Changes

Iyengar claims practice of this asana improves the flexibility of the spine, corrects alignment of the shoulders; relieves backache, gastritis, indigestion, acidity, flatulence; massages and tones the pelvic organs, corrects the effects of a sedentary lifestyle or faulty posture, assists treatment of neck sprains, reduces stiffness in the neck, shoulders and knees, strengthens the ankles and tones the ligaments of the arms and legs.[57][page needed] A book from Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre claims the asana can reduce or eliminate pain in the lower back, tone the spinal nerves and abdominal organs, improve the appetite, digestion and circulation. Swami Satyananda Saraswati claims the asana stimulates the nervous system and alleviates nervous depression, strengthens the pelvic area and tones the reproductive organs.