Yoga posture - Ardha Jathara Parivarttanasana
Translation: Half Revolved Belly Pose
From a lying position on the mat bring the knees to the chest. Then slowly
take them down to the side until the leg that is below touches the mat. If
when doing this the shoulder of the extended arm raises of the mat adjust the
position of the hips and leg that is on top. Leaving the shoulder hanging in the
air is a good stretch but is very dangerous.
Benifits
This is a really beneficial yoga posture for spinal alignment. When performed correctly the shoulders and lower back get stretched. This results in good back range of motion. This posture is usually used by back specialists and physical therapists in the beginning stages of back rehabilitation.
Sometime this pose is too much of a stretch in the lower back especially with
inflamed or damaged discs or with severely inflexible backs and shoulders. In
any of these cases just allow the knee of the leg that is on top remain raised
off the other knee rather than on top. This will allow the shoulder to get down
on the mat and also increase the flexibility of the shoulder.
In this pose the deltoids, supraspinatus,
infrasinatus pectoralis major and the biceps are all stretched. Lower back
muscles are also stretched.
|