We all aspire to be the best versions of our original self
We all aspire to be the best versions of our original self as we walk along in the journey of life. It’s a natural course of law that every person likes to progress in whatever we do, act and are, as personalities. One may progress materialistically. Another may excel in his spiritual path. While yet another may get name and fame in the area of physical upkeep and maintenance of oneself, by focusing on the physical form or the external or the body alone. However, for most of us, we want to be well-rounded and put this all together! In this guide, we will explore the best yoga asanas to develop a holistic personality. We can achieve this with combining yoga asanas with pranayama breathing exercises, mudras, and other forms of meditations.
The following are the 4 Best Yoga Asanas for a Holistic and Magnetic Personality
- Tadasana
- Vrikshasana
- Trikonasana
- Bhujangasana
Before we can achieve a holistic personality through yoga asanas, we must ask: what is a personality? But, as we understand it, a persona is not quite the body ( our physical version). Nor is it our thoughts, our emotions, attitudes, beliefs, ideologies or our spirit. It is a perfect amalgamation of all these elements put together, that one can allude to, as a personality. When we say someone has an arresting personality, what do we infer it to be? Try as we might, by mentally analyzing the components , cannot zero down on any one aspect and call a person a personality.
We are always in a state of questioning the efficacy as well the veracity of these instructions
There is a plethora of literature that advises us to follow a program for fitness. But being skeptical by nature, we are always in a state of questioning the efficacy as well the veracity of these instructions. As humans, who think scientifically, we expect some kind of a proof to substantiate the facts. But here as well, everyone is different in some way or the other. We have to face the fact that one system may work for one, while another may work for someone else. It is like food- we acquire a taste for a specific cuisine (we don’t know why- may be the gene make-up?), and hence the contrast in taste and gastronomical preferences .
Yoga is not something you do but a way of life to be lived. We limit ourselves to the external aspect of Yoga, but it is a way of life. Our thoughts and attitude and behavior should match with what we aspire to practice. This requires a lot of introspection, conscious awareness of the environment we are in, humility in our interactions with others, whoever they may be, dedication to what we do, in a consistent manner and of course, determination to become what we want, in a consistent manner.
Practice Yoga Asanas with Deep Introspection to Develop a Holistic Personality
Our personality is the sum total of all the attitudes and ideologies, as we are what we think. The environment also has a lot to do in shaping our personality and creating the end product- who we are. It is difficult to define the meaning of the word- personality, but in toto, it means or translates to the sum total of the kind of thinking we do, coupled with the kind of ingrained pattern of behavior we exhibit or respond to things that go on around us. Behavior is the response to what we infer from our surroundings and our perception of things. This is where each person extrapolates his or her prominent traits, also called a s personality trait.
The ancient texts called the Upanishads state that a human personality is the outcome of five aspects. They are termed as the panch (meaning five, in Sanskrit) koshas (types, concepts). They are the following:
1. Annamaya kosha or Physical body
2. Pranamaya kosha or the energy body
3. Manomaya kosha or Emotion body
4. Vijnanamaya kosha or Intellect body
5. Anandamaya kosha or bliss body
For more on koshas, head over to our article An Introduction to Koshas Through 3 Common Yoga Asanas. And go here for 5 Ways Baby Boomers Can Age Gracefully with Koshas.
Practice Pranayama, Mudras, and Yoga Asanas Together for a Holistic Personality!
But in order to nurture what we have as a gift from the Universe (our physical and mental body), we need to sustain it with breath control called Pranayama and asana practice or the ways and techniques of exercise, in a sustained manner, that will help us be a well- rounded persona.
For more on pranayama, its types and benefits, see this article.
Lay persons, who are keen but have no idea, would want to know the basic things we need to keep at, to acquire that elusive (of course…not everyone is gifted this) perfect physical body and the mental state with equilibrium, and here are a few of which, if done regularly, will ensure that we have a magical and holistic personality.
Before the beginning of the pranayama practice or the asana practice, it is necessary to know that we have to be seated in a pose that is beneficial in all aspects- the Vajrasana or the thunderbolt pose is the best one. If being seated in this position is not possible, then the next best one would be the Padmasana, or the Lotus pose. If this is just as difficult, then the Sukhasana or the normal squatting position that affords comfort to all.
Pranayama Practice
It is important to shape and manage our breath conscientiously and consciously. By doing so, we are assured of a healthy body. In this series of pranayama, there are three impactful breathing techniques which we can adopt. The first one is Anulom Vilom/ Nadi shodhana / Alternate breathing method of pranayama Here, we first keep our left hand in the chin mudra. The right hand should be kept in the Nasika mudra. Images for both are posted below, in the write-up. When the Anulom Vilom breathing is started, then the right hand should adopt the Nasika mudra. Then alternately, we should breathe from one nostril, exhale from the other, again inhale from the same nostril, and then exhale from the other nostril.
The anulom vilom is also called alternate nostril breathing. It helps to expel the toxins in our body, starting with the lungs.
Another Powerful pranayama To Combine with Yoga Asanas for a Holistic Personality: The Bhramari
The next breathing technique is called the Bhramari (or translated as the hum of the bees). In the Bhramari, the inhale with both nostrils and then exhale from the nostrils. However, one must also close the ears with the fingers, as well as other faculties, like the eyes and the lips, with the fingers. A point to remember here, is that while doing the exhalation, the noise of the humming bee should be made, and the exhalation should always be longer than the inhalation. One of the biggest take-aways of this pranayama, is that the mind goes to the state of the gamma level. In this brainwave state, one cuts out all external noise and instead we go inside. For the body, the focus is in regeneration of new cells.
