Chakrasana - Wheel Pose

Chakrasana

Posture

The name comes from the Sanskrit words Chakra (चक्र, Cakra) meaning "wheel", and Asana (आसन, Āsana) meaning "posture" or "seat".Many acrobats demonstrate this Asana in the streets. Young boys can do this Asana very easily because their spine is very elastic. When the bones become rigid and ossified in advanced years, bending of the spine becomes difficult. It resembles a circle. Hence the significant name Chakrasana. In fact, it resembles more a bow than a circle.

Procedure

1. Lie on your back; feet together and hands relaxed by the sides. Take deep breaths in and out.
2. Bend your legs and place the feet on the floor, close to the hips, wider than the hips.
3. Stretch the arms away from the body in line with the shoulders, with the palms facing up.
4. Gently bring both knees to the ground on your right side, keeping the feet close to the hips.
5. Turn the head to your left to look at your left palm, keeping both shoulders on the ground.
6. Press the knees and thighs to the floor without lifting the shoulders. Hold.
7. Gently come back to the centre by bringing the legs up.
8. Repeat on the other side.

Benefits

1. He who practises this Asana will have perfect control of the body.
2. He will be agile and nimble. He can turn out more work in a short space of time. All the parts of the body are benefited by this Asana.
3. When you raise yourself upon this Asana the body will be light. You will get exhilaration of spirit at once.
4.  You will be ready for active work. If there is any pain in the neck and shoulders after the practice of Sarvangasana, do this Asana immediately for a few minutes. 
5. It will relieve the pain as it bends the neck backwards and thus it is a counter-pose to Sarvangasana.
6. All the other benefits of Dhanurasana, Salabhasana and Bhujangasana are derived from this Asana.

Video