VAKRASANA

VAKRASANA TWISTED POSE

This pose is named in honor of Astavakra, Because of his father's curse, with deformed limbs, later made straight after bathing in the Samanga river.

Sit erect and stretch legs out. Raise your right knee until your foot rests by the side of the left knee. Place your right hand behind your back without twisting the trunk too much. Then bring your left arm from in front of you over the right knee. Place your left palm on the ground near the heel of your right foot. Push your knee as far as to the left arm. Twist your trunk to the right as much as possible. Turn your face to the right over the right shoulder. Release and repeat on the left side.Now exhale and try to twist the trunk to the right side as much as possible taking good support from the left arm, and look towards the right shoulder. This is a complete twist to the right side.Do this asana in the same manner and duration on the left side also.



VAKRASANA tones up the spinal and abdominal muscles and nerves and activates the kidneys, intestines, stomach, adrenaline and gonad glands. It relieves cases of constipation and dyspepsia.

Benefits  with this yoga:-

A very good exercise to make the spine flexible. It is helpful in treating enlarged and congested liver and inactive kidneys. It brings relief to hypertension, constipation and diabetic patients.

This asana affects chiefly the waist and the abdominal organs.

It stimulates the spermatozoa glands of men and the uterinal organs of women.

This asana helps in reducing pain in the abdomen and the waist.

It cures constipation and other abdominal ailments.

PADMASAN

Padma means Lotus. When the Asana is demonstrated, it presents the appearance of a Lotus, in a way. Hence the name Padmasana. This is also known by the name Kamalasana.

Amongst the four poses prescribed for Japa and Dhyana, Padmasana comes foremost. It is the best Asana for contemplation. Rishis like Gheranda, Sandilya and others speak very highly of this vital Asana. This is highly agreeable for householders. Even ladies can sit in this Asana. Padmasana is suitable for lean persons and for youths as well.


Sit on the ground by spreading the legs forward. Then place the right foot on the left thigh and the left foot on the right thigh. Place the hands on the knee-joints.

You can make a finger-lock and keep the locked hands over the left ankle. This is very convenient for some persons. Or you can place the left hand over the left knee and then place the right hand over the right knee with the palm facing upwards and the index-finger touching the middle portion of the thumb (Chinmudra).

Steps to follow:-Sit on the floor with your legs stretched straight in front.

Bend the right knee, grip the right foot with help of both hands and place on top of the left thigh to the heel as closest possible to the navel.

Now do same with the left leg, bend the left knee and grip the left foot with both hands and place on top of the right thigh to the heel as close to the navel as possible.

This way, both knees would be on the ground and the soles of both feet are pointed upward. The spine should be held straight but not stiff.

When the practitioner feel uncomfortable after some time on sitting in the same situation, the position of the legs can be altered.

Both the hands can be placed on the knees either with palm face down or in ‘Gyana Mudra’. Hands can also be placed both palm on each other with touching the naval on the upward facing both feet.

Benefits of Padmasan:-


 Maintains relaxation, concentration, meditation and ultimately, kundalini awakening.

This posture makes natural balance throughout the body and mind. After some days of practice, when the knees are stretched enough to remain in the Padmasana without discomfort, this great pose creates a feeling of effortlessness and comfort that will soothe the nervous system, quiet spirit and on the state of sharpness.

Padmasana is the pose which is most relevant in attainment of kundalini power.

Padmasana is highly recommended to improve chest, shoulder, spinal, thigh, waist flexibility. It rectifies any curvature problem in spine and arthritis. Very useful for constipation and digestive problems.

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