Paschimottanasana
(Paschima Nadi Awakening Posture)
This posture purifies paschima nadi and awakens kundalini and hence the name.
Method
- Sit in Samathala Stithi
- Slowly raise both the hands up from the sides and stretch the whole body
- Slowly bend forward while exhaling and catch the big toes, and try to touch forehead to the knees. Stay in that posture comfortably
- While inhaling, gradually, slowly come back to Samathala Stithi
Benefits
It stretches hamstring muscles and increase flexibility in the hip joints and the spinal cord. It stimulates the lever, pancreas, spleen, kidneys and adrenal glands. It removes excess fat in the abdominal region. It is used in yoga therapy for the management of prolapsed, menstrual disorders, sluggish liver, diabetes, bronchitis etc. Almost all Yoga texts refers that the Kundalini raises in this asana.