Both light, capable of propelling itself, and anchored, living close to the ground, the locust has many things to teach us. This animal, which moves only by hopping from grass to grass, using its long hind legs, was not chosen by chance by yoga. Let's discover the subtleties of the locust pose and the benefits of practicing it regularly.
Specifications
Salabha means locust, grasshopper in Sanskrit, Asana means posture. Salabhasana is therefore the locust pose. If you look closely, the body takes the shape of a locust getting ready to jump.
It is a backbend in the same way as the upward facing dog or as the cobra.
From an Ayurvedic point of view, this posture can increase or decrease certain doshas.
This posture, when held for a long time, reduces the Vata and Kapha doshas.
The Pitta dosha can be slightly increased, if the posture is held for a long time, or decreased, if the posture is held lightly.
The locust also helps activate the digestive fire (Agni).
Benefits of Salabhasana
At the physical level
Lying on your stomach has a beneficial effect on the abdominal area. Indeed, this posture helps digestion, relieves gastric disorders, constipation and flatulence. It also plays a beneficial role on the organs of the abdominal region such as the bladder, liver, pancreas, kidneys and prostate glands. The locust pose can also harmonize the menstrual cycle, particularly with regard to painful periods, dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea.
Backbending is particularly beneficial for the back. The spine is stretched backwards, working on its elasticity. The posture relieves back pain in general, particularly in the lower back or sacrum. It can also be beneficial in cases of mild sciatica or slipped vertebrae.
Salabhasana tones the entire back of the body : the neck, shoulders, arms, back and buttocks.
At the mental level
Back bending promotes blood supply to the spinal cord and acts on the ganglia of the nervous system. This helps relieve stress by revitalizing the adrenal glands. Salabhasana thus calms our body.
Furthermore, it helps us take action, like the locust ready to make its jump. It allows us to strengthen our self-confidence, have better concentration and increase our mental strength and willpower.
Perform the posture step by step
Begin the posture lying on your stomach.
The whole body must rest on the ground. You can rest either your chin or your forehead on the mat.
The palms of the hands are facing the ground, the shoulder blades pressed together.
As you exhale, lift your head, chest and legs.
Only the abs rest on the mat. The entire weight of the body rests on them.
Both legs are straight and tense, glutes contracted, thighs stretched, arms stretched backwards, chest open forward. Breathing should remain fluid.
Alternatives for arriving in the posture
Lifting your chest, arms and legs at the same time can be difficult when you are a beginner. Over time, the abs will become stronger and the posture will be easier to perform.
As an alternative, it is possible to lift only the arms and chest. Or just lift your legs.
Vigilant point
It is not recommended to practice Salabhasana in case of pregnancy, abdominal inflammation, migraine, asthma, heart problems or even glaucoma.
Contact your healthcare professional in the event of health problems.
It is strongly recommended that you be accompanied by a person qualified in yoga to adapt the postures to your situation.
So practice Salabhasana for the sake of your back and get the mental strength of the locust!
Comments