A to Z - Thank you!!

An attempt that tried to turn a lazy blogger into a regular blogger!! On March 30, when I signed up, I was only 10% confident that I will see through the 30 days/ 26 alphabets challenge. But it was a very long time since I started something good and continued it for over a week.

How did the idea roll out?

Day -1: Thinking about various themes that I could pick for my blogging series. Initially thought of writing about various fitness concepts and their pros/cons.

Day 0: Was referring some book on yoga given by a yoga friend and decided to just stick to yoga and even kicked the idea of getting some soft clay to make a human figure/stick man do various asanas one by one and started listing all the asana names for A to Z. Left F, I, O, Q, W, X and Z blank in my list.

Day 1: The incredibly lazy fellow in me forgot about the soft clay and landed up unrolling by sketching pencils to see off the first day making a simple human figure.

Day 2: After being on some good mood, felt like making something goofy and came up with the idea of snake for Bhujangasana.

Day 3 onwards: In order to keep up with the innovation on Day 2, started off with some crazy idea every day. But some of the asana poistures were complicated that many did not interpret the pose correctly depending on the complex implementation I had. It also depends on the mood at which I start the work to get a simple/funny/complicated interpretation of an asana.

Overwhelming support:

Since around a dozen of bloggers in The Chennai Bloggers club and nearly 2000 bloggers around the world started off this challenge in April 1, 2013. I was worried about the visitors to my blog initially since people will be busy writing their own and reading hundreds of blog over the month. But even before the challenge started, I was determined to save time for the readers and thus came up with the image idea. Wanted to keep the reach far and wide and the sketch that I made everyday was also available in the AtoZ album of my facebook profile. There were lot of encouraging support and lot of personal messages urging me to make a calendar, book, e-book, wall portrait and lot of out of these sketches. I started from 0 and ended up with 8 followers on the list only during this challenge! 2 of them even nominated me for Leibster awards that I am yet to accept!

What next?

Though I have taken masks of different identities over the last 25 years, based on the different interests that I pursued, the first prominent identity used to be my urge towards arts while being at school and college. Used to sketch late nights during my lone stay as a paying guest in early days of Chennai life even after starting to work. It went on to hibernation for a long time and woke up once a while. Keeping the spark alive and turning it into a flame was tough. This challenge has managed to keep the flame alive for a worthy while. In order the sustain the flame and as a gift for my commitment to the A to Z challenge, ordered myself a shipment of some poster colors, brushes and pallette. Look forward towards the continuous support as I graduate from the Kindergarten of Black and White sketches to the elementary school of colors!!

You can follow all my art works in future in my arts blog, Rainbow by the night!

Z for "Zen pose" (Vajrasana)

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

Vajrasana (Zen/Thunderbolt/Diamond pose) is good for people who are suffering from back ache. Meditation inn this pose is very relaxing. Sitting in this asana after having your food really speeds up the digestion process.

 

Read my earlier post on Y for Yoga Mudrasana

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

All posts for the A to Z challenge end today. One word "Thanks" will be too less. A separate note of thanks coming up tomorrow!!

 

Y for "Yoga Mudrasana"

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

Yoga Mudrasana is the perfect symbol of yoga, or union. One shall find this to be a very powerful practice for internalizing the consciousness. The spine is stretched, providing a great release of tension particularly in the lumbar and cervical areas, while at the same time providing a toning effect upon the spinal nerves. The intra-abdominal pressure gives a great massage to the abdominal organs and helps stimulate peristalsis, while the position of the hands locked behind the back helps to open up the chest and expand the breathing capacity.

Read my earlier post on X for Xtended side angle pose (Utthita Parsvakonasana)

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

X for "Xtended side angle pose" (Utthita Parsvakonasana)

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

 

Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended side angle pose) improves balancing and digestion. Increases stamina and abdominal organs. This helps in stretching the shoulders, lungs, chest, spine and groins. It also helps strengthening the ankles and knees.

