Mayurasana

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Mayūrāsana (Sanskrit: मयूरासन) or Peacock pose^[1] is a hand-balancing asana in hatha yoga and modern yoga as exercise with the body held horizontal over the hands. It is one of the oldest non-seated asanas.

Etymology and origins

The name comes from the Sanskrit words mayūra (मयूर) meaning "peacock"^[2] and āsana (आसन) meaning "posture".^[3]

Mayurasana is one of the oldest non-seated asanas used in hatha yoga; it is first described in the 10th century Vimānārcanākalpa. The Vāsiṣṭha Saṁhitā 1.76-7 states that it destroys all sins.^[4]

Description

In this asana the body is raised like a horizontal stick holding the floor with both palms while the body is supported by the elbows.^[5]

Variations

Hamsasana (Swan Pose) is identical to Mayurasana except that the hands are placed with the fingers pointing forwards.^[6]

Padma Mayurasana (Lotus in Peacock Pose) has the legs crossed as in Lotus Position.^[7]

References

^ "Yoga Journal - Peacock Pose". Retrieved 9 April 2011.
^ "Mayurasana - AshtangaYoga.info". Retrieved 9 April 2011.
^ Sinha, S. C. (1 June 1996). Dictionary of Philosophy. Anmol Publications. p. 18. ISBN 978-81-7041-293-9. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
^ Mallinson, James; Singleton, Mark (2017). Roots of Yoga. Penguin Books. pp. 100–101, 105. ISBN 978-0-241-25304-5. OCLC 928480104.
^ Iyengar 1979, pp. 282–284.
^ Iyengar 1979, pp. 284–285.
^ Ramaswami, Srivatsa; Krishnamacharya, T. (3 June 2005). The complete book of vinyasa yoga: an authoritative presentation, based on 30 years of direct study under the legendary yoga teacher Krishnamacharya. Da Capo Press. p. 208. ISBN 978-1-56924-402-9. Retrieved 9 April 2011.

Sources

Iyengar, B. K. S. (1979) [1966]. Light on Yoga: Yoga Dipika. Unwin Paperbacks. ISBN 978-1855381667.

External links

Step by Step instruction

[1] "Yoga Journal - Peacock Pose". Retrieved 9 April 2011.

[2] "Mayurasana - AshtangaYoga.info". Retrieved 9 April 2011.

[Sinha1996-3] Sinha, S. C. (1 June 1996). Dictionary of Philosophy. Anmol Publications. p. 18. ISBN 978-81-7041-293-9. Retrieved 9 April 2011.

[4] Mallinson, James; Singleton, Mark (2017). Roots of Yoga. Penguin Books. pp. 100–101, 105. ISBN 978-0-241-25304-5. OCLC 928480104.

[FOOTNOTEIyengar1979282–284-5] Iyengar 1979, pp. 282–284.

[FOOTNOTEIyengar1979284–285-6] Iyengar 1979, pp. 284–285.

[RamaswamiKrishnamacharya2005-7] Ramaswami, Srivatsa; Krishnamacharya, T. (3 June 2005). The complete book of vinyasa yoga: an authoritative presentation, based on 30 years of direct study under the legendary yoga teacher Krishnamacharya. Da Capo Press. p. 208. ISBN 978-1-56924-402-9. Retrieved 9 April 2011.

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v t e Hatha yoga
Subtle body	Three bodies Five sheaths Chakra Nadi Sushumna Prana
Texts (Asanas)	Ancient meditation seats Darshana Upanishad, Pātañjalayogaśāstravivaraṇa, Goraksha Sataka Gomukhasana Muktasana Padmasana Siddhasana Simhasana Sopasrayasana Sukhasana Svastikasana Virasana Ancient non-meditation Ahirbudhnya Saṃhitā, Pātañjalayogaśāstravivaraṇa Dandasana Kurmasana c. 7th C. Ahirbudhnya Samhita Kukkutasana c. 10th C. Vimanarcanakalpa Mayurasana c. 11th C. Amritasiddhi, Hemachandra's Yogashastra Muktasana Shirshasana 12th C. Amaraugha 13th C. Dattatreya Yoga Shastra, Goraksha Shataka, Vasishtha Samhita, Vivekamārtaṇḍa Viparita Karani 14th C. Khecarīvidyā, Shiva Samhita, Sharngadhara-paddhati, Yogabīja, Yogatārāvalī Gorakshasana Paschimottanasana 15th C. Hatha Yoga Pradipika Baddha Konasana Dhanurasana Matsyendrasana Utkatasana 17th C. Gheranda Samhita, Hatha Ratnavali, Yogacintamani, Bahr al-Hayāt Bakasana Bhujangasana Kakasana Kraunchasana Makarasana Mandukasana Matsyasana Vajrasana Vrikshasana 18th C. Hathabhyasa-paddhati, Joga Pradipika Adho Mukha Vrikshasana 19th C. Sritattvanidhi Akarna Dhanurasana Bhairavasana Durvasasana Garudasana Halasana Navasana Pashasana Setu Bandha Sarvangasana Tittibhasana Urdhva Dhanurasana Late 1905 Yogasopana Purvacatuska 1943 Hatha Yoga: The Report of A Personal Experience
Mudras	Mahamudra Maha Bandha Jalandhara Bandha Mula Bandha Uddiyana Bandha Viparita Karani Khechari mudra Vajroli mudra
Shatkarmas	Dhauti Basti Kapalabhati Nauli Neti Trataka
Pranayama	Anuloma Bhastrika Bhramari Kumbhaka Ujjayi
Related	Modern yoga Nath Roots of Yoga Yoga Yoga as exercise Yoga using props Category:Medieval Hatha Yoga asanas