Yoga for stomach problems, kidney pains, and liver problems part 4
Yoga for stomach problems, kidney pains, and liver problems
If, after practising Vakrasana for some time, you find that your spine is sufficiently limbered up for you to be able to perform the full Spinal Twist, do practise it in its three stages until you can do it with ease. And now for something different. This next exercise, called the KNEELING BRIDGE posture, is a combination of the Frog Pose which I described in chapter seven and the Fish Pose (Matsy-asana) which I described in chapter eight. This asana will bring relief from disorders of the stomach, the pelvic organs, and the kidneys, and imparts a healthy pressure to the deep muscles of the spine.
1. Kneel down keeping your knees together and your feet apart. Very slowly sit down on the floor between your heels thus assuming the Frog Pose.
2. Using your elbows, and moving them carefully one at a time, start to bend backwards with your head thrown right back, until the top of your head touches the floor.
3. Lift your elbows from the floor, place your hands, palms together, over your diaphragm, and fully arch your spine. I have demonstrated the correct position in figure 53, page 155.
Remain in this position for as long as you can and all the while arch your spine to the utmost, at the same time pressing downwards with your head. You will find this posture strenuous at first but as you become limbered up it will become easier. Try to increase the time you hold it until you can remain immobile for thirty seconds.
Great care must be exercised when coming out of this posture. No jerks please, and do not hesitate to use your elbows or your hands to support your back as you lift yourself up off the floor. When you are proficient at the Kneeling Bridge posture you will be able to exercise enough control to rise out of it gracefully with no support whatever but until that time please go very carefully.
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admin | November 8, 2007