

Other Healthy & Helpful Practices:

1. Drink lots of water to detoxify your system

2. Exercise daily and meditate at least once a day

3. Make healthy eating choices by planning your meals in advance

4. Rest well and have a routine

5. Read good content as "Swadhyay" is one of the important aspects of a yogic living.

Namaste!

Note: Practicing Yoga helps develop the body and mind, yet is not a substitute for medicine. It is essential to learn and practice yoga under the supervision of a trained Yoga teacher. In case of any medical condition, practice yoga only after consulting your doctor or health practitioner.