| The Locust pose, Shalabha-asana, is practiced with a | | | | or overwork your body as it will be more harmful than |
| few variations too; you can take up the classic pose, | | | | being useful for you. If you have any severe abdominal |
| reverse (vipatra) locust position or half (ardha) locust | | | | or back problems, then you must refrain from the |
| position to reap its many advantages. As beginners or | | | | exercise or take extreme caution while performing it. |
| as someone with a very stiff back or someone having | | | | Half Locust Pose |
| back problems, you can use your hands and fingers to | | | | The final stance in this asana is similar to a locust |
| help raise your legs as high as possible; even with | | | | when it has lowered its head and raised its tail; in |
| assistance from your hands, your back will experience | | | | Sanskrit ardha means half, that is why it is called |
| a good stretch and its elasticity will start to develop. | | | | half-lotus. If you have difficulty in lifting both your legs |
| Once you master this yoga pose, and your legs | | | | off the floor, you can start with this variation and lift |
| become stronger, you can lift your hands up from the | | | | one leg off the ground and then repeat with the other |
| floor and lift your legs without any support; that is | | | | leg. |
| when you will maximize the benefits gained from this | | | | Benefits of half- Locust Pose |
| asana. It is recommended to hold locust pose as long | | | | - flow of blood within the body is regulated and |
| as you can, holding the inhaled breath. During a session, | | | | improved |
| this position should be repeated thrice. | | | | - extra fat deposited on the thighs, hips, abdomen, |
| Benefits of Locust Pose: | | | | posterior and waist is dissolved and reduced |
| - makes the muscles of the legs and lower back | | | | - helps diabetic patients to control their disease |
| strong | | | | - makes digestive system work better |
| - opens up the chest | | | | - helps people suffering from constipation to relieve the |
| - kindles the intestines and stomach | | | | trouble |
| - relieves gas and restores other digestive disorders | | | | - great for women as it corrects malfunctioning of |
| - empowers the bladder | | | | ovaries and uterus |
| - elongates the spinal column | | | | To gain optimally from this yoga position, you must |
| - contributes to a naturally arched back | | | | neither clench your fists very tightly nor too loosely. |
| - tones buttocks | | | | People who have hernia or those with fragile lungs |
| - discharges premenstrual stress in women While you | | | | should not take up this posture. Patients of heart and |
| are thinking of mastering the pose, you must keep in | | | | pregnant women too, must refrain from this exercise. |
| mind the limitations of your body too. Do not overstrain | | | | |