eka pada sirsasana and variations

7/27/2019 Eka Pada Sirsasana and Variations

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Eka Pada SirsasanaDemonstrated byJonathan Gordeon,Owner

Brooklyn Yoga519 Court StreetBrooklyn, NYTel. 718-858-4554

Eka Pada SirsasanaDemonstrated byMatthew Darling

Authorized Ashtanga Teacher

Royal Yoga Loft108 S. Main StreetRoyal Oak, MI 48067Tel. 248-582-YOGA

Photographed by JenniferEverland
http://www.brooklynyoga.com/3.htmlhttp://www.brooklynyoga.com/3.htmlmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.brooklynyoga.com/3.html


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Eka Pada SirsasanaDemonstrated byLouiseEllis

Ashtanga Yoga CenterLouise Ellis, Owner &Director1617 N. College Ave. #5Fayetteville, AR 72703Tel. (479) 313-5336

Eka Pada Sirsasana(Foot-behind-the-Head Pose)By John SchumacherYoga Journal

Try your hand at this pose to increase flexibility in the legs, spine, and hips.Joel Kramer, a well-known yoga teacher from Bolinas, California, oncedescribed in Yoga Journal an aspect of his approach to yoga he called "playingthe edge." Kramer's ideas have influenced my practice ever since. "Playing theedge," as I understand it, means taking yourself to your limit and, through subtleawareness and refined adjustments, continuing to practice without steppingback from or going over that edge.

To illustratethis concept,let's considerthe first stageof Supta

Padangusthasana. In thispose, you lieon your backwith your legsstretchedstraight out onthe floor. Thenyou raise yourright leg andcatch yourright foot by

either

SuptaPadangusthasana

Demonstrated

by ErichSchiffmann

Yoga: TheSpirit andPractice ofMoving IntoStillnessbyErichSchiffmann;ISBN 0-671-53480-7
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grasping yourbig toe withyour righthand or byholding a straparound yourfoot. Keepingyour right legstraight, youpull your footback towardyour head. Asyou move yourleg, you aregoing to feelthe stretch in

the back ofyour legintensify. Atsome point,theincreasinglyintensesensation ofstretch willbegin to turninto pain.Lilias Folan

used to referto the pointjust beforepain as aplace of"sweetdiscomfort."The art ofplaying theedge is to findand work atthat exact

point oftransition,without losingeither thesweetness orthe discomfort.

A challenging aspect of practicing this way is that these edges are not at allstatic. They are in constant flux. Thus, playing the edge skillfully requiresunwavering concentration and calm awareness. It transforms your practice intoa meditation, and to my mind, is one of the primary differences betweenpracticing yoga asanas and "exercising."


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Onepossibleresult ofplaying youredge is thatyou mightfind yourselfpracticingincreasinglydifficultposes. Forexample,you mayhavebecomeflexible in

yourforwardbends to thepoint whereyou can restyour torsoon yourstraight legswith ease inPaschimottanasana

(Seated

ForwardBend). Interms offlexibility,Paschimottanasana nolongerbrings youto youredge.

PaschimottanasanaDemonstrated by JohnCrawfordScottCertified

AshtangaTeacher

AshtangaYoga atSpace No. 8

8 ChapelStreetPenzance,Cornwall.TR18 4AJ

AshtangaYoga: TheDefinitiveStep-by-StepGuide toDynamicYogabyJohnCrawfordScott2001Crown Pub;ISBN:0609807862
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To find yourflexibilityedge, youmight needto practiceKurmasana(TortoisePose).

Seen in thislight, thepractice ofmoreadvancedposes is notsome ego-

gratifyinggame ofone-upmanshipor aspirituallymaterialisticapproach toacquiringmore andmoredifficult

asanas.(Bumperstickersnotwithstanding, Isuspect thatwhen wedie, theperson withthe mostposesdoesn't win

anything inparticular.)Instead, ifyou'recommittedto playingthe edge inyourpractice,doingadvancedposes maysimply be a

Kurmasana(Variation)Demonstrated byAndrSidersky

Hatha Yogaby AndrSidersky ofKiev, Ukraine
http://www.hathavideo.com/english.phtmlhttp://www.hathavideo.com/english.phtmlhttp://www.hathavideo.com/english.phtmlhttp://www.hathavideo.com/english.phtmlhttp://www.hathavideo.com/english.phtmlhttp://www.hathavideo.com/english.phtmlhttp://www.hathavideo.com/english.phtmlhttp://www.hathavideo.com/english.phtmlhttp://www.hathavideo.com/english.phtml


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natural andappropriateprogression.

