POSTERIOR STRETCH IN YOGA

Articles In This Section:

· BASICS OF ASANAS

· SETTING A TIME FOR YOGA

· %DEATH POSE IN YOGA

· RAISED LEGS POSTURE IN YOGA

· SIMPLE POSE IN YOGA

· PERFECT POSE IN YOGA

· BUDDHA POSE IN YOGA

· DIFFICULT POSTURES IN YOGA

· REVERSE POSTURE IN YOGA

· SUPINE POSE IN YOGA

· SHOULDER STAND IN YOGA

· ENTIRE BODY STRETCH IN YOGA

· STANDING POSITION IN YOGA

· STOMACH LIFT IN YOGA

· ABDOMINAL EXERCISE IN YOGA

· ARDJA-MATSYENDRASANA POSE IN YOGA

· TWISTING POSTURE POSE IN YOGA

· BOIV POSTURE IN YOGA

· COBRA POSE IN YOGA

· POSTERIOR STRETCH IN YOGA

· PLOUGH POSE IN YOGA

· HALASANA POSE IN YOGA

· HEADSTAND FOR YOGA GETTING READY

· NEXT STEP IN THE HEADSTAND POSE FOR YOGA

· HEADSTAND POSE FOR YOGA

· FINAL STEP FOR THE HEADSTAND POSE IN YOGA

In time you will be able to dispense almost entirely with support from the hands and arms, although at first this may seem not even remotely possible. However, once perfected this asana gives great benefit even though it need be performed only once a day.

Therapeutic Value: An exercise to make the spine amazingly supple and flexible, at the same time it revitalizes abdominal muscles. Kidney, liver and pancreas are stimulated so that the appetite improves and bodily heat increases. This asana is of great value to persons who do a great deal of stooping—sedentary workers and women overburdened with housework—and all who suffer from habitual backache.

Caution: If your spine is stiff, proceed cautiously. Remember that whereas a smooth slow stretch will benefit you, a wrench may be painful or even harmful.

20. Paschimatanasana, or the Posterior Stretch, an as ana which brings into play muscles all over the body.

Method: Lie flat on your back, legs close together. Slowly raise the head, chest and trunk until you are sitting up, being careful never to raise the legs off the floor or bend the knees. Now exhale slowly, at the same time bending forward until you grip your toes. (If you cannot reach them, catch hold of ankles or calves; you will do better eventually.) The object of this exercise is to touch your knees with your face while keeping the legs fully extended. This stretch will create a sharp curve at the base of the spinal column. Bend as far forward as you can without jerking, hold the position for ten seconds, then slowly return to upright sitting position. Inhale. Lie back and relax.