Ākarṇa Dhanurasana

Akarna Dhanurasana

Akarṇa Dhanurāsana in translation from Sanskrit Karṇa means ear and the prefix Ā means towards or near. Dhanu means "bow" and asana means "pose", the name literally translated is towards the ear bow pose. A better, non literal translation is the "Archer Pose" as the position resembles an archer about to release an arrow.

Technique

1. Sit down upright.
2. Stretch out your legs, Keep the legs close together
3. The palms will have to be placed on the ground on both the sides.
4. Bend the right knee, Cross the left leg
5. Place the right heel on the floor.
6. The right heel will have to lie beside the left ankle on the ground.
7. Grasp your right toe with the left thumb, middle and index fingers.
8. At the same time, catch hold of the left toe with the right thumb, middle and index fingers, Slowly inhale deeply.
9. Keep the head erect.
10. Pull up the right foot till your right knee is beside the right armpit and even as the right toe touches the left ear.
11. At this time the right hand should be pulling the left toe.
12. As you pull the toes concentrate your gaze at the toe of the outstretched leg. (In this case, your eyes must be looking at the left toe).
13. Gradually exhale.
14. Even as you exhale return the right foot to the ground on the left side of the outstretched left leg.
15. Release the hands.
16. Slowly stretch the legs side by side in front.
17. This completes the first part of the posture.
18. Complete the round by repeating the action on the other side.

Effects

1. Within a short time several parts of your body get stretched effectively.
2. Your calves, thighs, back, waist, chest, shoulders and the arms become well proportioned and developed.
3. This exercise gives severe stretch to the muscles, hop joints and shoulders. hence this exercise will help cure joints pain and rheumatic pains.
4. While performing this exercise the abdominal muscles are contracted which helps movement of bowels. Hence it curs all the abdominal disorders and strengthens the digestive system.

Related Asanas

• Ardha Matseyendrasana
• Supta Padangusthasana

Initial practice notes

As beginners, it might be hard to straighten your elbows when you are in this pose. To get this right, you could use a strap. Buckle it up and loop it over the upper arms, just above the elbows. Stretch out your arms such that they are shoulder-width apart. As you do this, make sure the strap snugly fits on the outer arms. Then, use the strap to straighten the elbows. But make sure you push your arms away from the strap while in the asana.

External Links

• Akarna Dhanurasana on yoga.hosur online.com
• Akarna Dhanurasana on yogajournal.com
• Akarna Dhanurasana on mudra guide.com