Uttana-Mandukasana

Other Names

Extended Frog Pose, Stretched Frog Posture, Utatana-Manduka-Asana, Utan or Uttan-Manduk-Asan

Description

"Manduka" in Sanskrit means frog. The body in Uttana-Mandukasana resembles an erect frog that’s why it is called 'uttana-mandukasana'.

How to reach the stretch

• Sit in Vajrasana and keep your knees wide. Let the great toes touch each other and keep the body straight.
• Then, cross both arms behind the head and place the hands on the upper part of the opposite shoulder blades.
• The chin should touch the chest wall like the Jalandhara bandha.
• The bandhas of Jalandhara, Uddiyana and Moola are also performed in this asana.

How to release the stretch

To release, come back in the starting position and then relax.

Benefits

• It improves the lungpower, circulation in the walls of the chest and abdomen and tone of the abdominal and shoulder muscles.
• It also improves sciatica in some people.

Caution

People with spinal cord deformities, disabilities of hip joints and severe backache don’t do this exercise.

Next: Shashankasana