 

Read my earlier post on W for Warrior pose (Virabhadrasana)

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

W for "Warrior pose" (Virabhadrasana)

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

Virabhadrasana II (Warrior pose II) strengthens and stretches the legs, ankles and feet. It stretches your hips, groins and shoulders. While it opens your chest and lungs, builds stamina and concentration. For pregnant women, helps relieve backaches and improves circulation and respiration.

Read my earlier post on V for Vrikshasana

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

V for "Vrikshasana"

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

Vrikshasana (Tree pose) leaves one in a state of rejuvenation. It stretches the legs, back and arms while bringing balance and equilibrium to mind. While it makes the legs strong it also opens the hips.

Read my earlier post on U for Ushtrasana

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

U for "Ushtrasana"

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

 

 

Ushtrasana (Camel pose) stretches the quadriceps and reduces fat across the thighs. While it opens the hip and stretches the abdominal region, helps improving digestion. It loosens the vertebrae  and stimulates the endocrine glands.

 

Read my earlier post on T for Trikonasana

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

T for "Trikonasana"

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

Trikonasana (Triangle pose) improves the flexibility of the spine and corrects the alignment of the shoulders. While it relieves backache, gastritis, indigestion, acidity, flatulence, it massages and tones the pelvic organs, corrects the effects of a sedentary lifestyle

 

Read my earlier post on S for Sirsasana

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

S for "Sirsasana"

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

Sirsasana (Head stand) is called of the King of the asanas. This pose helps bringing core stability and balancing of the limbs. The blood flow to the brain is maximum and helps in holding up a stress free brain functionality.

Read my earlier post on R for Rajakapotasana

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

R for "Rajakapotasana"

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

Rajakapotasana (Royal pigeon pose) stretches the quadricepses and chest simultaneously. It also helps in crunching the spine stretching the ankles.

Read my earlier post on Q for Quad stretch (Natarajasana)

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

Q for "Quad stretch pose" (Natarajasana)

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

Natarajasana (Quad stretch pose/Lord of the dance pose) opens the ribs, hips and gives the best possible stretch for the quadricepses. It is also one of the best pose to increase balancing and stability.

Read my earlier post on P for Padmasana

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

P for "Padmasana"

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images. 

 

Padmasana (Lotus pose) opens the hips, stretches the ankles and knees. One of the ideal pose for meditation and breathing practices while it helps in increasing awareness and concentration. While it helps in keeping up an erect spine, it eases menstrual discomfort as well. 

Read my earlier post on O for Open Chest.

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

O for "Open Chest pose" (Matsyasana)

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images. 

Matsyasana (Fish pose/Open chest pose) stretches and stimulates the organs of digestive and respiratory systems. While it relieves tension is the neck, shoulders and the throat area, it also stretches the muscles of the hips and rips. This pose is proven to have therapeutic benefits for asthma, rounded shoulders and many respiratory disorders. 

Read my earlier post on N for Navasana.

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

N for "Navasana"

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

Navasana (Boat pose) strengthens the abdominal muscles, the legs and the lower back. It relieves stress, improve digestion and aid the lower abdominal organs such as kidney, thyroid, prostate and intestines.

Read my earlier post on M for Mayurasana.

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

M for "Mayurasana"

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

Mayurasana (Peacock pose) strengthens the wrists, elbows and shoulders. It relieves digestive ailments and increases blood circulation throughout the abdominal organs. While it revitalizes the pancreas also supports the functionality of reproductive organs and sexual function.

Read my earlier post on L for Lolasana.

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher. 

L for "Lolasana"

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

Lolasana (Pendant pose) helps to strengthen wrists, tone arms and develop abdominal muscles along with back muscles.

Read my earlier post on K for Kurmasana.

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

K for "Kurmasana"

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

Kurmasana (Tortoise pose) helps in stretching one's back and legs while stretching the hamstrings. It improves the functioning of the digestive and respiratory systems and elongates the spine. Therapeutic benefits include increase in mental clarity and memory due to increased blood flow to the brain. 

