Plough Pose

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Halasana

Halasana is a combination of two Sanskrit root words, ‘Hala’, which means plough and ‘asana’, which means physical posture. The final position of this posture bears resemblance to the wooden plough of ancient times. The age old yogis believed that by mastering this asana one could become as strong as a plough and root out all physical ailments.

Techniques:

• Lie down on the floor and put your feet together.
• Keep arms by the side of the body, and palms on the floor.
• Inhale and lift the legs up.
• Slowly roll the spine off the floor, lift the buttocks up .
• Now bend down and lower the legs and back over the head touching the toes to the floor.
• Move the forearms upwards and bend the elbows.
• Place both the palms under the middle part of the back.
• Support the back as done in Sarvangasana (Shoulder stand pose).
• Try to keep the upper body perpendicular to the floor.
• Keep the chin pressed against the throat pit.
• Keep the toes on the floor and the feet close to each other.
• Balance the body on the elbows, upper arms, shoulders, back of the neck and head.
• Close your eyes and hold the pose for as long as is comfortable.
• Release the support of the back by moving the arms.
• Gently come out of the position lowering the spine down on the floor.
• Keeping the knees straight, lower the legs to the floor.
• Gradually take the control of all the movements.
• Relax in Shavasana (Corpse pose).

Contra-indications:

• Arthritis in the neck.
• Sciatica.
• Slipped disc.
• High blood pressure.
• Hernia.

Benefits:

For Children:

• Good for increasing height.
• Balancing the hormonal secretion in the child for good physical fitness and growth.
• Excel to scale the emotion in teens.
• Opens the lungs and helps to inhale more oxygen.
• Helps to open the alveoli to its optimum level.

For Adults:

• Massages the digestive and reproductive organs.
• Alleviates constipation and dyspepsia.
• Revitalizes endocrinal glands and help in conditions like diabetes and liver sluggishness.
• Relieves back spasms and stretches.
• Increases metabolic rate and build up immune system.
• Tone the nerves by working on the spine, ensuring efficient functioning.
• Useful in curing diseases like asthma, bronchitis, constipation, colitis, hepatitis, urinary tract and menstrual disorders.