Baddhakonasa (Butterfly Pose/Bound Angle Pose)
Baddha = Bound/Locked , Kona = Angle, Asana = Pose or Posture
Steps
Stage 1
- Sit with your spine straight and legs spread straight out.
- Now bend your knees and bring your feet towards the pelvis. The soles of your feet should touch each other.
- Grab your feet tightly with your hands. You may place the hands underneath the feet for support.
- Slowly, take a deep breath in. Breathing out, press the thighs and knees downward towards the floor. Make a gentle effort to keep pressing them downward.
- Now start flapping both the legs up and down like the wings of a butterfly. Start slow and gradually increase the speed. Keep breathing normally throughout.
- Repeat the process for one more time
Stage 2
- Take a deep breath in and as you exhale, bend forward, keeping the chin up and spine straight
- Press your elbows on the thighs or on the knees, pushing the knees and thighs closer to the floor.
- Feel the stretch in the inner thighs and take long, deep breaths, be aware and relax the muscles more and more. Take a deep breath in and bring the torso up.
- Repeat 2 more times
- As you exhale, gently release the posture. Straighten the legs out in front of you and relax.
Benefits
- Improved groin flexibility.
- Stretches the muscles of the thighs.
- It stimulates blood flow to the groin.
- Relieves urinary disorders.
- Corrects irregular menstruation.
- May help with symptoms of menopause.
- May help ease childbirth if performed by pregnant women.