Yoga Postures (Asanas)

In Sanskrit, yoga postures are called asanas. Asana means "a posture that can be held comfortably over a certain duration" .

Asanas affect the glands, nerves, muscles and all the organs of the body. There are many physical benefits, but the most important effect is on the mind. 

The practice of asanas  systematically compress and decompress our endocrine glands, resulting in the regulation of hormones secreted from those glands. 

The hormones are chemicals that with just a small quantity could trigger a vast and systemic responses that affect our physical, mental and spiritual well being. The optimal function of our endocrine system would allow us to achieve emotional balance to facilitate concentration and meditation. Therefore, asanas not only improve our physical being but also help prepare the mind for meditation to gain spiritual progress.

Benefits of asanas:

• Balance the hormone secretions from the glands.
• Give flexibility to the body.
• Improve respiration, as well as blood and lymph circulation.
• Massage the internal organs.
• Detoxify the joints.
• Relax the nerves and muscles.
• Cure diseases.

While practicing asanas the body should be cool and calm. The stomach should not be full. The room should be clean and warm, and there should be no smoke in the air. Except for the meditation postures, asanas should not be practiced during menstruation or pregnancy. In general, asanas should only be practiced on the advice of a proper teacher.


I have prepared these materials for my yoga students, therefore, if you're new to yoga practice, please use the materials here with caution.


If you want to enrol for yoga courses, please go to http://anandamarga.org.sg/

Lemon Vinegar DIY for acidosis and pH balance

Wash thoroughly the lemons and air them dry ...

Cut them into halves (cut into smaller slices to speed up the fermentation)

Put all the lemons into the big glass canister (must be made of glass, because, all the plastic materials leach harmful chemicals), pour in organic naturally fermented vinegar (apple cider vinegar can be used, but rice vinegar tastes better). Don't use artificially formed vinegars!

Blend in some honey and fructose for taste and better fermentation.

Let the canister sit in one cool and quiet corner (meditate) for about 2 months... and see the lemons changed into dark brown colour. Scoop the vinegar and dilute it with water to drink raw. It is very good for acidosis and for those suffer from uric acid problem. Drink regularly to avoid flu and cold. I always have a bottle of this in my kitchen... How does it taste? Sour!!!!

What about the used lemons? Use them for compost, bury in the soil, earthworms love it ... I have a plant pot at home that is full of earthworms happily eating the residue of my enzyme production...

Public Talks: Mr Wang Ming Yong, author of 2 books @ Nutrimax Organic 13 June 2010

Public Talk: Healthy Diet for Cancer Prevention @ National Library 20 June 2009

Health Talk for Teachers & Staff @ Admiralty Primary School on 26 May 2010

Mangosteen Enzyme DIY

I know there are many people go crazy over the mangosteen juice especially the highly- and high-priced Xango juice and the like.

So, I went to buy a few beautiful manosteens and a lemon. Wash them thoroughly (a used toothbrush is good tool to clear the impurities from the skin). After that, air dry them.

Then, I cut off half of the skin, leaving the whitish flesh half exposed, slice the lemon, add some distilled water, organic brown sugar and two tablespoonful of Isomalto-oligosaccharide.

Unlike the lemon & apple enzymes, I left this one for more than 30 days for a full fermentation.

How's the taste: wonderfully sweet & fragrance of the natural mangosteen plus the benefit of fermentation and xanthones from the pericarp and seeds.

Apple & Lemon Enzyme DIY

Ingredients: lemons and apples, oligosaccharide, organic brown sugar

Steps:

1. Thoroughly washed and dry the glass bottle with cap (must be made of glass)
2. Wash whole lemons and apples with pure water & air dry
3. Cut lemons and apples into slices
4. Put them all in the bottle, add oligosaccharide and organic brown sugar
5. Cap the bottle and keep it at one cool corner and wait for at least 14 days
6. You can occasionally turn the bottle around the ensure the fluid in it distribute evenly

How to use:

1. The liquid enzyme is sweet, so mix with drinking water to drink it
2. The liquid can be used for salad cream
3. The fruit residue can be eaten or used to produce compost

* Too much sugar can hurt your body, so be moderate. If you use a lot of brown sugar, it is not suitable for diabetic.