kapotasana

kapota means a dove or a pigeon. in this pose the chest expands and puffs out like that of a pouter pigeon, hence the name.

this pose tones up the entire spinal region as the blood is made to circulate well round the spinal column. since the pelvic region is stretched, the genital organs keep healthy. the diaphragm is lifted up and this massages the heart gently and helps to strengthen it. the chest expands fully. it is essential to master kapotasana before practising [sic] the more difficult back-bending poses, which cannot be done until you have perfected kapotasana and viparita dandasana to mandalasana.

from light on yoga

reblogged from livehanny