Yoga BLOG

The Couch Pose - Paryankasana Paryankasana, also called Supta Vajrasana, translates to "diamond sleep" or "sleeping diamond." Specifically, it's a popular yoga meditation pose suitable for both men and women. This meditation pose is definitely not suitable for people with neck pain, sacral pain, sciatica, knee pain, or a herniated disc. How is Paryankasana performed? The starting position for Paryankasana is the heel pose (Vajrasana) . To do this, you slowly bend your body backward. Your elbows serve as a reliable support point. First, place your right upper arm on the floor, then your left upper arm. Then, briefly hold this position and feel your knees and the tops of your thighs. Both should definitely feel very comfortable and are among the most popular feel-good stretches. You enter Paryankasana by bending your elbows. Slide into it slowly by lowering your head toward the floor and arching your back. Maintain your balance and place your hands on your thighs. Try to keep your knees on the floor throughout the exercise. Your knees can move apart slightly in an emergency, but they should never leave the floor. A pleasant stretch is definitely desired in this meditation exercise . However, be sure to avoid overstretching your ligaments or muscles, and pay special attention to your knees. Once you're in the final position of Paryankasana, breathe slowly, consciously, and deeply. Return to the starting position the same way you entered. Be sure to use your elbows, as this will make it easier to come out of the pose. Never simply straighten your legs to exit the pose. Doing so could seriously injure your knees. Garbhasana or Shashankasana are best as a countermovement to Supta Vajrasana. Beginners should only practice this final position for a few seconds, then gradually increase the length of the movement. Over time, you'll be able to hold the pose for up to a minute. What are the positive effects of Paryankasana? Paryankasana affects both your body and your mind. In this pose, your abdominal organs are massaged, which can help relieve congestion. With time and enough practice, Supta Vajrasana will make your back more flexible, and your chest will stretch. In addition, your lungs will soon be able to function better, and this means your body gets more oxygen. If you suffer from asthma or bronchitis, this pose can be very helpful for you. From a purely physical point of view, it is completely sufficient if you can hold the pose for a minute. In terms of the spiritual effect, however, it makes sense to be able to hold Supta Vajrasana for a little longer than a minute. For this purpose, however, your body must be well prepared, and you should have sufficient practice. If you can hold Paryankasana for longer than a minute, the following chakras will be primarily activated: Anahata Chakra , Vishudda Chakra , and Swadhisthana Chakra . In addition, your sexual energy is channeled directly to the brain for spiritual purposes. Variation of Paryankasana With a little practice, you can also vary Paryankasana. Two variations are particularly suitable for this purpose. Instead of lowering your head toward the floor, you glide further into this position by resting the back of your head on the floor. You can also stretch your arms back and cross your elbows behind your head. This variation stretches your abdominal organs even further. Additionally, this variation doesn't put any pressure on your neck. Image © Daniel Mock / de.fotolia.com