Parvatasana

Parvata means a mountain. This asana is also known as Viyogasana’, because it involves a special technique of Yoga. only healthy persons should practise this asana.

Technique

Sit in Padmasana. Join the palms of the hands. Stretch the arms vertically up over the head. Some persons perform this asana sitting in the posture of Veerasana. But the Padmasana posture is better than the Veerasana one.

Advantages

• As both the arms are kept vertically up in this asana, the ‘Prana’ is sublimated.
• If Suryabheda Pranayama or Anuloma-Viloma Pranayama is practised for fifteen minutes before performing this (Parvatasana) asana, the lungs, the abdomen and the spine become strong and healthy.
• This asana gives sufficient exercise to the muscles of the arms.

Utthita Padmasana - Lolasana

This asana is a variation of Padmasana. in this asana, the body is lifted up with both the hands on the floor. This is the reason why it is called ‘Utthita Padmasana’ or Lolasana or Dolasana. This asana is more difficult than Padmasana because in this asana the whole body is balanced on both the hands.

Utthita Padmasana Technique

Sit in Padmasana. Rest the palms on the floor besides the hips. Slowly raise the trunk without a jerk. The body should not quiver. Retain the breath in the lungs as long as the body is in the raised position. Exhale when the body is lowered down. While performing this asana, some beginners experience tremor in the hands because of some weakness. But it should not dishearten them. They should practise the asana patiently and with perseverance.

Advantages

1. This asana strengthens the joints and muscles of the arms.
2. This asana helps to cure intestinal weakness, onstipation, indigestion, dysentery, drowsiness, impurities of lubular channels, etc.
3. This asana works as an appetiser which is a good liaracteristic of health.

Kukkut Asana

‘Kukkuta’ is a Sanskrit word which means a cock. This asana or posture resembles that of a cock and hence is called Kukkutasana.

Kukkutasana Technique

Sit in the Padmasana position. Insert the hands through the gap between the thighs and calves near the knees. Part with the fingers and gradually push the hands up to the elbows. Inhale and raise the body off the floor. Then continue normal breathing. Legs should be raised off the floor up to the kvel of the elbows. Hands can easily be inserted in the gap if he Padmasana position is slightly raised. Pot-bellied persons will i md it difficult to insert the hands in the gap between the calves find the thighs. In the beginning, remain in this position for ten seconds and gradually increase the time to a minute depending upon the age and ability of the aspirant.

Advantages

1. All the benefits derived from Utthita Padmasana or Lolasana are derived from this asana. The diseases which Utthita Padmasana cures can be cured by this asana also.
2. This asana is beneficial to those who have worms in their intestines.
3. This asana is very useful to women as it cures uneasiness, pain in the hips and heaviness caused by menstruation.
4. This asana gives sufficient exercise to the arms. It stengthens the wrists, the elbows and the shoulders-the three important joints of the arms.
5. This asana invigorates the body and delights the mind.

Garbh Asana

When this asana is performed, the pose achieved resembles that of a human foetus in the womb. So this asana is called Garbhasana.

Technique

As in Kukkutasana, insert the hands between the thighs and the calves. Push the arms forward till the elbows can be easily bent. Then hold the lobe of the right ear with the right hand and of the left ear with the left hand. Stay in this position very cautiously to avoid tumbling. The constant practice of this asana will enable you to balance the body on the coccyx (the tail bone). If aspirants experience difficulty in performing this asana in Padmasana position, it should be practised without Padmasana. While performing this asana, let the legs be stretched on the floor. The asana should be performed for 8 to 10 seconds in the beginning. Later, the time of the retention of the asana can be increased to one minute depending on the age and ability of the aspirant and the benefits expected.

Advantages

1. This asana helps to cure diseases like colic pain, flatuence, enteritis, chronic fever, constipation, etc.
2. This asana keeps the abdominal organs trim. It cures is trouble and increases the digestion power.
3. The abdominal organs, the breast and the joints of the arms and the legs get sufficient exercise through this asana and their ailments disappear.
4. This asana helps to preserve the semen and the mind begins to have communion with the soul.

Simh Asana

Simhasana is one of the eighty-four asanas. This asana is also called Bhairavasana. The face posture of this asana, when followed in Vajrasana and Bhadrasana, Vajrasana or Bhadrasana is known as Simhasana.

Technique

Bend the legs from the knees and bring them on the backside. Sit on the heels. The heels must be on both the sides of the hips. Let the distance between the knees be six inches. Place the right palm on the right knee and the left palm on the left knee. Begin exhaling through the nose and the mouth stretching the tongu.e out from the mouth. Exhaling should be completed as soon as the process of stretching the tongue out from the mouth is completed. Do not breathe now. Keep the trunk erect. Stretch all the facial muscles and widen the eyes in such a way that the face appears frightening. Look straight. Stay in the pose for about six to eight seconds. In the first week, perform this exercise twice a day. Gradually with practice, increase it to four times a day.

Advantages

1. This asana is very useful for increasing the power of memory.
2. This asana works as a medicine for throat-trouble or voice-trouble. It also cures tonsillitis.
3. It has also a good effect on the respiratory system and on the larynx.
4. This asana helps to cure all the diseases of the chest and the abdomen.
5. This asana is recommended to persons suffering from stammering. It is beneficial to the eyes, the nose and the skin.
6. This asana increases the beauty and the lustre of the face.
7. This asana has all the advantages of Vajrasana.

Manduk Asana

While performing this asana, the body takes the shape of a frog. So this asana is called Mandukasana.

Technique

Take the legs backwards. Let the feet touch each other. Stretch the knees on both the sides. Rest the hands as shown in the figure. Keep the knees as apart as possible. Kt’ the trunk straight. Look straight and breathe normally. Heimun in this position for eight to twelve seconds. Perform thi& 1 twice in the first week. Later, practise this asana four times.

Advantages

1. This asana is effective in reducing the weight of the thighs, hips and the abdomen.
2. This asana strengthens the lower parts of the loins.
3. This asana increases sexual ability. It removes the defect of the reproductive system of women.
4. This asana stimulates the digestive system.
5. The benefits which Padmasana gives can be obtained from this asana also.