Naukasana – The Boat Pose
Naukasana or the Boat Pose stretches the abdominal muscles and tones all organs in the abdomen. In Sanskrit, Nauka means a boat and Asana means pose. In Naukasana the body takes the shape of a boat in the final position, hence the name Naukasana. Naukasana is good for those who wish to reduce belly fat and for developing the Abs muscles.
Brahmacharyasana – The Celibate’s Pose
Brahmacharyasana or the Celibate’s Pose helps to conserve sexual energy and strengthens abdominal muscles. It comes from the Sanskrit word Brahmacharya which means control over the senses especially the sexual urge.
Garbhasana – The Foetus Pose
Garbhasana or the Foetus Pose resembles a foetus in the womb in the final position. Garbhasana brings one back to the original state of mind when we were in the mother’s womb.
Yoga Mudrasana – The Psychic Union Pose
Yoga Mudrasana tones the spine, lower back and the abdomen. Yoga Mudrasana or the Psychic Union Pose is generally classified as an asana, even though the name suggests that it is a mudra. Yoga Mudrasana may be a little difficult for beginners, but when practiced can give great flexibility to the back and the hips.
Garudasana – The Eagle Pose
Garudasana or the Eagle’s Pose is an asana for enhancing body balance. The word Garuda means an eagle and refers to the mythical king of birds called Garuda, who is also the vehicle for Lord Vishnu. Garudasana is done in the standing pose, balancing on a single leg with the other leg wrapped around it.
Gomukhasana – The Cow Face Pose
Gomukhasana or the Cow Face Pose benefits those with diabetes, stiff back or shoulders, backaches and sexual ailments. In Sanskrit ‘Go’ means the ‘cow’, ‘Mukha’ means the ‘face’ and ‘Asana’ means the ‘pose’.
Bakasana – The Crane Pose
Bakasana or the Crane Pose looks like a crane patiently waiting to catch its prey. In Sanskrit, ‘baka’ means ‘crane’ and ‘asana’ means ‘pose’. There are many variations of Bakasana, depicting the crane in various poses. The most popular version that is practiced is called the Baka Dhyanasana which looks like a crane meditating in stillness, concentrating on its prey and waiting for the final kill.
Trikonasana – The Triangle Pose
Trikonasana or the triangle pose is a good stretching exercise which gives flexibility to the spine and pelvic region. In Sanskrit ‘trikona’ means ‘three corners’ or a ‘triangle’.
Trikonasana is an excellent posture to develop strength and balance. It also gives flexibility to the legs, waist and knees.
Sukhasana – The Easy Sitting Pose
Sukhasana or the easy sitting pose is one of the simplest pose for meditation suited for all beginners. Sukhasana comes from the Sanskrit work ‘Sukham’ which can mean ‘comfort’ , ‘easy’, ‘joyful’, ‘pleasure’, etc. Sukhasana can be done by all age groups.
Kechari Mudra – The Tongue Lock
Kechari Mudra is considered the king among mudras. In Sanskrit, the word ‘Kha’ indicates Brahman or the Supreme Reality and ‘Chara’ means to move. Kechari Mudra helps the practitioner to move in the blissful infinite consciousness of Brahman. Kechari is an advanced practice that enables the yogi to reach higher states of consciousness.
