Rajakapotasana
Raja Kapotasana (Sanskrit: कपोतासन; IAST: Rāja Kapotāsana) or King Pigeon Pose[1] is an asana.
Etymology
The name comes from the Sanskrit words "raja" (राज) meaning "king", kapota (कपोत) meaning "pigeon"[1] and asana (आसन) meaning "posture" or "seat".[2]
Description
From a prone position, one leg is brought forward with the knee bent so that the shin crosses under the chest. In the full form of the pose, the chest lifts into a backbend and the back leg is bent, shin vertical and the hands reach back to clutch the foot. Variations Rajakapotasana may have hands and/or back leg on the ground, as well as the chest folded over the front leg.
Benefits
Raja Kapotasana is an asana which helps to open up the chest and also strengthens the back and groin. It opens and increases the flexibility of the hips, at the same time strengthening the back, and stretching the thighs and the groin.
Variations
Variations include:
- Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (एकपादराजकपोतासन) (One-Legged King Pigeon Pose)[3] and
- Salamba Kapotasana (Supported Pigeon Pose).[4]
Gallery
In this variation, one of the feet hooks one of the arms.
See also
References
- 1 2 "Eka Pada Raja Kapotasana - AshtangaYoga.info". Retrieved 2011-04-09.
- ↑ Sinha, S.C. (1 June 1996). Dictionary of Philosophy. Anmol Publications PVT. LTD. p. 18. ISBN 978-81-7041-293-9. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ↑ Kirk, Martin; Boon, Brooke (2006). Hatha yoga illustrated. Human Kinetics. p. 118. ISBN 978-0-7360-6203-9. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ↑ "Supported Pigeon Pose: Salamba Kapotasana :: Yoga.com". Retrieved 2011-04-09.
Further reading
- Iyengar, B. K. S. (1 October 2005). Illustrated Light On Yoga. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-81-7223-606-9. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- Saraswati, Swami Satyananda (1 August 2003). Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha. Nesma Books India. ISBN 978-81-86336-14-4. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- Saraswati, Swami Satyananda (January 2004). A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya. Nesma Books India. ISBN 978-81-85787-08-4. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
