Hanumanasana

Hanumanasana from 3/4 view

Hanumanasana (Sanskrit: हनुमानासन) or Monkey Pose^[1] is an asana.

Etymology

The name comes from the Sanskrit words Hanuman (a divine entity in Hinduism who resembles a monkey) and asana (posture),^[2] and commemorates the giant leap made by Hanuman to reach the Lankan islands from the mainland of India.^[3]

Description

The yogi pushes one leg forward and one leg backwards until they are in the splits position. Once the yogi has moved the legs into position, there are several variations of arm and upper body position including Añjali Mudrā.

Benefits

This asana is of utmost spiritual significance, as well as requiring significant physical flexibility. It stretches the hamstrings and groin.

See also

• List of asanas

References

1. "Yoga Journal - Monkey Pose". Retrieved 2011-04-09.
2. Sinha, S.C. (1 June 1996). Dictionary of Philosophy. Anmol Publications PVT. LTD. p. 18. ISBN 978-81-7041-293-9. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
3. Mead, Jean (10 February 2008). How and Why Do Hindus Celebrate Divali?. Evans Brothers. pp. 10–. ISBN 978-0-237-53412-7. Retrieved 25 June 2011.

Further reading

• Iyengar, B. K. S. (1 October 2005). Illustrated Light On Yoga. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-81-7223-606-9. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
• Saraswati, Swami Satyananda (1 August 2003). Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha. Nesma Books India. ISBN 978-81-86336-14-4. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
• Saraswati, Swami Satyananda (January 2004). A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya. Nesma Books India. ISBN 978-81-85787-08-4. Retrieved 9 April 2011.

External links

• Step by Step instruction