My Secret Vajrasana
I would have believed that significant wellness was necessitated by an enormous lifestyle change. I would look at complicated yoga postures and meditations that take an hour and be immediately deflated. That was prior to my realization of the Vajrasana or the Pose of Thunderbolt. This one, seemingly simple pose has turned out to be my non-negotiable day-to day ritual, my secret weapon, which I can use anywhere, anytime.
It did not require any flexibility that I lacked or time I could not spare. It just bade me sit and breath and accept its deep gifts. I would like to show you how this old position can be your new-day solution to all those things such as post meal brackishness or a hyperactive mind.
What Exactly is Vajrasana?
During my trip, I have discovered that one of the most basic seated poses in yoga is called Vajrasana (vuhj-RAH-suh-nuh). It is named after Sanskrit words Vajra, which is translated as thunderbolt or diamond, and Asana, which means pose or posture. This name seems to me to be absolutely appropriate. The pose is as solid and immovable as a diamond and as powerful and concentrated as a thunderbolt.
On this occasion, unlike most yoga asanas, I was surprised to find out that Vajrasana is one of the rarest poses that can be performed without harm just after a meal. Actually, it is one of its most glorified advantages.
Why I Made Vajrasana my Everyday Practice: The Transformative Effects.
I did not persist with Vajrasana because it was comfortable; I persisted with it because the rewards were visible and very strong. The following are the transformation changes I personally went through:
Revolutionized Digestion: This was the one that changed the game to me. Sitting in Vajrasana only 10-15 minutes after a meal, makes blood flow to the pelvic region and abdomen and not the legs. This improves the flow to the digestive organs, charging the whole process. I observed the major decrease in the levels of bloating and discomfort.
Meditative Stillness of Mind: This was an eye opener as I am a person whose mind is always on the go. This is deeply felt by the stability that my knees and my feet have with the floor. It automatically silenced my mind, and it became my favorite pose of several minutes of meditation.
Strengthened My Core and Back: Sitting on Vajrasana with straight back involves the use of core and back muscles. After some time, I noticed the reduction of my lower back tension, which occurred when sitting in a chair all day.
Greater Flexibility in my Legs: It was difficult at first but overall training on Vajrasana helped stretch my quadriceps, ankles and the top of my feet. My ankles and knees were much more flexible and strong.
Vedas My Step-by-Step to a Perfect Vajrasana.
It is easy to get into the posture and the trick lies in the details. The following is the order that I use:
Kneeling Position: This is where I start by kneeling on a soft mat or carpet with my knees and feet touching. My feet lie flat on the floor with their tops facing straight backwards.
Lower Your Hips: I paddle downwards, buttocks resting on heels. My heels are not touching each other and I lean my sitting bones in the gap between them.
Keep Your Back Speak to Me: This is the most important. I make my spine long and always straight, starting at the base of my spine, to the top of my head. I can picture a rope that is lifting my head up to the ceiling. I have relaxed shoulders rolled down my back.
Hands: I put my palms on my thighs, lying down. Occasionally, I switch and go face up and it seems freer on my chest.
Breathe and Hold: I make a deep breath and drop into the pose. I stand as long as is comfortable, and concentrate on the evenness of my breath.
Adaptations and Recommendations of my personal experience.
At the beginning, my ankles used to scream out within one minute. And, in case you feel it, you are not the only one! Here is what saved me:
In the case of Ankle or Knee Pain, To begin with, I put a tight roll of blanket or a small cushion behind my knees. This makes the angle of flexion lesser and gives instant relief. You may also sit on a yoga block or a cushion that is thick in between your heels to lift your hips.
Start Small: I started by having 2-3 minutes, and slowly progressed with the time as my body got used to it. It is best to listen to your body, and there is no prize in struggling through acute pain.
The Ideal moment: This is my two golden moments: right after getting up in the morning to meditate and 5-15 minutes after lunch or dinner to digest.
Significant Precautions I Never Forget.
Vajrasana is precautionary even though it is gentle, when there are some predispositions. I would recommend that you should not do this pose or should consult a doctor or experienced yoga therapist in case you possess:
Recent, or chronic, knee damage.
Any serious ankle problems.
A hernia or intestinal ulcers.
Any problems in the spine that might be worsened by sitting on erect.
Pregnancy (it is better to resort to professional advice).
Beyond the Basics: In How I Deepen My Vajrasana Practice.
After getting used to the simplest pose, I started to experiment with simple variations to make the practice interesting.
Vajrasana Breath Awareness: I make use of my time in the pose breathing mindfully. I take a deep breath, then I can feel my spine being stretched, and then I take a full breath, and my bones begin to feel like they are settling down and my joints start to be more weighty. This makes it an effective meditation.
Supta Vajrasana (Reclining Thunderbolt Pose): This is a more complicated pose in which the person lies down by reclining backwards slowly. I should also stress that this is only to be tried under the instructions of an experienced instructor because it exerts a lot of importance to the knees and ankles.
My Ultimate Reflections on the Vedhic Seat Adoption.
Vajrasana has been not only a yoga posture to me, but also a lesson in patience, self-care, and something that I do every day.