Baddha padmasana

Baddha padmasana means locked or bound in Sanskrit. This pose is called locked lotus pose, because the limbs of the body, while in padmasana posture, are firmly locked up and immobilized to enhance its steadiness. This asana is not meant for meditation. This is chiefly meant for health- improvement and for making the body strong. This asana is difficult to perform. Those who are unable to practice this asana should not be disappointed. They should patiently try to accomplish the final position.

Technique :

• Sit in padmasana with legs crossed. The heels should touch the lower part of the abdomen.
• Swing the right arm behind the back of the shoulder and bring the hand near the left hip.
• Sit erect and hold the position for a few seconds.
• Similarly,swing the left arm and hold the right big toe.
• If you experience difficulty in holding the toes, bend slightly forward and make it convenient to hold the big toes.
• After catching the toes, sit erect as before and breath normally.
• Stay in this position for one or two minutes in the initial stage.
• Gradually, increase the time till you can stay in the position for ten minutes.
• release the hands and unlock the foot lock.
• Strech out the legs again and assume the normal sitting position.

Benefits of asana :

• In this asana, the weight of the body is borne by the knees and the ankle-joints, so the joints of the legs becomestrong.
• This asana increases the range of the shoulder movements.
• Both the heels of the legs get sufficient exercise.
• This asana helps to cure ailments like indigestion, flatulence, stomachache etc.
• The continuous practice of this asana helps the person to gradually overcome the weakness of the heart, the lungs, the stomach, the liver and the spine.
  
• It reduce the pain in the knees and the ankle-joints.
• This asana stimulates the endocrine glands.
• This asana is useful to cure diseases like asthma, insomnia and hysteria.
• This asana relieves the body of its excessive fat and it increases the vitality.

Precautions :

• Practice this asana only after mastering Padmasana as it demands a high degree of skill.
• Pregnant women must not practice this asana.
  
• Those feeling discomfort should not force themselves.
  

Wrinkles

Growing age is the nightmare that frightens everyone. Wrinkles refer to the loosening of the skin with the age the skin looses its elasticity and moisture as a result wrinkles appear on all over the face. Wrinkles are delicate creases caused by thin, sagging skin.

Symptoms : Some creases are temporary, lined and wrinkly skin, drooping skin, sagging skin.

Causes : Over exposure to sun, smoking, pollution, repeated motion such as squinting, drug use, stress, weight loss, loss of vita-E.

Home remedies :

• Lemon juice is an effective remedy in reducing fine lines under eyes, neck and hands.
• Massage your skin using flax seeds oil.
• Apply a juice of fresh pineapples and apples daily on the skin for 10-15 min and then, rinse your with lukewarm water.
• Apply pure Castor oil on the wrinkles every night before going to bed.
• Massage coconut oil gently on the wrinkles, every night at bed time at least for 15-30 days.
• A paste of turmeric made with sugarcane juice is another good remedy.
• Application of white matter of eggs under your eye shows better results in prevention of wrinkles.
• Cut a green seedless grape in half and crush it on the affected area. Leave this crushed grape there for about 1/2 hours and rinse it with luke warm water.
• Try to avoid sunlight on your face. Protect your skin from burning sun rays.
• Avoid using chemical soaps and face packs. One should use the herbal cosmetics instead.
• Do not let you sweat stay for longer time on your face. Wipe if out gently with cotton cloth piece.
• Wash your face regularly with mild herbal face wash/ soap wash containing some blood purifiers like neem and turmeric.
• Make a mixture of honey, olive oil and cream and apply on the face.
• Soft massaging of the face in the upward direction with any cream gives the skin firmness and prevents wrinkles.
• apply mixture of cream of milk and 4 drops of lemon on your face in the night. Apply this mixture till it is completely absorbed in to your skin. Wash with water after half an hour. Do it for 15-20 days, and you will find no wrinkles.
• Drink 1/2 gram of carrot juice daily for 2 weeks.
• Place a piece of cucumber around your eyes and also on your forehead. Lie down relaxed.
• Leave metal spoons overnight in the freezer. In the morning when you first wake up, apply the backs of spoons under the eye to reduce under eye wrinkles.
• More smiling, less squinting and frowning are ways to keep your face young.
• Consume at least 4-6 liters of water everyday.
• Eat a spoonful of shredded ginger with some honey every morning.
• Lemon and Indian goose berry (amalaki) both are rich in vitamin -c .Rub these on the wrinkles several times a day.
• make a paste of ginger and honey. Take this every morning before brushing your teeth continuous intake of this mixture will prevent wrinkles for as long as it is possible.

Do's and don't :

• Do a face scrub using various natural home available products like turmeric, rose water, honey once or twice a week to keep it soft and clean this.
• Do not sleep on the side or the belly. If the face is in touch with the pillow, chances are that it will develop wrinkles.
• Maintain the proper moisture balance of your skin. Drink plenty of water.
• Eat only natural foods with minimal oil and spices you must have a good amount of fruits in daily consumption.
• Do not expose your self too much to the sun.
• Live a stress free life.
• Avoid smoking and drinking.
• While washing your face, never rub too hard.
• Do not wash your face with warm water.
• A good facial massage improves blood circulation reduses wrinkles, tones your skin, and gives a new life.