Uttanasan is almost similar to Paschimottanasana , only difference is Paschimottanasana is Seated Forward Bend Pose and Uttanasan is Standing Forward Bend Pose. In the initial stages, it looks very difficult to get this pose done successfully. You can't even touch your toes. But after few days practise, it seems achievable. This asana is included in Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) as Position 2 and position 9. There are few steps that are useful to achieve the final position of this asana. You might like our post How to do Karnapidasana - Steps and Benefits Steps of Uttanasan (Standing Forward Bend Pose) - Step 1 - Stand on the floor in relaxed position. Raise your hands and stretch your body with little ease not too much. Now, try to bend yourself slowly from the hip and try to touch your knees with hands and then if possible try to touch shin. keep yourself in same position for 2-3 seconds. Then get back in standing position slowly. Step 2 - Stand on the flo...

Ardha Matsyendrasan (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose or Half Spinal Twist Pose) is an alternative asana (pose) for Matsyendrasan (Lord of the Fishes Pose). Matsyendrasan(Lord of the Fishes Pose) was introduced by Yogi Matsyendra Nath . But, it is difficult to achieve the complete position of Matsyendrasan. So Indian yogis discovered Ardh Matsyendrasan which is easier than Matsyendrasan and have almost same benefits that of Matsyendrasan. In other asanas like Halasan , Paschimottanasana , we get a bend to back bone from back/front side, but in Ardha Matsyendrasan, our back bone turns in vertical axis. You might like our post How to do Gomukhasana or Cow Face Pose Steps of Ardha Matsyendrasan (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose or Half Spinal Twist Pose) - Sit down with the stretched legs in front of you. Keep both the legs touched to each other and the spine erect. Bend left leg and keep the heal of the same, beside the right leg's hip. Take the right leg over the left knee and ...

Shalabhasan (Locust or Grasshopper Pose) means to lie down on the floor on abdomen and lift your legs little in the backward without bending knees. As this pose looks like a Grasshopper, it is named as Shalabhasan (Grasshopper pose). We are going to learn Steps and Benefits of Shalabhasan . Steps of Shalabhasan (Locust or Grasshopper Pose) - Lie down on the floor on your abdomen. Keep your hands underneath your thighs. Keep your legs straight and touching each other. Now, try to lift your legs in the backward without bending your knees. You can use your hands to give a little support to lift your legs. Keep yourself for sometime in this position. This pose need a lots of strength. So, for beginner, there is one more option which is called Ardh Shalabhasan. Steps of Ardh Shalabhasan (Half Locust or Half Grasshopper Pose) Lie down on the floor on your abdomen. Keep your hands underneath your thighs. Keep your legs straight and touching each other. Now, lift only one ...

In this article, we will seeHow to do Matsyasan or Fish pose in stps and it's benefits. Matsyasan (Fish pose) is counter pose of Sarvangasan (Shoulder Stand Pose) . In Sarvangasan (Shoulder Stand Pose) , we get stretch on back, neck etc. In Matsyasan (Fish pose), we get a stretch on upper and lower abdomen, front neck, front side of thigh etc. So, this pose should be done after Sarvangasan (Shoulder Stand Pose) . We are going to learn Steps and Benefits of Matsyasan . You might like our post How to do Shalabhasan or Grasshopper pose Steps of Matsyasan (Fish pose) - Sit on Padmasan (Lotus pose) first. Once settled on it, lie down on the floor. Now, touch respective big toe with the fingers of respective hand, meaning right big toe with right hand fingers and vice versa. Now, try to bend your neck towards the floor and try to touch crown of the head to the floor. This is a Matsyasan (Fish pose). It does not need a strength like Sarvangasan (Shoulder Stand Pose) ,...

In this article, we will see How to do Sarvangasan or Shoulder Stand Pose in steps and it's benefits. Sarvangasan (Shoulder Stand Pose) gives a good effect to thyroid glands functioning, which ultimately helps improving in functioning of whole body as Thyroid is called king of all glands. We are going to learn Steps and Benefits of Sarvangasan . You might like our post How to do Shirshasan or Head Stand Pose Steps of Sarvangasan (Shoulder Stand Pose) - Lie down on the back for few seconds to get relax. Keep your legs closer to each other. Now, lift your legs in upward direction perpendicular to the floor. Once settled in this position, try to lift your waist using your hands. But take care that your legs will not go in the direction of your head like in the Halasan . Keep your legs straight and keep your toes in upward direction. Keep your eyes on the toes and keep your mouth shut. Confirm that your body weight should be on your shoulder and neck. This is the ...

