Category: Hip Opener

Story behind the pose: Kapotasana

9/13/2017

In Sanskrit, kapota means “pigeon,” and asana means “pose.” So when you literally translate the word kapotasana, it means pigeon pose. It seems like a pretty accurate description of the pose, especially when you see kapotasana (pigeon) and eka pada rajakapotasana (one foot king pigeon pose). However, did you know the pose is actually named after the revered sage (yogi) Kapota?

Who Was Kapota?
Stories about Kapota appear in the Mahabharata and the Kalika Purana and detail his great accomplishments as a yogi. According to the Mahabharata, Kapota had no match In power, vigor, strength, vitality, and agility, "When he walked, it seemed his soul was several feet ahead of his body—he moved as though not touching the ground." Because of his ability, people called him the son of Garuda. You remember from an earlier post, Garuda is the mighty bird-god and the one the pose garudasana is named after.

Kapota's beauty and virility were well-known. Even Chitrangada, the daughter of a celestial nymph (Urvashi) was not immune and when he commanded her to marry him she could not resist. Plus, it was rumored that even the sons of Shiva--Bhairava and Vetal— sought guidance from Kapota because of his clear and perfect intuitive wisdom. In fact, he is believed to still be living. Legend says he visits the famous cave shrine of Amarnath in Kashmir once a year.

So, who knows, maybe if you practice kapotasana with steadiness and dedication, maybe you will reap some of the same level of accomplishment as the sage Kapota!

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (One Foot King Pigeon)

Kapotasana (Pigeon)

***DISCLAIMER***
Do not attempt any of these poses without the aid and supervision of a well-trained yoga instructor. Please be sure to consult a medical practitioner before starting any new exercise regime. This is particularly important if you are overweight, pregnant, nursing, regularly taking medications, or have any existing medical conditions. The information contained in this website may not be tailored to your current physical and mental health. Rock Climbing Yogi and Ann Seibert accept no liability whatsoever for any damages arising from the use of this website. As with any workout or yoga class, be sure to warm up properly and cool down afterward to avoid injury.

Icons edited and created from source artwork made by Roundicons from www.flaticon.com is licensed by CC 3.0 BY

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Wednesday Workout: Marichyasana

8/16/2017

Benefits of Marichyasana

Calms the mind and body
It stretches the shoulders
Massages the internal organs
Improves digestion
Opens hips, pelvis, chest & shoulders
Relieves mild backache and hip pain

This week our peak pose was Marichyasana. This pose, named after the sage, Marichi, is a deep twisting, folding and opening seated position. It requires flexibility in a number of muscle groups including: hip flexors, hamstrings, gluteal, and calf. All the folding and twisting of this asana helps to keep the spinal muscles mobile as well as squeezes and flushes the internal organs with new oxygenated blood. Just be sure to be warmed up and careful with these poses. Never force yourself into a pose—that's a great way to severely injure yourself. This entire flow sequence is designed to help prepare our bodies for marichyasana. So, if your goal is to achieve this pose with ease, try working on this sequence at home, Enjoy yogis!
Namaste.
- Ann

Preparing for Marichyasana
If you're anything like me, you need to prepare your body for any of the Marichyasana poses. Here are just a few of many poses out there that may help prepare your body for this challenging pose.

Siddhasana (accomplished pose) or Sukhasana (easy pose)
Supta Baddha Konasana (reclining bound angle)
Supta Padangusthasana (reclined hand to foot pose)
Uttanasana (standing forward fold)
Baddha Konasana (bound angle pose)
Janu Sirsasana (head to knee forward fold)
Utthita Parsvakonasana (extended side angle)
Virasana (hero pose)
Supta Virasana (reclined hero pose)
Triang Mukha Eka Pada Pachimottanasana (Three limbs facing one foot westward stretching pose)
Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana (half bound lotus westward stretching pose)

Once you've had a chance to warm up, then try moving into one of the "beginning level" Marichyasana poses.

***DISCLAIMER***
You should consult a medical practitioner before starting any new exercise regime. This is particularly important if you are overweight, pregnant, nursing, regularly taking medications, or have any existing medical conditions. The information contained in this website may not be tailored to your current physical and mental health. I accept no liability whatsoever for any damages arising from the use of this website. As with any workout or yoga class, be sure to warm up properly and cool down afterward to avoid injury.

Icons edited and created from source artwork made by Roundicons from www.flaticon.com is licensed by CC 3.0 BY

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Wednesday Workout: Fledgling Flow

7/19/2017

utthita hasta padangusthasana
(extended hand-to-foot)

This sequence...is perfect for beginner level yogis. If you've practiced yoga in the past and are looking for a progression to help motivate you after a long hiatus away from your practice, this may be exactly what you're looking to use.

Fledgling Flow works on opening up hips, hip flexors, hamstrings, shoulders, and back. It aims to help strengthen the core and to improve your overall balance. In general, it should be an easy flowing sequence to help you work all areas of the body.

So, if you want to work on this sequence at home, I've worked up this cheat sheet for you to bookmark, save or download. Enjoy yogis!
Namaste.
- Ann