Are you also fed up of living with frequent back pain and poor spinal posture? Nowadays, a majority of youngsters are spending hours sitting at desks or staring at screens. This leads to unnecessary strain on the backs. Fortunately, we have a number of yoga asanas that can help us through this situation. Today, we are going to discuss Ardha Matsyendrasana. This asana is a powerful spinal twist which helps in reducing back pain and makes you flexible. In this blog, we will discuss the meaning, benefits, steps and contraindications of this asana in detail. So, let’s get started with Ardha Matsyendrasana.
What is Ardha Matsyendrasana?
Ardha Matsyendrasana, also known as the Half Lord of the Fishes Pose or Spinal Half Twist Asana, is a wonderful posture that provides an excellent twist to the spine. This asana is named after a Yogic Sage, Rishi Matsyendra. While you practice this asana, you develop inner confidence and willpower (Aishwarya Bhava). It helps you create a feeling of manoeuvring through the turns and twists of your life, which in turn makes you self-aware and self-reliant. You realise your inner strength and potential that you can make your way through all the winding and challenging experiences and yet stay composed.
Ardha Matsyendrasana Benefits You Should Know
This asana has tremendous physical and psychological benefits. Let’s discuss the benefits of the Ardha Matsyendrasana yoga pose in detail.
- Massages the deep and superficial muscles of your spine and makes its curvature perfect.
- Helps in curing lumbago and muscular rheumatism.
- Suspend your breath during this asana so that the venous blood flow of your abdominal region is improved.
- Tones the core muscles and improves the overall health of the internal organs like the lungs and the kidneys.
- Helps in opening up your shoulder, neck and hips.
- Reduces mental fatigue and improves your memory & concentration by enhancing blood circulation in the brain.
- Improves mental efficiency and increases optimism.
The Procedure of Ardha Matsyendrasana
Ardha Matsyendrasana Yoga might look hard, but don’t worry! Yogaasan is always here to help you do it quickly and correctly. Follow these simple steps to learn how to do ardha matsyendrasana pose and improve your yoga practice:
Step 1: To do this asana, first, we sit comfortably on the floor in the Dandasana pose. Sit straight, keeping your legs in front of you. Keep your arches active and back straight.
Step 2: Now, take your left foot and keep it across your right leg. Make sure your foot is flat on the ground on the right of your right knee.
Step 3: Fold your right leg so that your heels are on the side of your hips and you are not sitting on it.
Step 4: Both of your sit bones should be on the ground, which will ensure that your spine is straight. In any case, if one of your sides is coming up, you can put the blanket underneath that hip to balance your sit bones. This will make your spine straight.
Step 5: Once you have a straight posture, keep the right palm behind you on the floor.
Step 6: Now, gently stretch your left arm around your right knee and hold your right ankle.
Step 7: Be on the pose for a few deep breaths or around 30 seconds.
Step 8: Perform the same steps on the other side as well.
By regular practice of the Ardha Matsyendrasana procedure, you will see immense benefits in terms of physical and mental levels.
Contraindications of Ardha Matsyendrasana Yoga
After discussing Ardha Matsyendrasana steps and benefits, let’s jump on to discuss the contraindications this asana has:
- If you are suffering from a hernia or peptic ulcer, then you should not perform this asana.
- In case of spinal injuries or issues, make sure to consult your doctor before doing this yoga pose.
- Pregnant women or women having mensuration should avoid doing Half Lord of the Fish Pose.
- People with recent heart, abdominal and brain surgeries are not advised to do Ardha Matsyendrasana yoga.
Key Takeaways
Ardha Matsyendrasana is an amazing yoga pose that has many benefits for the body and the mind. To do it correctly, it is crucial to practice this pose regularly using the complete information provided above. In case you feel any pressure or pain, you can release the pose immediately. Always listen to your body, and seek the help of a professional yoga instructor to avoid any serious injuries. Add this asana to your daily yoga routine and enjoy its benefits. Keep practising.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which disease is cured by Ardha Matsyendrasana?
Ardha Matsyendrasana is said to cure lumbago and muscular rheumatism. This asana also helps reduce mental fatigue and improve concentration. It is also beneficial for your internal organs, like the kidney and the abdomen.