In this article, we are going to know about basic preparation for exercise. Any exercise in the world needs a basic preparation like perfect time, equipment, space etc. Before starting any exercise, following are the basic things to be keep in mind before doing any exercise – You might like our post Yoga Introduction Basic preparation for exercise Below are some tips that can be useful in Basic preparation for exercise Don’t do any exercise before 4 hours after having food. Don’t have a food at least 40 minutes after doing exercise. Keep your mind fresh while doing an exercise as it will give you better results. So, it is always suggested to do exercise in the early morning. In case of yoga and fast pace exercise or running or cardio etc. keep at least one hour gap between two. For example, if you have done yoga, don’t do the running for next hour or vice versa. There is no fix or specific time for yoga but morning is always better time as you will get a fresh and no...

In this article, we will learn How to do Halasan or Plow pose in steps and it's benefits. As the position of our body in this asana looks like a farmer's plow, it is called hal (meaning plow) asan (meaning pose). This pose can be taken in different steps. We are going to learn Steps and Benefits of Halasan . You might like our post How to do Paschimottanasana or Seated forward bend pose Steps of Halasan (Plow pose) - Lie down on the back with stretched body and legs (This is a foundation step). Now, keep your hands on the floor, straight, in rest position and parallel to your legs. Slowly lift your legs upward. As, it will be difficult in first attempt, bend your legs/knees to make it easy to lift in upward direction. Now, try to lift your waist in upward direction. This will automatically push your legs toward your head. This also is difficult for the beginners. So, take the help of your hands to lift your waist. Once you completely lifted and bent your ...

Paschimottanasana (seated forward bend pose) is seated on the floor by stretching your legs and bending yourself in front and trying to touch your knees with your head. It can be performed in different ways to master the position. In the initial stages, it is very difficult to even bend yourself in the front direction. There are few easy steps that are helpful to get a command over this asana (pose). If you are doing it for the first time, please follow the Paschimottanasana procedure given below properly to master it very soon. Don’t try to do the final position directly else it might harm you. Paschimottanasana or Seated forward bend pose Paschimottanasana meaning In the HINDU philosophy, every day starts by praying to the LORD SURYA (SUN). So, as a habit, HINDU people do everything, heading themselves towards PURVA DISHA (EAST). Paschimottanasan means  Paschim – West (Forward here),...

Shirshasana or Head Stand Pose or Inverted asana is balancing whole body on your head with the help of your hands or forearms, taking your legs in the upward direction. It is exactly opposite to standing on to the feet. This is also called as Yoga Position on Head and Hands. The exact position of this asana looks like below image . It is one of the important asana which should be done daily. It has many benefits that every person needs in today’s unhealthy life style.  Shirshasana or Head stand pose It looks little difficult to do initially but if you practice it daily with proper steps you will be able to master it soon. But don’t make any hurry to achieve it. It is called Yoga Position on Head and Hands because in this position one needs to balance whole body only on Head and both the Hands . If you are doing it for first time, you should follow Shirshasana procedure provided below (1, 2 and 3) and should go in same sequence step by step to achieve the final pose. Please don’t...

Yoga is one of the great gifts given by Hindu Dharma to the world. It was introduced in India and has been followed by Indian people for long time (approximately since Vedic time). In earlier centuries, it was introduced by some great people to the world like Swami Vivekananda or few others. You might like our post How to do Padmasana Yoga is useful not only for physical or mental preparation but it is also used for spiritual progress of the person. It is perfect for any type of person, of any age, gender, health and in any condition as well. Many studies have tried to determine the effectiveness of yoga as a complementary intervention for cancer, schizophrenia, asthma, and heart disease. Yoga Benefits Yoga is beneficial in 3 ways: 1. Physical Increases stamina, Useful in weight loss, Increases flexibility of body, Improvement in respiration and body energy, Controls Blood Pressure, Diabetes etc. 2. Mental Stress management, Meditation, Metal calm...

Lotus Pose which is also known as Padmasana because if we see the final position of this asana, our leg position looks something like the petals of a lotus flower. But What is the significance of the lotus pose? There are many significance of the Lotus Pose. But the main significance of the Lotus pose is, it strengthens the feet, back bone and improves mental health. This pose is specially made to improve the health of the feet. Therefore it has many benefits for feet but it also benefits other parts of the body including inner body organs. After reading this article you will be easily able to find What is the significance of the lotus pose? So, let's start now. What is the Lotus Pose? Lotus Pose is a crossed leg sitting posture where we need to sit on the floor or a mat, keeping our spinal cord very erect and then we need to place both the legs on exactly opposite thighs. (Please see in the pictur...