Eka Pada Koudinyasana II
Your Monthly Yoga Pose
Eka means one. Pada means leg or foot. Koudinya is the name of a sage who predicted the birth of Siddhartha Guatama and who had faith and belief in the teachings of Siddhartha even when they strayed from his very own teachings.
This posture is a posture of balance and leverage more than pure strength. This posture is considered advanced and is an excellent way for a practicing yogi to deepen a posture and flow in vinyasa class. A proper warm-up is necessary for most to safely enter eka pada koudinyasana II.
Make sure to warm up the groin, hamstrings and hips before attempting. Core planks are a posture commonly done in vinyasa classes. A core plank is when you move from a three-legged downward facing dog (one leg is in the air in down dog) into a knee-to-nose core plank. Flying split is a great way to deepen core planks for advanced students.
In addition to deepening a student’s practice, flying postures in yoga bring a sense of excitement. They sometimes create a rush like when you crush a golf ball. It keeps you coming back. Although consistent practice is the goal, postures like eka pada koudinyasana are what keep students searching for their next yoga thrill.
- Begin in downward facing dog.
- Breathe in and lift the right leg. Keep your hips in the same plane.
- As you breathe out, bring the right knee to the right tricep.
- “Rest” the right leg on the tricep as you gently bend both elbows, like chaturanga dandasana.
- Simultaneously fly the left toes off the mat while extending the right leg.
- Gaze forward and trust your balance.
- Breathe for five breaths and return to a three-legged downward facing dog.
Namaste.
