Pasasana
The name comes from the Sanskrit words pasa meaning a noose or snare and asana meaning a posture. In this asana, the human body creates a noose when the practitioner wraps his/her arms around a squatting posture.
Instructions: You must do this asana on an empty stomach. Stand straight with both feet shoulder width apart. Gently get into squat position ensuring that the knees are aligned with the toes and not stretched beyond them. Get the hips as close to the heels as possible and rest your torso against your thighs. Bend your knees slightly to the left. Starting at the belly, twist to your right and extend your left arm to bring its upper part to the outside of the right knee. Support the pose by using your right hand for leverage by stretch it and sweeping it to the back. Hold your left wrist with your right hand. You could also just hook your fingers if your hands can’t go all the way. The idea is to make a noose. Both the shoulders should be stretched apart and the right hand will be high and the left hand will be low. For the full pose, it’s necessary to close any space between the left side of the torso and the tops of the thighs. Keep your belly soft and use the pressure of the palms to increase the twist. Stay in this pose for 30 seconds to a minute. Release the twist with an exhalation, then repeat for the same length of time to the left.
Benefits:
- It helps cure mild stress in the neck, back and shoulder.
- It tones the ankles and makes them strong.
- It gives the spine, groins and thighs a good stretch.
- The chest and the shoulders open up with this asana and it helps asthmatic patients.
- It massages the internal organs and improves digestion and elimination.
- The body posture is enhanced with regular practice of this asana.
Caution:
- Should be avoided by pregnant women and women during menstruation.
