The Locust Pose (Shalabhasana)

• Lie flat on your stomach with the hand under the thighs, palms down.
• Inhale, retain the breath and raise the left leg as high as possible keeping the knee straight.
• Exhale while lowering the leg to the floor.
• Repeat the same movement with right leg.
• Inhale, retain the breath inside, clench the fists and slowly raise both legs as high as possible whilst keeping them straight.
• Keep the trunk on the floor.
• Maintain this position for five to twenty seconds.
• Exhale while slowly lowering the legs back to the starting position.
• Now do the hare pose for immediate relief (a perfect counter pose).

Benefits

This asana strengthens the lower back and pelvic organs, and tones the sciatic nerves, relieving backache, mild sciatica and slipped discs.

It also tones and balances the abdominal organs, the liver, pancreas and kidneys.

It aids in the relief and elimination of deceases of the stomach and bowels and stimulates the appetite.