Pose Example

This is me practicing Garudasana.

This is Diane, a yoga instructor, practicing Garudasana.

http://www.givingyoga.org/id3.html

Music

All rights go the creator of the song. I do not own any of this material.

Garudasana - Eagle Pose

A rough english translation of Garudasana is "Eagle Pose". The meaning comes from the god Garuda, who was the king of birds. When Garuda was born, he had an insatiable hunger. His father sent him to a place where he could feed. However, he warned Garuda that he shouldn't eat the Brahmins, members of the priestly class in Hinduism society. Even after that place he was still hungry. His father then sent him to the ocean where he found a tortoise and an elephant fighting. He tried to stop them from fighting so he took them to a nearby tree and perched on a branch. The branch proceeded to break. Vishnu saw Garuda and asked him what he was doing. Garuda said that no branches could hold his weight. Vishnu stuck his arm out and allowed Garuda to sit. His arm didn't tremble. He then allowed Garuda to eat from the flesh of his arm. No wound formed. Garuda bowed to Vishnu and became friends from then on. Garuda acts as a bridge from the gods to men. In many Indian stories Vishnu rides on Garuda.

Step by Step

1. Start off in Tadasana.

2. Lift up your left foot and put that thigh over your right thigh.

3. Bend your elbows at a 90 degree angle and cross them such that the right elbow joint is above the left one.

4. Press your palms together and raise them so that your forearms are perpendicular to the floor.

5. Hold the pose for 15-30 seconds depending on your needs.

6. Unwind legs first and assume a strong foundation and then unwind your arms.

*Throughout the posture make sure that your back is straight and shoulders moved into your spine.

Benefits

The benefits of the posture focus around the lower body and spine. In all poses, the spine is stretched one way or another and this is also the case in Garudasana. The pose also works your ability to balance because while you are in the pose you must rely on only one of your feet.

Awareness

The shoulder area feels spaced apart due to the intertwining of the arms. I'm personally can't balance that well so sometimes I feel myself tilting to one side more than the other. A lot of the muscular effort in the pose is focused in the waist and below. The legs keep you upright while the waist balances the upper body.

References

http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/785 - Garudasana

http://www.sanatansociety.org/hindu_gods_and_goddesses/garuda.htm - Garuda

http://www.givingyoga.org/id3.html - About the Instructors