Posts Tagged ‘Ganda Bherundasana’

Viparita Salabhasana (Reverse Locust Pose)

Saturday, May 21st, 2011

Viparita Salabhasana (Reverse Locust Pose) registers as 58* on BKS Iyengar’s 60* scale of difficulty in Light on Yoga.

BKS Iyengar explains that Viparita Salabhasana is more intense than Ganda Bherundasana. So, unless you’re feeling comfortable in Ganda Bherundasana, Viparita Salabhasana should probably remain unexplored.

Personally, I’m no where near ready for Viparita Salabhasana yet! Even the preparations for Ganda Bherundasana test my limits, so I choose not to explore this more advanced pose. If you feel ready for this pose, I invite you to seek the guidance of your most experienced teacher.

If, like me, you’re not ready for Viparita Salabhasana, continue to enjoy your practice where it is today. There’s no rush to “achieve” a pose. Embrace your practice as it is today.

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Ganda Bherundasana (Formidable Face Pose)

Friday, May 20th, 2011

Ganda Bherundasana (Formidable Face Pose) registers as 56* on BKS Iyengar’s 60* scale of difficulty in Light on Yoga.

Ganda Bherundasana is one of the most challenging poses I’ve attempted. In the full version of the pose, only your chin, neck and upper ribs are touching the blanket under you. This pose is incredibly intense – on your throat, your neck, your back and your arms. If you’re interested in working on this pose, I’d highly recommend that you do so under the guidance of a very experienced teacher who can also assist you as need be.

Today, I’m not comfortable working on Ganda Bherundasana by myself. So I focus on the preparations for the pose: breathing comfortably with my chin and neck pressed against the floor, lifting one leg at a time to explore the idea of balancing.This is already plenty of work!

Often, preparing for a very advanced pose is a challenge in and of itself. The physical and mental preparation for Ganda Bherundasana is intense and rewarding in its own right – regardless of whether or not you ever take the full pose.

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