When yousay"advancedyoga pose,"one of theposes thatmay cometo mind formany folksis Eka PadaSirsasana

(Foot-behind-the-HeadPose?not tobe confusedwith theHeadstandvariationthat has thesameSanskritname). It is

difficult foralmosteveryoneand is a realeye-catcherof a pose. Irecall thatthe first timeI thumbedthrough abook ofyoga

postures,the onesthat jumpedoff the pagewere EkaPadaSirsasanaand its moreadvancedcousin,Yoganidrasana (YogicSleep

YoginidrasanaDemonstrated by Dr. S.N. OmkarCertified IyengarYoga teacher

YOGAMANDIRNo.135727th Cross,25th MainBanashankari - II StageBangalore -560070Tel.(080)2671-3478


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Pose). Myreactionwas notunlike thatof a couplewho, someyears later,happenedto observemepracticingEka PadaSirsasanaon a remotebeach. Iwas

unaware oftheirattentionuntil I heardthe womanexclaimincredulously to herpartner,"Oh, m'God,Harry! Lookat that!"

An Ounce of PreparationBefore you even think about doing Eka Pada Sirsasana, you should maintain a well-

rounded practice for many months. This is true even for practitioners who begin yogawith enough flexibility to perform Eka Pada Sirsasana or who may achieve it fairlyquickly. Flexibility is necessary, of course, but strength, stability, and integrating yourwhole body within the pose are just as important.

In fact, I often tell my students that it is more difficult to be flexible than to be stiff. An

expression that says, "Oh, sure," usually crosses the faces of the stiff ones. All theyknow is that when they stretch, they are really uncomfortable, and they don't moveanywhere nearly as much as their more flexible classmates, who seem to slide intomany poses with such ease. Those more flexible (and seemingly more fortunate)students have the difficult task, however, of trying to find balance in their poseswithout constantly overworking the areas that move so readily. Super-flexibility,without the balance of strength, can result in instability in the joints, which, in time,can lead to pain and injury. I have found over the years that loose, very flexiblestudents seem to have physical problems more often and of a more serious naturethan stiffer students. So maintaining a balanced practice for a prolonged period isvaluable not only for building up to Eka Pada Sirsasana; it also allows you topractice the pose in a safe way.


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Despite all my caveats about the need to balance flexibility with strength, you clearlydo need flexibility in your legs and hips to do Eka Pada Sirsasana. It is usually best,therefore, to practice this pose as the culmination of a series of forward bends andhip openers. To avoid overstretching your spine and straining your lower back in anyforward bend, it is important to lengthen your hamstrings and fold forward from yourhip joints rather than bending at the waist. Eka Pada Sirsasana may not appear tobe much of a forward bend since you do not lower your torso forward toward yourlegs. But all the principles of forward bends apply; you are simply varying theforward-bending process by bringing your leg up toward (and beyond) your torsoinstead of bending your torso down.

You can develop the flexibility required to work productively on Eka Pada Sirsasanaby practicing all of the forward-bending poses. The variations of SuptaPadangusthasana (Reclining Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose) are particularly helpful,especially the one B.K.S. Iyengar presents as the second variation inLight on Yoga(Schocken Books, 1995). And proficiency in Kurmasana is a prerequisite.

Even if you've realized that strength is as important as flexibility for a balanced body,you may be surprised to learn that strength is necessary for Eka Pada Sirsasana.The pressure that the leg exerts is powerful, and needs to be balanced by thestrength of the neck and back muscles. Sirsasana (Headstand), Sarvangasana(Shoulderstand), are especially helpful in strengthening your neck and back. AkarnaDhanurasana (Archer's Pose) is also a particularly good preparation for Eka Pada

Sirsasana, not only because it increases mobility in the hips and legs, but alsobecause it helps build strength in the spinal muscles.
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SirsasanaDemonstratedby DavidSwenson

