Once you
pass your prime, it’s normal for your lung function to decline gradually as you
age. But don’t worry. Celebrity Yoga instructor Anshuka Parwani has some tips
for you to enhance your lung capacity and also strengthen your lower body.

Parwani, who
tutors Bollywood stars like Kareena Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, is seen performing
the Ashwa Sanchalanasana in her latest Instagram video that turned into an
instant hit on social media.

“This one is
my favourite – the Ashwa Sanchalanasana drill, also known as low lung
pose, which helps to build lower body strength, especially the knees and
ankles. Super useful to open the hip flexors and strengthen the glutes and
hamstrings, stretches and strengthen the spine, this increasing flexibility of
the back,” she captioned the video post.

However, she
warns those suffering from any knee or neck injury to avoid practicing the
pose.

What is Ashwa
Sanchalanasana?

Also known
as the Equestrian pose, it is a low-lunging posture that is part of the sun
salutation sequence. It lengths the spine and strengthens the muscles of the
chest, opening the heart and increasing lung capacity. It’s also good for
conditions like constipation, infertility, low backache, osteoporosis, sciatica,
etc.

How to
perform it?

·       
Stand
in Padahastasana (Hand to foot pose).

·       
Stand
on your knees.

·       
Place
the palms of the hands flat on the floor beside the feet.

·       
Exhale
and stretch the right leg back as far as possible.

·       
Bend
the left knee, keeping the left foot on the floor and the arms straight.

·       
Tilt
the head backward with the back arched. Lengthen the torso, lift the chest,
and keep the back of the neck long.

·       
The
palms of the hands should be flat on the floor. Balance the weight on both
thighs and the arms.

·       
Exhale
and step the right foot forward before returning to Padahastasana.