Yoga: Bend back to face up to life
The bridge pose works to bolster strength and a positive attitude
Setu asana, or bridge pose, is a backward-bending asana. It helps expand one’s chest and encourage inhalation, and is associated with the attitude of embracing life.
This is a dynamic posture, which counters gravity and requires strength to perform.
On a mental level, backward-bending asanas help to make one more flexible in one’s attitude towards life.
They increase spontaneity and make one fearless and ready to face the challenges that everyday life has to offer.
On a physical level, this asana stretches the abdominal muscles,
tones and strengthens the muscles of the spine. It is important to perform this asana with controlled breath, so that the entire group of muscles gets uniformly contracted.
This asana should not be practised by people who suffer from high blood pressure, heart disease and stomach ulcers.
Setu Asana
- Sit with legs stretched forward, placing palms on either side of body behind buttocks. Keep elbows straight, fingers pointing backwards and trunk slightly reclined.
- While inhaling, raise buttocks and lift body upwards. Let head hang back. Keep arms and legs straight.
- Hold breath in final position for as long as is comfortable.
- Return to sitting position, while exhaling, by lowering buttocks to ground.
Benefits
- Setu asana helps strengthen and tone the lumbar region of the spine and the Achilles tendons.
- It can correct postural defects and neuromuscular imbalances of the vertebral column.
- It helps prevent slipped disc and other back conditions.
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