Authorized Ashtanga

Teacher

SarvangasanaDemonstrated by DrKrishna Raman

medioineau.net.au

Akarna DhanurasanaDemonstrated by BillCounter

Absolutely Ashtangacanbe found atShanti Yoga907 Howe AvenueSacramento, CA 95825

Getting a Leg UpIn order to avoid straining your back muscles and to provide support for your spine,you may find it helpful to begin to work on Eka Pada Sirsasana in a reclining positionat first. Lie on your back with your knees bent and resting comfortably near your

chest. Allow your left knee to remain in that position and take your right arm insideyour right thigh. Wrap your right forearm behind your right calf and catch the outerarch of your foot. Then reach across your body and catch the inner arch of your rightfoot with your left hand. Your bent left knee should remain comfortably near yourchest. Hold your right foot with both hands and raise it until your lower leg isperpendicular to the floor. Keeping your shin perpendicular, draw your right kneedown toward the floor. Maximize the opening of the hip by staying centered on yourback without rolling toward the right as you bring your right knee toward or, ideally,onto the floor. Then, while you keep your right knee on the floor (or moving in thatdirection), lengthen the back of your right thigh from the back of your knee towardyour buttock and move your buttock and hip away from your abdomen and waist,respectively. As you do this, you should feel your sacrum release toward the floor.

Perform the same stretch on the left side and repeat the process on both sides oneor more times. You should use this same incremental, repetitive approach as youcontinue to work toward Eka Pada Sirsasana. Like all forward bends, it is essentially

a pose of surrender. Rather than forcing the necessary actions and movements, bepatient and wait for any edge of tightness or resistance you encounter to soften andrelease. Keep your diaphragm relaxed, your belly soft, and your breathing easythroughout.

Once you've got your right knee as near the floor as possible without rolling towardthe right, continue holding your right foot with your left hand and shift your right hand

to your calf. Press your hand into your calf and push your lower leg and foot towardyour shoulder enough that you can tuck your shoulder under your leg. (At this point,you might be up against any number of edges: in your right hamstring, hip, back,shoulder?or any combination of these.)

Remain with the back of your knee and thigh against your right shoulder for severalbreaths. If the intensity begins to shift to pain, release the position and repeat on theother side. If and when the intensity begins to abate, go on to the next step. Practiceeach step this way to bring deep awareness to your edges and expand them safelyand effectively.

Now with your left hand still in the arch of your right foot, again press your calf with

your right hand and lengthen the calf from the knee out through the heel. Draw your
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foot toward the floor, gradually bringing your leg toward a more nearly straightposition. At the same time, once again lengthen your hamstring from the knee towardthe buttock and roll your buttock toward the floor. Stay centered on your back. Thestretch this gives your hamstring will help with the movements to come.

After exploring your hamstring edge, bring your shin back up to perpendicular andchange your grip to hold your outer lower leg with your right hand and your outerankle with your left hand. Keeping your right shoulder tucked beneath your knee andthigh, externally rotate your right thigh and pull your right ankle toward your ajnachakra (your "third eye" near the center of your forehead, just above your eyebrows).Avoid pulling the little-toe side of your foot toward the floor. If you pull on the footrather than the leg, you are apt to bend and overstretch your outer ankle. Themovement of your leg should come primarily from your hip. Keep externally rotatingthe thigh and move your right hip away from the right waist as you bring your foot asclose to your face as possible.

From the leg-over-shoulder position, begin to lift your foot toward your sahasrarachakra (at the crown of your head) until your foot is above your head. Raise yourhead from the floor and pull your foot behind your head until your ankle is pressinginto the back of your head. When you raise your head and move your foot, take carenot to grip your abdominal muscles. It is possible to cramp those muscles, which canbe a not-so-sweet discomfort. If that happens, lie back and relax for a few minutesuntil the cramp subsides. Once your ankle is behind your head, take a few breaths.Reconnoiter. Do what you need to do to respect your edges. Don't panic. Don't getgreedy. If you can go on, do so; if not, repeat the same actions on the left side.

If you're ready to go on, press your head back into your ankle until your knee is nolonger pressing your shoulder and, turning your chest to the left for a moment, tuck

your right shoulder still farther under the leg. Then press your calf with your rightthumb so it rolls backwards out of the way of your shoulder and pull the leg down sothat your lower leg just above your ankle is behind your neck. Keep your inner ankleextended so that the inner and outer ankle are balanced.

