The comforts of modern life have made us forget a lot of natural things and squatting is one of them. Is there anything special to squatting? For most people it comes naturally. Suppose you have to dig up a small part of your garden area without using any mechanical aid. What do you do? You obviously squat down and do the job. It can be painful for some, however, since they are more adapted to sitting in chairs and comfortable sofas.
The squat version of yoga – Malasana or the Garland Pose – is also referred to as the ‘Yogi Squat’. Travel to India or other parts of south-east Asia like Thailand, Bangladesh, Philippines and you’ll notice a lot of people in squatting position either selling vegetables, smoking a cigarette or reading the morning newspaper.
Though this may seem odd at first, the interesting thing is that these people are much more flexible and agile as compared to their western counterparts. The Malasana is a super-effective pose that does a lot of benefit to the lower part of your body. This grounding posture also brings you closer to the ground and induces a sense of calm. Here’s a look at the positives of practicing the yogi squat on a daily basis.
The Benefits of the Yogi Squat
Groins are Stretched
Because of the sedentary lifestyles that have become a part of our lives, our lower body areas like the groin and deep inner thighs become stiff and taut with the passage of time. As a result, eventually there is pain in the back, hips and even the knees.
The Malasana happens to be the perfect pose that stretches the groin, upper thighs and hip flexors making them flexible and strong once again. Once you start practicing the pose on a daily basis, you’ll begin to feel more agile and walk more confidently.
Fosters Calmness
The garland is a significant part of the Hindu religion since they are used to beautify gods and goddesses. Mala beads used during meditation sessions are believed to hold spiritual energy.
Malasana has derived its name from this rich tradition and aptly justifies its naming. When you perform the Garland Pose, you engender a feeling of calmness, relaxation and gratitude. Combine the asana with mantra chanting and you’ll feel pure bliss and peace. It would make you more grounded and respect life for what it is.
Helpful During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a feeling of joy and happiness. But, there are times during this period when women experience mood swings, depression, stress and anxiety.
To counter these negative feelings, the Malasana is one of the most recommended poses. This pose can be practiced during the entire pregnancy period and is not known to cause any ill-effects.
Proper Elimination of Waste from the Body
If you are learning yoga in a yoga class, you may have heard your teacher refer to this pose as ‘Relieving Pose’ as well. The reason being, it assists in elimination.
When you are in the Malasana pose, your abdominal organs are toned and nurtured. It relaxes the puborectalis muscle aiding in proper removal of waste materials from the body.
Boosts Metabolism
The biochemical process of metabolism is responsible for breaking down the food and converting it into energy. The endocrine system plays a huge role in the entire process and yoga asanas like Malasana nurture the endocrine glands by rubbing and exerting pressure.
When you perform the asana on a regular basis, the endocrine glands get good stimulation which results in their optimal functioning. Your metabolic rate increases and you feel more healthy and strong from inside.
Improves Posture
As already discussed, modern day life seems to be taking us back to those early stages when our ancestors were more hunched down and used to walk with a bent posture.
However, this issue can be fixed with the amazing Garland Pose. You’ll need to maintain a straight spine with the shoulders pulled back while practicing Malasana. With gradual practice, there will be a significant improvement in your posture.
You’ll realize that instead of hunching down, you are walking in a straight posture. Since yoga is a science of life, gradually you’ll start to incorporate the minor changes in your life as well. Consciousness will take over and you’ll no longer slouch or sit with a bending back. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your yoga mat and start your journey of a fulfilling and healthy life today!
