Vakrasana (Twisted Pose) - How to Practice, Its Benefits and Precautions
‘Vakra’ means ‘twisted’ and ‘asana’ means a ‘yoga pose’.’ Vakrasana is the simplified form of Ardhamatsyendrasana. The Sanskrit name of both the poses differs, however the English name is the same. Moreover, Vakrasana is an easy form of Ardhamatsyendrasana. For many people who cannot perform or practice Ardhamatsyendrasana, Vakrasana is suitable. You can prepare the body for the latter, by practicing Vakrasana.
How To Do It?
⦁ From Dandasana, start with legs straight in front of your body. You have to bend your left knee and bring the sole of your left foot to the floor on the other side of your right thigh.
⦁ Bend your right knee and tuck your right foot under your left buttock.
⦁ Inhale and bring your right arm beside the right ear.
⦁ Exhale and then twist your torso to the left, bringing your right elbow to the outside of your left knee, and the left palm to the floor just behind your sitting bones.
⦁ Look over your left shoulder, but don’t strain the neck much; the twist should be from your belly, not your neck.
⦁ On each inhalation, draw the spine up and elongate it. On each exhalation, deepen the twist a little more.
⦁ Be sure to keep the sole of your left foot firmly placed flat on the floor.
⦁ When you eject from the pose, take a slight twist to the opposite direction and release.
⦁ Loosen the legs and switch as you prepare to twist to the other side.
Benefits of Vakrasana
⦁ Vakrasana has huge benefits on the spine and back nerves. When you practice Vakrasana, the back and spine muscles and nerves undergo extension and compression. This helps to improve the condition of your back and spine muscles and nerves.
⦁ It will also benefit your lungs.
⦁ It is a powerful asana which stops the vertebrae from sticking to one another, as it happens in old age.
⦁ It also helps in treating health problems, like neck ache, backache, and head ache.
⦁ If you have stiffness in your body, you must practice this asana. It will make your body flexible.
⦁ Vakrasana can treat various diseases like Diabetes, Constipation, and Rheumatism.
⦁ The asana practice can help in the stimulation of the pancreas. It starts producing more insulin as a result.
⦁ It benefits all those who have mild Sciatica and slipped disc issues.
⦁ It also promotes health in the reproductive organs and urinary region.
⦁ The back, spine, abdomen, arms, and shoulders get benefitted through this asana.
Contraindications
⦁ If you have any spinal injury, you must not practice this asana.
⦁ If you are suffering from Hernia, you must not do this asana.
⦁ All those who are suffering from Hyperthyroidism, must not do this asana.
⦁ You cannot do this asana after the 3rd month of pregnancy.
⦁ If you have heart problems, or any problems associated with the brain, you must not do the asana.
⦁ If you had any surgery in the abdominal region, you must not do the pose.
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