Anjeyerasana
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 Side view of Anjaneyasana | |
| Etymology | |
|---|---|
| English Name(s) |
AnjaneyasanaI Crescent Moon |
| Sanskrit | अञ्नेयरासन/ Añneyarāsana |
| Pronunciation | IPA: [ɐɲneːːɟɐrɑːsɐnɐ] |
| Meaning |
Anjaneya: "Son of Anjani" asana: "posture" |
| Key Points | |
| dṛṣṭi (eye focus) | Hastagrahe dṛṣṭi (to palm) |
| Asana Type | Standing Asanas |
| Iyengar difficulty |
 |
| Anatomy | |
| Muscles Stretched | quadriceps (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius), gluteus maximus |
| Muscles working |
Legs: gluteus medius, gluteus minimus adductor magnus, adductor longus, adductor brevis, gracilis, pectineus Arms & Shoulders: deltoids, triceps, trapezius rhomboid and latissimus dorsi. |
Anjaneyasana (IPA: [ɐɲneːːɟɐrɑːsɐnɐ]; Sanskrit: अञ्जयरासन; IAST: Añjeyarāsana), Crescent Moon, or Low Lunge[1] is an asana. Anjaneyasana is used in Surya Namaskara A.
Etymology
This asana has a number of names. The names Crescent Moon refers to the form it takes. Anjaneya- refers to the Hindu god Hanuman because his mother's name was Anjani.
Description
- Starting from a lunge, bring down the back knee.
- Raise the arms forwards and up.
Drishti
The Hastagrahe dṛṣṭi (Sanskrit: हसतग्रहे दृष्टि ) at the palm of the arms is the correct dṛṣṭi (visual focus) for Anjaneyasana.[2]
Bandhas
Use of bandhas increase the stability of the body in this asana. Both mula bandha (root lock) and uddiyana bandha (abdominal lock) should be engaged. These combined creates an axial extension in the spine which assists in supporting in the torso as the chest is brought up and back.
Variations
Arm position can be on the ground as in
Benefits
- Releases tension in the hips which may relieve sciatica.
- Balance[3]
- Opening the hips.
- Stretches the hamstrings, quadriceps, and groin.
- Strengthens the knees.
- Builds mental focus.
See also
References
- ↑ "Yoga Journal - Low Lunge - Anjaneyasana". Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- ↑ Steiner, Roland. "Virabhadrasana B". Retrieved December 6, 2012.
- ↑ Iyengar, B.K.S (1979). Light on Yoga. New York: Schocken. p. 62. ISBN 0-8052-1031-8.
Sources
- Iyengar, B. K. S. (1 October 2005). Illustrated Light On Yoga. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-81-7223-606-9.
- Ranjini, V.V.; Paranjape, Kiran; Ramapriyan, H. K.; Gaurav; Las; Glashoff, K.; Mohan, Sam; Gallo, A. (2012). "SpokenSanskrit Dictionary". Retrieved 2012-03-11.
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