What started as a stop-gap arrangement, has now turned into a standard practice exercise routine.
From the past few months, I have been taking non-essential calls over a brisk walk – it’s the best of both worlds. The body keeps working, and the mind too gets some relaxation. No stress as these are calls that I can take anytime really – so might as well while covering a lot of minutes on the side:)
And a fast walk also helps loosen up the lower back, relieving the stress of sitting for long periods while working.
Speaking of the back, here is a yog āsanā that can help the back a lot. And it’s not as difficult.
Vakra means twisted, and hence Vakrasana is called the twisted pose.
The Vakrasana yoga posture helps to tone the nerves around the spinal cord, strengthen our abdomen and stimulate the internal organs.
This yoga asana helps reduce belly fat and lose weight – a major factor in helping diabetics control their blood sugar and lead an active life.
Vakrsana is a simplified version of Ardhamatsyendrasana. Vakrasana is usually recommended for people who are unable to practice Ardhamatsyendrasana.
How to practice Vakrasana
- Sit down stretching your legs forward on the ground.
- Keep your hands beside your thighs or buttocks.
- Bend your right leg straight and stretched.
- Keep the left foot beside the right knee and the left knee raised upward.
- Inhale and raise the arms shoulder high, keeping the elbows straight.
- Exhaling, twist to the left, place the right arm by the outer side of the left knee and hold the left ankle with the right hand.
- Take the left hand behind the back keeping the palms on the floor.
- Look backward towards the left side.
- Hold on the position.
- The final position of each stage should be held while breathing, naturally. Hold the position as long as comfortable.
- Then inhale and raise the right arm shoulder high, keeping the elbows straight.
- Exhaling, release the left twist, place the right hand by the side of right buttock and left hand by the side of left buttock.
- Take a deep breath and relax.
- Repeat the same from the other side.
- Practice on both sides.
Benefits Of Vakrasana
- It stimulates the pancreas and is therefore beneficial for people with diabetes
- It helps reduce belly fat
- It relieves the stiffness of the spine
- It helps with proper secretion of stomach acid, which helps correct digestion problems
- It helps in relieving symptoms of constipation and liver weakness
- It increases elasticity of the spine and makes it supple
- It tones spinal nerves
- It strengthens back muscles and reduces back ache