Pavanamuktasana

Pavanamuktasana, Wind-Relieving Pose, Wind Removing Pose, or Wind Liberating Pose is an asana.

Etymology

The name comes from the Sanskrit words pavan meaning "wind", mukta meaning "relieve" and asana (आसन) meaning "posture" or "seat".

Description

This asana is practiced in three stages:

1. In the first stage, the yogi lies on their back stretching their legs straight. The yogi bends their right knee and holds it with their hands, pressing it towards their abdomen. Breathing out, the yogi lifts up their head and touches their knee with their chin. Breathing in, the yogi stretches their legs straight.
2. In the second stage, the yogi presses their abdomen with their left leg.
3. In the third stage, the yogi presses their abdomen with both legs, placing their chin between their knees. From this position, the yogi swings their body back and forth 5 to 10 times, and then swings their body left to right and right to left 5 to 10 times.

The three stages above form one round. Three or four rounds should be practiced.

Benefits

It helps in passing the gas,which is blocked in your intestine. It creates space for fresh air in the body to create maximum utilization of the bodily resources. This improves the digestion system and helps have good motion.

Variations

Some sources will differentiate between double leg, Dwi Pada Pavanamuktasana (dwi = "two", pada = "leg"), and single leg, Eka Pada Pavanamuktasana (eka = "one", pada = "leg") forms.

Salamba Eka Pada Pavanamuktasana is Supported One-Legged Wind-Relieving Pose.

See also

• List of asanas