MAKARĀSANA (CROCODILE POSE)
MAKARĀSANA (CROCODILE POSE)
- Lie down on your belly
- Raise your head
- Rest your chin in your palms
- Keep the elbows on the floor
- Stay for 1-5 minutes
Asana in Depth
Makarāsana, also known as crocodile pose, is a resting pose which also acts as a slight backbend.
Lie down on belly. Raise your head up and bring your chin in your palms, with the fingers coming out to either side of the face. Rest your elbows on the floor, keeping them slightly apart. Relax the entire body as you let your elbows carry the weight of your head. You can keep your feet together, or keep them slightly apart.
Another variation of the pose, is to make a pillow with your hands and rest your head to the side, with your cheek on your hand. This is a gentle option which decreases any tension on the neck.
The benefits of makarāsana include deep relaxation for the entire body. It helps to relieve pain from slipped discs or back problems. It gently stretches out the spine, which allows the vertebrae to come back to its natural state, while releasing pressure from the joints.
The contra indication is pregnancy. If you are pregnant, please avoid lying on your belly and perform shavāsana instead
Lie down on belly. Raise your head up and bring your chin in your palms, with the fingers coming out to either side of the face. Rest your elbows on the floor, keeping them slightly apart. Relax the entire body as you let your elbows carry the weight of your head. You can keep your feet together, or keep them slightly apart.
Another variation of the pose, is to make a pillow with your hands and rest your head to the side, with your cheek on your hand. This is a gentle option which decreases any tension on the neck.
The benefits of makarāsana include deep relaxation for the entire body. It helps to relieve pain from slipped discs or back problems. It gently stretches out the spine, which allows the vertebrae to come back to its natural state, while releasing pressure from the joints.
The contra indication is pregnancy. If you are pregnant, please avoid lying on your belly and perform shavāsana instead
Major Benefits
- Relaxes the muscles
- Relieves tension and stress
- Stretches the spine
- Relieves back pain
Contra Indications
- Pregnancy
Anatomy Basics
- Lengthens the spinal erector muscles
- Stretches the spine
