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[1] The Shooting-bow Pose

Posture: Akarna-dhanura-asana

Translation: The Sanskrit word karna means ear and the prefix “a” means near to or towards. Dhanur means bow-shaped, curved or bent. The “bow” here referred to is a bow as in “bow and arrow.” Literally we could translate this as the near-the-ear bow posture but because of the obvious appearance of the posture we’ll call it the shooting bow posture.

Pronunciation: ah-car-nah da-noor ah-sa-na
Required Skills: Requires flexibility of hips and legs.

Shooting Bow Posture (Akarna-asana) Instruction:

1. Sit on the floor with the legs together and extended straight out in front. Keep the back straight, shoulders level and head straight. Place the hands, palms down, flat on top of the
thighs then inhale deeply.
2. Exhale and reach down and loop the forefinger of the right hand around the big toe of the right foot and grasp the left foot with the left hand.

3. Inhale and pull the right foot back placing the big toe next to the right ear. Straighten
the back as much s possible and hold the posture for the duration of the inhale breath.

4. Exhale and return to the seated position of step #1 then repeat the posture on the
opposite side.

Tips:
While performing this posture imagine yourself as an archer with your gaze focused on a target and the arrow gracefully and steadily being pulled back in the bow. Hold the posture as steady as an archer would hold an arrow aimed at its target. Return the foot to the floor gently. This simple technique will help cultivate focused and unwavering attention.

Durations/Repetitions:
This posture should be held for a minimum of 30 seconds and can be extended to up to several minutes. Repeat at least twice with each leg.

Variations:
Reverse the hands and feet so that that the right hand pulls the left foot to the left ear
and vice versa. The foot gets pulled under the outstretched arm.

[2] The Salutation Pose

Posture: Anjanaya-asana

Translation: The Sanskrit word anjaneya means salutation or praise from the root anj which means to honor, to celebrate, to anoint.

Pronunciation: Ahn-jah-nay-ah-sa-na

The Salutation Pose (Anjanaya-asana) Instruction:

1. Sit comfortably in the vajra-asana (thunderbolt pose).
2. Kneel up on your knees until your back, buttocks and thighs are aligned.
3. Extend your left foot foward bending your left knee at about a 90 degree angle.
4. Place the palms of your hands together at the heart in the anjali-mudra.
5. Raise your arms stright up keeping the palms together while bending the head backward and looking up.
6. Slowly bend backward stretching the arms backward and straightening out the right leg. Hold this position for as long as comfortable while breathing gently through the nostrils.
7. Come back to the vajara-asana (thunderbolt pose) then reverse the posture by alternating legs.

Tips:

The anjaneya-asana combines several postures and mudras (gestures) in a fluid, evolving flow that combines motion, stretching and holds. It delivers great benefits for the back, arms, chest, legs and hips. Regular practice will strengthen concentration and improve balance.Perform this posture with a sense of reverence and praise. Take a moment to reside in silence and peace as your hands are held at the heart in the gesture (mudra) of salutation (anjali-mudra). Keep the intention of praise in mind as you extend your arms skyward. Feel your entire body-mind-heart extending outward in recognition of the sacredness of life.

Durations/Repetitions:
Repeat twice on each side.

[3] The Half-moon Pose

Posture: Ardhachandra-asana - The Half-moon Pose

Translation: The Sanskrit word ardha means “half,” and the word chandra means “moon,” thus, this is the “half moon” posture.

Pronunciation: ard-ha-chun-drah-sa-na

The Tree Pose (Vriksha-asana) Instruction:

1. Stand in the tada-asana (Stand with both feet touching from the heel to the big toe,keeping the back straight and the arms pressed slightly against the sides with palms facing inward.
2. Bring the hands together at the chest with palms lightly pressed against each other (the
Anjali-mudra).
3. Inhale and raise the arms straight up keeping the palms pressed lightly together.
4. Arch your body backwards keeping your arms alongside your neck and head, tilt the head backward and hold. Keep your knees straight while holding posture.
5. Slowly return to the tada-asana.

