Vakasana is a cultural yoga asana where the practitioner assumes a pose resembling the stance of a crane. It is beneficial for a number of back problems, and strengthens the muscles of the arms. Vaka means crane in Sanskrit, and the name of the asana translates to the crane-pose.

Practice of Vakasana:
1. Sit, placing the soles on the ground. Maintain some distance between both the knees and place the palms on the ground, stretch out the fingers. Place both the knees on respective side above elbows.

2. Now slowly bend forward so that both legs are raised up and balance above the ground on the hands with the help of knees. Gaze in front.

3. Maintain and then return to the original position. Slowly place the soles on the ground.

Effects of Vakasana

1. Muscles and nerves of the arms are strengthened.

2. The chest becomes strong.

3. This is beneficial in lumbar spondilitis.

Precautions in practice of Vakasana

Since this is a balancing pose, care must be taken while practicing this asana. Beginner`s should practice this asana for short durations initially; a longer duration may cause numbness, and also a loss of balance which can lead to injury as the body will take time to acquire the required balance.

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