Yoga Poses - Pose for the Week

Yoga poses (asanas) work on all parts of the body – increasing flexibility and strength, building muscle tone, maintaining correct curvature of the spine, improving blood circulation, regulating the metabolism, massaging internal organs, and boosting the immune system.  Each week our website will feature one of the Yoga poses from the Art of Yoga Cards...

The Art of Yoga Cards is a unique, beautiful and practical tool to practice Yoga at home, in the office, on holidays, wherever!  Pick a sequence of Yoga poses that is personal to you, and lay the cards out by your mat for guidance and inspiration.  See below for this week's feature card...

The Wheel Pose

Chakrasana

(Advanced pose – you are required to raise the body off the floor in a backward bending position.)

1.  Lie down on back with knees bent, both feet flat on the floor and up close to buttocks. Keep knees and feet hip-width apart. Bend elbows and raise arms over the head to place palms flat on the floor, directly under respective shoulders, with fingers pointing towards feet.
2.  Inhale and raise body slightly off the floor to lift and arch head back. Rest crown of head gently on the floor.
3.  Inhale, push into the floor with hands and feet to lift torso up and head off the floor. Arch hips and chest up as high as possible. Distribute weight evenly between hands and feet. Stretch arms from shoulders until elbows are straight. Simultaneously stretch thigh muscles up. Let head hang relaxed. Breathe deeply and hold pose for at least 10 seconds, increasing to 1 minute.
4.  To come out of pose, exhale and reverse steps to slowly lower body back to the floor and relax.

Benefits:

Stretches, strengthens and tones spine, keeping it supple.

Stretches front part of the body such as chest, abdominal muscles and lungs.

Strengthens arms, wrists, abdomen, legs and buttocks.

Opens chest and lungs, making it therapeutic for asthma.

Visit again for next week's Yoga Poses