Karnapidasana (Ear Pressure Pose): Basics, Steps, Benefits & More

Knee to Ear Pressure Pose is a yoga pose also known as Karnapidasana, this pose reflects the principle of pratyahara. Pratyahara is described as the withdrawal of the senses, which means shutting off external stimuli so that you can turn your attention inward. It is a word formed by combining three Sanskrit words, in which Karna means “ear”, Pida means “pressure” and Asana means “posture”. Karnapidasana is somewhat similar to Halasana. While doing this, one has to lie down on the ground on the upper back and raise the hips. It can be helpful in increasing balance as well as promoting body flexibility.

Karnapidasana Basics

Meaning

The word Karnapidasana name comes from the Sanskrit language, where ‘Karna’ meaning “Ear”, ‘Pida’ means “Force”, and ‘Asana’ means “Yoga Posture.” Hence, Karnapidasana means Ear Pressure Pose. Karnapidasanas is an advanced version of Halasana or Plow Pose. Hence, it is also known as ‘Raja Halasana’ (King Plough Pose). This asana is also known as “knee-to-ear pose” and “ear pressure pose”- where bending knees beside the ears.

Karnapidasana is a great exercise to stay fit. In modern yoga, Karnapidasana and Halasana are part of the traditional Ashtanga yoga completion series described by Swami Vishnudevananda. Karnapidasana helps in balancing the third eye Chakra (ajna chakra), throat chakra (vishuddha chakra).

The myriad benefits of Karnapidasana have many physical benefits and this pose is used in an advanced hip opening sequence, and also valuable for a long stretch in the hamstrings, shoulders, and spine.

Practice Guide for Karnapidasana (Ear Pressure Pose)

The guide begins with an introduction to the pose, highlighting its significance in yoga practice and its potential benefits for the body and mind.

Preparatory Pose

• Plow Pose (Halasana)
• Child pose (Balasana)
• Ananda balasana
• Downward-facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

Steps to do Karnapidasana

The practice of Karnapidasana Yogasana may seem a bit difficult and you may not be able to do it well at first, but it can be done easily with its consistent practice. Let us know Steps for Karnapidasana Yoga Pose–

• To do Karnapidasana, first of all, lay a yoga mat on the ground and lie on your back on it.

• Keep both your arms and legs straight.

• Now take a long breath and raise both your legs, this is the position of Sarvangasana.

• Now slowly try to move both your legs behind your head, in this position you will see your feet like Halasana.

• Keep your body weight on your shoulders and keep your hands straight on the ground.

• After coming in the pose of Halasana, bend both your legs from here on the knees.

• After bending the knees, bring the knees near both your ears, and cover both the ears with both your knees.

• Keep your eyes on the nose.

• Stay in this position and breathe at least 6 to 8 times.

• Now while exhaling, lower the legs and come to your starting position.

Follow Up Poses

• Fish pose (Matsyasana)
• Four-Limbed Staff Pose (Chaturanga Dandasana)

Karnapidasana Benefits

• The practice of Karnapidasana along with other yoga exercises gives a deep stretch to the spine and strengthens it and relieves pain.

• Practicing this asana stretches the entire back and helps in downward and forward bending to take advantage of many important spinal movements.

• Regular practice of Karnapidasana yoga cures respiratory problems and calms your mind. It reduces stress, anxiety and fatigue, improves breathing and brain processes.

• It regulates the metabolic activities of the body and apart from this Karnapidasana is also helpful in removing insomnia and controlling high blood pressure.

• Doing Karnapidasana yoga helps in the secretion of acids that stimulate digestion. As a result of which the toxicity present in the digestive system can be removed.

• By doing this asana, your stomach is affected. Because when you move your legs towards the back of the head, there is a force on your stomach. In such a situation, doing this yoga stimulates the digestive system or digestive fire as well as massages various internal organs.

• Regular practice of Karnapidasana gives a good stretch to the overall body, tones the inner thighs and makes it strong.

• Benefits of Karnapida Asana works on the thyroid-stimulating hormone. Thyrotropin or thyrotropic hormone is also known as thyroid stimulating hormone. These hormones trigger the thyroid gland to produce triiodothyronine and thyroxine. All these boost our metabolism thereby helping in regulating the functioning of our body.

• Especially this asana strengthen the shoulders, neck, lower back, hips and thighs. The muscles of the body can be made flexible. Thereby reducing the chances of injury or internal pain in your body.

• The benefits of doing Karnapidasana regularly can treat impotence in women and men. The use of Karnapidasana for women can relieve the symptoms of menopause as well as help in reducing the symptoms related to menstruation.

Precautions

• For people who suffer from Diarrhea, Asthma, a heart condition, and High blood pressure problem please avoid practicing this pose.
• Pregnant women practice under the expert’s supervision and doctor’s advice.
• Any kind of injury around the knees, back, shoulder, and hips, don’t practice this asana.
• Those who are suffering from Herniated disks must avoid this asana.

Conclusion

Karnapidasana is an advanced deep inversion yoga pose that is considered intermediate to advanced asanas. This is a rare yoga posture which reflects the principle of pratyahara – wherever this restless mind goes, one tries to bring it back from there and control the soul (this is pratyahara). This pose is one such pose that can help one practice mindfulness more easily.