Naukasana is a cultural yoga asana with a fairly recent history, first being described in a 19th century text. It is a fixture of contemporary yoga programs.
Meaning of Naukasana
"Nauka" means "boat" in Sanskrit. The final position of this asana resembles a boat, hence the name.
Practice Naukasana:
1. Lie straight on the abdomen and chest with the forehead resting on the floor.
2. Keep the feet together and the arms on the sides.
3. Stretch out the arms on both sides of the head and keep them parallel.
4. Turn down the palms on the floor with fingers close together.
5. Keep the forehead on the floor between the upper arms.
6. Inhaling, raise the arms, head, neck, shoulders, trunk and legs all together slowly and simultaneously as high as possible without bending the knees and elbows and without any jerk.
7. While doing this, keep the upper arms touching the ears and the feet together.
8. Bring the head up as high as possible and keep it between the raised upper arms.
9. Bend the extremities as far back as possible, and the back should be well arched.
10. The whole body should be curved from the fingertips to the toes, both of which should be on the same level.
11. Balance the entire weight of the body on the lower part of the abdomen which alone should touch the ground.
12. Maintain the posture motionlessly, as long as the breath can be held comfortably.
13. Exhaling return slowly to the starting position
Effects of Naukasana
* Naukasana bends the middle of the spine and makes it flexible.
* Deformities of the spinal column are corrected.
* It strengthens the hips, arms, thighs, knees, calves, feet and the pelvic region.
* It expands the chest and strengthens the lungs.
* It strengthens the muscles of the back, abdomen, the lower limbs, neck and shoulders.
* This Asana is more useful in Diabetes and Dyspepsia.
Precautions in the practice of Naukasana:
1. Do not bend legs at the knee.
2. Release the Asana before there is any pain in abdominal muscles.
3. Those suffering from hypertension, heart disease and lumbar spondilitis should not practice it.
(Last Updated on : 18/03/2011)
