Posture of the month: Samakonasana (Centre Splits)
To - quite literally - stretch ourselves during the month of April, we have chosen Samakonasana as our Posture of the Month. As you can imagine, this advanced hip opener holds as many benefits as challenges. Read on to learn more …
In Sanskrit, the ancient language of the yogis, Samakonasana means 'Equal Angle Posture', from Sama (equal, balanced), Kona (angle) and Asana (seat or posture).
In the Vedic tradition, Samakonasana is believed to stimulate both the muladhara chakra (root) and anahata chakra (heart).
Centredness and an open heart
Especially in these uncertain times, we need inner stability, strength and an openness for personal growth. Opening the muladhara chakra is grounding and gives us the calm and centeredness we need. Anahata, the heart chakra, is the seat of love and compassion. Opening Anahata and focusing on our heart allows us to forgive and accept both ourselves and others.
Samakonasana - be prepared to stretch
Practicing Samakonasana has many benefits, among them increased flexibility and body awareness and an improved flow of prana throughout the body. As a bonus, you will feel a great sense of accomplishment and confidence as you are inching closer and closer to the goal.
Especially in the beginning, make sure to listen to your body and practice safely. Yoga isn’t a competition - it’s all about tuning into your body, increasing your self-awareness and making gentle, gradual improvements. To work towards practicing the centre splits, first you need to increase the flexibility of your hamstrings, groin, quadriceps, and hips. Once you get there, the rewards are plentiful.
The benefits of practicing the splits, and when to be careful!
(1) Balance and support: Stretching the hips while opening them is challenging for all of us. But if we stick with our practice, strong and flexible hips eventually make for a balanced body. Once we reach Samakonasana, the inner thighs, upper thighs, hips, and pelvic floor muscles are stretched and strengthened, so they can give proper support to the spine and upper body.
(2) Releasing tension: Samakonasana teaches us awareness around tight, flexible, and stretched muscles, while challenging us to coordinate our breath at the same time. It is incredibly rewarding to practice, finally reach our goal and then deepen by holding the posture longer and longer.
(3) Self-control, joy and confidence: Spending a lot of time seated, we all hold tension in our hips and psoas muscle. Samakonasana helps release these tensions while teaching us self control. This, along with the relief of aches and pains, gives us joy and adds to our confidence.
(4) Stimulating life energy: Stimulating our root chakra contributes to a firm and grounded sacrum. As we open our Muladhra chakra, we encourage prana to freely flow through all our energy channels.
Please note: If you are recovering from an injury or surgery to any internal organs, hips, knee, spine, etc., you should wait until you are fully healed before practicing Samakonasana. The same accounts for students who are suffering from a slipped disc or have issues with sciatica. Female yogis should also abstain from practicing the splits while menstruating or pregnant.
As always, remember to join us regularly and practice with us! There are over 25 classes/week, and we will practice the splits daily during all of April 2020!