Mar

Matsyasana (Fish Pose)

Fish Pose

Matsyasana (Fish Pose) is not like so many of the poses that are named after the creatures they’re named, inasmuch as it doesn’t really resemble a fish. Rather, legend has it that if you do this pose in water, you could, probably, float like a fish.

Customarily Fish Yoga Pose or Matsyasana has always been done with both legs folded in Padmasana. In fact, in more advanced versions, you raise both legs around 6 inches off the mat. However, all this is difficult for yoga beginners, here we shall work either with both knees bent in Sukhasana (Easy Pose). The Fish Pose is usually considered a counterbalance to the Shoulder Stand and the Plough Pose, particularly within the context of Hatha Yoga.

Fish Yoga pose falls in that category of backbends, in which the practitioner raises the anahata (heart) chakra by drawing the shoulders back then going up on both elbows. It is an extremely powerful, classic Yoga pose that is included in many ancient texts dealing with opening up of the upper Chakras.

How to do Fish Yoga Pose

1. Start the pose lying on your back, feet flat on the floor, both knees bent. With a deep inhalation raise your pelvis a little off the mat then slide both hands, palms down, under the buttocks. Now rest your butt evenly on the backs of both hands. Make sure to push your elbows and forearms close to the sides of your and never raise your buttocks off your hands as you do this pose.

2. With a deep inhalation, firmly press both elbows and forearms into the mat then, with an inhalation, raise your head and upper body up from the mat. Now, gently, let your head fall back onto the floor. Either the crown or back of your head will rest on the floor, depending upon how high you are able to arc your back and raise your chest. Make sure to place the minimum pressure and weight on your head so as to avoid constricting your neck.

3. You could either straighten your legs out onto the floor keep or keep both knees bent. Alternately, you could fold both legs as you do in Sukhasana (Easy Pose). Whatever you do remember to keep your thighs active, and press out through your knees or heels.

4. Hold the pose for 30 to 60 seconds, breathing normally. To exit the pose, exhale, lower your head and torso onto the mat, pull your thighs up into the region of the abdomen and squeeze. Then gradually release and relax for a while in Shavasana (Corpse Pose)