Tips:
The ardha-chandra-asana is a basic stretching and balancing pose that benefits principly the lower back, abdomen and chest. It isequally suitable for use in your stretching routine as well as formal asana practice.This pose is also one the postures that are are sequenced in surya-namaskar (the Sun alutation).

Durations/Repetitions:
Repeat ardha-chandra-asana two to three times.

[4] The Half Spinal Twist Pose

Posture: Ardha-matsyendra-asana

Translation: Ardha means half. Matsyendra is one of many Siddhas or masters who where accomplished Yogis mentioned in the medieval Yoga text the Hatha-Yoga-Pradipika. This posture posture is traditionally called the Spinal Twist because the spinal column is twisted gently.

Pronunciation: ard-ha-mat-syen-drah-sa-na

The Half Spinal Twist Pose (Ardha-matsyendra-asana) Instruction:

1. Sit in any comfortable cross-legged position.
2. Straighten the legs out in front. Bend the right knee and bring the heel of the right
foot close to the left hip.
3. Inhale and bend the left knee upward and place the left foot flat on the floor to the
right of the right leg with the ankle touching the right thigh.
4. While turning the spine to the left straighten the right arm bringing it around to the
outside of the left knee and grasp the left foot with the right hand.
5. Turn your head as far as possible to the left and bend the left arm behind your back.
Keep your spine, neck and head aligned and continue to exert effort at turning to the left.
6. Repeat the posture the other side by reversing directions 2-6.

Tips:
The Half Spinal Twist is one of the best Yoga postures for cultivating flexibility and
strength in the spine. It sooths stiff necks and upper back tension caused by stress, poor
posture, or prolonged periods of sitting in one position.The alternating compression and release of the abdominal region flushes this area with blood and massages the internal organs. Muscles of the stomach and hips are also toned from repeated practice of the Half Spinal Twist.

Durations/Repetitions:
The posture can be held for as long as you are comfortable. (One repetition consists of performing the posture on each side. Two to three full repetitions should be done at each session.

[5] The Restrained Angle Pose

Baddha-kona-asana

Translation: The Sanskrit word baddha means a bond, chain, caught or restrained. The word pada means foot, and kona means corner or angle therefore this is the restrained-foot-angle posture.

Pronunciation: ba-dah-cone-ah-sa-na

Step by Step guide for This yoga:

1. Sit on the floor with the legs together and extended straight out in front. Keep the back
straight, shoulders level and head straight. Place the hands, palms down, flat on top of the
thighs then inhale deeply.
2. Exhale and bend the knees drawing the feet toward the torso.
3. Place the soles of the feet together, clasp the hands over the feet interlocking the
fingers pulling the feet closer and placing the heels against the perineum. The outer edge
and small toe of each foot should touch the floor.
4. Lower the knees to the floor and keep the back straight. Use the elbows to press down on the thighs if necessary to bring the calves and knees to the floor. Hold the posture
breathing gently through the nostrils.
5. Release the posture and sit with the legs extended out and hands on the thighs.

Guide:
Regular practice of the baddhakona-asana stretches the knees and stimulates circulation in he legs. It should be practiced frequently until one is comfortable sitting in the
padma-asana. The main areas of the body that are stimulated, besides the legs, are the
stomach, pelvis and lower back. It is said to keep the kidneys, prostate and bladder
healthy. The baddha-konasana is one of the few postures that can be practiced comfortably soon after eating.

