AKARN DHANURTAAN ASANAA / SHOOTING BOW POSE

This is one Asana which can release gout, rheumatism of lower limbs. Activate the nerve impulses to the hands and feet and stretch the legs, hips and shoulders is Akarn Dhanurtaan or Shooting Bow.

Duration 10 to 30 seconds on each side

Procedure

• Sit in Danda Asana.
• Stretch your hands and catch hold of the big toe with first two fingers from inside.
• Fold one foot to the same ear by folding the elbow out without lifting the other foot.
• Keep the knee locked.
• Bring the folded foot as close to ear as possible.
• Stay here till you can.
• Slowly release the position by bringing the foot down to initial position.
• Repeat on other side. Make sure you keep the vision fixed on the stretched foot big toe.

Benefits

Body/ Mind/ Pranic

• Gives a good posterior- anterior stretch to the body.
• Opens up the hip, shoulder & elbow joint.
• Tones up the thighs and calves.
• Improves digestion.
• Improves concentration and memory, strengthens the muscles of thigh, calves, arms and shoulders.
• Activates both the nervous system, sympathetic and parasympathetic.

Contraindications

• Frozen hip & shoulders, pregnancy, piles, diarrhea and dysentery.

Helps in

• Increases flexibility of the spine and elasticity of ligaments, increases range of motion of hip and shoulders, kidney malfunctioning, poor concentration, lethargic body and stagnant state of mind.

Key points

• Do not force the big toe to touch ear, by over stretching thighs or back muscles.
• Do not lean the head towards the big toe.
• Keep the head straight.
• Keep the stretched knee pressed to the floor.