Brahmacharyasana (Celibate’s Pose): Steps, Variations, Benefits, and Contraindications

Brahmacharyasana (Celibate’s Pose) is the name given to two different seated yoga postures, both of which are associated with the conservation of sexual energy.

The Brahmacharyasana (Celibate’s Pose) is a position that helps in transforming sexual potential into energy, leading it to a better level of your being.

This position also involves the power to focus and stimulates mental control. This allows us to easily reach a state of mental focus doubled from a clear focus.

Yoga believes that sexual energy is very powerful in both male and female and can be harnessed for growth and reaching higher levels of consciousness.

Yoga also believes that this sexual energy can be transformed into a higher form of energy called Ojas, which improves the vitality of the entire physical and mental body. Brahmacharyasana (Celibate’s Pose) is one of the postures that helps in this transformation.

Information

Known as:	Brahmacharyasana, Celibate Pose, Tolangulasana, Continence Pose
Sanskrit name:	ब्रह्मचर्यासन
IAST:	brahmacaryāsana
Pronunciation:	bruh-muh-chahr-YAHS-uh-nu
Level:	Advanced
Type:	Seated, arm balance
Total time:	20 to 120 seconds
Drishti:	Padayoragrai or Padayoragre (toes/feet)
Chakra:	Muladhara chakra, Manipura chakra, Swadisthana chakra
Focus:	Biceps, triceps, back, abdomen, legs, hips
Indications:	Blood circulation, sexual organ, strength, knee pain, back pain, headache, digestive system, liver and kidneys function, cardiovascular health
Counterpose:	Staff pose
Preparatory poses:	Lotus pose
Follow-up poses:	Corpse pose, Cobra pose, Crocodile pose
Contraindications:	Back, neck or head injuries, high blood pressure or low blood pressure, heart problems, weight issues, hernia, menstrual cycles, during pregnancy

Meaning

Brahmacharyasana derived from the Sanskrit name that made from three words — Brahmacharya + Asana:

1. “Brahmacharya” = “restraint or control over the sense”
2. “Asana” = “pose or posture”

Bramcharyasana indicates control over sexual urges. This pose thinks that sexual power is extremely powerful in people and can be used to reach higher states of consciousness.

Sexuality is discouraged in many cultures, although most of us are sensual beings. The word sensual is associated with pleasing all five senses: seeing, hearing, taste, scent, and touch. In yoga, a few different poses and pranayama awaken the Swadisthana chakra, which is a facility for feelings, pleasures, and sensuality.

But many disconnect from their sensual feelings for various reasons. The result is never good. Lack of consciousness leads to severe instability as well as to stress. You have a tendency to disrespect everyone when you are not in touch with the emotions.

Benefits of Brahmacharyasana (Celibate’s Pose)

The pose helps to boost energy in your body and hence, the physical and mental benefits are listed below:

1. Physical Benefits:
   • Strengthens the legs, hips, back, wrists, shoulder blade column, abdomen
   • Stretch of the forearms
   • Open the chest muscles
   • Improves digestive system, hence promotes better digestion
   • Prevent the formation of fat and cholesterol
   • Melts the belly fat quickly
   • Reduces knee and back pain
   • Improve superhuman strength
   • Improve blood circulation and enhance sexual performance
   • Improves the spine flexibility
   • Reduce the strain from the blood vessels
   • Prevent back, abdomen, legs, hips
2. Mental Benefits:
   • Relieves stress
   • Relieves anxiety, headache
   • Remove nightmares (bad dreams), bad thoughts, stress in the brain

Instruction to Brahmacharyasana (Celibate’s Pose)

• Spread the legs in front of the body and sit on the ground.
• Join the soles of the feet together and allow the knees to come down on both sides.
• Clasp the hands around them and try to bring the heels of the feet towards their crotch, keeping the outer edges of the feet on the ground. The toes should point towards the ceiling.
• Push the feet down with your hands to help you stay still.
• Lean forward and grasp the sides of your feet (or ankle or calf muscles).
• Draw the chin towards the chest, pull the head back and press the forehead together.
• You can also place the fingers behind their shins and stay in the pose for as long as you can.
• Take a deep breath and stay calm – relaxing the muscles, especially the muscles between the ribs and the diaphragm – will help control your breathing.
• If you can’t reach the floor with your feet (and no more than an inch apart), use a strap around the feet.
• Take a deep breath and stay calm – relaxing the muscles, especially the muscles between the ribs and the diaphragm – will help control your breathing.
• Hold the pose for 20 to 120 seconds, or as long as you can, gradually increasing the time as you get used to it, so that eventually you can stay in the pose.

Precautions and contraindications

Brahmacharyasana (Celibates Pose) is an advanced level yoga pose performed in a sitting position. Celibates pose also involves strength, balance. However, the precautions and contraindications are listed below:

• Do not do this pose if you have high blood pressure, low blood pressure, or any heart disease.
• Avoid practicing this pose if you have back, neck or head injury, weight problems.
• A person suffering from hernia should avoid practicing this yoga posture.
• Do not practice the pose mensuration cycles and during pregnancy.