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Asana Of The Day: Bow Pose

Dhanur asana or bow pose is one of the easiest and effective yoga asanas. Dhanur is a Sanskrit word which means bow and 'Asana' means pose or posture. That means, Dhanur Asana is the bow pose. Also known as Urdva Chakrasana (Upward Wheel Pose), the bow yoga posture has many health benefits. It not only boosts body metabolism but also helps lose weight.

Bow pose or Dhanur asana is a back bending yoga posture that works on the front body especially chest, abdomen. It also increases the flexibility of the upper body and burns fat deposits in the body. Lets check out a step by step guide to do the bow pose yoga.

Asana Of The Day: Bow Pose

Steps to do the bow pose yoga:

  1. Lie flat on your front on the floor mat. The palms will be facing upwards and the front body will be pressed against the ground.
  2. Turn your head and place your chin on the floor. Slowly bend your knees and try to take back the arms and hold the knees.
  3. Grasp your ankles and inhale deeply. Lift the body upwards and exhale. Make sure your body weight is rested on the abdomen.
  4. Slowly tilt your head back as much as possible. Hold the position and deeply breathe in and out.
  5. Exhale slowly and bring down the knees. Bring them to the floor and release the ankles. Release your hands and relax. Repeat again. Do the bow pose for 15-20 minutes.

Benefits of bow pose yoga:

  1. The bow pose stretches the full body (from chin to the knees).
  2. One of the health benefits of bow pose (Dhanur asana) is that it increases the lungs capacity to pump air. When you stretch your body in the bow pose, the ribcage expands. Moreover, deep inhaling and exhaling helps increase the capacity of the lungs.
  3. Bow pose helps get relief from back and waist pain. It increases the flexibility, elasticity of the spinal cord and keeps it supple.
  4. The bow pose of yoga benefits you as it tones the respiratory, endocrine, exocrine and reproductive system.
  5. Bow pose boosts up body metabolism and also helps lose weight by burning fat deposits from the body.
  6. The pranic benefit of the Dhanur asana is that it works on all the 6 chakras of the body.
  7. Bow pose relieves joint, back, spine and stomach pain. It also aids digestion and is an effective exercise for treating kidney stones.
  8. The Dhanur asana reduces cervical and lumbar tensions.

After knowing the step by step guide and benefits of bow pose or Dhanur asana, do include this posture in your yoga regime.

Story first published: Thursday, January 10, 2013, 18:27 [IST]
Read more about: yoga asanas fitness