Eka Pada Pavanamuktasana a.k.a. ‘one legged wind release pose’ helps to release trapped gas from the gastrointestinal tract. This is important as trapped air can have a negative influence on your body. Air is obviously a good thing when present in your lungs. However, when air is present in, for example, the gastrointestinal line, it is considered to be toxic.
Once air has been in the body for 4 hours or more, it becomes apanic air (i.e. dead air) and is a toxin to the body. The sequence of Pavanamuktasana postures in Prana Vashya ™ helps to remove apanic air, so you will gain better freedom in the gastrointestinal line. This results in better digestion and metabolism.
How to get into the position
Begin by lying down on your yoga mat with your hands behind your head. Inhale and lengthen your spine. On the exhalation, bend your right leg and bring your forehead to your knee, keeping your toes pointed. Then bind around your knee with your arms keeping your palms facing up so that there is no weight in the arms and your abdominal muscles are doing all the hard work.
On every inhalation expand your belly. On every exhalation, take your forehead to knee.
Hold this position for eight full breaths and repeat on the left side.
Benefits
Eka Pada Pavanamuktasana:
Releases gas (as discussed above);
Improves digestion;
Strengthens core muscles;
Contraindications
Avoid this posture if you have any serious shoulder, hips, knee or ankle problems