Vrischikasana – Scorpion Pose In Yoga

Vrischikasana (scorpion pose) is a part of the Advance group of asanas mentioned in the book “Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha” by Swami Satyananda Saraswati that are designed to further improve the health of a person who is already very healthy.

How to do Vrischikasana – Scorpion Pose In Yoga

• Place a folded blanket on the floor for the head. Assume the final position of sirshasana.
• Relax the whole body, bend the knees and arch the back. Mter securing the balance, move the forearms carefully so that they lie on each side of the head, parallel with each other, palms flat on the floor.
• Transfer the weight onto the forearms and find the balance . Lower the feet as far as possible toward the head.
• Slowly raise the head backward and upward.
• Raise the upper arms so that they are vertical.
• The heels should rest on the crown of the head in the final position.
• Try to relax the whole body as much as possible.
• Hold the final position for as long as is comfortable. 
• Slowly return to sirshasana and lower the feet to the floor. Relax in shashankasana for a minute or two before assuming the upright position.

Breathing pattern while doing Vrischikasana – Scorpion Pose In Yoga

• Retain the breath inside while assuming sirshasana. Breathe normally in sirshasana.
• When learning to practise vrischikasana, the legs may be lowered in stages ;inhaling and relaxing the spine, exhaling and lowering a little more each time.
• Experienced practitioners would retain the breath inside while going into the final position.
• As the neck, shoulders, spine and abdomen are all extended in this pose, the breathing may be fast and heavy. 
• However, try to breathe normally in the final position.

Sequence of doing Vrischikasana – Scorpion Pose In Yoga

• Practise vrischikasana at the end of an asana session. Follow with a forward bending asana for an equal amount of time. After that, perform tadasana for 30 seconds. Finally, rest in shavasana.

Benefits of doing Vrischikasana – Scorpion Pose In Yoga

• Vrischikasana reorganizes prana in the body, arresting the physical ageing process. 
• It improves the blood flow to the brain and pituitary gland, revitalizing all the body’s systems. It improves circulation in the lower limbs and abdomen, and tones the reproductive organs. The arched position stretches and loosens the back, toning the nerves of the spine. It strengthens the arms and develops the sense of balance.

Precautions while doing Vrischikasana – Scorpion Pose In Yoga

• This asana should not be practised by people with high blood pressure, vertigo, cerebral thrombosis, chronic catarrh or heart disease. Only those who can perform all the inverted poses without the slightest difficulty should attempt it. All cautions for strenuous inverted postures should be observed.

Practice note: 

• Practise near a wall until this pose is perfected. There should be no furniture or other objects nearby against which the body may fall, if balance is lost.