Purna Shalabhasana

When Shalabhasana is practiced with both the legs raised together, it is called "Purna Shalabhasana". There are two variations of this asana. Below both the variations are explained.

Technique :
1.) First variation:

• Lie on the stomach with the forehead touching the ground.
• Stretch the arms beside the body.
• Keep the thumbs and the index fingers on the ground and clench the fists. Stiffen the body and raise the legs as high as possible.
• Stretch the soles of the feet. Pull the legs, the thighs and the lower part of the abdomen up.
• Hold this position for five to thirty seconds and rest the breath.
• Bring the legs down slowly and then exhale smoothly.

2.)Second variation :

• Resume the position of the first variation of Shalabhasana.
• Then raise the head. Place the arms on the floor by the side of the chest, the palms facing the floor.

Benefits of Purna Shalabhasana :

• This asana tones up the abdominal organs such as the gall bladder, the stomach, the spleen ad the bladder , and cures abdominal disorders.
• It cures dropsy for ever and has a beneficial effect on the fistula in its initial stages.
• this asana brings pressure on the abdomen and strengthens the muscles of the abdomen, thighs and legs.
• It cures the diseases of the lungs.
• It increases gastric fire and improve digestion.
• The practice of this asana remove the pain in the ovary which women experience during menstruation.
• It cures oedema.
• It cures tumour.
• It gives new energy to the throat.
• It cures strangury , diabetes and other disorder of the kidney.

Cautions :

• Do not clench your fists too tight or too loose.
• Persons with hernia, pregnant women, weak lungs and cardiac complaints should avoid this asana.

Migraine

Migraine is an intense, throbbing and recurrent headache. It is a hereditary condition and the inheritance is passed down through the females rather than the males. It generally affects one side of the head and often behind one eye and temple but sometimes affects both sides of head accompanied by nausea or vomiting and is particularly sensitive to bright light, loud noises, and smell. This can be cause by the contraction or dilatation of blood vessels in the brain and the irregular nerve activity mainly in the meninges.
Migraine is caused by the stimulation of the trigeminal nerve, which release a substance inducing inflammation and also send messages to pain receptors in the meninges.
Migraine gives a fair warning before striking the patient sees flashes of light or black spots or only parts of the objects in front of him.

Causes : Low blood sugar, allergy infection, excessive intake of certain drugs, nutritional deficiency, consistent over work, improper sleep and rest, excessive smoking , drinking, sexual indulgence, women get migraine around the time of menstruation, after menopause, tension, indigestion, constipation, acidity, stress.

Symptoms : Throbbing pain on one side of the head, A short period of depression, irritability and loss of appetite, pounding pain, nausea, vomiting, numbness, weakness in an arm or leg, laziness, stiff neck, photo phobia, burning & red eyes.

Home remedies for Migraine :

• Migraine relief can be obtained from the juice of ripe grapes. Grind fresh ripe grapes and drink without adding any water.
• Niacin is very useful in reliving pain. Valuable sources of this vitamin are yeast, whole wheat, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, nuts, sunflower seeds, liver and fish.
• Grind lemon crust and apply on the fore head as a paste this remedy has been found very effective.
• Carrot juice combined with spinach, beet and cucumber juices are very good for migraine treatment.
• Eat 10-12 almonds for a migraine headache.
• Nasyam : Make a solution by adding half a teaspoon mustard seeds powder and three teaspoons water, put in the nostrills. It helps to decrease the migraine headache.
• Take few leaves of the cabbage crush them, and place in a cloth and bound on the forehead at bed time or convenient during day time. The compress should be renewed when the leaves dry out.
• Primrose oil is considered to be one of the best home made for treating migraine.
• Garlic is detoxifier and also best for this. You can go for taking raw garlic and can also go for cooked garlic in various forms.
• Drink chamomile tea everyday as this will reduce migraine.
• Luke warm water enema cleans up the bowels and hence removes the toxins.
• Make a paste of freshly ground sandalwood and apply to the fore head, let it dry and rub off it by hand and wash it.
• Aromatherapy : Take some aromas that stand out of rest of all these include peppermint , sandalwood, lavender and eucalyptus. These all herbs as essential oils are best for migraine put them in cloth, dip it into the solution and then place it at affected area head.
• Acupressure : study some acupressure points and then try it on yourself.
• Massage : Massage your head in a particular way with certain Ayurvedic massage oils. This will not only give you relief from the migraine but will also nourish all of your senses.
• Meditation : Meditation plays an important role in treating any kind of "head" disorders like anxiety, tension, depression, proper meditation will not only cure the migraine but will also reduce the chances of recurring.
• Breathing exercise : some breathing exercise can help in enhancing the oxygen supply to the body. Proper breathing exercise relax a person and increase the flow of oxygen to the brain, helping in getting rid of severe migraine.

Advice for Migraine :

• Do not take heavy and spicy food stuff.
• Avoid unwanted stress.
• Tie a tight cloth around the head.
• Avoid chocolate, aged cheese, red wine, citrus fruits. These foods all contain tyramine or other histamines which have been shown to begin migraine.
• Try to avoid direct sunlight. Sunlight irritates the eyes and so worsens the case of migraine.

Ardha Shalabhasana

'Shalabha ' is the Sanskrit word for locust. 'Shalabhasana 'is so called because,while performing it, the body assumes a posture which resembles a locust.A practitioner of this asana will have to imitate a locust as it prepares to have its meal by lowering its head and raising its tail. When this asana is practiced with one leg, it is called 'Ardha shalabhasana'.

Technique :

• Lie on the stomach with the face down on the ground.
• Stretch both the arms beside the body and clench the fists lightly. The hands can also be placed under the thighs.
• Inhale and retain the breath till the completion of the asana.
• Pull the body and raise the either of the legs by about 30 cms off the ground. Raise the legs as high as possible.
• Stretch the soles of the feet.
• Hold this position for five to thirty seconds. Then slowly bring the leg down on the ground. Exhale very slowly.
• Repeat this exercise with the other leg. This asana can be repeated six to seven times.

Cautions  :

• do not clench your fists too tight or too loose.
• Persons with hernia, weak lungs and cardiac complaints should not practice this asana.
• Pregnant women should also not practice this  asana.

Benefits of this asana : 

• As far as the spinal bend is concerned, this asana is inverse to Pashchimottasana. This asana gives twist backwards to the spine.
• Bhujangasana develops the half upper part of the trunk, while shalabhasana develops the remaining lower part of the trunk.
• It is very useful in extricating waste matter accumulated in the intestines.
• It gives good exercise to the abdomen. The kidney, the liver etc. become active. 
• It cures constipation, gas troubles, indigestion, dysentery, acidity and other abdominal disorders.
• The practice of this asana counters tendencies to piles. It removes the arches of the soles of the feet and cures the disease of the appendix.
• It improves blood circulation.
• It dissolves excess fat from the thighs, hips, waist, abdomen and the posterior.
• Diabetic patient may practice this asana to control the disease.
• This yoga pose benefits women through its effect on the overies, uterus, helping to correct disorders of these organs.
• Various organs and glands like the reproductive organa as well as the adrenal and prostrate glands are activated.