| The Fish - (Matsyasana) | | | | strengthens the muscles of the upper back and the |
| The Fish pose does not look like a fish but if it is | | | | neck. It regulates emotions and it relieves stress. |
| performed in water it enables a person to float like a | | | | Many people who have depression often have |
| fish, hence the name. In this posture the chest is fully | | | | feelings of tightness or pressure in the chest. This |
| expanded and stretched, and the breathing becomes | | | | pose performed regularly can help ease the pressure. |
| fuller. | | | | The Fish should be performed for at least half the |
| The Fish pose should be practiced after the | | | | amount of time of performing the Shoulderstand in |
| Shoulderstand (Sarvangasana) and the Plough pose | | | | order to balance the stretch. |
| (Halasana) because it gives the neck an effective | | | | Tip for beginners: you may place a blanket or a block |
| counter stretch and because it opens and releases | | | | under your head if the crown does not comfortably |
| any muscular tension of the chest after performing | | | | come to the floor. |
| Shoulderstand and Plough. When these postures are | | | | Even though the Fish pose brings tremendous benefits |
| practiced together the activity of the thyroid gland is | | | | to the practitioner, there are some health conditions |
| regulated; a hypo active gland is stimulated and a | | | | where this pose should not be practiced. |
| hyper active gland is pacified. | | | | Three important reasons (out of many) not to do the |
| The Fish pose relieves the stiffness of the neck and | | | | Fish: |
| shoulder muscles and corrects any tendency of having | | | | 1) During pregnancy this asana is to be avoided as it |
| rounded shoulders. | | | | places enormous strain on the womb. |
| It stretches the muscles between the ribs and the | | | | 2) If you suffer from serious lower back or neck injury |
| throat as well as the abdominal organs. It removes | | | | avoid this posture. |
| stiffness in cervical (neck), thoracic (between neck and | | | | 3) In case of hernia this asana must not be practiced. |
| waist) and lumbar (lower part of the back) regions | | | | Issued in the interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga |
| increasing blood circulation in these areas. It | | | | by Subodh Gupta, Yoga Expert based in London. |