Chakrasana (Wheel Pose) Benefits

The wheel pose, also known as Chakrasana, has many physical and spiritual benefits. I truly believe this pose will keep you youthful! This pose makes me feel like a child everytime i practice. This pose is playful and fun and brings a sense of rejuvenation and strength. Children especially love this pose, as they always feel a strong sense of accomplishment when they preform it. As an adult, it is important to know our limits and how to build our flexibility before preforming. When you finally work your way into this pose, you too will feel a strong sense of accomplishment and confidence!

Physical Benefits:

*Improves circulation: Increases blood flow to organs and tissues, which can lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammation

*Strengthens the spine: An advanced backbend that stretches the front of the body and strengthens the back

*Improves flexibility: Improves the flexibility of the spine

*Increases strength: A 12-week study found that wheel pose increased muscular strength

*Helps with diabetes: May help people with diabetes improve blood glucose levels

*Heightens lung health: strengthens lungs, increases oxygen intake

Spiritual benefits:

*Balances the nervous system: Regular practice can reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress

*Facilitates spiritual growth: Can enhance your sense of connectedness with life

*Opens the heart chakra: Can help with connecting the power of love, kindness, and happiness

*Represents the rainbow bridge of the chakras: Can be thought of as a representation of the psycho-energetic fields (chakras) that ascend along the spine

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Steps to Perform Chakrasana (Wheel Pose):

Start Position: Lie down on a yoga mat with bent knees and place your heels close to your hips.

Arm Position: Raise your arms, bend your elbows, and rest your palms beside your ears, fingers pointing towards your shoulders.

Press and Lift: Press your feet into the floor, pushing your tailbone and posterior away from the ground.

Head Lift: Press your hands into the mat and lift the crown of your head from the floor.

Alignment: Keep your arms and inner feet parallel to the earth.

Straighten Up: Straighten your arms and move into the wheel pose.

Hold: Look down at the floor and hold this pose for 30 seconds.

You can also use a yoga wheel to make backbends and inversions safer and easier.

Although Chakrasana benefits us in many ways, there are some DON'Ts that you shall follow when thinking of adding this asana in your yoga practice:

*Pregnant women should avoid this asana.