Yoga A New Life Style: 17 ►Hrdayastabhasana (Heat Retention Posture)

In today's fast paced modern life heart ailments seem to have become devil itself waiting to gobble up whosoever comes their way, age no bar. Through medium of yoga, Yogacharyas have not only found a cure for these ailments but have also started using yoga as an effective preventive measure against these ailments. It has been noted that number of people who are suffering from heart ailment are fewer among those who regularly practice Hrdayastabhasana.

Hrdayastabhasana (Heat Retention Posture)

Method

Lie down on your back.

1. Inhale and take your hands to back of head at an angle of 45 degrees.
2. Inhale and lift legs at same angle. Exhale slowly.
3. Lift neck and position it between hands. Focus your eyes on heart. Only back will remain on floor.
4. Slowly bring hands and legs back on mat while exhaling. Relax till breath becomes normal.

Duration

When hands and legs are lifted during practice of this asana practitioner must inhale and then hold his breath for some time. On exhaling, body relaxes. Repeat this practice 5 times.

Effect on Health

Practice of this asana keeps spine strong and well shaped resulting in a healthy body. Prana energy remains balanced. As stretch is felt directly on parasympathetic nerve, nervous system develops and becomes strong. The erect position of spine during practice of this asana keeps a person calm and pure in nature.

The pressure on lungs throws out all impurities in bronchioles. The capacity of lungs to discharge air increases. Thus breath related diseases get cured. Blood gets purified and face glows with health and beauty. The gait of a person suffering from sciatica is crooked. This asana brings relief from this pain, too.

Practice of this asana greatly influences the adrenal and thymus glands and kidneys. The entire nervous system becomes flexible and strong. Proper circulation of blood infuses a fresh flow of vital energy.

The blockages in arteries of heart are removed. Hrdayastabhasana can be said to be similar to Naukasana.

Other Benefits

1. Blood circulation in arteries of heart becomes systematic and heart is strengthened.
2. Complaints regarding shoulders, chest, heart and back are eased.
3. Abdomen does not bulge.
4. Digestive system remains in order and gastric disorders are cured.
5. As the navel region centre becomes strengthened, functioning of nervous system becomes strong and active.
6. Muscles of chest, neck and legs become strong. This asana relieves sciatic pain and pain in hands and legs.