Also, people are drawn to others with like attitudes and values. These characteristics are quite visible and they play a major role in initial attraction. It is, however, physical attributes that represent the first glance and also facilitate you to decide whether you want to initiate interaction. Let’s go deeper and find out the specifics of physical attractiveness

“So be wise and keep on
Reading the signs of my body.”
— Shakira, Hips Don’t Lie

Dynamics of Attraction: What Makes Us Attractive to Others

Eyes

You may notice a person’s eyes before anything else and get mesmerized. Not for nothing are eyes called the windows of the soul. They can be bright like a thousand light bulbs, sparkling like champagne, mysterious like the night, or sad like a beloved’s “parting” song. They can draw you into their depths, or wish you away.

The universal preference is for eyes that are large, not bulbous. The color depends on individual preference — icy blue eyes may be a turn-on for women, while dark, smouldering eyes may work likewise for men. The longer the eyelashes, the better it is for women who have them. However, women too are known to swoon over men with long eyelashes.

When a person is attracted to you, the pupils dilate, the eyes become watery. This is a sure sign of interest in you, and you know you can go ahead and approach her/him.

Lips

The shape of a woman’s pout can indicate that she is ready for some good sexual experience, a study has found. Science suggests that the size and shape of one’s lips plays a key role in determining whether they are sexually attractive. Generally, the fuller the lips, the better it is. Lips that are too thin are considered unattractive, but lips that are too full are also unappealing. Men look for a combination of fullness, redness, softness, and warmth.

While the sexy pout is definitely inviting, pursed lips are a big turn-off. They indicate that the woman is not interested. The kinds of lips that women look for in men are those that suggest virility, with a hint of generosity, warmth, and ruggedness. Medium-sized lips are also preferred with sensuality written over them.

Attractive lips alone do not an attractive face make; what is important is the totality of appearance as far as attraction is concerned.

Lips become fleshier and darker at the sight of someone attractive. There are touch and pressure receptors in the lips which fire messages to the brain, and so you know whether the kiss is the kiss you are looking for. A woman may unconsciously lick her lips to attract attention. A man may softly place a finger on his lips for the same reason.

If a man shifts his focus from your eyes to your lips and mouth, and looks at them long enough before returning to your eyes, once again, you can be assured that he is interested in you and, in all probability, wants to kiss you.

Nose

Generally, a short nose, in proportion to the rest of the face, is considered a good feature. It has, of course, a major role to play than mere appearance.

Eskimos, to cull one cultural example, rub their noses in greeting each other. It’s actually a form of “sniffing” — to get a sense of the other person’s smell! Result: your olfactory senses are aroused, or repelled by the smell of the other person. In other words, your nose plays a great part in telling you who smells good to you.

It is a known fact that the heady smell of someone can kindle swift passion. Conversely, if a person you find attractive does not smell good, you may find his/her attractiveness diminishing in your eyes and interest extinguished. It is essential that you like the smell of the person you are attracted to, otherwise your desire may be short-lived. Remember, the raw sex appeal of natural smell only lasts as long as it is fresh; beyond that it loses its charm. Perfumes and oils have, therefore, been used since ancient times to create “the smell divine.”

Hair and skin

Shining, thick hair that is soft to touch is a sign of attractive hair. This is universal, although colour, length, style and other preferences may vary from one culture to another, or individual preferences, or in tune with the times. In addition, a smooth skin that gives appearance of youth and vitality is also preferred.

If you find someone attractive, you may unconsciously flick your hair off your face, or twist a strand of hair. These are nervous gestures to displace your interest. You may also, of course, perform these gestures to attract attention.

Neck and chest

If, as a woman, you are attracted to someone, you will find yourself touching parts of your neck. If you are openly flirting, say at a party, you will arch your neck more. This is similar to the way a man trying to appear attractive will stand straight and thrust his chest. This behavior is part of a primitive urge and our inherent sexuality.

Body language

When someone is attracted to you, his/her complete body will speak. S/he will lean forward in your direction, tilt his/her head, sit on the edge of the chair, point his/her toes towards you, groom, touch his/her face and be aware of himself/herself, and of you.

The takeaway

The language of attraction is not complicated. In fact, it is one of the most natural things in the world.

In general, a small nose, big eyes and voluptuous lips are sexually attractive for men and women. And, after this, there are combinations and permutations to suit a whole gamut of individual preferences.

This is an updated version of the article that was originally published in the July 2007 issue of Complete Wellbeing magazine.

The post Dynamics of Attraction: What Makes Us Attractive to Others appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

Morning mantra chanting has been practiced in India for thousands of years as an essential part of daily spiritual routine. When you chant these sacred sounds during the early morning hours, also called Brahma Mahurat, you align yourself with cosmic energies and awaken the divine power that lies within. The vibrations created through Sanskrit chanting not only calm the restless mind but also energize your entire being for the day ahead.

According to ancient Hindu scriptures, sound was the first element of creation, making mantras spiritually empowered vibrations that connect us directly to the source of all existence. Whether you’re seeking inner peace, spiritual growth, or simply a meaningful way to begin each day, these five powerful morning mantras—including the universal Om, the illuminating Gayatri Mantra, and the profound Purnamadah Purnamidam—offer a complete foundation for your daily meditation practice.

“Prayer is more than meditation. In meditation, the source of strength is one’s self. When one prays, he goes to a source of strength greater than his own.”
— Madame Chiang Kai Shek

Benefits of Morning Mantra Chanting

The practice of chanting mantras in the early morning hours creates profound shifts in both consciousness and daily experience. When we begin our day with sacred sound, we align ourselves with the natural rhythms of creation and tap into the reservoir of spiritual energy that flows most freely during dawn.

Morning mantra chanting purifies the mind by displacing the habitual chatter of worries, plans, and fragments of dreams with focused, elevated vibrations. The repetitive nature of chanting creates a meditative state that stills the restless mind and opens the heart to receive the day’s experiences with greater equanimity and wisdom.

The physical body also benefits from this practice. The vibrations produced during chanting massage the internal organs, regulate breathing, and stimulate the nervous system in ways that promote both alertness and calm. The throat chakra is particularly activated, enhancing our capacity for truthful communication throughout the day.

Perhaps most significantly, morning mantras establish a sacred container for our daily activities. By beginning with devotion and remembrance of the divine, we carry this elevated consciousness into our work, relationships, and challenges. The mantra becomes a thread of awareness that we can return to whenever we need to reconnect with our deeper purpose and inner peace.

Regular morning chanting gradually transforms our relationship with time itself. Instead of rushing into the day driven by external demands, we learn to move from a center of stillness and intention, making our actions more effective and our presence more healing to ourselves and others.

Essential Morning Mantras in Sanskrit

Om (Aum) – The Sound of the Universe

“Aum” or “om” is one of the most powerful mantras to chant in the morning on waking up. It is the amalgamation of three sounds. The “aaa” sound comes from the navel. Navel is Vishnu, the maintainer or preserver; “uuu” is from the solar plexus, the point between the breasts, for Brahma, the creator and “mmm” is the throat, or Shiva, the destroyer.

