Bhujangasana - Cobra Pose

Bhujangasana concentrates on your spine and abdomen. The traditional texts say that Bhujangasana increases body heat, destroys disease, and awakens kundalini.

All the asanas are believed to develop or strengthen a particular human quality or attribute or build a human value. Bhujangasana is believed to develop will power and determination in the people who practise it regularly.

HOW TO:

• Lie on your stomach with legs pointing out, heels together & forehead to the ground.
• Place palms on the floor at the side of your chest
• Lift head and shoulder backward without pressure on the palms while inhaling 3 seconds
• Do not lift higher than the naval region and hold your breath for 6 seconds
• Breathe out 3 seconds and return to staring position.

BENEFITS

• Opens the heart and lungs
• Strengthens the spine & keeps it supple and flexible
• helps building confidence
• stimulates the liver, pancreas & facilitates digestion
• Stretches chest and lungs, shoulders, and abdomen
• Firms the buttocks
• Helps relieve stress and fatigue
• Therapeutic for asthma
• Helps in curing snoring

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Abdominal injuries, hypertension, severe cardiac problem, hernia, colitis, Back injury, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Headache and Pregnancy

Also do not continue with the asana if you are not comfortable or experience any kind of discomfort while performing the asana. It is always better to continue with the asanas when you are with an experienced instructor / teacher.

Yog Mudra

If yoga is a tree then asana is one of the branches of this big tree. Yoga is the union of mind, body and soul. Each asana or pranayam affects the body, mind and soul equally.

Yog Mudra promotes flexibility for the body and humility of mind & soul.

METHOD

• Sit erect in Padmasana, ardha padmasan or sukhasan.
• Take your arms behind your back and interlock hands or hold the right wrist with your left hand.
• Take a deep breathe and twist from your hip to your right side. Exhale slowly as your bend forward from your hip to touch your forehead to your knee. Relax your body as you rest your forehead on your knee.
• Hold this position for 3 counts. Slowly inhale and revert to the first position.
• Repeat the asana on the left side and for the third time repeat the asana by bending forward and trying to touch your forehead to the floor.
• This completes one round of Yog Mudra. Repeat the set 3 times.

BENEFITS

• Tones and builds strong abdominal organs and nerves.
• Prevents constipation, seminal weakness, displaced abdominal organs.
• Reduces excess fat on abdomen and improves health of lower abdomen.
• Prevents enlargement of prostate glands & collapse of uterus.
• Stretches the spinal column, neck and back muscles and makes them supple.

DO NOT DO IF:

• You have stiff neck, trunk, knees or severe back ache.
• You have Acute stomach ache/abdominal disorders hydrocele or hernia.

DISCLAIMER

• If you experience pain while performing the asana then do not proceed. It is advisable that your consult your doctor before you start yoga or any form of exercises.
• Wait for at least 2 hours after food to do any yoga asans