Marichyasana: Health benefits of the sage twist pose, how to practice it

The word yoga means to connect or unite. To connect with the self, the divine self or the soul. There are eight different parts of yoga which include yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi. When all of them are performed, enlightenment is attained. The asanas and pranayama of yoga can help in curing various health conditions and managing their symptoms.

There are different yoga asanas and each of them has its own benefits. One of them is MarichyasanaAlso known as The Crooked Wise Man PoseThis asana helps strengthen and flex the spine and improves posture. The name Marichyasana is derived from the sage Marichi, which in Sanskrit means “ray of light” and “Asana” means “posture”. This asana is known to have several health benefits.

But first, let’s see how to perform the pose correctly.

Health benefits of Marichyasana

Improves digestion

This twist helps stimulate the abdominal organs, including the liver, kidneys, and intestines. It helps improve the digestion process, thereby reducing the chances of bloating, constipation, and other digestive problems.

Improves spinal flexibility

This pose helps to stretch and strengthen the muscles surrounding the spine. Practicing it regularly can help increase the flexibility and mobility of the spine, which is important for maintaining a healthy back and reducing the risk of back problems such as stiffness and pain.

Strengthens the core

This pose requires you to engage your core to maintain balance and support twisting. It helps strengthen your abdominal muscles, which are important for a strong core. When you have a strong core, you reduce back pain and improve overall stability and balance.

Detoxifies the body

The twisting in this pose helps massage the internal organs, which helps eliminate toxins and stimulate blood circulation. This detoxifying effect can help improve overall health, skin, and metabolism.

Reduce stress

This pose helps you breathe deeply, which helps reduce stress and anxiety. The combination of physical movement and breath control helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps you relax and stay calm.

Improves hip mobility

This pose stretches the hips, groins, and hamstrings, thereby improving flexibility and mobility in these areas. When you have better hip mobility, it helps you maintain a healthy range of motion in your lower body, which is important for walking, running, sitting comfortably, and performing other daily activities.

Stimulates the nervous system

Twisting helps stimulate spinal nerves, which helps activate and balance the nervous system. This can help improve nerve function and coordination, and enhance overall physical and mental well-being.