Meru Vakrasana or spinal twist is one of the simplest yoga poses, which gives both forward and backwards bending to make the spine more flexible. In ancient Hindu literature term “Meru” refers to a mountain, and “merudand” refers to the spine. The lateral world is also known as the mountain stick.
All words in the Yogic texts refer to a certain meaning. The best thing about this asana is, even if you are a beginner, you don’t need any assistance. If you perform this pose with full consciousness, it will also affect your solar plexus chakra and be good for the internal digestive organs, too.
What is Meru Vakrasana?
It is known as a gentle spine twist. According to Yogic texts, it has two words, one is Meru & other is Vakra, the third word is “asana”, which is common in every pose of Yoga. Meru means spine, Vakra means curved, which indicates a pose in which the spine gets a perfect curve.
It is also known as preliminary work before a tough spinal twist. It prepares a Yogi for lifting more weight and also relocating displaced vertebrae. To get all the mentioned benefits, it is necessary to perform this Yogasana under the guidance of a master.
How To Perform Meru Vakrasana?
Meru Vakrasana is a simple pose, and it can be explained in certain steps. It should be performed empty stomach, and the performer has to sit in Dandasana in the first step. If you are a beginner in performing yogic postures, try to have more knowledge about the posture. Here are a few steps by which you can have more clarity:
- Sit with an upright spine, hands beside your hips and legs straight on the floor, it is also called Dandasana.
- Now fold your left leg and put it beside your right foot, & keep the right one in a straight position.
- Now, place your hand on the floor behind your back.
- Now inhale and raise your right hand to your side of head.
- Exhale the held breath and twist your torso to the left side.
- Now, change the position and bring your right arm over your left knee.
- You have to keep your chest open and your spine tall.
- Hold the same pose for 30 seconds
- With the next deep inhalation, return to the centre.
- Now you can repeat the same posture on the other side.
What Are Meru Vakrasana Benefits?
Most of the time, practitioner in the beginning thinks that Meru Vakrasana is easy to follow and it has no such strong benefits. It is not true, it helps in treating different types of pain, increases spinal flexibility and improves digestion. It is necessary to keep focus on your inhalation and exhalation during the whole performance. Benefits of the Vakrasana are:
Improved Spinal Flexibility
They reduce the stiffness in the muscles and improve circulation, increasing the flexibility of the muscles. If the back is massaged along with the same yoga poses, it helps in giving shape to the internal organs.
Enhanced Digestion
When the circulation of the blood increases in the abdominal region, it would help in the uniform distribution of nutrition. This procedure increases metabolic functions of the body, which results in increased digestion to a certain extent.
Benefits to the Vertebrae Column
It is one of the simple poses with different benefits: the dislocated vertebral column could come to its original posture after doing this exercise. There is also a contraindication in the case of displaced vertebrae; in a chronic condition, it is not recommended.
Increased Lung Capability
With the inhalation and exhalation, lung capacity increases. During the performance of the Meru Vakrasana, there is a spinal twist and inhalation synchronicity that tends to open up the diaphragm. Respiratory disorders are also treated with the same method.
Pain Relief and Back Muscle Strengthening
It is beneficial for every type of pain in the back and the lower abdominal muscles. It prepares for weight lifting. Apart from the flexibility, it gives improved hip joint actions.
Relaxation of Mind & Reduction in Stress
Every Yoga Pose gives relaxation to the mind and reduces stress and anxiety. It is a gift to the Yogi, respiration focus at the time of yoga always gives pause to the thoughts and overthinking.
Read Also:- 8 Best Yoga Asanas for Period Pain
What is Gatyatmak Meru Vakrasana?
It is a dynamic version of the spinal twist, which means repeating the same posture several times. Meru Vakrasana is a simple pose, and repeating it is referred to as the gatyatmak Meru Vakrasana. Steps to perform the Gatyatmak Vakrasana are the same as those of Meru Vakrasana.
Conclusion
Meru Vakrasana is a simple yet beneficial pose; it is derived from the Sanskrit word merudanda. Because of the several benefits and easy steps, beginners can also perform this yoga pose. Contraindications are sciatica pain, herniated disc and ulcer; in these conditions, it should be avoided.
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