Health Benefits of Vajrasana Pose

Introduction

‘Vajra’ means thunderbolt or diamond shape, and ‘Asana' means posture or pose. Vajrasana got its name from the form it takes- a diamond or thunderbolt. Therefore, Vajrasana is also known as the diamond pose. It is an easy pose that provides various health benefits to the person practicing. Regular practice of this posture can manage many systemic problems.

How to Do Vajrasana?

The diamond pose can be practiced by doing the following steps:

• The first step is to sit by stretching the legs towards the front.

• The legs should slowly be folded. This step helps to change the posture to a kneeling position. The hips must be placed on the heels, with the toes pointing outwards. The big toes should be in touch with each other at the back.

• Beginners can place a cushion under the feet while practicing Vajrasana. This modification makes them comfortable with the posture and prevents ankle pain and injuries.

• People with knee pain or beginners can also place a blanket or a cushion above the feet and below the knees. Those with medical conditions should try to seek medical advice before starting to practice any yoga postures.

• A pit will be formed by parting the heels. The next step is to sit comfortably on this pit.

• Aligning the head, neck, and spine in a straight line is vital.

• Palms must be placed on the thighs and facing upwards.

• Beginners can start doing this pose for about thirty seconds or according to their comfort level.

• Advanced yoga practitioners can hold the diamond pose for about 15 minutes. They can stay in the same pose while doing breathing exercises or meditation.

• The practitioner can breathe by maintaining the pose, exhaling at the end, and relaxing.

• The legs can then be gently straightened.

What Are the Benefits of Vajrasana?

The following are some of the health benefits of Vajrasana.

• It increases blood circulation in the lower abdomen. When the circulation to the digestive tract and surrounding area improves, digestion and related functions occur more effectively, thus reducing digestive ailments. As a result, excess gas may get removed from the stomach. It also reduces pain in the abdominal area.

• It stretches the muscles around the knee and foot area, increasing strength.

• The diamond pose makes the nerves of the legs and thighs strong.

• It can reduce the pain of rheumatic diseases where the joints get inflamed and tender. The pain gets reduced in inflammatory conditions because Vajrasana helps stretch the muscles in the lower leg area. It also makes the knee and ankle joints flexible.

• It improves the posture of the individual by keeping the neck and spine erect and aligned.

• The pose helps in the easy flow of energy through Nadis or energy channels, especially in the back area.

• The diamond pose relieves menstrual pain and discomfort by relaxing the waist and hip region.

• Vajrasana is an easy pose that can be done as the base pose while doing breathing exercises or Pranayama.

• The diamond pose can be considered a preparatory pose while doing meditation.

• The posture helps in relieving back pain.

What Are the Things to Be Considered Before Practicing Vajrasana?

It is essential to get medical advice before practicing Vajrasana in the following medical conditions:

• Those with stiffness (inability to move easily or without pain) in the ankle, foot, or knees.

• Those patients with a slipped disk (the condition where the soft cushion of tissue in between the bones in the spine gets pushed out).

• People with difficulty in limb movements.

What Are the Tips That Help in Practicing Vajrasana?

• Beginners should consider doing it for a shorter period of time and gradually increase the duration.

• Those people with mild pain or discomfort can use a blanket or cushion to get more support and reduce the pain.

• In case of knee pain on a single side, it should be taken care to use a cushion on both sides equally.

• A folded towel can be placed if the cushion is large and does not fit the area below the foot or ankle. This technique will be helpful when the practitioner gets ankle or foot pain or discomfort.

• It is essential to maintain the back straight and erect.

• The ears should align with the shoulders, hips, and heels.

• In case of difficulty sitting directly on the floor, the person can place a pillow between the thighs and the heel.

• Legs should be released early if the pose reduces blood flow to the lower extremities and the person gets pain or inconvenience.

• To increase the challenge, the practitioner can try to flex the toes.

What Makes Vajrasana Unique?

Vajrasana is a unique and simple pose in many ways.

• No yoga asanas are recommended to be done after eating. However, Vajrasana is the only yoga pose that can be done after eating the food. Due to the increased circulation that the pose offers, sitting in Vajrasana after a meal helps easily digest the food.

• Vajrasana is strictly a sitting pose and reduces the blood flow to the lower regions of the body. Thus, the blood flow to the upper body parts gets increased. This benefits the digestive organs, lungs, heart, and brain.

• The diamond pose is considered the base pose from which many other poses, like Gomukhasana (cow face pose), Ustrasana (camel pose), and Shishuasana (child pose), can be done.

• The practitioner can sit in Vajrasana while practicing Pranayama or breathing exercises, where the person has to be comfortable.

• It is helpful for those practicing meditations to stay in Vajrasana.

• The vital feature of Vajrasana is that it is simple and easy to perform.

• The diamond pose can be easily modified to increase comfort by placing a cushion, pillow, or folded towel in the required areas.

Conclusion

Yoga is the best way to become physically and mentally healthy. However, practicing the same can be challenging due to the complexity of the postures. Asanas like Vajrasana can be practiced by anyone who wishes to do yoga. Vajrasana, or diamond pose, is easy to practice and has many health benefits.