Hello and welcome back! This will be my fourth and last part of Yoga Poses Explained – Mental and Physical Effects and I hope you enjoy it in the same way as you did with the former 3 parts. So I do not have to explain what this is all about and we can just start now – enjoy reading and later practising!
Your muscular body
Your brain and its functions
Explanation of the different parts of the brain and their functions
Cerebrum – the outer part of the brain
Responsible for memory, conciousness, attention, language and thought
Frontal lobe
Responsible for personality, behaviour and emotions
Parietal lobe
Puts things in order when writing or reading or doing numbers
Temporal lobe
Responsible for understanding things we see and hear, remembering, recognizing and naming things
Occiptal lobe
Processes information from our eyes
Cerebellum
Controls movement, balance and posture
Physical and mental effects of the following 10 poses:
See exactly how to do these poses on the webpage articles below.
1. Hero pose
Hero pose – see https://eaglenfalcon.org/yoga-for-foot-pain-get-help-here/
Physical effects – see parts involved below in red
- stretches thighs, hips, ankles, feet and knees
- strengthens arches of the feet
- helps with digestion and gastrointestinal problems
- reduces swelling and relieves fatigue in the legs
Mental effects
- helps finding your center
- good pose for meditation
- enhances mental focus
- builds up self esteem
2. Legs up the wall pose
Legs up the wall pose – see https://eaglenfalcon.org/yoga-for-foot-pain-get-help-here/
Physical effects – see parts involved below in red
- soothes swollen or cramped feet and legs
- stretches hamstrings and lower back
- relieves tension in lower back
- relaxes the pelvic floor
- alleviates headaches
- boosts energy
Mental effects
- helps beat anxiety and stress
- relieves mild depression
- helps with insomnia
- good against migraine
3. Locust pose
Locust pose – see https://eaglenfalcon.org/yoga-and-fitness-start-today/
Physical effects – see parts involved below in red
- strengthens the muscles of the spine, buttocks and backs of the arms and legs
- stretches the shoulders, chest, belly and thighs
- strengthens the hip bones
- helps to reduce the abdominal fat
- strengthens your neck muscles
Mental effects
- helps relieve stress
- fights mild depression by boosting your energy
- builds confidence and mental strength
- promotes calmness and improves focus
4. Pigeon pose
Pigeon pose – see https://eaglenfalcon.org/yoga-and-back-pain-how-to-treat-yourself-without-medication/
Physical effects – see parts involved below in red
- opens the hips by stretching the hip flexors
- increases muscle flexibility
- stretches muscles and joints
- tones throat muscles
- relieves lower back pain
Mental benefits
- relieves stored stress, fear and anxiety in the hips
- teaches us to endure uncomfortable situations
- brings up repressed anger
- stimulates the nervous stystem
5. Plank pose
Plank pose – see https://eaglenfalcon.org/yoga-and-fitness-start-today/
Physical effects – see parts involved below in red
.
- strengthens the core, back and arms
- increases muscle definition
- reduces back pain
- gives better posture
- improves balance
- enhances bone and joint health
- strengthens triceps muscles
- builds bone mass in hands, wrists, feet, arms and shoulders
Mental effects
- boosts mood and relieves stress
- enhances self confidence
6. Plow pose
Plow pose – see https://eaglenfalcon.org/yoga-for-mental-health-find-a-practical-solution/
Physical effects – see parts involved below in red
- stimulates the abdominal organs and the thyroid gland
- stretches the shoulders, entire back and spine
- strengthens legs
Mental effects
- calms the brain
- reduces stress and fatigue
- restores sympathetic nervous system
- improves memory and concentration
- maintains inner balance, strength and vitality
7. Reclined cow face pose
Reclined Cow Face pose – see https://eaglenfalcon.org/yoga-for-foot-pain-get-help-here/
Physical effects – see parts involved below in red
- opens the hips
- stretches legs
- stretches muscles in lower back and pelvis
Mental effects
- reduces anxiety
- calms the mind
8. Reclined hero pose
Reclined hero pose – see https://eaglenfalcon.org/yoga-for-foot-pain-get-help-here/
Physical effects – see parts involved below in red
- stretches abdomen, thighs and deep hip flexors, knees and ankles
- strengthens the arches
- relieves tired legs
- stretches quadriceps and spine
Mental effects
- calms the mind
- improves mental digestion
- relieves sleeping disorders
9. Revolved triangle pose
Revolved triangle pose – see https://eaglenfalcon.org/yoga-and-fitness-start-today/
Physical effects – see parts involved below in red
- strengthens and stretches legs and ankles
- stretches the hips and spine
- opens the chest to improve breathing
- relieves mild back pain
- stimulates the abdominal organs
- increases flexibility in hamstrings, shoulders and upper back
Mental effects
- increases mind-body awareness
- helps with concentration
10. Revolved wide-legged forward bend pose
Revolved wide-legged forward bend pose – see https://eaglenfalcon.org/yoga-for-immune-system-help-to-fight-corona-virus/

Physical effects – see parts involved below in red
- stretches hamstrings, calves, hips, spine and shoulders
- strengthens wrists and arms
- stretches lower and upper back
- opens chest
Mental effects
- calms the mind
- relieves from stress, anxiety and mild depression
Conclusion
In the last part of Yoga Poses Explained you might have become familiar with the physical and mental effects of the various poses. I could not of course describe all possible yoga poses but I have covered 40 poses in detail and hope you can find your favorite poses which will help you with your current problems or issues. In my next post I will create a list where you can easily find special poses for special issues so that you do not have to look through all 40 poses. I hope this will help with your decision in doing poses you might need most. Good luck and let me have your comments.
Wow Angelika! I am a massive yoga fan. I have had a number of injuries that have prevented me from doing yoga, however once I am able to participate again, I definitely will. I thought I knew a lot about poses, but your article has taught me so much that I have bookmarked it. Brilliant information and excellent writing. Thank you and I look forward to reading more.
Thank you for your encouraging comment and I am glad that you are a yoga fan and my article will help you to start again!