Table of Contents
Matsya Kridasana – Flapping Fish Pose
Matsya Kridasana, also known as the Flapping Fish Pose, is a relaxation Yoga pose in Yoga. The name Matsya Kridasana (मत्स्य क्रीड़ासन – Matsya Kridasana in Hindi) is derived from the Sanskrit words “Matsya”, “Krida” and “Asana”, where “Matsya” means “Fish”, “Krida” means ” play” or “Flapping” and “Asana” means a “Pose” or a “Posture”. The final position of this Yoga Pose gives the look of a fish playing and flapping its tail in the water. It is an excellent Yoga asana for sciatica. This Yoga Pose is basically a resting pose and can be best used by pregnant women in their later stages of pregnancy when lying on the back may cause pressure over major veins blocking the blood circulation in related areas.
Matsya Kridasana (Flapping Fish Pose) Steps
- Spread a Yoga Mat and lie on the stomach in the resting pose.
- In the starting position, the fingers should be interlocked and the head should rest on it.
- Bend the left leg sideways bringing the left knee close to the chest.
- Keep the right leg straight.
- Keeping both the elbows in a line, move the left elbow down close to the left knee.
- Let both the left knee and the elbow touch each other, but without any strain or discomfort in the body.
- Allow the right side of the head to rest on either the interlocked fingers or on the crook of the right arm.
- Close the eyes and relax the whole body in the final pose.
- Let the breath be normal and relaxed.
- Remain in the final pose for as long as is comfortable.
- Repeat the same steps with the head turned towards the right side and the right leg folded.
Matsya Kridasana Precautions
- Avoid the asana in case of severe back pain.
- Do not overexert the body in an effort to touch knee with the respective elbow.
Flapping Fish Pose Benefits
- Matsya Kridasana relieves sciatic nerve pain and also good for people suffering from lower back pain.
- It relaxes tension in the perineum.
- Matsya Kridasana is an ideal pose for relaxing and sleeping for pregnant women who are in their later stages of pregnancy.
- Pregnant women can also practice Yoga Nidra in this pose.
- Matsya Kridasana or the flapping fish pose stimulates digestive peristalsis.
- This Yoga Asana can be practiced by those people who are not recommended to bend forward.
- It can be used as a counter pose to the Backward bending asanas like Kandharasana or Chakrasana.
- Matsya Kridasana cools down the mind and relieves practitioner of stress.
- This asana can be used to relieve lower back pain.
A Tip For Practicing Matsya Kridasana
In order to make this pose more comfortable, a pillow may be put below the head to support it and also below the bent knee.
