Matsyendrasana: Who Was Matsyendra? – Origins Of The Pose Sequence

Matsyendrasana, often known as the seated twist or Lord of the Fishes pose, is called after the legendary sage Matsyendra from Indian mythology. The pose symbolizes the twists and turns of life and the journey towards self-realization and internal stability.

This symbolism displays Matsyendra’s life story, stuffed with components of thriller, transformation, and divine inspiration. Though there have been many variations of this story all through historical past, the takeaway stays the identical: the transformative energy of the yoga course of.

So what can we be taught from the parable in regards to the sage Matsyendra?

The Story of Matsyendra

Matsyendra, sometimes called Matsyendranath, is likely one of the most revered sages within the historical past of yoga, setting the foundations of what’s now thought of hatha yoga.

The Legend Surrounding His Start and Transformation

Matsyendra’s story begins mystically. In accordance with a preferred legend, Matsyendra was born from a fish. The story goes that, at one time, Lord Shiva, the deity and nice yogi, was imparting the secrets and techniques of yoga to his consort, Parvati, on a secluded island.

Unbeknownst to them, a fish close by overheard the complete discourse. Having a lot data, the fish was reworked right into a human by divine grace—became a Siddha by Shiva. This transformation represented the delivery of Matsyendra, which earned him his identify, which implies “Lord of the Fishes” (Matsya = fish, Indra = lord)​.

One other variation of the parable means that Matsyendra was born beneath inauspicious stars and was thus thrown into the ocean by his dad and mom. He was then swallowed by an enormous fish, and he lived there for a few years. Then at some point, swimming in shallow waters, the fish overheard Lord Shiva’s teachings about yoga to his spouse. Nonetheless, as a result of these teachings had been lengthy, the spouse fell asleep, and when Lord Shiva requested “Are you listening to me?” the fish replied: Sure!

Pleasantly stunned, Lord Shiva saved Matsyendra from the fish’s stomach, turning him right into a human.

Then there are these tales that say Matsyendra practiced yoga throughout the fish’s stomach for twelve years, after which he emerged as an enlightened being.

Different variations additionally exist, because it all the time occurs with myths. As these tales have been retold from technology to technology, the main points preserve altering, however Matsyendra’s transformation stays a central motif.

Matsyendra’s Yogic Journey

Matsyendra, now imbued with the knowledge of yoga, turned a sage and a trainer.

He’s typically depicted because the founding father of Hatha yoga and the Nath custom, which emphasizes the bodily facets of yoga observe. Matsyendra traveled throughout India, the place he shared his profound understanding of yoga and tantra.

Past these practices, it’s believed that Matsyendra’s teachings laid the groundwork for a lot of yogic practices which can be nonetheless adopted right now.

His journey symbolizes transformation, however not simply the bodily transformation from a fish to a human. On a deeper stage, Matsyendra’s true transformation is non secular, as a result of as he absorbed the teachings of yoga, his nature irrevocably modified.

The asana that was named after him mirrors all these themes fantastically, by the extreme twist and opening of the physique and thoughts.

The Individual Behind the Fantasy

Whereas Matsyendra’s legend is stuffed with mythological components, there are additionally theories suggesting he was a historic determine whose life and achievements had been later mythologized.

The sage Matsyendra is usually revered as a saint and is credited with authoring a number of early texts on Hatha Yoga, together with the Matsyendrasamhita and Kaulajnananirnaya.

Historic data and inscriptions, particularly in areas like Nepal, counsel that Matsyendra was certainly an actual one who lived between the seventh and twelfth centuries. Right here, the data additionally counsel that he was most influential in spreading the practices of Hatha and Tantra yoga. Researchers haven’t reached a consensus on the precise dates of his life, however it’s extensively accepted that he was a recent of different vital yogic figures of the time.

Whether or not Matsyendra was an actual individual or only a legendary character, his legacy within the bodily observe of yoga, yogic prowess, and non secular knowledge are nonetheless celebrated. He’s honored as an amazing siddha (realized grasp) who transcended bizarre human limitations.

Significance of the Matsyendrasana Asana

The Lord of the Fishes Pose is a necessary yoga pose that comes with deep spinal twists and stretches. It engages the core, hip flexors, and spinal muscle tissues, selling flexibility and power. 

The pose stimulates the digestive organs and improves digestion and cleansing. Sometimes included in sequences specializing in spinal well being, cleansing, and core power, Matsyendrasana presents complete advantages for each physique and thoughts.

Bodily Advantages

This pose is a seated spinal twist, which signifies that it primarily targets the backbone and will increase its flexibility and power. The deep twist concerned helps in realigning the vertebrae, relieving stiffness, and stopping again ache.

Moreover, Matsyendrasana is useful for digestion. The twisting movement massages the belly organs, which is believed to stimulate digestive secretions and assist with points resembling constipation and bloating.

Psychological and Non secular Advantages

Past bodily benefits, Matsyendrasana can even assist in relieving stress and decreasing anxiousness. The meditative facet of holding the twist, mixed with deep respiration, promotes a chilled impact on the thoughts and helps clear psychological muddle.

The main focus required to keep up correct alignment and stability on this pose additionally promotes mindfulness. Common observe helps deepen the connection between the thoughts and physique and develop increased self-awareness.

Spiritually, the twist in Matsyendrasana symbolizes wringing out destructive power and toxins.

