This yoga pose, as its name suggests, is excellent for releasing abdominal gas. Pawanmuktasana is pronounced as PUH-vuhn-mukt-AAHS-uh-nuh.
Pavana = wind, mukta = relieve or release, Asana = Posture or Pose
Pawanmuktasana and gas and constipation problems
There is a very old saying in India, that if the brain and belly are healthy then a man is wealthy; meaning, when the mind is at peace and there is nothing ailing the stomach, then that person is fit and calm. The two, in fact, are connected hence to have a peaceful mind it is absolutely essential that our digestive system remains strong and Wind-Relieving Pose (Pawanmuktasana) yoga pose is a perfect cure for gas and constipation, two niggling problems of the stomach.
How to do Pawanmuktasana
- Lie on your back with your feet together and arms beside your body.
- Breathe in and as you exhale, bring your right knee towards your chest and press the thigh on your abdomen with clasped hands.
- Breathe in again and as you exhale, lift your head and chest off the floor and touch your chin to your right knee.
- Hold it there, as you take deep, long breaths in and out.
- Checkpoint: As you exhale, tighten the grip of the hands on the knee and increase the pressure on the chest. As you inhale, loosen the grip.
- As you exhale, come back to the ground and relax.
- Repeat this pose with the left leg and then with both the legs together.
- You may rock up and down or roll from side to side 3-5 times and then relax.
Wind-Relieving Pose (Pawanmuktasana) forms a part of Padma Sadhana, a special sequence yoga poses, taught in Advanced Meditation Program and DSN Programs.
Benefits of the Pawanmuktasana
- Strengthens the back and abdominal muscles
- Tones the leg and arm muscles
- Massages the intestines and other organs in the abdomen
- Helps in digestion and release of gas
- Enhances blood circulation in the hip joints and eases tension in the lower back
Contraindications
- Avoid practicing Wind-Relieving Pose (Pawanmuktasana) if you are facing the following health issues: high blood pressure, heart problem, hyperacidity, hernia, slip disc, testicle disorder, menstruation, neck and back problems.
- And after the second trimester of pregnancy.
