How To Do Halasana (Plow Pose )
24 Feb 2020 HYN Himalayan Yoga Academy
Targets: Shoulders, back, neck, hamstrings, and calves
Level: Intermediate
| Chakras | Crown Chakra (Sahasrara Chakra) , Third Eye Chakra (Ajna Chakra) , Throat Chakra (Vishuddha Chakra) , Solar Plexus (Manipura Chakra) |
‘Hal’ stands for ‘plow’ and ‘Asana’ stands for ‘pose’. Halasana or ‘the plough pose’ takes its name from the farming instrument, plough, used by farmers across India to prepare the soil for sowing of seeds. In the sequence of asanas, Halasana is usually performed after Sarvangasana, which is basically a shoulder stand. According to Meenakshi Swami, the author of The Science of Yoga, “asanas like halasana, suryanamaskara, seershasana and kapalbharti increase the flow of blood to your head, improving intellectual power as well as memory.”It’s one of those asanas which you can’t perform half-heartedly because you may seriously injure yourself.More How To Do Halasana
Benefits of Halasana ( Plow Pose )
Physical (Anatomical) Benefits
- Muscles:The leg muscles, the back muscles, abdominal muscles, hamstring muscles, neck etc. This pose works on almost the entire body muscles starting from the tip of the toes to the cervical.
- Flexibility: The spine, neck, shoulders, legs, and hip. These get enough stretch during the pose thus improving the flexibility of the muscles.
- Weight Loss: The extra weight around the thighs, abdomen, hips, and neck are slowly shed with repeated practice.
Health Benefits
- Organs: Improves the function of the Thyroid, Parathyroid, Pituitary Glands, Endocrine Glands, Abdominal Organs including spleen, pancreas, liver and kidneys. The Reproductive organs are stimulated.
- Digestion: Activates digestion and helps with constipation. Helps to release gas and upper body discomfort due to indigestion.
- Therapeutic: Asthma, Cough and cold, Menopause, Headaches, Sinusitis, Insomnia, Diabetes and Stress.
How to do Halasana
1. Take a mat and then with your hands on the side lie down
straight
2. Following your hips, slowly raise
your legs together. During this you can also use your hands to support your
back.
3. Take your legs backwards, over your head, towards the floor.
4. Gently, place your toes on the ground. Then, place your arms back on the
side.
5. Stay in this pose as long as you can and while you do, breather slowly and
keep looking forward.
6. Pace your breath and count to 100 while As the blood rushes to your head.
7. After you’re done, with hands hold your lower back and bring your legs back
to lie down straight. Exhale while you do this.
Halasana Contraindications (Plow Pose)
- if you have injured your neck or are suffering from diarrhea and high blood pressure.
- Avoid practicing Plow Pose (Halasana) during pregnancy and during the first two days of their menstrual cycle..