Padahastasana is a yoga posture that is also known as the ‘hand-to-foot pose’. It is a basic standing pose that involves bending forward from the waist and touching the feet with the hands.
To perform Padahastasana yoga, you stand on your feet, inhale deeply, and raise your arms straight up overhead.
As you exhale, you bend forward from the hips, keeping your spine straight and your legs as straight as possible.
Then, you bring your hands down towards your feet and rest them on the floor or hold onto your ankles or shins.
You hold the pose for a few breaths and then inhale while standing up.
Several Padahastasana benefits include stretching the hamstrings, calves, and lower back in addition to helping calm the mind and relieve stress. It is often used as a warm-up or cool-down pose and can be modified for different levels of flexibility. It is important to practice this pose with caution and to avoid it if you have a back injury or high blood pressure.
Health benefits of Padahastasana yoga
1. Prevents headache
When you practice Padahastasana yoga, you gently stretch the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and upper back. This can help to relieve any tension that may be causing a headache. The forward bending motion also increases blood flow to the head, which can help to reduce a headache caused by tension or poor blood circulation.
2. Improves concentration
One of the Padahastasana benefits is that it activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s relaxation response. This can help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, allowing you to focus more easily on the task at hand. Additionally, Padahastasana helps increase blood flow to the brain, which can improve cognitive function and mental clarity.
3. Improve heart health
Padahastasana yoga improves blood circulation in the body by stimulating the circulatory system, which helps increase the blood flow to the heart and other organs. High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease, and Padahastasana can assist in lowering blood pressure. The pose activates the baroreceptors in the neck, which regulates blood pressure.
4. Helps with stomach discomfort
Padahastasana improves digestion by increasing blood flow to the digestive system and massaging the internal organs. This can help relieve the symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and constipation. Padahastasana stretches the hamstrings, calves, and back muscles, which can improve flexibility and mobility in the spine and hips. This can assist in relieving tension and discomfort in the stomach area.
5. Helps with diabetes
One of the Padahastasana benefits is that it can improve blood sugar control by increasing insulin sensitivity. This can lead to the lowering of blood sugar levels and reduction of the risk of complications associated with diabetes. Stress and anxiety can contribute to high blood sugar levels, and Padahastasana can reduce both. Maintaining a healthy weight is important for individuals with diabetes, and Padahastasana can support weight management. The pose is a good cardiovascular exercise that can help burn calories and improve metabolism.
6. Improves sleep
Padahastasana is a calming pose that can help promote relaxation throughout the body. This can prepare the body and mind for sleep. Padahastasana can enhance blood circulation throughout the body, including to the brain. This can help to promote healthy brain function, which is important for good sleep.
