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Maintain the pose for a short period of time, then slowly return to the base position. This is one round. The asana may be repeated when the breathing rate has
returned to normal. Breathing: Exhale while raising the body from the floor.
Inhale while lowering the body back to the floor. To begin with, hold the breath out in the final position. Advanced practitioners may breathe slowly and deeply in the pose. Allow the breathing to return to normal before attempting
a second round. Duration: Up to 3 rounds. In the beginning, this asana should
be held for a few seconds, slowly increasing the duration with practice. Adepts may hold the final position for a few
minutes. Awareness: Physical - on maintaining balance.
Spiritual - on manipura chakra. Sequence: Perform at the end of an asana session. Mayurasana
speeds up the circulation quite vigorously and tends to increase the amount of toxins in the blood as part of the process of purification. Therefore, it should never be practised before any inverted asana as it may direct excess
toxins to the brain. Contra-indications: Mayurasana should not be practised by
people with high blood pressure or any heart ailment, hernia, peptic or duodenal ulcer. This pose should not be attempted if there is any sign of illness or physical weakness.
Pregnant women are advised not to practise it. Benefits: This asana stimulates the metabolic processes which
increase secretions from different organs. It stimulates the elimination of toxins from the blood, assisting the removal of skin conditions such as boils. All the digestive organs are massaged and intestinal peristalsis is stimulated. It is used in the treatment of flatulence, constipation, diabetes, sluggishness of the liver and kidneys. It harmonises the glands of the endocrine system, develops mental and physical balance, strengthens the muscles of the whole
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