Setu Bandhasana is a pose in which the body is inversely bent in a U- position or bridge position. Setu is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘bridge’ and Bandha meaning ‘bind’. Setu bandhasana should only be practiced with empty bowel and stomach and therefore preferred in the mornings. You can also practice it in the evening, just make sure you have had your food 5-6 hours earlier.
In this asana or pose your heart, chest, and shoulders get a really good stretch along with your neck and lower abdomen and thighs. In this asana, as you lift your torso, your heart is placed above your mind, which is considered to be a good inversion. It gives you various benefits, especially targeting your psychological health while relieving your anxiety, stress, headaches and helping with your depression. While performing this pose, your chest opens up which provides a great advantage for people with asthma. It is a great asana for people who spend a major chunk of their day in front of the computers.
While trying out the pose for setu bandha, make sure you don’t stretch your roll your the top of your shoulders out or away from your ears as it may overstretch your neck causing soreness. Also, make sure your buttocks are firm while you are in the bridge pose. When you are not putting your conscious towards the pose, the point of doing this asana might be pointless as there will be no stretch in the lower back or back.
In all, it is a pose that can be practiced by everyone by making sure there is professional guidance in the initial stages. Bridge pose is an easy intervention for the body but you have to be careful to make sure you don’t get a sprain in your neck.
If you are trying this at your home make sure to check out different videos and articles just to add up to your information while practicing the setu bandhasana.
Plenty of information can be found out there regarding this topic. Also, it is a feasible option for a healthy lifestyle as this can be done in the comfort of your home and provides various benefits for your mind and body.
Sushant is Meditation & Philosophy Teacher and Academic Director at Rishikesh Yogis. Sushant carries long years of experience teaching practical as well as philosophical aspects of Kundalini yoga, Kriya yoga, Hatha Yoga and Tantra philosophy.