Well, yoga has a host of health benefits; not only physical but also mental. Moreover, it enhances your flexibility. That’s another good reason why you should start practising various yoga poses. These days, most people have office jobs, which require them to keep sitting for long period, crouching in front of the computer for the major part of the day.
We are leading a sedentary lifestyle. This makes us lazy, which gradually leads to muscle degeneration with limited movement of joints. Sedentary lifestyle is also a major reason for many lifestyle diseases too. So, is there any cure for this? Well, the answer is yes and the cure is Yoga!
Megan Eastman, a Florida-based yoga instructor, says that Yoga poses help correct alignment of the skeletal system. Every yoga exercise improves the working of the cells of the connective tissue. It helps in the movement of the joints and acts as a lubricating and healing agent for joints and muscles. You can perform Yoga to improve flexibility, which will eventually ensure your overall wellbeing. Some effective Yoga poses are discussed below:
Downward Facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
How to Perform:
- Put your hands under your shoulder and stack your knees underneath your hips. Create an inverted ‘V’ by lifting your pelvis towards the ceiling. Push your arms against the floor.
- Keep your legs straight and put your heels on the floor.
- Push back your chest towards your thighs. Look at your toes. Bend the tailbone towards the ceiling.
Benefits: It helps relieve depression and energizes the body.
High Lunge Pose (Utthita Ashwa Sanchalanasana)
How to Perform:
- Begin on your knees and hands in tabletop. Put forward the right foot while your knee is directly over the ankle. Straighten your back leg and tuck your back toes.
- Lift the upper body. Tilt the shoulders and direct your fingers towards the ceiling. Protrude your chin, so that it becomes parallel to the floor and look straight.
- Push your hips down and forward.
- Repeat this fors the other side.
Benefits: It provides strength to the lower body.
Triangle Pose (Trikonasana)
How to Perform:
- Distance the feet as wide as possible. Point the left foot towards the mat-top. Turn the right foot parallel to the mat.
- Put the left hand on the left leg towards the floor and right hand should be facing towards the ceiling.
- Rotate your shoulder and right hip on the top of the left.
- Repeat this for the other side.
Benefits: It helps relieve stress and provides strength to knees, legs and ankles.
Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)
How to Perform:
- Lie on the back. Bend your knees pointing towards the ceiling. Separate your feet apart by a small distance and put your arms on your side.
- Press your feet in the floor and hips should be lifted towards the ceiling.
- Let your arms be grounded on the floor. Look at the ceiling.
Benefits: It helps improve digestion and relieves stress and depression.
Pigeon Pose (Kapotasana)
How to Perform:
- Bring forward the left knee behind the left wrist. Place the ankle in front of the right hip.
- Put your knee on the floor and subtend the right leg, making 90° angle to the hip.
- Draw in your legs to keep the hips square. Let equal weight be placed on left hip as well as the right leg top.
- Take the hands forward and lower the upper body on the floor. Put your forehead on the mat.
- Repeat this for the other side.
Benefits: It helps in case of trauma, fear and anxiety.
Supine Twist (Supta Matsyendrasana)
How to Perform:
- Lie on the back. Stretch out the arms to form ‘T.’ Your knees should be facing the chest.
- Drop your knees to the right side of the mat.
- Rest the left shoulder on the floor and lengthen the waist on the left side.
- Repeat this for the other side.
Benefits: It stretches the back muscles and helps realign the spine.
Performing these asanas in the morning or evening can make you feel better. Incorporate yoga in your daily life to reap its health-related benefits. Your body will definitely thank you.