VRIKSHASANA !!!

Vriksha means TREE. Tree like posture is called VRIKSHASANA

Procedure:

• Stand straight, in attention position
• Using your right hand bend the right knee and rest the right feet on left thigh, the sole of foot resting on inner left thigh and shift all the body weight to your left leg.
• Once you are able to balance on single foot, rise both the hand upward and form a namaskara (i.e. joining both the palms). Stretch your hand as far as possible. The more you stretch your body its easier to maintain the balance.
• Close your eyes and keep the mind fixed & focused and continue to breathe normally.
• Stay in this position for few minutes.
• While releasing, exhale and bring both the hands down and slowly slide the right feet and rest it on the ground in attention position.
• Repeat the same with the left leg

Benefits:

• Improvement of balance and flexibility
• Improvement in concentration and memory
• Strengthen the thigh
• Strengthen the feet and ankles
• Effective stretching exercise for leg muscle, particularly thighs as well as for chest and shoulders
  

Note:

• Beginners to maintain balance perform the asana by leaning to wall and taking the back support to maintain balance.
• Do not perform the asana when you suffer from headache or migraines, low blood pressure.
• Hypertension people can perform this asan but do it without raising the arms over the head.
  

You may not know ALL of these things.

• The liquid inside young coconuts can be used as a substitute for Blood plasma.
• You burn more calories SLEEPING than you do watching television.
• Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.
• Most dust particles in your house are made from DEAD SKIN!

Paschimottanasana

Method:

· Sit on the ground or mat with both the legs stretched forward.

· Stretch both the hands up with fingers pointing upwards.

· Slowly try bending forward along with the hands and try to reach the feet. Keep the knees straight while bending forward.

· If you feel constriction while bending, straighten up and again try bending slowly

· Do not force yourself to reach the feet (might injure muscles). If you cannot reach the feet try keeping the hands near the ankles and stretch back and the shoulders.

· Try to remain in this pose for few minutes.

Benefits:

· Beneficial for liver, ovaries uterus and kidney

· Stretches the back

· Stretches the spine

· Stretches the hands

· Strengthens the thigh

· Improves digestion

· Very helpful for women as it relieves the menstrual discomfort.

· Do not perform this asana if you have back problem.