Posts Tagged ‘Padmasana’

Surprising Seated Poses: Vamadevasana II (Pose Dedicated to the Sage, Vamadeva II)

Thursday, March 10th, 2011

Vamadevasana II (Pose dedicated to the sage, Vamadeva II) registers as 15* on BKS Iyengar’s 60* scale of difficulty.

Vamadevasana II is an intense stretch for your hips, your knees and your feet. If Padmasana, Bharadvajasana and Vamadevasana I aren’t comfortable for you, Vamadevasana II may be too strenuous. But, if each of those poses feels comfortable, then Vamadevasana II may feel delicious! Despite the contorted appearance of the pose, I think Vamadevasana II feels great on my knees and hips once I’m ready for it.

Throughout this project to do all the poses in Light on Yoga, I’ve discovered many new poses that, while seemingly difficult, I find rather enjoyable. Which poses have surprised you with their juiciness, despite the way they look?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Halfway There: Urdhva Padmasana in Sarvangasana (Upward Lotus in Shoulderstand)

Saturday, September 18th, 2010

Urdhva Padmasana in Sarvangasana (Upward Lotus in Shoulderstand) registers as 4* on the scale of difficulty.

I can’t think of a more appropriate pose to mark the halfway point in my project to attempt all poses in BKS Iyengar’s Light on Yoga. Urdhva Padmasana in Sarvangasana not only combines the learnings of a great number of poses covered thus far in the project (Padmasana, Salamba Sarvangasana I, and Urdhva Padmasana in Sirsasana, to name a few); it also carries with it the symbolism of the lotus – so relevant to the midpoint in this journey.

As I mentioned in my post on Urdhva Padmasana in Sirsasana, our greatest experiences on our mats bloom from the mud of the challenges we face in our practice. Like a lotus rising from murky waters, we flourish when fed by experiences that put us to the test – mentally, physically, or emotionally.

The countless challenges of this project have tested and strengthened me as a teacher, a student, and a person. Poses I find difficult or near impossible help me learn to leave my ego off the mat. The daunting task of writing about 200 poses teaches me the value of diligence and patience. Examining asanas I once considered mundane sheds fresh, new light on familiar poses. Each day that I open up Light on Yoga and begin exploring the next pose, I learn something about myself and my practice.

The project is only halfway complete and some of the most physically challenging poses await. No doubt, I will find myself frustrated, unmotivated, irritated, and exhausted at various points along the way. But, the journey thus far has taught me that each of those moments of darkness, doubt and despair will bear fruit in the end. Sometimes, the sweetest moments in life are born from struggle.

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Posted in Asanas, Padmasana, Salamba Sarvangasana I, Urdhva Padmasana in Sarvangasana | 3 Comments »

No Mud, No Lotus: Urdhva Padmasana in Sirsasana (Upward Lotus in Headstand)

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

“No mud, no lotus.” – Thich Nhat Hahn

Urdhva Padmasana in Sirsasana (Upward Lotus in Headstand, 6* on the scale of difficulty) requires a consistent and strong Padmasana and Salamba Sirsasana I practice. Even then, the pose proves quite challenging. Placing the legs in Padmasana while in a Headstand makes balancing tricky, and extending the thighs up as far as you can seems daunting.

Thich Nhat Hahn often says, “No mud, no lotus.” Just as the lotus rises from the mud, so our most triumphant moments on the mat bloom from challenging experiences. Finding the openness in the hips and knees necessary to do Padmasana can require years of thoughtful practice. Unlocking the courage and strength to balance in Salamba Sirsasana I without the wall can take tremendous faith and determination.

The experiences you have moving into Padmasana and Salamba Sirsasana I, no matter how difficult, will be the rich mud from which you can rise into Urdhva Padmasana in Sirsasana. If all parts of this pose seem daunting, start from the ground up. Explore Padmasana and Salamba Sirsasana I as preparation, knowing that the hard work you do within those poses will help you triumphantly bloom your lotus skyward.

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Posted in Asanas, Padmasana, Urdhva Padmasana in Sirsasana | 1 Comment »

Gently Invoking Svadhisthana Chakra in Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana (Half Bound Lotus Seated Forward Bend)

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana (Half Bound Lotus Seated Forward Bend) registers as 8* on the 60* scale of difficulty. A hybrid pose, it incorporates binding, half of Padmasana, and half of Paschimottanasana (Pose 67, yet to come).

