Featured in Indian Express
How to practice
- Sit on a mat with legs stretched out, thighs, knees, ankles and feet together
- Bend your right knee and cross leg over the left knee, placing foot flat on the floor
- Pull right knee close to your body and keep back and head erect, in a straight line
- Exhale and twist to right side placing right hand on the ground behind your back on the floor
- Apply gentle pressure on outer edge of right foot with left forearm to twist the trunk without using back muscles
- Now bend your left leg bringing heel closer to your buttock on right side
- Gently lift your right palm off the floor and join with left palm forming Namaste in front of your heart
- Ensure the back is straight with care not to strain spine
- Hold the pose for 30-40 seconds
- Repeat the cycle on the other side
Benefits
- It is a healing pose, toning and stretching the liver and kidneys
- Digestive fire is made strong, stimulating the digestive system
- Massages the abdominal organs
- Opens the chest and increases the oxygen supply to the lungs
- Asana improves the flexibility of whole body with focus on leg, buttocks and hip muscles
- Relaxes shoulders and makes them supple
- Eases the condition of lumbago and muscle spasm
- Joining of hands together increases the flow of divine love
Caution: People suffering from hernia, peptic ulcer or hyperthyroidism should perform the asana under supervision by trained yoga practitioner.