Padangushthasana

Fatty people will find it a little difficult to practise this Asana. They are tossed about either from side to side or forwards and backwards. A little steady practice will make matters all right. In former days the Naishthika Brahmacharins of Gurukulas used to practise this Asana daily. Rishis of yore prescribed this Asana along with Sirshasana and Sarvangasana for Brahmacharins for the preservation of Virya, or the vital energy.

TECHNIQUE

Put the left heel right in the centre of the anus or perennium, the space between anus and external organ of generation. Put the whole weight of the body on the toes, particularly the left big toe. Place the right foot over the thigh near the knee. Sit carefully now, keeping up balance. If you find it difficult to practise this Asana independently, you can take the help of a bench by placing your hands on the bench or sitting by the side of a wall. Place the hands on the sides of the hips. Retain the breath as long as you can do it comfortably. Breathe slowly. Gaze steadily on any black or white spot in front of you. Repeat your Guru Mantra or Rama Rama while practising the Asana.

BENEFITS

The perennial space is four inches in breadth. Underneath this space lies the Virya Nadi or the spermatic duct that carries the semen or vital energy from the testes. By pressing the Nadi with the heel, the flow of semen outside is checked. A steady practice of this Asana removes wet-dreams or spermatorrhoea and makes one an Urdhvareto-Yogi or a Yogi in whom the semen flows upwards to the brain and gets stored up there as Ojas-Sakti or spiritual power. A combination of Asanas such as Sirshasana, Sarvangasana, Siddhasana, Bhujangasana and Padangushthasana is very conducive to keep up Brahmacharya. Each has its own specific action. Siddhasana and Bhujangasana act on the testes and its cells and prevent the formation of semen. Sirshasana and Sarvangasana help the flow of semen towards the brain. Padangushthasana acts on the spermatic duct effectively.