Garudasana/Eagle Pose 

Find strength and concentration like an eagle perched up top the highest mountains. This pose is translated as eagle or “the devourer” after an eagle-like God who would devour fire and light or “would devour the all consuming fire of the sun’s rays” which is fitting because the pose is also very heating, and stokes the bodies internal fires.

Do not practice if there is injury to the knee and modify if injury or irritation is present in the shoulder girdle. Ankle injury should also approach with caution. 

This pose is great for opening the shoulders, and practicing your balance. Because we are balancing your gaze becomes incredibly important iPad it can be helpful to keep your eyes on your thumbs! This pose strengthens and stretches the ankles, calves, the thighs, hips, shoulders, and upper back; because of this it can be great for sciatica. Folding forward bringing the knees and elbows together can deepen compression greatly. This compression stipulations the internal organs, massaging them and thus resulting in a great detoxifying effect. This pose is often taught in hot classrooms to amplify the detoxifying qualities and can really get the body sweating.

Getting There:

1. From tadasana bend your knees slightly, and lift your left foot up while balancing on your right foot. Begin to cross your left thigh over the right, keeping the knees tight without any space between. Squeeze the thighs together like you have to pee engaging the inner thighs completely! Point your left toes toward the floor, and then, if it is possible for your body, hook the top of the foot behind the lower right calf. If you loose balance bring the big to to the earth instead of wrapping the ankle. Balance on the right foot, keeping the arch lifted and the four corners grounded. 

 

2. Stretch your arms straight forward with the palms facing down,shoulder height and spread your shoulder blades wide across the top of your back bringing the scapula together, Cross the arms in front of your torso so that the right arm is above the left, and connect at the elbows, then bend your elbows and create a snug bind of the arms with no space. Snug the right elbow into the nook of the left, and raise the arms bringing the elbows in line with the shoulders. The backs of your hands should be facing each other.

 

3. If possible aim to press the palms together (as much as is possible for you), lift your elbows up, and stretch the fingers toward the ceiling.Stay for 15 to 30 seconds, then unwind the legs and arms. Repeat other side.

This pose is great for cold weather as it can really get your circulation going. Move slowly if you are increasing compression by bringing the elbows to knees when you return to standing as dizziness has been noted. Move slowly for maximum control and remember to squeeze everything together tightly!