Mayurasana Explained

Mayūrāsana (Sanskrit: मयूरासन) or Peacock pose^[1] is a hand-balancing asana in hatha yoga and modern yoga as exercise with the body held horizontal over the hands. It is one of the oldest non-seated asanas.

Etymology and origins

The name comes from the Sanskrit words mayūra (मयूर) meaning "peacock"^[2] and āsana (आसन) meaning "posture".^[3]

Mayurasana is one of the oldest non-seated asanas used in hatha yoga; it is first described in the 10th century Vimānārcanākalpa. The Vāsiṣṭha Saṁhitā 1.76-7 states that it destroys all sins.^[4]

Description

In this asana the body is raised like a horizontal stick holding the floor with both palms while the body is supported by the elbows.

Variations

Hamsasana (Swan Pose) is identical to Mayurasana except that the hands are placed with the fingers pointing forwards.

Padma Mayurasana (Lotus in Peacock Pose) has the legs crossed as in Lotus Position.^[5]

See also

• List of asanas
• Planche (exercise)
• Vrischikasana, scorpion pose, with variations including Pincha Mayurasana

Sources

• Book: Iyengar, B. K. S. . B. K. S. Iyengar . 1979 . 1966 . . Unwin Paperbacks . 978-1855381667 .

External links

• Step by Step instruction

Notes and References

1. Web site: Yoga Journal - Peacock Pose . 9 April 2011.
2. Web site: Mayurasana - AshtangaYoga.info . 9 April 2011.
3. Book: Sinha, S. C. . Dictionary of Philosophy . 9 April 2011 . 1 June 1996 . Anmol Publications . 978-81-7041-293-9 . 18.
4. Book: Mallinson . James . James Mallinson (author) . Singleton . Mark . Mark Singleton (yoga teacher) . . Penguin Books . 2017 . 978-0-241-25304-5 . 928480104 . 100–101, 105.
5. Book: Ramaswami, Srivatsa . Srivatsa Ramaswami . Krishnamacharya . T. . The complete book of vinyasa yoga: an authoritative presentation, based on 30 years of direct study under the legendary yoga teacher Krishnamacharya . 9 April 2011 . 3 June 2005 . Da Capo Press . 978-1-56924-402-9 . 208.