Natarajasana is a cultural asana derived from Nataraja, the god of Dance. It stretches the body muscles, especially those of the back, the limbs and shouldes and chest.
Meaning of Natarajasana
The root word "Nata" refers to actor and dancer, Raja means "the king." Natraj is another name for Shiva, who is also known as the cosmic dancer. His dance symbolizes cosmic energy in its "five actions:"
Effects of Natarajasana
* Stretches the shoulders and chest
* Stretches the thighs, groins, and abdomen
* Strengthens the legs and ankles
* Improves balance
Practice of Natarajasana
* Stand in Tadasana. Inhale, shift the weight onto the right foot, and lift the left heel toward the left buttock while bending the knee.
* Press the head of the right thigh bone back, deep into the hip joint, and pull the knee cap up to keep the standing leg straight and strong.
* Try to keep the torso relatively upright. The first is to reach back with the left hand and grasp the outside of the left foot or ankle. To avoid compression in the lower back, actively lift the pubis toward the navel, and at the same time, press the tailbone toward the floor.
* Begin to lift the left foot up, away from the floor, and back, away from the torso.
* Extend the left thigh behind the body and parallel to the floor.
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