No: 7 in a series of articles - Yoga & The Prostate
Photography by Richard Greer
Making a documentary is not a linear activity. So although this segment will actually appear late in the time line of the film, opportunity dictated we film this segment early on in the production.
Eric Robins M.D. introduced me to a yoga instructor, Chris Quain, during the filming of Eric’s segment. I was told he had extraordinary perception of the relationship between yoga and disease and also had some yoga poses (asanas) that directly influenced prostate health. This is not referenced as a cure for prostate cancer but to strengthen the prostate area and its effectiveness as a gland and a muscle, which in turn helps the body with its own healing process.
Yoga exercises for a healthy prostate could command its own two-hour DVD and indeed Chris is working on such a program. For our DVD, Chris chose two asanas that in his opinion best illustrate something that every man can do without specific yoga training and in the comfort of his own home.
The first asana, which is illustrated in the photograph, is called Supta Baddha Konasana and is performed in a seated position with the back resting on a support. The soles of the feet face each other as the knees splay apart. A strap is placed low on the hips, across the inner thighs and around the feet then cinched snug. The knees are supported with whatever is close to hand as is the head.
The benefits of this pose are several; first the way in which the strap is arranged slows blood flow into the legs but not out. This allows for the blood to pool in the abdominal region supplying the prostate with a plentiful source of nutrients and oxygen -essential in the healing process. Also, this asana naturally engages the prostate muscle exercising it and keeping it viable.
The second pose Chris performed for our DVD is called Salamba Sarvangasana. Here body from the mid-back down to the feet rests on bolsters with the feet held in place by a sandbag or strap. The head and shoulders rest on the mat. The effect and purpose of this pose is to bring profound rest the nervous system. The support under the spine accesses the nerves that attend the postural muscles and the smooth muscles that are responsible for digestion, elimination, sexual function (the prostate) among other things deep in the core of the body. At the same time the whole front of the body stretches and more length comes into the spine. In Salamba Sarvangasana the blood moves into the head where the brain perceives a state of safety and abundance which of course leads to an even deeper level of relaxation. Total rest such as can be found in these restorative postures has a strongly rejuvenating effect on the whole person.
Yoga serves a number of functions in the healing process. It exercises the whole body. It flushes and purges toxins. The systems are balanced both within themselves and in relation to each other. It calms the mind and soothes the nervous system while increasing awareness of the body itself. Chris can be reached through www.quainyoga.com
Photo and Caption
Chris Quain
