YOGA POSES EXPLAINED – MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EFFECTS – PART 4

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

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• 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.