Upa-Yoga is a simple yet powerful set of ten practices that activate the joints, muscles and energy system, bringing ease to the whole system. Upa-yoga essentially means “sub-yoga” or “pre-yoga”. Because of its many immediate and evident benefits, the word Upa Yoga in Indian languages is commonly used to denote “usefulness”.
It is a good starting point for those who are new to yoga, and can be used as a preparation for other yoga practices.
Benefits :
Upa yoga brings great ease to the whole system
Activates the energy and also lubricates the joints, creating an instant sense of alertness and liveliness.
Relieves physical stress and tiredness
Strengthens the joints and muscles
Negates the effects of Jetlag and long travel
Scroll down for detailed medical benefits
Detailed Medical Benefits
-
Musculoskeletal system
The co-ordination improves significantly
Decreases the stiffness in the joints of upper limb and improves flexibility
The proprioception of upper limb joints improve significantly
Cardiovascular systemIt helps in the venous return to the heart
When synchronized with breath it helps with strengthening the heart and also improving diseased heart conditions
Nervous system
There is synchronized movement of many muscles in the upper limb.
Respiratory system
As the exercise involves breathing along with movements this makes the breathing more synchronized and organized.
Diseases
Relaxes the muscles in various conditions like Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis and other conditions like tenosynovitis (inflammation of the tendon sheaths) which can stiffen the joints.
The co-ordination improves in people who are elderly and who are recovering from stroke.
De Quervain disease is disease causing pain due to inflammation of synovium around the extensor tendons in the wrist around the thumb. This exercise relieves the pain secondary to this syndrome.
In patients who had injury to the hands or elbows or who had operations in the hands this will enable quick healing due to increase in circulation.
In patients recovering from wrist fractures, finger fractures and other elbow fractures this exercise will enable to recover range of movement.
This will avoid stiffness in patients recovering from heart attack and stroke.
Compression neuropathies in the upper limb like median nerve compression (Carpal tunnel syndrome), ulnar nerve compression show recovery.
Weakness due to stroke improves significantly.
Complex regional pain syndrome is an unknown cause of pain in hands following any injury or surgery. This exercise will help to recover from this syndrome quickly.
Caution
The movements should be synchronized with breath as per instructions otherwise it may have adverse effects on the heart.
Patients with wrist replacement or elbow replacement need to discuss with doctor before undertaking this practice.
People with new fractures should delay the exercise until the fracture has healed as this can lead to pain
-
A Yogic practice that cleanses the nadis – the pathways through which prana (vital energy) flows – resulting in a balanced system and psychological wellbeing.
Benefits
Relieve anxiety, stress and psychological tension
Bring balance to your thoughts, activities and emotions
Enjoy a deep sense of peace throughout the day
-
Musculoskeletal system
Stretching of the joint capsule improves synovial secretion and clearance enabling good blood supply.
Strengthening of the shoulder joints.
Functioning of the shoulder joint improves gradually, thus maximum range of movements allowed are possible.
The rotator cuff gets strengthened and rotator cuff injuries in active people like sportsmen are prevented.
Cardiovascular system
Improves circulation of the shoulders, and arms and over the chest.
Respiratory system
Improvement in airflow in the upper part of lungs occurs, and by releasing any muscle stiffness this eases the respiration.
Nervous system
Eases tension in neck and shoulders
Breast
Increases firmness of the breast; prevents sagging of the breast.
Diseases
Rheumatoid - This relieves the stiffness of the shoulder joint and is helpful in secondary prevention and rehabilitation of the people suffering from crippling condition. Recovery is speedy.
It prevents the occurrence of frozen shoulder in diabetics and also speeds up the recovery in pre-existing conditions.
Conditions like brachial cord plexus injuries due to cervical rib/ scalenus antecus syndrome improve due to improvement in microcirculation.
Bursitis, tendon sheath inflammation are hindered.
Lymphedema in postoperative periods like after breast surgery are prevented.
Can be helpful in filarial rehabilitation programs.
Proper lymphatic drainage gives hands in conditions like lymphangiomas.
Caution
In inflammatory and painful conditions, has to be done very slowly and within pain limits and as per instructions.
