STANDING POSTURES

TADASANA (PALM TREE POSE)

Tada means palm tree or mountain. This asana teaches one to attain stability and firmness and forms the base for all the standing asana.

Technique:

Stand with feet 2 inches apart.

  • Interlock the fingers, and turn the wrist outwards.
  • Now inhale, raise the arms up
  • Bring them in line with the shoulders.
  • Raise the heels off the floor and balance on the toes.
  • Stay in this position for 10-15 seconds.
  • Exhale, bring the heels down.
  • Release the interlock of the fingers and bring the arms down parallel to the trunk, and come back to standing posture.

Benefits

  • This asana brings stability in the body, helps to clear up congestion of the spinal nerves, and corrects faulty posture.
  • Helps to increase height up to a certain age.

A word of caution

  • Avoid lifting the toes in case of acute cardiac problems varicose veins and vertigo.

PADA-HASTASANA (THE HANDS TO FEET POSTURE)

Technique:

  • Stand straight with feet 2 inches apart.
  • Inhale slowly and raise the arms up.
  • Stretch up the body from the waist.
  • Exhale and bend forward until the trunk is parallel to the ground.
  • Exhale, and bend forward until the entire palm rests on the ground.
  • Maintain this final posture for 10-30 seconds.
  • Those who are having stiff back should bend according to their capacity.
  • Now inhale, come up slowly to the vertical position and stretch the arms above the head.
  • Exhale and slowly return to the starting position in reverse order.
  • Relax in Tadasana

 

Benefits

  • Makes the spine flexible, improves digestions, and prevents constipation and menstrual problems.

A Word of Caution

  • Please avoid this practice in case of cardiac or back problems, abdominal inflammation, hernia and ulcers, high myopia, vertigo and during pregnancy.
  • Those with vertebral and disc disorders should also avoid this practice.

ARDHA CHAKRASANA (THE HALF WHEEL POSTURE)

Ardha means half. Chakra means wheel. In this posture, as the body takes the shape of a half wheel, hence it is called ArdhaChakrasana.

Technique

  • Support the back at the waist with all the fingers together pointing forward or downward.
  • Drop the head backwards stretching the neck muscles. As you inhale, bend backwards from the lumbar region; exhale and relax.
  • Stay here for 10-30 seconds with normal breathing. Inhale and slowly come up.

  Benefits

  • ArdhaChakrasana makes the spine flexible and strengthens the spinal nerves.
  • Strengthens the neck muscles, and improves breathing capacity. Helps in cervical spondylitis.

A word of caution

  • Avoid this posture in case of vertigo or a tendency to giddiness. Hypertensive patients shall bend with care

TRIKONASANA (THE TRIANGLE POSTURE)

Trikona means triangle. Tri means three and kona is an angle. As the asana resembles three arms triangles made by the trunk and the limbs, it has been named Trikonasana.

Technique

  • Stand on your feet comfortably apart.
  • Slowly raise both the arms sideways till they are horizontal. Exhale, slowly bend to the right side and place the right hand just behind the right foot.
  • The left arm is straight up, in line with the right arm.
  • Turn the left palm forward.
  • Turn your head and gaze at the tip of the left middle finger.
  • Remain in the posture for 10-30 seconds with normal breathing. As you inhale slowly come up. Repeat for the left side.

Benefits

  • Prevents flat foot. Strengthens calf, thigh and waist muscles. Makes the spine flexible, improves lungs capacity.

A word of caution

  • Avoid this posture in case of slipped disc, sciatica, and after undergoing abdominal surgery.
  • Do not do beyond limits and overdo the lateral stretch. If one cannot touch the feet, one can reach for the knees instead

VRIKSHASANA (THE TREE POSTURE)

Vriksha means tree. The final position of this asana resembles the shape of a tree, hence the name.

Technique

  • Stand with feet 2 inches apart.
  • Focus on a point in front.
  • Exhale, bend the right leg and place the foot on the inside of the left thigh.
  • The heel should be touching the perineum.
  • Inhale and extend the arms up and join the palms.
  • Stay in the position for 10 to 30 seconds and breathe normally.
  • Exhale and bring the arms and right foot down.
  • Relax and repeat the asanaby bending the left leg.

Benefits

  • Improves neuro-muscular coordination, balance, enduranceand alertness.
  • It tones up the leg muscles and rejuvenates the ligaments also.

A word of caution

  • Please avoid this practice in case of arthritis, vertigo and obesity.

SITTING POSTURES

BHADRASANA (THE FIRM / AUSPICIOUS POSTURE)

Bhadhra means firm or auspicious.

