Yoga For Anxiety – V
 Kriyas that will cleanse your mind and rejuvenate you
 

Any kind of kriya or purifying technique gives a shock to the system by instantly and forcibly removing the toxins in our system. To experience a 180 degree change in your mental state, practice the following kriyas which will literally cleanse your mind and body and make you feel like a fully rejuvenated and transformed human being.

Caution: Exercises one and two should be done under supervision for the first time. Exercise one should be avoided by people suffering from chronic nose-bleeds. For exercise three those with moderate to severe eyestrain, myopia, astigmatism and early symptoms of cataract, should use a big black dot instead of a candle flame.

  

 

Exercise 1

 Exercise 1

• You’ll need a special ‘neti pot’ — one side of which ends in a nozzle. The nozzle should not be too thick or pointed and should fit comfortably in the nostril.

• Add one tsp of salt to half a litre of lukewarm water and fill the neti pot

• Stand relaxed with the legs apart and bend forward and tilt your head to one side as shown. Keep breathing deeply, exhaling through the mouth

• Place nozzle of the neti pot in the nostril that is facing upwards and slowly pour water into it. The water will flow out through the other nostril

• Straighten up, blow your nose gently to remove any mucous

• Repeat with the other nostril

• Now close one nostril, and rapidly exhale 10-15 times through the other

• Repeat with the other side.

Exercise 2

 

Exercise 2

• This should be done in the morning on an empty stomach and should be done once a week

• Add two teaspoons of salt to two litres lukewarm water and drink at least six glasses at one stretch

• Make sure your hands and nails are clean. Stand near a sink with your legs apart and your back bent forward. Place the index and middle fingers in your mouth and rub the back of the tongue.  This will induce the vomiting process and the water will gush out of your mouth. Ensure that all the water comes out

• Relax, you can lie down if you want, and practice deep breathing for a while.

Exercise 3

 

Exercise 3

• Place a lit candle at arms length on a table in front of you at eye level

• Make sure there is no draft and the flame is steady

• Sit in any meditative asana with the back straight

• Close your eyes and relax the body

• Then open your eyes and gaze steadily at the tip of the wick

• Try not to blink or move your eyeballs

• When the eyes get tired, close them and try to visualise the after-image of the candle flame in your mind

• After a minute, open your eyes and continue to gaze at the flame

• Repeat this cycle twice or thrice

• Practice for a total of two minutes, slowly going up to 10 minutes.

• As you are finishing, close your eyes and watch the dark space in front of your eyes. Be aware of and just watch any thoughts that come up

• Then open your eyes and blow out the candle.

Exercise 3A

(For those with moderate to severe eyestrain, myopia, astigmatism and early symptoms of cataract)

• Draw a big black dot on a white sheet of paper

• Place at arms length and at eye level and repeat the steps described in exercise three.