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Difference between revisions of "Astavakrasana"

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== Etymology ==
+
==Technique==
 +
# Begin seated in Dandasana (Stick Pose), with both legs extended out in front of you.
 +
# Bend your right knee in to your chest, then bring your right arm to the inside of your bent right leg. Take a hold of your right foot or ankle with both hands and begin to snuggle the underside of your right knee behind your right shoulder, as if you’re pulling on the strap of a backpack. Hook your right leg as firmly behind the right shoulder as you can.
 +
# Keeping the calf of the right leg hugging firmly behind the right shoulder, place your palms down on either side of your hips. Spread the fingers wide, keep the chest lifted and the collarbone as broad as you can.
 +
# Maintaining the hug of the right leg around the shoulder and the palms planted on the ground, pick up the left leg and lightly cross your left ankle over your right.
 +
# Begin to bend your elbows to a 90 degree angle and extend the heart forward as if you are moving into Chaturanga (elbows over wrists). Keep the legs squeezing firmly and extend them as straight as you can.
 +
# Note the tendency for the left shoulder to collapse here, and keep both shoulder heads lifted and level with one another. Stay here for 3-5 full breaths, then gently lift the torso, straighten the arms, and set your bottom back down on the ground to come out of the pose. Whenever you feel ready, repeat on the other side.<ref name="Technique"/>
  
The pose is dedicated to the sage Astavakra, the spiritual guru of King Janaka. It is told that when the sage was in his mother's womb, his father Kagola made several mistakes while reciting the Vedas. Hearing these, the unborn sage laughed. The father became enraged and cursed his son to be born as Astavakra. So it came to pass that he was born crooked in eight places. These crooks earned him the name Ashtavakra or Eight Crooks. Yet Kagola was later defeated in a philosophical debate with Vandin, the court scholar. While still a boy the sage, a natural scholar of great ability went to court and avenged his father's defeat by beating Vandin in argument and becoming the guru of Janaka. Accordingly, his father blessed him and his deformity vanished.
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==Technique in pictures/animation==
  
The name comes from the Sanskrit words asta meaning "eight", vakra meaning "bent, curved", and asana (आसन ) meaning "posture" or "seat".
 
  
 +
==Effects==
 +
* It makes the arms and wrists strong.
 +
* It tones and strengthens the abdominal muscles, thereby improving digestion.
 +
* It helps build concentration and balance.
 +
* It relieves your body of stress and anxiety.
 +
* Menstrual disorders and menopausal symptoms are appeased.
 +
* The challenge of the pose helps the body and mind to build a great connect<ref name="Effects"/>
  
== Description ==
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==Related Asanas==
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* [[Adho Mukha Svanasana]]
  
 +
==Special requisites==
  
Astavakrasana is a hand balance with lateral twist.
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==Initial practice notes==
 +
As a beginner, you might find it hard to balance in this pose. In such cases, you can use a bolster to rest the bottom of your hip and your outer legs.<ref name="Initial practice notes"/>
  
== Benefits ==
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==References==
  
 +
<references>
 +
<ref name="Technique">[https://lifenlesson.com/eight-angle-pose-and-its-benefits-astavakrasana/ "Methodology of Astavakrasana"]</ref>
  
This difficult lateral movement tones the spine by supplying the spinal nerves with a copious supply of blood. It increases gastric activity and helps to digest food. The spine is given the maximum lateral twist.
+
<ref name="Initial practice notes">[http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/ashtavakrasana-eight-angle-pose/#Beginner’sTip "Beginers tips"]</ref>
 +
 
 +
<ref name="Effects">[https://www.boldsky.com/health/wellness/2016/astavakrasana-eight-angle-pose-to-improve-digestion-104316.html "Benefits"]</ref>
 +
 
 +
</references>
 +
 
 +
==External Links==
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* [https://www.doyouyoga.com/the-holistic-benefits-of-eight-angle-pose-89018/ on doyouyoga.com]
 +
* [https://www.yogajournal.com/poses/eight-angle-pose on yogajournal.com]
 +
* [http://stylesatlife.com/articles/astavakrasana/ on stylesatlife.com]
  
 
[[Category:Yoga]]
 
[[Category:Yoga]]

Revision as of 12:34, 19 June 2018

Astavakrasana (Sanskrit: अष्टावक्रासन; IAST: Aṣṭāvakrāsana), Eight angled Pose, or Astavakrasana is an asanas.


Technique

  1. Begin seated in Dandasana (Stick Pose), with both legs extended out in front of you.
  2. Bend your right knee in to your chest, then bring your right arm to the inside of your bent right leg. Take a hold of your right foot or ankle with both hands and begin to snuggle the underside of your right knee behind your right shoulder, as if you’re pulling on the strap of a backpack. Hook your right leg as firmly behind the right shoulder as you can.
  3. Keeping the calf of the right leg hugging firmly behind the right shoulder, place your palms down on either side of your hips. Spread the fingers wide, keep the chest lifted and the collarbone as broad as you can.
  4. Maintaining the hug of the right leg around the shoulder and the palms planted on the ground, pick up the left leg and lightly cross your left ankle over your right.
  5. Begin to bend your elbows to a 90 degree angle and extend the heart forward as if you are moving into Chaturanga (elbows over wrists). Keep the legs squeezing firmly and extend them as straight as you can.
  6. Note the tendency for the left shoulder to collapse here, and keep both shoulder heads lifted and level with one another. Stay here for 3-5 full breaths, then gently lift the torso, straighten the arms, and set your bottom back down on the ground to come out of the pose. Whenever you feel ready, repeat on the other side.[1]

Technique in pictures/animation

Effects

  • It makes the arms and wrists strong.
  • It tones and strengthens the abdominal muscles, thereby improving digestion.
  • It helps build concentration and balance.
  • It relieves your body of stress and anxiety.
  • Menstrual disorders and menopausal symptoms are appeased.
  • The challenge of the pose helps the body and mind to build a great connect[2]

Related Asanas

Special requisites

Initial practice notes

As a beginner, you might find it hard to balance in this pose. In such cases, you can use a bolster to rest the bottom of your hip and your outer legs.[3]

References

External Links