HALA ASANA

The name of Hala Asana is made up of the two Sanskrit terms Hala or plough and Asana or posture. Therefore Hala Asana points to the pose where the body resembles the traditional plough in its final posture.

TECHNIQUE

Hala Asana

Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor, and hands at your waist.

Inhale and raise your legs and hips off the ground.

Instead of bringing your feet up, curl backward, keeping your legs straight.

Exhale, and lower your feet to the floor behind your head.

Touch your legs to the ground only when they are straight and you feel no strain in your neck. Witness your breath while feeling the sensations in your body.

Clasp your hands under your body, facing away from your feet.

Be sure to keep your knees straight. Don’t twist your head or neck.

Don’t force your toes to the ground; let gravity do this slowly. If

your toes seem like they aren’t even close, try the plough pose with a cushion or pillow behind you, so your feet can rest on something a little higher.

The hands to feet pose is a variation of the plough pose. For an even greater challenge in the plough pose, try the hands-to-feet variation. This variation is identical to the first plough, except that you stretch your arms along the ground until they touch your feet. This pose further opens and stretches the shoulders.

When you first try this asana you may find that your center of gravity is in your hips and buttocks and you may have difficulty maintaining your legs over your head. With repeated practice, you will feel increasing comfort bringing your legs over your head and maintaining your balance with little effort. You may initially have difficulty flexing enough for your toes to touch the floor.

Avoid Hala Asana during pregnancy and menstruation.

Hala Asana should be discontinued when you experience pain on the abdominal region.

If you experience pain in the spleen or the liver while doing Hala Asana, immediately discontinue it.

Hala Asana is not advisable for people having heart problems, high blood pressure or hernia.

BENEFITS

This Asana stimulates the spine; strengthens the nervous system, improves the circulation; releases neck tension; relieves constipation; decreases insomnia; promotes mental relaxation; activates the mercury chakra located in the throat; improves communication; and stimulates the stomach, spleen, small intestine, heart, liver, gall bladder, and kidneys.

Menstrual and uterine disorders get corrected.

Regular practice of Hala asana cures the early symptoms of piles.

The pancreas is rejuvenated and activated hence diabetic patients can get therapeutic benefits from this asana.

If there is a family history of high blood pressure, you can use Hala Asana to avoid it and keep it under control. However, if you are already suffering from high blood pressure then first cure high blood pressure using other yoga asana.

Hala Asana also give relief from chronic asthma, bronchitis, and headaches.

Enteroposis, flatulence, gastritis, and belching are also rectified.

Cramps in the hands get cured when we put pressure on the palms while raising the legs or during the finger lock.

Hala Asana is an ideal exercise to ensure regular bowl movement and you will experience heightened digestive power.

Various kinds of rheumatisms get cured.

Spinal rigidity and lumbago also get healed through regular practice of Hala asana and there will be release of tension especially of the legs, back and the neck. Different types of pains including joint pain are effectively addressed. Moreover, it alleviates neuralgic back pain, as well as the pain of waist and shoulders.

Hala Asana boosts reproductive glands and pelvic and abdominal organs are strengthened. Moreover, their positions get corrected.

Regular practice of Hala Asana rejuvenates the mind and the body removing laziness and fatigue.

Hala Asana corrects posture and gives its practitioner full stature and increased height. The hip joints become suppler and waist line will become slimmer.

It reduces body weight and gives a trimmer abdominal region. In other words, superfluous flab on the hips, waist, thighs and abdomen get reduced.

The legs and the pelvic region gets stretched and well exercised.

It also clears throat hnce musicians and teachers can enjoy special advantages from regular practice of Hala asana.

The neck muscles are also exercised and they become stronger.

It gives better parathyroid and thyroid functioning.

The lungs become suppler.

There would be augmented blood supply to your face and brain.

Liver and spleen enlargement or congestion is reduced.

Minor spinal disorders are corrected.

Hala Asana prevents premature degeneration of the vertebral column and the vertebral bones. Regular slow and alternate stretching, unwinding, relaxation and contraction of the spinal column make it flexible. Spinal ligaments, muscles and nerves get toned up and they get more supply of oxygenated blood.

The heart gets strengthened owing to the alternate pressure put on the heart muscle. The posterior and the intercostal muscles become stronger. Blood circulation is increased.

Hamstrings, back muscles and the neck muscles get well stretched and exercised with Hala Asana.