About this Asana Digest

Poses

Kurmasana (Tortoise / Turtle Pose) and Supta Kurmasana (Sleeping Tortoise / Turtle Pose)

Objective

Become knowledgeable about the pose and review detailed teaching considerations.

Description

Explain the Sanskrit naming; contraindications and cautions; associated benefits and typical effects; instructions and cues for setting up and practicing the pose; variations to meet particular intentions and needs; 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 – Forward Bending & Hip Stretching.

Kurmasana

koor-MAH-sah-nah
“kurma” = tortoise / turtle
Tortoise Pose or Turtle Pose
Supta Kurmasana is Kurmasana with the added step of binding the hands

Heart of the Pose

Forward Bend, Hip Stretch

Note

Kurmasana and supta kurmasana are challenging postures that could be considered the peak of the postures that we work with in the Ashtanga primary series. They give us an opportunity to work toward something that might seem impossible at first. But, with time, patience, and consistent practice, they will evolve. They also ask a lot from the body, so I would approach them when you have had a consistent base of yoga practice for some time and when your hips and hamstrings are sufficiently open to make these postures approachable. – David Keil, Yoganatomy.com, What’s Happening In Kurmasana and Supta Kurmasana? link

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