In Sanskrit “Ananta” refers to “Lord Vishnu”, and “Asana” means “posture”. The English name is “Side reclining leg fit”.

Position : Supine
Type : Core Balancing
Spiritual Awareness : Mooladhara chakra
Physical Awareness : Sides of the torso, pelvic region, back of the legs
Dosha Suitability : Pita
Introducery Asanas : Trikonasana, Supta Padangusthasana, Parighasana

Procedure:
1. Lie down on a mat, preferably on your left side and steady this position by pressing the heels and the outer part of the left foot firmly into the floor.
2. Raise your right arm straight out along the floor and directly above your head. Your right arm should be at a 90-degree angle to your body.
3. Lift your head off the floor and support it with the palm of your left arm.
4. Rest the right arm on the side of your body and maintain balance.
5. In the next step, bend tour right leg at the knee, reach towards the big toe and grab it with the thumb and first two fingers of the right hand.
6. Hold this position and maintain balance.
7. Proceed by exhaling and stretching the right leg towards the ceiling. If you find it difficult to extend the leg completely, try to hold the foot with the help of a belt.
8. Hold this position for a few breaths and then release slowly.
9. You can repeat the same sequence of the side-reclining leg steps for the other side of your body and hold the position for the same amount of time.

Spotlight effects: Sides of the torso, pelvic rergion, back of the legs.

Follow-up Poses: Adho mukha svanasana

Physical Benefits:
1. Anantasana helps in toning the abdominal muscles.
2. It stretches and strengthens the sides of the torso and back of the legs.
3. It increases the flexibility of the spine and muscles in the legs.
4. The hamstrings are stretched and strengthed, which increases their efficiency.
5. It reduces the obesity of the hips and thighs through the stretching action.
6. It promotes better blood circulation in the leg muscles.
7. It also helps in the development of the pelvic region.
8. It helps prevent problems like hernia by toning muscles.
9. It also helps in improving overall body balance.

Therapeutic Benefits:
1. Anantasana is very beneficial to people suffering from problems like sciatica, arthritis, hypertension, peptic ulcers and colitis.
2. Regular practice of this asana helps in relieving both physical as well as mental fatigue.
3. It is also helpful in treating and curing urinary disorders related to the urinary bladder, uterus, prostrate, tests and ovaries.
4. It is helpful in treating disorders of the sex glands.
5. It is also beneficial in correcting menstrual disorders and edema of the arms or legs.


Precautions and Contraindications:
1. Severe sciatica, slipped disc and cervical spondilitis.
2. People with these problems should either refrain completely from practicing the anantasana or practice it under professional supervision.