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.