Read my earlier post on J for Janu Sirsasana

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

J for "Janu Sirsasana"

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

 

 

Janu Sirsasana (Head to knee forward bend) stretches the spine, shoulders, hamstrings and groins. While it stimulates the liver and kidneys, it improves digestion and relieve symptoms of menopause in women. It relieves anxiety, fatigue and cures blood pressure, insomnia and sinusitis.

Read my earlier post on I for Inclined plank pose (Purvottanasana).

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

I for "Inclined Plank pose" (Purvottanasana)

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

Purvottanasana (Inclined Upward Plank pose) strengthens the triceps, wrists, back, and legs while stretching the shoulders, chest, and front ankles. It helps to free the mind to awaken thinking on new possibilities.

Read my earlier post on H for Halasana.

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

H for "Halasana"

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

 

 

Halasana (Plough pose) stretch the hamstrings, shoulders and spine. While it helps handling short term gastric troubles and digestion issues, also addresses long term issues like insomnia, sinus and infertility.

Read my earlier post on G for Garbha Pindasana.

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

G for "Garbha Pindasana"

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

 

 

Garbha Pindasana (Womb/Embryo pose) is believed to help in a spiritual union between one's mind and soul. The abdomen remains shapely and slim due to total contraction during the posture. While giving intense toning to both upper and lower body, helps to cure all digestive disorders.

Read my earlier post on F for Firefly pose (Tittibhasana).

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

F for "Firefly Pose" (Tittibhasana)

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

Tittibhasana (Firefly pose) requires strength of the upper body and hamstrings that are flexible. While this pose primarily helps building strength around the wrist, also helps improving balancing and strengthening the core. The therapeutic effects of the Firefly Pose is in calming the mind and bringing relief from anxiety, stress, and tension.

Read my earlier post on E for Eka Pada Viparita Dandasana

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

E for "Eka Pada Viparita Dandasana"

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.
 

 

 

Eka Pada Viparita Dandasana (One-Legged Inverted Staff Pose) is a heart opening posture, with emotional and physical effects. While is opens and expands your chest area, it also opens the thoracic spine and lumbar spine. Apart from a powerful leg stretch and front body stretch, it also stimulates many organs and glands like adrenal, thyroid, pituitary and pineal glands. It builds inner confidence and stillness of mind humbling the practioner.

Read my earlier post on D for Dhanurasana.

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

D for "Dhanurasana"

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

Dhanurasana (Bow pose) stretches the chest, shoulder, arms and quadriceps. While it has the capability of curing rheumatism of the legs, knees and hands, it also activates the intestines and thus curing prolonged constipation and other digestive disorders.

Read my earlier post on C for Chakrasana

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

C for "Chakrasana"

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

Chakrasana (Wheel pose) stretches the lungs, chest, abdomen and quadriceps. It strengthens the buttocks, legs, calves, wrists, arms and spine. While it helps the digestive system, it also stimulates the thyroid and pituitary glands.

Read my earlier post on B for Bhujangasana

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.

B for "Bhujangasana"

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

Bhujangasana (Cobra pose) strengthens the arms, shoulders while stretching the chest and abdominal area. It strengthens the spine and stimulate organs in the abdomen like kidneys. The open chest clear passages of heart and lungs also affecting blood flow to the spinal and pelvic regions. Works on menstrual irregularities for women.

Read my earlier post on A for Adho Mukha Svanasana

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher. 
 

A for "Adho Mukha Svanasana"

This blog post is written as part of A to Z Challenge. This involves the challenge of a blog post on a topic starting with an alphabet on each day through the entire month of April excluding Sundays starting from A to Z. My simple posts will be themed after Yoga postures with my own creations as images.

Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward facing dog) is a simple posture to reverse the action of gravity on the body and get the blood flowing to the head with out the effort of the heart. While it tones the arms and legs, also straightens the spine. Thus it helps relieve pain from upper, middle and lower back.

Disclaimer: Yoga creates simple to complex impacts on the physical body. Make sure you consult your doctor and start the practice with a trained teacher.