How to do Eka Pada Koundinyasana I - Advanced Arm Balancing

Eka pada Koundinyasana A is the first of two asanas named after the ancient Hindu sage, Koundinya. This is a twist posture that sees the yogi balance their body in the air with the support of their arms on the ground. It is a fairly advanced asana that requires a mixture of strength, balance and inner confidence to perform correctly. Eka Pada Koundinyasana A – a crazy extension of Side Crow (Parsva Bakasana). The strong twist initiated by the legs stimulates the digestive organs and rejuvenates the spine. The asana improves balance and focus as it engages the muscles of the body and helps the mind remain stable. In this video Nora Lim from TOTeM yoga studio shows us How to do Eka Pada Koundinyasana I - Advanced Arm Balancing.

How to:
1. Start by sitting down in a squat. Lift your left knee up with your right knee lying on the ground.
2. Use your left hand to gently draw your left knee in so your right hand can weave over the leg with your thigh laying on your triceps.
3. Now, slowly lower your palms to the ground. Once done, lift your right knee up to meet your left knee, while keeping your body twisted.
4. Finally, getup on your thighs and lift your hips up so you can shift forward, making sure your elbows are positioned exactly above your wrists.
5. Slowly and carefully, shift all your weight forward, which automatically makes your feet lighter, and lift both your feet off the ground as well.
6. Now, slowly and carefully, extend your legs out and stretch them apart, scissoring the thighs. Hold this posture for as long as you can.

Why to:
The pressure of the legs on the abdomen in this asana massages the abdominal organs.
The spinal twist strengthens and rejuvenates the spine.
Strengthens arms and neck.
Increases sense of balance.

Avoided by:
It is advised for people with wrist, elbows, shoulders or lower back injuries to not practice this posture as it would prove to be too straining for the muscles. Also, people who had had recent surgeries in their hands or back are also cautioned not to practice this pose.

Best time:
These stretches can be performed at any time or right before you go to sleep to have a peaceful sleep. But it is advised to perform these in the early hour’s right after you wake up as your joints would be relaxed at that time.







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