About this Asana Digest

Pose

Garudasana (Eagle Pose)

Objective

Become knowledgeable about the pose and review detailed teaching considerations.

Description

Explain the Sanskrit naming; associated benefits and typical effects; instructions and cues for setting up and practicing the pose; and more teaching considerations.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Asana Digests focus in on teaching specific poses. Please be aware of the groundwork and teaching support here: Asana Category – Balancing Poses.

Garudasana

gah-rue-DAHS-anna
Although Garudasana is translated as Eagle Pose, “Garuda” is in fact the mythological name of the “king of birds” who transports Lord Vishnu.*

*See much more in Verbal Cues & Mythology

Heart of the Pose

• Standing Balance
• Hip & Shoulder Stretching

Joint Actions

The following are from Leslie Kaminoff’s book, Yoga Anatomy.

• Mild spinal flexion
• Scapula abduction, upward & lateral rotation, elevation
• Elbow flexion
• Pelvis anterior tilt, counternutation
• Hip flexion, internal rotation, adduction
• Knee flexion, internal rotation
• Ankle dorsiflexion
• Foot – lifted in eversion, standing in slight supination
• See also: Joint Movements & ROM

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More Tools & Support

• Asana Categories
• General Alignment Principles
• Alignment Cueing