Astavakrasana or Eight-Angle Pose

Astavakrasana, or the Eight-Angle pose, was named after a noble Yogi Ashtavakra. The eight-angle pose is mainly practised in the Hatha yoga practice. 

In Sanskrit, Ashta means eight, and Vakra is called bends. Ashtvakra means eight turns. There is a magical energy work after practising the Astavakrasana.

             What is the story of Astavakrasana Pose?

Astavakra was the son of King Kagola, who cursed him for having curves on his body when he was in his mother’s womb. 

     How to do Astavakrasana or Eight-Angle Pose?

After a proper warm-up and finishing the primary series of Asanas, especially Virabhadrasana, the eight-angle pose should be practised in Asanas.

Before you try this posture, please check the appropriate alignment of body parts. This posture is also recommended for balancing during yoga teacher training and retreats.

There should be a lot of practice in wrist movements, shoulder rotation, elbow extensions, and arm stretching. The sequence of practising Eight Angle Pose Astavakrasana step by step will be as follows: –

1.  It balances on palms, and there should be enough practice of Crow Pose. Then, finally, it prepares the body to adopt the Eight-Angle pose.
2. Take all your body weight on your forearms, lean forward, and pay attention to your forefingers. You must make a firm grip on them.
3. After bending your elbows, twist the lower back and place one of the hips on the alternative elbow.
4. Slightly lift one of your legs, make proper balance on the palms, and lift another leg.
5. As both legs are together, shift the body weight to the arms. Again, it is imperative to give full attention to this.
6. Hold an eight-angle pose for 20 to 30 seconds; make your breath more profound, and do not push the Sacrum. Next, enlarge your spinal cord and release pressure from the lumbar region.
7. It is highly advisable to practice yoga nidra after completion. It promotes coordination between body and mind.

                   

 

                   Benefits of Astavakrasana or Eight-Angle pose

The eight-angle pose requires a lot of strength, resistance, power, balance, and flexibility. Astavakrasana benefits have many excellent workings on the body, and these are: –

• It develops arm muscles and strengthens the wrists and elbows.
• The eight-angle pose is an advanced posture for boosting energy in the lower body parts.
• Ashtvakrasana has done excellent work in developing concentration levels. It also makes a yoga beginner confident in Asanas practice.
• This posture is very effective for toning the abdominal muscles.
• It increases the flexibility of the physical body and sharpens the mind.
• Astavakrasana is adequate for good shape in the deltoid, scapula, triceps, and internal oblique muscles.
• Fast blood circulation in the abdomen is sufficient for the intestines and spleen.
• Astavakrasana activates the Mooladhara (root channel) and Swadhisthana Chakra.
• It effectively reduces back pain and removes the slip disk problem effectively.
• It makes the spinal cord flexible and allows blood to circulate in the Pelvis.
• It is also very effective in Kundalini awakening.
• Astavakrasana improves eyesight and gives clear vision.
• It comes under advanced asanas practice, which prepares a person to practice other postures.
• The eight-angle pose works perfectly on the shoulder area and for their strengthening.
  

                         

                           Precautions for Eight-Angle Pose

• Persons who are suffering from broken wrists should not attempt it.
• Astavakarasana is an advanced posture that may be tried after properly warming the body parts.
• People suffering from lower back problems should practice it with less holding.
• Sometimes, if you feel dizzy during practice, you may stop the practice immediately.
• If there is any stomach-related surgical issue, please avoid it.
• Beginners should also not force themselves to practice Astvakrasana; they should always practice it under proper supervision.
• In the case of a fracture in the hand, one should not practice it.
• Practising with less holding and less pressure is advisable in a hip injury.

Note: Ashtvakrasana is a balancing pose under an advanced series of Hatha Yoga practices. This posture is excellent for awakening the Manipur chakra and helps people improve their concentration levels.

It would help if you practised this asana after balancing the palms, which requires a lot of strength on the forearms and elbows. Before attempting it, we highly recommend practising Bakasana and Chaturanga Dandasana.

The eight-angle pose is an effective tool for recovering from back and shoulder injuries in yoga therapy.

If injured after practising Astavakrasana, one should try Reiki, Jin Shin Jyutsu, and pranic healing for a natural cure.