sivasakti.net - Garudasana

G A R U D A S A N A

ETYMOLOGY: in Sanskrit, GARUDA means eagle, and consequently, GARUDASANA may be translated as "the pose of the eagle".

GUIDELINES: GARUDASANA is a pose that grants mental equilibrium to the practitioner as well as better mental focus.

EXECUTION AND SUBTLE ENERGY EFFECTS:
In order to practice hatha yoga you need to have experienced supervision; also, being part of a yoga practice group helps. Some asanas have medical counter indications - we urge you not to consider this site a guide to the practice of hatah yoga. We chose not to publish this information on the sivasakti.net website; you can find it in the yoga classes organized by our school.

BENEFICIAL EFFECTS:

This asana is recommended for preventing the occurrence of muscular cramps and pain in the clamps.
It also cures pain and arthritis of the joints.
The muscles of the ankles, shanks, knees and thighs are strengthened.
The sensations of rigidity of the shoulders are rapidly eliminated.
This asana is of great help for people who walk or stand most of the day, as it swiftly casts away any feelings of tiredness.

Men experiencing testicle dilatation should slightly bend their trunk towards the front, while performing it.

There is also a variant of this pose, for people who are not able to perform it as such.

THE LEFT SIDE:
Stand on your feet, soles slightly spread and parallel. Bend your right leg, placing the entire surface of your sole on the inner side of the thigh, as high as possible. Then bring your hands together, as in prayer, pressing them together.

Maintain your balance, supporting your weight on the left foot only; eyes open, looking to a spot placed approximately at the level of the forehead, in front of you. Keep the spine straight while you perform this asana.

THE RIGHT SIDE:
Stand on your feet, soles slightly spread and parallel. Bend your left leg, placing the entire surface of your sole on the inner side of the thigh, as high as possible. Then bring your hands together, as in prayer, pressing them together.

Maintain your balance, supporting your weight on the right foot only; eyes open, looking to a spot placed approximately at the level of the forehead, in front of you. Keep the spine straight while you perform this asana.

The focus is exactly as explained above, trying to perceive exactly the same as in the case of Garudasana. The beneficial effects of this variant are the same, yet not as powerful as those of Garudasana.