You are likely to need to hold your ankle and lower leg with your hands for awhile?seconds, days, weeks?to relieve some of the pressure that the leg exerts onyour neck and to keep the leg from slipping from behind your head. As your hipsloosen, your hamstrings stretch, your back lengthens, and your neck strengthensover time, you'll be able to slide your leg well into the curve of your neck. Then, if youlift your chin slightly, you will be able to hold the leg with your neck and let go withyour hands.

When youcan dothat, bringyourpalmstogetherin front ofyourchest in

namasteposition

Photo to Follow!


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andstretchyour leftlegstraightup towardtheceiling.You'll bein whatmight becalledSuptaEka PadaSirsasana

(RecliningFoot-behind-the-HeadPose) or,perhaps,UrdhvaMukhaEka PadaSirsasana(Upward-

FacingFoot-behind-the-HeadPose).

Fine TuningThere are several somewhat more subtle actions that can help you refine yourpreparations and will allow you to be more balanced and open when you attempt the

final pose. When your right leg is drawn up to bring your foot behind your head, yourright hip usually comes along for the ride. This movement results in congestion in theright hip joint that inhibits its freedom; it also contracts the right side of the spine andcan put strain on the vertebral discs and/or the sacroiliac joints. Your left lumbarspine and/or sacroiliac joint may then overstretch to compensate, amplifying (in apotentially problematic manner) the natural tendency toward imbalance inherent inthe pose.

To move toward a balanced spine with your leg tucked behind your neck, roll yourright hip away from the right side of your waist. Your right buttock will shift toward thecenter line of the body, and you should feel more length come to the right side ofyour waist and spine. The stretch of the leg and hip joint will also increase, as will thepressure on your neck.


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Another thing that usually happens when you put your foot behind your head is thatyour pelvis draws up toward your belly and your head drops down toward your chest.The result is that the front of your spine compresses and your back musclesoverstretch.

To reduce this tendency, first draw your right hip away from the waist, and then pressyour neck back into your leg and lift your chest away from your abdomen, as if youwere trying to lean back in a deck chair. As with the previous action, the intensity ofthe stretch in the leg and hip will increase, as will the pressure on the neck. The backmuscles come more into play as you lift your chest, which prepares them for theirwork in the final pose. You can practice these actions while holding your leg with yourhands at first, and then try them without.

Oh, M'God, Harry!In many ways, the final pose is a lot like what we've called Supta Eka PadaSirsasana, except that rather than "suptaing" (reclining), you are sitting up. That's asignificant difference, though. Now your back will not be supported by the floor, andgravity will not aid you in bringing your leg into position. If you've done the precedingwork, however, you will be prepared for these new edges.

BeginEka PadaSirsasana by

sitting inDandasana (StaffPose).Pressyourthighs intothe floorandstretchyour innercalves

andanklesawayfrom you.Bend yourrightknee,raise yourright footfrom thefloor, andcatch theankle and

Demonstratedby DonaHollemanWebSite:http://www.donaholleman.com/

Photograph byBill ReitzellYoga Journal'sYoga Basics:

The EssentialBeginner'sGuide to Yogafor a Lifetime ofHealth & Fitnessby MaraCarrico; ISBN 0-8050-4571-6
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lower legwith yourhands.With yourright arminsideyour rightthigh, liftyour rightfoot tothird-eyelevel .Shift yourright handto yourcalf, and

lifting theleghigher,bring yourright kneeback andraise yourknee andcalf overand ontoyourshoulder.

Keep holdof thelowerright legwith bothhands.Lift yourchestupwardawayfrom yourabdomen

and takea coupleofbreaths.

Now roll your outer right hip toward the floor, externally rotate your right thigh, and liftyour leg so your right foot is above your head. Lean forward slightly, duck your headforward a bit, and pull your ankle behind your head. Then raise your head, pressingthe back of your head into your ankle so that the weight of the leg on your shoulder isdiminished. With your head and hands supporting your leg, turn your chest slightlytoward the left and duck your right shoulder still farther under the leg. Keep pressingyour head into your ankle; with your right thumb, roll your right calf back out of the


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way of your shoulder and pull your ankle behind your neck. As in the recliningpreparation, you will probably need to hold your foot and leg with your hands forsome time to keep your leg from slipping from behind your neck. Keep your innerankle extended.

As much as you can, try to lift your chest while you hold your leg with your hands.The pressure of the leg on your neck and back may be intense. New edges willappear, perhaps in your hamstring or your hip, or maybe in your back or your neck.Move with patience and awareness. Take your time. Keep your abdomen relaxedand breathe easy.

