Gherandasana II (Pose Dedicated to the Sage, Gheranda, II) registers as 46* on BKS Iyengar’s 60* scale of difficulty in Light on Yoga.
As if Gherandasana I wasn’t mind-boggling enough, Gherandasana II takes it one step further. One side of your body is in Padangusthasana Dhanurasana while the other side is in Baddha Padmasana.
Your first question might be, “How on earth do you begin to get into this pose?!” A fair question, indeed! Start in a seated position and bring your right leg into Padmasana. Then, lie on your back and roll over onto your belly. Now reach back with your right arm for your right toes. Then, bend your left knee and grab your left foot. If Padangusthasana Dhanurasana is in your practice, you’ll rotate your left elbow so that it’s facing outward. If you’re more comfortable in Dhanurasana, take the typical Dhanurasana hand placement.
Be careful working on this pose! Only when you feel comfortable in Baddha Padmasana with your belly on the floor should you begin taking the next step into the backbend. And, then, of course, honor your edge exploring the Padangusthasana Dhanurasana side. This pose is complex and advanced, so exercise your best judgment!
Any other yogis out there that have tried this pose and have tips to offer?
Tags: backbending yoga poses, backbends, Baddha Padmasana, BKS Iyengar, Dhanurasana, Gherandasana I, Gherandasana II, Light on Yoga, Padangusthasana Dhanurasana, yoga backbends
Hi, I notice you have a difficulty rating associated with each pose. Is this something that is specific to Iyengar style? I take Anusara classes.
Hi Rainee,
To the best of my knowledge, this isn’t specific to Iyengar Yoga. In his description of each pose in Light on Yoga, BKS Iyengar offers a difficulty rating. I only state it in the blog to help readers assess whether or not this pose feels appropriate for them at this time in their practice.
I practice Anusara, too! The inspiration for this project didn’t stem from a background in Iyengar Yoga. It bloomed from my interest in exploring different sides of my practice – different poses each day.
Hope you enjoy the blog! Please comment away!
Love,
Kat
Hi Kat, Thanks for indulging a newbie question! It is very inspiring to see you demonstrate all these poses. I am currently working on pigeon pose IV and handstands. Pigeon pose continues to elude me. I am going to have to try your trick of using blocks to prop myself up.
Rainee
You bet! Pigeon IV eludes me, too… except with props
If you feel comfortable in handstand against the wall, I really recommend working on timed handstands against the wall to help strengthen your handstanding! Start with 15 seconds, then work up to 30, then a minute!
Best of luck to you in your practice!
Gherandasana II was one of the last backbends I was able to master. What I would suggest for where you’re at is using a strap with a large loop to replicate padangushta grip so you may get the feeling of what the full pose looks like. Then when you’ve successfully mastered Padangustha Dhanurasana without straps, try Gherandasana by beginning in Arda Badha Padmotanasana. Then lay on your side keeping the bind. On your side, bend the extended leg and take Padangustha grip. Then, the trickiest part is when you start to flip on your belly, you must pull the leg in as you make the turn without loosing the bind and blowing out your shoulder… GOod luck and enjoy this one.