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Difference between revisions of "Uttanasana"

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[[File:Uttanasana.png|thumb|right|''Uttanasana'']]
 
[[File:Uttanasana.png|thumb|right|''Uttanasana'']]
  
Uttanasana (OOH-tah-NAH-sah-nah)[needs IPA] (Sanskrit: उत्तानासन; IAST: uttānāsana), Intense Forward-Bending Pose, Intense Stretch Pose, Standing Forward Bend, Standing Forward Fold Pose, or Standing Head to Knees Pose is an asana.
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'''Uttanasana''' Intense Forward-Bending Pose, Intense Stretch Pose, Standing Forward Bend, Standing Forward Fold Pose, or Standing Head to Knees Pose is an asana.
  
== Etymology ==
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==Technique==
 +
# Begin with Tadasana, the upright pose. Stand straight with your arms actively resting on the sides of your thighs.
 +
# Keeping your breathing in check, without bending your knees, bend forward using your hip joints and not your waist.
 +
# If you are unable to touch the ground with your hands, cross your forearms and hold your elbows until you attain flexibility.
 +
# If you are moderately flexible, try to grip the back of your ankles and bring your head to touch your knees.
 +
# If your flexibility is above average, you may rest your palms on the mat and try to reach your head below the knee.
 +
# Beginners may hold the position for about 10 seconds. Intermediate and advanced practitioners may stay for 30 seconds to 1 minute in Uttanasana.
 +
# Breathe only through the nostrils, gently and normally, throughout the pose.
 +
# Inhale while coming back up to the starting position and exhale to relax.<ref name="Technique"/>
  
The name comes from the Sanskrit words
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==Technique in pictures/animation==
Ud (उद्; ud) = prefix for verbs or nouns, indicating superiority in location, rank, power, intensity
 
Tana (तान; tāna) = "stretched"
 
Uttana (उत्तान; uttāna) = "intense stretch" or "straight" or "stretched", and
 
Asana (आसन; āsana) meaning "posture" or "seat".
 
  
== Description ==
 
  
The asana consists of standing with feet together, then hinging forward from the hips, letting the head hang, with palms placed flat on the floor near the feet.
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==Effects==
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* Stretches the hips, hamstrings, and calves
 +
* Strengthens the thighs and knees
 +
* Keeps your spine strong and flexible
 +
* Reduces stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue
 +
* Calms the mind and soothes the nerves
 +
* Relieves tension in the spine, neck, and back
 +
* Activates the abdominal muscles<ref name="Effects"/>
  
== Murghasana - Advance version of Uttanasana ==
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==Related Asanas==
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* [[Adho Mukha Svanasana]]
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* [[Janu Sirsasana]]
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* [[Paschimottanasana]]
  
Yoga has an ancient history of ancient India. Most of the words are drived from Hindi Language. Murgha in Hindi means Cock/Hen. Murghasana is also called Hen Posture. In this variation the Yogi has to bend down, Pass arms between legs and hold her ear lobes with thumb and index fingers, in easy words, holding ears lobes while in uttanasana posture. This posture is very good for blood circulation on brain and face. It removes untimely wrinkles, sharps memory and brings glow to your face.
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==Special requisites==
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Avoid this asana if you have the following problems:
  
An average yogi can easily hold this posture up to 2-3 minutes but yogis with practice can increase their time up to 15minutes as well.
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* A lower back injury
Anatomical focus
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* A tear in the hamstrings
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* Sciatica
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* Glaucoma or a detached retina
  
The asana provides a complete stretch to the entire back of the body, particularly the hamstrings.
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==Initial practice notes==
 +
As a beginner, it might be hard to increase the stretch. To make it easier, gently bend your knees, and imagine the sacrum sinking deep into the back part of the pelvis.<ref name="Initial practice notes"/>
  
== Contraindications and cautions ==
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==References==
  
This asana has been criticized by some practitioners of kinesiology, physical therapy, and others, who recommend a seated rather than standing forward bend.
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<references>
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<ref name="Technique">[https://arogyayogaschool.com/blog/health-benefits-of-uttanasana-standing-forward-bend/ "Methodology"]</ref>
  
== Alternative asana ==
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<ref name="Initial practice notes">[http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/uttanasana-standing-forward-bend-pose/#Beginner’sTip "Beginers tips"]</ref>
  
Paschimottanasana is a safer, sitting variant of this frontbend which relies more upon active flexibility of the muscles in its later stages. It is more difficult to attain similar flexibility since gravity cannot passively aid the stretch as much as in Uttanasana. Once the hands are able to bear more and more weight in Uttanasana it becomes safer and the difference in safety and customizability becomes less. Although it could be argued that Paschimottasana is not a safe forward bend for the back as the pelvis can become locked and tight hamstrings add excessive pull on lower back via pelvic sit bones.
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<ref name="Effects">[http://www.cnyhealingarts.com/2011/03/14/the-health-benefits-of-uttanasana-standing-forward-bend-pose/ "Health benefits"]</ref>
  
== Variations ==
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</references>
  
This asana has a very large number of variations and associated techniques.
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==External Links==
 
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* [https://www.doyouyoga.com/top-5-uttanasana-variations-and-their-health-benefits/]
*Ardha Uttanasana (Sanskrit: अर्धउत्तानासन; IAST: ardhauttānāsana)
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* [https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/5674/uttanasana]
*Niralamba Uttanasana
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* [http://www.yogicwayoflife.com/ananda-balasana-happy-baby-pose/ Ananda Balasana on yogicwayoflife.com]
*Parsva Bhaga Uttanasana
 
*Purna Uttanasana
 
*Tiryang-Mukha Uttanasana
 
  
 
[[Category:Yoga]]
 
[[Category:Yoga]]

Revision as of 14:32, 26 June 2018

Uttanasana

Uttanasana Intense Forward-Bending Pose, Intense Stretch Pose, Standing Forward Bend, Standing Forward Fold Pose, or Standing Head to Knees Pose is an asana.

Technique

  1. Begin with Tadasana, the upright pose. Stand straight with your arms actively resting on the sides of your thighs.
  2. Keeping your breathing in check, without bending your knees, bend forward using your hip joints and not your waist.
  3. If you are unable to touch the ground with your hands, cross your forearms and hold your elbows until you attain flexibility.
  4. If you are moderately flexible, try to grip the back of your ankles and bring your head to touch your knees.
  5. If your flexibility is above average, you may rest your palms on the mat and try to reach your head below the knee.
  6. Beginners may hold the position for about 10 seconds. Intermediate and advanced practitioners may stay for 30 seconds to 1 minute in Uttanasana.
  7. Breathe only through the nostrils, gently and normally, throughout the pose.
  8. Inhale while coming back up to the starting position and exhale to relax.[1]

Technique in pictures/animation

Effects

  • Stretches the hips, hamstrings, and calves
  • Strengthens the thighs and knees
  • Keeps your spine strong and flexible
  • Reduces stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue
  • Calms the mind and soothes the nerves
  • Relieves tension in the spine, neck, and back
  • Activates the abdominal muscles[2]

Related Asanas

Special requisites

Avoid this asana if you have the following problems:

  • A lower back injury
  • A tear in the hamstrings
  • Sciatica
  • Glaucoma or a detached retina

Initial practice notes

As a beginner, it might be hard to increase the stretch. To make it easier, gently bend your knees, and imagine the sacrum sinking deep into the back part of the pelvis.[3]

References

External Links