Posts Tagged ‘Baddha Padmasana’

Gherandasana II (Pose Dedicated to the Sage, Gheranda, II)

Tuesday, May 17th, 2011

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: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Gherandasana II | 5 Comments »

Child’s Play in Supta Vajrasana (Reclining Thunderbolt Pose)

Sunday, June 13th, 2010

Supta Vajrasana (Reclining Thunderbolt Pose) registers as 12* on the scale of difficulty. Iyengar introduce the pose by explaining that, “This is a difficult asana and requires great practice.”

To set up for this pose, begin in Baddha Padmasana, then lift your thighs up and rest the backs of your arms on the ground behind you. Keep your fingers clasping your toes and release your legs back down toward the floor.

As you can see, I can’t maintain the bind and also rest my legs back down on the ground. But, just as in Baddha Padmasana, it’s important not to get too caught up in the bind. As Iyengar said, the full pose may only come to you after great practice. In the meantime, as you explore the asana, enjoy the benefits of the pose: the opening of your hips and your chest, the stretch of your neck (and the resulting positive impact on your thyroid glands).

Iyengar says, “Once this pose is mastered, Matsyasana will appear to be child’s play.” But, perhaps we can adopt a different perspective. May all the poses be child’s play – the exploration of the asanas from your own starting point, the wonderous beauty of the body, and the bliss of letting your heart guide your practice.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Asanas, Baddha Padmasana, Supta Vajrasana | No Comments »

Increasing the Effects of Bound Lotus in Yoga Mudrasana (Yoga Mudra)

Sunday, June 13th, 2010

“This asana is especially beneficial in awakening Kundalini… Yoga Mudrasana intensifies the peristaltic activity [of Baddha Padmasana] and pushes down the accumulated waste matter in the colon and thereby relieves constipation and increases digestive power.” BKS Iyengar Light on Yoga

Yoga Mudrasana registers as 6* on the 60* scale of difficulty.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Yoga Mudrasana | No Comments »

Caught Up in Baddha Padmasana (Bound Lotus Pose)

Friday, June 11th, 2010

Baddha Padmasana (Bound Lotus Pose) registers as 6* on the scale of difficulty. Iyengar explains, “Baddha means caught, restrained. In this position the hands are crossed at the back and the big toes are caught from behind. The body is caught between the crossed legs in front and the crossed hands behind, hence the name.”

When practicing this pose, it’s easy to get caught up – even in the process of reaching the bind. Binding in Baddha Padmasana is challenging since it requires deep chest and shoulder opening. Iyengar provides a great hint on how to move toward the bind: “If the toes are difficult to catch stretch the shoulders back, so that the shoulder-blades are brought near each other. A little practice in swinging the arms back with an exhalation will enable one to catch the big toes.”

If you find your fingers and toes won’t meet, reach your fingers as close to your toes as you can. You will still enjoy the deep chest and shoulder opening of the asana without fully embracing the bind. Rather than getting caught up in the goal of a deep bind, get caught up in the beauty of your heart opening toward love.


Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Asanas, Baddha Padmasana, Padmasana | 2 Comments »