Asana for Good Health

Tadasana  or Mountain Pose is an asana. It is the basic standing asana in most forms of yoga with feet together and hands at the sides of the body. There is some contention between different styles of yoga regarding the details of the asana which results in some variations.

Tadasana

Salabhasana is an asana. It is a form of back bend, or spine stretch, using the strength of the upper and middle back to lift the weight of the legs as high as possible from a starting position face down on the floor. Most people find Salabhasana to be a very “strong” i.e. difficult and challenging posture to practice, and as such it not only improves flexibility and coordination, but also has strength and stamina benefits.

Salbhasana

Dhanurasana or Bow Pose, or sometimes Urdva Chakrasana (Upward Wheel Pose) is an asana. Dhanurasana is a yoga pose in which the practitioner lies on the belly, grasps the feet, and lifts the legs into the shape of a bow.

dhanurasana

Bhadrasana is a conditioning asana and helps one prepare for further action. It increases concentration and quietness the mind. Also increases flexibility of the lower limbs.

bhadrasana

Ustrasana  or Camel Pose is an asana. It is a very deep backward bend performed in a kneeling position. Many people find backbends difficult or challenging, because bending backwards is not an activity with which most are familiar.

Ustrasana

Matsyasana or Fish Pose is an asana. It is commonly considered a counterasana to Sarvangasana, or shoulder stand, specifically within the context of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Primary Series. The asana is a backbend, where the practitioner lies on his or her back and lifts the heart (anahata) chakra by rising up on the elbows and drawing the shoulders back. The neck is lengthened, and the crown of the head Sahasrara chakra is “pointed” toward the ‘wall’ behind the practitioner. As the arch of the back deepens with practice, and the heart and throat open further, the top of the head may brush the ground, but no weight should rest upon it.

Matsyasana

Bhujangasana or Cobra Pose is an asana. Bhujangasana may strengthen the spine, stretch the chest, shoulders, and abdomen, firm the buttocks, and relieve stress and fatigue. Traditional texts say that Bhujangasana increases body heat, destroys disease, and awakens kundalini.

Bhujangasana

Chakrasana or Urdva Dhanurasana Upward-Facing Bow Pose” is an asana. It is a backbend and part of the finishing sequence in the Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga. In the general form of the pose, the practitioner has hands and feet on the floor, and the abdomen arches up toward the sky. Wheel Pose may be entered from a supine position or through a less rigorous supine backbend, such as Bridge Pose.