ASANAS

Asanas

First of all before the explanation of ASANAS pose, i would like to apologize because there is no picture describing each pose, maybe in the future i will add the pictures because i have no source of pictures at this moment.

Shavasana ( Dead body pose ) :

Lie flat on your back, feet comfortably part, arms and hands extended about six inches
from the body, palms upwards and fingers half-folded. Close your eyes. Begin by
consciously and gradually relaxing every part and each muscle of the body ; feet, legs,
calves, knees, thighs, abdomen, hips, back, hands, arms, chest,shoulders, neck, head
and face. Relax yourself completely feeling as if your whole body is lifeless. Now
concentrate your mind on breathing rhythmically as slowly and effortlessly as possible.
This creates a state of complete relaxation. Remain motionless in this position,
relinquishing all responsibilities and worries for 10 to 15 minutes. Discontinue the exercise
when your legs grow numb.
This asana helps bring down high blood pressure, and relieves the mind, particularly for
those who are engaged in excessive mental activity. This exercise should be done both at
the beginning and at the end of the daily round of yogic asanas. During a fast, shavasana
soothes the nervous system.

Padmasana ( Lotus pose ) :
Sit erect and stretch your legs out in front of you. Bend one leg to place the foot on the
thigh of the other, the sole facing upwards. Similarly, bend the other leg too, so that the
heels are opposite each other and placed in such a way that they press down on the
other side of the groin. Keep your neck, head and spine straight. Place your palms one
upon the other, both turned upward and cupped, and rest them on the upturned heels a
little below the navel.
Padmasana is a good pose for doing pranayama and meditation. It helps in the treatment
of many heart and lung diseases and digestive disorders. It also calms and refreshes the
mind.

Yogamudra :
Sit erect in padmasana. Fold your hands behind your back, holding your left wrist with the
right hand. Take a deep breath. While exhaling, bend forward slowly keeping your hands
on your back. Bring your face downwards until your nose and forehead touch the floor.
While inhaling , slowly rise back to the upright position. The practice of this asana tones
up the nervous system, builds up powerful abdominal muscles and strengthens the pelvic
organs. It helps pep up digestion, boosts the appetite and removes constipation. It tones
up and relaxes the nerves of the head and face. It also strengthens the sex glands.

Vajrasana ( Pelvic pose ) :

Sit erect and stretch out your legs. Fold your legs back, placing the feet on the sides of
the buttocks with the soles facing back and upwards. Rest your buttocks on the floor
between your heels. The toes of both feet should touch. Now, place your hands on your
knees and keep the spine, neck and head straight. Vajrasana can be performed even
after meals. It improves the digestion and is beneficial in cases of dyspepsia,
constipation, colitis, seminal weakness and stiffness of the legs. It strengthens the hips,
thighs, knees, calves, ankles and toes.

Shirshasana ( Topsyturvy pose ) :

Shirsha means "head " . In this asana, one stands on one’s head. Kneel on the ground,
interlocking the fingers of both hands. Place the ‘ fingerlock ‘ on the ground in front of you,
keeping the elbows apart. Support your head on the fingerlock. Start raising your knees
one at a time, to chest level. Then raise your feet slowly so that the calf muscles touch the
thighs. Breathe normally. This is the first stage which should be done perfectly as the
balance of the final posture depends mainly on this stage. Next, raise your knees first and
then slowly raise the feet so that the whole body is straight, like a pillar. This is the final
pose. Return to the original position by reversing the order, step by step. This asana
should not be done jerkily. The important factor in shirshasana is mastering the balance,
which comes through gradual practice. For proper balance, elbows should be placed
firmly on the ground, alongside the fingerlock. Initially the asana should be done for 60
seconds only. The duration may be gradually increased by a further 10 seconds each
week.
Regular practice of shirshasana will benefit the nervous, circulatory, respiratory, digestive,
excretory and endocrine systems. This asana helps cases of dyspepsia, seminal
weakness, varicose veins, arteriosclerosis, jaundice, renal colic and congested liver.
Those suffering from oozing from the ears, iritis, high blood pressure or a weak heart
should not practice this asana.

Viparitakarani ( Inverted action pose ) :
Lie flat on your back, with your feet together and arms by your side. Press your palms
down, raising your legs to a perpendicular position without bending the knees. Your palms
should touch the waist. Then straighten your legs. The trunk should not make a right
angle with the ground but simply an upward slanting position. The chest should not press
against the chin but be kept a little away. To return to the ground, bring your legs down
slowly, evenly balancing your weight.
Through this asana, the muscles of the neck become stronger and blood circulation is
improved. The functioning of the cervical nerves, ganglia and the thyroid also gets
improved.

