The term APANASANA can simply be broken into two, Apana and Asana, for easy definition. Apana refers to the flow of rising energy in the astral spine, while Asana simply refers to the posture of the body or pose.
Apanasana, as a general term, means relaxing supine Asana. It is an activity performed at the end of a yoga sequence. So, what is the Apanasana pose and its benefits?
Apanasana pose is a workout that involves lying on your back while your knees are gently drawn towards your chest. While in this position, you should keep inhaling, then carefully release your knees away from the chest.
This should be done slightly. While your legs are hugging inwards, exhale. While in the same pose, move your knees in circles or keep rocking from side to side. This is meant for releasing tension from the lower back.
Apanasana pose is believed to aid in the movement of toxins downwards, through, and outside the body, among many other benefits.
What is the Apanasana Pose?
Apanasana pose is a yoga posture that most yogis overlook when exercising. Also known as the knees-to-chest or wind-relieving pose, the Apanasana pose is a simple but effective relaxing supine asana that involves pressing the spine on the floor, and pulling the knees into the chest.
This posture moves toxins downward, through, and out of the body while relaxing the spine. Its amazing benefits include releasing tension from the body, stimulating body organs, and eliminating toxins. It also stabilizes and stretches the pelvis and low back, which aids in reducing lower back pain.
Benefits of Apanasana Pose
Below are the benefits associated with the Apanasana pose.
Enhances Stretching, Lengthening, and Strengthening
The Apanasana pose stretches the gluteus maximus as well as the biceps femoris. As well, it aids in stabilizing hips. This workout facilitates the pressing of thighs onto the abdomen; the pressure created ends in the lower back, thus making it stronger.
The exercise also works on toning the arms as well as the shoulders, and this happens while one pulls up their knees to the chest, trying to balance the body. The workout also helps in strengthening the cervical spine and finally makes the abdominal muscles firm through the pressure created in the abdomen.
Apanasana Pose Works on the Diaphragm, Breath, and Chest
While performing this workout, the neck and the upper part of the body rests on the floor or the mat. This enables the practitioner to pull their knees in the direction of the chest.
As a result, the upper, as well as the mid-back part of the back on the mat or floor, offers the needed support to the chest.
At the same time, the shoulders are properly aligned on the floor, a factor that opens the chest abstemiously. This further activates the chest muscles as well as the back of the lungs, enhancing moderate opening.
When the said muscles have activated, both functions of the lungs and the flexibility of the diaphragm are enhanced.
Apanasana Pose Aids in Alignment and Posture
This workout facilitates the lower body toning as well as strengthening of the lower back; combining this hip stability enhances the body posture.
The pushing force applied on the knees upon the chest enhances moderate opening of the hip joint together with toning the glutes. This action contributes to improvement in the flexibility of the lower body.
Apanasana Pose Has a Therapeutic and Healing Impact
This practice is known to be therapeutic; as a result, it is likely to be used by Yoga trainers in treating conditions such as diabetes, impotence, constipation, menstrual disorders, and flatulence. Flatulence is a condition that involves the building up of gas within the digestive system leading to abdominal discomfort.
High levels of flatulence can lead to distress as well as discomfort. At times people experience migraines or headaches from time to time. This can be attributed to an accumulation of gases in the body that is not emitted. To find out about stretches for gas pain, have a read here.
This workout is capable of treating such conditions; the treatment happens as a result of imparting moderate pressure on the lower abdomen. It also facilitates good blood circulation within the productive system.
Proper blood circulation within the reproductive system aids in treating PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), a hormonal condition that is commonly experienced by women, infertility as well as impotence in men.
These poses have been proved to aid in lowering the level of menstrual pains. It is also known to work effectively in strengthening the lumbar spine.
In addition, this practice can be used to treat sciatica and piriformis, conditions that cause excessive pain within the buttocks, feet, hips, and hamstrings.
Apanasana Pose Helps with Hormonal Balance and Emotions
The imbalance of hormones is known to be the key contributing factor to creating mood swings. Apanasana pose is known to address hormonal issues in both genders.
It does not only help to balance hormones among only adults, but the teens are as well catered for. It has been known to help teens in coping with challenges associated with growing up.
Blockage in the root, as well as the sacral chakra, is known to create laziness, doubt, and fear; however, this pose is known to work positively on this problem.
The pose enhances the removal of negative emotions as well as fears, and this happens through the opening of the hip as well as the balancing of chakras.
Apanasana Pose Aids in the Stimulation of Body Organs
This pose focuses mainly on the abdomen, a factor that facilitates massaging of the abdomen as well as other organs. This turns out to be most effective on the digestive system.
The pose will also ensure fresh blood flow to all the parts within the lower abdomen. The pressure created on the abdomen facilitates the flow of blood to the body organs. This helps in reproduction, thus doing away with any imbalance within the reproductive system.
Apanasana Helps in Energizing, Relaxing, and De-stressing
Apanasana pose has an energizing impact. It enhances the flushing of gases out of the body, and this helps in facilitating metabolism.
This helps in the detoxifying process, a fact that refreshes the body. Migraines, as well as headaches, are likely to result from indigestion or Vata doshas. Such conditions are well taken care of by this pose as it does away with imbalances.
This pose is also known to strengthen the lower part of the back, a factor that helps in calming the nervous system. Upon facilitating the moderate opening of the hip, the pose helps in stabilizing the lower part of the back.
This helps in alleviating muscle stress as well as tension accrued in these parts. This brings about relaxation, thus boosting energy.
Final Thoughts On What is the Apanasana Pose
Apanasana pose can be described as one workout with multiple health benefits to the human body, ranging from stabilizing hips, facilitating blood circulation, hormonal balance as well as energizing the body; the list is endless.
All these health benefits speak volumes about exactly what Apanasana pose can do to one’s health. It is one of the health undertakings that should be practiced where possible.
To finish the explanation of what is the Apanasana pose, we will recap by saying:
Known as the Knees-to-Chest pose, is a simple and restorative yoga position. It involves lying on your back and pulling your knees towards your chest, hugging them close with your arms.
This pose is particularly beneficial as it promotes the release of excess air and toxins from the body, helping to improve digestion. Apanasana also has positive effects on the spine, as it helps to elongate the lower back and release tension, thereby reducing backache and discomfort.
Additionally, it is known to have a calming effect on the mind, which can help alleviate stress and anxiety. Thus, incorporating the Apanasana pose into your yoga practice can contribute to both physical and mental well-being.
