Halasana

Halasana (hah-LAH-sah-nah; Sanskrit: हलासन; IAST: Halāsana) or Plow Pose is an asana.

Etymology

The name comes from the Sanskrit words hala (हला) meaning "plow" and asana (आसन) meaning "posture" or "seat".

Description

Halasana

The practitioner lies on the floor, lifts the legs, and then places them behind the head. Experienced practitioners may enter Halasana from a standing position by tucking chin to chest, placing hands on the floor, walking the feet towards the hands and bending at the elbows to lower shoulders to the floor.

Health Benefits

• Stretches all muscles and ligament in the practitioner's calves and thighs, resulting in greater leg flexibility
• Therapeutic for leg cramps
• Stimulates the practitioner's thyroid, parathyroid, throat, lungs and abdominal organs
• Helps relieve gas and upper/lower back pain or discomfort
• Promotes good digestion
• Stretches the practitioner's shoulders and spine
• Therapeutic for menopause, infertility, insomnia, headache and sinusitis
• Relieves stress and fatigue

Cautions

This asana can put significant strain on the cervical spine, which does not normally undergo this type of stress, and can cause injury if not performed properly.

Practicing this pose without leg support can lead to injury. To provide support for the legs, practitioners may use props such as blocks. As alternatives, simply lying on the back and raising the legs into a hamstring stretch, or doing a seated forward bend may be appropriate.

See also

• List of asanas