VASISTHASANA

Side Plank Pose (Vasisthasana) Benefits:

Unlike many arm balance yoga poses, Vasisthasana (Side Plank Pose) is a side arm balance pose and comes with some benefits apart from preparering the body for more challenging arm balance poses. Given below are some of these benefits:

 

1.                 Arms and Shoulders: The practice of Vasisthasana (Side Plank Pose) is mainly done to improve the strength of the arms and shoulders, while also teaching the students to engage the scapula (shoulder blades) since this is essential for all arm balance yoga poses. While strengthening the arms, they also get toned.

 

2.                 Core and Abdominal Muscles: Every arm balance pose requires greater understanding of using the abdominal muscles by engaging the entire core muscles. Thus, with this practice of side arm balance, students will improve in their core strength while learning to focus on using the abdominal area efficiently.

 

3.                 Hips and Spine: When engaging the core muscles, students will also use the pelvic floor muscles to hold the hips in position. This will help to bring stability to the hips when practiced equally on both sides. When there is stability in the hips, and the core muscles get stronger, eventually they all support the spine.

 

4.                 Wrists and Feet: Side Plank Pose puts pressure mostly with the weight of the body resting on the wrists and feet. Wrists are essential part of all arm balance poses, and in this case even the feet, hence a great pose to work on them to build strength and flexibility.

 

5.                 Lower body: The legs plays a great role from the engaging of the gluteus maximus, hamstrings, quadriceps, and calves. The toning of the lower body is done while improving in the strength and flexibility, of the same.

 

6.                 Awareness and Endurance: Knowing the body and it's limitations are essential part of practicing this pose. While being aware of the body as well as the breathing pattern, this pose teaches students both, to let go, or get stronger. This will further help in building endurance and focus for more challenging poses.

 

7.                 Balance and Stability: The practice of Side Plank Pose (Vasisthasana) is about both sides of the spine as well as both sides of the brain. Focusing on getting equal stretch and stability on both side while with this posture also helps in bringing balance to both sides of the body as well as the mind.