Halasana
Halasana (Sanskrit: हलासन; IAST: Halāsana) or Plough Pose[1] is an inverted asana in hatha yoga and modern yoga as exercise.
Etymology and origins
The name comes from the Sanskrit words हला hala, "plough" and आसन asana, "posture" or "seat".[2]
The pose is described and illustrated in the 19th century Sritattvanidhi as Lāṇgalāsana, which also means plough in Sanskrit.[3]
Description
The pose is entered from Sarvangasana (shoulderstand), lowering the back slightly for balance, and moving the arms and legs over the head until the outstretched toes touch the ground and the fingertips, in a preparatory variant of the pose. The arms may then be moved to support the back into a more vertical position, giving a second variant pose. Finally, the arms may be stretched out on the ground away from the feet, giving the final pose in the shape of a traditional plough.[4]
Variations
Suptakonasana is a reclining variant of Halasana.[5]
Claims
Twentieth century advocates of some schools of yoga, such as B. K. S. Iyengar, made claims for the effects of yoga on specific organs, without adducing any evidence.[6][7] Iyengar claimed that this pose brought "the same" benefits as Sarvangasana, with the additional benefit of relief of backache, but unlike that pose was recommended for people with high blood pressure.[8]
Cautions
Plough pose can put significant strain on the cervical spine, which does not normally undergo this type of stress, and can cause injury if not performed properly.[9][10][11]
See also
References
- ↑ YJ Editors (28 August 2007). "plough Pose" [archive]. Yoga Journal.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ↑ Sivananda, Swami (June 1985). Health and hatha yoga [archive]. Divine Life Society. p. 128. ISBN 978-0-949027-03-0.
- ↑ Sjoman, Norman E. (1999) [1996]. The Yoga Tradition of the Mysore Palace. Abhinav Publications. p. 72. ISBN 81-7017-389-2.
- ↑ Iyengar, B.K.S (1979). Light on Yoga. New York: Schocken. pp. 216–219. ISBN 0-8052-1031-8.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|titlelink=ignored (help) - ↑ "Supta Konasana" [archive]. Yogapedia. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
- ↑ Newcombe 2019, pp. 203-227, Chapter "Yoga as Therapy".
- ↑ Jain 2015, pp. 82–83.
- ↑ Iyengar 1979, pp. 219-220.
- ↑ Yoga Journal [archive]. Active Interest Media. February 1983. p. 7. ISSN 0191-0965 [archive].
- ↑ Robin, Mel (May 2002). A Physiological Handbook for Teachers of Yogasana [archive]. Wheatmark. p. 516. ISBN 978-1-58736-033-6.
- ↑ Robin, Mel (2009). A Handbook for Yogasana Teachers: The Incorporation of Neuroscience, Physiology, and Anatomy Into the Practice [archive]. Wheatmark. p. 835. ISBN 978-1-58736-708-3.
Sources
- Iyengar, B. K. S. (1979) [1966]. Light on Yoga: Yoga Dipika. Unwin Paperbacks. ISBN 978-1855381667.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Jain, Andrea (2015). Selling Yoga : from Counterculture to Pop culture. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-939024-3. OCLC 878953765 [archive].
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Newcombe, Suzanne (2019). Yoga in Britain: Stretching Spirituality and Educating Yogis. Bristol, England: Equinox Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78179-661-0.
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