Vrischikasana The Scorpion Pose

VRISCHIKASANA: The Scorpion Pose

Vrishchikasana or the Scorpion Pose is an inverted asana/pose and an advanced yoga asana that has great benefits for the spinal column and nerves, the endocrine glands, and has anti-aging benefits. In Sanskrit, Vrishchika means Scorpion. In the final position, Vrischikasana resembles the scorpion with its tail lifted upwards. When a scorpion wants to sting its victim, it raises the tail above the back and strikes the victim over the head. This pose resembles a scorpion ready to strike. This pose is usually done at the end of asana practice. It is a combination of a backbend and forearm balance pose. To perform this yoga, pose or asana successfully, you need Flexibility, balance, arms, and shoulder strength.

PREPARATORY POSES FOR SCORPION

• Cobra Pose
• King Cobra
• Pigeon Pose
• King Pigeon Pose
• Handstand

Steps of Vrischikasana (Scorpion Pose):

• Start by kneeling on the floor and bending forward. As you do this, keep your elbows and forearms in contact with the floor with your palms facing down.
• Keep your arms at an appropriate distance from your shoulders.
• Move your head forward and lift it as high as possible; Lift your butt and place your feet firmly on your toes (do dolphin pose for this step).
• Inhale and slowly lift both legs. Stand up straight and maintain your balance.
• Then try to bend your knees slightly and bring your legs closer to your head, trying to touch it with your feet. (Be careful not to move your legs too quickly.)
• Hold the position for a few seconds or as long as possible.
• To release the position, reverse the previous steps and return to the starting position.

Start by keeping your legs straight in line with your head. When you feel comfortable or can easily balance, bend your knees, move your legs forward, and try to touch your head with your feet. This is a very intense exercise asana. Therefore, it is very important to practice this pose daily and perform it in front of the specialist. For this position, you need more flexibility and strength. So, learn the basic asanas first and then try Vrischikasana – Scorpion Pose. Give yourself a break of a few hours between meals and training.

Benefits of Scorpion Pose:

• It Strengthens the middle, back, arms, and shoulders.
• Works on your sense of equilibrium
• Working on the adaptability of the spine
• Fabricates endurance and perseverance.
• Permits blood to race to the cerebrum further developing memory and fixation.
• Stimulates the hair follicles in the scalp (balding avoidance)
• Discharge amassed pressure in the shoulders and spine
• Vrishchikasana gives everyone the advantage of transformed asanas like Shirshasana. It turns around the impact of gravity on the body.
• It expands the progression of blood to the head and cerebrum. Helps in the maintenance of the pituitary gland and works on the soundness of the relative multitude of endocrine organs.
• Helps in piles and varicose veins.
• It conditions the reproductive organs
• The asana helps in maintaining the muscles of the back and spine.
• It helps in increasing the strength of the arms. It is good for creating a sense of balance.

Safety and Precautions

Only experienced and well-trained practitioners should attempt this pose and exercise caution. Do not attempt this pose if you have hip or back problems, high blood pressure, or are pregnant. If you have glaucoma, inversion is not recommended. Listen to your body. If you experience physical discomfort or a feeling of unproductivity, carefully exit the pose. Practicing yoga should never be painful.

A world without sound is unimaginable. It is everywhere and in everything, if not loud, then at least subtle. Sound is energy. It was not invented or discovered, but something that has always existed. Since sounds are innate to all of us, it’s no surprise that they affect us in a variety of ways. Sound directly affects the molecular structure of the body, helping to repair, rejuvenate and refresh. It not only affects the body and mind but is also said to connect the physical, mental, and spiritual realms. The sound has been used for centuries to promote physical and emotional well-being. Using positive vibrations and frequencies helps the body and mind return to a stable state. More below on Sound Healing.

Sound healing practices stem from the idea that our bodies and minds function with specific vibrations and frequencies. We can’t always perceive them with our senses, but we can perceive them through our emotions and other energy sources. When these vibrations are no longer in harmony, various physical, emotional, and mental symptoms can occur. Sound healing is therefore a practice that aims to achieve this harmony by manipulating these vibrations with various tools.

 History of Sound Healing

Sound healing is an ancient therapy used to cure diseases and promote spiritual upliftment. It was the first form of traditional medicine. Each culture has developed its method of using sound to eliminate negative energies, cure illnesses, and induce trance.

In Indian culture, people chanted mantras to cure illnesses, boost immunity, calm the mind, and clear karmic imbalances. Music therapy played an integral role in the temples of India and ancient Egypt. The ancient Egyptians used music, magical chants, and specific instruments that produced sound waves for healing.

In Greek mythology, Apollo, the god of music and medicine, was said to cure mental illness through song. Hippocrates and other Greek physicians played music and used flutes and lyres to treat their patients. Shamans worldwide used drums to transcend themselves and their patients to a higher level of consciousness, promoting physical and mental well-being. The healing properties of sound are also discussed in the teachings of Buddha and Tibetan religious texts that emphasize the importance of Tibetan healing sound instruments.

Type of Sound Healing

Sound Healing requires certain tools. Some of these tools are easy to find and learn, while others require special circumstances and professional guidance. We will discuss some of the most used sound healing techniques. Type of Sound Healing

Sound healing requires specific tools. Some instruments are easy to find and learn, while others require special circumstances and professional guidance. We will discuss some of the most commonly used sound healing techniques.

• Voice

The voice is the fundamental tool of sound healing and the most important because it is directly related to the vibrations of the body. There are many tools on the market, but we must never forget that we are tools that carry the power of healing. You can heal your voice by humming, singing, praying, saying affirmations, etc. Yoga practices such as Brahmari and Ujjayi Pranayama, mantra chanting, and kirtan are techniques that use the voice for healing.

