Care For Memory Problems
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Memory loss is one of the major concerns in aging adults. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can be frustrat-ing but one can still carry on with normal activities. Those with age- related memory impairment (AMI) have prob-lems with new events or facts and their working memo-ry. As we age we tend to be outside of the "educational system" therefore lack confidence in learning and are less self-initiated. Older generations also lose the ability to multi-task often forgetting the task at hand if interrupted. This inability to know the source and context may affect one's decision making capacity thereby affecting daily life.
Many of these conditions stem from common physical and psychological issues. Learning to deal with stress, emotional support, reading spiritual truths, acquiring new skills, medita-tion, a healthy diet and daily exercise can alleviate a great deal.
Though loss of memory happens in the early stages of Alzheimers it is not indicative of it. As it progress-es the symptoms can include confusion, irritability, ag-gression, mood swings, language troubles and long-term memory loss. True Alzheimers is debilitating over time and will leave the individual dependent on others.
STEPS TO BE FOLLOWED
- MATSYA ASANA
- NAADA KUMBHAKA
- TRINETRA KUMBHAKA
- TRISHOOLA KUMBHAKA
1. MATSYA ASANA GHERANDA SAMHITA, UPADESHA-2, VERSE: 21
॥ अथ मत्स्यासनम् ॥
मुक्तपद्मासनं कृत्वा उत्तानशयनञ्चरेत्।
कूर्परा यां शिरोवेष्ट्य मत्स्यासनन्तु रोगहा ॥
Muktha-Padmaasanam Kruthvaa Uththaana-Shayanam Chareth | Koorparaabhyaam Shiro Veshtya Mathsyaasananthu Rogahaa ||2.21||
(See Figure 6 p.69)
TRANSLATION
Having performed the Padmaasanam one should lie down on his back. Matsya asana, the destroyer of diseases is formed by holding the head with the elbows in this posture.
TECHNIQUE
- Place the right foot on the left thigh
- Now place the left foot on the right thigh
- Now lie down on your back
- Cling on to your head with your elbows
- Settle in this posture for 30 seconds
2. IN MATSYA ASANA, NEXT
NAADA KUMBHAKA
HATHA SANKETA CHANDRIKA
TRANSLATION
Seated in Padma asana and having inhaled deeply, chant the Omkara in a feeble tone for prolonged time so that the Omkara Naada arises and travels from the Navel and reaches the Brahma Randhra.
TECHNIQUE
- Sit in the same posture
- Now chant the sacred sound "OM" slowly in a low tone
- Elongate the chant as much as possible
- Feel the sound produced from the navel and travel ling through the heart, throat and brow cejnters and reach ing the crown of your head.
- Exhale slowly with Omkara
- Do this 21 times.
3. IN MATSYA ASANA, NEXT
TRINETRA KUMBHAKA
KUMBHAKA PADDHATHI, VERSE: 192
सकृच्चन्द्रेण चापूर्य धार्य सूर्येण पूरयेत्।
नियम्य पूरयेन्नो यां धारयित्वा यथाविधि ॥
त्रिनेत्रकुम्भकः प्रोक्तः त्रिनेत्रेण त्रिसिद्धिदः॥
SakruthChandrenaChaapoorya DhaaryaSooryena Poorayeth | NiyamyaPoorayennobhyaam DhaarayithvaaYathaa-Vidhi || Thrinethra-KumbhakahaProkthaha Thrinethrena Thrisiddhidhaha ||
TRANSLATION
Inhale through the left nostril and retain, inhale through the right nostril and retain and then inhale through both the nostrils, retain the breath (all these in one shot before exhalation). This is the Trinetra Kumbhaka - the giver of three siddhis - as explained by the three-eyed Shiva.
TECHNIQUE
- Inhale through the left nostril
- Hold the breath as long as you can judiciously
- Without exhalation, inhale through the right nostril
- Hold the breath as long as you can judiciously
- Again without exhaling, inhale through both the nostrils
- Hold the breath as long as you can judiciously
- Now exhale through both the nostrils slowly
- Do this 21 times
4. IN MATSYA ASANA, NEXT-
TRISHOOLA KUMBHAKA
KUMBHAKA PADDHATHI, VERSE: 193
घोणा यां च मुखेनापि युगपत् पूरयेत् सदा ।
त्रिशूलिना त्रिशूलाख्यः कुम्भ उक्तस्त्रिशूलनुत् ॥
Ghonaabhyaam Cha Mukhenaapi YugapathPoorayeth Sadhaa | ThrishoolinaaTrishoolaakhyaha KumbhaUkthas-Trishoolanuth ||193||
TRANSLATION
Always inhale through the nostrils and mouth together at a time. This is called the Trishoola Kumbhaka - the remover of triple sufferings - as explained by the Thrishooli Shiva.
TECHNIQUE
- Inhale through the nostrils and also through the mouth simultaneously
- Hold the breath as long as you can judiciously
- Now exhale through the nostrils slowly and relax
- Do this 21 times
END OF KRIYA