Friday 6 February 2015

Bhujangasana (Cobra Posture)




                                    Bhujangasana (Initial posture-I)

                                   
                                    Bhujangasana (Final posture-II)




The Sanskrit word Bhujangam has a meaning ‘snake’. In ‘Bhujangasana’ we are imitating a snake (cobra) in standing posture raising its hood.

Lie down on your front, with body fully straight (without curving or slanting to either side). Keep the legs close to each other, stretch the toes pointed backwards and keep the upper portion of the feet pressed on the mattress. Fold both hands at the knees and place the palms pressed on the mat at the shoulder level on either side. Let the knees face backwards. The forehead should touch the ground. (See Picture-I) Now relax the whole body.

Take breath and slowly raise the head and upper part of body and bend backwards. Rise as much as you can without the support of hands. When you can’t go further, press the hands and give support and rise further (see picture-II). Now the portion of the body above the naval is in a raised position. The palms, as pointed out, are pressed to give support and the elbows point back. The hands should remain half stretched. Stand in the posture as much as you can, then release breath and come down to the initial posture. Do it five to eight times in the beginning. After that you can reduce the number from 3 to 5 times.

 Benefits:--
This asana is a very good treatment for ladies having menstrual disorders like excessive pain, irregular periods, overflow etc. Besides, as the back bone is very much strengthened, body pain and jolting problems will never disturb people who regularly practice it. It is one of the classical asanas, which in addition strengthens the liver and kidneys. A few months practice will reduce the ‘pot belly’’.

Note:--People having Hernia, peptic ulcer, Thyroid complaints, hypertension, and heart disorders can advisably avoid this asana, or else they may get expert advice of a professional Yoga Teacher.




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