Technique

  • Sit erect with the legs stretched out straight in the front.
  • Keep the hands beside the hips. This is Dandasana.
  • Now put the soles of your feet together.
  • Exhale and clasp your hands together over your toes. Pull your heels as close as possible up to perineum region.
  • If your thighs are not touching or are not close to the floor, place a soft cushion underneath the knees for support. This is the final position.
  • Stay here for some time.

Benefits

  • Keeps the body firm and stabilize the mind.
  • Keeps the knees and hip joints healthy.
  • Helps to relieve knee pain.
  • Acts on the abdominal organs and releases any tension in the abdomen.
  • Benefits women by relieving abdominal pain often experienced during menstruation.

A Word of Caution

  • Avoid this practice in case of severe arthritis and sciatica.

SHASHANKASANA (THE HARE POSTURE)

Shashanka means hare.

Technique

  • Sit in Vajrasana.
  • Spread both the knees wide apart, keep the big toes touching.
  • Keep the palms between the knees.
  • Exhale and slowly stretch them full length.
  • Bend forward and place the chin on the ground.
  • Keep the arms parallel.
  • Look in front and maintain the posture.
  • Inhale and come up.
  • Exhale and come back to Vajrasana
  • Stretch your legs back to Visramasana

Benefits

  • It helps to reduce stress, anger etc
  • It tones up reproductive organs, relieves constipation, improves digestion and relieves back pain.

A Word of Caution

  • Please avoid this posture in case of acute backache.
  • Patients with osteoarthritis of the knees should exercise with caution or avoid Vajrasana.

VAKRASANA (THE HALF SPINAL TWIST POSTURE)

Vakra means twisted. In this asana, the spine is twisted which has a rejuvenating effect on its functioning.

Technique

  • Bend the right leg, and place the right foot beside the left knee.
  • As you exhale, twist the body to the right.
  • Bring the left arm around the right knee and clasp the right big toe or place the palm beside right foot.
  • Take the right arm back and keep the palm on the ground with the back straight.
  • Remain in the posture for 10-30 seconds with normal breathing and relax.
  • Take out your hands with exhalation and relax.
  • Repeat the sameon the other side.

Benefits

  • Increases flexibility of the spine.
  • Helps to overcome constipation, dyspepsia.
  • Stimulates pancreas and helps in the management of diabetes.

A Word of Caution

  • Please avoid this posture in case of severe back pain, vertebral and disc disorders, after abdominal surgery and during menstruation.

ARDHA USTRASANA (THE HALF CAMEL POSTURE)

Uṣṭra means camel. The final version of this asana resembles the hump of a camel. In this version, only the first stage (half) of the asana is being practiced.

Technique

  • Sit in Vajrasana
  • Now stand on your knees.
  • Place the hands on the waist with fingers pointing downward.
  • Keep the elbows and shoulders parallel.
  • Bend the head back and stretch the neck muscles; inhale and bend the trunk backwards as much as possible. As you exhale, relax.
  • Keep the thighs perpendicular to the ground.
  • Remain in the posture for 10-30 seconds with normal breathing.
  • Return with inhalation; sit in Vajrasana
  • Relax in Viṣhramasana.

Note

  • If you can reach the heels, you can place your hands on them and bend backwards. This is called Uṣtrasana

Benefits

  • Relieves constipation and back pain.
  • Increases blood circulation to the head and cardiac region.

A Word of Caution

  • In case of hernia and abdominal injuries, arthritis, vertigo and pregnancy, please avoid doing this asana.

Prone Postures

BHUJANGASANA (THE COBRA POSTURE)

Bhujanga means snake or cobra. In this asana, the body is raised like hood of a snake.

Technique

  • Lie down on your stomach, rest you head on your hands and relax the body.
  • Now join your legs and stretch your arms.
  • Keep the forehead on the ground.
  • Keep your palms besides the chest where your elbows were and raise the elbows.
  • Inhale; slowly lift the chin and chest up to navel region. This is Bhujangasana.
  • Exhale, rest your forehead on the ground and place your palms and rest your head on the palms and spread your legs and relax.

Note

Keep the legs firm so that no load or strain is felt on the lumbar spine.

Benefits

  • This asana is best for stress management.
  • It reduces abdominal fat and alleviates constipation.
  • It also helps to remove backache and bronchial problems.

A Word of Caution

  • Those who have undergone abdominal surgery should avoid this asana for 2-3 months.
  • Those who suffer from hernia, ulcers should not practice this asana.

SALABHASANA (THE LOCUST POSTURE)

Salabha means a locust.

