Chakrasana

Chakrasana:

In this asana, the body assumes the shape of a chakra or wheel, hence this asana is called Chakrasana. While doing this asana, concentrate the mind on the ‘Manipur Chakra’. Breathing should be deep and normal.

Technique: 

1. Bend the legs at the knees, drawing the feet towards the hips. The soles of the feet should remain on the ground.

2. Keep a distance of about one and a half feet between your feet. Now lift the hands over the head and bend them backwards so that both the palms may be put on the ground on either side of the head with the fingers facing the shoulders.

3. Keep a distance of one and a half feet between the hands as well. Now using the hands and feet, lift the whole body up skywards bending the back at the waist.

4. Move the hands gradually towards the feet so that the body assumes the shape of a wheel. It is recommended to keep the eyes closed but if it feels uneasy then they may be kept open. Let the breathing be normal.  should be on .

 This asana can be done for one minute in the beginning and may gradually be increased up to five minutes. 

Benefits:

1. The nerves running through the spinal column as well as spread over the entire body become purified and all the yogic chakras, present in different parts of the body starting from the end of the spinal cord upto the top of the head are activated.

2. Paralysis and other general physical weaknesses are alleviated. This asana helps strengthen various parts of the body such as the head, neck, back, stomach, waist, arms, knees, etc. 

3. The joint-pains are alleviated. It stimulates the digestive system and removes stomach-fat.

4. The body becomes supple, agile and radiant. 

5. Sexual thoughts are kept at bay.

6. Chakrasana helps eliminate problems of nocturnal emissions as well.

7. The regular practice of this asana prevents stooping of the spine even in old age and thus keeps the body erect.