When you say Om or Aum, the reverberations are in these three parts of the body. It is a very powerful mantra that invigorates and calms at the same time, creating a stillness of being from which vast pools of energy can be tapped. If you chant this for 15-20 minutes in the morning, it alleviates you.

Related » How To Make the Most of Om (Aum) Chanting

Gayatri Mantra – For Illumination

The Gayatri Mantra is another powerful Sanskrit mantra that you could chant in the morning as you wake up. It reads as:

“Om Bhur Buvah Suvah,
Tat Savitur Varenyam,
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi,
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayath.”

What is the meaning of the Gayatri mantra?

We contemplate the glory of light illuminating the three worlds: gross, subtle and causal. I am that vivifying power, love, radiant illumination and divine grace of universal intelligence. We pray for the Divine Light to illuminate our minds.

The Gayatri Mantra is a Vedic prayer to illuminate the intellect, and is addressed to the Sun or “Savita”, which means “that from which all is born”. This mantra holds the essence of the Vedas or knowledge and fosters and sharpens the knowledge-yielding faculty. It is a sacred mantra through which we realise the unity and multiplicity that is present in life and creation. “Atma” or the “divine being” is one, though the forms which it takes are many. Gayatri is the Trinity of three deities — Gayatri, Savitri, and Saraswati. Of these, the first is the master of sense, the second is the teacher of truth, and the third is the master of speech. These three are present in each one of us.

When you chant the Gayatri mantra in the early morning hours, it evokes your intuitive powers and your intellectual capacities at the beginning of the day. This mantra creates vibrations that fill the environment with light and peace.

While Om and the Gayatri mantra are best chanted in the morning, they can also be chanted at other times of the day.

Kardharshana – Invoking Divine Blessings

Kardharshana is a beautiful morning prayer that sanctifies our hands and invokes divine blessings before we begin our daily actions.

“Karagre Vasate Lakshmi
Kara Madhye Saraswathi
Kara Mule Tu Govindah
Prabate Kara Darshana”

What is the meaning of Kardharshana prayer?

“On the tip of your fingers is Goddess Lakshmi; on the base of your fingers is Goddess Saraswati; in the middle of your fingers is Lord Govinda. In this manner, look at your palm.” When we begin our day with this prayer, we look at our palm [kar], which symbolises the five organs of action and then we invoke the various deities. We then say that all our actions during the day will be performed with the right attitude, dedication, discipline and love.

This prayer is followed by this one,

“Samudravasane Devi Parvatastanamandale,
Vishnupatni Namastubhyam Padasparsham Kshamasva Me”

This means, “The ocean is your clothing, the mountain, your bosom, I am about to step on You, so please forgive me.” This prayer is offered to the Earth in gratitude for allowing us to step on her as we set forth in the morning to attend to our daily tasks.

Suprabatham – For a Pleasant Morning

“Su” signifies good or auspicious and “prabhatam” means morning, and this hymn is chanted to wake up the Lord and seek His blessings at the start of the day.

“Kausalyasuprajarama!
purva sandhya pravartate,
uttistha! narasardula!
kartavyam daivam ahnikam.”

What is the Meaning and Significance of Suprabatham?

This means, “O Rama, Kausalya’s auspicious child! Twilight is approaching in the East. O, best of men! Wake up, the divine daily rituals have to be performed.”

It is a common feature in South India to wake up to the sound of Suprabhatam, or the early-morning prayer. MS Subbulakshmi singing the Srikamakshi Suprabatham in her most melodious voice is something that is incomparable, and as we listen or hum along, we feel one with the divinity within us. “Suprabhatam” literally means “good morning” and we wish ourselves and the world just this when we sing this hymn.

Purnamadah Purnamidam – For Wholeness and Completeness

“Om Purnamadah Purnamidam
Purnat Purnamudachyate
Purnasya Purnamadaya
Purnamevavashishyate
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti”

The Meaning of Purnamadah Purnamidam?

This Sanskrit mantra roughly translates to: “That is whole, this is whole. From wholeness emerges wholeness. When wholeness is taken from wholeness, wholeness still remains. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.”

This profound Vedic chant from the Isha Upanishad speaks to the infinite nature of existence and consciousness. When chanted in the morning, it awakens within us the understanding that we are complete beings in a complete universe. The word “Purna” means whole, complete, or perfect, and this mantra reminds us that despite the apparent fragmentation of daily life, the underlying reality is one of absolute completeness.

Morning recitation of Purnamadah creates a foundation for the day rooted in abundance. It dissolves the illusion of separation and incompleteness that often drives our anxieties and desires. As the vibrations of this sacred sound fill our being, we begin to perceive ourselves and our world from a place of wholeness, making our actions throughout the day more aligned with this deeper truth of our essential nature.

How to Practice Morning Mantras

Establishing a consistent morning mantra practice requires both dedication and understanding of proper technique. The ancient tradition of Sanskrit chanting offers specific guidelines that enhance the spiritual potency of your daily meditation routine.

Best Time for Morning Mantra Chanting

The most auspicious time for morning mantras is during the “Brahma Muhurta” – the period between 4 AM and 6 AM when cosmic energies are most conducive to spiritual practice. However, any time before 8 AM allows you to harness the fresh morning vibrations before the day’s activities begin. Consistency in timing helps establish a powerful spiritual morning routine.

Preparation and Posture for Chanting in the Mornings

Begin your mantra meditation by creating a clean, quiet space. Sit comfortably with your spine erect – either in a simple cross-legged position or on a chair with feet flat on the ground. Face east if possible, as this direction is considered most beneficial for morning prayers and Hindu morning rituals. Keep your eyes gently closed or softly focused downward.

Breathing and Chanting Technique

Start with three deep breaths to center yourself. When chanting Sanskrit mantras, pronounce each syllable clearly and with intention. The vibrations should originate from your heart center, not merely from the throat. Begin softly and allow the volume to find its natural rhythm. Traditional practice suggests chanting each mantra 108 times using a mala (prayer beads) to maintain count, though beginners may start with 21 or 27 repetitions.

Integration of Mantra Chanting into Daily Spiritual Practice

Your morning mantra chanting can be combined with other meditation techniques such as pranayama (breathing exercises) or followed by silent meditation. The key is to maintain the sacred energy generated through chanting as you transition into your day. Many practitioners find that when they practice morning mantras with genuine devotion and regular commitment, the benefits extend throughout their day.

Related » Ho’oponopono Explained: How 4 Phrases Can Shift Your Inner State

The Takeaway: Morning Mantras Embody the Divinity of the Spirit

Devotional mantra chanting is an intense phenomenon and creates oneness with the God within us. A mantra is not just a sound; it embodies the divinity of spirit. Chanted in the mornings, a mantra taps all the potent goodness that lies within us. The cosmic vibrations that we set up by chanting in the morning spread wellbeing to us and also to the world.

