Garudasana or Eagle Pose Importance and Benefits

Garudasana is also known as Eagle Pose; the bird represents strength and power across many cultures of the world. This pose is also known for balancing and building the strength of the body. In this pose, legs are intertwined like an eagle; it works on the whole body of any yogi. Improvement in the blood circulation and calmness of the mind is the effect of the eagle pose, with regular performance.

Joint mobility is also increased with this asana. In this pose, one leg is in a standing position and the other is intertwined with the first one. The same position is seen with the hands and the arms. It means it is working on both the upper and lower bodies of any performer.

What is Garudasana or Eagle Pose?

The word “Garuda” comes from the Sanskrit word means eagle, and “Aasana” is pose. It collectively forms the garudasana word, meaning eagle pose. According to ancient yogic texts, the pose builds self-determination and strength in the thought perspective.

It is not mentioned in the classical hatha yoga texts like Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Shiv Samhita, but it was acknowledged by BKS Iyengar and T. Krishnamacharya. Modern classical yoga texts mentioned this pose, not in the ancient Vedic texts.

How to Perform Garudasana Pose?

Engaging the core in any yoga asana is the key to flexibility. It is not necessary that at the beginning, a practitioner hooks their leg on another. You can also use the support of the wall or a little hanging support in the beginning practice of this pose. Here is a start-to-end way of performing this pose in the right way:

• Come into the Tadasana position, with straight spine, hands by your side.
• Bend your knees in such a position that it looks like you are sitting on an invisible chair.
• Now start hooking your right leg on the left thigh.
• Your right foot should be behind your calf muscles.
• Now extend both your arms forward.
• Now, cross your left arm over the right arm.
• You can bend your elbows and try to join your palms in a greeting position.
•  If you are unable to join your hands, then place the back of your hands together.
• You have to lift your eyebrows to the height of your shoulders, and draw your forearms away from your face.
• With your spine straight, you have to maintain the same position for 15 to 30 seconds.
• Repeat on either side in the same pattern.
• After doing it, slowly unwind your leg and arm come into tadasana position again.

Read Also:- Advanced Yoga Poses for Strength, Flexibility, and Balance

Benefits of Eagle Pose or Garudasana

Like other poses in yoga, there are several benefits of the Garudasan or eagle pose too. Eagle position yoga helps in improving the concentration and focus of the practitioner. Other benefits are related to leg cramps or muscle strength. Here are the related benefits of the garudasana or eagle pose: 

• Improves balance of the body and concentration of the mind.
• Helps in improving the circulation of the body, especially in the limbs of the body.
• Increase the joint mobility of the shoulder, ankles and arms.
• Increase the strength of the forelimbs and the hindlimbs of the body.
• Sciatica and leg cramps can be cured with the help of this pose.
• Gives proper stretches to the upper back and the shoulders.

Contraindications of the Garudasana

Apart from many benefits, there are some contraindications of the Eagle pose or Garudasana. Garudasan gives stretch to both the upper limb and the lower limb of the body, and this is the reason to avoid it in the injury or any painful condition:

• In case of any joint injury or painful condition of the shoulder, arms and knee, you should avoid garudasana.
• If your balance is weak at the start, youn take ca the help of any support, don’t be so independent in starting.
• People with sciatica and vertigo shoumld copletely avoid this pose.

Conclusion

Garudasana, or eagle pose, is a complex pose that is performed after increasing the flexibility of the body. It increases the strength of the muscles of the forelimbs and the hindlimbs. It is better to perform this pose with the assistance of the master. It increases blood circulation in the limbs and also cures pain in them. Contraindications are injury, in fopt, pregnancy, vertigo and knee pain. For more, you can contact Pratham Yoga School.