Asanas - The Wheel Posture

This is a fairly difficult posture and can be difficult totaking a deep breath. After head, lift your back and
perform and master. The Sanskrit name for thisbuttocks above the floor in a way that your whole
posture is 'Chakra asana' which also means wheelbody appears in an arch. While in this position, keep
posture. As the name suggests, in this posture ourpressing your hands downwards and raising your
body bends in a circular shape like a wheel. It is alsostomach and hips upwards.
known as the urdhva-dhanurasana asana in which5. Then stay in this position for few seconds, while
urdhva means elevated and dhanur means the bow.taking a deep breath. Then, slowly exhale when holding
As a result, this posture is also known as raised bowthe breath becomes uncomfortable. While exhaling,
posture because the body bends in the shape of aslowly bring your body back to the ground. Straighten
bow while performing this posture.your legs and come back to the shava asana.
The wheel posture is performed by following theseThe wheel posture is a challenging yoga postures and
steps-you may not be able to master it quickly. But you must
1. First, lie down on a mat on the floor. You should betry to perform it as even an unsuccessful attempt of
lying in "shava asana" i.e. flat on your back with yourthis posture is very beneficial for the body. You can
feet touching and your palms on both sides, close tostart by trying to perform this asana for as long as
the body. Your breathing should be deep and constant.you can. Slowly, your spine will gain enough flexibility
2. Now, take a deep breath and bend your kneesthat you will be able to complete the entire posture
slowly while exhaling. Bring your both feet close toexpertly. With the increase in your expertise of this
buttocks. Take your feet as close as you can to yourposture, its benefits on your body will also increase.
buttocks. While doing this, soles of both of your feetThis posture restores the flexibility of spine and also
should be firmly on the ground.strengthens it. It also gives strength to our shoulders,
3. Then, bend both of your arms and put both of yourupper back muscles and arms. This posture gives
palms on the mat. The palms should be placedstimulation to the heart and increases the blood flow.
beneath the respective shoulders in a way that yourThis posture is believed to strengthen and benefit our
fingers point towards your back.entire body.
4. Now, start raising your head above the ground, while