This is an updated version of the article which originally appeared in the April 2008 edition of Complete Wellbeing magazine.

Last updated on 26^th June 2025 with additional context and tips to practice.

The post 5 Powerful Morning Sanskrit Mantras and Chants + How to Practice appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

He is interviewed here by Abha Iyengar.

“Om Bhur Bhuva Swaha
Om Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yo Naha, Prachodayaat.”
— Gayatri Mantra

Abha: What has led you to believe in the healing power of sound?

CS: While my wife was ill with cancer, I became more and more disenchanted with traditional methods of treatment. I began to take an active interest in alternative methods and stayed up late at night researching different approaches. Thanks to the internet, I found that there are so many healing techniques that the medical profession and the pharmaceutical industry did not speak about. Especially interesting were those healing modalities that had to do with sound and light vibrations and frequencies. By the way, many of these methods have been known to our ancestors and were recorded in the ancient scriptures of almost every indigenous people – we Indians, the Egyptians, the Polynesians, Hawaiians and the Native Americans.

Abha: Please tell us about your explorations with sound, as a method of healing.

CS: As I mentioned earlier, many native people have used and still use the sound-vibration of chants for healing purposes. I started researching Indian mantras and Hawaiian chants and found amazing parallels. I also found similar traits within the prayers and chants of the Native Americans. I looked for clues in ancient manuscripts, including The Vedas. Then I began to look for technologies that apply sound and light frequencies for healing. I came across at least three companies in the U.S. that were getting positive results from their approaches towards healing.

Abha: Did you personally recite or chant the Gayatri Mantra before you decided to take it out to the world?

CS: Yes, for almost 50 years, since my sacred thread ceremony. But, I had chanted it mechanically before understanding its true value.

Abha: Indian tradition places great value on and recognises the healing power of sound through chanting of mantras. Any reason why you specifically chose the Gayatri mantra?

CS: I guess the simple answer is that, it was the one I was most familiar with. But, as I started the project, my belief strengthened that the Gayatri was universally loved, was easy to understand and to apply. I was surprised at how many people in the West knew the mantra and spontaneously recited it to me when I told them about my project to create a CD.

There is another reason that I feel pretty strongly about. For centuries, this mantra was used by the religious fanatics to control and discriminate. Until fairly recent times, women and non-Brahmins were not allowed to chant the Gayatri mantra, let alone foreigners. What people forget is that the mantra is a universal prayer; it predates all religions, including Hinduism. It was a gift from the Divine for all humanity. I wanted to make it loved and accessible to everyone, regardless of his or her religion, sex or ethnic background.

Also read » Morning Mantras (Chants) to Awaken the Power Within

Abha: How many times in a day are we supposed to chant the mantra?

CS: Our Vedic scriptures say that we should chant the Gayatri mantra 108 times on three occasions during the day — at sunrise, noon and dusk. I personally chant it nine times on multiple occasions and listen to it in the car as often as I can. The real issue is that regardless of how many times one chants it, if it is not chanted with intent and with an open heart, it serves very little purpose.

Abha: Do you know of any instances of how the Gayatri Mantra is creating an impact on people as they chant it or listen to it?

CS: I am getting some pretty amazing feedback from people around the world on the effect this CD has on them. There are no two similar responses. My sense is that listening to or chanting the Gayatri mantra helps people where they most need the help -— whether the need is physical, emotional or spiritual. One lady from Australia wrote that her young baby had not slept for three months and obviously neither had the parents. Since she started playing the chant, the baby and the parents have both been sleeping soundly! To be honest, I have no clue as to what is happening and I also feel that I am not supposed to ask.

Abha: Could you give us the essence of the Gayatri Mantra in your view?

CS: There are many interpretations of the Gayatri Mantra. My own way of understanding and loving the essence of this prayer is as follows,

“We meditate on that most adorable, desirable and enchanting lustre and brilliance of our Supreme Being, our Source Energy, our Collective Consciousness, as manifested by the Sun..who is our creator, inspirer and source of eternal Joy. May this warm and loving Light inspire and guide our mind and open our hearts.”

The post Gayatri mantra heals appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

Sex and sexuality are inherent to human nature. Yet, our attitude to sex and how we perceive our sexuality is coloured by the society we live in, our upbringing and education, personal experiences and feelings. The physical expression of a relationship mostly begins with holding hands, kissing, making out, heavy petting and then leading to the bedroom, indicating a readiness in both the partners to make love. This is a slow progression over a period of time. Once the relationship is older, a look in the eyes may be enough to indicate to a partner the desire to make love.

Interpretation of sex is thus contextual and highly personal, meaning different things to different people. It can be purely physical, or it can be the ultimate expression of one’s love, but the intimacy of sexual experience cannot be denied. Intimacy in sex requires a certain trust, understanding, finesse and the opening of comfortable channels of communication. If the partner and relationship is new, sex becomes explorative, and one has to move to degrees of comfort – beginning slowly, carefully and never rushing things.

New relationships

In a new relationship, generally, people move from one stage to the next, and sex happens if both are ready for it. A lot of planning and obsessing gets people nowhere and often backfires, making things difficult and awkward and often destroying a good relationship. However, if you and your partner have progressed to a point in a relationship physically and you wish to suggest making love as the next step, make sure that the suggestion is neither direct nor crude.

Ways of suggestion in a new relationship

Verbal: You might want to simply ask your partner if she is ready to get sexually intimate with you. “Shall we make love?” or “Would you like to go to bed with me?” This could be whispered as a question in her ear as you caress or kiss her, so that she is inclined towards answering you in a positive way. You would perhaps get an honest answer, and things could progress from there. This, of course, requires that she trusts you and is comfortable with you, and also that communication between the two of you is straightforward and honest.

Physical: Touching, caressing, unbuttoning a few buttons of her dress, whispering endearments can all help you move towards making it obvious that you want to make love to her. You could say something like “You are so sexy a woman,” or “I really want you tonight.” If you are a woman, you may do or say similar things .You could bend forward, get closer, whisper sweet nothings and unbutton yours and /or his shirt buttons. You may glide your hands down his body, and if he feels the same desires that you do, he will help you. Otherwise, his physical response will indicate to you that he does not want you at that time. Culmination of a relationship into a complete physical one needs sensitivity and time. The most important point here is to be attuned to your partner’s needs and gauge his response to your encouragement. Don’t rush it, and don’t give up hope, for even if the response is not encouraging that evening, it may change in the future. But rushing your partner into a physical act when he or she is not ready can destroy a promising relationship forever. A careful monitoring of responses is therefore essential when asking your partner to indulge in the intimate act of making love with you, especially for the first time.

Older relationships

Usually in established relationships the partners are well aware of each others’ needs and there is an already established pattern of behaviour with respect to the expression of sexual wants and their fulfilment. A meaningful glance is often all that is required to do the trick. Or they may have their own coded behaviour to convey the message to each other.

