Yogas that can help you cure painful muscle pulls!
Tips to help with muscle pain
A pain in the body can be an irritating thing, completely disrupting your schedule. Whether it’s an injury, muscle pull, or cramp pain, healing is necessary and requires an immediate response.
Traditionally, physiotherapists and doctors take measures based on yogic poses. While the doctors may recommend a list of medicines, they would still focus on some stretches and Yoga asanas, which help the body heal from within. While the medicines help you recover faster, the Yoga poses are the things that will support you for a lifetime.
However, if you are dealing with some muscle pulls or chronic pain, practice these Yoga asanas under the guidance of a certified Yoga Teacher.
1. Ease out the back pain with the cobra pose:
The Cobra pose allows one to rest completely while focusing on the back muscles and allowing them to stretch properly, so that your back can become straight and the chakras are activated.
Cobra Pose: Lie face down on your mat, placing your hands beside your ribcage. Let your legs rest and reach back with toes pointed outside. Now, lift your head and let it slide back as far as possible with your hand strength, while keeping your leg relaxed. Try to look up towards the sky and hold for about 5 to 10 breaths, then slowly release and return to your normal position. Repeat the process at least three times for the best experience!
2. Kandharasana for thighs, legs, and back muscle pulls:
Kandharasana, or the shoulder stand, is one of the easiest yogic poses that allows you to stretch the muscles and ease out the pain. This is also helpful in relieving body stiffness and providing your back with significant relaxation.
Kandharasana (Shoulder Pose): Lie on your back with your knees bent. Now hold both ankles with your respective hands. When you are ready, inhale and start raising your hip upwards until you form an inverted curve and your body is fully stretched. Hold the pose for about 10 to 20 seconds, then return to the standard pose and exhale the breath. Repeat this movement 3–4 times for quick relief.
3. Locust Pose (Salabhasana) helps build strength and flexibility in the shoulders, abdomen, and legs:
Locust pose is one of the most practiced Yoga poses for aligning your body posture and achieving a full-body balance. This may be challenging for beginners, but as you start practicing, the benefits are numerous. This also allows you to lose a significant amount of belly fat.
Salabhasana (Locust Pose): Lie on your Yoga mat with your face down and let your body rest. Keep your arms alongside your body, palms turned upward. Slowly inhale and raise both your legs, hands, and even your head to practically lie on your stomach. The stomach shall feel all the pressure. Maintain the pose for around 10 seconds or longer, then exhale slowly as you gently return to the starting position. Repeat this three times, then relax.
4. Dhanurasana (bow pose) for best body stretch:
If you experience spinal cord problems, leg muscle pulls, stomachaches, or general uneasiness in your body muscles, this asana can provide a comprehensive healing effect. The pose is not easy and may take days to perfect, but when practiced under expert guidance, it can be utilized for healing purposes.
Dhanurasana (bow pose): Lie flat on your stomach and rest your head on the floor. Now, slowly bend your leg at the knee and lift it towards the sky in a backward position. Hold the raised ankles and set your body for the pull. Start stretching your body and raising it in the form of an inverted curve with the help of your hands and legs, holding them together. This shifts the pressure to your abdomen and engages the strength of your arms. Look up and stay for 10 seconds. Slowly exhale and start returning to the resting position. Repeat thrice for best results.
5. Butterfly pose for the abdominal muscle pulls:
Often, while working out or running errands, we experience muscle pulls in the abdomen and don’t know how to address them. The butterfly position helps to heal the muscles around the pelvic area and thighs, providing the best relief. It is also beneficial for women, particularly in supporting reproductive health.
Butterfly pose: Sit on the Yoga mat with both your legs stretched in front. Join the soles of your feet and grasp them with your hands. Because your pelvic area and thighs are in a good stretch, here, they might not touch the ground. Raise your thighs upward, then slowly bring them back to the floor. Move both legs in the form of butterfly wings. Let the movements be gentle and easy. Practice this for 5 minutes, then take a rest.
The cited yogic asanas are perfect aids to muscle pulls – practice and heal! Learn more in our 5-day Yoga Retreat.