Shashank is Sanskrit word for moon. Hence this is Asana of the moon. Various moods of the mind are linked to the moon and this Asana is said to benefit both the mind and the body. Another meaning of Shashank is hare hence it is also called the hare pose. It is the opposite of Ushtr Asana. Preferably these two Asanas may be done one after the other to give a complete body movement and get maximum benefits.
Shashankasana : The Hare or Crescent Moon Pose - Detailed Description
Steps:
- Sit in Vajrasana
- Inhale and raise your arms above your head
- Exhaling bend forward from your waist and keep your palms on the floor. Your abdomen must be pressing against the thighs and your buttocks must be resting on your heels.
- Bring your forehead to the floor and keep the hands stretched in front of you with palms on the ground.
- Inhale and return to Vajrasana
Benefits:
- Strengthens the muscles of the legs and thighs
- Improves flexibility of the back
- Helps relieve stress.
- Improves skin texture
- It exercises the lower abdomen and improves digestion. It also relieves stiffness of the spine.
Tips and Help:
- When the forehead touches the ground, the buttocks should still remain on the floor.
- Those suffering from severe backache must not practice this.
- Those suffering from severe arthritis must not practice this.
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