Yoga Pose of the Week: Plow Pose

Halasana

(hah-LAHS-anna)
hala = plow

Plow Pose

This week I decided to do a pose that I really enjoy because it helps stretch my lower back. I suffer from lower backaches quite frequently. Since Plow Pose is good for backache and can help you sleep at night I picked it. This pose is also good for increasing your overall flexibility. 

Since this pose does put a lot of strain on the spine when I do Plow pose I squeeze my shoulder blades together. This helps me lift up onto the tops of the shoulders and for me relieves the pressure and strain on my neck and spine.

Modifications

This pose does require the feet to be placed on the floor behind your head. However if you are unable to do this be sure to support your back with your hands. This will avoid you from straining your back muscles. 

• elbows bent with palms placed on your lower back facing inward

If your legs start to tense up during the pose, bend your knees and place them on your forehead. Remember to support your back with your hands.

Cautions

• Neck Injury
• Menstruation
• Asthma and High blood pressure: this pose can then be done with the legs supported on props
• Pregnancy: if you are already experienced with this pose it is okay to continue, but it is not recommended you being this pose after you become pregnant.
• This pose is considered to be an intermediate to advanced when the feet are placed on the floor. It is advised against to perform this pose without prior experience or you have supervision from an experienced instructor.
• I have been practicing this pose for over a year and often work on it in my yoga class.
• Diarrhea

Benefits

• Calms the brain
• Helps relieve symptoms of menopause
• Reduces stress and fatigue
• Stretches the shoulders and spine
• Therapeutic for backache, headache, infertility, insomnia, sinusitis
• Stimulates the abdominal organs and the thyroid gland

xo

*Shine like Glitter*

I loved working on my core last week.

I can start to feel it getting stronger.

This past week I have put a lot of strain on my lower back; this is the reason I decided to do plow pose this week.

I'm looking forward to working on this pose this week.

I am going to continue to work on my core as well as my splits.

Thank you for continuing to follow me along on this journey my glitterites.