Halasana: Know How To Do It And Learn About Its Health Benefits!

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Combination of the word ‘hala’ and ‘asana’, Halasana is used to improve the flexibility and strength of the back muscles. It can also help treat fertility problems in women. Sounds too good to be true? Read on to know more about it.

What Is Halasana?

Derived from the Sanskrit word ‘hala’, halasana is named so because it resembles a plough, agricultural equipment. This inversion asana increases the blood flow to the abdominal organs, which is why it is one of the most recommended yoga poses for menopausal women.

This asana is one of the finishing poses that you do right from the beginning in yoga. Once your feet touch the ground, it then becomes an advanced pose.

Things You Should Know Before You Try Halasana

There are a few things you ought to know before you start trying the halasana poses.

• Do the halasana in the morning only after nature’s call, not before that.
• Avoid doing halasana during pregnancy and while menstruating.
• Persons having cardiac problems strictly need to avoid practicing halasana.
• Drinking, smoking and drug abuse are a strict no-no while doing halasana.
• Once you start practicing halasana, complete doing so without any break or interruption.
• Never eat or take a bath immediately after doing halasana.
• Just inhale and exhale through your nose and regulate your breath.

How To Do The Halasana

No doubt it is a physically challenging pose but halasana is also one of the best yoga asanas for strengthening your legs. How to do halasana made simpler and easier for you:

1. Halasana For Beginners

Just like a plow, as an agricultural equipment, is used to prepare the soil in order to sow seeds, similarly, this asana rejuvenates the reproductive organs of the body. As a beginner, if you are clear about this, then doing plow pose becomes easier and enjoyable for you. Here is plow pose for beginners:

• Lie down on your back. It is called supine position.
• Raise both your legs straight up to a 90-degree angle from the floor.
• Keep your legs as straight as you can.
• Your shoulders should support your weight.
• Bend your legs over your head and keep them suspended above the ground.
• Lower your leg and rest your toes on the floor.
• Hold yourself in this position for a few seconds. Breathe normally.
• Return to the straight position (where you started from).
• Repeat the above steps a few times if you don’t feel any discomfort.
• You have now learned the art of doing plow pose.

Visual Representation Of How To Do Halasana:

Please Note: Follow the halasana steps in a sequential manner. When you do them incorrectly, it can damage your neck or lower back muscles.

2. Advanced Guide

Once you have mastered practicing halasana at the beginner’s level, then trying the advanced level should not be a problem for you. Here are the plough pose steps which should be done under the supervision of a professional yoga trainer.

• Lie on your back.
• Lift your legs.
• Bend your legs over your head to an appropriate height.
• Keep your shoulder blades straight.
• This will give your back a great stretch.
• It will also stimulate your organs and relieve you of stress.

Precautions:

Before trying out the plow poses, here are some precautions you need to take:

1. Restrain from practising it if you are suffering from the following health problems- severe pain or injury in the back or neck, slipped disc, sciatica, hernia, an enlargement of the thyroid gland or spleen or liver, cervical problems, frequent headaches, hypertension, asthma, diarrhoea, etc.
2. Strictly avoid trying this pose during pregnancy and while menstruating.
3. Avoid jerky movements or else you might injure your spine.
4. Try and practice this yoga asana under the guidance of a professional yoga trainer.

Benefits Of Halasana

The halasana benefits are several as it can work wonders for your health, fitness, beauty, and well-being. Let’s see how practicing the plow pose helps our body:

1. Strengthens the back muscles and stretches the spinal nerves.
2. Boosts the blood circulation.
3. Enhances digestion and metabolism.
4. Improves the functioning of the pancreas.
5. Boosts the liver-functioning, increases the production of red blood corpuscles, and improves your activity levels.
6. Strengthens the lungs and boosts the immunity.
7. Corrects the menstrual disorders and uterine problems in women.
8. Regulates the functioning of the endocrine glands and improves fertility in women.
9. Cures spinal issues and reduces arthritis-related problems.

Disclaimer

Before you start practising plough pose (at the beginner’s level, intermediate or advanced), do consult a doctor, registered practitioner or a trained yoga expert. Those who suffer from an acute spinal or stomach disorder should avoid performing this pose. Please practice the pose strictly under the supervision of a professional yoga trainer.

Hope you liked this post on halasana. Do spread the word and tell your friends and family about this wellness program.

If you found this post informative and helpful please give us a thumbs-up in the comments box below. If you practice the plow pose, do share your tips with us. We would love to hear from you!