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Matsyasana
Sometimes referred to as "Fish Pose”. Matsyasana is often used as a good counter-pose to Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) especially for keeping your neck flexible.
Matsyasana is a lying (supine) pose, and a backbend. Lay on your back. First, your legs and feet are outstretched. You can then use your arms, which are close in by your side, to push your upper body off the floor.
As your upper body rises you gently let your head float backwards. Be sure to keep your head slightly off the ground or floor because if you hit the floor you might twist your neck.
Although the weight of your body is supported by the legs and arms this is still an active pose. For beginners it may seem similar to backbends such as setu bandhasana or ustrasana.
It shares benefits of other backbends:
• Opens the chest, heart and lungs and front of the body
• Increases flexibility in the spine (in this case cervical spine in particular)
• Strengthens the arms and shoulders
• Gives energy and is rejuvenating
• Makes the mind alert and active
• Increases circulation ie heating
• Combats depression
• Slows down degeneration of the spine
• Stimulates digestion (especially pancreas)
• Stimulates endocrine glands – thyroid, thymus, and adrenals as well as pancreas.
