| Sitting Forward Bend - (Paschimottanasana) | | | | in the back of the legs many students do not go very |
| "Never force yourself into a forward bend when sitting | | | | far forward. For those who find it difficult to do the full |
| on the floor" | | | | Sitting Forward Bend they can do the half pose using |
| Yogasana, the third limb of Raja Yoga also popularly | | | | the right leg and the right hand at a time for a few |
| understood by mass population as yoga is getting | | | | breaths and than practice with the other leg and hand. |
| popular as never before in both eastern and western | | | | The Sitting Forward Bend stimulates the kidneys, liver, |
| countries. The reason for Yogasana (popularly know | | | | spleen and pancreas improving digestion in the body. |
| as Yoga) to gain popularity are numerous ranging from | | | | The pose tones and massages the entire abdominal |
| releasing stress, flexibility to helping patient suffering | | | | area and it relieves constipation. It stretches the |
| from various diseases. Although the initial objective of | | | | hamstring muscles, lumbar and sacral regions and |
| Yogasana (Yoga) in Raja Yoga was different, | | | | increases flexibility in the hip joints. Regular practice of |
| however the ability of yoga to help patient with various | | | | this asana removes excess weight in the abdomen |
| ailments is really praiseworthy. | | | | area. |
| The Sitting Forward Bend is one of the most | | | | Three important reasons (out of many) not to do |
| demanding postures of Yoga. In this pose the body is | | | | Sitting Forward Bend: |
| folded almost in half, providing an intense stretch to the | | | | 1) A person who suffers from slipped disc and sciatica |
| entire back of the body, from the scalp down to the | | | | should not practice this powerful asana. |
| heels. | | | | 2) Anyone who has asthma should not attempt to |
| Students often struggle in this asana. If you pull | | | | practice this pose. |
| yourself forward using your shoulders and arms you | | | | 3) If you are in the first trimester of pregnancy avoid |
| will create the tension through your body and you will | | | | this asana as it puts stress on the womb. After the |
| end up tightening your muscles and this will not allow | | | | first trimester you can practice the pose very gently |
| you to get into the posture any quicker. While doing | | | | with your legs slightly apart. |
| this asana give some time for the muscles to stretch | | | | Issued in the interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga |
| and to release the tension. Often, because of tightness | | | | by Subodh Gupta, Yoga Expert based in London. |