Eventually, when you are able to move from a very hunched-over position to a nearlyupright one, lift your chin so that your neck, with the help of your back muscles, isable to hold your leg and keep it from flying over your head. Gradually reduce thesupport of your hands on your leg, until you can rely solely on your back and neck. Atthat point, let go of your leg with your hands completely and join the palms in front of

your chest in namaste position. Keep your left thigh pressing into the floor andlengthen out through your inner left calf and ankle. Roll your outer right hip towardthe floor and lift your chest as you did when you worked on the refinements in thereclining preparation.

At first, you probably won't be able to hold Eka Pada Sirsasana for long. Begin with15 seconds, or whatever is possible, and build up to one minute. To come out of thepose, use your hands to lift your leg and ankle from behind your neck. Lower yourright leg onto the floor next to the left leg, place your hands on the floor by your hips,and sit in Dandasana. Then perform Eka Pada Sirsasana with your left leg behindyour head. After you have finished the left side and returned to Dandasana, lie onyour back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, comfortably near your

buttocks. Rest on your back for a minute or two to release any tension you may feelfrom Eka Pada Sirsasana. Going on to twists and then backbends will help reduceany tightness you may feel in your back and help balance your practice.

The End (Not!)Even though you may have played your edges well and are able to do an "advanced"asana, you have hardly reached the end. Although we sometimes use the term "finalpose" to describe the shape of a particular asana, there are really no final poses.New edges appear, both within Eka Pada Sirsasana and in the expansion ofpossibilities of other asanas. For instance, once you have become more

accomplished in Eka Pada Sirsasana, there are many challenging poses you canwork on that incorporate putting your leg behind your neck.


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Furthermore, assubtleanddifficult asplayingthephysicaledge iswhenpracticingEka PadaSirsasana (or anyasana, forthat

matter), itiscomplicated by thefact thatwe havelots ofdifferentedges:physical,psychological,

emotional,intellectual,energetic,andspiritual.You mayseem tobe playingyourphysical

edge inyourpracticequiteskillfullyand yetbe way offbase withrespect toyourappropriateenergetic

Swami Vishnu-devanandaSaraswati(1927-1993)DemonstratingEkapada

Sirsasanain Rishikesh,Himalayas

InternationalSivananda YogaVedantaCenters
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edge. Isee this insomeoverlyambitiousstudentswho pushthemselvesconstantlyto domoredifficult,demandingposes?an

d moreand morerepetitions of them.They maybeachievingthephysicalmovements of theposes,

but at thesametime theyareirritatingtheirnervoussystemsandcompromising theirmental

andemotionalequilibrium.

I might suggest to such a student that he consider de-emphasizing his physical edgefor a while and refocus his attention on the quality of his breath and his state of mind.This would give him a chance to consolidate his practice and find a more subtleinternal edge, rather than constantly forcing himself further physically. I find thatstudents sometimes strongly resist such a suggestion, either openly or passively. It isoften difficult -- and really quite enlightening -- to realize that playing your edge mayoccasionally mean not doing advanced poses. This realization can have a


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transformative effect on your practice by shifting you away from an acquisitive andperhaps aggressive approach toward a more internally perceptive and holisticattitude. You may become more interested in playing the edges of consciousnessthan performing wowie-zowie advanced poses. Ironically, advanced poses may thencome more readily, like guests who are invited to dinner rather than employees whoare ordered to attend.

Every spiritual tradition employs the art of playing the edge of consciousness; eachhas its own methods and disciplines. Whatever techniques you use, bringing yourselfto your perceived limits is a way to deepen your understanding of who you are andhow you approach the world. And when you rub up against your limits and work toexpand them, you can generate a powerful shift in your consciousness. The alteredstates of consciousness that playing your edges induces can pry you out of stuckplaces and open up creative energies previously unavailable to you. And they canmove you beyond the edges of your small self and bring you into contact with thelimitless, edgeless Beyond.

A longtime student of B.K.S. Iyengar and a certified senior Iyengar teacher, JohnSchumacher directs theUnity Woods Yoga Centerin the greater Washington, D.C.metropolitan area.

SkandasanaSkanda is the name of Kartikeya, theGod of War.

