Yoga Pose:
Chakrasana
Important Note
Take special precautions while doing any asana. If you are learning yoga, then take the advice of a knowledgeable person. Do not put any kind of force in the event of pain or unable to do so. Keep in mind that you will be able to succeed only with constant practice.
Brief Introduction Of The Chakrasana
- According to esoteric cultures and traditions of yoga, chakrasana is a way of bridging the six chakras. This is often considered as a posture of fun. It works by helping the way we breathe, the mind or more honestly the entire physical body. During the yoga pose, the body takes the shape of a wheel. Thus, energy begins to flow throughout the entire body. The posture is famous for its aesthetic qualities and benefits.
- What makes chakrasana special would be the intense backward bend. It generates a good amount of space in the spine. This helps in keeping the spine hale and hearty. Many a times, the chakrasana posture is compared to the wheels of a car. And, just like how the wheels spin to set momentum for the vehicle - this posture generates the required momentum for the nervous system, circulatory system and endocrine system.
- Chakrasana is certainly a powerful posture too. It makes the body and mind conscious about the flow of energy. As energy flows through each chakra, you will be aware of the movement. For instance, the Manipura chakra gets activated with a reflex in the torso. Since this chakra serves as the digestive seat, various juices are released immediately from the digestive organs.
- Chakrasana Yoga is categorized under Astanga Yoga. It is also famously known as Urdhva Dhanurasana. It strengthens the overall health of the mind and body. Ancient histories reveal that the chakras in the body need to be aligned for an even flow of energy throughout the body. And, the flow of energy is a crucial element in deciding how healthy the body is.
- Crucial body parts that are affected by this posture would be the wrist, hip flexors, inter coastal muscles, quadriceps and spine. During the stimulation of energy during the posture, all these regions are activated.
How To Do The Chakrasana?
The best time to practice this posture would be 4 to 6 hours after your meals. This is mainly because digested food generates energy, which indirectly powers this yoga. Most of the time, yoga workouts are recommended during early sunrise. But, the chakrasana is a big exception.
Here is a simple step by step guide on how to perform the chakrasana:
Here is a simple step by step guide on how to perform the chakrasana:
- Lay flat on the ground. The knees need to be propped up. Yet, the feet should stay firm and flat on the ground.
- Keep your hands behind the shoulders. Ensure that the fingers are sprouted outwards.
- Prop up your entire lower body with the support of your legs. The legs must carry most of the weight.
- Use your feet and palms to lift the upper body into an arch. Try to do the best you can.
- Eventually, the posture has a hanging head. Remember to breathe evenly.
- Stay in the position for few minutes. And, descend by lowering your back. Remember to keep up with the pace of your breathing.
- Once down, your body needs to rest before trying another exercise or yoga posture.
Benefits Of The Chakrasana
- This yoga posture is known for strengthening the spine. Above all, it makes the spine extremely flexible and strong. The spinal cord gets elongated. This way, your spine will become more elastic than usual. Theories reveal that the elasticity of the body starts to reduce with age. The chakrasana helps in combating this change.
- The Chakrasana is useful in toning the abdominal region. With regular practice and sincere attempts, abdominal fat will reduce.
- The lung capacity and chest regions are opened. This increases the flow of oxygen in the body.
- The endocrine and nervous system is stimulated. This is a very important benefit of the chakrasana. As the pituitary glands and the thyroid gets activated during the posture - the mind gets engaged. Soon, many happy hormones are released into the blood stream. This way, the body starts to release stress and feel energetic.
- A sudden boost in cardiovascular health is seen in most people. As mentioned previously, the chest gets opened. Meanwhile, it is carefully pushed outwards. This is when the cardio energy gets activated and the flow of blood improves by leaps and bounds.
- Finally, the wrist, arms and shoulders are also strengthened by this posture.
Precautions To Be Taken While Doing The Chakrasana
- Before you choose to practice this yoga posture, there are few important precautions to be considered. This is definitely a powerful yoga posture, which connects multiple chakras together. Hence, it is essential for you to try each and every step in this posture with care. Here are few precautions you need to bear in mind.
- The chakrasana is not a standalone yoga posture. In simpler terms, you cannot directly venture into this posture. It has to be practiced with other yoga steps. The most common companion for chakrasana would be “Setu Asana”. Or, any other yoga posture that bends the body backwards will be useful.
- People suffering from illnesses like cardiovascular trouble, or muscular disorders should not try this yoga posture. The yoga posture requires lots of flexibility and the “push” for it to be completed successfully. It takes a strong body and a willful mind to complete the chakrasana.
- If you have a weak back or a soft wrist - this yoga posture wouldn’t suit you. The wrist plays a crucial role in pushing the upper body. And, the back needs to arch at the epitome of this posture. Performing chakrasana with a weak wrist or back will “only” worsen the condition.
- The chakrasana yoga posture is not meant for pregnant women.
Conclusion
Yoga postures come with many interesting and exciting benefits. The chakrasana is not an exception. It is renowned for boosting the strength of the back, and ensuring that the body stays flexible for long. The ultimate effect of this posture is seen around the spinal cord. And, this plays a major role in anti aging. If the yoga posture is performed with care, the rate at which you age will change for the good. Also, you will see a sudden relief in how your digestive system works.
Share This Page On...