Durations/Repetitions:
Hold the posture from thirty seconds to two minutes depending on comfort. Repeat two or
three times.
[6] The Child Pose

Posture: Bala-asana
Translation: The Sanskrit word bala means child.
Pronunciation: ba-lah-sa-na

The Child Pose (Bala-asana ) How to Do?:

1. Sit on your knees with your feet together and buttocks resting on your heels. Separateyour knees about the width of your hips. Place your hands on your thighs, palms down. (This is the vajra-asana or Thunderbolt Pose).
2. Inhale deeply, then exhale as you bring your chest between your knees while swinging your arms forward.
3. Rest your forehead on the floor, if possible, and then bring your arms around to your sides until the hands on resting on either side of your feet, palms up.
4. Breath gently through your nostrils as you hold the posture. Hold for about one to two minutes. Then return to asn upright kneeling position with your back straight and your hands on your thighs.
5. Repeat the posture at least one more time.

Help:
The bala-asana is one of the more relaxing Yoga postures and can easily be done by beginners. As part of your Yoga routine it is best used as a counter-pose to any posture that stretch the spine backward (such as the naga-asana, the dhanura-asana, the chakra-asana, the ushtra-asana, etc.) The bala-asana gently stretches and relaxes the shoulders, neck, back muscles and thighs.

Durations/Repetitions:
The bala-asana can be held for as long as is comfortable. Repeat at least twice if it is held for less than a minute.

[7] The Wheel Pose

Chakra-asana

Translation: Chakra, from the root cak (”to move”) means wheel and therefore this is the Wheel Posture. The cakra-asana is also known as the urdhva-dhanurasana. Urdhva means raised, elevated or upright and dhanur means bow. Both “wheel posture” and “raised bow posture” describe the appearance of this asana.

Pronunciation: Chu-krah-sa-na

The Wheel Pose (Chakra-asana) Step by step Instruction:

1. Lie flat on the back in the shava-asana.
2. While exhaling bend the knees and bring the feet as close to the buttocks as possible with the soles of the feet flat on the floor.
3. Bend the arms at the elbows and place the palms of the hands flat on the floor directly under each shoulder with the fingers pointing toward the back.
4. While inhaling slowly, begin to raise the head, back and buttocks off the floor while arching the spine. Continue to press downward on the hands and feet while raising the hips and stomach as high as possible.
5. Hold for the duration of the held inhaled breath. When you can’t hold the breath comfortable any longer, slowly exhale and return the back to the floor, slide the legs out straight returning to the shava-asana.

Tips:
The chakra-asana is more challenging than most other yoga postures. Don’t be discouraged if your unable to accomplish it right away. Even attempting this posture without successful completion holds great benefits. First and foremost is the strength and suppleness it restores to the spine. It strengthens the arms, shoulders and upper back as well and stimulates the cardiovascular system. The chakra-asana has an overall tonic effect for the entire body. As the natural suppleness of the spine is restored after a period of practice you can begin to perfect the form of this asana and thus experience greater benefits. First be certain that the arms are as straight as possible with very little to no bend in the elbows. When you can hold this comfortably, begin breathing through the nostrils while holding the posture and attempt to get a greater arch in the spine by bringing your hands closer to your feet and/or bringing your feet closer to your hands. Finally, you can extend the duration of the chakra-asana by doing several repetitions in sequence without resting in-between. As you return from the posture keep the hands behind the shoulders and the soles of the feet flat on the floor and as soon as the back returns to floor immediately raise it and enter the full posture again.

Durations/Repetitions:
The chakra-asana is either held for the duration of the inhaled breath or between one and three minutes while breathing gently through the nostrils. Repeat it two or three times.

The “Bridge” Variation:
Although this variation is much easier to perform than the full chakra-asana, it shares several of its benefits. In particular it will help to stretch the spine and relieve tightness in the upper back and shoulder area. To get the full benefit of the bridge variation continual effort should be applied to raising the back upward and creating the greatest possible arch with the spine. While holding the bridge breath slowly through the nostrils. If there is no discomfort felt in the spine or shoulders then one should advance to the full variation of the chakra-asana as described above. Both variations strengthen the back and promote flexibility of the spine. Tightness in the back and spine results from poor posture, stress, a sedentary lifestyle and/or emotional disturbances. You should begin to feel the tightness being released after just a few repetitions.

