Halasana / Plough Pose:
The name Halasana comes from Sanskrit Language “Hala” means "Plough" and “Asana” means "Posture" in English. The pose is described and illustrated in the 19th century Sritattvanidhi as Lāṇgalāsana, which also means plough pose in Sanskrit. In the sequence of asanas, Halasana is usually performed after Sarvangasana, which is basically a shoulder stand. It has lots of benefits
Steps of Halasana:
From sarvangasana, exhale and bend from the hip joints to slowly lower your toes to the floor above and beyond your head. As much as possible, keep your torso perpendicular to the floor and your legs fully extended.
With your toes on the floor, lift your upper thighs and tailbone toward the ceiling. Continue to draw your chin away from your sternum and soften your throat.
You can continue to press your hands against the back torso, pushing the back up toward the ceiling as you press the backs you can release your hands away from your back and stretch the arms out behind you on the floor, opposite the legs. Clasp the hands and press the arms actively down.
· For beginners it is possible they can’t comfortably rest their feet on the floor, so no need to rush up, don’t force yourself your appropriate prop to rest your feet at distance between your feet and the floor.
To come out from Halasana bring your hands onto your back again, lift back into Sarvangasana with an exhalation then roll down onto your back or simply roll out of the pose with an exhalation.
Asana to follow after halasana is bhujangasana (cobra pose)
Benefits of Halasana / Plough Pose:
Strengthens and opens up the neck, shoulders, abs and back muscles.
Calms the nervous system, reduces stress and fatigue.
Therapeutic for backache, infertility, insomnia, sinusitis.
Improves the functioning of pancreas, liver and kidney.
Tones the legs and improves leg flexibility.
Stimulates the thyroid gland and strengthens the immune system.
Beneficial for the organs of the female reproductive system and helps in menopause
Do’s and Don’t’s Of Halasana/ Plough Pose:
Do’s
Always use mat while doing asana use support or prop if required
It is beneficial to practice Halasana after Sarvangasana
Don’ts
Avoid practicing halasana if you have suffering from slipped disc, severe pain or injury in back or neck, hernia, sciatica, enlarged thyroid, spleen or liver, cervical problems, heart problem or frequent headaches.
Halasana must not be practiced during pregnancy and while menstruation.
Disclaimer:
Please take note that the effects of Halasana / Plough pose may vary from person to person. The above benefits are a guideline as it has been observed by many practitioners. The exercises mentioned herein are not meant to replace any medical advice, medication, therapy that you may be getting or may have been advised by your physician.
Comments