Sarvagasana ( Shoulder stand pose ) :
In Sanskrit ‘sarva’ means whole and ‘anga’ means limb. Almost all parts of the body are
involved in and benefit from this asana. Lie flat on your back with your arms by the side,
palms turned down. Bring your legs up slowly to a 90 o angle and then raise the rest of
the body by pushing the legs up and resting their raise the rest of the body by pushing the
legs up and resting their weight on the arms. Fix your chin in jugular notch, and use your
arms and hands to support the body at the hip region. The weight of the body should rest
on your head, back and shoulders, your arms being used merely for balance. The trunk
and legs should be in a straight line. The body, legs , hips and trunk should be kept as
vertical as possible. Focus your eyes on your big toes. Press your chin against your
chest. Hold the pose for one to three minutes. Return to the starting position slowly
reversing the procedure.
Sarvangasana helps relieve bronchitis, dyspepsia, varicose veins and peps up the
digestion. It stimulates the thyroid and para-thyroid glands, influences the bran, heart and
lungs. It helps lymphatic juices to circulate in the brain and strengthens the mind. This
asana should not be done by those suffering Viparitkarani from high blood pressure, heart
disease and eye trouble.

Matsyasana (Fish pose ) :

Sit in padmasana. Bend backwards and lie flat on your back without raising your knees.
Press your palms beneath the shoulder. Push the hip backwards thus making a bridge
-like arch with the spine. Then making hooks of your forefingers, grasp your toes without
crossing your arms. Maintain this pose and breathe rhythmically and comfortably.
Reverse the order and return gradually to the starting position of Padamasana.
Matsyasana is beneficial in the treatment of acidity, constipation, diabetes, asthma,
bronchitis and other lung disorders.

Uttanapadasana ( Left-lifting pose) :

Lie on your back with leg and arms straight, feet together, palms facing downwards, on
the floor close to the body. Raise your legs above two feet from the floor without bending
your knees. Maintain this pose for some time. Then, lower your legs slowly without
bending the knees. This asana is helpful for those suffering from constipation. It
strengthens the abdominal muscles and intestinal organs.

Halasana ( Plough pose ) :

Lie flat on your back with legs and feet together, arms by your side with fists closed near
your thigh keeping your legs straight, slowly raise them to angles of 300, 600 and 900,
pausing slightly at each point. Gradually, raise your legs above your head without bending
your knees and then move them behind until they touch the floor. Stretch your legs as far
as possible so that your chin presses tightly against the chest while your arms remain on
the floor as in the original position. Hold the pose from between 10 seconds to three
minutes, breathing normally. To return to the starting position slowly reverse the
procedure.
This asana relieves tension in the back, neck, and legs and is beneficial in the treatment
of lumbago, spinal rigidity and rheumatism, myalgia, arthritis, sciatics and asthma.

Bhujangasana ( Cobra pose ) :

Lie on your stomach with your legs straight and feet together, toes pointing backwards.
Rest your forehead and nose on the ground. Place your palms below the shoulders and
your arms by the side of the chest. Inhale and slowly raise your head, neck, chest and
upper abdomen from the navel up. Bend your spine back and arch your back as far as
you can looking upwards. Maintain this position and hold your breathe for a few seconds.
Exhale, and slowly return to the original position.
This asana has great therapeutic value in the treatment of diseases like cervical
spondylitis, bronchitis, asthma and eosinophillia. It removes weakness of the abdomen
and tones up the reproductive system in women. It exercises the vertebrae, back muscles
and the spine.

Shalabhasana ( Locust pose ) :

Lie flat on your stomach, with your legs stretched out straight, feet together, chin and
nose resting on the ground, looking straight ahead. Move your arms under the body,
keeping them straight, fold your hands into fists and place them close to the thighs. Now,
raise your legs up keeping them straight together and stretching them as far back as
possible without bending your knees and toes. Hold this position for a few seconds and
repeat four or five times.
This asana helps in the treatment of arthirits, rheumatism and low backache. The whole
body is strengthened by this asana especially the waist, chest, back and neck. Persons
suffering from high blood pressure or heart disease should not practice this asana.

Dhanurasana ( Bow pose ) :
Lie on your stomach with your chin resting on the ground, arms extended alongside the
body with the legs straight. Bend your legs back towards the hips, bring them forward and
grasp your ankles. Inhale and raise your thighs, chest and head at the same time. Keep
your hands straight. The weight of the body should rest mainly on the navel region.
Therefore, arch your spine as much as possible. Exhale and return slowly to the starting
position, by reversing the procedure.
Dhanurasana provides good exercise for the arms, shoulders, legs, ankles, back and
neck. It also strengthens the spine. It relieves flatulence and constipation and improves
the functioning of the pancreas and the intestines. It should not be done by those with a
weak heart, high blood pressure and ulcers of the stomach and bowels.

