GARUDASANA - EAGLE POSE
Why I love It
Although Garudasana may seem a little daunting, with modifications and perseverance everyone is able to experience the uplifting benefits of this posture.
Garudasana is one posture that I have taken the time and patience to explore.
Aside from its many physical benefits I have always been able to “feel” this posture from the inside out, and for this reason have felt attuned to its potency and power.
Why is it called eagle?
Think focus, concentration, power, determination, ease, and a sense of settling into relationship with the elements around. The eagle does not fight against the elements, it is in harmony with them to achieve its goal. Then, when the eagle is ready it unleashes its power.
As we begin to intertwine our limbs - and no fear there are many modifications that don’t detract from its potency- we begin to close into ourselves, we begin to start concentrating the energy in the navel region. As we further tighten up, we maintain our equilibrium, as we soften our gaze, smooth our breath, begin to trust in our inner intelligence and bathe in the stillness.
When the time is ready we unleash our potential - unwind, stand up, open our arms wide, lift our chest, open our throat and feel the energy course through our body from the navel centre, unblocking stuck energy, clearing pathways and revitalising the whole body and mind.
For me personally, Garudasana offers the perfect mix of strength, balance, concentration, and the opportunity to realise the qualities of ‘sthira’ and ‘sukha’ - steady alertness and comfort of being. As a
result of this practice I feel calm and refreshed both mentally and physically.
Benefits:
Increase the ability to concentrate
Improves leg and foot stability
Promotes balance
Stretches the thighs, hip, shoulders and upper back
Beneficial influence on the male reproductive organs
… and more
by: Anny Lakshmi
Find Garudasana in Level 3 of the Yoga in Daily Life System.
Recently we shared a focus class on the Secrets of the Eka Padas & here are some more benefits:
- Strengthening of muscles, bones (yes, increases bone density) and concentration.
- Helps still unconscious movement.
- Reduces uncoordinated movement therefore makes our movement more efficient and conserves energy as a flow on effect.
- Excellent for preparing the mind for meditation.
- Develops a balanced mind - balance at the emotional, mental and psychic levels.
- Balances the nervous system and thereby helping to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Increases neuro-plasticity. When standing on 1 leg with the eyes open gazing at a focus point, this requires multiple parts of our brain to have to talk to each other. Also it uses a balance of front/ back, left/ right brain hemispheres and therefore you can say it helps to make us whole brain intelligent!
- A good practice of Tapasa. This is a yoga practice that translates as 'to burn' meaning a practice of austerity. In the old yoga scriptures there are stories of yogis who stood on 1 leg on a mountain top for hundreds of years. The benefits of tapasa is that it develops an inner strength, a capacity to endure. To endure the ups and downs of life while maintaining an inner equilibruim.
Other 1 leg balance poses:
Knee to Body Level 1
Ekapada Uttanasana Level 3
Hansasana Level 3
Padangushthasana Level 4
Ekapada Pranamasana Level 5
