Shalabhasana is an ancient yoga posture whose name consists of the words Shalabh and Asana. During the practice of this yoga, the shape of the body looks like that of Shalabh (a kind of insect), according to which this yoga posture got its name.Shalabhasana is also known as “Locust Pose” in English.This yoga asana is considered very effective for beginners, with the help of which increases the flexibility in the back and spine as well as strengthens the abdominal muscles. There may be some complications in doing Salabhasana in the beginning. However, with the help of practice one can get success in doing it with the right technique. Today in this article we will know about the health benefits of Shalabhasana and also know what is the right way to practice it.
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Benefits of Locust Pose:
Shalabhasana mainly strengthens the muscles and bones present in the back and brings flexibility in them. The major benefits of Shalabhasana include:
1. Make the muscles strong and flexible.
This yoga action is considered beneficial for many muscles of the body. These include the back, thigh, chest and core muscles.
2. Improve body posture
Shalabhasana is included in such yoga postures, which require balance to do. In addition, it strengthens the core muscles and improves both body balance and posture.
3. Shalabhasana to speed up the digestion process
During Shalabhasana, the abdominal muscles get stretched as well as the organs inside the stomach also get stimulated and helps in speeding up the digestion process.
4. Shalabhasan removes mental diseases
Shalabhasana yoga posture not only improves physical health, but it also improves mental health significantly. Conditions like depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia can be treated by practicing Shalabhasana regularly.
However, to get the health benefits of Shalabhasana mentioned above, it is necessary to do it in the right way. If you are going to practice Shalabhasana for the first time or you are not aware of its correct method then it is advisable to take help from a good yoga instructor.
Steps to do Locust Pose:
To get health benefits from Shalabhasana, it is important to know the right way to do this yogasana. You can learn Shalabhasana through the following steps –
1 – Lie down on the mat on your stomach, place your forehead on the mat and keep your arms by your side
2 – Make a little distance in both the legs and raise the head while taking a deep breath
3 – After this, while exhaling, lift both the hands and chest in the air.
4 – While raising the hands, keep the palms facing down
5 – With the help of the thighs, raise the legs a little more and try to raise the hands along with it.
6 – In this mudra, you touch your pelvis and chest with the mat and the rest of your body is in the air.
You can hold this posture for a minute and then while exhaling, slowly bring down the raised parts of the body. After this let the body rest for some time and then repeat the same process.
Precautions during Locust Pose:
Beginners may find it a bit difficult to keep the body in the air, so they can keep their hands on the ground during this yoga pose and lift only as much of the body as they can.
During Shalabhasana, do not try to do any action by force or lift the body parts with swiftness or jerking. Doing so can cause pain in some parts of the body.
When not to do Locust pose:
If you have the following health-related problems, then you are advised not to do Shalabhasana –
- severe pain in the neck, back, abdomen, leg, or arm
- high or low blood pressure
- heart or respiratory disease
- feeling weak, tired or lethargic
