Supta Padangusthasana

Supta Padangusthasana
Supta (adj.) = Asleep
Pada (n.) = Leg
Angushtha (n.) = Thumb
Asana (n.) = Posture

Together the above should mean "Lying big toe posture"

I find this Asana to be one of most difficult in the Padangusthasana series. It really is the graduating Asana in the series. There's only one which I can think of more challenging than or as challenging as this Asana which is Parsha Padangusthasana.

 

Right Leg

As ususal, I still have a lot to achieve in this Asana (I am just a student :)) - the comfort that I seek while practicing this Asana, I hope would come in about a year or thereabouts.

 

Left Leg

Breathing: Breathe in as the legs are extended
Drishti: Nasagre

Approaching Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana

Approaching Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana

Some days ago I received a mail asking me how to approach the Utthita (raised) Hasta (arm) Padangustha (big toe) Asana.

Since raising the leg and then trying to catch the same is difficult for beginners.

My suggestion is as in the photograph below:

 

Start with holding the big toe as in the picture. Tuck your stomach in, and then inhale and extend your leg the big toe of which is held.

Self Critique: Well, as I see this photograph, I am not happy. I should be standing straight, and not leaning to one side - as I see, I am leaning to the left side. My head should be properly aligned with the torso - which is not so.

I guess, I need a lot of adjustments everywhere. And Sadhana. I wish everyone the same too.

Ananta Sayanasana

Approaching Vashishthasana - Part 3

Ananta Sayanasana

This is somewhat easier than the Hasta padangushthasana.
However, the real trick, I found is in the balance here.

Ananta Sayanasana - Left Leg

 

Ananta Sayanasana - Right Leg

 

Oh, why this is called the Ananta Sayanasana. In all relief or high reliefs in South Indian temples, or even statues I found Vishnu reposed in somewhat similar position. on his sides, and head supported by the palm as it is in this Asana. And Vishnu reposing in that posture is the Ananta (eternal) Sayana (lying) posture.

Another point I wanted to expound on: why I do not give the English names for these Asanas. My mentor in this blog business Shameem Akhtar too once asked me this.

Two reasons really:


i) The first reason is simple - I don't know the English names.
ii) the second reason is - I am convinced, in order to succeed in anything, one needs a little focus, attention, sadhana. The Path of Yoga also calls for that Sadhana. My blog is for those few, who even if beginners, are prepared to pay that much attention to yoga. I have reasons to believe they would not need an English translation to the Asanas. Just as I too did not need any English translation to the Japanese names of the moves in Katas when I was active in Karate. Hidari godan uchi uke - I knew what it was, or Migi Mawashi Geri executed from the Zenkutsu Dachi. I just remembered them.

The disciple, or the student of yoga ought to have that much devotion to the yoga way, that Nanya Panthah Vidyateayanaya (there is no other way). This is the only way - the way of devotion - through which Yoga can be mastered.

Hasta Padangusthasana

Approaching Vashishthasana - part 2

Hasta Padangusthasana

Well, the challenge in this asana is to keep your balance on your side. I tend feel a tendency that I need to either be on the back or on my stomach. It's indeed an effort to remain on your sides while performing this Asana

 

Parshva Konasna

Three challenges here:
1) Keeping your balance - for me, its less of challenge
2) keeping your arms in a straight line - You see I am still not there
3) keeping your chin in line with your shoulder. I am still not there. It needs a lots of practice for me - I do such practice through the Salabhasana and the Markatasana. How I practice it through Salabhasana I would publish may be tomorrow.

 

Utthita Hasta Padangushthasana

Approaching Vashishthasana

Utthita = raised
Hasta = hands
Padangustha = big toe

This Asana is often called, Utthita Padangushthasana.

Being an Engineer, and a project management professional I approach Yoga Asanas like they do in scientific studies. That is to say, it involves the following steps:
1) study and whole subject,
2) analyse it,
3) and break it down to workable small tasks

According to my analysis Vashitasana is possible only when if you achieved the components which it integrates. The components are:
a) Uttan Padasana
b) Utthita Hasta Padangushthaasana/ or simply Utthita Padangushthasana
c) Ananta Sayanasana
d) Supta Padangushthasana
e) Hasta Padangusthasna
f) Parsva konanasana or Santolanansana

I found that the Utthita Padangusthasana is the most difficult component to deal with

Utthita Padangusthasana

 

where I am lacking: Actually I am lacking in the first component itself - Uttanpadasana. I am still not able to achieve 45 degree acute angle of the leg to the torso. Now it is about 75 degrees or thereabouts.

During Utthita Hasta Padangushtasana, the leg should be ramrod straight (which it isn't here), the body should be full normal to the ground (geometry = normal is 90 degrees to the ground) which again it isn't, and the raised leg should be at 45 degree angle to the body (which again it isn't here).

Let me focus there for the next couple of months.By which time I seek to accomplish this goal.

PS: To see how the Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana is done well, just view Arjuna do it