Astavakrasana | Eight Angled Pose | Steps | Benefits

The practice of “Ashtavakrasana” described in yoga affects the eight organs of the body. The Sanskrit word Ashtavakrasana means Ashta + Curve + Asana, that is, a crooked body from eight places. Ashtavakrasana was created by the great sage Ashtavakra. Ashtavakra was the guru of King Janak. Ashtavakra was given this name because it is said that at the time of his birth his body was crooked in eight places.

History Behind Astavakrasana

According to the ancient legend, when the sage “Ashtavakra” was in his mother’s womb, the Vedas began to be heard from the womb. Ashtavakra’s father, Kagola, who considered himself a great scholar, was distraught after seeing this incident and he got angry and cursed “Sage Ashtavakra”. According to the curse, when Ashtavakra was born, his body was crooked from eight places. That is why he was named Ashtavakra. This asana gives a person a feeling of freedom both physically and mentally. While practicing this asana, the body is bent from eight places, hence this asana is known as Ashtavakrasana.

The Astavakrasana Pose is an advanced arm balance yoga posture. It is most likely to be found in an advanced yoga class. It is an incredibly difficult pose when done correctly. but It is an excellent way to develop your stability and equilibrium.

In this article, we talk about – how to perform yoga eight angle pose in a step-by-step explanation, along with the Benefits and Precaution attached to the pose.

How To Do Ashtavakrasana Yoga: Eight-Angle Pose

To come in Astavakrasana, being starts with Dandasana– legs extended and hands nearby hips.
Bend your right knee and bring the sole of the right foot to the floor close to the right buttock.
Place your right arm underneath your right knee.
Keep your left foot straight and firmly press your palms on the floor.
Now, slowly lift up your body from the floor, during this keep your arm strength.
After this raise your left foot, bend it, and hook the left ankle around your right leg.
With inhalation, look forward and both hands firmly pressing on the floor. With keeping your shoulder fixed in this position.
Exhale and press your upper foot down onto your left arm to left your arms.
At the time, your both foot come to the right side of your body.
In this position, straightening the feet as much as possible gives the full pose and also becomes parallel to the floor.
Keeping the body balanced, bend the elbows and bend forward and remain.
To create balance, you can focus your attention on a point or object on the floor.
Remain in this position for at least 1 minute and while exhaling comes back to normal position.
Do the same pose with your left leg.

Beginners Tips:- Initially, there may be difficulty in lifting the legs and balancing. Therefore, to maintain balance, you can keep a pillow under the outer legs and hips.

Benefits Of Ashtavakrasana: Eight-Angle Pose

By doing Ashtavakrasana in the right way, health benefits in many ways. By doing this regularly, the digestive system remains healthy, as well as it helps in making your muscles strong.

Astavakrasana develops better concentration.
Regular practice of Ashtavakrasana makes the body flexible and strong.
This asana provides strength to the wrists and arms of the hands and strengthens your calves, ankles, thighs, and hips.
It also builds your balance and core strength.
Its practice affects the digestive system, due to which the digestive system works smoothly.
The eight angle posture not only improves the digestive system but is beneficial in stomach-related diseases like constipation, acidity, air disorders, Vata disorders, flatulence, loss of appetite, excretion, food digestion, sour belching, etc.
The practice of Ashtavakrasana develops qualities like patience, perseverance, concentration, hardness, courage and very beneficial for developing the intellect and perception.
It provides peace to the mind and keeps the seeker cheerful by removing excessive stress, anxiety, apathy.
The challenge of the pose helps in Menstrual disorders and menopausal symptoms.
The pose works beautifully on the shoulders and extends the chest, the shoulders and adding flexibility to the body.
This asana eliminates all the blood defects and circulates pure life air in the body.

Precautions

Before doing any asana, you must know about its benefits, how to do it, as well as its precautions. Because many times we do it wrongly, due to which we can get loss instead of benefit. In such a situation, you must know about its precautions before doing it.

Doing this asana on an empty stomach every morning gives more benefits. If you are not able to do it in the morning, then keep in mind that you have not eaten anything for the last 3-4 hours while doing it.

If you have any kind of elbow, wrist, or shoulder injury, you must avoid this pose.
A pregnant woman must avoid practicing this asana. they can Practice only under the supervision of a certified yoga instructor.
If you suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Astavakrasana is very intense so practice its prior poses- Utthita Parsvakonasana and Uttanasana.