SHALABH ASANA

Shalabh means 'locust' as the position of the body in the asana appears to be like that of a locust. Lying on stomach both legs are raised to a position where body looks like a locust. For beginners Ardha Shalabh Asana or Half Locust Pose is better in which legs are raised one by one.

Shalabh,Asana

TECHNIQUE

Lie on your stomach with your arms beneath your chest and abdomen.

Make fists side by side below your groin with your arms straight.

As you inhale, lift your legs off the floor, keeping your knees together. Keep the toe stretched to the backside and continue normal breathing. Hold it for a few moments then lower it while exhaling.

Take precaution that legs are straight at knees as otherwise the strain on desired organs is reduced and desired results are missed. During the practice chin should rest on ground.

In this asana legs should be raised and kept stable without allowing them to bend at the knees. The chin should rest on the ground.

The muscles of the shoulders neck and head should be kept relaxed. But the muscles of the thighs and abdomen should be kept stretched.

Initially practice it for 5 to 10 second. After practicing it for few days you can increase the repetitions, once you are able to do 5 repetitions easily then reduce repetitions and increase the time up to 1 min.

People suffering from back problems, TB in intestines, ulcer and, hernia should avoid this asana or consult doctor before practicing this asana.

Pregnant women should also not practice this asana.

Jerks and unbearable strains should be avoided during this asana.

BENEFITS

This asana extend spine to increase backward strength and flexibility.

In people with prolonged sitting at work and while traveling in car or in an airplane breathing becomes shallower and subtle anxiety is experienced. This asana counter balances the effects of long sittings and has a noticeable effect on both physical and emotional well-being.

This asana has a direct effect on improving spinal health. Spine consists of bony spinal vertebrae separated by shock-absorbing disks. This asana extends the spine and the pressure is placed on the back part of the vertebral body, which has the effect of pushing the disks forward into their normal and healthy position.

The muscles that run along the spine are also strengthened with this asana, so that less weight is directly borne by the spinal disks. For people troubled by chronic back pain due to bulging vertebral disks, this asana helps normalize the anatomy and reduce back discomfort.

This asana mainly centers the lower vertebra of the spinal cord and the muscles of the abdomen and thighs. The strain activates their blood circulation. As a result of this the concerned organs become more active and efficient. This strain is effective on small and big intestine and certain enzyme producing glands.

This asana also improves blood circulation in all parts of body.

It dissolves excess fat from the thighs, hips, waist, abdomen and the posterior.

Diabetic patients may control the disease with practice of this asana.

It relieves constipation and improves digestion.

This asana benefits women through its effect on the ovaries and uterus, helping to correct disorders of these organs.