Benefits of Ardha Chakrasana (Half Wheel Pose) and How to Do it by Dr Himani Bisht
By Dr. Himani Bisht +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Himani Bisht
Last updated: Jul 7, 2023Click to rate this article!
[Total: 23 Avg: 3.3]
Get more insightful and
helpful tips to
treat Diabetes for FREE
Register to Avail the Offer
Send OTPBy continuing, you agree with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions
By Dr. Himani Bisht +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Himani Bisht
Last updated: Jul 7, 2023Table of Contents
Yoga is the art and science of healthy living. Practising yoga helps to eliminate all forms of pain, resulting in freedom in all aspects of life. It can be a key to a life filled with health and happiness. Yoga poses help connect the rhythm of our breathing to the movement of the body and changes in mind. Of all the yoga poses, ardha chakrasana is one of the standing postures that have multiple benefits, like stretching or strengthening the spinal muscles and improving the balance of the body.1 Let’s read and find out more about ardha chakrasana.
Ardha chakrasana is also called half wheel pose or ardha urdhva dhanurasana (upward bow pose).1
Ardha chakrasana is a combination of three Sanskrit words, ardha means half, chakra means wheel (ardha chakra means half wheel), and asana means position.1 We can also perform this pose differently, including ardha chakrasana with raised arms and ardha chakrasana while on the back. In the former pose, we can extend the arms and can take the support of the wall to maintain balance. As a preparatory pose, kati sakti vikasaka (fast forward and backward bending) is done. To practice this, inhale while bending backwards and exhale while bending forward.
Ardha chakrasana should be performed empty stomach, early in the morning. The process of ardha chakrasana is as follows:
Ardha chakrasana might help in reducing menstrual pain as it increases blood circulation and provides strength to the muscles.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
Some fun read facts about ardha chakrasana are as follows:
A study was conducted by Gupta et al., 2020 to determine the effect of a yoga-based exercise program (YBEP) on people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study showed that yoga postures such as ardha chakrasana helped improve Hb1AC levels in individuals and maintain blood sugar levels. HbA1c is an indicator that shows blood sugar profile for the previous two or three months. As a result, it may be helpful against diabetes.3 However, more studies may be necessary to determine ardha chakrasana benefits on diabetes. So, you should do this yoga under the guidance of a trainer.
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is due to an imbalance of weak muscles and poor posture. Tekur et al., 2010 studied the effects of yoga, such as ardha chakrasana, in CLBP patients. It showed that yoga therapy, including ardha chakrasana, lowered the intensity of pain and disability. The same study also showed that it enhanced spinal flexibility. As a result, it might be effective in the management of CLBP.4 However, you should visit a doctor for better outcomes and to avoid severe problems. In addition, it is better if you do this pose with the guidance of a trainer.
Obesity is a condition in which unhealthy levels of fat get accumulated in the body. It can increase the risk of various diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Das et al., 2020 showed that ardha chakrasana and other yoga postures effectively manage obesity. Ardha chakrasana may help burn excess fat by creating pressure on the stomach.5 Even so, more research is in need to prove the effects of ardha chakrasana on obesity. Kindly consult the doctor.
Nelson et al., 2018 demonstrated the efficacy of yoga asanas in managing cervical cancer. According to the results, yoga poses like ardha chakrasana can help cancer patients with symptoms such as fatigue and poor sleep. It also helped lower cancer-related stress.6 However, as cancer is a severe condition, kindly consult the doctor for proper treatment.
Shukla et al., 2015 carried out 12 weeks of yoga therapy in patients with heart disease. The results showed that yoga therapy, including ardha chakrasana, effectively managed blood pressure and heart rate. It might help reduce the risk of heart diseases such as heart attack and heart failure.7 However, do not rely entirely on ardha chakrasana as it might not be able to alleviate heart disease. Kindly consult the doctor for better outcomes.
Depression is a mood disorder in which there is a decrease in the levels of two mood-elevating hormones, serotonin and norepinephrine. Cortisol may play a crucial role in depression as it is a hormone released in response to stress. Cortisol may also lower the function of serotonin. Yoga, such as ardha chakrasana, might help reduce the cortisol levels in the body. Thus, it might be effective in depression, managing stress and improving mood. It might also be effective in blocking negative thoughts.8 Even so, more research is needed to determine the effects of ardha chakrasana on depression. Please consult the doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Ardha chakrasana should be avoided if a person has high blood pressure. It should also be avoided by people with ulcers, hernia, or spine injury. It is not recommended for pregnant women as performing it creates pressure on the developing baby.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Some other benefits of ardha chakrasana are as follows:
Yoga practice may help develop the mind and body; however, it is still not an alternative to modern medicine. You must not rely on yoga alone to treat any condition. Please consult a qualified doctor who will be able to assess your condition correctly and advise accordingly. Moreover, it is necessary to practice and learn yoga under the supervision of a trained yoga teacher to avoid any injuries.
With the guidance of a qualified and experienced yoga teacher/yoga expert, we can access and analyse the risk factors and continue to practice exercise with precautions.
Ardha chakrasana, or half-wheel pose yoga, is a beginner-level yoga pose. This standing posture yoga has several benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart disease, managing obesity, diabetes, etc. It may also be effective in strengthening and stretching the spinal muscles. However, if you feel pain in any part of the body while doing this pose, please consult the doctor. It is better if you do this pose under the guidance of a trainer.
No, however, more studies are required to determine the effects of ardha chakrasana on hair growth. Please consult the doctor for a proper consultation.
No, although more research is needed to prove the impact of ardha chakrasana on vision. Kindly consult a doctor for a detailed consultation for any vision related problems.
No, however, further research is required to prove the effect of ardha chakrasana on AD. Please consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
No, although you must consult a doctor to avoid complications. It is better if you try this pose under the guidance of a trainer.
Ardha chakrasana may be effective in stretching and strengthening the spinal muscles. It may alleviate the CLBP.4 However, kindly consult a neurologist or any other professional for diagnosis and treatment.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Comments