What is Shashankasana
Shashankasana Shashanka’ in Sanskrit means the moon, that’s why it is called moon pose also.
Also Know as: The Moon Pose, Hare Posture, Shashanka-Asana, Shashank-Asan, Sasankasana, Sasank
How to start this Asana
- Sit with legs folded backwards, heels apart, knees and toes together (sit in vajrasana).
- Adjust your hips between the heels (Vajrasana).
- Slowly raise your arms over the head.
- While exhaling, slowly bend forward and stretch your palms on the floor with abdomen pressing against the thighs.
- Then bring your face downwards and touch the floor with the forehead without raising the buttocks.
- Inhaling slowly, return to an upright position, and then reverse the process.
How to end this Asana
- To release, slowly revert to the normal position of Vajrasana.
- You may do this asana at least 8 to 10 times.
Video Tutorial
Benefits of Shashankasana
According to research, this Asana is helpful as per below(YR/1)
- This asana stretches the rectus muscle of the abdomen and helps in improving the digestion.
- It also relieves constipation and benefits people with sciatica and hypertension.
Precaution to be taken before doing Shashankasana
As per several scientific studies, precautions need to be taken in diseases mentioned as per below(YR/2)
- Do not release the ankles from their position, without raising the back.
- Not for the people who are suffering from pain in the hip joint.
So, consult your doctor if you have any of the problem mentioned above.
Histroy and scientific base of Yoga
Due to the oral transmission of sacred writings and the secrecy of its teachings, yoga’s past is riddled with mystery and confusion. Early yoga literature were recorded on delicate palm leaves. So it was easily damaged, destroyed, or lost. Yoga’s origins may be dated back over 5,000 years. However other academics believe it could be as old as 10,000 years. Yoga’s lengthy and illustrious history may be split into four distinct periods of growth, practise, and invention.
- Pre Classical Yoga
- Classical Yoga
- Post Classical Yoga
- Modern Yoga
Yoga is a psychological science with philosophical overtones. Patanjali begins his Yoga method by instructing that the mind must be regulated – Yogahs-chitta-vritti-nirodhah. Patanjali does not delve into the intellectual underpinnings of the need to regulate one’s mind, which are found in Samkhya and Vedanta. Yoga, he continues, is the regulation of the mind, the constraint of the thought-stuff. Yoga is a science based on personal experience. The most essential advantage of yoga is that it helps us to maintain a healthy bodily and mental state.
Yoga can help to slow down the ageing process. Since aging starts mostly by autointoxication or self-poisoning. So, we can considerably limit the catabolic process of cell degeneration by keeping the body clean, flexible, and properly lubricated. Yogasanas, pranayama, and meditation must all be combined to reap the full advantages of yoga.
SUMMARY
Shashankasana is helpful in increase flexibility of muscles, improves shape of the body, reduce mental stress, as well improves overall health.
