Actress Samyukhta Varma has been an ardent yoga practitioner for many years and often posts videos of her practices on social media. As we inch towards the International Yoga Day, she shared the video of her trying a hand at 'Hanuman Dand' and 'Vrischika Dand,' two asanas which aren't apparently found in classical texts like Patanjali's Yoga Sutra or the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. "But, they are practised in traditional akharas and certain styles of dynamic yoga, such as Dand-Baithak or Asthanga-based strength yoga," said Samyuktha in the caption of her video.

She started the asana after performing a couple of push-ups. She progressed into Sadharana Dand and Hanumand Dand, also performing a type two of Hanuman Dand and Vrishchika Dand, with its type two variation. "I accept and respect the limitations of age and the bodily changes of the female cycle in my dynamic practices," she mentioned in the video. While many influencers try these asanas, quoting multiple benefits, what precautions should you take before trying them?

Health benefits of Hanuman and Vrischika Dand
According to many yogacharyas, Hanuman Dand's benefits include stress relief, detoxification, core stability, physical strength, muscle tone, mental discipline, balance and coordination. Similarly, Vrischika Dand can strengthen your core, back and shoulders, improve body awareness, enhance spinal mobility and even detoxify your body. Both the poses should be practised only after warming up thoroughly, with wall support if needed, progressing one step at a time and under the guidance of experienced gurus. You should also reduce repetitions and listen to your body while striking the poses to avoid injuries. 

What precautions to take?
1) Avoid if you have knee, shoulder or wrist injuries
2) Avoid if you have joint or carpal tunnel issues
3) They aren't safe during pregnancy
4) If you have high blood pressure, they should be avoided
5) If you don't have the foundational strength to balance poses, do not try them

TAGS

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.