|
Cobbler's Pose or Bound Angle Pose
Also known as Baddha Konasana
About the pose/asana
The pose is based upon Indian cobbler sitting pose. For those who are not accustomed to sitting, it would prove to be a slightly difficult pose to perform.
Benefits of performing Cobbler's Pose or Bound Angle Pose include following:
* The cobbler's pose helps invigorate the heart and improve blood circulation.
* It also stimulates the abdominal organs, bladder, kidneys, and ovaries and prostate gland.
* The pose is also helpful in improving the working of the inner thighs, groins, and knees.
* It provides relief from sciatica and menstrual discomfort.
* It also provides relief from mild anxiety, depression, and fatigue.
* The pose also eases symptoms of menopause.
* It can also be performed as a natural treatment of asthma, flat feet, high blood pressure, and infertility.
How to do cobler's pose or bound angle pose?
Step 1: Sit on the floor and straighten out your leg in front. Place your pelvis on a cushion if your groins or hips are not supple. Take out all your breath and start pulling your knees towards your body. At halfway stage, stop pulling and instead, spread them out. Join the soles of feet together.
Step 2: Try to bring your soles as close to your pelvis as possible. Try to keep the edges of both the feet on the floor. Now try to hold them with the first and second finger and the thumb. Clasp the front of the foot if proving to be difficult.
Step 3: Try to sit in as erect a position as possible. Align the tailbone at back and pubis in front at an equal distance from the floor. In such a posture, the pelvis would arrive in a neutral position while the perineum would become aligned parallel with the floor. Sit so that the pubis in front and the tailbone in back are equidistant from the floor. Lift up your torso as much as possible.
Step 4: Stay in the position for anywhere in between one to five minutes. Hold your torso erect in the meanwhile. Slowly but steadily try to relax. Take a deep breath as you ease your body and come back into the original position.
If not done properly, the following injuries can be induced:
* Herniated vertebral disc (or lower back injury).
* Knee or Groin injury.
* Emergence of iliosacral instability conditions.
These injuries can be avoided with the use of a prop (a blanket or a cushion would be excellent).
Practicing the Cobbler's pose regularly until late into pregnancy can help ease labor pains. Further, according to inscriptions in traditional texts, the Cobbler's pose can help minimize fatigue and destroy disease.
|