Matsyendrasana (Lord of the Fishes Pose) : How to Practice, its Benefits and Precautions.
Matsyendrasana is derived from Sanskrit words “Matsyendra” means “Name of Lord of fishes” and “asana” means “pose”. The name Matsyendra comes from the sage, who was also the disciple of Lord Shiva. He is considered as one of the founders of Hatha Yoga. This asana is also known as the Poorna Matsyendrasana. It is stated in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, that one who practices this asana, experiences an increased digestive fire. All your stomach diseases are also cured, as a result of its practice.
How To Do It?
You can start from the Dandasana, with legs straight in front of your body. After, you are done, you can bend your left knee and bring the sole of your left foot on the floor on the outside of your right thigh.
⦁ Bend your right knee and tuck your right foot under the left buttock.
⦁ Inhale and bring your right arm straight up by the right ear.
⦁ Exhale and twist your torso to the left, while bringing your right elbow to the outside of your left knee, and the left palm on the floor just behind your sitting bones.
⦁ Look over your left shoulder, but don’t put stress on the neck. The twist has to originate from the belly, not your neck.
⦁ Inhale and draw the spine upwards. On each exhale, deepen the twist a little more.
⦁ Ensure to keep the sole of your left foot firmly planted on the floor.
⦁ When you want to come out of the pose, take a slight twist to the opposite direction.
⦁ Switch the position of the legs to the other side.
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Benefits of Matsyendrasana
If you practice this asana on a regular basis, you will experience a stretch in the spine. It also helps in the expansion of the vertebrae. Additionally, it also increases the flow of blood to the spinal nerves and muscles.
⦁ It also stretches the leg muscles. Your hamstrings, calves, glutes, and other parts of the legs also get a good massage.
⦁ The hands play a dynamic role in the twist. So, they are also strengthened in the process.
⦁ The asana involves a lateral twist, so the digestive system is also positively impacted.
⦁ When you perform the pose, the chest muscles are also impacted. This increases the volume of air, that enters the lung cavity.
⦁ The detoxification process of the body also improves manifold.
⦁ It will also boost your body’s immunity levels.
⦁ The full twist involves two chakras, Svadhishthana and Muladhara. The lateral twist activates both.
Contraindications
If you have any sort of back pain, or spinal cord ailments, you should not do the pose.
⦁ All those who have peptic ulcers, must also avoid the pose.
⦁ If you are pregnant, you should not do the asana.
⦁ If you suffer from Sciatica, you must not do the pose.
⦁ All those who suffer from Hyperthyroidism, must not do the pose.
⦁ If you had a recent surgery in the heart, brain or the stomach, you must avoid the pose.
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