Yoga

Setu Bandhasana (SET-too BAHN-dah-suh-nuh) realigns the spine, eliminates rounded shoulders and relieves backache. It strengthens the rhomboids, quadriceps and the hip flexors. It brings blood to the pineal, pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands, helping them work more efficiently. This pose stretches the abdominal organs, which in turn improves digestion. It also opens the chest, strengthens the lungs, relieves respiratory conditions and is good for the thyroid.

Dhanurasana has been named after the shape the body takes while performing it – that of a bow. Dhanu means bow; Asana means posture or pose.

This asana is named Urdhva Mukha Svanasana, literally translated into Upward Facing Dog Pose because it resembles a dog stretching upwards. This asana is known as the cousin of the Bhujangasana or the Cobra Pose because it is quite similar to it. These two backbends are among the easiest yoga backbends and are usually performed as a part of the Surya Namaskar.

Ustrasana, works very strongly with the area of the abdomen, and heart – in a way it forces these two areas to be very open energetically.