You’ll be amazed at how beneficial these 3 classic yoga poses are for your mental and physical health! Here are just a few powerful benefits you may not be aware of…

If you practice yoga, you probably are already aware of the many benefits that it provides for your body. But what about what it does for your mind?

Yoga has been practiced for centuries for its healing powers – not just for the body, but for the mind and spirit as well. These classic yoga poses aren’t merely for strengthening and stretching your  muscles – they also impact your brain, your mindset, and your mood. No, it’s not magic, but as the article below from Daily Cup of Yoga explains, it can sometimes feel like it!

Here are 3 classic yoga poses that you have probably done before without even realizing the powerful benefits they provide.

1.) Shoulderstand (Sarvangasana)

Sarvangasana actually translates to “all-members’ pose” because all parts of the body are engaged to perform this asana. You lift your trunk, hips, and legs up and support the back with your two hands. Press the chin against the chest. Concentrate on the thyroid gland, which is in the front lower part of the neck.

Shoulderstand Benefits: In this asana, the thyroid gland is stimulated. The thyroid is a prominent part in the metabolism, growth, and nutrition of the body, so it is said that when the thyroid is healthy, then healthy circulatory and respiratory systems will follow, along with a healthy nervous system. When the thyroid is healthy, other glands are affected because it operates in conjunction with other glands.

It’s said that this asana helps to create a healthy thyroid. It supplies a large quantity of blood to the spinal roots of the nerves and helps to keep the spine elastic as well.

…………………………………………

2.) Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)

This posture is performed seated on the ground, with the legs together and stretched in front of you. Bend the trunk forward and catch hold of the toes, or the legs, depending on your level of flexibility. Breathe. It’s as simple as that.

Seated Forward Bend Benefits: It’s hard to imagine such a simple posture having huge health benefits. But sometimes less is more. In the seated forward bend, it is the digestive system that gets the benefit. Swami Sivananda, in his book Yoga Asanas, writes that this posture rouses the gastric fire and reduces fat in the abdomen. He cites it as a great posture for obesity.

This posture also relieves constipation, and helps with stiff back since it stretches the entire back of the body.

……………………………………………….

3.) Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)

Lie flat, facing down. Place the palms of your hands below the shoulders. Using the strength of your lower back, lift the upper body from the floor, keeping the hips down. Don’t press too much into your hands. Breathe through the nose.

Cobra Benefits: This is another super simple posture with major benefits. The first benefit of this asana is that it relieves hunchback, or other problems with the back that keep it bent excessively forward. It also relieves constipation because of the intra-abdominal pressure that you create when you perform the posture. It also increases body heat, so it is good to practice when you are cold!

……………………………………………..