BALANCING YOGA ASANAS

Namaste!!!

"Stability of the body and mind is most essential in the practice of yoga."

Hii there!!!  I am Priyanka V. and today we are going to learn about  some balancing postures which will not only enhance your concentration level but also help you in strengthening your legs, improving stability and flexibility, toning your abdominal muscles and keeping your mind calm and focused. 

So let's get quickly started with our yoga asanas.

"Balance in a yoga pose reflects the state of your mind, body and soul"

There are a number of yoga asanas for balancing and improving stability of mind and body. Of them, today we will learn about a few. They are:

1) Vrikshasana (Tree pose).

2) Chakrasana (Wheel pose). 

3) Ardha chandrasana ( Half moon pose).

1) VRIKSHASANA  (TREE POSE):

Tree pose is a great balancing posture which strengthens ankles and improves your concentration level. When your mind is anxious, disturbed or your body is stressed and tired you need to practice tree pose. Trust me you will immediately feel calm, patience and Relaxed.

This asana provides peace, purity and stability.

Tree pose is all about keeping the things in balance...

HOW TO DO VRIKSHASANA  (TREE POSE):

a) Stand straight on your mat i.e. stand with both  feet touching from the heel to the big toe keeping the back straight.

b)Now slowly pick up your right leg and  try out low tree at first and if you can balance it properly, try to take the leg little higher and once you are feeling stable, you can pick up your foot and rest it on your left thigh.

c) Now, bring your hands to the centre in Namaskar mudra.

d) If you are steady here, raise your arms, bring them up above your head and stretch keeping your hands in Namaskar mudra.

e) Fix your gaze at one particular point so that you are stable in the position.

f) Hold it for 1 minute or till 5 to 10 breath count as per your comfort. and then gently relieve your arms and then your leg.

g) Relax and repeat.

BENEFITS OF VRIKSHASANA  (TREE POSE):

a) Makes you feel calm, patience.

b) Relieves you from  stress and anxiety, improves your mood.

c) Improves your concentration level.

d) Develops a stable and peaceful mind.

e) Builds strength in the ankles, soles of the feet and calf muscles, tones the abdominal muscles.

f) Boosts energy in the body.

g) Improves focus.

h) Makes your body flexible. 

i) Strengthens the shoulders.

j) It makes you feel relaxed.

k) Gives good stretch to the spine, stretches your chest and lungs.

l) And most importantly, improves your posture, promotes Balance and develops stability in your legs.

Note: Vrikshasana practice should be avoided by patients with arthritis and vertigo.

2) CHAKRASANA (WHEEL POSE):

Chakrasana is known to be  more challenging than the other yoga asanas.

But as we know that 'Practice makes man perfect' so yeah with daily practice and patience , one can do the posture with ease and achieve the aimed goal of fit body and calm soul.

This posture strengthens the Wrists, Arms, Shoulders, Abdomen and upper back as well as increases Back flexibility and makes you feel energetic throughout the day. This is the great asana for healthy lungs.

HOW TO DO CHAKRASANA (WHEEL POSE):

a) lie down on your back like in shavasana.

b) Bend the arms at elbows and place the palms of the hand flat on the floor directly under each shoulder with the fingers pointing towards the back.

c) Slowly bend the knees and bring the feet close to the buttocks with the soles of the feet flat on the floor. Remember to keep feet parallel to each other.

d) Inhale, and slowly begin to raise your head , back and buttocks off the floor while keeping your spine straight raising the hips and stomach as high as possible.

e) Hold for atleast 1 minute.

f) Slowly return back to the floor and relax.

g) Repeat thrice. 

BENEFITS OF CHAKRASANA  (WHEEL POSE):

a)This asana Strengthens all the parts of the body such as your wrist, arms, buttocks, chest, shoulders,  abdomen, leg muscles, thyroid and pituitary glands , kidneys and liver.

b) Gives good stretch to the back.

c) Increases shoulders and back flexibility.

d) It gives strength and suppleness to the spine.

e) Stretches your chest and strengthen lungs.

f) This posture is excellent for heart.

g) This asana is known to cure infertility, asthama and osteoporosis.

h) Relieves stress, fights depression, makes your immune system strong.

i) Removes extra fat from your abdominal region.

Note: This posture is not advisable for ladies during their pregnancy.

3) ARDHA CHANDRASANA  (HALF MOON POSE):

The Ardha chandrasana is a basic stretching and balancing posture. It is a standing posture.

It benefits your lower back, chest and abdomen region.

HOW TO DO ARDHA CHANDRASANA (HALF MOON POSE):

a) Stand straight on your mat with both the feet touching the ground keeping the back straight and both the legs apart. Slowly walk forward towards downward dog posture.

b) Take your right leg up and bring forward. slowly bend your right knee softly and bring your left hand to your hip.

c) Now slowly lean on the right leg and start lifting the left leg up.

d) If you are steady here, slowly raise your left arm straight up towards the ceiling, opening the chest wider.

e) Both the hands should be straight. They should form straight line ( You can also use blocks and place it near your feet if your hand is not touching the floor.)

f) Hold this position for few seconds or 1 minute and continue breathing slowly.

g) Slowly release the posture and return back to the downward dog posture and repeat the pose on the other side.

BENEFITS OF ARDHA CHANDRASANA  (HALF MOON POSE):

a) Opens up the chest and improves your breathing capacity.

b)Stretches Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, shoulders, chest and spine.

c) It activates shoulders and trapeze.

d) Improves digestion.

e) Aids in stress relief.

f) Strengthens abdominal muscles, ankles, thighs, buttocks, spine and calves.

g) It gives great flexibility to the spine.

h) Strengthens your core.

i) Great at burning out unsightly love handles.

Note: This asana not to be performed if suffering from backaches.

All the best. Try these postures and stay fit and healthy.

One more thing.. In the last article someone had asked questions about what is the best time to practice yoga and for how long should we practice it?

So here is the answer dear:

The best time to practice yoga is  early morning time i.e. sunrise.

The asanas must be performed on empty stomach and preferably after bath when the body is more flexible.

No doubt you can also practice it during sunset hours i.e. late evening time, but keep in mind that

atleast 3 to 4 hours should be allowed to pass after eating your meal, to prevent unnecessary cramps and any kind of discomfort.

Also allow about 20 minutes to half an hour interval after yoga practice before eating anything.

I would request you all please give at least one hour to your body. Yes! only one hour a day from your busy schedule. And you will be amazed to see the transformation in your body.

Find the practice that makes you feel Wow! because there is one such practice for all.

Just practice yoga for one hour and stay fit, healthy and happy. 

Stay safe and have a lovely weekend with your loved ones.

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THANK YOU 🙂🙏

Also visit my page   https://yogaunlockurmindbodyandsoul.blogspot.com/2020/05/namaste-hii-there-i-am-priyanka-v.html?m=1

for the benefits of practicing yoga and one great asana to build your core.

Everyone has their own personal favorite yoga asana. So what is your personal favorite asana comment me in the comments section below.