Stress management in Siddha

A state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances. Stress happens due to being under lots of pressure, facing big challenges, worries, not having much or any control over the outcome of a situation, having responsibilities that you’re finding overwhelming, not having enough work, activities or change in life. Stress also occurs due to threat, fear, uncertainty.

Simple management of stress in Siddha

• Take fried cumin seeds powder 1 teaspoon twice a day with hot water.
• Coarse powder of coriander seeds with palm jiggery made as a decoction and can be taken in the morning.
• Take 5 drops of basil leave juice and lemon juice with green tea.
• Take much amount of onion.
• Take 500 mg of powdered Amukkara.
• Advised to take oil bath twice a week with medicated oils like Karisalai Thylam, Santhanathy Thylam.
• Take lemon juice daily

Yoga Practices

SAVASANAM – SANTHI ASANAM

Benefits

• It relaxes all the muscles of the body.
• Reduce stress, fatigue, depression and tension.
• Calms the mind.  Improves the mental health and concentration
• Improves blood circulation.
• Beneficial for neurological problem, asthma, constipation, diabetes and indigestion.

Method

Lie down on your back with the hands placed near the thighs and palms facing  upwards. The  heels  should  be  slightly  apart  while  the  toes  pointing outwards. The whole body should be relaxed. All the parts of the body  – neck, chest, shoulders, waist, eyes, knees, legs, feet and hands should be completely relaxed.

MAKARASANAM

Benefits

Crocodile pose reduces stress and tension, promotes sleep, regulates blood pressure and reduces anxiety. It should be avoided in pregnancy.

Method

• Lie on your stomach, with the arms crossed under your head. Rest the forehead on the wrists of the hands.
• Close the eyes and let your whole body relax into the floor.  Let the heels turn out and let the legs flop open.
• Breathe deeply, pressing the belly down into the floor with each inhalation and hold for every 6-10 breaths. With each exhalation allow your body to relax deeper into the floor.
• To release: bring the palms under your shoulders and slowly press up on the floor or child pose or roll over onto your back.

PRANAYAMAM (VAYUTHARANAI) : PRANAN+AYAMAM

It is the fourth limb of Astanga Yogam and called as the soul of Yoga science. According to Siddha literatures, other names for pranayamam are vaasiyogam, sarapazhakkam,  vayutharanai, moochupayirchi, swasapanthanam, swasapayirchi, pranavayu.

• Pranan Means vital source of energy which motivates the element of the earth, the source for the origin of thought, breathe, respiration, life, vitality, wind and strength.
• Ayamam Means to regulate, to restrain, to control, to channelize and to stretch.
• Pranayamam (Vayutharanai) Means to inspire, motivate, regulate, and balance the vital force of man for a long, healthy and happy life.

The text Thirumanthiram says there are three types of Respiration.

• Pooragam- Inhalation of air from the admosphere for 16 mathirai.
• Kumbagam - Holding of air inside the body for 64 mathirai.
• Resekam - Exhalation of air for 32 mathirai.

BREATHING TECHNIQUES

Thirumoolar Naadi Sutthi Vaasiyogam (With kumbagam or without kumbagam)

• Sit erect in any comfortable meditative asana posture (Padmasanam, Vajirasanam, Sugasanam)
• Left hand in Chinmuthrai with closed eyes.
• Close the right nostril using right thumb.
• Inhale slowly and deeply through the left nostril. Followed by holding the air for few seconds by closing right nostril by thumb left nostril by ring and little fingers of right hand. Exhale through the right nostril.
• Inhale  by  right  nostril,  holding  the  air  by  closing  both  nostrils.  Exhale through left nostril.  Repeat the same for few minutes.

1. Pingalai  Vaasiyogam : All the inhalations through the Right nostril and all exhalations through the left nostril.
2. Edakalai  Vaasiyogam : All the inhalations through the Left nostril and all exhalation s through the Right nostril.

Siddha principles and lifestyle management for longevity

• Serve food with love and affection
• Consume food only if hungry
• Always consume boiled, water diluted buttermilk and melted ghee
• Never consume food cooked on the previous day
• Avoid curd in dinner
• Take only cow’s milk at night
• Do have a short walk after dinner
• Don’t walk in polluted areas
• Don’t sleep during daytime
• Never indulge in immoral sexual activities.
• Don’t hold nature’s call like urination, defaecation for longer time
• Take oil bath in warm water once in four days
• Always give respect to your parents and teachers

- Siddhar Theriayar

Source : National Institute of Siddha