Kya aap Vrikshasana karte hain? Asanas we hope to see in Modi's yoga paathshala

It is well known that the International Day of Yoga is PM Narendra Modi’s pet project. After the United Nation marked 21 June to universally celebrate ‘yog’, the Modi government has gone all out to ensure that the first every International Day of Yoga will be an event to remember. PM Modi himself will be leading the event performing yoga in Delhi with his ministers. Government employees and school students are  expected to join in as well. Now, Modi wants to spread his enthusiasm for the event to the general public as well through his popular social media presence. Since the beginning of June, Modi has been posting tips and trivia about yoga on his Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts, from the importance of yoga to a player before beginning with #YogaDay.

 Friends, 21st June…I am sure you remember. The first ever International Day of Yoga will be observed on that day. The…

Posted by Narendra Modi on Monday, June 1, 2015

A wonderful & soulful prayer. #YogaDayhttps://t.co/Hw5qkDK0Me

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 1, 2015

Modi’s posts started getting interesting when he began sharing details of the asanas. He tweeted an image about ‘Tadasana’, complete with the meaning, technique, benefit and caution about the yoga asana.

Today onwards will share details on Asanas. We begin with Standing Postures, first of which is Tadasana #YogaDay pic.twitter.com/aJIvhUnySN

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 3, 2015

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He one-uped it up with a video of ‘Vrikshasana’ featuring two people actually performing the asana while explaining how and why to do it.

Loosening exercises are important before commencing Asanas & Pranayam. They help increase micro-circulation #YogaDayhttps://t.co/zbH54UAjSp

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 2, 2015

For improved neuromuscular coordination, balance & rejuvenated ligaments, do practice Vrikshasana. #YogaDayhttps://t.co/5Dja0CKOf8

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 4, 2015

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These two asanas are the first in a series that Modi will be sharing. While we wait for more yoga gyan from the PM, here are some of the most intense yoga asana we hope to see in that list. Yoga may not only be about contorting your body, but it is enthralling to see yoga practitioners in action. The ‘Human Pretzel’ is an asana that is probably the best the best judge of the flexibility of a yoga practitioner. It involves literally tying oneself up in knots, just like a pretzel, ans balancing one one limb. We wonder if someone will actually be able to do this at the Yoga Day event. [caption id=“attachment_2279026” align=“aligncenter” width=“825”]  The Human Pretzel. Image Courtesy: jogajala.wordpress.com[/caption] A similarly flexibility-testing asana is the ‘Sleeping Turtle’ or the Supta Kurmasana where the body is literally folded into a knot. It is supposed to be a sleeping asana that calms one down and while it looks extremely complicated, it is said that many hardcore yogis sleep in this position, according to doyouyoga.com. Isn’t the whole point of Yoga Day to be able to live and sleep more comfortably! [caption id=“attachment_2279048” align=“aligncenter” width=“825”]  The Sleeping Turtle or Supta Kurmasana. Image Courtesy: kinoyoga.com[/caption] Speaking of complicated, have a look at the ‘Side half lotus’ asana, balancing the whole body, which is already twisted, on the palm of one hand. It appears to be a position that that only someone really flexible and really committed to yoga can do. We are looking at you, Baba Ramdev. [caption id=“attachment_2279054” align=“aligncenter” width=“825”]  The Side Half Lotus. Image Courtesy: dylanwerneryoga.com[/caption] Baba Ramdev has done some of the craziest yoga stunts on camera over the years. From his moonwalking abs at a press conference to his trademark push-ups and other assorted body-taltering asansas. We look forward to see what the epitome of intense yoga has in store for us on the International Day of Yoga. [caption id=“attachment_2279046” align=“aligncenter” width=“825”]  The Bahya Pranayama. Image Courtesy: YouTube[/caption] In the meantime you can watch Baba Ramdev’s unconventional moves in this " I’m sexy and I know it" vine created by Ramit Verma.

Unconventional moves brings us to the ‘Gandha Bherundasana’ or the Formidable Face Pose. It looks like the most contorted asana requiring full flexibility of the back. This should be a definite parameter of being a yoga guru, because if one can do this with a smile on their face, then that’s yoga mastery right there. [caption id=“attachment_2279220” align=“aligncenter” width=“825”]  The Gandha Bherundasana. Image Courtesy: kinoyoga.com[/caption] Another asana that definitely requires yoga mastery is the ‘Astavakrasana’ or the Eight-angled pose. An asana that requires supreme arm balance and a strong will, it would be a great visual treat to see someone actually perform this at the event. [caption id=“attachment_2279226” align=“aligncenter” width=“825”]  The complicated Astavakrasana. Image Courtesy: YouTube[/caption] While many people will be involved in the Yoga Day celebrations, we hope to see some Indian celebs who are vocal supporters of yoga participating as well. Top on that list should be Shilpa Shetty who, apart from having her own yoga videos, has also been a part of Baba Ramdev’s yoga camp. [caption id=“attachment_2279234” align=“aligncenter” width=“825”]  Shilpa Shetty’s performs yoga. Image Courtesy: YouTube[/caption]