Makarasana ( Crocodile pose ) :

Lie flat on your abdomen. Spread your legs, with heels pointing towards each other. Bring
your left hand under the right shoulder and grasp it. Grasp the left shoulder with your right
hand, keeping the elbows together, one upon the other on the ground. Your face should
be between your crossed hands. Relax and breathe normally for two or three minutes.
Then gradually go back to the sitting position.
This asana completely relaxes both the body and the mind and also rests the muscles. It
is beneficial in the treatment of hypertension, heart disease and mental disorders.

Vakrasana :

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.
This asana 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.

Ardhamatsyendrasana :

This is the half position of Matsyendrasana, which is named after the great sage
Matsyendra. Sit erect on the ground, stretching your legs in front of you. Insert your left
heel in the perineum, keeping the left thigh straight. Place your right foot flat on the floor,
crossing the left knee. Pass your left arm over the right knee and grasp the big toe of your
right foot. Grasp your left thigh from the rear with your right hand. Turn your head, neck,
shoulders and trunk to the right bringing your chin in line with the right shoulder. Maintain
this position for a few seconds, gradually increasing the duration to 2 minutes. Repeat the
same process on the other side for the same duration.
This asana exercises the vertebrae and keeps them in good shape. It helps the liver,
spleen, bladder, pancreas, intestines and other abdominal organs, and also stretches and
strengthens the spinal nerves. This asana is beneficial in the treatment of obesity,
dyspepsia, asthma and diabetes.

Paschimottanasana (Posterior stretching pose ) :

Sit erect.
Stretch your legs out in front of you, keeping them close to each other. Bend your trunk
and head forward from the waist without bending your knees and grasp the big toes with
your rest your forehead on your knees. With practice, the tense muscles become supple
enough for this exercise. Old persons and persons whose spine is still should do this
asana slowly in the initial stages. The final pose need be maintained only for a few
seconds. Return to the starting position gradually.
Paschimottanasana is a good stretching exercise in which the posterior muscles get
stretched and relaxed. It relieves sciatica, muscular rheumatism of the back, backache,
lumbago and asthmatic attacks. It is also valuable in constipation, dyspepdis and other
abdominal disorders.

Gomukhasana ( Cow-face pose ) :
Sit erect on the floor, with your legs outstretched. Fold your leg back. Place your left foot
under the right hip. Similarly, fold back the right leg and cross your right foot over your left
thigh. Place your right heel against the left hip. Both soles should face backwards, one
over the other. Now interlock your hands behind your back. See to it that if your right leg
is over the left, then your right elbow should face upward and the left elbow downward.
This position is reversed when the leg position is changed. Hold the pose for 30 seconds
and then repeat the procedure reversing the process. The practice of gomukhasana will
strengthen the muscles of the upper arm, shoulder, chest, back, waist and thigh. It is
beneficial in the treatment of seminal weakness, piles, urethral disorders and kidney
troubles. It also relieves varicose veins and sciatica.

Pavanmuktasana ( Gas-releasing pose ) :
Lie flat on your back, hands by your side. Fold your legs back, placing your feet flat on the
floor ; make a fingerlock with your hands and place them a little below the knees. Bring
your thighs up near your chest. Exhale and raise your head and shoulders and bring your
nose between your knees. This is the final position. Maintain this pose for a few seconds
and repeat three to five times. Reverse the procedure to get back to the original position.
This asana strengthens the abdomineal muscles and internal abdominal organs like the
liver, spleen, pancreas and stomach.
It helps release excessive gas from the abdomen and relieves flatulence. Persons
suffering from constipation should do this exercise in the morning after drinking lukewarm
water to help proper evacuation of the bowels.

Chakrasana ( Lateral bending pose ) :
Stand straight with your feet and toes together and arms by your sides, palms facing and
touching the thighs. Raise one arm laterally above the head with the palm inwards up to
shoulder level and palm upwards when the arm rises above the level of your head. Then,
bend your trunk and head sideways with the raised arm touching the ear, and sliding the
palm of the other hand downwards towards the knee. Keep your knees and elbows
straight throughout. Maintain the final pose for a few seconds. Then gradually bring your
hand back to the normal position. Repeat the exercise on the other side.
This asana induces maximum stretching of the lateral muscles of the body, especially the
abdomen. It strengthens the knees, arms and shoulders and increases lung capacity.

Trikonasana ( Triangle pose ) :
Stand erect, with your legs apart. Stretch your arms up to shoulder level. Bend your trunk
forwards and twist to the left, looking upwards and keeping your left arm raised at an
angle of 900. Place your right palm on your left foot without bending the knees. Maintain
this pose for a few seconds. Then straighten up and return to the normal position. Repeat
the procedure on the other side.
Trikosana is an all-round stretching exercise. It keeps the spinal column flexible and
reduces the fat on the lateral sides of the body. Besides, it stimulates the adrenal glands
and tones up the abdominal and pelvic organs.

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