Skanda (Sanskrit) The attacker; a titleof Karttikeya, who killed Taraka, thedeva-daimon.

Encyclopedic Theosophical Glossary

1999 by Theosophical University Press.

Top (and this page's index)The Asana Index

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SkandasanaDemonstrated byDavidSwenson

AuthorizedAshtangaTeacher

AshtangaYoga: ThePracticeManual: AnIllustratedGuide toPersonalPracticebyDavid

Swenson-AshtangaYogaProductions ISBN

1891252089

Skandasana

Demonstrated byAnne NutioAuthorized Ashtanga Teacher

Ashtanga Yoga SchoolHelsinginkatu 1600500 HELSINKITel. 09-8702921

This site is in Finnish.We would provide

Yogi Unknown

(eMailme if youknow the Yogi'sname or can speakFrench to read thesite!)

Centre SamasthittiAshtanga Vinyasa

Yoga

Demonstrated by MikeByron-McKay

New Zeeland School ofYoga60 Broadway,Newmarket, AucklandNew ZeelandTel. (09) 5245432
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891252089/qid=1038085332/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/yogadanceres-20http://www.ashtanga.net/default.asp?s=20000814%2E10%2E6%2E49%2E8315%2EQC%2E4243%2EDF&x_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eashtanga%2Enet%2Fdefault%2Easphttp://www.ashtanga.net/default.asp?s=20000814%2E10%2E6%2E49%2E8315%2EQC%2E4243%2EDF&x_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eashtanga%2Enet%2Fdefault%2Easphttp://www.ashtanga.net/default.asp?s=20000814%2E10%2E6%2E49%2E8315%2EQC%2E4243%2EDF&x_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eashtanga%2Enet%2Fdefault%2Easphttp://www.ashtanga.net/default.asp?s=20000814%2E10%2E6%2E49%2E8315%2EQC%2E4243%2EDF&x_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eashtanga%2Enet%2Fdefault%2Easphttp://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891252089/qid=1038085332/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/yogadanceres-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891252089/qid=1038085332/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/yogadanceres-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891252089/qid=1038085332/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/yogadanceres-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891252089/qid=1038085332/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/yogadanceres-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891252089/qid=1038085332/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/yogadanceres-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891252089/qid=1038085332/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/yogadanceres-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891252089/qid=1038085332/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/yogadanceres-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891252089/qid=1038085332/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/yogadanceres-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891252089/qid=1038085332/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/yogadanceres-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891252089/qid=1038085332/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/yogadanceres-20mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.ashtanga.net/http://www.ashtanga.net/http://www.ashtanga.net/http://www.ashtanga.net/http://www.astanga.fi/http://www.astanga.fi/http://www.astanga.fi/mailto:[email protected]?subject=Skandasana%20Top%20View&body=I%20know%20the%20Yogi%27s%20Name!%20%20It%20is:mailto:[email protected]?subject=Skandasana%20Top%20View&body=I%20know%20the%20Yogi%27s%20Name!%20%20It%20is:mailto:[email protected]?subject=Skandasana%20Top%20View&body=I%20know%20the%20Yogi%27s%20Name!%20%20It%20is:http://www.chez.com/samasthiti/http://www.chez.com/samasthiti/http://www.chez.com/samasthiti/http://www.chez.com/samasthiti/http://www.nzyoga.co.nz/instructors.htmhttp://www.nzyoga.co.nz/instructors.htmhttp://www.nzyoga.co.nz/instructors.htmhttp://www.nzyoga.co.nz/http://www.nzyoga.co.nz/http://www.nzyoga.co.nz/http://www.nzyoga.co.nz/http://www.nzyoga.co.nz/http://www.nzyoga.co.nz/instructors.htmhttp://www.nzyoga.co.nz/instructors.htmhttp://www.chez.com/samasthiti/http://www.chez.com/samasthiti/http://www.chez.com/samasthiti/mailto:[email protected]?subject=Skandasana%20Top%20View&body=I%20know%20the%20Yogi%27s%20Name!%20%20It%20is:http://www.astanga.fi/http://www.ashtanga.net/http://www.ashtanga.net/http://www.ashtanga.net/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891252089/qid=1038085332/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/yogadanceres-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891252089/qid=1038085332/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/yogadanceres-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891252089/qid=1038085332/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/yogadanceres-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891252089/qid=1038085332/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/yogadanceres-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891252089/qid=1038085332/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/yogadanceres-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891252089/qid=1038085332/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/yogadanceres-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891252089/qid=1038085332/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/yogadanceres-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1891252089/qid=1038085332/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/yogadanceres-20http://www.ashtanga.net/default.asp?s=20000814%2E10%2E6%2E49%2E8315%2EQC%2E4243%2EDF&x_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eashtanga%2Enet%2Fdefault%2Easphttp://www.ashtanga.net/default.asp?s=20000814%2E10%2E6%2E49%2E8315%2EQC%2E4243%2EDF&x_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eashtanga%2Enet%2Fdefault%2Easp


