Yoga on wheels

The Asian Age.  | Grand Master Akshar

Improve your yoga poses by using the wheel prop.

The wheel helps to enhance the practice of asanas, heal the body and stretch various muscles as well as acts as an aid to achieve various asanas.

Yoga is a divine practice that is all-inclusive and, in that note, it is our duty to do our absolute best to ensure that every individual is able to include this healing practice in their lives. And to achieve the same, the wheel prop is here to help.

The wheel helps to enhance the practice of asanas, heal the body and stretch various muscles as well as acts as an aid to achieve various asanas. With the help of the yoga wheel, one can add innumerable new asanas to their repertoire and further enhance their experience. It helps the body cross its perceived barriers and nourishes it with renewed health. Its design is such that everyone from a novice to an expert Yoga practitioner will benefit and enjoy its contribution to their practice.

Movement 2
By reversing the blood flow, this movement acts as an anti-oxidant and improves the health of your skin and hair. It also helps in relieving stress, strengthen back and enhance functioning of all digestive organs

Begin by sitting with your legs extended forward
Place the wheel behind as close to your lower back as possible
Fold your legs and allow your pelvis to lift off the ground as you roll over the wheel
Go further behind and place your shoulders on the ground. Inhale as you roll over the wheel and place your shoulders down.
Remove your feet off the ground and bring them closer to the wheel
Place your elbows on the floor beside the wheel and hold your ankles firmly
Hold the posture for thirty seconds

Movement 1
Opens the hamstrings in the pelvis region
Mobilises and lubricates your knee caps
Strengthens back when held for long

Begin by sitting with your legs extended forward
Fold your legs and bring the soles of your feet together
Place the wheel vertically in front of you
Lift your feet and place them on top of the wheel
Let your knees point sideways
Extend your arms over your legs and hold the rim of the wheel
Stretch further and place your forehead on your feet. Exhale as you push your knees down and touch your forehead with your feet.
Hold the posture for thirty seconds
Inhale as you release from the posture.

Movement 3
Similar to the previous movement, this also helps strengthen neck and back while relieving stress. It helps normalise the functioning of the Thyroid gland and improves the functioning of all respiratory organs.

Sit down with your legs extended forward Place the wheel behind you as close to your back as possible
Roll over the wheel and lift your pelvis off the ground. Inhale as you roll the wheel back
Try to go further behind and touch the ground with the crown of your head
Extend your arms behind and try to keep your knees as straight as possible
Hold this posture for thirty seconds, exhale as you release from the posture

Benefits
Flexes and strengthens your back and neck
Relieves stress
Opens shoulder blades
Normalises the functioning of the Thyroid gland
Improves the functioning of all respiratory organs

Word of Advice
Practitioners with neck or shoulder issues should refrain from performing this asana.

Movement 4
This movement helps relax your back and mobilise your shoulders while relieving stress.

Sit down with your legs stretched out forward
Straighten your back and place the wheel vertically behind slightly away from your pelvis
Take support of your palms and place the back of your head and your upper back on top of the wheel
Join your palms and raise your arms up. Softly inhale and exhale in the final posture
Close your eyes and stay in the posture for thirty to sixty seconds

Movement 5
This movement strengthens thighs and calf muscles, opens hamstrings as well as tones thighs and strengthens lower back

Begin by standing straight
Bring your upper body down and place your palms beside your feet
Extend your right leg behind and place the wheel in the gap between your left thigh and calf muscle. Inhale as you extend your leg behind
Drop your right knee down and let your left thigh comfortably sit on top of the wheel
Push your pelvis down as much as possible and lift your left foot off the ground
Hold pranam, allow your neck to fall backward and place your pranam over your forehead.
Hold this posture for thirty to sixty seconds
Alternate your leg and repeat the steps listed above

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