Yoga is extremely rejuvenating and helps in opening up your mind and body with positive energy. Fire log pose helps in stretching the outer hips and has helped many people to even get rid of the sciatic pain. It is called Agnistambhasana in Sanskrit and is a very important asana which forms the foundation of many other yoga asanas.

It is important to keep correct alignment that helps in releasing your hips. Make sure that your alignment is correct while holding the pose and loosen up if there is any pinching or pain. The pose is a beginner pose and it can be made more exciting with certain modifications.

How to Perform the Pose

1. Keep your knees bent and feet on the floor.
2. Push your shoulders up, roll the upper arm bones back and press the shoulder tips back into your back.
3. After this take a deep breath and slide your left foot under your right leg outside the right hip.
4. Continue by stacking your right leg on top of the left foot and keep the sole perpendicular to the floor.
5. Hold on to the position and bring your shins parallel to the top edge of the mat you are sitting on and stack your right shin above the left shin.
6. The shins must be at 90 degrees angles to each thigh.
7. Press through the heels, spread the toes, press your groin towards the floor and keep the torso long.
8. Keep your fingertips on either side of the body.
9. Inhale to raise your torso slightly and along with this lengthen from your pubis to your sternum.
10. Slowly exhale.
11. Hold the position for one minute and uncross the legs.
12. Repeat the same process again by stacking the left foot on the right.

Benefits

• It helps in strengthening the hip and groin by stretching it with regular practice of the pose.
• It helps in deep opening the outer hips and buttocks.
• It helps in strengthening the groin, calves, thighs and abdominal muscles.
• The regular practice of the pose helps in stimulating the abdominal organs and hence improves digestion.
• It helps in calming the mind; it also relieves anxiety and eases mental stress.
• It is therapeutic and helps in improving breathing.

Mistakes and Contradictions

It is advisable to avoid practicing the pose if you are suffering from knee, hip or lower back injury. It requires a certain amount of flexibility and hence taking it slowly is recommended. Always perform the asana wearing comfortable clothing, like yoga pants, and performing under the guidance of an expert is better. Do not push yourself too much and gradually increase your limits.

How to Perform the Pose Perfectly

Yoga is something that must not be done forcefully. Although it is a basic pose for a beginner, pulling one leg over the other might be difficult. In order to release the hip, forcefully rotate the thigh after gripping it at the hip crease and then lean forward. The balance on both sides equally by keeping your pelvis in a neutral position. Keep your spine straight and maintain the straight line alignment of tailbone with the head.