Matsyasana - Fish Pose Yoga Asana - Significance & Tips

Fish Pose stretches the front of your body, including the chest, abs, hip flexors, neck, and back, and engages parts of the body that are often overlooked in yoga asanas.

The fish pose, Matsyasana, is a cultural Asana–for extremities. In this Asana, the way the legs are folded resembles a fish’s tail, while the rest of the body represents its body and head. It also provides the ability to float in water.

Fish Pose Definition

Matsyasana is a back-bending reclining asana. The name comes from the Sanskrit terms matsya, which defines “fish,” and asana, which defines “pose.” Matsya is also the name of a lord, Vishnu, who appeared as a large fish to save the world from a flood. As Matsya, Vishnu was able to transport wise Hindu sages to safety, preserving mankind’s wisdom, so as this asana transports you from poor health to optimal health.

To get into the pose, lie flat on your back and raise your pelvis so your hands can pass under your buttocks. The back arches and the chest rises until the crown of the head (or, for beginners, the back of the head) is lying on the floor.

What Does Fish Pose Mean?

This asana is excellent for boosting energy, reducing stress, and opening up the heart. It is a part of Ashtanga yoga’s target structure often used in Hatha yoga as a counterpose to sarvangasana, or shoulder stand pose.

The body is said to resemble the form of a fish in matsyasana. Through the grounding of the limbs into the earth and the raising of the chest like the crest of a wave, it is said that performing this pose will bind the person to the balance of earth and water.

Matsyasana is connected to the opening of the vishuddha (throat) chakra in spiritual practise. When practising matsyasana, observing blue light entering the throat and filling it with energy can be effective. Bad energy can be transformed into wisdom by opening this chakra. It also promotes self-expression and helps with speaking in public.

How To Do It – Fish Pose

Matsyasana is a Hatha Yoga asana that is really significant. Since the body is bent like a fish in this asana, it is also recognized as Fish Pose. Matsyasana was also known as the “destroyer of all illnesses” in historical writings. The asana will help to add equilibrium to the whole body and regain spine power, resulting in a more positive mental and physical outlook for the practitioner. It’s a great yoga pose for the chest. Matsyasana stimulates the heart, thorax, pelvic muscles, rib cage, and lungs, reducing exhaustion and anxiety symptoms almost immediately.

So, now let’s start doing it.

Position To Begin

• Sit in Padmasana, Ardha Padmasana, or Sukhasana with your spine straight, shoulders and head firm yet comfortable. Maintain body awareness when concentrating on the asana.
• Gently recline backwards, supporting the body with arms and elbows when you are lying flat on your back.
• Draw the hands from the sides of the head under the chin, bending the elbows.
• Clasp the opposite elbows and place your hands under your head on the mat. Individual comfort determines whether eyes are held open or closed.
• Maintain this place for 1-2 minutes, breathing rhythmically (final position).
• Slowly unclasp the hands and bring them down to the sides to release the posture. Back to the starting point gently, using your hands for support.

1-2 minutes per session is perfect. Sukhasana, Ardha Padmasana, or Padmasana are all great choices for beginners who want to be in the final place.

This posture is normally done with the yogi’s legs in Padmasana (Lotus Pose), but most newcomers are unable to do so. The legs can be held straight in this adapted variant of Fish Pose.

Performing this yoga pose, now let’s see what are the major benefits that you gain with regular practice.

Matsyasana (The Fish Pose) Benefits

• Stretching the abdominal and chest muscles massages the organs in the area and improves blood circulation.

• Improves the metabolic and immune processes by controlling thyroid and thymus gland function.

• The pelvic floor is strengthened and toned.

• Enhances the blood supply in the region, which helps to keep reproductive organs and glands healthy. Premenstrual syndrome is cured.

• This remedy can help with constipation, inflammation, and bleeding piles.

• Aids in the treatment of ailments of the pelvic organs, especially the reproductive organs.

• Reduces the risk of vaginal prolapse and urinary stress incontinence.

• As it encourages deep breathing, it’s good for people with breathing difficulties.

• It promotes calmness and a sense of well-being.

• The body and mind tends to be at ease.

Matsyasana’s Medical Benefits

Not only common health benefits, this fish pose brings a lot more medical benefits for any health complications.

• Thyroid: Commonly recognized as the Adam’s apple, the thyroid controls hormonal cells in the body, and an issue with hormone discharge may cause serious health issues. Fish pose helps to keep these hormones in control.
• Low capacity, skin disorders, depression, anxiety, neck swelling, hair loss, and constipation are some of the symptoms that can be prevented with regular practice of Matsyasana.

• PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is a prevalent condition in women of reproductive age. Women who are overweight are more likely to develop PCOS. It occurs when a woman’s ovaries or adrenal glands release an abnormal amount of male hormones. Many women are beginning to recognise the benefits of this yoga fish pose as a supportive PCOS care choice.
• Lower back pain: The lower back is perhaps the most complex aspect of the human body. Working at a desk for long periods of time will lead to serious health issues. And, regular practice of fish pose can ease the back pain.

Common Errors

Check your execution to avoid these errors and get the most out of this pose.

Too Much Head Pressure

To build a lift in the upper body, make sure to root into your forearms, feet, and thighs. This will keep the head and neck safe and supported.

Neck Constraints

The arch of your neck and back should be continuous. Imagine resting the centre of your crown, not your forehead, on the field.

Variations And Modifications

This pose can be modified to make it more comfortable, and variations can be added to make it more difficult.

Do You Need A Transformation?

If your crown does not reach the floor comfortably, place a blanket or block under your head. If it feels better, you can also let your head hang.

You may also use a rolled blanket to support your back.

Lower your chest a little or use a blanket to help your head if you feel any pressure or pain in your neck or throat.

Would You Like To Take On A Challenge?

You can try the following variations if you’re comfortable and healthy in Fish pose. They can be completed simultaneously or separately.

Raise your arms to the ceiling, palms facing each other. Make sure the top of your head stays on the floor and your chest doesn’t collapse if you try this variation.

Make a 45-degree angle with your thighs.

Precautions And Safety

If you have a knee, elbow, hand, or shoulder injury, you should prevent this fish pose. If you’re having trouble with balance, work against a floor to prevent slipping. If you have a neck or back injury, or if you have a headache, avoid this pose.

In a Nutshell

Fish Yoga pose is a form of Indian art that is more than just a form of exercise or a way of breathing. If medications have disappointed you, yoga might be able to help. It also has a wide range of physical advantages that are beneficial to people of all ages and can be used as a supportive medicine in conjunction with traditional therapies for a variety of diseases. Including the fact that yoga helps to rejuvenate the body from inside, you can contact a surgeon before beginning a yoga routine to recognise any deficiencies that could lead to injury.

You may also like to read:-

Hatha Yoga Asanas Meaning, Benefits, Evolution, History, etc.
Which Yoga is best to Reduce Weight? let’s do it.
Sirsasana: Meet the King Of Yoga.