Neck and Back Stretches with Akarna Dhanurasana

Akarna Dhanurasana is a bow to ear posture, and involves the practitioner pulling the leg in such a way that it looks like a bow with an arrow. Akarna means being stretched and dhanur means bow. So it’s a stretched bow posture as it makes the yoga practitioner resemble this form. This posture is supposed to be good for spine stretching and for neck and back stretches. The Akarna Dhanurasana yoga should be learnt from a yoga teacher, but here is a step by step guide to help you understand the intricacies of the posture.

Method:

• You must be in a seated position with your legs spread straight out. Then bend your left leg at the knee and place your left foot over the right thigh. When you do this, make sure to keep the right leg straight.


• Then with your left hand, hold the big toe of the left leg, and with your right hand, hold the big toe of your right leg.


• Breathe in and breathe out deeply before beginning to lift your left leg with your left hand. Slowly, pull it to the left ear and hold this position.


• Breathe normally through this posture.


• After holding the position for some time, come back to your original position.


• Repeat the same set of steps with the other leg.

Benefits:

• This posture is supposed to be one of the best neck and back exercises.


• If you have pain in the lumbar region and the back, then this posture can bring relief.


• Akarna Dhanurasana is known to increase the elasticity of the shoulder and thigh joint.


• This position is good for those with rheumatic conditions or arthritis.


• This posture is known to revitalize the muscles of the spine and neck, and exercise the joints of legs and hands. If you’ve been suffering from neck and back pain because of a sedentary job, then this asana will be helpful.


• This posture is known to tone up the abdominal organs and the chest.


• It is believed that people with respiratory problems like a cough, tuberculosis or asthma can get relief after practicing this posture.


• This yoga asana expands the chest, strengthens the lungs and increases the capacity to hold air.


• This yoga asana is known to cure the pain in the legs, and pain due to gout and tumour in the armpit. It also cures constipation, indigestion and tonsillitis.


• This yoga asana is known to bring relief to women suffering from irregular menstruation, and pain in the lower abdomen.