By Atul Vyas
This is the time of north solstice that is considered very auspicious in ‘sanatana dharma’. In Mahabharat, it is mentioned that when the great patriarch and warrior Bhisma was lying on the bed of arrows shot by Arjun, he waited for 6 months till the northern solstice or ‘uttarayana’ to leave his physical frame. So, in sanatana dharma or Hindu dharma, the positioning of the sun in the cosmos has a deep impact on the journey of the soul after death.
The yoga system not only believes and praises the healing powers of the sun but also pays obeisance to it. The practice through which solar energy is taken to regenerate and rejuvenate the body and mind is called sun salutation. Yogic philosophy considers the body to be a mini cosmos and through sun salutations and mantras, ignites the inner solar system to make one perfectly healthy.
Sun salutation is a series of movements that stretches, warms, and tones the entire body by stimulating the functioning of muscular, respiratory, circulatory, digestive, nervous, and sensory systems. The sequence of poses loosens and lubricates joints, promotes spinal flexibility, and strengthens the immune system. It brings balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The body is highly energized and harmonized.
In this series, we are discussing the second pose of sun salutation in this article. This pose is called “hasta utthanasana” (raised arms pose).
Technique
- Stand; then while inhaling, raise your arms, palms facing forward
- Now take the weight of your body on your heels, look upwards and arch your arms, head, and chest backward. Stretch your chest and abdomen
- Keep your focus or awareness on throat chakra or vishuddhi chakra
Benefits
- It gives a good massage to the thyroid gland
- It burns extra fat on the abdominal area
- It improves digestion
- It stretches arms and shoulders
- It gives a good anterior stretch and posterior compression to the spine, thereby increasing its flexibility
- It reduces pressure on the heart by raising the rib cage and lungs
- It improves functioning and performance of lungs and makes them stronger
- It stimulates Vagus nerve which promotes general health and any inflammation in the body
(He calls him, a “Yoga Scientist”. He is a celebrity yoga trainer and has trained many top Hollywood n Bollywood stars. He has trained for years under many top Yoga gurus including his illustrious mother Daya Vyas, the first lady yoga Guru of India.)
