Pavanmuktasana

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Pavanamuktasana (Sanskrit पवनमुक्तासन), Vatayanasana,[1] or Wind-Relieving pose[2][3][4][5] is an asana in modern yoga as exercise.

Etymology and origins [ edit ]

The name comes from the Sanskrit पवन pavan, "wind", मुक्त mukta, "free"[6] and आसन asana, "posture" or "seat".[7] The pose is unknown in medieval hatha yoga, appearing in the 20th century, for example as one of the set poses in the basic sequence of Bikram Yoga.[8]

Description [ edit ]

This asana is practiced in three stages:

In the first stage, the yogi lies on their back stretching their legs straight. The yogi bends their right knee and holds it with their hands, pressing it towards their abdomen. Breathing out, the yogi lifts up their head and touches their knee with their chin. Breathing in, the yogi stretches their legs straight. In the second stage, the yogi presses their abdomen with their left leg. In the third stage, the yogi presses their abdomen with both legs, placing their chin between their knees. From this position, the yogi swings their body back and forth 5 to 10 times, and then swings their body left to right and right to left 5 to 10 times.

The three stages above form one round. Three or four rounds should be practiced.[9]

Variations [ edit ]

Some sources differentiate between double leg, Dvi Pada Pavanamuktasana (dvi = "two", pada = "leg"), and single leg, Eka Pada Pavanamuktasana (eka = "one", pada = "leg") forms.[10]

Salamba Eka Pada Pavanamuktasana is Supported One-Legged Wind-Relieving Pose.[11]

See also [ edit ]