FISH POSE

Matsyasana (mot-see-AHS-anna)

BENEFITS OF FISH POSE

  • Stretches the neck, shoulders and the quadriceps
  • Opens the chest
  • Strengthens the back muscles
  • Has calming and soothing properties
  • Releases tension

SUMMARY OF FISH POSE

Fish Pose, or Matsyasana, is a very gentle yet beneficial pose once deemed the “destroyer of all diseases.” It stretches and lengthens the whole body, including the neck, the shoulders, the back and the quadricep muscles. Since it is a heart opener, it makes it easier to breathe calmly, relieving stress and tension

FISH POSE TUTORIAL

Fish Pose (Matsyasana) - Yoga Pose

1.) Begin laying flat on your back on your mat. Your palms should be facing upwards to the ceiling. Breathe and relax here.

Fish Pose (Matsyasana) - Yoga Pose

2.) Turn your palms so they are facing the mat. Press your forearms into the mat and lift your chest, arching your back. Your head should remain on the mat.

Fish Pose (Matsyasana) - Yoga Pose

3.) Hold this position for up to 30 seconds.

Fish Pose (Matsyasana) - Yoga Pose

4.) To release, simply lower your back down to the mat.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF FISH POSE

FISH POSE FOR STRETCHING

Fish Pose provides a wholesome stretch through the whole body, engaging the front of your legs and glutes, as well as your shoulders, arms, lower back and chest. It also provides an intense stretch for the neck, reversing any stress and tension caused by desk work or mobile phone use.

FISH POSE FOR OPENING THE CHEST

Fish Pose is also great for breathing, asthma and respiratory issues. As a heart opener, this pose forces you to open your chest and breathe deeply, providing more air to your lungs. This pose facilitates healthy breathing patterns, destressing the practitioner and releasing any tension or discomfort in the body.

FISH POSE FOR CALMNESS

Not only is Fish Pose a potent heart opener, facilitating the breathing process and managing anxiety but it also stimulates the Crown Chakra, making it easier to calm down the meddled, busy mind. One ends up calm and refreshed.

FISH POSE FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Fish Pose increases blood flow to the brain. While you shouldn’t hold this pose too long, Fish Pose encourages calmness, stress relief and lowers anxiety.

Contraindications & Cautions

  • Neck/back injury
  • Pregnant women
  • Tightness in the neck or the back
  • Migraines
  • Poorly controlled hypertension

Modifications & Deepening the Pose

If you would like to relax a little more in Fish Pose and give your back both a pleasant massage and opening, this variation is worth a try. Get into the pose normally, place two blocks one at the shoulder blades level, the second one under your head, forming a T-shape. Rest the arms calmly at both sides of the torso, palms facing the ceiling. Enjoy. To variate the pose further, you can only use one block at the level of the shoulder blades, whatever you find the most comfortable and beneficial.

FISH POSE THE LOTUS VARIATION

If you would like to take Fish Pose further and add a hip opener and leg stretch, simply place the soles of the feet together and allow your knees to fall out to the side, like Lotus Pose.