News release about safe yoga practice throughout the world.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Yoga: Three reasons you should not do Yoga Posture – Lord of Dance

The Lord of Dance Posture – (Natarajasana)

This beautiful and vigorous posture is dedicated to God Siva, the Lord of the Dance.

‘Nataraja’ is a name given to Siva, when he is engaged in his dance. He is not only the God of destruction, death and stillness but also a Lord of the Dance. It is believed that the cosmic dance of lord Shiva is the creation and destruction of the world.

This difficult balancing posture develops poise and gracefulness. It should be performed as if dancing, yet firmly with focused attention. It is usually performed as the final posture of a series of challenging backbends.

The Natarajasana balances the nervous system and develops mental concentration. It generates vitality and enhances the digestive power.

The Lord of Dance posture tones and strengthens the leg and hip muscles. It stretches the shoulders and expands the chest.

When done in a full version, this is a very demanding asana, requiring great flexibility in the shoulders and spine, tremendous openness in the chest, groins and front of the thighs, and great strength in the standing leg.

The Natarajasana has curative and corrective effects removing backache and stiffness of the spine. The arch formed by the back and stretched leg gently aligns the vertebrae of the spine restoring suppleness and easing strain caused by poor posture or long periods of sitting.

Note: As a beginner, be sure to keep the ankle of the raised foot flexed (draw the top of the foot toward the shin) when lifting the leg to prevent the cramps in the back of the thigh.

Three important reasons not to do the Lord of the Dance posture:

1) If you have serious lower back injury, avoid practicing this posture.

2) In case of knee injury do not attempt this posture.

3) If you have High Blood Pressure do not do this posture.

Caution: Always check with your doctor if you have any doubts or concerns regarding the suitability of this posture for you. It is best to perform this yoga posture in presence of a qualified yoga teacher.

Issued in the interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga by Subodh Gupta, celebrity yoga trainer based in London.

Mr.Subodh Gupta, a Corporate Yoga Trainer has conducted more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management. He has been interviewed by various TV channels in India and London.

For Subodh Gupta Corporate yoga webpage Corporate yoga