Eight Angle Pose (Sanskrit: Aṣṭāvakrāsana / अष्टावक्रासन)
Astavakrasana (Aṣṭāvakrāsana) is a challenging arm balancing pose that works on your core strength, mental focus, flexibility, and endurance power. In Sanskrit, ‘asta’ means eight and ‘vakra’ means deformed or bent. So, the word ‘astavakra’ literally means ‘deformed at eight places’. This pose is named after Astavakra, the spiritual guru of King Janaka of Mithila (father of Sita).
According to Hindu mythology, when Astavakra was still in his mother’s womb, his father Kagola made a number of mistakes while quoting from the Vedas. Upon hearing the mistakes, the unborn child was amused and he started laughing. Kagola got angry and in a fit of rage, he cursed his son to be born deformed at eight places. In spite of being crooked, Astavakra became a celebrated guru of his time.
Instructions for Doing the Eight Angle Pose
This asana needs to be practiced in two stages –
Stage 1
- Stand while maintaining an 18-inch distance between your two feet.
- Bend your knees and place your right palm on the floor in the middle of your feet and rest your left palm on the floor next to your left foot.
- Now, place your right leg over your right arm in a way that the back of your right thigh rests on the back of your right arm. Extend your left leg forward between your arms while shifting your body weight to your right arm.
- With an exhalation, lift both your legs off the floor, interlocking them by resting your left foot upon your right foot at the ankles.
- Extend your legs sideways towards the right side. Your right arm should be clasped between your thighs. You can keep your right elbow a little bent while your left elbow should be straight. Find your balance in this position. Breathe normally, without any jerks.
Stage 2
- Now, with an exhalation, bend your elbows and lean your torso and head forward to bring them parallel to the floor. Hold the pose for 30 to 60 seconds.
- In order to release the pose, inhale and straighten your arms while raising your torso back up. Uncross your legs and bring them back to the floor, gently.
- Repeat all the steps with the other side now.
Benefits of Doing Astavakrasana
- This asana stretches and strengthens your wrists, biceps, triceps, back muscles, shoulders, abdomen, glutes, hamstrings, and calves.
- Astavakrasana is a balancing pose that builds endurance and strength in the body. Mastering this pose gives you the confidence to attempt other advanced balancing poses.
- This pose stimulates your abdominal and reproductive organs improving digestion and boosting your reproductive health.
- Mastering this asana requires not just physical capabilities, but also, mental stability. Thus, it enhances your mind-body coordination.
Precautions
- If you have high BP or any other heart ailment, do not practice this asana.
- Also, avoid this asana if you have a back, shoulder, wrist, elbow, or knee injury.
- Pregnant women should also avoid this pose since it puts a lot of pressure on the abdominal area.
- If you have carpal tunnel syndrome or vertigo, either skip this pose or practice under expert guidance.