This pose is named after Ashtavakra who was born with eight (ashta) bends (vakra) in his body. The legend goes that while in the womb he laughed at his father’s pronunciation of the Vedic texts. The father cursed the son for laughing and the child was born crippled.
Sage Ashtavakra went on to become a great scholar.
The asana named after him is a strong arm balancing pose that takes some time for most of us to master. For yogis who are weaker in the upper body, strength building poses like chaturanga dandasana are great preparatory moves. Those who need more core strength can add navasana, vasisthasana and other core-strengthening poses into their practice. Focus on mula and uddiyana bandhas builds awareness in the core, and can help you access the strength of the bandhas when needed.
Tighter yogis will need to work with hip, back and hamstring openers to help get the legs closer to the shoulder, which helps lock you into the asana.
These deeper strength and balancing poses take some commitment to attain but the payoff isn’t just the asana; it’s really the more subtle benefits that are lasting and can be applied in your daily life: steadiness of thought, increased focus, ability to keep breathing through uncomfortable situations, the simple joy in sticking with a plan and attaining something that may have seemed out of reach at times.
This week we’re including a video to help you find your way into the pose with ease and grace. Tania will show you how.
Remember—lightness and self acceptance when approaching these types of tough poses can make the journey a pleasure instead of a pain.
Breathe in, smile, breathe out and take flight.
As usual, download the pdf of this tip sheet at the bottom of this post.
asana name
- ashta = eight
- vakra = knot, bend, deformity
- asana = seat
benefits
- Improves balance and coordination
- Teaches you how to overcome challenges
- Strengthens wrists, back, core, legs and arms.
contraindications
- Shoulder, arm or wrist injury
preparations and modifications
- Eka hasta bhujasana (elephant trunk pose)
- Open shoulders, hips, back and hamstrings to prepare for the pose.
- Rest bottom hip and leg on bolster.
- Leave seat on mat, torso upright and squeeze legs together and straighten.
attitude
- Joyfulness, as you tie yourself in a knot and defy gravity.
What you can do next
- Leave us a comment…are you a fan of these kinds of crazy arm balances? Share below!
- Grab your free asana tip sheet by clicking the button below.
Thanks. Nice to have a proper preparation for this pose. Get some tension issues when I lift the straight leg from the ground. I am getting to practice. Already hearing thing pop in my back, feels greet.
I’m hoping that’s a good pop, AgLaja…but you said it feels great. Just remember to go slowly if this is a new pose for you.
Thanks for the feedback! ~ namaste
Great pose for the new year to assist is “overcoming challenges.” Perfect timing, thank you!
Jai Ganesh, Tarah! May this be a year of fewer challenges for us all. 🙂 Or at least lots of good friends and good poses beside us along the way.
Thanks….you made what seemed to be an inaccessible pose a possibility!!!
Oh good, Marybeth! Tania is off teaching right now but I’ll be sure she gets your comment. She’ll be thrilled to have helped!
~ Have a fantastic day 🙂
Love all your wonderful and helpful hints but am having difficulty when it comes to printing out the page. It used to be I could print out a page and it would have all the basic info plus the great photo. Now when I click on the “Button” I just get bounced back to the page where I have to sign in again? If I click on “print” I get five pages of the whole posting with way too much extra stuff. Don’t know what to do but have found the individual pages a real boon to take out and place on the floor as I practice. Thanks so much for all you do. Namaste and Blessings!
Aloha! Thanks for your question…yes, printing this article is very humbug so that’s why we created the tip sheets! I’m glad they’ve been helpful for you. Yes, when you click the button you are asked to sign in again (don’t worry, you won’t get multiple copies of our emails) but then it will take you to the page with ALL the free goodies and tip sheets. You can bookmark that page and go directly to it in the future. But for your convenience, I’ll send you the direct link via email, k? ~ Mahalo!