Marichyasana: A Twisted Sage’s Pose?

Take the title of this text as you’ll. Marichyasana (Marichi’s Pose) honors an historical sage of yogic mythology. Marichi was the son of Brahma, the divine creator. His title actually means “ray of sunshine” from the solar or moon in Sanskrit. Nonetheless, not all of Marichi’s exploits could possibly be deemed as mild crammed.

At some point, upon coming back from gathering wooden within the forest, a drained Marichi known as to his spouse, Dharmavrata, to scrub his ft. When Brahma unexpectedly entered their dwelling, Dharmavrata was confused as to which of the gods ought to take priority. Technically, it appeared that turning her consideration to the divine creator could be the proper path, in order that’s what she did. This incurred the wrath of her husband, who put a curse on her, turning her right into a stone. Subsequently, Dharmavrata spent years in devoted meditation follow to atone for her unforgivable fake pas. Because of this, Lord Vishnu lifted the curse, solely to have it reinstated by her still-angry husband. Oh properly.

Thankfully, practising Marichyasana doesn’t require that we both consider or observe the trajectory of this fantasy. As a substitute, we will benefit from the fruits of a easy spinal twist with out the patriarchal baggage.

Why Observe Marichyasana?

There are a number of variations of Marichyasana. In reality, the web site, Tummee, touts 62 variations, together with variations in arm positions, chair variations and extra. Right here on the Hugger Mugger weblog, I’ve beforehand written about what’s normally known as Marichyasana III. As we speak’s model is kind of much like that one. The one distinction is that the knee of the underside leg is bent as a substitute of straight, eliminating hamstring challenges.

There are numerous advantages to practising spinal twists generally. Listed below are just a few that come from common spinal twisting and a few which can be particular to Marichyasana:

• Stretches the backbone and the again muscle groups.
• Will increase the pliability and power of the backbone and again muscle groups.
• Loosens shoulder muscle groups.
• Massages the interior organs and glands.
• Might assist to alleviate fatigue.

As with all poses, there are cautions to practising twists, together with seated twists. Don’t follow twists in case you are within the first trimester of being pregnant. Additionally, take care on this pose in case you have identified disc illness, sacroiliac (SI) joint points, or again issues generally.

The best way to Observe Marichyasana

1. Collect your props: Yoga Mat, Yoga Block and Yoga Blanket. It’s possible you’ll or could not want the block or blanket, but it surely’s good to have them useful, simply in case.
2. Sit in your mat along with your legs stretched out in entrance of you.
3. Bend your proper knee and step your proper foot over your left leg, in order that the only of your foot rests on the ground.
4. Now bend your left knee, inserting your left heel subsequent to your proper hip.
5. Verify your backbone. Are the vertebrae poking out in your lumbar backbone? If that’s the case, place a folded blanket below your glutes to raise your pelvis.
6. Rotate your backbone to the suitable, permitting your proper hip to scoot again. Don’t attempt to sq. your hips—in any twist. Practising this highly regarded alignment trope whereas twisting can displace your sacroiliac (SI) joint. As a substitute, enable your proper ischial tuberosity (sitting bone) to attract again.
7. Place your proper hand behind you on the ground. If you happen to’re not in a position to contact the ground, or barely in a position to contact, place your block below your hand in order that it makes strong contact. Then press down by your hand that can assist you lengthen your backbone.
8. Place your left elbow on the skin of your proper knee. If you happen to discover that your shoulders are hunching ahead, launch your elbow and place your left hand on the skin of the suitable knee as a substitute. (The ratio between the size of the torso, size of the humerus bone and the size of the bones in our legs is totally different for every particular person. In case your shoulders hunch ahead when your elbow is on the skin of your knee, it’s not a sign of an absence of flexibility. It’s extra possible that your humerus bone is on the shorter aspect and received’t attain your knee with out your having to bend your shoulders ahead.)
9. Take 5 to 10 deep breaths right here. If respiratory is tough, rotate out of the pose a bit. Respiration is extra essential than what your pose appears to be like like.
10. Return to the middle, stretch your legs out and take just a few breaths to tune into your physique earlier than switching to your second aspect.