HealthyLife is a part of www.WeRIndia.com, an all India – centric website (https://healthylife.werindia.com) and is solely owned and operated by WeRIndia.com. It is a Indian nutritional portal providing educational articles.This nutritional port was launched on February 5th, 2015.
Cow Face Pose
Also known as Gomukhasana in Sanskirti, cow face pose is an advanced and intermediate yoga pose. Benefits of practicing this pose is increasing flexibility to sit on the floor, stretches in ankle, hips, thighs, armpits, shoulders and triceps. It also tones chest portion. When body is achieving flexibility all types of body pain will slowly start disappearing – lower back, thigh, hips, glutes will feel better. Yogis may feel bit discomfort to get into the pose the reasons is this pose stretches those areas that are desperately need relief. Try this pose and you will feel better as it helps you feel better – Healthylife.com
LEVEL
Advanced, Intermediate
Anatomy :Hips, Shoulders
Pose Type :Hip Opener, Seated
Sanskrit :Gomukhasana (go-moo-KAHS-anah) go = cow / mukha = face
Begin in a seated position. Bend your left knee and ground down into your mat. Draw your right knee over your left to stack the knees.
Inhale, lift out of the torso, and lengthen the spine.
Exhale and draw your right hand behind your back, reaching for the center of the midback.
Inhale and draw your left hand over your left shoulder to reach behind the neck.
Exhale and slowly inch the hands together behind your back, hooking the left and right fingers.Work toward binding the palms together.
Hold this pose for up to 5-10 slow breaths.
Inhale and release the arms down to the mat alongside the hips. Exhale and uncross the knees. Roll slightly back onto the sacrum and sway the knees from side to side. Repeat on the opposite side.
MODIFY OR REPLACE
Stack the shins one on top of the other (Fire Log pose), or take an easy seated posture.
Draw the hands overhead and unite the palms in prayer position. Bend the elbows to bring the palms behind the head with fingers pointed toward the mat.
SEQUENCING TIPS
Before:
Half Lord of the Fishes pose (Ardha Matsyendrasana)
The skinny on coconut oil – uses, benefits and risks
A look at coconut oil and how it can be used.
Coconut oil has gained large popularity in recent years. With a combination of fatty acids that can be good for our health, coconut oil has a range of uses and health benefits. In this article, we’re taking a look at what coconut oil is, the different uses for it and if there are any risks associated with consuming coconut oil.
What is coconut oil?
Coconut oil is the oil extracted from the kernel or meat in mature coconuts. It is harvested from mature coconuts from the coconut palm. The main benefits of coconut oil are due to the combination of healthy saturated fats in the oil. The fats in coconut oil are medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). These fats are shorter than other fats which means they go straight to the liver to be used as a quick source of energy. Store bought varieties of this oil are available in virgin and refined varieties. The virgin variety has a stronger coconut taste and aroma, while the refined varieties have little to no coconut taste or aroma. This is particularly important to remember if you’re cooking with coconut oil.
Different uses for coconut oil.
There are many uses for coconut oil including cooking and hair and body use. In cooking, coconut oil can be used instead of olive oil or other fats. To try this, add 15 to 30 grams of coconut oil to the pan instead of other oils next time you are cooking. Research shows that consuming MCTs like those found in coconut oil canincrease your fat burning abilityby 5% over a 24-hour period.
Many people have also been using coconut oil for health and beauty purposes by using it on different parts of their bodies. A few different uses for coconut oil on the body include:
Treating dry skin by applying coconut oil on dry areas. Coconut oil could also reduce the symptoms of eczema.
Protection against sun damage. Coconut oil can be applied to the hair and skin to block 20% of ultraviolet rays from the sun.
To improve your dental health. Using coconut oil like a mouthwash with the process of oil pulling can kill bacteria in the mouth. This can result in better oral health and reduced bad breath.
The risks of consuming coconut oil:
Like many other fats, coconut oil is calorie dense. All fats have 9 calories per gram. If you ingest too much coconut oil, you are at risk of consuming too many calories which could result in unwanted weight gain. Instead of adding coconut oil onto what you already eat in a day, try swapping it for other fats you use for cooking each day. Remember, to experience some of the health benefits of coconut oil you may only need to consume 30 grams per day, equivalent to 2 tablespoons. Coconut oil is available to purchase online, in health food stores and most major grocery stores. Organic virgin coconut oil will deliver the most health benefits compared to refined coconut oil.
