What is Salabhasana?

Salabhasana, or Locust pose, came into existence after a great yogi, Shalabh, revealed this posture to cure back problems. It is an intermediate-level asana practised after lying on the stomach.

 

Salabhasana should practice with an empty stomach. Therefore, we manifest Salabhasana briefly during our Yoga Teacher Training Programmes and Yoga Retreats.

In yoga therapy, the locust pose is one of the essential asanas for working on the pelvis and lumbar areas. 

                             Shalbhasana for beginners

Salabhasana is a magnificent posture for beginners who want to step into yoga practices. It destresses the lumbar part and aligns the spinal cord. A beginner may start to learn this pose with a daily routine and should practice it in two ways:-

Method One:

Please lie down on your belly, straighten your legs and palms facing up, point the toes, and keep your hands apart from your body.

1. Please take a deep breath and lift one of the legs to 60 degrees.
2. Keep the other leg’s foot underneath this leg to support the Sacrum.
3. Try to hold your breath until the lungs allow it.
4. Settle the Pelvis and lower back properly. Tighten the Hip region. Pressure should be on the shoulders.
5. Slowly bring both legs down to the floor with the exhalation.

Method Two:

This method applies after lying in the prone position, placing the hands under the thighs, lifting both legs, pointing toes, and squeezing the buttocks.

1. Take a deep breath and exhale. This will relax your body. At the same time, adjust your hands underneath your thighs.
2. Deep inhale and lift both legs at the same time. Prana should hold on for 30 seconds.
3. Tighten your Gluteus and align your body; pressure will come on the shoulders.
4. Release the pressure from your lower back and slowly place the legs on the ground.
5. Please rest for some time until the body is not fully relaxed.

Benefits of Salabhasana

Shalbhasana is a contra pose of Bhujangasana. In Bhujangasana, the upper body is mainly in use. It activates below the spinal area and becomes more flexible. There are the benefits of Shalbhasana which are as follows:-

1. It circulates blood in the waist and lower body, stabilising the Pelvis.
2. All the organs of the abdominal region get exercised with this Asana, which helps cut off extra fat from the abdomen.
3. After practising Salabhasana for some time, leg muscles are strong, and body parts have good flexibility.
4. A person suffering from Sciatica should practice this pose daily. In addition, daily practice of the Locust pose helps permanently eliminate this problem.
5. It supplies fresh oxygenated blood to the abdomen, Kidneys, Pancreas, and big and small intestines. 
6. This posture works well for the Adrenal glands to work appropriately.
7. Shalbhasana has incredible work that strengthens the nerves of the hands, legs, and back.
8. It activates the Urinary and Excretory systems to detoxify the body.
9. Salbhasana gives a beautiful shape to the physical body, becoming full of Tejas or shine.
10. It has an excellent job awakening the Mooladhara chakra and improving digestive fire.

Precautions for Shalbhasana

•  People with slipped disks or lower back problems should avoid Shalbhasan or Purna Salabhasana.
•  It is also advisable not to practice for those suffering from heart problems or abdominal surgeries.
•  If there is any surgery related to the hip, the pelvis region should not be attempted without the supervision of a registered yoga teacher.
•  Salabhasana should not be attempted if you feel joint pain.

Note: Please look at our YouTube channel, Yoga with Indian Yogi, for videos on traditional yoga practices, Ashtanga yoga, Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation, Nauli Kriya, and yoga Therapy.

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