Dive into the world of yoga and discover the numerous health benefits of Matsyasana, also known as fish pose yoga. This yoga asana is a gateway to a lot of health benefits.
Here, you can explore some of the Matsyasana health benefits and how to do Matsyasana to achieve overall wellness and vitality.
What is Matsyasana?
Matsyasana, also known as the fish pose yogasana resembles a little bit of a chameleon or perhaps a cuttlefish, as the cuttlefish is sometimes referred to as the ‘chameleon of the sea’.
It is traditionally categorised as a backbend, a position in which the spine is extended or there is arching of the back.
Matsyasana Benefits
Some of the health benefits of Matsyasana are:
1. Coping with depression and hypothyroidism
Research conducted in 2021 evaluated the effects of yoga on women who had both hypothyroidism and depression. Participants demonstrated a significant decrease in depressive symptoms following 3 months of regular practise of yoga, which involved fish pose yoga.
The same study showed a significant improvement in participants’ markers associated with hypothyroidism, demonstrating that yoga is useful in treating hypothyroidism.
2. Helpful in diabetes control
Matsyasana, or the fish pose, may provide benefits for individuals with diabetes. Matsyasana may stimulate the pancreas and improve its function.
3. Helps with gynaecomastia
Gynecomastia is a disorder that causes the abnormal enlargement of either one or both of the breasts in males.
Inverted yoga poses such as Matsyasana for gynecomastia reduce the fatty tissue that primarily makes up the breast and aids in the control of gynecomastia and general weight loss.
4. Helps with primary dysmenorrhoea
Primary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain without an underlying medical condition. Its symptoms include pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic region, cramping pain, nausea, vomiting, headaches, fatigue, and mood changes.
Regular practise of Matsyasana may enhance the strength and flexibility of the pelvic muscular floor and back, which may aid in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea.
5. Improves self-compassion and mindfulness
Although these are common objectives among several yoga practitioners, a 2017 study found that these benefits were particularly helpful for a high-stress group of nursing students.
How to do Matsyasana?
Matsyasana steps are simple and easy to perform.
Here are the steps to practise Matsyasana:
- To perform Matsyasana or the Fish pose, begin by lying flat on your back with your arms resting beside you.
- Place your palms underneath your hips, facing downwards.
- Arch your back and lift your head and chest off the ground, resting the crown of your head on the mat.
- Use your elbows to support your upper back and lift your chest higher.
- Take a few deep breaths while holding the pose, and when ready to release, lower your head and chest slowly back down to the ground.
