Swami Ramdev has become a household name here in India with his aggressive campaign to popularize yoga in India. He conducts huge "camps" and workshops mostly on Pranayama and simple yogic poses that could be done by most of us lay-people. The camps usually also have people who have recovered from fatal or near-fatal ailments - including age-related problems, heart ailments and many other lifestyle diseases such as obesity, etc. I attended a 4 day workshop and picked up a few pranayama techniques such as Kapalbhati, Bhastrika, Anulom-Vilom, etc which helped me recently lose about 8 pounds in 3 months, improve my skin quality drastically (I had a problem with freckles on my face and now they're gone), reduction in appetite , etc. Its also made me feel very thirsty and I end up drinking a lot of water too, which I didn't do earlier. Ramdev also is a virulent critic of junk food - especially drinking cola - he uses a lot of scientific findings published by many renowned journals to establish his claims and has successfully converted a lot of Coke and Pepsi fans to switch to healthier options - including vegetable juices, etc..He's doing a good job for sure..he's moved yoga from the spas and resorts and private retreats of elitist yoga teachers to the masses - taking it to free-to-air TV channels, besides mass camps and workshops..

Yoga cannot cure fatal diseases. This is medically a misleading statement. I have been involved in the field of combining western medicine and yoga for the past 22 yrs and also the author of 2 books- A Matter of Health and Yoga and Medical Science:FAQ. There is a limit for any science. Please don't make grandiose claims for any health delivery system.
Dr Krishna Raman
Physician; Internal Medicine and Yoga

Well, I guess I did not mention anywhere in my post that Yoga cures fatal diseases. All I said is that people recuperating or recovering from some fatal or near fatal experiences attend a lot of Ramdev's camps. These are like the "born-again" people who want to start off with a new way of life. Anyways, Dr Raman, I was not even aware that you could have a doctorate in Yoga. Trust me sir, if my post is what you consider a grandiose claim - you do not know what the term grandiose means. Have I said anywhere that Ramdev does miracles? I guess it doesn't take brains to know the ill-effects of coke drinks. Hope you are a physician, sir!!

Almost all, with us today, are persons who had education in british style, they are not aware of Indian style, such persons are boosters for the propagation of our real knowledges like YOGA.

Hi there:
This message is for Pallav Mishra. Pallav, you said that your freckles are gone with Prayanama. What was the duration of kapalbhati and other exercises that you did? I'm suffering from similar problem, and have been doing Prayanam for 2 months now. I've observed many positive benefits but hasn't seen any affect on my skin yet. How long was it before you saw affects on your skin,
Regards,
Gagan

FYI...In Sanskrit, the word 'yoga' is pronounced 'yog.' The 'a' sound at the end is not an intentional inflection as much as the after-burn, if you will, from the 'g' sound.

I do Kapalbhati for 20 minutes every morning, followed by 5 minutes of Anulom/Vilom (alternate nostril breathing), 5 minutes of Bhastrika and then some simple yogic asanas. They make my day as I become spritely whenever I do that and my body does feel rejuvenated. A lot of skin disorders are due to anaerobic lifestyle problems, so "aerating" your body through priming your lungs and the heart every morning does a world of good.

Also, immediately after you get up in the morning, drink a large glass of water, before you brush. Empty your bowels, and after 1/2 hour of your drinking water, start pranayama. Don't eat anything for atleast 1/2 hour of your doing pranayama - you may feel nauseous (atleast I did once). Drink a lot of water all day. A lo of water and long and vigorous breaths cleans you of a lot of toxins and that for sure reflects on your skin.

My wife is a fitness freak and she does some 15 minutes of Kapalbhati in the morning and 15 mins in the evenings and her skin glows. I really acknowledge her yogaddiction (if you will) , my attending Ramdev Baba's camp and my consistency (I have been doing it for almost a year now) for my improving health and skin.