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Vraj, Shashank and Bhujang Asana
Feel heavy and drowsy after your meals? Can't get rid of that irritating back pain? Suffer from respiratory ailments or an upset stomach? Thousands of years ago, sages in the forests of India suffered from the same ailments. Thankfully enough, they found ways to cure them. With Yoga. Kneel down, then rest your hips on your heels and sit down comfortably.
Keep your back straight, place your palms on your knees and breathe steadily. This is the Vraj Asana posture. Vraj Asana gives best results after your meals, when you're feeling heavy and sleepy. It helps you digest your food and leaves you feeling light and refreshed. Now rest your palms on the ground and slowly bend forward, bringing your forehead down to touch the earth. This is Shashank Asana - the child posture. Breathe steadily, allow your whole body to relax. Shashank Asana is the perfect posture for relaxation. When you're really tense and stressed out, lie down in Shashank Asana and take deep, steady, abdomen filling breaths. In less than a minute, your mind and body will be totally relaxed. Now slowly stretch forward, lie down and touch your forehead to the ground. Join your ankles together, keep your body below the navel tight and fixed to the ground. Then slowly roll the portion of your body above the navel up, stretching your shoulders and expanding your chest. Use your upper back muscles to slowly push yourself up - try and see what's behind you. This is Bhujang Asana - the Cobra Posture. Bhujang Asana is excellent for people who have lower back pain, especially slip disk problems, people with stiff shoulders and necks and people with respiratory problems. The Asana makes you expand your chest and inhale and exhale deeply. It massages all your abdominal organs, so it's also very good for people with severe constipation. Hold this position, breathe steadily - keeping your hip muscles tight and contracted. Then slowly exhale, let your forehead come back down to the ground. Relax for a few seconds. Give yourself a nice stretch, then come back to the Shashank Asana. Relax again for a second or two, then sit up in Vraj Asana. Apart from the Bhujang Asana, which may be tough for those with back problems, both Vraj Asana and Shashank Asana can easily be attempted by anyone. If you're unable to sit comfortably on your ankles for Vraj Asana, don't hesitate to use a cushion to fill the gap. Don't worry, the sages won't mind. |
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