Vrischikasana (Scorpion Pose): Easy Practice, Benefits & Safety Tips

Vrischikasana or Scorpion Pose is a combination of two Sanskrit terms. Vrischikasana means Scorpion, and Asana means meditative pose. This pose looks like a scorpion that is striking. It is an inverted back bend pose that is difficult and requires both the strength of the core and the shoulders. The scorpion pose also builds up the arms, spine, forearms and the torso. This is also a heart-opening pose. As one of the most difficult poses, this yoga needs to be practised with good guidance. Vrischikasana, or Scorpion Pose, is an advanced yoga posture that improves balance and flexibility.

How to Practice Vrischikasana (Scorpion Pose)?

Doing this pose endows passion, intuition, energy, loyalty and psychic skills. Pride, anger, hatred, jealousy, intolerance and malice are some inevitable feelings of our lives that make us weak. These feelings are more fatal than the venom that the scorpion has in its sting. By pressing his feet on his head, the yogi is trying to eliminate these self-destructive emotions and passions. Beginners often start with a handstand scorpion to build strength in arms and shoulders. In this way, you practice humility, serenity, and tolerance. Thus, you get free of ego as subjugation of the ego results in harmony and happiness.

Instructions:

• Start with a supported forearm stand or headstand. Place a folded blanket under your head for comfort.
• Alternatively, you can use a chair placed against a wall, with your forearms on the chair's edge for support.
• Make sure your shoulders are directly over your elbows for proper alignment.
• Now, slowly bend your knees and allow your feet to come toward your head.
• Arch your back and open your chest. Simultaneously keep your core engaged and tailbone lifted.
• Once you get the balance, slowly move your feet closer to your head, and try to rest your toes on your head or shoulders.
• Concentrate on lifting your chest and stretching through your arms.
• Continue the pose for as long as you are comfortable, and breathing steadily. Gradually, you can increase the duration of the hold as you become stronger.
• Slowly and carefully return your feet to the starting position.
•  Step out of the pose by lowering your feet to the floor. Then, rest in a child's pose or a comfortable seated position.

At the conclusion of your asana, you are to practice Vrischikasana. Counterpose with the forward bending position. Scorpion asana requires core control and deep back flexibility.

Scorpion Pose Benefits

The pose Vrishchikasana has many physical and mental rewards:

1. Physical Benefits

1. Improve Flexibility:- To do Vrischikasana, one needs a severe backbend that improves and enhances the spine, shoulder and hip flexors. With time, this practice brings in increased flexibility. It is one of the yoga poses that are best to practice when it comes to flexibility.

2. Build Muscular Strength:- Vrischikasana balances the body on the forearms and makes the arms, shoulders and core muscles stronger. Beyond that, the scorpion pose is employed on the leg muscles. Hence, the practitioner will have overall strength of the body as a result of this pose.

3. Energises the Body:- Vrischikasana also helps the practitioners to enhance the blood flow to the brain. Enhanced circulation in the blood makes the body and the mind fresh. It is, therefore, a great pose to give when an individual requires some strength.

4. Enhances Balance:- Scorpion Pose is a very challenging pose involving a high rate of balance and coordination. Regular practice of this posture improves the perception of the practitioners to feel the position and movement of the body besides the action in space. Therefore, the frequent Vrischikasana drills provide better balance and coordination. Daily practice of scorpion stretching helps open the spine and chest.

2. Mental Benefits

1. Boosts Mental Focus:- Both the performance and retention of Vrischikasana demand a lot of high-level concentration and focus. This pose will enhance the concentration of the yoga aspirants.

2. Opens the Heart Chakra:- When you are in the Scorpion Pose, you perform deep backbends. This heart chakra (Anahata chakra) is opened by such a great backbend. Anahata chakra provides affection, sympathy and emotional stability. Thus, this pose enhances emotional health and level of openness. Pigeon pose yoga is a great preparatory pose before attempting advanced backbends.

Read Also:- 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh

Side effects of scorpion pose or Vrischikasana

Vrischikasana is one of the superior yoga postures that has many advantages. Learning yoga scorpion pose enhances focus and body awareness. It is, however, important to note the side effects in case the pose is not done with proper form or when one has underlying health problems.

• Back pain:- Scorpion Pose can cause back pain, especially when the pose is not done with proper alignment or when one has prior back problems.
• Headache:- Due to the Scorpion Pose practice, sometimes, the blood flows more into the head, and thus, some people may experience a headache.
• Dizziness:- When you are not used to inversion, Scorpion Pose may result in feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
• Injury of the shoulder:- The shoulder can be injured in case the hands are poorly positioned or there is too much pressure around the shoulders.
• Wrist strain:- You might experience the strain on wrist strain from having weak wrists or if you are not accustomed to the support of your body using your hands.

What are the Safety Measures in Doing the Scorpion Pose?

There are many advantages of Scorpion Pose, but you must be safe to enjoy these advantages. The following are some of the precautions and safety considerations to observe when doing Scorpion yoga.

• You must practice some beginner yoga, like a forearm stand or other simple balancing poses, before going directly into the Scorpion position yoga. This will ensure that your muscles are loose to do the Scorpio asana.
• Get on a wall and do this yoga. Thus, you will be able to keep your legs on the wall in case you become unbalanced and save yourself from any form of injury.
• In case of the overwhelming number of steps, you can enrol in online yoga classes and do it with the guidance of a professional yoga master.
• You should not include the Scorpio asana in your workout if you have weak arms or wrists, problems with the elbows, or similar issues in the shoulders.
• Pregnant women must not attempt to perform Scorpion yoga in the first few months of pregnancy.
• In case of vertigo, high blood pressure problems, heart disease, dizziness and other related health problems, you are supposed to consult with a doctor before performing the Scorpion Pose.

Conclusion

Scorpion Pose or Vrischikasana is a challenging and rewarding yoga pose that not only poses a challenging yoga task but has many physical and psychological advantages. Through the regular practice of this pose with the right technique, the yoga aspirants will be able to improve in flexibility, strength and balance. Besides, you can raise your mental concentration and emotional health. Proper alignment is key in the yoga scorpion position to avoid injury.

Beginners should follow step-by-step guidance on how to do the scorpion pose safely. Our yoga school offers yoga aspirants the chance to begin their quest to master other forms of yoga postures, such as Vrischikasana. You may get in touch with the ashram to get more information.