Iyengar tell us that Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana ignites the second chakra, Svadhisthana Chakra, located at the perineum. Svadhisthana Chakra is involved with the functioning of the sexual organs and the adrenals at the base of the spine. Psychologically, this chakra is associated with relationships, violence, addictions, and pleasure. Svadhistana Chakra is also considered the seat of our creative force.

Personally, I tend to think of deeper hip opening poses when considering asanas that stimulate the second chakra. But, poses like Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana provide the perfect introduction to deep hip opening. The half lotus position of the bent leg helps you focus on outward rotation of one hip at a time, providing space to observe and work with the unique conditions of each side of your body. Exploring each hip joint individually begins to stimulate Svadhisthana Chakra so that, when you attempt deeper hip opening in Padmasana or Upavistha Konasana (Wide-Legged Forward Bend, Pose 66, stay tuned!), your hips will be more supple.

Gently awakening Svadisthana in this way, you invoke the creative force of your body. May the temple of your body reward the gentleness of your invocation with new levels of depth in the asanas – a new depths, perhaps, beyond your imagination.

What’s your favorite pose for igniting Svadhisthana Chakra?

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Posted in Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana, Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana, Asanas, Padmasana | 4 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.

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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.


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

Enjoying a Brief Moment in Gorakshasana (Cowherd Pose)

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

Gorakshasana (Cowherd Pose) registers as 10* on the 60* scale of difficulty. According to Iyengar’s scale, this is the most difficult pose I’ve done thus far in the project. I don’t doubt Iyengar’s assessment. Gorakshasana is tough! Iyengar says, “It is a difficult balancing pose and one feels elated even if one can only balance for a few seconds.” No doubt, balancing in this pose is a great challenge. I managed to balance just long enough to capture it on film.

Iyengar’s instructions don’t offer many tips for achieving balance within the pose. From Padmasana, he guides you to place your hands on the floor and lift your hips up, then “Stretch the trunk up vertically and stand with the top part of the knees on the floor. Stretch the thighs and balance gradually by lifting the hands one by one from the floor.” As anyone who’s tried Gorakshasana knows, this approach may increase the likelihood of falling back onto your hands, since so much of your body weight is leaning forward in this position.

If you practice Padmasana comfortably, but still have trouble reaching Gorakshasana, seat yourself one foot away from a wall as you set up for the pose. As Iyengar instructs, place both hands on the ground and lift your hips up. Then, once you’ve stretched your torso up as much as you can, lightly bring your left hand to touch the wall behind you. Take your right hand away from the floor. When you feel stable, gently draw your left hand away from the wall and bring your hands to touch in prayer. You’ve made it! Enjoy the pose – even if only for one brief, glorious moment.

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Focusing on Kundalini in Padmasana (Lotus Pose)

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

Padmasana, or Lotus Pose, registers as 4* on the 60* scale of difficulty and is a common posed used in meditation.

Iyengar quotes the Hatha Yoga Pradipika to describe Padmasana and breath control within the asana. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika instructs the practitioner to focus on drawing the apana (one of the vayus, or winds of the body, which is situated in the lower abdomen and is typically associated with downward energy, including digestion and elimination) upward by contracting the anus. Simultaneously, the practitioner should draw the prana (the life force, commonly associated with the breath) downward by contracting the throat. Through these two actions, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika states, the practitioner “‘obtains unequalled knowledge through the favour of Kundalini (which is roused by this process).’”

Kundalini is more than just a type of yoga practice. Often symbolized as a snake coiled at the base of the spine, kundalini is a cosmic energy residing in all bodies. Many of the pranayama and asana practices focus on awakening the latent kundalini energy that resides within each of us and allowing that energy to travel up the spine through the six chakras, or energy centers within the body.

Personally, I’ve never associated Padmasana with awakening of kundalini. Like many practitioners, I’m often so focused on the safety and happiness of my knees in this asana that I neglect subtler energetic foci within the pose. However, if and when you find yourself in a comfortable seat in Padmasana, give the Hatha Yoga Pradipika instructions your consideration. At the very least, you’ll find a new viewpoint in your practice. And who knows? Maybe your focus will charm the kundalini energy out of its resting place and up through your body.

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Posted in Asanas, Padmasana | 14 Comments »