Hastasana or Raised Hands Pose
Urdhva Hastasana or the Raised Hands Pose is a simple and rejuvenating posture. In fact, when you do it for the first time, you will in all probability realize that this is the same pose that we do subconsciously every morning, after rolling out of bed. We do it when we’re still partially sleepy and lethargic, and after doing this action, we automatically feel fresh and ready to take on the day. This action is about raising the arms, arching the spine and drawing the head back. This simple action gets energy flowing after a god night’s sleep.
So, quite often, when beginners join a yoga class and encounter the Urdhva Hastasana for the first time, they think the pose is too simple to practice, especially when everyone does it each morning to jerk off the lethargy. But it is advisable to do this posture with sincerity as there are several other yoga postures that are based on this simple posture. For instance, backbends and arm balances are based on the Urdhva Hastasana.
How to do this pose:
Experiencing Urdhva Hastasana: While practicing this posture, let your breath move along the entire length of your torso. Pay attention to every little movement. When you lift your arms up, feel the lightness of the movement and the flow of energy.
Benefits of the Raised Hands Pose:
Tips for beginners: To understand the right posture, practice this particular pose with your back against a wall. This way you can feel the alignment. You can also keep a block between your thighs, gently squeeze and roll it backward to understand the rotation of the thighs.
Things to keep in mind:
So, quite often, when beginners join a yoga class and encounter the Urdhva Hastasana for the first time, they think the pose is too simple to practice, especially when everyone does it each morning to jerk off the lethargy. But it is advisable to do this posture with sincerity as there are several other yoga postures that are based on this simple posture. For instance, backbends and arm balances are based on the Urdhva Hastasana.
How to do this pose:
- First, you have to get into the Tadasana or Mountain Pose and keep your arms to the side and your feet pressed together.
- Then slowly bring your arms up and press your palms together.
- Be sure to keep your arms straight and gaze up at your thumbs.
- While in Urdhva Hastasana slide your shoulder blades down the back.
- It is important to pay attention to your alignment.
Experiencing Urdhva Hastasana: While practicing this posture, let your breath move along the entire length of your torso. Pay attention to every little movement. When you lift your arms up, feel the lightness of the movement and the flow of energy.
Benefits of the Raised Hands Pose:
- It opens up the shoulders.
- This posture is known to strengthen the thighs.
- It is also good for improving the general posture of the body.
Tips for beginners: To understand the right posture, practice this particular pose with your back against a wall. This way you can feel the alignment. You can also keep a block between your thighs, gently squeeze and roll it backward to understand the rotation of the thighs.
Things to keep in mind:
- You must be relaxed while doing this posture and should not force any movements.
- If you are feeling stiff that means that you are pulling hard. So relax and then do this posture.