We are all aware of the benefits of yoga and we all know how the practice of yoga helps our body and mind to function better. At the same time, it protects you from the risk of many diseases and keeps you active and healthy. Not only this, but by practicing yoga, you can get relief from many diseases already present in your body. There are many asanas and postures in Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh that can help you achieve your fitness and health goals., To get the benefits of these asanas and postures, it is necessary to practice them with the right method. One of these beneficial postures is Shalabhasana which is called locust pose in English.
Salabhasana-(locusts pose):
Shalabhasana is practiced while lying on the stomach. During this asana, it helps to stretch the upper back and spine. It helps to strengthen your upper body and waist. This asana is beneficial for the spine
This is the starting pose that will help improve your balance and strength so that you can be ready to practice harder asanas. Let us know how Shalabhasana is practiced and what benefits you get from its practice-
What is Shalabhasana?
Shalabhasana commonly known as locust pose is a backbend posture. The Sanskrit name of this asana, Shalabhasana, is derived from two words- Shalabha and Asana, where ‘Shalabha’ means ‘locust’ and ‘Asana’ means ‘posture’. It is called locust posture because, during the practice of this asana, you are in the shape of a grasshopper. This asana is easy to practice and anyone can do it.
Benefits of Shalabhasana:
1. Increase Flexibility:
It is necessary for the body to be flexible to stay active and perform activities of the day. That’s why you can make your body flexible with the help of yoga.
2. Strengthen Shoulders and Arms:
By practicing this asana, you can strengthen your shoulders and arms. Its practice stretches the muscles and joints of the shoulders, which helps in making them strong.
3. Tone Muscles:
If you want to tone your upper body muscles, then you should practice this asana every day. This will help you to build and tone the muscles.
4. Improve Organ Function:
The practice of this asana improves the function of your organs, especially your abdominal organ. This improves your digestion and helps you absorb nutrients.
5. Increase balance:
To do this asana, you have to balance your hands and feet to keep one seven aligned, so practicing this asana every day improves your balance and also increases your focus.
6. Reduces Weight:
Practicing Shalabhasana can help you lose weight. This is considered a good yoga posture to keep you fit. It reduces fat in our bodies.
7. Boost Health:
The practice of Shalabhasana helps in making our whole body healthy. This mudra activates the whole body. And also increases the circulation of blood throughout the body. By doing Shalabhasan yoga, diseases stay away and you remain healthy.
The correct way to do Shalabhasana:
By following these steps, you can get many benefits from the practice of this asana-
- Lie down on your stomach. Place your hands under your thighs.
- Rest your head on your chin – that is, your face should not be on the floor.
- Take a deep or short breath.
- Keep breathing and raise your legs as high as you can.
- Make sure your knees stay straight even as your legs are straight.
- Now raise your hands above the waist and keep them straight.
- In the beginning, stay in the posture for about 5 seconds.
- Gradually increase this time to about 30 seconds.
- Exhale. Slowly place your feet on the floor. Relax.
Take these Precautions during Shalabhasan:
- This asana should not be practiced by women who are pregnant or those who have back neck, or shoulder pain. Avoid practicing this asana if you have a back injury or have recently undergone abdominal surgery.
- If you feel any discomfort during the practice of the asana, then stop the practice of this asana immediately. Also, do not eat food before doing asanas. Its practice on an empty stomach is more beneficial.
- If you are troubled by headaches, or neck, and spine pain, then you should not do this yoga asana. During the practice of this asana, one should not breathe through the mouth, breathe only through the nose.