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more informationabout this yogi, butwe can't translate it.Pleaseemailus if youcan help!

This site is in Finnish.I would provide moreinformation about thisamazing yogi, but Ican't read it. Pleasevisit her!

Tel/Fax: (33) 01 4407 31 33 oreMail

BhuddasanaBuddha means enlightened.This asana is a continuation ofSkandasana.



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BuddhasanaDemonstrated by B.K.S.Iyengar

Light on Yoga:Yoga Dipikaby B.K.S.Iyengar1966

George Allen& UnwinPublishters,Ltd.;ISBN 0-8052-1031-8

Notice here the raised leg goes underneath the opposite arm, then the bind is takenbehind the back?
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KapilasanaKapila was the name of a greatsage.This asana is a continuation ofBuddhasana.



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Kapila (or Kapila-rishi): A great sage and adept of antiquity who flourished before themiddle of the 6th century BC, considered to be the founder of the Sankhyaphilosophy. These archaic teachers, such as Zoroaster and Hermes, were several in

number, it having been a habit in archaic times for the later heads of a school to usethe name of the school's founder as their own, the name thus becoming in somecases a title.

Kapila is also one of the three secret kumaras who are the progenitors of the truespiritual Self in the physical human being. In many of the old writings Kapila is alsosymbolic of cosmic spirit, or of the individual spiritual self who represents the higheststate reached on earth. Hence the Puranas and the Ramayana relate that Sagara's60,000 sons were reduced to ashes by a mere glance of Kapila's eye. This allegorysymbolizes the personifications of human emotions, both passional and mental,being completely reduced to inactivity by the spiritual wisdom and purity of the sage -- here the personification of wisdom itself.

Kapila is also a primeval sage of the satya yuga who imparted true wisdom to allcreatures

Encyclopedic Theosophical Glossary1999 by Theosophical University Press.
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Kapilas

ana

Demonstrated by Sharath in1999.

Bowing forward from the hipcrease makes changes this asanafrom Buddhasana to Kapilasana.

Demonstrated byJames Bryan

Formerly of Cairns,Australia. Evidently he'srelocated. If you knowhow to contact him,emailme!)

BhairavasanaBhairava means terrible,formidable or gruesome.This is one of the eight aspectsof Shiva.



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BhairavasanaDemonstratedby DenaKingsburgCertified AshtangaTeacher

Recliningchanges thisasana from Eka

Pada SirsasanatoBhairavasana.

Kala Bhairavasana Top (and this page's index)The Asana IndexHome

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Kala Bhairava is Shiva in histerrible or gruesome aspect asDestroyer of the Universe, apersonification of thedestructive principle as Kali.

KalaBhairavasana

Demonstrated bySharath

Photograph by Stacy PlathNew York City 2000

Demonstrated byLouise Ellis

Ashtanga Yoga CenterLouise Ellis, Owner & Director1617 N. College Ave. #5Fayetteville, AR 72703Tel. (479) 313-5336
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ChakorasanaA Chakora is a partridge-likebird, which is said to feed onmoonbeams.


Home


Chakorasana

Demonstrated byMatthewDarling

AuthorizedAshtanga Teacher

Royal YogaLoft108 S. MainStreetRoyal Oak,MI 48067

Tel. 248-582-YOGA

Photographedby JenniferEverland
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ChakorasanaDemonstrated by DavidSwenson

AuthorizedAshtanga Teacher

AshtangaYoga: ThePracticeManual: AnIllustratedGuide toPersonalPracticebyDavidSwenson-

AshtangaYogaProductionsISBN1891252089

Just becauseit'sbeautiful...

DurvasasanaDurvasa was the name of a veryirascible sage whose anger hasbecome proverbial.



