Yoga BLOG

Supta Konasana: new perspectives in the lying angle Anyone who practices yoga quickly realizes that among the numerous asanas, there are also a whole range of inversions. These have different effects on the body, but sometimes even more so on your mind and soul. Worries and fears often arise precisely when our minds are going around in circles and we're stuck in our old thought and behavior patterns. With a kind of tunnel vision, we see ourselves and our surroundings only in a very limited way. A way out seems impossible. With inversions, yoga helps us turn our world upside down in a positive sense and gain a different, often valuable and helpful perspective on things. One of these poses is Supta Konasana, the Reclining Angle Pose. Asana from Ashtanga Yoga The term Supta Konasana comes from Sanskrit. "Supta" means "lying" or "sleeping," and "kona" translates as "angle." You'll find this pose in the Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga . The reclining angle pose is a variation of the plow pose (Halasana) . As in the plow pose, the yogi lies with only the shoulders on the mat and has raised their legs above their head to the floor. However, unlike the closed legs in the plow pose, in Supta Konasana the legs are spread wide, forming an angle. The arms are also behind the head. The thumb and index finger grasp the big toe on the same side of the body. Valuable effects With the reclining angle pose, you enter a posture that has a holistic effect on the balance of body, mind, and soul. First, this asana stretches the often shortened muscles on the back of your legs and your lower back. Your core muscles are strengthened, creating a stable center. It can also gently stimulate your thyroid, thus enhancing its function. Supta Konasana also activates your throat chakra , which is responsible, among other things, for your ability to communicate. If you sometimes find yourself at a loss for words when faced with certain situations or events, the reclining angle pose is ideal: relaxing and energizing at the same time, you can rediscover your language and express yourself as you need. Getting into Supta Konasana correctly Begin in Dandasana (Stick Pose) , sitting on your mat with your legs stretched and your back straight. Now, engage your core muscles in your stomach and back and gently roll back as you exhale. The pressure of your palms on the floor can help. Spread your legs behind your head, grasp your big toes with your first two fingers, and gently place them on the floor. Immerse yourself completely in this unfamiliar pose and take at least three to five full breaths. An alternative is to spread your legs while sitting and clasp your toes. Then, from this position, roll into a lying angle. This approach is a bit more difficult, as you don't have the support of your arms when rolling back, and you have to draw most of your strength from well-trained abdominal muscles. Helpful ways to the lying angle Not every yogi can master this Ashtanga Yoga pose right away. But that's okay, because you can approach the position step by step, according to your abilities. If you lack the flexibility to grasp the straight and bent legs in the inverted pose, you can practice this position while sitting until you have achieved the necessary flexibility. However, you may find the unfamiliar inverted pose too uncomfortable at first. You can help yourself here by placing your feet against a wall after rolling back into Supta Konasana, or simply on the sofa at home. Over time, you will be able to become more involved in this restorative asana and gradually move your legs deeper. Image © byheaven / 123rf.com