Dhanurasana or Bow Pose Yoga
We tend to become sluggish doing our daily office work to earn our bread and butter. We often ignore minor symptoms like backaches, neck pain, or thigh pain. Our eating habits are slave to our hectic lifestyles and most of us just gulp down any junk food that happens to be at hand when we are hungry. All this comes at a cost.
Many people suffer from diabetes. An increasing number of young men and women are at a higher risk of heart disease. Aching backs, necks, and shoulders are extremely commonplace. All of these ailments only serve to lessen the quality of life that we lead.
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, then perhaps it is time to try your hand at the Dhanurasana, or Bow pose yoga. In this yoga posture, the body is stretched in a position which resembles an archer’s bow.
How to perform the Dhanurasana
Let us look take a look at the step-wise instructions to perform this simple, yet very beneficial yoga pose:
Benefits
Bow Yoga offers a number of benefits. It spruces up your body and gives instant relief to the ankles, chest, abdomen, and thighs. It helps in strengthening the backbone and enhances spinal flexibility. In fact, dhanurasana yoga is considered to be one of the best exercises to improve digestion. It is also very beneficial for people suffering from diabetes.
Precautions
You should avoid performing this posture if you are suffering from spinal or back injuries, a weak spine, high blood pressure, coronary or intestinal problems, and ulcers in the stomach. It is also not recommended for pregnant women.
Many people suffer from diabetes. An increasing number of young men and women are at a higher risk of heart disease. Aching backs, necks, and shoulders are extremely commonplace. All of these ailments only serve to lessen the quality of life that we lead.
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, then perhaps it is time to try your hand at the Dhanurasana, or Bow pose yoga. In this yoga posture, the body is stretched in a position which resembles an archer’s bow.
How to perform the Dhanurasana
Let us look take a look at the step-wise instructions to perform this simple, yet very beneficial yoga pose:
- Lie down flat on your abdomen. Keep your hands alongside your body.
- Start bending your knees until they reach close to your buttocks. Ensure your toes are hip-width apart.
- Stretch your arms to hold your ankles with your hands. In case the ankles are inaccessible, try wrapping a strap to the front of ankles. Hold the strap in this case.
- Start inhaling and simultaneously begin lifting your torso and legs off the ground. This is when your body will acquire the shape that gives the bow pose its name.
- Stay in this position for the next ten to fifteen second. Ensure that you do not strain your body during this time. Keep inhaling in this final posture.
- Return to the starting position as you breath out. Relax and breathe quietly for next few seconds.
- Repeat the entire process for at least three to four times. Try keeping your feet and knees together in subsequent rounds to obtain the maximum benefit.
Benefits
Bow Yoga offers a number of benefits. It spruces up your body and gives instant relief to the ankles, chest, abdomen, and thighs. It helps in strengthening the backbone and enhances spinal flexibility. In fact, dhanurasana yoga is considered to be one of the best exercises to improve digestion. It is also very beneficial for people suffering from diabetes.
Precautions
You should avoid performing this posture if you are suffering from spinal or back injuries, a weak spine, high blood pressure, coronary or intestinal problems, and ulcers in the stomach. It is also not recommended for pregnant women.