Vajrasana - An easiest way to build strong digestive system!

Yoga, considered to be older than 5000 years, developed in ancient India, is considered one of the best ways to improve one's musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and psychological system. Yoga is a total mind-body workout that combines strengthening and stretching poses with deep breathing and meditation or relaxation. 

Vajrasana, Thunderbolt Pose, or Diamond Pose, is kneeling asana in Hatha yoga. The name comes from Sanskrit words vajra (वज्र), a weapon whose name means "thunderbolt" or "diamond", and asana (आसन) meaning posture or seat.

Benefits of Vajrasana:- 

• The asana activates the Vajra Nadi which promotes good digestion, this is the only asana that can be practiced right after having food.
• It helps relieve conditions of sciatica, nerve issues, and indigestion.
• The position obstructs blood flow to lower parts of the body - thigh, and legs, resulting in increased blood flow in the pelvic area and stomach due to which bowel moment becomes better.
• Vajrasana mobilizes and massages calf muscles, also known as the second heart of the body because your mobility is determined by the strength in your calf muscles.
• It relaxes and strengthens feet, ankle, and knee caps.
• It also lubricants knee caps.
• Vajrasana encourages tranquility by clearing the mind and entering into the state of rest, which is why it is often used as a meditative pose.

How to do Vajrasana:-

• Begin by sitting on the floor with straight back and legs stretched out.
• Turn your right leg clockwise such that your thigh presses calf-muscle of your right leg. 
• Turn your left leg anti-clockwise such that your thigh presses the calf muscle of your left leg.
• In this position, your thighs should press your calf muscles.
• Do not place the toes on each other, instead, they will be next to each other.
• Place your palms on your knees.
• Straighten your back and look forward.
• Hold this asana for a while (you can start with 30 seconds, and gradually increase the time).
• Softly inhale and excel while holding this asana.

Note:- Do not perform Vajrasana if you have a knee injury or ankle injury.

The Story of Vajrasana:-

The story behind Vajrasana begins with the King of Devas, The Lord Indra, who was driven out by an asura named Vritra. Vitra was a demon created by artisan god Tvashta to avenge the killing of his by Lord Indra, known as Trisiras or Visvarupa. This demon also stole all the water in the world for his own use and for that of his demon army. Hungry for world domination, he did this so that earth would be wiped out of all other living beings who would die of thirst and hunger, leaving no human or God alive to challenge his place in heaven. Indra, having lost all hopes recovering his kingdom, went to Lord Vishnu seeking help. Vishnu revealed to Indra that only weapons made from the thunder-containing (called vajra in Sanskrit) diamond bones of the sage Dadhichi could kill Vritra. Indra and other devas, therefore, approached the sage, whom Indra had beheaded once, and asked him for his aid in defeating Vritra. Dadhichi muni agreed to help Devas on a condition that he wished to be given time to go on a pilgrim to all the holy rivers before he gave up his life for them. Indra then brought all the water of the holy rivers together at Naimisharanya, thereby allowing sage to have his wish fulfilled without a further loss of time. Dadhichi then went into a deep meditative state and released his life force from his body. The celestial Kamadhenu calf then licked and removed the flesh from his bones, after which the Devas fashioned the Vajrayudha (thunderbolt) from his spine and made numerous other weapons. This weapon was then used to kill the asura, allowing Indra to reclaim his place as the King of the Devaloka and releasing the water for all living beings.