My Journey with Vajrasana: More Than Just Sitting
It is a truth that at the time I heard about Vajrasana, the pose of Thunderbolt, I was skeptical. And what a game-changer would it be to be sitting on my heels? It was too simple, too inert. However, following a time of particularly high stress that made me experience bloating on a regular basis and an uncomfortable mind, I felt in need of something more natural.
I made myself a real attempt, and I devoted five minutes to it after my evening meal. This was not a subtle transformation that happened to me. What I learnt were the remarkable vajrasana yoga benefits that are much more than you can imagine of a simple seated position. It is not merely a pose, but a practice on which I have built my relationships with my body, my digestion and my stress levels. I would like to take you through the life-altering benefits that I personally gained.
The Question of What Exactly is Vajrasana (The Thunderbolt Pose)?
Not before we plunge into the merits, it is important to get clear on what Vajrasana is. It is named after Sanskrit, in which Vajra is translated as thunderbolt or diamond and Asana is translated as posture. It is also referred to as the Diamond Pose or Thunderbolt Pose.
As compared to most yoga postures, Vajrasana is also a unique yoga posture because it is one of the extremely few to be practiced directly after having a meal. Other poses may result in a deflection of energy towards digestion whereas this pose actively aids it.
How to Get into the Pose (An Easy Guide):
Start on Your Knees: You were to start by kneeling on a comfortable mat or a carpet. Roll your big toes and spread out your heels a little.
Bring Your Hips down: Importantly, though, bring down your hips until you are lying on your heels. You will be lying on the heels of the hips.
Rest Your Hands: Your palms should be resting down on your thighs.
Get Your Back Strauss: The most important one! Your head, neck and spine should be in a straight and straight line. No stooping or overcurving your back.
Breathe: Keeping your eyes closed, breathe slowly and deeply and consciously.
Novice Advice: You can place a folded blanket or a pillow between your calves and thighs in case it is too intense on your ankles or knees. The goal is comfort, not pain.
The 7 best yoga! The 7 benefits of Vajrasana yoga that I had a firsthand experience of.
The Digestive Powerhouse: My Bloating Solution.
This is, by far, the most renowned among all the vajrasana yoga advantages. The science of my personal experience is, as follows, Fire, when sitting on the Vajrasana, blood is bound to flow down to the lower abdomen, energizing the digestive organs such as the stomach, intestines and liver. This improves circulation which in turn assists in the smooth secretion of digestive juices and peristalsis (moving of food down your gut).
I practiced sitting in Vajrasana (5-10 minutes) after my major meals, particularly dinner. The painful bloating and the stuffed up feeling which I had accepted as a normal one started to disappear. It was as though I was commanding my digestive system to high gear. To any person who is having a problem with slow digestion, this is one advantage that will motivate one to begin.
Calming Down the Freak: Stressing in the Storm.
I did not anticipate such a sitting pose to be so strong to my psyche. I felt a physical change as I concentrated on the alignment of my spine and deep breathing. The pose is quite grounding in nature. The thunderbolt quality of it is like a breaker of the chain of desperate, panic-thoughts.
This pose of sitting in a stable firm position sends signals to your brain that you are safe and secure. Together with deep, diaphragmatic breathing, the combination of the posture and deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, i.e., the rest and digest mode of your body. In my case, this served as a fast 5-minute re-set button when I was in a mad-house workday.
The Secret of a Strong Pain-Free Back.
I also had a constant, boring ache in my lower back like many other individuals who sit at a desk. Vajrasana had rescued him in a most unaccountable manner. It made my back and core muscles stronger as it compelled me to sit straight. It helped me eliminate my very bad habit of slouching.
Vajrasana alignment promotes the rest of the natural spinal curve that removes strain along the lumbar. In the long run, my posture would have become better not only at the time of the pose, but also at the rest of the day. The back tension that I had been living with was just flowing out of my system.
Flex Hip: You Can Bend It, But Not Strain.