Ways of suggestion in an established relationship

However, often, some new suggestions may help in alleviating a set routine. For example, if a couple always plays a certain music to set the ambience for their love-making, they may do something different and decide to watch a movie instead, like a soft, romantic one that relaxes them and makes them want each other. A woman may wear an erotic perfume and pass close to her man to encourage him to make love to her. Or she may recline in a seductive pose on the bed, encouraging her partner to make the right moves. A man may look long and lingering at his partner’s physical assets and give a slow whistle of appreciation to indicate that he wants to make love to her.

A woman may caress her body and look at her partner in a suggestive way, indicating her willingness to be taken to bed. Similarly, a man may whisper erotic and arousing words into his partner’s ear and thus make his intentions clear. If already in bed, a woman may snuggle very close to her lover and say that she wants to feel the warmth of his touch.

At all times, there has to be an established level of comfort between both the partners so that all the suggestions are taken in the spirit of the moment and enjoyed, rather than create discomfort or a feeling of distaste. Therefore, an understanding of the partner is of utmost importance. Whether the relationship is old or new, the partner’s response has to be always kept in mind.

Your communication of your willingness for intimacy and sex does not automatically imply your partner’s willingness, and it would be wrong to assume that. A physical indication of a “no” which may be shown by pushing your hand away if you want to initiate love-making; or a verbal “no” by your partner, means ‘no’. It has to be accepted and respected by you. You have to wait and believe that love-making will happen in the most pleasurable way when both of you want it and express that need to each other together.

The post Ways to suggest intimacy appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

One often gets the feeling of being bored and lonely, tired and low key. It is a time when even the sight of one’s partner is not just energising enough. In addition to this, your passion seems to lose its fervour, somewhere along the line.

To raise jaded spirits, try something different, something adventurous, and something that is not in the rule book — even when it comes to kissing your loved one. The only rule that matters is the way your heart beats at the end of it all.

All things unusual need to be tried to kindle a fire, or rekindle one that may need some attention to set it alight again. A seductive spirit is not enough; the desire has to be translated into action. This requires that you make a choice to awaken the kind of passion that lies within you.

You have already created the mood for physical bonding by dimming the lights, perhaps, or putting on some soft music, making the space attractive and welcoming. Persuade your partner to leave all else and come near you, or go up to him/her and initiate the beginning of a romantic interlude. Physical proximity, obviously, is an essential ingredient for the recipe of romantic passion to work. The next ingredient is touch and kiss.

Kiss to thrill

“They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
— Carl W Buechner

Kissing your loved one is one of the most romantic expressions of the self. It is indicative of not only passion, but also of loving and caring. It sets the stage for all the intensity that follows. Without the kiss, physical intimacy is a meaningless act. With the kiss, a seal of togetherness is placed in a relationship.

Kisses can begin with a slow and steady cadence before the need for speed sets in. To start with, think about the butterfly kiss.

Types of kissing

There is nothing like the soft touch of a butterfly kiss to set the heart aflutter. To make this work you need to come very close to the person who is your centre of attention and then flutter your eyelashes against his/hers.

Now, graduate to the eye kiss, which means that you hold the person’s face in your hands, making him/her automatically close the eyes, and then kiss both the eyes gently. Follow that with light, gentle kisses all over the face, the earlobe, and then the mouth. This should set the pace for things to get more exciting.

Remember, the kisses should be light, soft brushes, with no noise of any kind like “muah-muah,” for example. Silence is the key, softness is the element. Of course, you may whisper sweet nothings against your lover’s mouth, before you actually kiss him/her, for that is part of the romance.

Continue on to a light kiss on the mouth, and then progress to a deeper one done with the open mouth, called the French kiss, for the romance to get hotter.

This is also called the soul kiss because it is thought that the souls of man and woman are exchanged during this kiss.

There is also an alternative to the usually accepted French kiss — this is related to experimenting with a “melt” kiss, where you put a small piece of ice in your mouth, and then kiss your partner, passing the ice into his/her mouth. It is cooling to the tongue, but heats up the passion.

Another option is to take a sip of your favourite drink and trickle it down slowly into your partner’s mouth while kissing, which can be also very exciting and different. Or, you may lick a little ice-cream and then share the melting ice-cream with your partner by kissing him/her. While kissing your lover, nibble lightly on the lips, to create an even more wondrous experience. How adventurous you are depends on your abilities and the desire to create a different and more memorable experience.

Kissing the neck is a very sensual gesture, and kissing the neck where it pulses is more so. Go on to the shoulder, and the hand, the navel, the back of the knees, and then the feet, if you will. All this heightens desire, and it will pave the way to kindle passion in your partner. It also awakens the sleeping God of Kama [Desire] in you. You will forget your jaded spirit and welcome the spell that seduces both of you.

Kiss the wrists where the pulse is, the hands, and the fingers, too. Move your hands down your partner’s spine gently, bringing him/her closer to you. There is no way that s/he will not feel the eroticism and the need for romance that you have created for both of you.

Your erogenous zones

Your kisses should be targeted at all the erogenous zones. They should be light, sensual and not noisy or “slurpy” in order to arouse feelings of romance and wellbeing. Erogenous zones are those parts of the body that are extra-sensitive to sensory stimulation since they have a crowded area of nerve endings. Examples of such zones are the mouth, lips, neck, nipples, middle lower back, the back of the knees, and the inner thighs. When these areas are kissed, a chemical, oxytocin, is released.

It creates excitement, thanks to pleasurable sensations. Touching and kissing are two ways of exploring and understanding your partner and finding out what creates pleasure. It also leads to new and renewed loving and interaction.

There are no hard and fast rules in kissing. You learn as you go along as to what works best for both of you. However, you need to take the initiative so that the fires do not ebb due to other demands that life places on you.

Experiment with kissing

If all this is not new and unusual for you, there are other ways you may use to make things more sensuous and seductive for your loved one. Experimentation and exploration should be the driving force, because all relationships survive on newness in exchange of thoughts and ideas — more so, in the physical expression of love and desire.

To have a workable physical relationship requires that you and your partner are attuned to each other at both the mental and the physical level [Read Communicate your Sexual Needs]. However, what matters most is that both of you are physically attracted to each other and enjoy each other’s company enough to want to be with each other.

If you have experienced strained relations, and want to set the record straight again, just “kiss and make up.” Try it, and see how it works for you!

The post The art and joy of kissing appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

Yoga can be taught to kids from a very young age, since their bodies are pliable and their minds inquisitive and compliant. They are willing learners. If we honour their need to understand the reason for yoga, we can not only teach them postures [asanas], breathing techniques and meditation, but also make them aware of how yoga can help their mind and body.

More fun for pre-schoolers

For very young kids, or pre-schoolers, yoga has to be adapted to suit them by incorporating song and play into the movements

Yoga needs to be less structured and more fun; this will enable young kids to learn about correct breathing and develop their concentration power as they do the asanas. Through yoga, they will also learn to co-operate with each other. They learn about nature and animals. For example, when doing the bhujangasana, or cobra pose, they can learn how a snake lies on its stomach to move, and raises its hood to strike. Or, while doing the sinhasana, or lion pose, they can roar like the lion and feel powerful and brave. Children find the suppleness and movement non-restrictive and fun when they’re guided in a patient and meaningful manner.

