Sitting long hours? Overcome back pain through this yoga exercise

Most people are confined to the interiors of their residences following the lockdown and find it difficult to engage in physical activities. However, yoga offers a solution as one can practice it in the comfort of their homes.

‘Vakrasanam’ is a yoga that is beneficial to the spine and practising it regularly offers a great relief from back pain. Moreover, the yoga strengthens the nerves and ‘nadis’ in your body. As the yoga straightens the spinal cord, people having a hunched back too can hope to solve the problem.

One can engage in this yoga by standing erect as well as sitting. When attempting the yoga for the first time, the ‘Dandamasana’ method is ideal. Later, ‘Sukhasanam’, ‘Arthapadmasanam’, ‘Padmasanam’ and ‘Vajrasanam’ could be learnt.

If you are unable to sit on the floor, Vakrasanam can still be done sitting on a chair or cot. Even carrying women can practice the yoga during their entire pregnancy period.

The Dandamasana method is as follows: Sit with your back straight and extend both arms and legs parallel to the floor ('Vakrasanam' yoga posture 1). Take a deep breath and wait for 2-3 seconds before exhaling. As this is done, turn the torso, extended hands and head to the right ('Vakrasanam' yoga posture 2).

The area of the body below the waist should not be moved. Remain in that position for 2-3 seconds, inhale and come back to the previous position. Repeat the process towards the left side. To obtain good results for Vakrasanam, you must turn to the right and left sides at least eight times each.