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Lord of the Dance Pose
Also Known as Natarajasana
About the pose/asana
This is a standing type of asana. It is slightly difficult to perform.
Benefits of Lord of the Dance Pose/Natarajasana
* The pose stretches your abdomen, thighs, and groins.
* The pose stretches the chest and shoulders.
* Improves your sense of balance.
* It strengthens the legs and ankles
How to do Lord of the Dance Pose or Natarajasana?
Step 1: You can begin the pose from the Tadasana pose. In this pose, however, you need to shift the weight of your body onto one leg (either left or right).
Step 2: Bend your right leg at the knee and clasp the right foot with your right hand.
Step 3: Slowly start bringing your torso forward. Simultaneously, take your right leg up. Raise it till the time your hips become parallel (or higher) to the floor. Extend your leg as well as the arm holding it as far as possible.
Step 4: Take out your left hand to point straight ahead. Balance your body in this pose for a while.
Step 5: Remain in the pose for the length of five to ten breaths.
Step 6: Come out of the pose by retracing your steps. Do the same with the other leg as well.
More about Lord of the Dance Pose or Natarajasana
A word of caution!
The pose is not to be performed if you are suffering from any of the following ailments/injuries:
* Low blood pressure
Variation in the pose
The pose can be made more difficult by making the following variation. Instead of holding your leg parallelly to the floor or slightly above it, you can make an attempt to raise your legs to the top of your head. Further, instead of projecting the free hand forward you can make an attempt to hold the extended leg with this hand. You need to slip your torso into a back bend in order to accomplish it.
A Tip for Beginners
Beginners might find it difficult to raise their legs and extend it fully. Crams in the back of the thigh is something which usually afflicts them. This can be avoided by flexing the ankle of raised foot. For best results, it is advised that practitioners pull the top of the foot towards the shin.
Modifications and Props
While balancing may be easy in the original version of the pose it might difficult in the case of the modified version of it. Loss of balance in the variation of this pose can be avoided by making use of the free hand. Practitioners can brace it up against a wall or any other structure to get the requisite stability.
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