Yoga helps kids enjoy the concept of exercise and movement. It helps them realise the importance of breathing. It gets their imagination working as they learn new poses. It allows them to observe and learn about the environment. Yoga enables children to retain their flexibility of mind, body and spirit as they grow up.

For very young children, 15 minutes of yoga is enough. However, asanas should be simple and easy. This will help them become more capable of staying in a pose for a longer period of time. The emphasis, however, should be on development through enjoyment, not regimental training.

For pre-teens and teens

Pre-teens and teens of today are truly deprived of fresh air and plain physical exercise. Their evenings are spent not playing cricket, or hopscotch on the pavement, but in front of the computer, or TV.

Physical development surely takes the backseat here. Kids are often lethargic, blank-eyed and unresponsive. There is no form of informal physical exercise as an outlet for their energies. They are grappling with the growing pains of adolescence and feelings of inadequacy as they deal with negative body images and peer pressure issues.

Introduction of yoga helps kids give physical expression to their energies. They get to understand body language and the need for fluidity in movement. They can learn the meaning behind the asanas, and the way in which each asana helps them attain balance, control, and centredness.

Yoga also enables high-strung kids to relax, visualise, and increase awareness of their immediate surroundings. They stop walking around in a gizmo-gadget-induced-haze and relate more to their physical environment.

Cobra pose

Lie on your stomach. Put your hands slightly in front of your shoulders, palms flat, and elbows close to the side. Stretch your legs straight back with toes facing backwards. Place your forehead on the ground. Inhale as you raise your head slowly. Raise your chest up and away from the floor, and lift your head to look up at the sky. Do not completely straighten your elbows as you raise your chest. Shoulders should be pushed back. You will feel the pressure on your arms. Exhale. Hold this position for a few seconds, breathing normally. Inhale. Exhale as you slowly lower yourself back into the lying down position, with your forehead, nose and chin touching the ground. Repeat three times.

This asana is simple and easy-to-do. Kids like the concept of lying on their stomachs and being “cobra-like.” They can extend this experience to find out more about the cobra and also be told by the teacher about snakes and reptiles, after the asana is over. Kids can also tell their teacher how they felt when they became “snake-like.” It is also required that at the end of a yoga session, children lie down in the shavasana, or “corpse or complete relaxation” pose, and allow the body to go fully limp. Through this posture, they experience the sensation of being at rest and at peace with themselves.

What children can learn through yoga

Through the incorporation of yoga, children of all ages begin to understand the need for:

• Self-awareness and self-esteem
• A supple, strong, and flexible body
• Correct diet
• Correct breathing
• Disciplined lifestyle
• Calmness
• Gentleness
• Focused mind.

Yoga also helps them gain height, keep fit and active, and develop their creative and mental abilities in a holistic manner.

The post Yoga for Kids appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

That mantras are used during meditation to reinforce changes brought about through them is obvious. All sound is cosmic vibration. Any sound that is created affects the Universe.

“To share chanting is to share an experience of silence through listening, a process of healing, and a link with nature, the deeper self, and the divine.”

— T K V Desikachar

The Power of Chanting Mantra

Sound of words can soothe, or enliven us. Soft words heal us, while harsh words create repulsiveness and anxiety. A single word can soothe, or disturb us. The irate jangling of the telephone call irritates us, whereas the soft tinkling of the water fountain smooths the furrows on our forehead.

Mantras are one word, or a single sound, like Om; they may also be short phrases, or a string of sounds like Om Namo Shivaya. They are chanted in rhythm-like poetic hymns. They are potent with primordial energy and purpose.

A mantra is directly associated with the mental processes; they affect our brain, nerves, and emotional balance. According to Sanskrit texts, a mantra is a sacred utterance which protects and frees our mind. A mantra uses basic sound and rhythm patterns to redirect the flow of thoughts in our minds, so that we are freed from the fear that limits our true selves.

Need for Repetition

The repetition of any mantra, or of a deity’s name, is called japa. Japa is often a part of meditation, or dhyan, because the repetition of the mantra helps in creating focus and concentration. The japa has to be done with sincerity and feeling, so that the force of the Divine Power, that we are invoking, suffuses our being. After the japa is over, it is important to sit quietly, for at least 10 minutes, letting the spiritual vibrations that we have invoked have their effect. You should also use this time for reflection and calm before you resume your routine daily activity.

A Few Powerful Mantras to Chant

Om

This is the primordial sound. The vibration produced by chanting Om corresponds to the original vibration that first emerged at the time of Creation. The Sound of Om is also called pranava, because it sustains life and runs through prana, or breath.

Soham

“I am Him.” In other words, the Divine, or Supreme Being, is within me.

Tat Tvam Asi

“That Thou Art!” This is acceptance of, and surrender to, the Supreme Being.

Aham Brahma Asmi

This means “Brahma is within me.” It invokes the Divine within oneself.

Gayatri Mantra

“Om bhur’bhuvah svah tatsaviturvarenyam, bhargo devasya dhimahi dhiyo yo nah prachodyat”

This is the Gayatri mantra — the most powerful mantra. Gayatri mantra invokes the Almighty, the Supreme God, the Creator of the Cosmos, and the essence of our life’s existence, He who removes all our pains and sufferings, and grants us happiness by His Divine Grace, within us. His Divinity and Radiance, adds to purify us, and guides our righteous wisdom on to the right path.Gayatri mantra should be meditated, everyday.

Om Namo Shivaya

This is another powerful mantra, the repetition of which produces the form of Lord Shiva. The mantra is an invocation to Him. Mantras, formulated by our ancient sages, create specific energies. They cannot be translated and used. Reason: translation changes the vibrations created.

Also read » Morning Mantras (Chants) to Awaken the Power Within

Benefits of Chanting Mantras

Experience of silence

Mantras help us to attain and experience silence. During meditation, we find that our mind is distracted with the continuous chatter of irrelevant thoughts and ideas. Through the simple process of chanting, we attain the silence we require for meditation. For example, as we take a deep breath and inhale, and chant Om slowly as we exhale, and repeat this process continuously, we train our minds to become quiet and still. Alternatively, we can also chant silently without using sound, and connect with the stillness within.

A process of listening

We can chant a mantra aloud, or whisper it. What is important is we need to listen carefully to our chanting, and make it effective. As a result, its impact becomes more powerful. We find ourselves connecting to and awakening the dormant energy within us. In the process, we also develop our listening skills; this helps us to be quieter and more receptive.

A process of healing

Sound has an immense capacity to heal. We need to understand this, and use this knowledge to apply it in our daily lives to heal the imbalances in our body and spirit. The chanting of mantras helps us to heal and recover, and find peace within ourselves. Chanting energizes us; besides, it soothes and calms our spirits.

