Yoga BLOG

Astavakrasana: floating with the eight angles If you browse yoga magazines or read online yoga articles, this is a pose you'll often spot in the accompanying images: Astavakrasana seems to completely defy the laws of gravity and therefore exerts something utterly fascinating on us. The practitioner stands on their two hands, which are firmly grounded in the floor. Both legs float stretched out to the side, parallel to the floor, one above and the other below the same shoulder. How does that work? This question inevitably arises when the viewer gazes at the pose, incredulous and amazed. Here you'll learn how to learn Astavakrasana and what effects this beautifully aesthetic asana has to offer. From Ashtanga As you can easily see, Astavakrasana is one of the arm balances. The Sanskrit name, as is often the case, illustrates what a yoga pose is all about. "Asta" means "eight," and "vakra" means "angle" or "bend." The exercise is a pose for advanced practitioners and is classified as Ashtanga Yoga . Holistic exercise If you want to practice Astavakrasana, the most important thing is to block out thoughts of physical and mental weaknesses. Doubts about the strength of your arms, your ability to maintain balance, or simply the thought "that's impossible" are misplaced. For this exercise, as in life, you need confidence. If we believe in our abilities and have self-confidence, we can achieve a lot in our daily lives and at work. This is precisely the message this asana is intended to convey to you. So get to work! Your path to Astavakrasana You begin in Stick Pose (Dandasana) , which is an upright seated position with your legs stretched out. Pull your right knee close to your chest. Press both palms firmly into the floor, with your right shoulder placed in front of your right leg. Your thigh rests against the back of your upper arm. Pull your shoulder blades together and tighten your core. Using the strength in your hands, push yourself off the floor and lift your hips and legs. Move your left leg to the right so that it hovers over your right leg. Now bend forward to create a 90-degree angle in your elbows. Both legs are strong and press against your arm from above and below, respectively. Hold the pose and then repeat on the other side. The effects of Astavakrasana The main message of the exercise has already been mentioned: Have the courage to make the seemingly impossible possible, and trust yourself! Mentally, the eight-angle asana can help you reduce anxiety and stress, as well as strengthen your concentration and both your inner and outer balance. Physically, you primarily train the strength in your wrists and shoulders. You also tone the abdominal muscles. This exercise can help alleviate discomfort during menstruation or during menopause . Furthermore, you maintain a harmonious connection between mind and body, supported by your conscious breathing. This exercise allows you to grow a little bit at a time. Preparing for your path to Astavakrasana Good preparatory exercises for the eight-angle arm balance in yoga are the forward bend in Uttanasana , the hip opening of Baddha Konasana , or the strength you experience in Chaturanga . You can also practice balance well in the Crow Pose Bakasana. You can also support yourself with bolsters under your hips and outer leg during your first attempts at Astavakrasana. Your yoga teachers know other ways to support yourself, so the path to this asana may be quicker than you think. Note: If you have shoulder or wrist problems, you should incorporate alternative asanas into your yoga practice! Image © milkos / 123rf.com