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26/30

DurvasasanaDemonstrated byLouise Ellis

Ashtanga Yoga CenterLouise Ellis, Owner & Director1617 N. College Ave. #5Fayetteville, AR 72703Tel. (479) 313-5336

Durvasa's pose (also called cranepose in a few sources) from EastIndian sage, Durvasa, whosupposedly assumed this pose during

his years of penance) To stand onone foot with the other leg lifted infront and placed behind the neck orshoulders.

Parivrtta Eka PadaSirsasanaRevolved, One-Leg (behindthe) Head Pose



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27/30

ParivrttaEka PadaSirsasan

aYogiUnknown

(AlthoughI thinkthis isPatrickBroome ofMunich,eMailmeif youknow the

Yogi'sname!)

Urdhva DurvasasanaDurvasa was the name of a veryirascible sage whose anger hasbecome proverbial. Imagine howmad he'd be to find himselfupside down, on his head!



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This asana is also known as Sirsa Durvasana or Durva on His Head Pose Pose.
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28/30

Urdhva DurvasasanaDemonstrated by Tiffany Viehmann

Absolutely Ashtangacan be found atShanti Yoga907 Howe AvenueSacramento, CA 95825

RuchikasanaRuchika was the name of a sage,the grandfather of BhagavanParasurama, the sixthincarnation of Visnu.



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29/30

Ruchikasana

Demonstrated byB.K.S. Iyengar

Light on Yoga: Yoga Dipikaby B.K.S. Iyengar1966 George Allen & UnwinPublishters, Ltd.;

ISBN 0-8052-1031-8

DemonstratedbyDavid Life

Jivamukti Yoga:Practices forLiberating Body &

Soulby SharonGannon & DavidLife; ISBN 0-345-44208-3

Yogi Unknown

(eMailme if you knowthe Yogi's name!)

Federazione Kriya

YogaBrescia - Via F:lliUgoni 4 - Italy Tel.0039 - 030294947
http://www.bksiyengar.com/http://www.bksiyengar.com/http://www.bksiyengar.com/http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805210318/qid=1013642810/sr=2-1/yogadancerdes-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805210318/qid=1013642810/sr=2-1/yogadancerdes-20http://www.jivamuktiyoga.com/fms/teach/David.htmlhttp://www.jivamuktiyoga.com/fms/teach/David.htmlhttp://www.jivamuktiyoga.com/fms/teach/David.htmlhttp://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345442083/qid=1022944043/ref=sr_11_0_1/yogadancerdes-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345442083/qid=1022944043/ref=sr_11_0_1/yogadancerdes-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345442083/qid=1022944043/ref=sr_11_0_1/yogadancerdes-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345442083/qid=1022944043/ref=sr_11_0_1/yogadancerdes-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345442083/qid=1022944043/ref=sr_11_0_1/yogadancerdes-20mailto:[email protected]?subject=Ruchikasana%204&body=I%20know%20the%20Yogi%27s%20Name!%20%20It%20is:mailto:[email protected]?subject=Ruchikasana%204&body=I%20know%20the%20Yogi%27s%20Name!%20%20It%20is:mailto:[email protected]?subject=Ruchikasana%204&body=I%20know%20the%20Yogi%27s%20Name!%20%20It%20is:http://www.fky.it/http://www.fky.it/http://www.fky.it/http://www.fky.it/http://www.fky.it/mailto:[email protected]?subject=Ruchikasana%204&body=I%20know%20the%20Yogi%27s%20Name!%20%20It%20is:http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345442083/qid=1022944043/ref=sr_11_0_1/yogadancerdes-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345442083/qid=1022944043/ref=sr_11_0_1/yogadancerdes-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345442083/qid=1022944043/ref=sr_11_0_1/yogadancerdes-20http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345442083/qid=1022944043/ref=sr_11_0_1/yogadancerdes-20http://www.jivamuktiyoga.com/fms/teach/David.htmlhttp://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805210318/qid=1013642810/sr=2-1/yogadancerdes-20http://www.bksiyengar.com/


30/30

Utthita Eka Pada SirsasanaLifted One Leg-Behind-the-HeadPose

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Utthita Eka Pada Sirsasana

Demonstrated by Mike Nevitt

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Created on ... May 31, 2002 byYoga Dancer Designs.

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eka pada sirsasana and variations

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