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Supta Kurmasana (sleeping tortoise pose)

When I first began practicing Ashtanga Yoga, it wasn’t under the instruction of an authorized teacher or within a traditional Mysore program. The studio offered two semi-guided Mysore style classes a week. The owner connected with an authorized teacher who wanted to help guide the program to offering a traditional Mysore program. The teachers still had yet to understand the importance of moving slowly through Primary Series. I was instructed to practice full primary series and had knee pain that became increasingly worse through forcing myself into poses. I came close to quitting the practice until I met a couple of authorized teachers along the journey who changed my approach to the practice. One teacher in particular scaled my practice back to just a little after “half primary”. She had me stop and work on “Supta Kurmasana” for about a year. I moved to her city to seek consistent instruction from her & grow my practice. Every time I came to my mat and practiced the sequence I would get to Supta & workcthe posture 3–5 times with vinyasas in between. It was very very little almost unnoticeable practice daily. There was even a time that my teacher pounded on my back vigorously to release whatever built up tension had solidified itself in my body. It took almost two years for me to be able to bind my hands and feet on my own in this posture. I began to think it was impossible for my body to achieve the full variation. When I did master this posture to this best of my ability I realized very important lessons along the way: patience, perseverance, hope and release. If I ever am stuck in an unpleasant situation, I am aware that it takes effort & will to get through it eventually, and I’m not phased by time. 

The movement of the shoulder is improved and also the muscles in the corresponding areas. The abdominal muscles are toned and more flexible. The asana stretches the lower part of the lungs, which is good for breathing. It also increases lung capacity, which is crucial if you have breathing problems like asthma.

Stomach-related problems are also resolved. If you suffer from indigestion or constipation this asana helps to improve it enormously. The digestive system is in operation with the help of asana. A fresh supply of blood is provided to every organ for a smooth flowing body system. Relaxes the brain by supplying fresh blood. Many of your sleeping problems are addressed by performing this asana. It is a good cure for insomnia.

Ardha Kurmasana stretches the spine, relieving you of any back pain or spinal problems. Due to the level of blood circulation, your heart remains fit and in good condition. Bending and stretching increase the level of flexibility in your arms and hips. Toning gives your body great shape, keeping it positive and healthy.

The internal organs are massaged very well to bring the extra excitement your body needs. It serves as a great remedy for anemic and diabetic patients. The pressure on the thigh and legs makes it strong and resistant. It also tones the thigh muscles due to the position in which the asana is performed.

Warning: The reader of this answer should take all precautions before following any of the asanas. To avoid any problems when performing the asanas, it is recommended that you consult a doctor and a yoga instructor. The responsibility lies solely with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

A tortoise in front of lord Shiva's idol symbolically signifies two reasons :-

1. As we know that when you try to touch or harm a tortoise, it will take his legs and head inside his shell, hence this signifies that even humans should withdraw all his senses from our material world, which in Hindi we say Moh-Maya nahi rakhni chahiye.
2. Its the way that tortoise hatches its eggs, they don't sit over their eggs to hatch, instead they constantly look at them, and hence it is kept facing lord shiva which signifies that one should concentrate while praying the god.

Apart from that, turtle also has a remote relation with lord Shiva (No relation to turtles in front of lord Shiva idol)

easyflexibility

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• As we know, lord Shiva is always portrayed in a Yoga pose, so in yoga, we do have Kurmasana(Tortoise Pose)

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