… Perks of practicing in nature… with nature !
Do you know that when you keep looking at everything from behind the closed doors and the brick walls, you block out a lot of things that effect your wellness and healing tendencies directly or indirectly in a lot of ways, practicing in nature is one of the most effective ways which does not only help you deepen your practice, but moreover it helps you reunite with nature and furthermore to your relationship with the Divine in you.
Some say that Yoga was born into the woods, made of and influenced by pure observations of the natural laws, even from the animals, balances, rhythm, harmony and a lot more, that is why practicing amidst the nature leaves a positive effect on your Physiology, leading to a deeper Mind-Body-Self connection. Just as we tend to absorb the essence of what we eat or drink or think, and it reflects in our biology, looks, aura and our ultimate persona, similarly does our place of practice, we are designed to function in the most optimal way only when we are in our natural environment, we were always born fit but we changed a lot in our surrounding and apparently it changed a lot in us. Being in nature inspires us or rather brings us closer to become aware and develop our senses, the scent of nature, observation of the surrounding, the view of the endless sky, the color of the trees, the sound of the birds, the feeling of the wind, these experiences have a soothing effect on our nervous system. The power of natural surrounding is ‘alive and pure’ it gives us more to inspire from. Nature calls us to experience ourselves more in deep and practice to ‘feel one with our true SELF’. Therefore, when we take our Yogasana sequences outdoors, we have a deeper experience of the postures.
More specifically, a conscious breathing brings pure oxygen directly into the lungs, heart, and brain, we release toxins, tension, negative feelings while increasing our cell’s life, we create an interdependent relationship of love and care with nature, which continues lifelong, we sharpen the concentration, increase the feeling of positioning of the body in space, we profoundly train ourselves in balance because the ground forces us to make the right effort, the mind quiets easily so we can cultivate and embrace the inner peace, we open a relationship with spirituality that means we connect to our true self, we learn to adjust and we grow a feeling of true happiness by going out of the box, we manage to take our practice to the next level, feeling alive and in harmony with the environment.
In this edition I am going to give you some insight on the beginner’s most favored asana, TADASANA or The Palm Tree Pose, it belongs to the standing group and it literally effects all of you and your body’s whole and soul, from top to bottom, outstretching our awareness from Muladhara Chakra – the Root Centre to Ajna Chakra – the Eyebrow Centre, improvising our stability and developing a complete physical and mental balance.
The name has been derived from PALM TREE, which actually is a grass, and it grows so tall and strong and green that it stands out among the trees at the top, the best part is that it blooms all year long, represents Peace and Plenty in Judaism and its history is as old as the Human Society… it’s considered to be a tropical bliss, there is a beautiful saying about the palm trees –
“Like a palm tree by the ocean that endures the greatest winds, because it knows how to gracefully bend.” _Stephen Kendrick
Just like a palm tree, when you are doing the palm tree pose, you are working all of your body starting from the tip of the toes to the ankles to the calf muscles to your hamstring to your gluts to your rectus – abdominals – chest – shoulders – upper arms – neck – elbow – lower arms – wrist and right at the tip of your fingers, awakening all your senses. Do you see how tall you are … it gives you all the benefits enabling your bones to grow longer, it clears up the congestions of the spinal nerves emerging from the spinal column.
Other Health benefits of tadasana – the palm tree pose:
Improves posture, art of standing, by practicing this pose regularly, one will learn the correct way of standing
Increases awareness.
Steadies breathing.
Increases strength, power, and mobility in the feet, legs, and hips.
Firms abdomen and buttocks.
Relieves and treats sciatica.
Reduces flat feet.
Develops strength and flexibility simultaneously, especially in the spine.
Relieves tension, aches, and pains throughout the body, remarkably effective in treating backache.
Improves blood circulation throughout the body.
Encourages healthy digestion and elimination.
Leaves you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Expels dullness and depression.
Harmonizes the body and mind.
Increases energy and enthusiasm.
Increases height: Palm tree pose is one of the best Yoga poses to increase height of the growing children. Since it gives maximum stretch to the body from toes to fingers thus helpful for those who desire to increase his/her height.
Good for nerves: Since, it gives optimum stretching to the nerves and muscles thus helpful in functioning of various system of the body.
Enhances concentration: It is good to improve balance and concentration as well as increase alertness.
Strengthens lower legs: the toes, ankles, knees, abdomen, buttocks, and the lower part of the legs.
Weight Loss: It is helpful in shedding extra fat from different parts of the body.
Reduces flat feet.
So my dear, interlock your palms at the top of your head, breathe in deep with all your conscience, stretch up and let your tree grow up tall and strong with it’s roots planted deep through the toes… you know you can sustain the hurricanes in life when you have the faith rooted strong deep down.
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GET INSPIRED & INSPIRE THE REST !