What is Windmill Pose?
People have been practicing yoga for more than 5,000 years. The term yoga has its origins in the Sanksrit word yuj, which means to yoke or to join. The purpose of yoga is to yoke or join the mind, body, and breath. There is a strong bond between the three. When the mind is disturbed, your breath and body are also affected. Yoga teaches us that control over the mind is possible by the control of breath, and the control of breath is achieved by the slowing down of our body activities. The right yoga poses and exercises adjust this balance.
The Windmill Pose. The Windmill pose is a good warm-up pose in yoga. Here are a few simple steps to help you to perform the windmill pose:
- Start with the Little Boat pose.
- Inhale and raise the right arm over the head. At the same time, extend the right leg downwards. The heel of the right leg and back of right hand should touch the yoga mat.
- Exhale and bring the right knee towards the chest and your right hand to your knee. With the elbows held close to the body, hold your right knee with your right hand.
- Now lift your left arm over your head while inhaling. At the same time, extend your left leg downwards. The heel of your left foot and the back of your left hand should touch the yoga mat.
- Exhale and bring your left knee to your chest and move your left hand to your knee. Hold your left knee with your left hand.
- Repeat these steps seven to eight times.
- Finish the pose by placing the feet, soles first, on the floor and bring the arms to rest next to the body.
Benefits. The Windmill pose instills feelings of courage, and creates a sense of openness to life’s opportunities. It strengthens the body’s energetic system. It also improves the performance of the lungs and benefits the body with an ample oxygen supply. Furthermore, the pose strengthens the arms and spine. It is especially good for digestion and excretion. It is useful in releasing gas and massaging the kidneys. It makes the abdomen stronger and stretches the lower back. It also makes your hips flexible and massages the body’s posterior. It will also aid in the release intestinal gas, thereby, ending cramps and bloating.
Precautions. This pose should be avoided by hernia patients. It is also generally advisable for every one to get a medical check-up before starting yoga, or for that matter, any form of exercise.