Technique

  • Lie down on your stomach in Makarasana (The Crocodile Pose).
  • Rest the chin on the floor; keep both hands beside the body; palms facing upwards.
  • Inhale, raise the legs off the floor as much as you can without bending the knees.
  • Extend the arms and legs well to ease the lift of the body off the floor.
  • Stay in this position for 10-20 seconds breathing normally.
  • Exhale, bring the legs down towards the floor.
  • Rest for a few seconds in Makarasana (The Crocodile Pose).

Note

  • Pull up the knee caps and squeeze the buttocks to improve the posture. This asana is more beneficial when performed after Bhujangasana

Benefits

  • Helps in sciatica and lower backache.
  • Tones the hip muscles and those in the kidney region.
  • Reduces fat on the thighs and buttocks; good in weight management
  • Helps the abdominal organs aiding digestion

A Word of Caution

  • Cardiac patients should avoid this posture. Please proceed cautiously in case of sever lower back pain.
  • People with high blood pressure, peptic ulcers and hernia should also avoid this posture.

MAKARASANA (THE CROCODILE POSTURE)

In Sanskrit, Makara means crocodile. In this asana, the body resembles a crocodile.

Technique

  • Lie down on your stomach with the feet wide apart, feet pointing outward.
  • Bend both the arms and place the right hand on the left hand.
  • Place the forehead on your hands.
  • Keep the eyes closed. This is Makarasana.
  • This asana is practiced for relaxation in all prone postures.

Benefits

  • Promotes relaxation of the lower back.
  • Helps in recovery of back problems.
  • Indicated for all orthopedic ailments.
  • Indicated to counter stress and anxiety.

A Word of Caution

  • Avoid this practice in case of low blood pressure, severe cardiac problems and pregnancy.

SUPINE POSTURES

SETUBANDHASANA (THE BRIDGE POSTURE)

Setubandha means formation of bridge. In this posture, the body is positioned like a bridge, hence the name.

Technique

  • Bend both the legs at the knees and bring the heels near the buttocks.
  • Hold both the ankles firmly; keep the knees and feet in one straight line.
  • Inhale; slowly raise your buttocks and trunk up as much as you can to form bridge.
  • Remain in this position for 10-30 seconds, with normal breathing.
  • Exhale, slowly return to the original position and relax in savasana.

Note

  • In the final position, the shoulders and head remain in contact with the floor.
  • If required, in the final position, you can support your body at the waist with your hands.

Benefits

  • Relieves depression and anxiety. Strengthens lower back muscles.
  • Stretches abdominal organs, improves digestion and helps to relieve constipation.

A Word of Caution

  • People suffering from ulcers and hernia, and women in advanced stages of pregnancy should not practice this asana.

PAVANAMUKTASANA (THE WIND RELEASING POSTURE)

Pavan means wind and mukta means to release or to make free. As the name suggests, this asana is useful in removing wind or flatulence from the stomach and intestines.

Technique

  • Lie down flat on the back.
  • Bend both the knees and bring the thighs to the chest.
  • Interlock the fingers and clasp the shin below knees.
  • Exhale; rise the head till your chin touches the knees and relax.
  • This is Pavanamuktasana.
  • Bring the head back to the ground.
  • While exhaling, lower the legs to the floor.
  • Rest in Savasana.

Note

  • Synchronise your breathing with the leg movement.
  • While touching the knee with the nose/ forehead, you should be able to feel the lumbar region stretch; keep the eyes closed and focus your attention on the lumbar region.

Benefits

  • Removes constipation; gives relief from flatulence, decreases the bloating sensation in the abdomen and aids digestion.
  • Offers deep internal pressure, massage and stretching of the highly complicated network of muscles, ligaments and tendons in the pelvis and waist region.
  • It tones up the back muscles and spinal nerves.

A Word of Caution

  • Please avoid this practice in case of abdominal injuries, hernia, sciatica or severe back pain and during pregnancy.

SAVASANA (THE DEAD BODY POSTURE)

Sava means dead body. The final position in this asana resembles a dead body.

Technique

  • Lie down on your back with arms and legs comfortably apart.
  • Palms facing upward; eyes closed.
  • Relax the whole body consciously.
  • Become aware of natural breath and allow it to become rhythmic and slow.
  • Remain in the position till you feel refresh and relax.

Benefits

  • Helps to relieve all kinds of tensions and gives rest to both body and mind.
  • Relaxes the whole psycho-physiological system.
  • The mind, which is constantly attracted to the outer world, takes a U-turn and moves inwards, thus gradually getting absorbed; as the mind turns quiet and absorbed, the practitioner remains undisturbed by the external environment.
  • It is found very beneficial in the management of stress and its consequences.

A Word of Caution

  • Please avoid this practice in case of abdominal injuries, hernia, sciatica or severe back pain and during pregnancy.