Matsya, the fish, was one of the incarnations of the Hindu God Vishnu, who assumed this form to save the world from the Flood. The Fish Pose, Matsyasana, is the counterpose to the Shoulderstand and very commonly is practiced after it. Having stretched the neck and upper spine in Shoulderstand, Plough, Bridge, Rabbit etc., you now compress them as you arch back.
- Lie down on your back with your legs straight and your feet together.
- Place your hands, palms down, underneath your thighs.
- Pressing down on your elbows, inhale and arch your back, resting only a very little weight on the top of your head on the floor.
- Exhale.
- Breathe deeply while in the position, keeping legs and lower torso relaxed.
- To come out of the pose, first lift your head and place it gently back down, then release the arms.
benefits
- Exercises the chest.
- Tones the nerves of the neck and back.
- Ensures that the thyroid and parathyroid glands obtain maximum benefit from shoulderstand or similar pose.
- Expands your rib cage fulls and so aids deep breathing.
- Deep breathing increases your lung capacity.
- Relievs stiffness in your neck and shoulder muscles and correcting any tendency to rounded shoulders.
