Astavakrasana

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Astavakrasana
Preparing for the pose

Astavakrasana

IAST: Aṣṭāvakrāsana) or Eight-Angle Pose[2] is a hand-balancing asana in modern yoga as exercise dedicated to the sage Astavakra, the spiritual guru of King Janaka.[3]

Etymology and origins

The name comes from the Sanskrit words अष्टा ashta meaning "eight", वक्र vakra meaning "bent, curved", and आसन asana meaning "posture" or "seat"; or alternatively from the myth of the sage Astavakra.[3]

The pose was unknown in

Pattabhi Jois and B. K. S. Iyengar.[4]

Mythology

Astavakra was born with eight physical handicaps. 19th-century painting.

According to B. K. S. Iyengar's Light on Yoga, Astavakra was believed to be the spiritual guru of King Janaka, father of Sita. When he was in his mother's womb, his father Kagola recited the Vedas inaccurately, making the unborn child laugh. Kagola, furious, put a curse on the baby to be born bent in eight places, "Astavakra" meaning eight bends. Kagola was defeated in debate with the court scholar, Vandi. The young Astavakra beat Vandi in argument, and became Janaka's guru. His father blessed him for this, and his deformity vanished.[3]

Description

Astavakrasana is a hand balance with lateral twist. The pose is entered from a

Parsva Bakasana (Side Crane pose), Paripurna Navasana and others. The pose may be practised with blocks laid flat under the hands. Counter poses for Astavakrasana include Matsyasana, Paschimottanasana, and Balasana.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Asta Vakrasana". Yoga Vastu. October 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Anon (22 April 2008). "Eight-Angle Pose". Yoga Journal.
  3. ^
    ISBN 978-1855381667
    .
  4. ISBN 81-7017-389-2.[permanent dead link
    ]
  5. ^ Schumacher, John (28 August 2007). "Astavakrasana (Eight-Angle Pose)". Yoga Journal.
  6. ^ "Astavakrasana – Eight angled pose". itsafablife.com. 25 July 2013. Archived from the original on 14 April 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
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