Breath Balancing Pose
Padadhirasana
- Sit in Thunderbolt pose (Vajrasana).
- Cross the arms in front of the chest, place the hands under the opposite armpits and have the thumbs pointing up.
- Ensure the head, neck and back are upright and straight.
- Close the eyes and relax the whole body.
Breathing
- Slow, deep and rhythmical. Practice until the breath in both nostrils equalise.
Awareness
- The breath in the nostrils.
- Ajna chakra.
Benefits
- Blood flow from the legs is redirected to the abdomen stimulating the digestive system.
- Helps to remove piles.
- Strengthens the pelvic muscles.
- Useful in dilated veins of the testicles and hydrocele in men.
- Alleviates menstrual disorders, Hernia and sciatica.
- Improves varicose veins and fluid retention in the legs.
- The pressure under the armpits helps to open the nostrils.
- Induces a state of autonomic balance.
- Calms the mind.
- Relaxes the nervous system.
Practice note
- Place a small cushion under the buttocks, between the thighs and the calves.
- A cushion can also be placed under the ankles for more comfort.
- If there is pain in the thighs, separate the knees slightly.
- If the ankles ache after some time in the pose, come into the Seated Base Position (Prarambhik Sthiti) and shake the feet vigorously to relieve the stiffness.
- Padadhirasana is particularly useful when one or both nostrils are blocked. If only one nostril is blocked, or partially blocked, place the hand of the side underneath the opposite armpit. Maintain the pressure for a minute or two.