A link with nature

The environment most suitable to the chanting of mantras should be natural, preferably a garden, or shady nook under a tree. Or, it should be a quiet and open space, as close to nature as possible. If not, the quiet of your room overlooking trees, or flowers, will just do fine.

A link with our deeper self

Mantras link us with our natural selves, stripped of all the trappings of the world.

A link with the Divine

When we continuously chant a mantra, we move into a deeper state of concentration, connecting with the essence of the mantra. This deep meditative state is called dharana. It helps us to draw the power of the mantra closer to ourselves; it links us to Divinity.

Mantras chanted with the right rhythm, accuracy, earnestness and devotion, not only help invoke the Deity to whom they are addressed, but they also compel that Divine Power to come to the aid of the sadhak, or invoker.

Conclusion

The daily chanting of mantras is a spirited tool in the process of our evolution to a higher level.

The post Why Chanting Mantras Is a Wonderful Habit appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

When you do yoga [and correct, conscious breathing; emphasis ours]. you initiate a process that turns the fight-or-flight system off and the relaxation response on. That has a dramatic effect on the body. The heartbeat slows, respiration decreases, blood pressure decreases. The body seizes this chance to turn on the healing mechanisms.

— Richard Faulds, yoga instructor

“I watch the Chinese actor in an American movie. His face has turned red with anger because of what he has just heard on the telephone. He begins to breathe deep as he stands in a solitary corner, clenching his fingers slowly while he inhales, pulling his arms upwards to bend them at the elbows.

He exhales equally hard, but slowly, pushing his arms down as he does so, while opening his fingers wide. He does this three times, in quick succession. His movements and breathing are, however, slow and deliberate. He then places his palms on his eyes for a while, breathing evenly now.

When he removes his palms from his eyes, his face is no longer agitated. His vision seems focused and clear. He has achieved a sense of calm, though moments before he began this exercise there was anguish and anger on his face. I watch with eyes glued, in utter fascination, as he now moves forward with deliberate steps, intent on what he has to do.”

In the movie, the actor is shown practicing a deep breathing technique so that he can deal with a trying situation that confronts him. His example highlights how we can deal with extreme stress – by understanding how the mind and body connection works – through breathing.

In everyday life, we experience stress which may not be of an extreme nature all the time, but its cumulative impact may well be immense. Our bodies are geared to deal with stress situations, with the flight-or-fight response. Adrenaline rushes to our face and we turn beetroot red with resentment. Or, we quiver and shake with fear, hoping to hide ourselves in a corner till the terror and torment vanish, somehow.

There may be a constant state of anxiety as we try to deal with different issues, meet forbidding deadlines, and hope our blood pressure remains normal. This is the state of urban angst today. Since our breath is what connects the body and the mind, deep breathing is the means by which we learn to maintain a state of calm, or equilibrium.

Prana, or life force

Most ancient Asian traditions recognise the importance of breath and breathing. It is chi, or prana, or the life force, that is absorbed and distributed in the body to transmute creative energy. We breathe simply and unconsciously, unaware of what a potent force our life breath is. Yoga makes us aware of the importance of being conscious of our breath. This is for our wellbeing and peace of mind.

Pranayama or conscious breathing

In yoga, pranayama is breath control, or the conscious use of breath. Pranayama is important because it:

• Gets rid of body toxins
• Nourishes the body
• Removes blockages of energy
• Aids in releasing creative energy
• Gives clarity to thought processes
• Makes us achieve a sense of balance
• Helps in meditation and spiritual understanding
• Strengthens the immune system.

Correct breathing

The first step towards practising breathing, or pranayama, is to learn to breathe correctly. Breathing is the simplest of things, yet most of us do it wrong – sucking in our stomachs as we inhale, and pushing it out as we exhale.

I remember being taught this way of breathing in school at a very young age, during our physical training class. Later, when I began to learn yoga, I realised how wrong the method was. When air fills in a balloon, it inflates, and when the air hisses out, the balloon deflates. Should our breathing also follow this obvious process?

Yogic breathing teaches us that we should not suck our stomachs in as we breathe in. As we inhale, we fill our lungs and breathe deeply to push our stomachs out. As we exhale, we throw our breath out, emptying our lungs and pulling our stomachs in. However, we must not over-expand or over-contract the abdomen, for this would make breathing difficult.

Deep breathing

What we usually do is shallow breathing, not allowing our lungs to fill completely with prana. Our breathing is quick and fast, perhaps, in keeping with the times we live in, skimming the surface and moving on. We need to make it deeper and slower. The more fluid, smooth and deep our breathing is, the more energetic and healthy we will be.

A person with a large breathing capacity is usually full of abundant health and energy. Yoga recommends deep diaphragmatic breathing. Long, deep breaths relieve stress and tension. Ujjayi, Nadi shodhana, Bhastrika, Kapalabhati, Shitali are examples of breathing techniques in yoga.

The practice of pranayama

Preparation

• All breathing exercises are done on an empty stomach
• All inhalations and exhalations are through the nostrils
• Some warm-up stretching exercises, or asanas [postures], are done before breathing exercises
• To begin, sit in a comfortable position with the back and neck straight
• The critical factor in pranic breathing is rhythm. This has to be maintained.

Breathing exercises

Two specific exercises which can be practiced regularly to release tension and stress are Ujjayi and Nadi shodhana.

Ujjayi

Ujjayi, or victorious breath, is so called because it means mastery in raising energy levels.

It creates increased focus and calm. It helps quiet anxious minds and generates internal heat. It helps release tension in the lower abdomen and the solar plexus.

Method

Sit comfortably, spine erect, or lie down on your back. Begin by taking long, slow, and deep breaths through the nostrils.

Allow the breath to be gentle and relaxed as you slightly contract the back of your throat creating a steady hissing sound, as you breathe in and out. The sound need not be forced, but it should be loud enough, so that someone close to you can hear it.

Lengthen the inhalation and exhalation as much as possible without creating tension anywhere in your body, and allow the sound of breath to be continuous and smooth.

To create the proper “aahh” sound, hold your hand up to your mouth and exhale as though trying to “fog” a mirror. Inhale in the same manner. Notice how the back of the throat constricts as you try to create the “fog” effect. Now, close your mouth and do the same thing while breathing through the nose. Do this six times, breathing in and out. Relax with normal breathing for a while. Now, repeat this cycle three more times.

Nadi shodhana

Nadi shodhana is alternate nostril breathing. It can be done by beginners. Nadi means channel, or stream. It refers to the energy pathways through which our life force flows. Shodhana means cleansing. Hence, this practice helps in cleansing our channels of energy.

Nadi shodhana calms and clears the mind and restores balance, especially in our fast-paced, stressful lives.

Method

Hold your right hand up and place your index and middle fingers in the middle of your forehead, between the eyebrows. This juxtaposition of the index and the middle fingers symbolises the Union of the Self with the Super-Consciousness.

Place your thumb next to your right nostril and your ring finger and little finger by your left. Close the left nostril by pressing gently against it with both your ring and little fingers, and inhale through the right nostril. The breath should be slow and deep.

