Follow the instructions to make the best of this wonderful yogic posture. Click on the image to enlarge it.
- Spre
ad out a thick sheet of clothe or a blanket on the floor. - Lie flat on your back, and slowly raise your legs until they are in a straight line with trunk and hips.
- Support the back on sides with your hands.
- The chin must touch the thorax.
- The shoulder and neck must touch the floor.
- Hold your legs in straight line and breathe deeply.
- Beginners should retain their breath while lifting legs. It makes the lifting easier.
- Exhale when legs are stretched out.
- During the posture, inhale and exhale deeply.
- After the termination of posture, bring your legs down slowly while breathing out
- Practice this for 30 second to 1 minute initially and then increase the duration as you progress.
Benefits
- Massages the thyroid gland and stimulate its proper function.
- Centralizes the blood supply to spine and keep it strong and elastic.
- Because of the inverted position, it helps prevent stagnation of blood in veins and encourage circulation.
- Encourages deep abdominal breathing and massages heart and lungs.
- Relieves mental lethargy and sluggishness.
- Helps cure insomnia and depression.
- Stimulates pranic flow in the stomach, small intestine, urinary and gall bladder, pericardium and kidney meridians.
- Persistent practice may reverse age-related dullness on the face.
Note: Inverted yoga postures are not recommended for people suffering from high blood pressure. Consult your physician.
Illustrations by Dr. Manjit Handa
