Kneeling Eagle Arms

Sanskrit Name:	Vajrasana
Similar Pose Names:	Thunderbolt Eagle Arms,Vajrasana Eagle Arms,Adamantine Eagle Arms,Diamond Eagle Arms
Category:	Seated & Floor
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Pose Directory

Membership Category:	Yoga Lesson Planner
Sub Category:	Seated & Floor
Types:	Stretch, Hip Opener, Seated & Floor, Restorative, Seated, Animal
Anatomy:	Arms & Shoulders, Biceps & Triceps, Core, Hamstrings, Hips, Knees, Lower Back, Psoas, Wrists & Arms
Chakras:	Base, Sacral Centre, Heart Centre, Throat Centre, Third Eye, Crown Centre
Therapy:	Anxiety, Back Pain, Poor Posture, Stress
Drishti:	Tip Of Nose
Dosha:	Pitta, Kapha

Sit with buttocks on heels. Feet slightly wider than hips with tops of feet flat on floor. Angle big toes slightly toward each other. Bring arms to sides. Right arm over left arm. Elbow onto of elbow. Point left thumb towards you. Move right arm forward, then to the right, and bring palms together. Stretch arms up. Feel shoulders dropping as you lift hands up. Soften where you feel the deepest stretch. Unravel arms and repeat with left arm over right arm.

Stretches thighs, knees, ankles. Open shoulder joints, creating space between shoulder blades.

Bolster or block between legs. Hero with hands interlocked behind.

Knee or ankle injury.

Hero Pose

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The Vajrasana (kneeling) name comes from the Sanskrit words vajra, a weapon whose name means "thunderbolt" or "diamond", and asana meaning "posture" or "seat".

The garudasana (eagle arms) is named after a mythical bird. This divine creature, Garuda, has a white face, an eagle's beak, huge red wings and golden man's body. He is the king of birds and the enemy of snakes. He is also a friend to man and there are many tales of Garuda helping in battles and rescues, fighting against injustice and terror. Garuda represent a state of sustained attention to their purpose (dharma) which is of self-sacrifice and service to protect creation. Their enemy is ego.

So, you could have fun with this pose if you're doing a Peak Pose themed class. Ask your students to fight against injustice. Being Yogic isn't being a passive observer of life. It's about standing up for a worthwhile purpose.