KURMASANA, the turtle pose

Sequence on KURMASANA, the turtle posture.

Kurmasana is a posture that works in many different places at the same time, it stretches the upper and lower back areas, tones the gastrointestinal tract and abdominal organs, and stretches the hamstrings and adductors.

Thanks to its deep back stretch, it loosens the spine and prevents deformities. It stimulates the functioning of the digestive organs (liver, stomach, intestines) and promotes elimination and helps fight lower stomach problems.

Kurmasana refreshes the whole body and helps reduce natures like Pitta and Vata and therefore is not favorable to Kapha constitutions. This posture is suitable for very nervous people and for people strongly affected by stress.

Kurmasana relaxes and internalizes, it helps regulate sleep, calms anxiety, soothes the nervous system and invites withdrawal of the senses.

It also stimulates the solar plexus by balancing the third chakra, Manipura. The plexus is a nerve center that directs the behavior of the organs to which it is linked. It is located between the twelfth thorax vertebra and the first lumbar vertebra behind the stomach but in front of the diaphragm (more simply, below the chest but well above the navel). The solar plexus is the center of internal and external stability, it is in direct connection with emotions, its balance thus guides fears, self-esteem, fatigue, capacity for action, etc. If it is blocked, all these emotions will be shaken up.

"Man should not seek knowledge on the surface but in depth, like the turtle which, after avoiding the dangers of the sea, sinks into deep waters. Just as she arrives at the goal slowly and with determination, learning takes place gradually and requires great finesse." Sri Mahesh