The name Vajrasana is a culmination of two Sanskrit words vajra meaning thunderbolt weapon and asana meaning posture. It is a kneeling yoga pose and is often also called the Diamond Pose. It is one of the most effective and famous meditative poses and is also often used as a transitional pose between the asanas. You will also notice that this pose is used across various religious cultures for the purpose of praying, which in itself speaks a lot for the tranquillity it will offer to your mind. One of the most spectacular things about this yoga pose is that unlike most of the asanas this doesn’t have to be carried out in an empty stomach, rather, it is more efficient when practiced post any meal.  Now that the briefing is done, we are listing out a few health benefits of Vajrasana and how to do it.

How to do the thunderbolt pose

1. Stand on your knees and stretch out your lower leg backward. Cross your big toes with each other.
2. Rest your buttocks on your heels and the thighs on the calf muscles.
3. Place our palms on your knees, straighten your back, and look in front.
4. Start breathing slowly and concentrate on it as you inhale and exhale.
5. You can close your eyes to focus on your breath, or you can fix your gaze on a distant object. The aim is to concentrate and focus on one thing.
6. Remain in this position for at least 5-10 minutes. A regular practitioner can go up to 30 minutes

Health benefits of thunderbolt pose

1. Improves blood circulation
   As you take the position of this asana, the blood circulation, specifically towards your pelvic area is regulated and the breathing simultaneously regulates the blood circulation on a general level. This ensures better functioning of all the organs in your body.
2. Improves posture
   While practicing Vajrasana, one thing that is required of you is to always keep your back straight. This helps you retain the position for a longer time and also helps in better absorption of all the benefits offered by the posture. Regular practice of this pose would then condition your back to always be straight and thus results in the improvement of the posture.
3. Betters digestion
   As discussed in the first point, this pose regulates blood circulation in the pelvic region. What it also does is that it reduces the flow of blood towards the leg. Therefore, the focus of the flow is diverted towards the digestive region of the body. As the digestive system of the body improves, it allows better absorption of nutrients thus providing a good amount of fuel to your body to make it function better
4. Helps in weight loss
   As we have discussed earlier, by reducing the flow of the blood towards your legs and directing it towards the pelvic region the digestion of the body is improved. Better digestion of the food means a more efficient breaking down of it and therefore avoids the accumulation of a lot of fat. If you’re on some weight lose practice then you should totally bring Vajrasana as a daily practice in your life for better results.
5. Improves focus and concentration power
   The deep and focused breathing involved in the practice of this asana helps you bring your undivided attention to your breath. Even if you’re not closing your eyes and are focusing on some external object, it will work the same way. It helps your brain to focus on things entirely without any distractions.
6. Can help with arthritis
   When you fold your legs and rest your upper body on them it makes your angles and joints flexible. It makes the bones and muscles conditioned to a regular folding and comfortable in dealing with body weight. Therefore, if you’re genetically vulnerable to arthritis or are in the earlier stages of it, you can bring a positive change by practicing this asana regularly.
7. Produces energy
   The improved and regulated blood circulation along with better digestion helps in better digestion and absorption of nutrients. This way, the body organs become more efficient in producing energy and also opening up of the channels in order to make this energy flow better and faster
8. Keeps you calm
   The pose requires you to sit for a long duration of time with full concentration. It might make you uneasy initially but regular practice will help you build you the required patience and will also keep you calm.
9. Deals with anxiety and stress
   The rhythmic breathing pattern allows your mind to calm down and shed off all the negative thoughts it has been carrying. Not just that, with better digestion it relieves you from any kind of bodily unease you have been facing and therefore puts you in a comfortable and positive position where you can focus on all the nice things and forget all that is stressful. 
10. Increases leg muscle strength and its flexibility
    The stretching of your leg muscles and the intensive use of the joints involved in the practice of this pose stretches the ankles, thighs, knees as well as hips and thus results in ensuring their flexibility.

Contraindications of Vajrasana or Thunderbolt Pose

• Those with injuries to the ligaments at the knees or ankles should avoid this pose.
• People suffering from intestinal ulcers or hernia should not practice this asana.
• If there is any injury to the hamstring or calf, stay away from this pose.
• Those with severe arthritis pain should not practice this pose.

As the above mentioned details make it evident, this yogic exercise is suitable for all kinds of people. It is also one of the best ways to begin practicing yoga as a daily routine in your life. So without any further contemplation, plan out your time, spread your yoga mat and get ready to experience the beautiful health benefits of thunderbolt pose.