Legs-Up-the-Wall (Viparita Karani)
Yoga is a discipline that combines simple meditation, breath control and specific body poses to help bring a balance to the body. Yoga is considered a key to anti-aging in many cultures. One of the most restorative yoga poses is called Viparita Karani. Viparita Karini when translated to English means inverted in action. There are many benefits to inverting your body. The primary benefit of this pose is to help undo the daily effects of gravity. Inverting your body will help promote drainage by allowing lymph and other fluids that can lead to swollen ankles, tired knees, and congested pelvic organs flow into the lower belly from the extremities of the body back to the core so it can be processed by your organs.
Here’s a list of the main health benefits attributed to this technique when you practice this posture regularly.
- Calms your nervous system
- Brings fresh blood & drains lymph fluid into your abdomen & organs
- Relieves tension in lower back & sacrum
- Relaxes your adrenals
- Reduces swelling in your feet and legs
- Releases tension and stress from your legs – they will feel lighter
- Rests your heart as your feet are above the heart – reversing effects of gravity
This pose also gives blood circulation a gentle boost toward the upper body and head, which creates a pleasant rebalancing after you have been standing or sitting for a long time. If you are stressed, fatigued, or jet-lagged, this pose is especially refreshing. But its true benefit is that it teaches us to slow down and that positive results can come from doing less, not more.
This pose should not be attempted by individuals with any physical limitation especially disc, nerve or spinal issues without consulting with your physician.
To learn how to practice this pose: http://thehealthylivinglounge.com/2010/04/12/eliminate-stress-with-legs-up-the-wall/
More References
http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/2336
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/690