In yoga, sometimes the simplest things are the most beneficial for you. It doesn’t take much in the way of a cross-legged pose challenge. However, their importance in a traditional hatha yoga practice cannot be overstated. With continued practice, each of them reveals layers of subtle refinements that help us develop an awareness of the deepest layers of our energetic body.
Cross-legged poses are still of utmost importance because they help open up the hips and help the correct dimensional patterns developed from sitting, driving, and walking in chairs.
If you are a fitness freak and want to learn more about yoga poses, then you should join the 7 Chakras Yoga School & learn from the best yoga gurus in a home-like environment.
Sukhasana
At first sight, Sukhasana is almost too simple to even call a pose. Although, upon further examination, sitting comfortably in a simple cross-legged position with a long straight spine can be surprisingly challenging to maintain for long periods of time.
Those who have difficulty with this pose are advised to sit at some sort of height, either a bolster or a block, and may have some support under the thighs to protect the knees from stress or pressure.
The key to doing Sukhasana is the need to maintain an upright posture not to release tension in all the muscles so that the breathing is free and easy. For most people, this is the go-to pose for breathing exercises and meditation, so being able to hold this pose with ease is important.
Sitting cross-legged on the floor also helps to open up the hips and counteract the effects of sitting, driving, or walking in chairs. It has a subtle grounding effect that can be of great help in times of extreme anxiety, and it is also an activating effect in times of laziness or depression.
Bud Konasana
In bounded angle posture, the practitioner sits on the floor with both feet touching and knees dropping outwards. It is usually recommended for people with tight hips to keep the feet one foot or away from the pelvis, although flexible people may be able to pull the heel toward the pubic bone without discomfort.
It is also advisable for people with tight hips to put some support under the thighs so that the knees can be raised and it is comfortable to release the pose completely.
This is one of the most important hip opening poses and an absolute prerequisite for the more advanced cross-legged poses are Lotus Pose and Firelog Pose. This is especially beneficial for people who suffer from sciatica and can be done in a gentle, passive way.
Gomukhasana
In Gomukhasana, the thighs and knees are brought together on top of each other, while the soles of the feet face backward on the opposite side of the body. People with loose hips will find it easier to get into this position. However, the currency would need to be modified to make it accessible to most people.
Sitting on a block would make room for most people too big. Alternatively, there is no need to bring the knees to touch. Simply allow the top leg to rest against the bottom thigh close to the ankle and open the hip.
It is important to be very careful in this pose as it can put a lot of strain on the knees if performed incorrectly. However, it is one of the most beneficial poses for breaking down the fascia in the legs that can limit mobility and is one of the major poses in yin yoga for this reason.
If you want to learn different types of yoga asana that can help you reduce weight and lead a healthier life then you should join the Weight Loss Retreat In Rishikesh.
Ardha Matsyendrasana
In Ardha Matsyendrasana the lower part of the right leg is brought outside the left thigh, with the knee raised towards the ceiling, while the left leg is bent and the heel of the left leg is brought outside the right buttock in front of the knee.
The practitioner then returns to a gentle bend to the right, actively pressing the left hand into the upper right leg while it is placed on the floor. If there is any kind of pressure on the knee, this posture can also be straightened with the left leg.
This pose is one of the most powerful twistings poses as it involves both internal and external rotation of the hips and helps to build a strong lower back while extending and decompressing the spine.