The right way to Apply Ardha Matsyendrasana

This twisting pose requires cautious consideration and a mild method. It stretches the backbone and opens the hips. At all times ease into it and keep away from forcing your physique.

Right here’s how one can method it:

1. Heat-up

As a seated twisting asana, Matsyendrasana will exert a deep stretch on the backbone and hips. So one of the best warmup asanas will likely be those who goal these areas extra gently. For instance:

• The seated ahead bend (paschimottanasana) presents an amazing stretch to your hamstrings and decrease again.
• The cat-cow stretch (marjaryasana-bitilasana) mobilizes your backbone and warms up your again muscle tissues.
• The low lunge (anjaneyasana) opens your hips and stretches the psoas muscle.
• The twisting low lunge (parivrtta anjaneyasana) prepares your physique for deeper twists.

2. Moving into Ardha Matsyendrasana

Your objective shouldn’t be to attain a “picture-perfect” model of the pose. You don’t wish to put an excessive amount of strain on your self to be completely aligned to carry out this pose. 

As a substitute, begin small and make this an lively pose by partaking your muscle tissues to assist the twist. Go solely so far as you possibly can go with out feeling ache or discomfort and use props and modifications to make the pose work in your physique.

• Start in a seated place with each legs prolonged in entrance of you.
• Bend your proper knee and place your proper foot on the skin of your left thigh.
• Bend your left knee, bringing your left heel towards your proper hip.
• Lengthen your backbone and sit up tall.
• Deliver your left arm round your proper knee, hugging it near your physique.
• Place your proper hand on the ground behind you for assist.
• Inhale to open your chest and additional lengthen your backbone.
• Exhale and gently twist to the appropriate, trying over your proper shoulder.
• Maintain your proper foot firmly grounded and your backbone elongated.
• Keep right here for a number of breaths whereas sustaining the twist.
• To launch, slowly unwind again to the middle and repeat on the opposite aspect.

3. Making the Pose Extra Accessible

Modifying the pose may also help make it extra comfy and helpful, particularly for inexperienced persons or these with tight hips and hamstrings.

• Straighten your backside leg: If bending the underside leg is uncomfortable or if it causes your pelvis to tilt backward, preserve the underside leg straight. This may also help you sit up straighter and keep correct alignment in your backbone.
• Strive totally different arm positions: As a substitute of hugging the knee, you possibly can place your arm on the within of the bent knee, utilizing it as leverage to twist gently. An alternative choice is to wrap your arm across the knee and seize the other thigh, which might additionally assist deepen the twist extra progressively.
• Assist your again hand: If reaching the ground along with your again hand is troublesome, place it on a block or one other raised however secure floor to supply assist.
• Use props: Sit on a folded blanket or a yoga block to raise your hips, which may also help keep a impartial backbone and make the twist extra accessible. It’s also possible to use a strap round your knee!

4. Getting Out of Matsyendrasana

• Launch your proper arm and convey it again to your aspect.
• On the similar, gently unwind your torso and convey it to the middle.
• Straighten your left leg first, then lengthen your proper leg.
• Shake out your legs gently to launch any rigidity.
• Take a couple of deep breaths, then repeat on the opposite aspect.

Don’t rush. Deliver your consideration inward, take heed to your physique, and with every breath, attempt to launch the strain out of your muscle tissues so you possibly can really feel extra comfy throughout the pose.

Watch David clarify and carry out ardha matsyendrasana to be taught the posture’s correct alignment.

Ideas for Matsyendrasana

• Use props like straps to make the pose extra accessible or as a option to deepen the stretch.
• Use a folded blanket beneath your sit bones for added consolation and assist.
• Maintain your gaze tender and centered on some extent behind you to keep up stability.
• Have interaction your core muscle tissues to guard your decrease again. For those who put a number of stress in your decrease again, you possibly can pressure the muscle tissues and trigger ache.
• The identical recommendation goes in your neck as properly. To keep away from straining your neck, the twist ought to come out of your torso.
• Don’t anticipate an excessive amount of out of your first attempt. Apply commonly to progressively improve flexibility and power within the backbone.

Lessons for Exploring Matsyendrasana

The next DoYogaWithMe lessons will likely be an amazing addition to your day by day routine if you wish to put together your physique for matsyendrasana.

Facet Stretches and Twists is a mild class the place Melissa guides you thru soothing aspect stretches and twists. It can provide help to launch rigidity and improve flexibility within the backbone.

Revolve and Evolve, taught by Fiji McAlpine, is an intermediate vinyasa observe that explores intricate standing twists to reinforce flexibility and stability.

Energizing and progressive, Tara Heal’s Free Movement class takes you on a methodical journey to construct core power and awaken the backbone. Good for inexperienced persons looking for a problem and superior practitioners searching for a foundational reset.

Vinyasa Yoga: Concentrate on Twists, led by Melissa Krieger, is a mild vinyasa-style class that emphasizes utilizing breath and core engagement to transition into seated, standing, and lunging poses. 

Able to Twist Right into a Pretzel?

So, you’ve got discovered all about Matsyendra and the story behind Matsyendrasana. Now, it is time to put that data into observe. However, earlier than you roll out the mat, a phrase of warning.

Matsyendra is difficult and intense, demanding respect and endurance.

Hearken to your physique, take your time, and observe commonly. Keep in mind, good issues come to those that wait… or on this case, to those that take heed to their physique and observe commonly.

Let Matsyendra’s legacy encourage you to method every twist with endurance and dedication, to search out your private transformation evolve over time.