Marjari asana (Cat Stretch Pose)

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Yoga

Marjari asana (Cat Stretch Pose)

If you have observed cats stretching themselves after a nap, you would know why this asana is named so. This asana is actually a combination of two poses, one flowing into the other. It is as simple as it looks but much more beneficial than it seems.

Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)

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Yoga

Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)

This asana is not very difficult and even beginners who have practiced some basic back bend asanas can practice this. It stretches the whole body and is extremely beneficial. However, it should be practiced with caution by beginners as well as advance practitioners as it could cause major injuries.

Janu Shirshasana (Head to Knee)

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Yoga

Janu Shirshasana (Head to Knee)

In Sanskrit "Janu" means "knee" and "Shirash" means "head". In this basic yogic posture one leg is folded at the knee and the other is stretched out. The head rests on the knee of the stretched leg, hence the name. Among its many benefits are stretching and opening the back and hamstrings, and improving flexibility.

Makarasana (The Crocodile Pose)

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Yoga

Makarasana (The Crocodile Pose)

One of the easy asanas, Makarasana is a relaxation pose. ’Makara’ in Sanskrit means ’Crocodile’. In this pose body resembles the shape of a ’crocodile’, hence it is known as Makarasana. This is practiced in between asanas to release the strain caused by other asanas.

Shavasana (The Corpse Pose)

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Yoga

Shavasana (The Corpse Pose)

Shavasan is one of the most important asanas. It looks very simple to do and it’s indeed very easy to get into this pose physically – but unless you quieten your mind and keep it from wandering, you are not really practicing this asana.

This deceptively simple pose is the best asana to relieve stress and anxiety, promote calmness of the mind, and to relax and refresh the body and the mind. It is also known as the Sponge Pose.

Supta Vajrasana (Backward Bend Pose/The Reclining Vajrasana)

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Yoga

Supta Vajrasana (Backward Bend Pose/The Reclining Vajrasana)

Supta-Vajrasana is a further development of Vajrasana. "Supta" means "asleep" in Sanskrit. In this asana we lie on our back with folded legs, hence, it is called Supta-Vajrasana.

Vajrasana (Diamond Pose)

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Yoga

Vajrasana (Diamond Pose)

’Vajra’ means diamond. The body is solid like a diamond in this basic posture, which is a preparatory pose for many other asanas and a posture for practicing pranayaama and meditation.