[9] The Bow Pose

Posture: Dhanura-asana

Translation: The Sanskrit word dhanur means bow-shaped, curved or bent. The bow referred is a bow as in “bow and arrow.” This asana is so named because the body mimics the shape of a bow with its string stretched back ready to shoot an arrow.

Pronunciation: dha-noor-ah-sa-na

Step by step Instruction for this Yoga:

1. Lie on the stomach with the head turned to one side and the arms alongside the body with palms facing upward.
2. Turn the head and place the chin on the floor. Exhale, bend the knees, reach back with the arms and grasp the right ankle with the right hand and the left ankle with the left hand.
3. While inhaling, slowly raise the legs by pulling the ankles up and raising the knees off the floor while simultaneously lifting the chest off the floor. Hold the inhale breath. The weight of the body should be resting on the abdomen.
4. Tilt the head as far back as possible. Hold the posture as long as you can comfortably hold the inhale breath.
5. Slowly exhale bringing the knees to the floor, release the ankles, slowly bring the legs and arms straight down on the floor and turn the head to one side, assuming the prone posture you began with.

Guide:
The most obvious benefit of the dhanur-asana is that it restores flexibility to the spine. Regular practice will relieve lower back pain and release tension and strain in the upper back and neck area. The alternating stretching and releasing of the abdominal muscles increases blood flow to this area and aids all sorts of digestive disorders and discomforts. Strain or fatigue in the legs is also released after a few repetitions. Extended practice will help develop upper-body strength.

Durations/Repetitions:
The dhanur-asana is either held for the duration of the inhaled or between one and three minutes while breathing gently through the nostrils. Repeat it two or three times.

Variations:
The two variations of the dhanur-asana have to do with the method of breathing and the amount of arch of the back. As one progresses with this asana and is able to hold the posture for a longer period of time, the posture can be held while slow, rhythmic breathing is maintained through the nostrils. As the spine becomes more flexible try drawing the feet closer to the head. Some are able to join the top of the head to the soles of the feet although this is certainly not necessary to accomplish the dhanur-asana.

[10] The One-legged Pose

Posture: Ekapada-asana
Translation: The Sanskrit word eka means one and pada means foot making this the one-foot, or more commonly, one-legged pose.
Pronunciation: eka-pod-ah-sa-na

The Wheel Pose (Chakra-asana) Instruction:

1. Stand with the feet together and the arms by your sides (see the tad-asana).
2. Focus the eyes straight ahead on a spot midway between waist and eye level and remain focused there throughout this asana. (standing about five feet from a wall would be helpful).
3. Inhale and extend the arms directly in front, parallel with the floor with thumbs touching.
4. Exhale and raise the right knee bending the leg at a 90 degree angle, pause for a moment then extend the leg straight out in front pointing the toes forward.
5. Pause for a moment then swing the leg backward while bending forward at the waist.
6. Breath slowly through the nostrils and make sure the arms, torso and legs are parallel With the floor.
7. Hold the posture for at least 30 seconds and then return slowly to a standing position.

Guide:
The ekapada-asana tones and strengthens leg muscles, improves sense of balance and helps sharpen concentration. The ekpada requires that you become aware of your body/mind as a whole. As you practice this posture turn the attention away from distractions of the mind and center it on full body-awareness. Continual effort in the ekpada-asana in this way will help cultivate concentration. The “closed eyes” variation (see below) intensifies the effect of the posture. Instead of relying on a fixed point of vision as an “anchor” the practitioner will cultivate an inner stability. The ekpada-asana also gives strength to the hips and lower back.

Durations/Repetitions:
This posture should be held for a minimum of 30 seconds and can be extended to up to several minutes. Repeat at least twice on each foot.

Variations:
When you can remain in the ekpada effortlessly for at least 30 seconds without wavering or losing balance, try doing it with the eyes closed. This variation makes the posture quite challenging but it increases the benefits as described above.

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