Garudasana or Eagle Pose is both a balance asana and one that can help loosen your joints. Since you are physically wrapping the left and right side of your body you are also creating balance between the right and left hemispheres of your brain. Breath throughout and try putting the tip of your tongue on your upper palate.Procedure For Doing Garudasana or Eagle Pose
- Stand straight, your hands pressed together in prayer position.
- Bend your knees slightly. Lift your left foot, and wrap your left leg over your right. Your left shin should wrap around your right calf, with your toes pointed to the floor. Maintain your balance on your right foot.
- Stretch your arms straight out in front of you. Cross your right arm over your left, and bend your elbows so that your forearms are both perpendicular to the floor.
- From this position, wrap your forearms around each other, and press your palms together as much as you can. At this point, you may begin to feel slightly like a pretzel, but focus on keeping your balance on your right leg. Try to keep your body steady and stable.
- Lift your elbows up, stretching your fingers toward the ceiling.
- Maintain the pose for a few breaths (15 to 30 seconds), then unwind your arms and your legs. Return to Step 1. Repeat for the opposite side.
Benefits of Garudasana or Eagle Pose
'Garuda' means eagle and 'asana' means pose. Garuda known as king birds also happen to be the vehicle of Vishnu. Even though most of the yoga poses aims towards balance and tranquility, by the look of the asana it will be more visible. This asana would help in loosening up your joints. Stretching your muscles would help in making all the parts of your body more fit.
While doing the asana sense of balance would be achieved as you are standing on one foot. It would look similar to you being wrapped by yourself. As this is a standing pose many beginners do not happen to find the right balance, for this they can use the wall to support the back. This can be done with different variations and can be very challenging. You should consult your doctor before doing any of the yoga poses. Even though these are very beneficial it would depend upon your body whether you can manage these asanas.
Even though this may look like a difficult asana but by regularly doing it you may master it and would be able to reap its benefits. The key for all the asanas is that you have to remain in that pose for at least 15 to 30 seconds which would be more beneficial for you. The key areas which this asana focuses are the ankles, calves, thighs, hips and shoulders.
The benefit which you can get from this asana is the strengthening and stretching of you ankles and calves. These areas which may be neglected would be treated well by this asana. The stretch would help your thighs, hips, shoulders and upper back. The pull which is created in this asana would help making you more relaxed. So when you are relaxed the level of concentration also improves as you are also keeping a check on your breathing while doing this exercise. There is balance all over your mind body and soul which keeps you always in check for the better things in life.
