Ardha Chakrasana: The Half Wheel Pose - Benefits, Steps And More

Person performing yoga pose | Ardha chakrasana

Ardha Chakrasana: The Half-Wheel Pose - Benefits, Steps And More

Ardha chakrasana is an intermediate asana that can assist in preparing the body and mind for deeper backbends and heart-opening postures such as chakrasana (wheel pose). The name is derived from the Sanskrit Ardha, which means "half," chakra, which means "wheel," and asana, which means "pose." There are numerous Ardha chakrasana benefits.

In English, Ardh chakra asana is known as a half-wheel pose. Because it reverses the typical pattern of slumping forward and rounding the shoulders, Ardha Chakrasana is a helpful position for reducing stress and improving posture. This is because the posture rounds the shoulders. It helps to relieve stress in the neck and shoulders by rubbing certain areas.

Ardha chakrasana benefits

Ardha Chakrasana, also known as Half Wheel Pose, provides physical benefits that prepare the body and mind for deeper backbends. Ardha Chakrasana benefits are as follows:

  • Pancreas stimulation and blood sugar reduction 
  • Improves lung capacity 
  • Reduces stomach and belly fat 
  • Allows for greater flexibility of the spine and back muscles - According to one research
  • Arms, thighs, waist, and shoulders are toned. 
  • Relief from back, shoulder, and neck pain 
  • Treats respiratory issues 
  • Stimulates the abdominal organs 
  • Maintains blood pressure by stretching the stomach, intestines, and abdomen 
  • Is useful for treating menstrual irregularities.

Ardha chakrasana steps

  • Lift your chest and interlock your fingers.
  • Raise your hands and rotate them above your shoulders. 
  • Slowly bend your upper body along with your hands as far as you can. 
  • Hold this position for a few seconds to a minute, depending on your ability. 
  • To exit the pose, slowly return to a standing position with your hands on your sides. 
  • There is an Ardha Chakrasana variation in which the hands are placed behind the hips and back bending is attempted.

Who should not do Ardha chakrasana?

According to Surya shot ayurveda,

  • Females who are pregnant, should see their doctor before doing this asana.
  • People who have a major spinal or hip condition or injury should avoid this asana.
  • People suffering from hernias or ulcers should avoid doing this asana.
  • People with high blood pressure should avoid this asana as well.

Ardha chakrasana contraindications

Yoga instructors must be aware of the limitations of Half Moon Pose for certain physical conditions when performing it. There are a few Ardha Chakrasana contraindications, such as:

1. Injury and surgery

It is recommended that a person who has problems with their arms, shoulders, rib cage, spine, hamstrings, ankles, feet, or hip joints avoid this position. A person who has recently had abdominal, hip, ankle, or knee replacement surgery should also avoid this practice. Students who have suffered a neck injury should not turn their heads to face the top hand, but should instead look straight ahead. 

2. Physical Strength and Weak Body

A person who has low blood pressure, vertigo, nausea, a history of heart problems, weak musculature, or a weak bone structure and joints should avoid this pose. Students who have a tailbone, lower back, hip, knee, or ankle pain should take it slowly and bring it to the yoga instructor’s attention. 

3. Inadequate Body-Breath Awareness

Half Moon Pose is a balancing pose that requires awareness and focuses to balance the body. Additionally, when you look up, your breathing is disturbed. Furthermore, without proper knowledge of the body-breath connection, the practice may cause discomfort and disruption in energy levels. As a result, yoga instructors should encourage their students to return their attention to their breathing. Otherwise, the students should not be introduced to the practice until they are completely prepared.

4. Others

Pregnant women should avoid the Half Moon Pose. People who are currently suffering from headaches, insomnia, or diarrhoea should avoid this pose. Senior citizens can practise against a wall or with the help of a chair or a block to go slowly and better. During menstruation, women suffering from dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia can perform this asana while resting against the wall.

Take Away

To do Chakrasana properly, you need to have a lot of strength and find the right breathing pattern for it. Your heart may have to work harder and pump blood more rapidly to accommodate the additional strain that this additional strain places on it. Because of this, those who have high blood pressure or any other cardiac issues should steer clear of the posture known as chakrasana.

FAQs

1. Which disease is cured by Ardha Chakrasana?

Ardha Chakrasana yoga is beneficial in the treatment of respiratory diseases and diabetes.

2. What happens if you do Ardha Chakrasana every day?

Ardha Chakrasana tones the shoulders, thighs, and waist while stretching the muscles of the belly, stomach, and intestine.

3. What is the healthiest yoga pose?

Savasana is one of the healthiest yoga poses.

References:

  1. Ardha Chakrasana Benefits, Precautions, Meaning and Facts! - Surya shot Ayurveda
  2. Małgorzata Grabara1,* and Janusz Szopa, Feb 2015, Effects of hatha yoga exercises on spine flexibility in women over 50 years old

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