Muni Kishan Lal
The meaning of 'Shalbha' is 'Locust'. While performing this asana, body resembles a locust and hence the name Shalbhasana.
Shalbhasana (Locust Posture) (A)
Method 1
Lie down on stomach with chin touching the floor. Straighten both legs, toes of feet touching floor, palms facing floor and hands close to the body.
Method 2
Place hands under thighs. Make a note to keep soles of feet and palms facing.
Shalbhasana (Locust Posture) (B)
Duration
Initially time span should not exceed half-a-minute but with practice it can be increased to two minutes. While inhaling legs are lifted up
Place hands under thighs. Make a note to keep soles of feet and palms facing sky. Now with support of fingers or without the support, lift legs up.
and while exhaling, brought down. After completing asana breathe normally for a short while.
Precautions
Persons suffering from ulcer, displacement of vertebras of spine (slip disc) and heart ailments are advised not to practice this asana.
The pose is not advisable for persons with abdominal complaints and splenic enlargement.
Effect on Health
Shalbhasana, Makarasana, Bhujangasana and Dhanurasana can be clubbed together as asanas that are to be done lying on stomach. It is advised to practice Shalbhasana after Bhujangasana. In Bhujangasana, the portion above waist is lifted up and during practice of Shalbhasana body below waist is lifted up. Thus Shalbhasana is reverse or opposite of Bhujangasana.
With practice of this asana, body below spine remains active and becomes flexible. As the stretch is experienced in muscles below waist, blood circulation in this part of the body remains steady.
All organs of the abdomen like kidneys, pancreas, big and small intestine, liver and lower abdomen are exercised and keeps them healthy. Digestive system is strengthened and fresh blood production is ensured. Sciatica is a nerve that travels from spine down to the feet. Pain in this nerve is unbearable. Shalbhasana helps relieve this pain and regular practice can help practitioner get rid of the pain altogether.
Stomach and its muscles are greatly influenced by this asana. The pressure exerted on stomach results in adequate blood supply reaching to kidneys. This in turn helps kidneys to function efficiently. Obesity is tackled as fat accumulated around waist disappears. Muscles in legs are strengthened making a person active and agile in his daily activities.
Other than remaining healthy body remains in shape, strong and beautiful. It retains its flexibility. The skin glows, stays soft without any trace of pimples.
The main impact of this asana is on adrenal glands, which are situated above the kidneys. The epidermis of this gland is called adrenal cortex. The hormone corticosteroid is secreted by adrenal cortex. The main functions of this hormone are to maintain balance of salts and acids in bloodstream and regulation of metabolism of sugar. Inadequate secretion ofthis hormone leads to mental stress, depression, sagging skin and a disorder called chronic fatigue syndrome. Regular practice of Shalbhasana regulates production thus becoming a cure for the above ailments.
The other important gland to be influenced with regular practice of Shalbhasana is the gonads, which is situated in the sacral region of the body. It is said to be of prime importance in area of health. With regular practice of Shalbhasana, the complete region around the gonads experiences the required stretch. As a result of this, machoism in man and kindness, friendship and compassion develops in woman.
Other Benefits Regular practice of Shalbhasana helps to develop and strengthen the nerves of hands, legs and spine. This asana has a massage like effect on organs of chest and stomach thus strengthening them. This asana also helps to bring displaced navel back to its original place. It also helps to reduce unnecessary fat on belly. It relieves constipation and flatulence thus increasing appetite. The flow of blood remains steady.
