By Atul Vyas
It needs to be stable so that minimum effort is required to maintain it. It should also be comfortable, so that it can be maintained with mind free from distractions arising from physical discomfort.
One pose which is called sukhasana or easy pose is commonly used. There are others also like siddhasana and swastikasana, etc too. The salient features which are common to all these postures include the broad base which gives stability to the body posture, and the erect trunk which allows the spinal column to remain in its natural state where all natural curves are maintained without any distortion.
In the natural state, when seen from the side, there is forward curvature in the neck and in the lumbar region: and backward curvature in the dorsal and sacral region.
By sitting erect, all these curves are maintained in natural shape and the head-neck-chest and abdomen find themselves in a balanced state in relation to each other. This gives free play to all muscles involved in breathing activity. This kind of posture also requires a minimum of effort to maintain the body position and the energy consumption being the least, causes minimum strain on the cardio-respiratory system.
Regarding this position of the spine, There is one more point which has a great importance in the tradition of yoga, and that is forward inclination of the pelvis with respect to the spinal column at limbo-sacral junction at an angle of 30 degrees.
This forward tilt of the pelvis allows the perineum to get pressed, thus stimulating Muladhara Chakra situated at the centre of perineum. This was even advocated by the famous saint Dnyaneshwar Maharaj.
Technique
1. Sit in posture as described above
2. Close eyes and relax your abdomen
3. Now breath in deeply but slowly with both the nostrils and breathe out slowly with both nostrils without retention .
4. Do 10 rounds and then relax.
Benefits
1. It makes lungs stronger.
2. Improves gut health.
3. It de-stresses.
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(Atul Vyas likes to be called a “Yoga Scientist”. He is a celebrity yoga trainer and has trained several top Hollywood and Bollywood stars. He has trained for years under many eminent yoga gurus including his illustrious mother Daya Vyas, the first lady yoga guru of India)
