Talasana (Palm tree pose)

Sequence:

• Stand erect with your legs shoulder-width apart.
• The toes should be pointing outwards.
• Inhale deeply and raise your hands above the head.
• Keep the palms facing each other.
• Raise your heels from the ground.
• Standing on your toes, exhale slowly.
• Keeping yourself well-balanced on the toes, stretch your arms further up as you inhale.
• Try raising your heels and stretching your body to the optimum level.
• Bend your neck and head backwards and look up.
• Stay in this position till you feel uncomfortable.
• Exhale slowly and return to starting position by lowering the arms and simultaneously lowering the heels.
• Bring the neck and head forward.
• Relax.

Benefits:

• This yoga pose straightens the spinal column and thus any abnormal curvature can be rectified.
• The lung capacity increases.
• Regular practice of Talasana not only strengthens your body but also makes it supple and flexible.
• The upper body is totally stretched.
• The respiratory muscles become firmer.
• This yoga posture strengthens the muscles of the neck, lower back, abdomen and pelvis.