Halasana or Focused Prayer pose is one of the three main types of the Laying on Hands pose. It is a simple exercise that strengthens the entire body. It is used to develop concentration, poise, flexibility and strength of the entire body. In order to perform it, first put the body into Tadasana (Mountain Pose) position. Then stand up straight with both the hands placed on the thighs, placing palms facing the thighs.
Halasana or Plow pose is an inverted version of parsvakonasana or straddle pose in hatha yoga. Its variations are Lava Makarana, Parsvakonarana, Tauli Tolasana, Kripalu Tolasana, Vinaasa Valsangra and Ustrasana. The main objective of this pose is to stretch the pelvis, abdomen, spine and the lower limbs. It also strengthens the legs, thighs and hips.
There are many benefits of performing the Halasana. Its primary benefit is to stretch the internal organs and glands. The internal organs and glands are stretched while the physical body is given time to move in different poses. It helps to balance the energy flow in and out of the body. It also stimulates the lymphatic system by opening up the varicose veins.
Many yoga teachers recommend the use of halasana for the treatment of rotator cuff injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome and neck and shoulder pain. In fact, many yoga sequences specifically mention these conditions. In fact, many yoga teachers even say that this pose is excellent for remedying such ailments. This is because it opens up the chest and strengthens the neck.
Another benefit of this pose is that it helps to correct bad habits. Many people slouch while sitting. This often results in lumbar injuries. The yoga instructor should demonstrate how to plough the pelvis forward by sitting on the left shoulder, then bending the right knee and resting the thigh on the floor.
The Sanskrit name of this posture is Ashtanga Vinyasa. Therefore, it is also called Ashtanga Yoga. There are many Sanskrit words which are used in this pose. These words are Ashtanga (the Latin term for dancing), Savasana (the Sanskrit word for stance) and Sankranti (the Latin term for self-awareness). Many yoga teachers explain that the placement of the hands is important, because the placement of the hands forms a straight line from the nose to the toes. Also, the thumb supports the middle inner pad of the index finger.
Inhalation and exhalation are important. When the belly button is pressed down and the chest is lifted, the lungs expand and take in oxygen. The muscles of the diaphragm and trachea expand to hold this new found air. As the body attains stability in this new position, the breath will be pulled in through the nose and out of the mouth.
As the legs lift into the Ashtanga Vinyasa position and the weight of the upper body pulls the legs upwards, the weight of the lower back also shifts into the chest. Inhalation and exhalation have come together as the abdomen contracts to bear the weight of the upper body. This is the beginning of one of the most popular and commonly practiced breathing techniques in yoga – pranayama. Another one of the many halasana benefits is that it provides an excellent way to loosen up the chest and neck. It can also help to alleviate some of the tension from the shoulders, back, arms and neck.
Some people will wonder how their minds stay in focus while practicing yoga sequences such as the kundalini pose. The Kundalini poses actually encourage the mind to stay in a meditative state. The process begins with the student drawing energy from the source of love – Chakra – upward through the seven chakras to the crown. This energy is then directed downward again to bring it back to the source, or to the head. The student repeats the process a number of times in order to awaken and purify his or her mind.
While practicing this ancient yoga technique, it is important to breathe in and breathe out with every movement. Begin by sitting firmly on the mat with your feet hip distance apart. Gently close your eyes and place your hands on the sides of your head, lightly pulling them in toward your chest. Inhale, letting the air flow through your nostrils and slowly out through your lips. To ease your body into the halasana position, slowly open your legs, allowing the knees to gently bend without straining the lower back.
Next, you will do the plow pose. Plow is another ancient yoga asana that is performed by starting in the sitting position and then straining your neck muscles in order to open your chest. Slowly open your chest and allow the air to flow through while opening your throat and releasing all air from the air sacs to the lungs. The final step in the plow pose is to inhale deeply and repeat the breath coming down through your nose.
Types Of Yoga Poses
- Lotus position Yoga –
- Adho mukha svanasana Yoga
- Handstand Yoga
- Shavasana Yoga
- Balasana Yoga
- Bhujangasana Yoga
- Kapotasana Yoga
- Tadasana Yoga
- Bakasana Yoga
- Vajrasana Yoga
- Vrikshasana Yoga
- Trikonasana Yoga
- Dhanurasana Yoga
- Shirshasana Yoga
- Chaturanga Dandasana Yoga
- Ustrasana Yoga
- Uttanasana Yoga
- Sarvangasana Yoga
- Navasana Yoga
- Bhekasana (Mandukasana) Yoga
- Mālāsana Yoga
- Halasana Yoga
- Paschimottanasana Yoga
- Sukhasana Yoga
- Chakrasana Yoga
- Gomukhasanab Yoga
- Baddha Konasana Yoga
- Virasana Yoga
- Utkatasana Yoga
- Garudasana Yoga
- Ardha Chandrasana Yoga
- Marjariasana Yoga
- Matsyasana Yoga
- Mayurasana Yoga
- Setu Bandha Sarvangasana ( Bridge Pose) Yoga
- Salabhasana Yoga
- Viparita Karani Yoga
- Virabhadrasana I Yoga
- Utthita Parsvakonasana Yoga
- Matsyendrasana Yoga
- Janusirsasana Yoga
- Dandasana Yoga
- Siddhasana Yoga
- Hanumanasana Yoga
- Makarasana Yoga
- Natarajasana Yoga
- Pincha Mayurasana Yoga
- Supta Baddha Konasana Yoga
- Simhasana Yoga
- Upavistha Konasana Yoga