-
Musculoskeletal system
Improves balance and posture of the body
Increased tone and strength of neck muscles
Strengthening of the ligaments
Better spinal alignment, flexibility and activation
Cardiovascular systemIncreased circulation to the brain
Regulation and stabilization of blood pressure
Decrease of plaque deposition
Respiratory system
Smooth flow of air.
Better ventilation.
Better functioning of the sinus
Endocrine system
Better functioning of Thyroid and Parathyroid
Immune functions
Helps with prevention of infection
Nervous system
Balance of Vagal Nerve
Better brain functioning
Mental health
Mood elevation
Reproductive system
Reproductive system
Better functioning of the organs and hormones secreted by them
The secretion and functioning of the fluid in the cavity spaces of the head like the inner ear fluid, CSF of the brain, vitreous fluid of the eye improves
Diseases
Arthritis of neck /cervical spondylosis
Whiplash injury
Neck sprain and stiff neck
Neck Pain radiating into the arm
Hypertension
Carotid Plaques
Sinus conditions
Thyroid and Parathyroid
Dizziness, vertigo
Middle ear and inner ear related problems
Migraine
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Insomnia
Caution
There are main vessels and nerves in the neck they need to be stretched slowly
The exercises will always have to be done very very slowly, gradually and in synchrony with the breath as instructed
If done fast, or with jerks, or not coordinated with proper exhalation and inhalation, it can cause damage to the structures in the neck and the body and can be fatal if there are certain preexisting medical conditions
As most of the people do not use more than 30% of neck movement in their ordinary life any further stretching should be done gradually and gently
Sprain, Stiff neck, Fainting, Uncontrolled Hypertension, atherosclerosisItem description
-
Musculoskeletal system
Strengthens the hip, knee and ankle joints and tarsal bones.
Knee joint-stretches the joint capsule; increases synovial secretion and clearance, thereby provides adequate nutrition to the cartilages, clears off the toxins effectively. Protects the joint from arthritis.
Increases strength of the pelvis.
Muscles of the gluteal region, pelvic floor muscles and thigh are strengthened.
Improves strength of sacral and pelvic ligaments.
Cardiovascular systemCirculation improves.
Better supply to pelvic region.
Venous return is improved.
Nervous system
Stimulation of the nerves in the spinal and pelvic region and lower limbs
Organs
Better functioning of all the organs in the abdomen and pelvis. Respiratory system
Reproductive system
Better functioning of the organs and hormones secreted by them.
Diseases
Helps with menstrual problems like menorrhagia, pain during periods (dysmennorhoea).
Helps with Hemorrhoids (piles) and fissures
Because of the strengthening (toning) of the pelvic floor muscles it helps with fecal and urinary incontinence. Incontinence problems decreases.
Gastro intestinal problems improve.
Reproductive organs related problems will benefit.
Caution
People with any injuries of the spine, particularly back should be careful.
Should be done slowly as per instructions.
-
Musculoskeletal system
This generally increases the core strength of the lower limb significantly.
The muscles around the knee stretches and contracts and their strength increases.
The spine stabilizes and the core strength of spine increases.
The ankle and hip becomes flexible
The pelvic floor muscles contract and thus strengthens
This improves the tone and posture of the limb
It increases the overall stability and gait
Cardiovascular systemIncreases the venous return and helps with the circulation.
Venous stasis and lymph stasis show improvement
Patients with venous ulcer, varicose vein problems and lymph edema will show improvement in their symptoms
Nervous system
There is synchronized movement of many muscles in the upper limb
Diseases
Any soft tissue injury to the hip, knee or ankle joint recovers quickly following this exercise. This can be of help for patients undergoing rehabilitation for anterior cruciate ligament injury
Achilles tendinitis and patella tendinitis show improvement in symptoms
This will help people with diabetic neuropathy
Caution
Patients with Cardiac problems will have to do it very slowly as per the instructions synchronized with the breath.
In people with artificial joint replacements both hip and knee this exercise can lead onto damage of the implant if not done carefully.
In patients with osteoarthritis this can cause more pain as the joint reaction force increases considerably. Hence has to be done very slowly and within pain tolerance.