Dandayamana-Janushirasana - Standing Head to Knee

Standing head-to-knee builds great concentration and determination. As the knee locks, the contraction of the thigh creates a “suspension” of the knee joint, pulling bone away from bone. By maintaining the pose, the soft tissues surrounding the knee are strengthened helping to protect the cartilage of the knee. As you bend over, the proximity of the heart to the floor, puts pressure on the muscle, exercising the heart through elevating the heart rate. The completion of all four stages of the pose profoundly strengthens the body and mind, improving confidence, focus, patience and determination. When you fall out of this posture at any point – you must start all over again, at the very first part.

Strengthens

• Quadriceps muscles
• Trapezius
• Biceps
• Latissmus Dorsi
• Abdominal muscles

Stretches

• Back
• Shoulders
• Hamstrings

Stimulates

• Pancreas
• Thyroid, Para-Thyroid (in 4th stage)
• Thymus (in 4th stage)
• Digestive organs
• Reproductive organs
• Kidneys
• Heart

Benefits

• Builds strength through the body
• Improves flexibility of sciatic nerve
• Strengthens tendons
• Prevents wear and tear of knee cartilage though strengthening of soft tissues around the knee
• Helps clear and prevent problems with digestion, including flatulence
• Helps to develop balance
• Helps maintain sugar levels through compression of the pancreas
• Improves blood circulation throughout the body
• Tones abdominal muscles and thighs
• Improves your sex life through the massage of your reproductive organs
• Helps to decrease varicose veins by exercising the long vein (great saphenous vein) running from the leg to the heart
• Helps to build patience, determination and concentration
• Helps to improve confidence and self-worth
• Helps to calm and clear the mind

Standing Head-to-Knee from Sara Curry on Vimeo.