 • Tibetan Singing Bowls

Buddhists commonly use Tibetan singing bowls in religious practices, and they are one of the most popular sound healing methods. These bowls are made from a small number of sacred metals and crafted using the art of forging and tuning, which gives them a unique frequency and vibration. When struck, they emit a rich blend of harmonious sounds that directly impact the chakras and enhance the meditation process.

They restore the body’s normal vibration frequency. The deep sounds of singing bowls help heal many ailments and promote holistic health. Due to its effective therapeutic benefits, singing bowls are considered one of the most popular sound healing methods.

 • Classical Music

Music takes us to another dimension that feels like an ideal world. Classical music serves as an excellent tool for sound healing and promotes learning and creativity. Today, people increasingly use it to treat depression, anxiety, muscle tension, high blood pressure, and more. It also benefits pregnancy and baby development. Guided meditations, where people meditate following spoken instructions, are included in this practice.

 • Gong bath

The gong or sound bath is an ancient Asian sound healing technique that creates the vibrations of all the water in the body. It is a “bath” of sound waves that produce a wide spectrum of harmonics that create vibrations that bring inner harmony and facilitate healing. People use gongs for yoga, meditation, and chakra balancing.

 • Tuning Forks

People use tuning forks to heal with sound, using the body as the instrument. In medicine, they help localize bone fractures. Tuning forks use sound waves to stimulate meridian points, promoting the body’s natural self-healing energy by applying specific vibrations to targeted areas, releasing tension, and unblocking energy. It works like acupuncture but without needles. Tuning forks promote mental balance and clarity, relieve pain, relax the body, and increase physical energy. They restore chakra balance and maintain the body’s harmony.

 • Didgeridoo

Didgeridoos are indigenous and spiritual instruments made from wood that originated in Australia. People use it in healing and meditation to enter a deep trance and unblock stagnant energy. It reduces snoring, improves sleep quality, and alleviates asthma symptoms.

Benefits of Sound Healing

Sound healing has many multitude of benefits physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually in every. Following are some of the major benefits of sound healing:

1. Helps to Relieve Stress
2. Boosts Brainwaves
3. Helps in the Improvement of Health
4. Helps in releasing Buried Emotions, Enhancing Mood
5. Gives you more focus
6. Helps in Expansion Consciousness
7. Helps in Increase Heart-Brain Coherence

Learn more about the different aspects of sound from the traditional sound healers and meditation gurus, who have learned the art of sound healing from traditional texts and have been healing people for ages. Learn the beautiful singing bowl training or Sound Healing training in Nepal with Himalayan Yoga Academy.

What is Plavini Pranayama?

Plavini Pranayama (Floating Breath) is a way of regulating Prana or life force so that the individual’s body is light enough to float. The Sanskrit root “Plavini” or Plu means floating or swimming. The main goal of this pranayama is to swallow air-like liquid and restore the body for levitation. In this pranayama, the person consumes air like water and holds it in the stomach to make it expand to develop a feeling of floating. When the stomach is filled with air, a distinctive echoing sound similar to a drum will be created when it hits the stomach.

The philosophy of Plavini Pranayama also emphasizes the importance of conscious breathing and cultivating deep awareness of the present moment. By focusing on the feeling of your breath entering and leaving your body, you can develop a sense of presence and awareness, which can help reduce stress and anxiety and improve your overall well-being. Ultimately, Plavini Pranayama emphasizes the importance of balancing and harmonizing the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of our being and cultivating a deep sense of mindfulness and inner connection.

Steps to Performing Plavini Pranayama

1. Find a comfortable sitting position with your back straight and your hands on your knees.
2. Breathe deeply in and out through your nose, focusing on relaxing your body and calming your mind.
3. Breathe deeply through your nose and swallow the air so that it fills your stomach. You may need to practice several times to master it.
4. Hold your breath if you feel comfortable. Firstly, start with a few seconds and gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable with the exercise.
5. Breathe out slowly through your nose, letting the air escape from your stomach. Breathe in and out normally through your nose and repeat this process as often as you like.

Benefits of Plavini Pranayama:

• Improves Digestion: Plavini Pranayama can help stimulate the digestive system and improve the functioning of the digestive organs. It is particularly useful for relieving gas, bloating, and other digestive problems.

• Reduces Stress and Anxiety: By focusing on breathing and cultivating a sense of presence and awareness, Plavini Pranayama can help reduce stress and anxiety and promote a sense of calm and relaxation.
  
• Increases Energy Levels: Practicing Plavini pranayama can help increase the oxygen supply in the body, which can lead to increased energy levels and a feeling of vitality.
  
• Releases Emotional Blockages: The practice of Plavini Pranayama can help release emotional blockages and negative thought patterns and promote a sense of emotional balance and inner peace.
  
• Promotes General Well-Being: By balancing and harmonizing the physical, mental,, and emotional aspects of our being, Plavini Pranayama can promote general well-being and a sense of inner connection.

Contradictions & Precautions Of Plavini Pranayama:

Always practice this pranayama on an empty stomach or at least 5-6 hours after eating. The suction of air through the nose into the stomach must not be hindered. Also, remember not to exceed your breathing capacity. Every person has different abilities. Therefore, carry out this pranayama under guidance from the beginning.

If you have heart problems, hypertension, or are pregnant, be cautious.

In case of a hernia or hydrocele, breath-holding can exert too much pressure.

For any chronic disease or mental condition, consult with your physician before practicing it.

This simple Pranayama is the easiest way to control your breath and de-stress. Here In this article, we explored the steps to perform Plavini Pranayama and understand its benefits and contraindications. Learn more about Pranayama with Himalayan Yoga Academy. Join us now for amazing yoga training courses/ Yoga teacher training Courses in Nepal. You can explore more breathing with Yoga Retreat Programs