Yoga BLOG

Eka Hasta Bhujasana: the elephant trunk pose

by Nick on Feb 10 2018
Eka Hasta Bhujasana: the elephant trunk pose Some yoga poses seem to completely defy the laws of gravity, thus exerting a very special kind of fascination on the observer. Eka Hasta Bhujasana is certainly one of them. The "one leg over arm pose" conveys a feeling of weightlessness and practically motivates you to learn and imitate this pose. Here you will learn how to perform Eka Hasta Bhujasana correctly and what effects this asana has on body, mind, and soul. The name is (exercise) program Like many other names for yoga asanas, the name Eka Hasta Bhujasana comes from Sanskrit and already gives us a clear clue as to what the pose looks like. "Eka" means "one," "hasta" means "hand," "bhuja" is the word for "arm," and the term "asana" for "exercise" is surely familiar to you from your yoga practice. It is therefore an exercise in which the leg is positioned over the arm or hand. The weightlessness created by supporting yourself from the seated position places this exercise in the category of arm balances. In addition to Eka Hasta Bhujasana, the body-oriented name, this asana has another particularly endearing name in yoga. You're probably familiar with the tendency for poses in yoga to be named after animals. This arm balance is also often called "Elephant's Trunk," and if you look at this exercise in pictures or videos, you'll immediately see why. Get into the elephant trunk position You sit on your mat and consciously ground yourself through your sitting bones. Then you grasp the foot of one leg and pull it back with a bent leg. You will immediately feel the result: a wide opening of the hips on that side. Then you sink your arm under the raised leg and rest your upper arm in the back of your knee. For further stability in this asana, it is important that the back of your knee presses on the arm and that the hand on the same side is firmly grounded to the floor. You also ground the leg that is on the floor by pressing your heel into the mat and pulling the leg towards the hip joint. Now you can push off from the surface with both hands placed on the floor next to your hips and remain hovering above the floor for a while. Prepare well for Eka Hasta Bhujasana The Elephant Trunk pose requires two things from you: strength in your hands and arms, and the ability to open your hips wide. Yoga offers a diverse range of exercises to effectively improve both of these abilities. For example, you can practice hip opening in Camel Pose , Pigeon Pose, or Happy Baby Pose. You can improve hand and arm strength in Downward-Facing Dog or Crow Pose , which also introduces you to balance exercises. Holistic effect on body, mind and soul Eka Hasta Bhujasana is particularly notable for its noticeable hip opening and mobilizes your hip joints. It also strengthens the muscles in your arms and shoulders. However, you're essentially strengthening your entire core muscles, especially your abdominals, because a yoga balance exercise always starts from a strong core. Mentally and emotionally, you'll enjoy the weightlessness of the pose. This can positively influence unpleasant feelings like anxiety or stress. Even in conflicts with others, or perhaps even with yourself, the sensation of weightlessness combined with the loosening of your hips will bring you greater well-being. Therefore, always hold Eka Hasta Bhujasana for a few breaths. Note contraindications If you suffer from hip problems or arthritis in your fingers, there are valuable alternatives to Eka Hasta Bhujasana. Your yoga teachers will be happy to recommend them! Image © fizkes / 123rf.com