Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who set a Guinness World Record last year by organising a mass yoga session on the lawns of the United Nations Headquarters, tweeted a video detailing some asanas that can be easily incorporated into everyday life.
While this is in preparation for Yoga Day on June 21, he has carefully selected asanas and pranayamas that are important for the lifestyle management and mental and physical wellbeing of a 24/7 working professional. Let us have a look at some of the health benefits of these asanas.
Tadasana: This is a full body balancing asana. It stretches the spine, abdominal muscles and intestines. It releases nerve congestion along the spine. It exercises the muscles and ligaments of the legs, arms and back. It is great for children as it stretches the spine and maximizes the height of children who may not grow as much due to poor posture or a stretched spine. In addition, this posture demands attention and one-pointed gaze, which brings about the ability to calm the mind and be still. It relieves mental depression.
Trikonasana: Promotes digestion and compresses the liver, pancreas and stomach. Great for problems related to autoimmune diseases. Tones the muscles of the abdomen, hips, legs and sides of the body, strengthens pelvic fat and reduces abdominal fat. Helps with ear problems and fluid imbalance between the ears. Helps calm the nerves.
Chakrasana: Chakrasana seems to be popular at the moment and is practiced by the likes of Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shilpa Shetty. Chakrasana strengthens the arms, wrists and legs, balances the nervous system, regulates the digestive and glandular systems, stimulates hormone secretion and helps with gynecological problems. It also helps with respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
Padahastasana: This forward bending exercise impacts the spine, digestive system, thyroid and all the lymph nodes in the body, giving you great control over your spine, especially in today’s world where we have to use our phones, computers and handheld devices and stay still for long periods of time in unnatural positions.
ShashankhasanaThis rabbit pose asana invigorates, massages and harmonizes the entire digestive system while sending blood along the spine to the brain.
Vakrasana: Twisting movements compress the abdomen, massaging and activating the liver, adrenal glands, pancreas and kidneys. The back and abdomen are stretched on one side while simultaneously compressing the other. This aligns the entire digestive system and helps burn excess belly fat.
Bhujangasana: It is very effective in strengthening and suppleness of the spine. It is effective in solving all kinds of back problems, digestive and urogenital problems. It is also effective in menstrual problems.
Pawanmuktasana: This is mainly done to get rid of flatulence, gas and constipation. It loosens the vertebrae and is good for the lower back. It also calms the mind.
Shalabhasana: This position strengthens the gluteal muscles as well as the sacral muscles.
Setu Bandhansana: This improves flexibility of the lumbar spine and lower back muscles, which is helpful for sedentary workers.
Nadi Shodhan: It is a type of pranayama that balances the entire body and the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. It helps to unclog the respiratory system.
© Indian Express Ltd.
First uploaded: 06 Nov 2024 15:12 IST