Pranam (or pranamam) means salutation and asana is a posture. Pranamasana is the posture of prayer. Here you stand erect, keeping feet together and holding hands together before your chest. You can either keep your eyes closed or keep the gaze straight in front you. It is the starting and finishing pose of Surya Namaskar.
The Procedure
Stand facing the sun. Body erect and feet close together. Keep hands joined together just in front of your chest. Close your eyes or keep the gaze at straight level. This pose is ideal for prayers and chanting mantras.If in surya namaskar, this pose ends with an exhalation.
The Benefits of Pranamasana
This asana gives balance to your body and eases your nervous system, body and helpful in
Ayurvedic Treatments. Anyone who can stand erect can practice this asana without any precautions or guidance.
Hastauttanasana is simple extension of pranamasana or prayer pose. Here you raise your folded hands from before your chest to above your head and beyond while you bend backwards. This is the second step in surya namaskar or sun salutation pose.
The Procedure
1. Stand in Pranamasana. i.e. stand erect with you feet held together and palms held together before your chest as in a prayer.
2. Without separating your hands, slowly raise them above your head as you slowly inhale. Slowly exhaling, come to pranamasana or continue to Padahasthasana, the third step of surya namaskar.
Benefits of Hastauttanasana
This asana stretches your muscles at arms and abdomen. It tones the abdomen, strengthens digestive system and respiratory system. This asana is also good for eyes.
