Standing Yoga Seal

Standing Yoga Seal FAQs

What is the Sanskrit for Standing Yoga Seal pose?

Dwikonasana

How do you pronounce Dwikonasana?

The Sanskrit term “Dwikonasana” is pronounced as “dwi-ko-nah-suh-nuh.”

Here’s a breakdown of the pronunciation:

“Dwi”: Pronounced like the word “dwee” in English, with a short “ee” sound.
“Ko”: Pronounced like the word “co” in English, with a short “o” sound.
“Na”: Pronounced like the word “nuh” in English, with a short “uh” sound.
“Sa”: Pronounced like the word “suh” in English, with a short “uh” sound.

So, when you put it all together, it is pronounced as “dwi-ko-nah-suh-nuh.”

What does Dwikonasana mean?

“Dwi” means “two” or “double.”
“Kona” translates to “angle” or “corner.”
“Asana” refers to “pose” or “posture.”

Combining these meanings, a possible interpretation of “Dwikonasana” could be “Double Angle Pose” or “Pose of Two Corners.”

What other names is Standing Yoga Seal pose known as?

Dandayamana Yoga Mudrasana

The Sanskrit term “Dandayamana Yoga Mudrasana” is composed of three words:

“Dandayamana” means “balancing” or “standing firm.”
“Yoga” refers to “union”.
“Mudrasana” translates to “seal pose” or “gesture posture.”

Therefore, “Dandayamana Yoga Mudrasana” can be interpreted as the “Balancing Yoga Seal Pose” or the “Standing Firm Gesture Posture.”

Dwikonasana

The Sanskrit term “Dwikonasana” is derived from two words:

“Dwi” means “two” or “double.”
“Kona” translates to “angle” or “corner.”

Therefore, “Dwikonasana” can be interpreted as the “Double Angle Pose” or the “Pose of Two Corners.”

Standing Yoga Seal pose is also known as “Double Angle Pose”, “Standing Forward Fold Pose Hands Behind Back Pose”, and “Standing Seal Pose”.

What yoga lesson plan theme could I use for Standing Yoga Seal pose? 

Acceptance would be a good yoga lesson plan theme if the focus of the class is forward-bending poses. 

In a Standing Forward Bend Pose knowing when to accept intensity and when to be content with where you are is key to steady progress without injury or frustration. It’s easy to try to push for more by wanting to be more flexible and pushing further into the pose.

Rather than struggling, use the posture to practice Santosa (contentment). Can you accept where you are in the pose?  

What are the benefits of forward bends? 

Here are 14 benefits of forward bend poses:

1. Calms the brain.
2. Helps relieve stress.
3. Stimulates liver and kidneys.
4. Stretches hamstrings, calves, & hips.
5. Strengthens thighs & knees.
6. Improves digestion.
7. Helps relieve symptoms of menopause.
8. Reduces fatigue.
9. Relieves headaches & insomnia.
10. Therapeutic for asthma.
11. Therapeutic for high blood pressure.
12. Therapeutic for infertility.
13. Therapeutic for osteoporosis.
14. Therapeutic for sinusitis.

I don’t know of any other Yoga pose that offers so many benefits, so don’t be fooled by the seeming simplicity of the pose.

What are the teaching steps for Standing Yoga Seal pose? 

Stand tall with feet wider than hip-width apart. Interlace fingers behind the back. Inhale, lift your chest and extend your arms backwards. Exhale, hinge forward from hips, keeping the spine straight. Extend arms overhead, parallel to the ground. Hold for a few breaths, then slowly return to an upright position.

What are some variations and modifications for Standing Yoga Seal pose? 

There are a lot of variations and modifications.

A) Bent knees in Rag Doll Pose.

B) Loop fingers around big toes.

C) Place the upper back against a wall.

D) Place hands on blocks that are positioned close to your feet.

E) Bend only halfway down in Dangling Pose or Halfway Lift Pose I, Halfway Lift II Pose, or Halfway Lift III Pose.

F) Use a wall for only going halfway down.

G) Let the body be loose as a goose while bending and allow the spine to take its time to stretch forward.

H) Place head on a chair when in the forward bend.

I) Do Gorilla pose (Padahastasana) – palms under soles of feet.

J) Do a standing forward and bend with hands on a chair.

K) Roll Downs are very popular in most yoga classes (flow from Mountain Pose to Standing Forward Bend Pose).