Helpful resources:
A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing extra virgin coconut oil with mineral oil as a moisturizer for mild to moderate xerosis. Dermatitis. 2004 Sep;15(3):109-16.
Coconut oil and palm oil’s role in nutrition, health and national development: A review. Ghana Med J. 2016 Sep; 50(3): 189–196.
Effects of medium-chain triglycerides on weight loss and body composition: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Mumme K and Stonehouse W. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015 Feb;115(2):249-63. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2014.10.022.
Effect of oil pulling on Streptococcus mutans count in plaque and saliva using Dentocult SM Strip mutans test: A randomized, controlled, triple-blind study. Asokan S, Rathan J, Muthu M S, Rathna PV, Emmadi P, Raghuraman, Chamundeswari. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent.
Saffron for skin : Presence of vitamins and antioxidants makes saffron one of the desired ingredient in cosmetic industry. It is known to lighten the skin and gives a glowing look.
The anti-inflammatory property helps skinto reduce fluffiness and soothes skin. It helps to treat acne, lightens skin, gives radiant look, brings back life to dull and dry looking skin. Apart from these benefits it also improves skin texture and tones skin. It is a good home remedy for wounds and scars.
In fact, the literature also say that warriors in the history were using saffron extracts to treat wounds, removing scars and to remove any spots on skin.
Saffron for hair: Antioxidant present in saffron helps to prevent hair loss. It is known to repair follicles and promotes good hair growth. Alopecia condition which is severe hair loss can be treated with saffron. It is an antidote for hair damage.
Another benefit of saffron is in reducing the need to snack – and helps in weight loss. Including saffron in diet helps in enhancing metabolic process. It relaxes tight muscles in digestive tract and improves digestion.
Saffron is aphrodisiac :Saffron believed to change the level and the way hormones acts – norepinephrine and serotonin level in the brain.
It reduces any sexual side effects by acting as an anti-depressing agentin men. Men who suffer from infertility and increases sexual desire.
Saffron is believed to have anti-cancer properties. Crocetin is the content that is present in saffron may have intrinsic anti-cancer property. Research says that it could block two types of human cancer – Cervical carcinoma and lung carcinoma. It blocks the enzymes that is active in cancer cells and hijacks metabolic process of cancer cells.
https://www.acsh.org
Saffron is good for emotional health : Traditionally saffron is used as calmative and antidepressant. Studies show that both stigma and petals have similar effect on mood, anxiety and depression.
Research also found that saffron is an effective agent for Alzheimer’s condition in elderly. It significantly reduces depression symptoms.
Saffron is used as ingredient in several types of medicines for different conditions.
It is used as an expectorant to loosen phlegm. It is also an ingredient of Asthma, cough, whooping cough medicines. Helps to reduce insomnia and reduces sleep problems.
Reduces intestinal gas. This is the reason in many dishes we add saffron. It also reduces heart burn and improves digestion process. It relaxes digestive muscles and reduces spasms.
It enhances metabolism and appetite. It is an immune booster and brings energy.
There are many more benefits of saffron…continue reading. (There are few side effects of saffron- like low BP, dry mouth, dizziness and not recommended in early pregnancy)
Saffron is a good friend of physicians and a praise of the cook – Charlemagne
Crocus plants do not do well in shady conditions and grow best in full Sunlight. If the fields slope towards Sunlight, well drained then saffron can be grown. Planting of corms is generally in June. Blooming is in the fall over the course of 3 weeks and harvesting commences. Labors work up to 19 hours to reap the blooms and extract stigmata. Heat dried stigmata will be packed for sale. Saffron price per pound can be between $500/- to $5000/- depending on quality and grade!
Saffron was a favorite of Romans and Greeks. Saffron was an ingredient of their perfumes. It has become important spice of the world cuisine and used for clothing dye too.
Saffron has a hay like fragrance because of presence of two important chemicals – Safranal and Picrocrocin. Crocin imparts golden yellow color to dishes and dyes. It is an integral part of Indian and Chinese medicine. It provides numerous health benefits even in lesser, smaller quantities.
