Enhance beauty with yoga – Here’s how

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New Delhi: Almost 5,000 year old well-known ancient practice of yoga can greatly aid in lifelong pursuit of beauty.

Everyone wants a glowing radiant skin and people inevitably start discussing about their trusted range of cosmetic products such as cleansers, moisturizers and facial masks for quick and simple way to look great but they really do not need harsh chemical or expensive beauty treatments to look beautiful.

Those who regularly practice yoga can add a permanent glow to their faces that comes from within and radiates outwards.

Yoga also helps to attain ideal body weight and gives a proportionate body by removing excess weight and unwanted fat from all body organs.

It improves blood circulation and helps to remove toxins from the body which helps to look more youthful, radiant and beautiful naturally, says beauty expert Shahnaz Husain."You do not have to be born beautiful. You can acquire it. Good health and beauty are two sides of the same coin. Unless you are healthy from the inside, you cannot reflect true beauty. Yoga is very relevant to our modern lifestyle, in terms of both health and beauty," she adds.

One of the asanas that is necessary for beautiful skin and hair is Pranayam, as it helps to reduce stress, increase oxygenation and improve blood circulation.

Pranayama is one of the best exercises of correct breathing. Devoting a few minutes every day allows us the means of natural cleansing of the system.

These exercises are now being followed worldwide. Close one nostril with the fingers. Then breathe in through the other nostril. The air should be inhaled in short sniffs. Then close the second nostril and breathe out. Breathe in again through the other nostril and breathe out the same way. Alternate it up to ten times. This not only purifies the blood stream, but cleansers the entire filtering system.

Yoga improves blood circulation, including the circulation of blood to the skin surface. This is so important for the good health of the skin as it helps to supply essential nutrients to the skin. It also promotes the removal of toxins.

The same goes for the hair. Yoga helps to promote blood circulation and oxygenation to the scalp and hair follicles. This helps to supply nutrients in the blood stream to the hair follicles. It promotes hair growth and keeps the scalp healthy.

When we talk of beauty, we do not talk only about the beauty of the face. It also includes the figure - with suppleness, good posture and grace.

A slim figure can take years off and make you look well groomed. Many beauty problems are triggered off by stress. Since yoga helps to induce relaxation and reduce stress, it aids in dealing with stress-related conditions like acne, hair loss, dandruff, etc.

Studies conducted on those who practice yoga have shown that positive changes also occur in the personality, in attitudes, emotional stability and self-confidence.

It has a direct effect on the mind, emotions and mood. In fact, yoga is a regular stress-buster and puts the glow back on your skin."Feeling good will make you look good too!" stresses Shahnaz Husain.

As we all know, yoga deals with physical exercises, called `Asanas,` which entails the assuming of well defined poses, with precise results. Yoga helps in dealing with beauty problems that are triggered by stress, like acne.

Asanas for acne help to reduce stress and also keep the system flushed, getting rid of toxins and wastes. The asanas that help acne are Uttanasana - This is a standing and forward bending pose, in which the body is fully bent, with hands holding the ankles.

Kapalbhati - a breathing exercise, is also said to help an acne condition. In this, the exhaling of breath is done with a little force. It is said to help remove carbon dioxide and thus purify the blood. This also helps to decongest the system.

Dhanurasana - This posture resembles a bow. It is excellent for removing toxins and flushing the system. It also promotes blood circulation and reduces stress. It benefits the skin, making it clear and adding a glow. Therefore, it can help to control an acne condition.

Protecting youthful properties:The regular practice of yoga helps to preserve the youthful properties of the skin and body. It keeps the spine and joints flexible and this goes a long way in keeping the body supple and youthful.

There are numerous other benefits. The posture improves and so does grace of movement. It also helps to reduce weight. Muscles are toned and blood circulation improves. Yoga also helps to relieve fatigue and allow recuperation of energy. It has powerful rejuvenating and revitalizing benefits.

Surya Namaskar is ideal, as it exercises the entire body and has a rejuvenating effect on both body and mind. It is a set of 12 poses or "asanas," in a particular sequence, accompanied by controlled breathing.

For wrinkle-free skin, try this yoga "asana" along with Pranayama. Stand straight and place feet and legs wide apart. Cover face with palms and breathe deeply and quickly for 10 counts. Then while continuing breathing, rub the face with the fingers, starting from chin and going to the forehead. Include the area around eyes. This helps to make the skin smooth, firm and radiant.

The 12 poses of Surya Namaskar also help to control excessive sweating. Surya Namaskar induces relaxation and reduces anxiety, which is sometimes associated with excessive sweating.