We’ve covered the topic of brainwaves and yoga and meditation are scientifically proven to calm them down here.
This helps with pushing away the toxins from the body and then increasing our immunity levels. It is also noteworthy to remember that though there are many types of pranayama, there are these two that we have discussed, which will help us stabilize and ground ourselves, and by regularly following these two, everyday, we can set it up as a habit which will become a routine. This way, we have just created a foundation for a holistic personality. With these two types of pranayama becoming part of our practice routine, let us now go towards the asanas that we need to do, everyday, irrespective of our age strata.
The following are the 4 Best Yoga Asanas for a Holistic and Magnetic Personality
- Tadasana
- Vrikshasana
- Trikonasana
- Bhujangasana
People of all ages can practice these 4 asanas. When one sets into a routine, then a whole lot of positive changes start happening in our body as well as our mind. Interestingly, many start yoga as a fitness regimen. However, for many, it has something so magical about it, that it extends its grip over us completely. Then slowly, it takes over the mind, emotions and also the intellect. Let us now analyze the effects of doing yoga asanas in a holistic way and then remember the overall effects that sweep over us. One can practice the sun salutation or the surya namaskar on Sundays alone, initially, for about five to six times. This always helps.
Tadasana
In the Tadasana, as we have seen in the previous posts, helps the spine to stretch. Stretch the hands up nicely. This adjusts the anomalies in the spinal region in a very easy and natural manner. The balancing act comes when we have to stand on our toes and try to stretch with our eyes focused on a point in front of our eyes.
In the Vrikshasana, or the tree pose, there are a whole of benefits again; the spine and the pelvis are opened and stretched; there is no more stiffness in the area; the mental alertness and focus improves. The trick to stand in a way without losing the balance, is to look at a point in front of our eyes, and stand on one leg- the other foot is poised on the thigh or the area of the intersection of the thigh and the groin- the top most part of the thigh. The weight is one leg only and the hands are stretched up in the namaskar mudra. The hands stretched above, the stomach pulled in consciously, the single leg balancing the whole body weight , looks beautiful, when done by anybody. This is an amalgamation of so many coordinated muscles into play, creating the perfect story base for a holistic personality.
Trikonasana
As we come to the Trikonasana, which is standing with the feet apart, in the way, where the front foot is straight, and the back foot is placed at a 45 degree angle, the hands are stretched sideways. Then the best way to do this, is to stretch the upper torso towards the direction of the front front (if it is right foot, then the torso should lean towards the right; if it is the left, then the torso should lean towards the left). Then, bend one hand towards one side and touch the foot, and raise the other arm. The eyes should face the raised hand’s palm. This creates a pose like a triangle. Hence the name Trikonasana.
Bhujangasana
The Bhujangasana, which means the cobra pose, is an asana that coordinates all the body parts when the person doing it is on the stomach, and is raised from the waist up, with the navel also raised, and the hands placed alongside the chest and exerting pressure on them, the body is raised. Regular practice of this asana, is a great antidote to many ailments of the back, the lower back, the spine and the neck. That is why, when someone wants to get into a holistic health regimen, one of the asanas is the Bhujangasana. This makes the spine flexible and the stiffness from the upper part of the body slowly makes an exit. This is part of the asana series that everyone who is desirous of a good flexible body needs to do.
Grounded, Flexible, Balanced, Coordinated and Steady: These yoga Asanas along with Pranayama will help you Develop a Holistic Personality
Finally, let’s analyze the different aspects that the regular practice of pranayama and the aforementioned asanas that will help us get the essence of a holistic personality. Experts and teachers agree that everyday and regular practice of yoga to improve our strength, to tone our muscles, to make our body more flexible than it is. It develops alacrity, dexterity, flexibility, balance, coordination, and being grounded with steadiness. Additionally, it is also a fact that regular practice helps us with increasing the gastric fire and with our digestion. It does not stop with these attributes: it also helps to ease and make efficient, the reproductive, the gastro- intestinal and the cardio-pulmonary activities and the functions in our body.
Conclusion
This is as far as the tangible effects are concerned. But there are also psychosomatic effects that are part of the consequences of doing the asanas and the pranayama practice. Yoga asanas help to remove all the blocks in our body, it increases the attention span and the memory capacity. It helps with appropriate coordination and cognition. dissolves energy blocks and enables free flow of prana or life force. It helps to improve mental stability, stress, resistance and creativity. The one who practices it regularly develops a will of steel.
Regular practice of Pranayama and the asanas helps to calm our mental state. It brings us to a state of equanimity and makes us emotionally stable. It makes us become astute and develop our sense of responsiveness, with alacrity. A holistic personality emerges when we learn how to differentiate right from wrong. Over time, this helps us develop a sense of morality. It impacts us in the most important aspect – that of properly taking the right and timely decisions. Yoga helps in the spiritual growth of the individual. Additionally, over time, one changes perspective of life. We perceive the world from an impersonal point of view. It helps us to go deep within ourselves and do an introspection of ourselves and our acts.
Consequently, yoga helps in the holistic developments of the personality, and the transition happens in the most natural way possible. With practice, it won’t seem to be a difficult task for most us. Like yoga gurus and experts have been saying from time immemorial, yoga is a way of life!
Shanti Arunkumar, Senior Contributor At L’Aquila Active
Learn more about Shanti by reading her bio below.
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