Friday 7 October 2011

Hands to Feet - Pada-Hasthasana

Unlike traditional “touch-your-toes” hamstring-stretch taught in PE class, hands-to-feet pose the whole body. This is perfect example of how a pose can both work to strengthen and stretch your body. As you pull with your arms to increase flexibility, your spine, hips and legs are stretched in what Bikram calls a “360 degree stretching angle.” Completion of this pose after half-moon and backward-bending, means that the spine has been stretched in four directions, the circulatory and nervous systems have been invigorated to prepare the body for class.



Strengthens

  •           Biceps
  •           Deltoids
  •           Quadriceps
  •           Calves
  •           Rectus Abdominis
  •           Trapezius muscles


Stretches
  •           Hamstrings
  •           Spine
  •           Sciatic nerve
  •           Tendons and ligaments of the legs
  •           Shoulders

Stimulates
  •           Pineal and pituitary glands
  •           Colon
  •           Pancreas
  •           Kidneys


Benefits
  •           Firms and trims waistline, hips, abdomen, buttocks and thighs
  •            Good for frozen shoulder
  •           Relieves lower back pain
  •           Good for abdominal obesity
  •           Greatly enhances concentration
  •           Helps with sciatic problems
  •           Improves circulation to the brain and legs










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