Now, close the right nostril by pressing gently against it with your thumb, and open your left nostril by relaxing your ring and little fingers to exhale fully with a slow and steady breath.

Inhale now through the left nostril, close it, and then exhale through the right nostril.

One complete round of Nadi shodhana, therefore, consists of: inhalation through the right nostril to exhalation through the left; then, inhalation through the left to exhalation through the right.

Begin with 5-10 rounds, and add more as you feel ready. The rhythm of your breathing should be maintained.

Caution. For those who do this exercise for stress relief, ensure that you do not retain the breath at any time, for this would increase the tension. Also, Nadi shodhana is not advised for those with high blood pressure, or epilepsy [fits].

Stillness

When we practice pranayama, we are conscious of our breath, the movement of it within and without us, its energy flow, and how it makes us centred and still.

We do not feel tired and spent as we move from one breathing exercise to another. Instead, we feel a sense of calmness and wellbeing, quite unlike the exhaustion that is brought about by vigorous exercise.

Chakras

Through pranayama, we mobilise the life force to awaken our chakras. Chakras are spinning centres of energy. Seven in number, they are aligned in an ascending column from the base of the spine [the Muladhara chakra] to the top of the head [the Sahasrara charka]. Life energy flows among them along channels called nadis.

In simple terms, when we practice pranayama, we clear the nadis, which, in turn, allow our chakras to spin better with the increased energy that they receive. When we bring the chakras into alignment and balance, we are in harmony with ourselves and the Universe.

Meditation

Pranayama helps us to get into the state of meditation. We get more focused, our concentration increases and we feel more alert. At the same time, we experience a sense of relaxation and an unfolding.

The outward and inward flow of breath helps us develop inner peace, outward calm.

Tapping into our inner resources

Pranayama creates a kind of alert consciousness that enables us to tap into deeper sources of energy and creativity within us. Our mind patterns change and our capacity to visualise increases.

It is almost as though the deeper and slower we breathe, the more we reach into the recesses of our being to release our creative genius.

We remove the shackles of shallowness from our breathing and, therefore, from our thinking. Even if we close our eyes and sit quietly, breathing slowly, carefully and rhythmically, we will experience a difference. So, if we make the practice of pranayama a part of our daily lives, we will bring about a slow, but meaningful, change in our behaviour patterns and in our lives.

“Pranic” healing

As we go deeper into the practice of pranayama, we find that it helps us to heal. This is because during pranayama, we draw enormous amounts of life energy from our surroundings. As we continue to inhale and exhale deeply, we get more and more energised, our channels of breathing and thinking get cleansed, and this helps us to feel physically and mentally in good shape.

It is believed that long-time practitioners of yogic breathing can project their prana, or energy, onto others to heal them.

Patanjali, the great sage who formulated yoga, says that pranayama is a step to be one with God. It helps us to switch off our five senses and tune in to our inner self. In doing so, we connect with our core being and the divinity within ourselves.

Yoga is different from aerobics, gymnastics, calisthenics, jogging, or any other form of exercise, because it involves conscious and rhythmic breathing as we move into the yogic poses and meditation. It places absolute importance on correct inhalation and exhalation and concentration on our breath. It emphasises the link of our body and mind with our breath. It recognises the link between us and the Universal Order of Things.

As we inhale, we draw in energy. As we exhale, we send back into the Universe a part of us.

Breathing during Exercise

Gym instructors are often faced with the question on how to breathe correctly during work-out. While the query may seem trivial, it is very important to remember three essential things during exercising, no matter whether you are doing weights for the first time, or you are a veteran at weight training. The three things are: form, posture, and breathing. The three elements are linked to each other.

The first is form. Always have correct posture during your work-out, and make an effort to learn the right form the first time itself as it is difficult to unlearn incorrect form. Stand with your back straight, and your tummy tucked in.

The second is to learn the right technique. Most of us start on the wrong note and end up having an injury and/or blaming the gym. Observe the trainer and learn the right technique from him/her, and not your gym friends.

The third and the most important thing is breathing during your work-out.

• Always breathe well during your work-out
• It is never a good idea to hold your breath
• Breathe in when you take the weight towards your body
• Breathe out when you take the weight away from your body.
• If you are a beginner, concentrating hard on the technique makes you forget when to breathe. Count aloud as it will help regulate your breathing
• Never chew gum while exercising as it interrupts your breathing and may get stuck in your windpipe and even choke you
• Holding your breath can elevate your blood pressure. It also puts a lot of strain on your heart. It can even cause you to get dizzy and faint.
• Going too fast with your reps may also force you to stop breathing. So, do your work-out slowly and breathe evenly
• Breathing ensures that your blood is rich with oxygen and it gets supplied to the working muscles. This, in turn, helps you burn fat/calories. It also keeps your skin glowing.

– SAMREEDHI Goel

The post Breathing for Good Health appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

Yoga helps you to experience pregnancy, labour, childbirth, and motherhood in a manner you otherwise wouldn’t. It calms the mind and body and gives physical and emotional relief to your body needs when you are expecting a child.

Yogic exercises that are specifically suited for pregnancy gently massage and relax the reproductive organs and the pelvis, enabling calmness at the time of delivery.

Understand your body

Yoga connects you with your body, in more ways than one. You become aware of the needs and demands of the body, and this helps you to read your body signals better. Needless to say, a heightened state of awareness of the body is especially beneficial during the time of pregnancy.

Relax. Mood swings are one of the most common features of pregnancy. Along with the joy of bearing a child, there are apprehensions as well. The body is undergoing immense changes, and mood swings are also a part of the condition. Pregnancy is a period of exhilaration, but also stress, no less. The conflicts and negative emotions that surface from time to time have to be dealt with. Through deep breathing exercises or pranayama, and relaxation exercises such as yoga nidra, you can learn to calm and relax your mind. This, in turn, helps you to cope with turbulent emotions and mood swings.

Maintain posture. Pregnancy changes body posture, and this may cause you to slouch. With yogic exercises, the shoulder and back muscles are strengthened. Yoga helps you to stand tall and straight despite the “weight” of pregnancy. Also, breathing deeply opens up your chest, and you do not slouch as you might otherwise.

Air supply. Yoga ensures that through the process of pranayama and deep breathing, you get abundant supply of oxygen in your body. This helps not only you, but also the baby developing within.

Detox. Yogic exercises help you to get rid of accumulated toxins. This becomes even more meaningful at the time of pregnancy when the body needs to be clean and strong for the baby to be nurtured within.

Awareness. Yoga creates within you an incredible awareness of your body and yourself. It helps you to stabilise and integrate within yourself the idea of becoming a mom.

Moral support. If you do yogic exercises at a special class/yoga centre for pregnant women, you will feel a special bonding with all the other mothers-to-be. This also acts as a support group. The calm and care of a collective environment geared just for expectant mothers helps in alleviating doubts and apprehensions during pregnancy, labour, and childbirth.

Safety first

Not all yoga poses are safe during pregnancy.

