Raja Kapotasana (Sanskrit: ??????????; IAST: R?ja Kapot?sana) or King Pigeon Pose is an asana.
Video Rajakapotasana
Etymology
The name comes from the Sanskrit words "raja" (???) meaning "king", kapota (????) meaning "pigeon" and asana (???) meaning "posture" or "seat".
Maps Rajakapotasana
Description
From a prone position, one leg is brought forward with the knee bent so that the shin crosses under the chest. In the full form of the pose, the chest lifts into a backbend and the back leg is bent, shin vertical and the hands reach back to clutch the foot. Variations Rajakapotasana may have hands and/or back leg on the ground, as well as the chest folded over the front leg.
Benefits
Raja Kapotasana is an asana which helps to open up the chest and also strengthens the back and groin. It opens and increases the flexibility of the hips, at the same time strengthening the back, and stretching the thighs and the groin.
Variations
Variations include:
- Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (???????????????) (One-Legged King Pigeon Pose) and
- Salamba Kapotasana (Supported Pigeon Pose).
Note that Kapotasana, without the "Raja" prefix is an entirely different pose and the two are easily confused. Salamba Kapotasana is a misnomer and should be called Salama Rajakapotasana instead. King Pigeon and Pigeon are different poses.
Gallery
See also
- List of asanas
References
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
- Technique
- Supported Pigeon Pose
Source of the article : Wikipedia