What are limitations of butterfly asana?

(May 25, 2012)

The Butterfly Pose is an excellent stretching pose and should be integrated as part of your daily yoga practice. It is used to relieve any tension and tightness in the muscles of the inner thighs. Performing the Butterfly Pose regularly also helps reduce tiredness of the leg muscles that comes from long hours spent walking or standing. However, if you suffer from any type of spinal injury or experience sharp pain in the knees and hips when performing this pose, stop immediately. Sciatica patients should also avoid this pose.

To do the Butterfly Pose:

Sit straight and bend your knees so that the soles of your feet are together in front of you.
Grasp gently around your toes and pull your feet towards your groin.
Make sure your back is still straight. Now bend slowly forward at the waist as far as possible. This may be tough as a beginner but take it slow.
You should feel the stretch in your inner thighs and groin muscles. If your muscles are very tight, this pose may be uncomfortable but try and hold for as long as you can.
If your legs are raised you can push down on them using your elbows. Ideally your calves, knees, and thighs should be flat on the floor.
Another variation of the pose is to gently bounce your knees like the gentle flapping of a butterfly’s wings.
As you advance in your practice, you can add deep breathing or the Breath of Fire to this pose.
Hold for one to five minutes and release the pose slowly.

Submitted by V A on May 25, 2012 at 06:27

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