The cobra pose, for example, is recommended only during the first trimester, provided you are comfortable in this face-down posture. Triangle pose may be performed without problems — a chair may be used for support if balancing becomes a problem. Other stretches that are relatively safe are: the cat-cow pose and the butterfly stretch which can be performed with ease. You can see the simplicity, yet the effectiveness of yogic stretches, by trying the butterfly stretch which helps to increase the flexibility in your inner thigh muscles.

Butterfly stretch

Place a yoga mat on the floor. Sit with knees bent and the soles of your feet touching each other. Keep the back straight and hold your ankles. Gently press your knees downward and feel the stretch in your inner thighs. Hold the stretch for 10 seconds. Release. Rest. Repeat again, if you can.

Your breathing should be normal as you carry out this exercise. Do not overstrain. If you feel pain in your knees, avoid doing the exercise.

Caution best

Although yoga is very beneficial during and after pregnancy, there are a handful of precautions you need to take:

• Take care if you do backbends, handstands, headstands, the camel pose etc., These exercises are strenuous; they can also strain your abdominal muscles and be harmful. These should be avoided
• Pay attention to what your body tells you. The asanas [pose] need to be modified to suit your changing physical body
• Ensure that you do not put any pressure on the abdomen. Be careful with twisting exercises. Try to concentrate on moving your shoulders area at best. The abdominal muscles should not be stretched in any way. Remember, you are more prone to strained muscles now. Also, remember, that there is no need to strain the body in any way
• Avoid any poses on your back, after the first trimester, as this can reduce the blood flow to the uterus
• When bending forwards, hinge forwards from the hips
• From the second trimester onwards, go through the standing poses with your back against the wall, or use a chair for support. Ensure against any kind of fall and subsequent injury
• Avoid sudden changes in temperature while doing yoga. Some specialised yoga practices should be avoided during pregnancy
• Do not start yoga suddenly when you are pregnant, more so if you have not done yoga earlier, or you have a high-risk pregnancy.

Most important: It is advisable to do your yoga practices under the guidance of a teacher. If you attend a general yoga class, make sure the instructor guides you in the best manner possible.

The post Yoga for the expectant mom appeared first on Complete Wellbeing.

Here with a Loaf of Bread beneath the Bough,
A Flask of Wine, a Book of Verse – and Thou
Beside me singing in the Wilderness –
And Wilderness is Paradise enow.

– Omar Khayyam, The Rubaiyat

Yes, the weather is heating up and the flowers are bursting with life and the question is whether you are heating up and bursting with life as well. Whether you are getting all those second glances and more that you deserve. If you aren’t – then, it’s about time you did something to boost your romantic index.

Boosting your romantic index will make you more attractive to others, especially the opposite sex. For those who are single, this is something that is good for their ego and their psyche. It paves the way for the development of a romantic relationship. Again, for couples wanting deeper intimacy in their relationship, the boost in their romantic index will have a direct effect on their intimacy index.

So, you want to attract those looks with a “I-would-like-to-get-to-know-you-better” message in it? First, begin to play by the rules of the game.

Have it, flaunt it. If you have a good body, show it. Be daring and adventurous with your clothing choices. Show some skin. Emphasise your good features. Wear some colour. Throw out or give to charity outdated, ancient, mediaeval stuff and get in the groove. It does not matter if you have a few extra inches or kilos. You can still wear clothes that make you look more attractive — or, aim to shed those extra inches so that you become irresistible!

The feel-good factor. Once you dress attractively, you are already building on the feel-good factor which is so important to hyping up your romantic index. Feeling attractive makes you confident; it gives a certain [contained, of course] swagger to your walk. But, the way you walk with a spring in your step because you know you are looking good will work wonders for you. It will bring those second glances your way, because there is nothing that works like a confident personality to get things rolling.

Shower, shave, and smell sweet. Look clean and fresh and tingle with the aroma of a good after-shave, or the euphoria of a spicy perfume. Surround yourself with the smell divine. Watch the effect on those who pass you by. They will be sniffing the air with delight and soon sniffing at your heels, asking you to acknowledge their presence in your life.

A twinkle in the eye. To increase your romantic index, find ways to laugh with the significant other in your life. Life is not always about work and pollution and nappies and the Sensex. It is often about discovering ways to laugh, love and connect with each other and deepening the intimacy all the time.

Openness of being. To be able to initiate romance into your life and in order that you be considered a person who will be worth romancing, you have to open yourself out to romance. If a bud is closed and does not want to bloom, no amount of persuasion will make it do so. It will only wither and die. But, if the bud is willing to open its petals and embrace the world, the world will also respond and will help it flower. So, there has to be a willingness to let romance into your life and also let people who find you interesting approach you. This does not mean an indiscriminate openness which encourages all and sundry. The openness has to be something that attracts the kind of people you want to know. This means that you have to be willing to expand your horizons; more importantly, you need to set boundaries to ward off unwanted attention.

The power of togetherness. Doing things together increases romance. There is a shared intimacy in cooking together, walking together, perhaps, getting drenched together in the first rainfall of the season, listening to music together, or driving together. Close physical proximity triggers romance. You may bump into each other while cooking in the kitchen, share a smile, taste some soup from the same ladle, and guide each other to the bedroom. It is a matter of one thing leading to another. Being away from each other increases the separateness of lives. It is also important to give our partners space to breathe and do their own thing as well. Being too close for comfort can be stifling to a relationship. But, a certain degree of physical proximity has to be maintained to have the sparks flying with a certain kind of chemistry at work.

Become tactile. Never underestimate the power of touch. Words can never say what a touch can. Affection, care, love and desire, everything becomes evident in touch. Keep your hands warm and supple, so that when you touch someone in a special way, that person gets electrified.

Sensory experience. Small romantic gestures go a long way in increasing the romance in your life. It could be a hand around the waist, a caress on the shoulder, or a peck on the cheek. In a more intimate situation, you could give a foot massage, and get a back rub in return. “Try blowing in the guy’s ear,” a young sparrow told me the other day. Well, they learn fast, these young birds. It’s all about increasing the sensory experience.

Pay attention to what your partner likes. Your partner may think of himself to be unromantic, or shy of romance. It will be up to you to draw him/her out and introduce them to their romantic side. Rub shoulders with the balls of your thumbs and fingers to relax your partner. Get all the tense knots out of their neck. Slowly, work downwards onto the back. You may be delightfully surprised with the results of your efforts!

Pay attention to what you like, and make your partner aware of it. If you want to increase your romantic index, you have to become aware of what the triggers are that make you more vibrant, alive and receptive. You should be able to communicate your desires to your partner so that s/he can send the romantic index of your relationship a notch higher.

You gotcha the point! Romance is a constant state of being. A person with a high romantic index is one who is in love with life. It shows in their walk, in their talk, in their enthusiasm to live life to the full — to squeeze every drop of the romantic nectar, every moment. When you are open to life and when you love yourself, you surround yourself with an air of optimism that sends out signals to everyone. It attracts attention. It increases your degree of desirability.

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