Yoga: Mill churning pose (Chakki chalanasana)

Mill churning pose (Chakki chalanasana)

• Sit with your legs splayed apart.
• Clasp your hands and outstretch your arms at shoulder height in front of you.
• Take a deep breath in and start moving the upper part of your body to the front and right, forming an imaginary circle with your body.
• Inhale as you go forward and to the right, and exhale as you go backward and to the left.

• Tips: Stretch forward from the lower back and keep your legs stationary. A slight movement in the legs is natural as the torso rotates. The arms move along with the back.

• Keep breathing deeply and easily while rotating. Do you feel the stretch in the arms, abs, groin and legs?
• Make 5-10 rounds in one direction and then repeat in the opposite direction.

Benefits

• A good preventive for sciatica.
• Tones the back, abs and arm muscles.
• Opens up the chest and groin.
• Tones the uterine muscles in females, so it is very useful in preventing painful cycles if practiced regularly.
• Consistent practice helps reduce abdominal fat.
• Very useful in reducing post-delivery fat. (however, please consult your doctor before practicing this yoga posture)

Contraindications

• Do not practice this asana if you are pregnant, have low blood pressure, extreme lower back pain due to slip disc, headaches or migraine (during the attack), or had a recent abdominal surgery, such as for active hernia.

Reference: http://www.artofliving.org/in-en/yoga-poses/mill-churning-pose-chakki-chalanasana