| Description
In this asana the body remains in straight
plane, using forearms as levers. When this asana is performed
the body assumes a posture which resembles a peacock.
The Sanskrit word mayura means a peacock.
Benefits
Physical
-
Tones up the abdominal portion of the
body. The digestive organs are massaged and intestinal
peristalsis is stimulated.
-
Cures ailments of the stomach and
the spleen.
-
Prevents accumulation of toxins in
the blood caused by wrong eating habits. Assists removal
of skin conditions such as boils.
-
It strengthens the forearms, wrists
and elbows.
Mental
Enhances concentration and determination.
Develops mental and physical balance and co-ordination.
Techniques
- Kneel on the floor, knees slightly apart.
- Bend forwards and invert the palms to place them on
the floor (both the little fingers should touch and point
towards the feet.)
- Bend the elbows and keep the forearms together.
- Rest the umbilicus on the elbows and chest on the back
of the upper arms.
- Stretch the legs straight one by one and keep them together
and stiff.
- Exhale. Bear the body weight on the wrists and hands,
raise the legs from the floor and at the same time, stretch
the trunk and head forward.
- Keep the whole body parallel to the floor with legs
stretched out straight and feet together.
- Hold this position as long as you can, comfortably.
- Lower the head to the floor and then the legs. Place
the knees on the floor by the side of the hands, then
lift the hands and relax.
Cautions
- Pregnant women should not practice this asana. Patients
suffering from high blood pressure, heart disease, hernia,
peptic or abdominal ulcers or those who feel any sign
of these illnesses should not practice this asana.
- Patients suffering from high blood pressure, peptic
ulcer, duodenal ulcer or sensing any sign of illness should
not practice this asana. Pregnant women should not practice
it.
- As women have a different distribution of mass in the
abdomen, chest areas, they will find Mayurasana difficult
to perform than men would.
- Initially, one may lose balance and injure one’s
nose. To avoid this, be careful and if necessary, keep
a small pillow or cushion on the floor where the nose
may touch.
- Mayurasana initially tends to increase the amount of
toxins in the blood by speeding up circulation as part
of the process of purification. Therefore practice it
at the end of your asana session and never practice it
before any inverted asana as it may divert the excess
toxins to the brain.
Duration
75 Sec - 1 1/2 minutes, once or twice
Variations
- Padma Mayurasana - peacock in lotus.
- Sit in Padmasana. Raise your hips gradually, with the
support of the hands, resting the body weight on your
knees.
- Place the palms flat on the floor with fingers pointing
backwards towards the knees. Bend the elbows and keep
the forearms together. Bend your back to rest your umbilicus
on elbows. Lean forward to rest, the chest on upper arms
by finding the balance of your body, shifting body weight
gradually on to the palms. Raise the folded legs from
the floor so as to bring the trunk, head and legs horizontal
to the ground. Maintain this pose comfortably. Slowly,
bring your knees down and return to your initial lotus
posture.
- Change the position of the legs and repeat it.
Please remember that no practice can be adequately
learned from a book, written instructions. The guidelines
given in the web pages are intended to give you an introduction
to different yogic postures. However, it is advised to practice
the asanas under the guidance of a Guru or a qualified yoga
instructor. |
