Vajrasana (yoga)

Vajrasana

Vajrasana (vahj-RAH-sah-nah[1]; Sanskrit: वज्रासन; IAST: vajrāsana), Adamantine Pose,[2][3][4][5] Diamond Pose,[2][3][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Kneeling Pose,[2][13][14] Pelvic Pose,[2][15] and Thunderbolt Pose[2][6][11][16][17][18] is a sitting pose (asana) in yoga describing a kneeling position, sitting on one's heels.

Etymology

The name comes from the Sanskrit words vajra meaning "thunderbolt" or "diamond",[19] and asana (आसन, āsana) meaning "posture" or "seat".[20]

Description

The practitioner sits on the heels with the calves beneath the thighs. There is a four finger gap between the knee-caps, and the first toe of both the feet touch each other and sit erect.

Benefits

This asana helps in digestive issues like constipation.[21] It also strengthens the muscles of the legs[22] and back.[23]

Contraindications and cautions

Some orthopaedic surgeons claim Vajrasana may be harmful to knees.[24]

It has also been linked to damage to the common fibular nerve resulting in foot drop, where dorsiflexion of the foot is compromised and the foot drags (the toe points) during walking; and in sensory loss to the dorsal surface of the foot and portions of the anterior, lower-lateral leg. In this context it has been called "yoga foot drop".[25][26]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Budilovsky, Joan; Adamson, Eve (2000). The complete idiot's guide to yoga (2 ed.). Penguin. p. 203. ISBN 978-0-02-863970-3. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Ravindran, K. (2006). Happy Living: A Holistic and Practical Guide to Optimise Mind and Body. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. p. 55. ISBN 978-1-84557-664-6. Retrieved 11 April 2011. Pelvic, Kneeling, Adamantine, Diamond or Thunderbolt Pose
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Belling, Noa (20 February 2008). The Yoga Handbook. New Holland Publishers. p. 64. ISBN 978-1-84537-935-3. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  4. ↑ Venkateswaran, P. S. (August 2003). Yoga for Healing. Jaico Publishing House. p. 50. ISBN 978-81-7224-321-0. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  5. ↑ Coulter, David (2001). Anatomy of Hatha Yoga: a manual for students, teachers, and practitioners. Body and Breath, Inc. p. 577. ISBN 978-0-9707006-1-2. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Prof Dr M. R. Jain. Science of Yoga & Health. Prof Dr Mohan Raj Jain. p. 59. GGKEY:54BDXW1KA4U. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  7. ↑ Yogi Pranavananda (1 January 1997). Pure Yoga. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 62. ISBN 978-81-208-1508-7. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  8. ↑ Chopra, Deepak; Simon, David (3 August 2005). The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga: A Practical Guide to Healing Body, Mind, and Spirit. John Wiley and Sons. p. 218. ISBN 978-0-471-73627-1. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  9. ↑ Couch, Jean (10 June 1990). The Runner's Yoga Book: A Balanced Approach to Fitness. Rodmell Press. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-9627138-1-1. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  10. ↑ Bromley, Gary (2004). Yoga class: flexibility, fitness, relaxation. Hinkler Books. p. 20. ISBN 978-1-74121-500-7. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Volin, Michael (April 1979). Challenging the years: yoga wisdom and modern knowledge for healthier and longer life. Harper & Row. p. 254. ISBN 978-0-06-014469-2. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  12. ↑ Boccio, Frank Jude; Feuerstein, Georg (2004). Mindfulness yoga: the awakened union of breath, body and mind. Wisdom Publications. p. 324. ISBN 978-0-86171-335-6. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  13. ↑ Swami Rama; Ballentine, Rudolph; Hymes, Alan (1 May 1998). Science of Breath: A Practical Guide. Himalayan Institute Press. p. 108. ISBN 978-0-89389-151-0. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  14. ↑ Anderson, Sandra; Sovik, Rolf (1 April 2000). Yoga: mastering the basics. Himalayan Institute Press. p. 90. ISBN 978-0-89389-155-8. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  15. ↑ Institute Of Naturopathy Staff (6 December 2003). Speaking Of Yoga For Health. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. p. 58. ISBN 978-1-84557-026-2. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  16. ↑ "Vajrasana". Retrieved 2011-04-11.
  17. ↑ Feuerstein, Georg; Payne, Larry (5 April 2010). Yoga For Dummies. For Dummies. p. 90. ISBN 978-0-470-50202-0. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  18. ↑ Rosen, Richard (14 November 2006). Pranayama Beyond the Fundamentals: An In-Depth Guide to Yogic Breathing with Instructional CD. Shambhala Publications. p. 74. ISBN 978-1-59030-298-9. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  19. ↑ Budilovsky, Joan; Adamson, Eve (2000). The complete idiot's guide to yoga (2 ed.). Penguin. p. 203. ISBN 978-0-02-863970-3. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  20. ↑ Sinha, S.C. (1 June 1996). Dictionary of Philosophy. Anmol Publications PVT. LTD. p. 18. ISBN 978-81-7041-293-9. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
  21. ↑ "Yoga to relieve constipation". http://www.artofliving.org''.
  22. ↑ "Vajrasana (The adamantine pose)". http://sivanandaonline.org''.
  23. ↑ "Vajrasana, Diamond pose, thunderbolt pose". http://www.yogawiz.com''. 9 November 2010.
  24. ↑ Nelson, Dean (2010-12-23). "Yoga bad for your knees, Indian doctor warns". Telegraph. Retrieved 2011-04-11. Many yoga gurus had suffered knee and joint problems from performing the 'vajrasana' posture [...]
  25. ↑ Joseph Chusid (August 9, 1971). "Yoga Foot Drop". JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association 271 (6): 827–828. doi:10.1001/jama.1971.03190060065025. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  26. ↑ William J. Broad (January 5, 2012). "How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body". The New York Times Magazine. Retrieved August 29, 2012.

Further reading

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Asana.