Ardha-Matshyendra Asana

This Asana is named after its’ inventor, Yogi Matshyendra Nath (Teacher of famous and ancient Yogi Gorakh N?th). Full Matshyendra Asana is almost impossible to Practice for an average Sadhaka, therefore Semi or half Matshyendra Asana is practiced. It is bit difficult to explain in words but easier in practice after a few days’ work outs.

1. Fold your left leg so as to touch heal to right hip.

2. Position your right foot forward and just touching the side of left knee, also keep the right knee up in front of chest.

3. Now bring left arm behind right knee and grip right ankle or foot.

4. Place your left hand around the back and turn shoulders, eye sight and face, maximum towards left.

5. Stay on in this intermediate posture for a minute and see that the new shoulder line has come to nearly 90º to the normal.

6. Once exhale fully and increase the twist of lower abdomen, make breathing normal and stay in this final posture for yet another few seconds.

7. Come to normal sitting position, relax for a while and perform Asana with the position of legs and hands changed.

8. Relax after performing the Asana from both sides, let breathing some to normal.

Benefits of Ardha-Matshyendra Asana – Enhances flexibility of whole body. Makes body limber and supple. This is highly beneficial and recommended to persons having diabetic and obesity problems. Perfectly shapes side muscles of abdomen, reduces inches of waist line. Aspirants may find little difficult to practice this Asana in the initial days, but after putting on a few day’s consistent efforts, they shall be able to practice Ardha-Matshyendra Asana with perfection. Though difficult to practice, the results are equally rewarding to Sadhaka.