YOGA
Fit as a fish
Mrs. Kamala Venkat is a Homemaker with a great passion for YOGA. Inspired by Shri Swami Ramdev of Patanjali, she has been an ardent yoga lover and has been practicing it with complete dedication for the last 20 years. She has done the Yoga Instructors’ course from VYSA (Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana)
Matsyasana (pronounced maht-see-AHS-uh-nuh), also commonly known as Fish Pose, predictably comes from the Sanskrit word ‘matsya,’ meaning ‘fish.’
This asana strengthens the upper back muscles and the back of the neck, thereby improving one’s posture and flexibility in the spine. It is excellent for respiratory issues and the cervical area as it opens up the lungs and helps in increasing lung capacity, which is of great help now during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Method
• Lie on your back. Your feet should be together and your hands relaxed alongside the body.
• Place the hands underneath the hips, palms facing down, bringing the elbows close towards each other.
• Breathing in, lift the head and chest.
• Keeping the chest elevated, lower the head backwards, and touch the top of the head to the floor.
• With the head slightly touching the floor, press the elbows firmly into the ground, placing the weight on the elbows and not on the head. Lift your chest from in-between the shoulder blades. Press the thighs and legs to the floor.
• Hold the pose for as long as you comfortably can, taking gentle, long breaths in and out. Relax in the posture with every exhalation.
• Slowly, lift the head, lowering the chest and head to the floor. Bring the hands back alongside the body and relax.
Benefits
• Stretches the chest and neck
• Helps relieve tension in the neck and shoulders
• Provides relief from respiratory disorders by encouraging deep breathing
• Tones the parathyroid, pituitary, and pineal glands
• Helps to stretch the upper body, which allows unrestricted airflow, thereby providing additional oxygen to one’s lungs.
Contraindications and precautions
• Those suffering from high blood pressure, low blood pressure, or insomnia should not practise this asana.
• While bending, don’t put excessive stress on your back as it can lead to serious injury.
• Those who have had serious lower-back or neck injuries are strongly recommended not to practise this pose.
• People who are suffering from heart diseases or have recently undergone any abdominal surgery are strongly recommended not to perform this pose.
• While bending, don’t put excessive stress on your back as it can lead to serious injury.
Mrs. Kamala Venkat is a home maker with a great passion for yoga. Inspired by Shri Swami Ramdev of Patanjali, she has been practising it with complete dedication for the last 20 years.