The lifestyle we live nowadays is very inactive and inactive which makes our hips very tight. Vajrasana is a good, tender and easy opener of hips. It gives a thorough stretching to the hip flexors, thighs and quadriceps.
Initially, I could not spend even a minute without my knees screaming. However, after practicing, I had a terrific feeling of freedom and openness in my hips. This flexibility resulted in the improvement of other activities I like to engage in physically, such as running and hiking.
A Pillar of Meditation Mindfulness.
I had always had a wandering mind when meditating. My legs would go numb in cross-legged positions and I would be more occupied with the pain rather than my breath. Vajrasana was my stable and comfortable seat.
The sitting posture is aimed at prolonged sitting. The stability of the mind helps it to relax without the physical discomfort distorting it. It was my favorite meditation chair, and it enabled me to develop a regular and truly fulfilling meditation routine.
Ensuring a Strong Foundation: The Knees, Ankles and Thighs.
Though it is a low posture, Vajrasana is a vigorous workout of muscles and ligaments of the knees and ankles. It also works the thigh muscles. It is an awesome, no impact exercise that can strengthen the lower body at a fundamental level.
Being a person with historically weak ankles, I could feel that they were more stable and supported. It is a preventive measure to maintain your joints healthy and stable to all your other daily activities.
Menstrual Discomfort Relief.
This advantage was a pleasant surprise to the women who read this. The light pressure and more blood flow to the area of the pelvis may relieve the pain during menstruation, as well as pain in the lower back related to your period. Although it is not a miracle cure, I discovered that Vajrasana practice at that time gave me much relief and relief about the severity of the cramps.
Significant Safety Measures: Listening to Your Body.
Despite the vajrasana yoga advantages being enormous, it is important that one practices knowing.
Knee or Ankle Injury: You should not do this pose or practice unless a qualified instructor instructs you to do so because you have recently or severely injured your knees or ankles.
Pregnancy: Vajrasana is usually not recommended to the pregnant especially in late stages of pregnancy.
Sciatica or Herniated Disc: The individuals who have severe spinal problems are advised to seek consultation with a physician before practice.
Aid in Comfort: In case of any sharp pain, leave the pose. It should be made accessible by use of props such as blankets or cushions at all times.
My Final Decision: Life Changing Rewards with A Simple Pose.
Vajrasana was the most effective and the least significant change to my health list. I can’t live without the vajrasana yoga, as it has helped in the following ways: it dispel my bloating, it quieted my anxiety, and so many other good things.
It does not need any equipment, takes a small space and only a few minutes of your time. It is a tribute to the notion that the best solutions can be found at times in the most simple ones. Therefore, when you have had a meal or when the stress sets in next, I would like you to have it. You may discover your own throne of well being.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
To what length ought Vajrasana to be maintained?
I began with 5 minutes of exercises after my meals and eventually pushed it to 15-20 minutes. Its length is even short-lived, and thus, listen to your body.
Is it possible to do Vajrasana with knee pain?
Be very cautious. Between your thighs and calves you may put a thick cushion, or a folded blanket, to make the angle in your knees smaller. In the event of sharp pains, abort.
Is doing Vajrasana immediately after eating really okay?
Yes! It is one of these peculiarities. It is also a very active assisting pose to the digestive process as it is one of the few poses to be suggested after a meal.
When is the best day in the day to practice?
As much as it is marvelous following meals, you may do it whether you need to focus you or to stretch your lower body. This pose is excellent to use in the mornings when one is doing meditation.
I have a pang of ankle-pain. What should I do?
This is common for beginners. Insert a small rolled towel beneath your ankles. Your ankle will become more flexible with the practice.
What is the distinction between Vajrasana or Virasana (Hero Pose)?
They are not alike yet they are different. In Vajrasana, you are seated down on your heels with toes facing backward and inwards. Virasana You sit on your heels with the tops of your feet against the floor. Virasana is more flexible and not supposed to be performed after a meal.