4 min readNew DelhiApr 12, 2023 12:00 PM IST
First published on: Apr 12, 2023 at 12:00 PM IST
Malaika Arora is a self-confessed fitness enthusiast who regularly shares glimpses of her workouts on social media. In a similar vein, giving us a sneak peek of her yoga routine, the 49-year-old recently shared a video of herself on Instagram doing a variation of Chakki Chalanasana, which she said “tones and strengthens the abdominal muscles, improves digestion, promotes mental clarity and relieves stress”.
What is Chakki Chalanasana?
Chakki Chalanasana, also known as ‘Churning the Mill Pose’ comes from three Sanskrit words – chakki which means grinding in the mill, chalana means churning, and asana means pose. Speaking with indianexpress.com, Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, Founder Akshar Yoga Institutions called it “a dynamic yoga asana with lots of health benefits” that include “strengthening the abdominal organs, improving the function of reproductive organs, improving the function of digestive systems, preventing back pain, reducing abdominal fat, relieving menstrual issues, and increasing blood circulation”.
Health benefits of Chakki Chalanasana
Agreeing with Akshar, fitness expert Meenakshi Mohanty also told indianexpress.com that the yoga asana has multiple health benefits. She listed them out as:
– It strengthens and tones the abdominal muscles, thereby improving digestion and reducing belly fat.
– It stimulates the reproductive organs, making it beneficial for women who suffer from menstrual disorders.
– It improves flexibility in the hips, knees, and ankles.
– It helps to relieve lower back pain and reduce stiffness in the spine.
– It stimulates the solar plexus, which is believed to improve overall well-being and increase vitality.
Steps to perform Chakki Chalanasana
Here are the steps to perform Chakki Chalanasana, shared by Mohanty.
– Sit on the yoga mat with your legs straight in front of you.
– Spread your legs about hip-width apart.
– Interlock your fingers and extend your arms forward at shoulder height.
– Inhale deeply and start moving your hands and arms in a circular motion over your legs, leaning back slightly as you do so.
– Keep your legs straight and allow them to follow the movement of your arms.
– Exhale and continue the circular motion for about 10-15 rotations in one direction.
– Then, reverse the direction and repeat the same circular motion for another 10-15 rotations.
– Finally, inhale and return to the starting position.
Things to keep in mind
Mohanty shared some important things to keep in mind while performing Chakki Chalanasana. They are:
– Avoid this asana if you have any recent injuries or surgeries in the hips, knees, or ankles.
– Pregnant women should not perform this asana.
– Always practice under the guidance of a certified yoga instructor.
– If you feel any discomfort or pain, stop immediately and seek guidance from your yoga instructor.
– Practice this asana on an empty stomach, preferably in the morning.
📣 For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and don’t miss out on the latest updates!
Malaika Arora swears by yoga for her fitness. (Pic source: Instagram/Malaika Arora) 
Share
