Shilpa Shetty suggests Virabhadrasana to boost mental positivity during this pandemic
COVID-19 is alarmingly affecting mental health world wide. There is a huge jump in the number of clinical anxiety or depression cases after the outbreak.
Shilpa Shetty, leading Bollywood actress thinks Yoga’s Warrior Pose I or Virabhadrasana I can help relieve the detrimental emotions like fear, worry and anxiety and nurture positive attitude in one’s mind during this time of pandemic.
Hailing Virabhadrasana I on her Instagram post, Shilpa Shetty said “You can manifest a world of change and positivity simply through your thoughts. So, no matter how testing the situation may be, always remember… this too shall pass. Keep your spirits high, chin up, breathe deeply, and stay mentally & emotionally positive! (sic).”
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How to perform Virabhadrasana I:
Stand erect with legs 4 to 5 feet apart. Place your right foot at 90 degrees angle with the toes pointing out while keeping your left foot at 45 degrees angle. Bring your hands at shoulder level and keep them parallel to ground with palms facing upwards.
Exhale, bend your right knee and look towards your right hand. Keep your hip-square and right thigh parallel to the ground with your knee and ankle forming a straight line but make sure that your knee does not go ahead of your ankle.
As you move into the pose, stretch your arms to join your palms above your head and look in their direction while gently pushing your pelvis down. Breathe normally, hold onto the pose for 10 to 15 seconds, then exhale and gently bring your hands down from the sides. Repeat this pose on the left side, with your left leg in the front and the right one at the back.
Benefits:
Virabhadrasana I or the Warrior Pose I energises tired limbs and opens up your chest and lungs apart from stretching your hips, groins and shoulders and improving stability and balance. It also stimulates your abdominal organs.
It is great for the people who do desk jobs because it stimulates the metabolism and restores the spine. It helps in releasing the stress out of frozen shoulders almost immediately, strengthens and tones the lower back muscles, along with the muscles in arms and legs and also improves body balance.
Precautions:
Consult a doctor or your trainer before beginning this exercise regime as this asana should be avoided by those who have a weak heart or injury on the knees or the hips. It is best to avoid this exercise in case of a knee or hip injury as the practice of this pose may make the tissues around the hips and the knees tear if one is injured.
(Courtesy: Hindustan Times)
