Makarasana
The name comes from the Sanskrit words, ‘makar’ meaning crocodile and ‘asana’ meaning posture.
Instructions: Lie down on the floor on your stomach. Bring your arms forward, fold them to cup your chin with both the hands resting the elbows on the ground for support. Keep the elbows shoulder distance apart. Keep the shoulders square and away from the ears and the neck straight and look ahead. The legs should be kept stretched along the floor with the toes pointing outwards. The legs should not be more than shoulder width apart. Hold the pose breathing calmly. Stay in the asana for a few minutes. Lower your hands first to ease out of the pose gently.
Benefits:
- It relaxes the muscles of the shoulders and the spine.
- It provides relief in slip disc, spondylitis and sciatica.
- It prevent any form of backache.
- It expands the lungs and helps in respiratory disorders.
- It stretches and tones the muscles of the abdomen, chest and the neck region.
- It calms the mind and provides relief from stress and anxiety.
Caution:
- This asana should be avoided by persons suffering from neck and lower back injuries.
