Posts Tagged ‘twisting yoga poses’

Preparing for the Deep Twist of Paripurna Matsyendrasana (Complete Lord of the Fishes Pose)

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

Paripurna Matsyendrasana (Complete Lord of the Fishes Pose) registers as 38* on BKS Iyengar’s 60* scale of difficulty in Light on Yoga.

Paripurna Matsyendrasana bears many similarities to Ardha Matsyendrasana III. The main difference between these two yoga poses is in the placement of the back hand. In Ardha Matsyendrasana III, the back hand rests against the back. In Paripurna Matsyendrasana, the pose goes one step further: the hand clasps the foot in half lotus.

As mentioned in my previous post, my challenges with Ardha Matsyendrasana III are great enough that I’m not able to take Paripurna Matsyendrasana fully. And, since the steps to reach either yoga pose are quite similar, I’m turning my attention today to a beautiful quote about Paripruna Matsyendrasana from Light on Yoga. BKS Iyengar explains that the breath in the right nostril is considered hot and is called the sun breath, or Pingala, and the breath in the left nostril is considered cool and is called the moon breath, or Ida…

The moon travelling in Ida sprinkles its nectar through the entire system and the sun travelling through Pingala dries out the whole system, for the human body is regarded as a miniature universe. It is said that the moon is located at the root of the palate, ever dropping cool ambrosial nectar that is wasted by feeding the gastric fire. Matsyendrasana prevents this.

“The human body is regarded as a miniature universe.” How beautiful. Whether or not you can do Paripurna Matsyendrasana, appreciate the galaxies of sensation that reside within the celestial vessel that is your body. Enjoy.

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Twisting into Pasasana (Noose Pose)

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

Pasasana (Noose Pose) registers as 15* on BKS Iyengar’s 60* scale of difficulty in Light on Yoga.

Even more so than Malasana, Pasasana develops ankle strength and flexibility. The twisting nature of this yoga pose also massages the abdominal organs  strengthens the spine. But, combining the low squat of Malasana with a spinal twist makes Pasasana a challenge.

If, like me, you cannot ground your heels to the earth in this asana, wedge a folded blanket under your heels. If you arrive into the twist and find that, like me, you cannot bind your hands together, gently rest them wherever they land on your back. From here, the real work of the yoga pose will be to learn how to both soften to your current experience of the pose and explore areas where you can create more space to twist. If none of these adjustments are sufficient, explore a twisting version of Malasana instead.

Cyndi Lee has a wonderful sequence in Yoga Journal to help guide practitioners toward Pasasana. Check it out, then report back on how it worked for you!

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The Story Of Matsyendra: Ardha Matsyendrasana I (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose)

Thursday, November 18th, 2010

Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose) is a deep twisting asana that registers 8* on the 60* scale of difficulty in Light on Yoga.

BKS Iyengar recounts the story behind the name of this yoga pose: “It is related that once Lord Siva went to a lonely island and explained to his consort Parvati the mysteries of Yoga. A fish near the shore heard everything with concentration and remained motionless while listening. Siva, realising that the fish had learnt Yoga, sprinkled water upon it, and immediately the fish gained divine form and became Matsyendra (Lord of the Fishes) and thereafter spread the knowledge of Yoga.”

In Ardha Matsyendrasana, conjure up the curiosity and interest of Matsyendra, twisting yourself over as much as possible to hear the wisdom of yoga. Allow your thirst for knowledge to twist you from your core, from the center of your soul. May the depth of the twist be determined by the depth of your determination in the asana.

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Twisting and Binding in Marichyasana III (Pose Dedicated to the Sage Marichi, III)

Friday, November 12th, 2010

Marichyasana III (Pose Dedicated to the Sage Marichi, III) is a deep twisting bound asana, registering as 10* on BKS Iyengar’s 60* scale of difficulty in Light on Yoga.

Many practitioners are so eager to bind their arms behind their backs in this yoga pose that they slump through their torsos in order to bring their hands closer together. Ultimately, this misalignment reduces the positive benefits of the pose and can create back pain. So, pay attention to the dynamics of your torso as you begin to twist and turn toward your bent leg.If your back begins to round, you’ve reached your limit. Instead of taking the bind, bend your right elbow and place it on the outside of your left knee, tenting your left hand behind your sacrum. Your neck can turn forwards or backwards, depending on what feels most comfortable for you. This variation still provides you with many of the benefits Iyengar describes for this asana, including relief from backaches, toning the liver and spleen, neck strength, and intestinal health to name a few.

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