Mayurasana
Mayurasana (Sanskrit: मयूरासन) or Peacock Pose[1] is an asana where the individual assumes a peacock like posture. This asana tones up the abdominal portion of the body. It also strengthens the fore arms, wrists and elbows.
Etymology
The name comes from the Sanskrit words mayura (मयूर) meaning "peacock"[2] and asana (आसन) meaning "posture" or "seat".[3]
Description
In this asana oneself is raised like a horizontal stick holding the floor with both palms while the body is supported by the elbows. Kalachakra thangka[1] from Sera Monastery (private collection). In Tibetan Buddhist and Indian Hindu/Buddhist traditions, Shambhala (also spelled Shambala or Shamballa; Tibetan: བདེ་འབྱུང་; Wylie: bde 'byung, pron. de-jung; Chinese: 香巴拉; pinyin: xiāngbālā) is a mythical kingdom hidden somewhere in Inner Asia. It is mentioned in various ancient texts, including the Kalachakra Tantra[2] and the ancient texts of the Zhang Zhung culture which predated Tibetan Buddhism in western Tibet. The Bön[3] scriptures speak of a closely related land called Olmolungring. Hindu texts such as Vishnu Purana mention Shambhala as the birth place of Kalki, the final incarnation of Vishnu who will usher in a new Golden Age (Satya Yuga).[4] Whatever its historical basis, Shambhala gradually came to be seen as a Buddhist Pure Land, a fabulous kingdom whose reality is visionary or spiritual as much as physical or geographic. It was in this form that the Shambhala myth reached the West, where it influenced non-Buddhist as well as Buddhist spiritual seekers — and
Cautions
Mayurasana is a very important balancing asana but demands physical strength. In this asana the entire weight of the body remains on the navel and it is possible to lose balance at any moment. Those suffering from cervical spondylitis are not recommended to practice it.
Variations
- Pincha Mayurasana (पिन्च मयूरासन)[4] (Feathered Peacock Pose)[5]
- Padma Mayurasana (Lotus Peacock Pose)[6]
- Uttana Padma Mayurasana (Intense Stretch Lotus Peacock Pose)[7]
See also
References
- ↑ "Yoga Journal - Peacock Pose". Retrieved 2011-04-09.
- ↑ "Mayurasana - AshtangaYoga.info". Retrieved 2011-04-09.
- ↑ Sinha, S.C. (1 June 1996). Dictionary of Philosophy. Anmol Publications PVT. LTD. p. 18. ISBN 978-81-7041-293-9. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ↑ "Pincha Mayurasana - AshtangaYoga.info". Retrieved 2011-04-09.
- ↑ "Yoga Journal - Feathered Peacock Pose". Retrieved 2011-04-09.
- ↑ Ramaswami, Srivatsa; Krishnamacharya, T. (3 June 2005). The complete book of vinyasa yoga: an authoritative presentation, based on 30 years of direct study under the legendary yoga teacher Krishnamacharya. Da Capo Press. p. 208. ISBN 978-1-56924-402-9. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ↑ "Uttana Padma Mayurasana". Retrieved 2011-04-09.
Further reading
- Iyengar, B. K. S. (1 October 2005). Illustrated Light On Yoga. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-81-7223-606-9. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- Saraswati, Swami Satyananda (1 August 2003). Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha. Nesma Books India. ISBN 978-81-86336-14-4. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- Saraswati, Swami Satyananda (January 2004). A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya. Nesma Books India. ISBN 978-81-85787-08-4. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
External links
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